World-class animal health centre to be based in Manawatu
Manawatu is poised to develop a world leading animal health research centre, building on the research skills of Massey
University’s Institute of Veterinary Animal and Biomedical Science (IVABS) and AgResearch.
Vision Manawatu, an economic development agency, has just won NZTE funding to begin an assessment of the region’s animal
health research capability.
The assessment is aimed at developing a world-renowned centre of excellence in animal health research and
commercialisation of animal remedies, which will be based at Massey University.
Associate Director Maxine Yule said, “There is considerable opportunity for international positioning in animal health
research and stronger relationships with commercial interests. This funding will help provide expert support to define
these opportunities and provide a clear direction.
“We need to identify areas where our capability is internationally competitive; the key issues affecting
commercialisation; and how to improve the interface between researchers and end-users,” she said. “It is critical that
we begin planning for such an important centre now.”
Head of IVABS Professor Grant Guilford said, “I am looking forward to working with Vision Manawatu on the development of
a commercial animal health cluster around the animal health research expertise of Massey and AgResearch. The grouping of
these two research teams in Palmerston North has required strong commitment from the University and AgResearch. The
collaborative venture creates a team of animal health researchers of a size and expertise that rivals that found
anywhere in the world.
“Our plan now is to facilitate the clustering of commercial companies about this science base to reduce the risk of new
product development for New Zealand's small to medium enterprises. The region already has a number of companies with an
interest in animal health - such as New Zealand Pharmaceuticals, Estendart Ltd, Fonterra, Gribbles and New Zealand
Veterinary Pathology as well as companies with more generic expertise to protect intellectual property and invest in its
development. This, along with the world-class 'process engineering' skills of Massey's Institute of Technology and
Engineering, offers the Manawatu region a unique strategic opportunity that we must make every effort to capitalise on."
New Zealand already has a competitive advantage in animal health with its excellent animal health status. Innovative
animal remedies and health solutions will become increasingly important for New Zealand producers and exporters in the
face of increasing consumer awareness of food chain safety.
The Manawatu is also home to some other key bioindustry stakeholders, including Fonterra, four Crown Research
Institutes, New Zealand Pharmaceuticals and the BioCommerce Centre. The presence of a centre for excellence for animal
health is likely to attract private sector research teams and specialised manufacturing facilities, which will have
considerable economic benefits for the region and the country.