Māori partner with agbio leaders to drive growth through science
Wellingtonm, 31st July 2012 - The Federation of Māori Authorities says supporting the world’s top agricultural
biotechnology conference being held in Rotorua in September is an opportunity to connect its members with the best minds
in the business.
The Federation has come on board as a Platinum sponsor of ABIC (Agricultural Biotechnology International Conference)
2012, which will bring industry leaders, researchers and scientists, investors and policy makers from around the world
to New Zealand.
ABIC 2012 is hosted by NZBIO, the New Zealand biotechnology industry association.
The Federation of Māori Authorities represents New Zealand businesses with a combined asset base valued at NZ$8 billion,
much of which comes from interests in seafood, forestry, dairy, sheep and beef, horticulture and energy.
Federation chief executive Te Horipo Karaitiana says the conference presents an exciting opportunity for the Federation
to grow and advance Māori-owned agri-business through sharing science and biotechnology knowledge and networks.
“Māori have a saying that ‘with your basket of knowledge and ours, the people will prosper’ and our Federation sees this
conference as a step in that direction.
“Through science, the Māori economy will grow, so it is vital that the Federation, as the largest network of Māori
businesses, is a key player in this conference.”
Mr Karaitiana says Māori also have much to offer international guests attending ABIC 2012.
“We will bring a unique element to the discussion because of our cultural and environmental values where taking care of
the land that we operate businesses on is just as important as making a profit.”
NZBIO Chief Executive Dr Suzanne Bertrand has welcomed the Federation’s involvement in ABIC 2012.
“This is an extremely positive confirmation that Māori agbiotech business will be playing an integral role in the
development of the future knowledge-intensive bio-economy.
“Having them on board is enlarging our knowledge base and allowing us to have an all-encompassing view of the industry,”
Dr Bertrand said.
ABIC 2012 takes place from 2 – 6 September and its theme is Adapting to a Changing World. The Ministry of Science and Innovation is a major sponsor of the event.
To view the programme for ABIC 2012, visit: www.abic2012.com/index.cfm/programme/
About ABIC
The first ABIC conference was held in Canada in 1996 and in 1998 the ABIC Foundation was set up to ensure the continued
success of ABIC meetings. The Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation overseen by a board of directors with
representation from several countries and based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Its goal is to ensure ongoing opportunities
for continuous learning and networking within the agbiotech community through the annual Agricultural Biotechnology
International Conference. ABIC conferences are held on a four year rotation in the following regions:
Europe/Africa/Middle East; Asia Pacific; United States/Canada/Mexico; and South America.
About NZBIO
NZBIO is a vibrant member-based organisation focused on growing New Zealand’s prosperous bioeconomy. With hundreds of
individual and corporate members from across agbiotech, human health, industrial and environmental and food bioscience,
NZBIO plays a leading role in providing practical support for companies to grow. NZBIO’s activities include member
events, seminars and conferences, policy advocacy, national and international outreach and promotion. Our membership
base ranges from start up bioscience companies, to mature corporates and major multinationals. We also represent New
Zealand research institutes and universities, specialist service professionals, corporate, institutional, individual and
student members from New Zealand and around the world.
NZBIO is an important voice of the New Zealand bioscience sector informing policy makers, enabling collaboration and
investment, showcasing New Zealand’s capability to the world and demonstrating how biosciences can contribute to
societal, economic and environmental challenges.
About the Federation of Māori Authorities
The Federation of Māori Authorities is a voluntary, member-based organisation which represents a nationwide membership
of 150 Māori trust boards, iwi settlement bodies and Māori land entities. The Federation is the peak industry body of
the Māori economic sector. With an estimated collective asset base of $8 billion, its members are major contributors to
the New Zealand economy, with significant interests in seafood, forestry, dairy, sheep and beef, horticulture, property,
energy and investments. The Federation’s mission is enabling sustainable economic prosperity for its members, its
communities and New Zealand by facilitating Māori economic growth through the utilisation of natural, human and
financial capital. Its core business is advocacy and influence for their members.
About the Ministry of Science and Innovation
The Ministry of Science and Innovation (MSI) has an exciting and ambitious mandate to coordinate and harness the scientific and innovative capability of New Zealand.
MSI has a strong enabling and connecting role across the government, business and science sectors within New Zealand and
a role in building New Zealand’s international profile as a smart country. By increasing collaborations and connections,
MSI aims to create an environment where cutting-edge science and innovation can flourish.
As a major supporter of New Zealand's Bio sector, MSI is proud to support the 2012 Agricultural Biotechnology
International Conference (ABIC).
ENDS