4 May, 2001
The new $6 million HortResearch centre in Hawke’s Bay is certainly one of the best, possibly the best in the world,
according to John Paynter, a pipfruit industry leader and former director of HortResearch.
Mr Paynter, speaking at the official opening yesterday said that research will enable the New Zealand fruit industry to
be among the best of the world.
HortResearch’s CEO Ian Warrington said that HortResearch was going global and research at the new complex will provide a
strong and effective home base for the globalisation initiative.
“One reason for HortResearch going global is to broaden our revenue base and provide the means for us to retain and grow
the capability that we have in New Zealand,” Dr Warrington said.
“We are in a global marketplace and our behaviour will reflect that while, at the same time, respecting and protecting
New Zealand’s competitive advantages.
“For example we are now actively working in Washington State as an integral part of ENZA’s Northern Hemisphere
programme. This is ensuring that our cultivars are available to consumers year round, supported by a strong brand, and
managed through a strictly controlled franchise system.
“Benefits from those activities will flow back to New Zealand growers. Through enhancing the value of their
shareholdings, through accessing knowledge from another major apple producing region and through realising the benefits
of being able to tackle a problem twice in one year instead of one that is all that is possible with our on-shore
programmes,” Dr Warrington said.
The purpose build complex near Havelock North was officially opened by Pete Hodgson, Minister of Research, Science and
Technology, when he unveiled a plaque, cut a ribbon and planted a tree (a Himalayan Oak).
There are some unusual shapes incorporated in this building and according to the architect Paris Magdalinos, the roof
shape depicts the branches of the tree with the fruit dripping from the ends.
On a more practical note the $6 million facility provides laboratory, office, cool store and support facilities all
under the one roof. It is a totally integrated state-of-the-art horticultural research centre.
Staff agree that the new facility is "wonderful". It is colourful, light, efficient and very modern. A refreshing
feature is an inner courtyard that Mr Magdalinos said provides staff with quality space to take them away from the work
areas.
The centre has 12 laboratories with adjoining coolstore units. Projects cover pipfruit and summerfruit breeding and
research, soil pathology, general pathology, entomology, physiology and post harvest physiology. The facility caters
well for the 50 staff.
The two-hectare campus also has computer-controlled glasshouses, a plant quarantine glasshouse, packing shed, garages
and a hard stand area where seedlings can be hardened off. The adjoining research orchards cover 23.9 hectares.
Mr Magdalinos explained that the facility consists of four long buildings each connected at one end but also allowing
for outward expansion.
HortResearch Asset/Administration manager Grant Neilson sais the work was completed slightly under budget: "There were
no major contingency problems and the architects had put in a huge effort to accommodate staff requirements. The plans
were developed and discussed with everybody."
The Hawke's Bay research centre has come a long way from when the research orchard was started by Scott Padfield in
1948. Back then the billy had to be boiled for a cup of tea and some staff still remember the Nissen huts and the first
shed built with recycled timber.
For more information contact:
Dr Jim Walker, Liaison Scientist, HortResearch Hawke’s Bay. Tel: 06 877 8196.
Email: jwalker@hortresearch.co.nz