Powering Innovation

Early 2011 the Ministry of Science and Innovation in New Zealand released an independent report on "Improving access to and uptake of R&D in the high value manufacturing and services sector". I found the report a good read and for me one recommendation in particular stood out. This was based around the acknowledgement to move away from research institute connotations, wherein the Panel has suggested establishing a new institution. The Panel even went on to name this organisation - Advanced Technology New Zealand (ATNZ).

Based on this recommendation - fast forward to July 2012, the Prime Minister along with Minister Steven Joyce announced the structure for a new Advanced Technology Institute (ATI) as a high-tech HQ for innovative New Zealand businesses. From the announcement :

"It will help high-tech firms become more competitive by better connecting them with the expertise and facilities that exist both within the ATI and across New Zealand’s Crown Research Institutes, universities, polytechnics, and other research organisations."

"The ATI will also take over a range of business development functions that currently sit within other agencies. That will include some business R&D grants, subject to working through practical details."

In this announcement were time lines (for a 1st December 2012 launch) and a budget (the Government has allocated $166 million over four years for the ATI ($90 million opex and $76.1 million capex).

What pleased me further was the announcement this morning that the ATI will be named after Sir Paul Callaghan !

"Sir Paul championed the idea that science could make New Zealand a better place. He believed science was not only about great ideas, but about getting value from those ideas through innovation and commercialisation."

I am fairly excited about this drive for and an agenda for business growth here in New Zealand, and speaking with members of government who are working on a series of reports due out there certainly is a level of excitement. We all know New Zealand is world famous for being able to take on the world stage with no8 wire.