Regional science delivers regional economic benefit

Regional science delivers regional economic benefit

As part of the 2015 budget announcement, Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce yesterday revealed $25 million over three years for new privately-led Regional Research Institutes, modelled on Nelson’s Cawthron Institute.

Based in Nelson, Cawthron Institute is New Zealand’s largest independent science organisation. It specialises in food, water and coastal environment research for the benefit of New Zealand’s environment and economy. Its expertise in science areas such as selective breeding, extracting compounds from algae, coastal monitoring and seafood safety are sort after by a number of overseas companies and governments.

Cawthron Institute Chief Executive, Professor Charles Eason, says he wasn’t aware of the announcement and “it was a surprise” to be mentioned.

“We’re pleased to have the recognition as an important contributor to regional economic development, social diversity and high-skill jobs,” Professor Eason says.

“We’ve worked hard to get to where we are today. We’re proud of the work we do and the difference our research makes to our region and New Zealand’s environment and economy.”

Cawthron Institute is one of Nelson’s largest employers. In the past 25 years it has grown from 40 employees to today employing over 200 scientists and specialist staff.

While located in the Nelson region, Cawthron has a national and increasingly global economic footprint. Over 90 percent of the science and research services it produces represent exports from Nelson to the rest of the country, bringing much needed employment and investment to the region.

As part of its new initiative, the Government will work with regional stakeholders to identify where the best opportunities are to develop new institutes that would maximise the unique business, technology, and economic growth opportunities in a region.

Cawthron Institute Chairman Ian Kearney says investing in regional research is an excellent way to deliver economic returns and can attract international investment for the regions.

“We would be really happy to see other regions benefit from a model such as ours. We would be keen to work with any regions that may be considering science institute establishment, and provide them with whatever assistance we can.”

More about Cawthron Institute:

• Cawthron Institute is New Zealand’s largest, and oldest independent science organisation.

• It was established in 1919 with a bequest from local philanthropist Thomas Cawthron who believed science was the key to solving New Zealand’s primary production problems. Since then Cawthron Institute has delivered on Thomas Cawthron’s vision and along the way made a real difference to both the Nelson region and the country – from horticulture to hops and now aquaculture and biotechnology, and more.

• Cawthron is owned by a charitable trust. All of its surpluses are either reinvested back into the scientific research or used to support development of science in the top of the South Island.

• Cawthron represents around 25 percent of Nelson’s business services exports to the rest of New Zealand. It is also exporting high-tech analytical services and products to the rest of the world.

• Cawthron also provides services that are critical to sustaining and growing New Zealand’s aquaculture industry, which is spread over five regions from Southland to Northland. The industry exported around $313 million of seafood in 2014. Sanford, Aotearoa Fisheries Limited and Kono have co-invested in research, hatcheries and facilities in Cawthron’s aquaculture park.

ENDS

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