Taranaki's economic agency says the business outlook for the region is the best it has been in more than a decade, largely because of a booming oil and gas industry.
Venture Taranaki economic development manager Michelle Jordan said demand from people seeking help in starting up a business is unprecedented.
She said start-up advice is up 20% and new businesses cover the whole spectrum from services, retail, trade to manufacturing.
Taranaki Chamber of Commercesaid a lot of business opportunities are happening with all the oil and gas drilling activity, including Methanex recommissioning its Waitara Valley plant.
Chair Grant McQuoid said that creates a flow-on effect for smaller businesses.
Venture Taranaki chief executive Stuart Trundle said the outlook is expected to continue for another 12 to 15 months.
