Wynyard innovation precinct to play home to Auckland tech stars
By Esther Goh,
The Wynyard Quarter Innovation Precinct. Snappy name, snappy aim.
"The Wynyard Quarter Innovation Precinct will bring together, in one place, innovators, research and development providers, as well as organisations specialising in bringing new products to market," Auckland mayor Len Brown said today.
A host of government agencies, including Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development Ltd and Waterfront Auckland, have been tasked with working together to develop the business case for the hub, with a plan expected to be presented by March 2012.
The facility will house business incubators, research and development institutions, and business development providers.
According to science and innovation minister Wayne Mapp, the precinct will connect entrepreneurs and businesses to international investors and partners and act as a landing pad for overseas investors looking to find New Zealand knowledge-intensive companies.
“It ties in with other high-tech industry support, such as the IT Entrepreneurial scheme, our commercialisation initiatives, and the range of business grants such as Tech NZ,”Mapp said.
“The Wynyard Quarter Innovation Precinct will help New Zealand to grow world-class innovative companies. This is creating the wealth and jobs that we need for our future."
Brown said Auckland needs to export more in order to grow.
“Auckland has stunning examples of innovation that our high growth markets are willing to pay a premium for."
He said the benefits of the precinct will be felt well beyond central Auckland.
“Technology is one of our fastest growing sectors and as it grows it will upskill our population through demand for university and training institute courses."
It would naturally focus on adding value to the high-tech sector, notably IT, digital content creation and marine technology, he said.
“As these sectors grow, Auckland's reputation will grow. This means retaining talented Aucklanders while attracting talented people from overseas who want Auckland's internationally recognised quality of life."
Comments
Kaleb
Fantastic initiative. Hopefully it will be able to work well with 3000.org.nz.
Michael Smythe
Great - but what's missing from Dr Mapp's list is New Zealand design - the means by which new technology becomes manufacturable, marketable, desirable and a valued contribution to growth on all levels.
A Wynyard Quarter Innovation Precinct needs a public interface - a continuously evolving exposition of New Zealand Design and Innovation that is both a resource for those working in the precinct and a means of presenting the stories to local and international visitor audiences.
Raul Sarrot
Very good point, Michael. Design should be a key part of any innovation venture. However the important point is to include design not only as an 'output' yet also as an 'input' in the conception of any innovation project/venture/company.
Look forward to it.
Glen Barnes
“The facility will house business incubators, research and development institutions, and business development providers.”
I'm hoping there will be room for _actual_ companies in this precinct ;-)
Kaleb
Woah slow down a bit guys. It's a huge step to get something like this to the line let alone across it.
Besides better by design is suppose to assist companies to find the right manufacturing, design and branding solutions to help make these ventures successful.
Drazen Jaksic
Would someone please plausibly explain the meaning of “the world-class innovative company” ?
There is a flood of “world-class”. Does that mean everything else is “out-of-this world class” or “world-underclass”?
I am in that “world” right now and it seems that only we Downunder are obsessed with “world-classiness”.
Should I start introducing myself as “World-class Technology R&D Expert” to have a chance of tenancy at WQIP?
Stephen Knightly
@Drazen - You're right “world-class” is table stakes.
Michael Smythe
Exactly Raul - design humanises technology and must contribute to product /service /experience developments as early as possible.
Kaleb - you characterise Better by Design as an add-on service. That's 'lipstick on a gorilla' territory at worst and tarting up a brilliant invention at best. Design goes much deeper than that, eg: Icebreaker began with a materials breakthrough re-imagined as a branding story that then informed the actual product development and marketing.
Cross-disciplinary teamwork has to be the name of our game and design is the integrative discipline that makes that possible.
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