<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4/A</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-05-01</periodOfReport>

    <dateOfOriginalSubmission>2009-05-04</dateOfOriginalSubmission>

    <notSubjectToSection16>1</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000893467</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NORTHWEST BANCORPORATION INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>nbct</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001228403</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>PETERSON RICHARD H</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>421 WEST RIVERSIDE, SUITE 113</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SPOKANE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>WA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>99201</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <remarks>Reporting individual retired from Board of Directors May 18, 2009</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Holly Austin, by power of attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-06-23</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
