Friday 12th August, 2016
NZ R network REANNZ celebrates 10 years of innovation
Crown-owned company, REANNZ, provider of the high-performance telecommunications network that serves New Zealand’s
research, innovation and education communities, celebrated its 10th Anniversary at an industry function at Victoria
University of Wellington last night.
In attendance were some of New Zealand’s greatest science, research and business minds, including the Honourable Steven
Joyce, in his role as Minister of Science and Innovation.
REANNZ CEO, Nicole Ferguson, says that since its launch, the network has become essential for New Zealand’s research and
education communities - as a multiplier, enabler and conduit to world class research and discovery.
“At our inception, New Zealand was almost 10 years behind the rest of the world in respect of data capability and
research methods. We’ve come a long way to addressing those issues in our first decade, enabling Kiwi researchers to
collaborate on and participate in all manner of world-class projects, collaborating at a level that, prior to 2006,
would have been inconceivable.
“Our members are already taking part in some truly amazing projects. As an example, REANNZ is currently helping to
facilitate a ground-breaking collaboration between Unitec Institute of Technology, NIWA (National Institute for Water
and Atmospheric Research) and Wuhan University in China, as they work to address issues of pollution in Wuhan City.
“The international reach of the REANNZ network is essential for New Zealand researchers to be able to participate in
this collaboration and share their wealth of knowledge and expertise across the globe.
“We’re in constant dialogue regarding how we can go about improving our operations, to better service our members’ needs
- be that through increased bandwidth, bespoke research and education focused solutions or by assisting campuses in the
enhancement of their own infrastructure.
“For us, the next ten years will be about making sure we’re doing all we can to help our Members realise their full
potential,” concludes Ferguson.
Chair of the REANNZ board, Jim Donovan, says, “We’re looking ahead at the next 10 years with confidence in our
capability, faith in our relationships and huge aspiration for what we can achieve together with our members.
“We’re excited and optimistic about what the next decade will bring, thanks to the transformative power of our network
and the way in which it can effect positive change in the research, education and innovation sectors,” Donovan
concludes.
ENDS