KiwiNet a finalist in 2014 AUT Business School Excellence in Business Support Awards
Hamilton, 11 June 2014 – The Kiwi Innovation Network (KiwiNet) has been selected as a finalist in the 2014 AUT Business
School Excellence in Business Support Awards.
KiwiNet, a consortium of 13 Universities, Crown Research Institutes and Crown Entities dedicated to taking a collaborative
approach to research commercialisation, has been recognised for excellence in the Drake New Zealand Government –
Partnerships category. KiwiNet will join other finalists across 11 categories in this year’s Awards.
Dr Bram Smith, General Manager of KiwiNet says, “We’re really proud of the role KiwiNet is playing in encouraging and
supporting the next generation of the science and technology successes in our economy. Being named as a finalist is a
tribute to the achievements of our partner research organisations that are committed to working together to share
expertise, networks and investment and achieve better commercial outcomes from research for New Zealand.”
KiwiNet activities are designed to build awareness and inspire research commercialisation success within New Zealand’s
universities and Crown Research Institutes. The pinnacle of activities is the annual KiwiNet Research Commercialisation
Awards, which puts the spotlight on the people and research organisations changing the commercialisation landscape in
New Zealand.
“It’s great to be able to showcase the amazing work that goes on behind the scenes to transform research discoveries
into great innovations,” says Natalie Ward, Marketing Manager, KiwiNet. The KiwiNet Award winners for 2014 will be
announced on at 11 June at an Awards reception in Auckland.
KiwiNet (www.kiwinet.org.nz) partner organisations include WaikatoLink, Plant & Food Research, Otago Innovation Ltd, Lincoln University, AUT Enterprises, AgResearch, University of Canterbury,
Callaghan Innovation, Viclink, Landcare Research, Cawthron Institute, ESR and NIWA. Principal support is provided by the
Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE).
“For any business, the standard of support it gets behind the scenes from business support organisations has a great
bearing on whether it succeeds or fails,” says AUT University Dean of Business and Law, Professor Geoff Perry. “By
acknowledging excellence in business support we aim to highlight the important role of business support, celebrate
excellence, and raise the standard of business support across the board.”
The winners of the AUT Excellence in Business Support Awards will be announced on 2 October at a black-tie gala dinner
in Auckland. The AUT Business School Supreme Award will be chosen from the category winners.
About KiwiNet
The Kiwi Innovation Network (KiwiNet) comprises universities and crown research institutes and agencies working together
to increase the scale and impact of scientific and technology based innovation in New Zealand. KiwiNet’s role is to
empower those involved in research commercialisation by helping them access the tools, connections, investment and
support they need. By working together, KiwiNet aims to better leverage the combined capability of NZ research
organisations and help each other to achieve greater commercial outcomes for New Zealand. KiwiNet partner organisations
include WaikatoLink, Plant & Food Research, Otago Innovation Ltd, Lincoln University, AUT Enterprises, AgResearch, University of Canterbury,
Callaghan Innovation, Viclink, Landcare Research, Cawthron Institute, ESR and NIWA. Principal support is also provided
by the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE).
ENDS