22 April 1999 'Innovation Park' Concept for Lincoln Examined

The idea of a South Island food science, food technology and food management ‘Innovation Park’ at Lincoln embracing the University and Crown Research Institutes, and attracting like-minded research and development ventures and commercial enterprises, is being explored at a seminar at Lincoln University today. (Thurs. 22.4.99)

Guest speaker John Jackman, Manager of Waikato Technology Foundation, will outline the anatomy of the various forms of parks, their purpose and key elements of success and how Waikato Technology Foundation went about developing its proposal in terms of the roles of developers, ‘anchor tenants’, knowledge base, facilities and zoning.

Mr Jackman is a former Agricultural Attaché at New Zealand's High Commission in the United Kingdom, former Director of Ruakura Agricultural Research Centre, Hamilton, and Deputy CEO of AgResearch. Today he works closely with Hamilton District Council to attract technology business to the region and he has played a major role in the development of the Waikato Innovation Park on land adjoining Waikato University and Ruakura Agricultural Research Centre.

Mr Jackman says Innovation Parks are defined as "property-based developments located on university or research campuses that provide a nurturing environment for embryonic technology-based ventures, and accommodate technology-based firms engaged in development or production focused on innovation and technology transfer and having synergies with the expertise based on the campus".

"Business success in the 21st century will depend on the rapid execution of ideas by tapping the knowledge of those who have the relevant experience needed to commercialise new ideas quickly," says Mr Jackman. "Innovation Parks – the thematic clustering of institutions and enterprises – can make an immense contribution to this process."

Canterbury Development Corporation's Science and Technology Advisor, Dr Larry Podmore, will also speak at the seminar, commenting on the opportunities of the park concept for Canterbury.

The Head of Lincoln University's Postgraduate and Research School, Dr Bill Kain, says that given the presence of CRI's (Crop and Food, AgResearch, Landcare), research associations (WRONZ) and Lincoln University all situated close to one another and located in the broader context of an important livestock area and the largest arable-cropping region in New Zealand, Lincoln has to be seen as a prime site for an Innovation Park based on a food and fibre related theme.

"With its strong, existing social, educational, research and economic infrastructure, Lincoln would seem to be a fertile environment for a South Island Innovation Park," he says. "We look forward to hearing from Mr Jackman about the lessons Hamilton has learned with the development of its park and the elements needed for success."

Ian Collins, Journalist, Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand