NZ makes an excellent base for UK companies wishing to do business in NZ and the Asia-Pacific region .
grow and to export . We ’ ve assisted hundreds of Waikato businesses to access funding for R & D or for management skills coaching , and we ’ ve offered advice , connections and sign posting for many hundreds more .
Our Business Growth Advisors work with companies across the Waikato , offering :
• a free business assessment service to determine the priority needs of the business ;
• planning support for innovation and growth ;
• signposting to other providers of technical and business skills ;
• funding support for eligible businesses ;
• access to the NZ Food Innovation network
• access to Business Mentors New Zealand
FoodWaikato and NZ Food Innovation Network As one of four food innovation hubs in NZ , FoodWaikato operates a spray dryer facility . This serves NZ food producers as an independent , dairy processing facility for development , pilot and scale-up manufacturing .
The plant has successfully operated since May 2012 , with cornerstone client Dairy Goat Co-operative the major user in the first year . Other customer interest is being shown from unique milk products , formulated products , non-dairy such as vegetable powders , processing and technology providers and nutraceutical formulators . Additional wet-side capability has been installed and enables an extension of the range of services .
The New Zealand Food Innovation Network ( NZFIN ) is an accessible , national network of science and technology resources created to support the growth and development of New Zealand food & beverage businesses of all sizes by providing facilities and the expertise needed to develop new products and process from idea to commercial success . FoodWaikato is closely connected with the other three hubs – FoodBowl ( Auckland ), FoodPilot ( Palmerston North , linked to Massey University ) and FoodSouth ( Christchurch ).
The FoodBowl is a state-of – the-art commercial food pilot plant , located close to Auckland Airport . It supports the growth of food and beverage businesses by providing both facilities and expertise – offering a cost-effective and low risk way to develop and prove initiatives through commercial pre-production .
The FoodPilot replicates much of the technology held in FoodWaikato and the FoodBowl , but on a smaller scale , with around 5-25 % of the throughput . This facility can help businesses or research organisations develop new products or processes . It is well suited to making a large number of variants of new products in a short time , using similar equipment to that used in full-scale manufacturing .
FoodSouth has strengths in path-to-market and feasibility of new products , and will be building two food halls with a wide range of processing equipment in 2013 , located at Lincoln University .
Soft Landing Support The Waikato region is a great base for overseas companies wishing to do business in NZ and the Asia-Pacific region . Waikato Innovation Park can break down the regulatory , logistical and financial challenges of establishing a new business here . From company compliance , importing equipment , relocating staff and hiring local personnel , to financial administration and marketing , the Park can provide the assistance and knowhow required .
Connections and Partnerships NZ ’ s small size and population base ( just over 4.5 million ) means that
Waikato Innovation Park has connections with all the major research institutions , universities and government and business agencies involved in the innovation sector . Physically , tenants of the Park are walking distance or a very short drive to :
• Ruakura Research Campus hosting two crown research institutes –
‘ AgResearch ’ and ‘ Plant and Food ’
• University of Waikato
• National Institute of Water and Atmosphere ( NIWA ), a crown research institute
• Landcare , a crown research institute
• Wintec – the Waikato Polytechnic
• Dairy NZ – the farmers ’ dairy research organisation
• Livestock Improvement Corporation – genetics provider and holder of the national herd database
• Hamilton ’ s central business district .
As Waikato ’ s vibrant business growth hub , Waikato Innovation Park provides local insights with national and global reach and plays a key role in the economic development of the region .
Great base for overseas companies wishing to do business in NZ Collaboration over a coffee
224 UKSPA Directory 2016 / 17 Overseas Member • New Zealand