In the news
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If you have published news that's relevant to Project Technology Valley and of importance to the region's economic, scientific, technological or business development, please email it here.
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Sir Paul Callaghan dies
Dominion Post, 25 March, 2012
Sir Paul Callaghan has died at age 64. He had been fighting a long battle with an aggressive form of bowel cancer. Read more.
'Business-friendly NZ' attracts semiconductor entrepreneur
Pattrick Smellie in the NZ Herald, 1 March, 2012
Randy Crockett reckons that New Zealand has a "business-friendly climate", is as close to Asian markets as his US facilities for shipping large-scale machinery and is blessed with world-class engineers who struggle to find work in the country. Read more.
Read Randy’s full Media Release here.
Hutt site considered
Hutt News, 28 January,2012
Semiconductors are the foundation of modern electronics and an American hi-tech manufacturing owner is considering Technology Valley as a new home. Read more.
Technology companies need to skite more
Stick website, 17 November, 2011
Do New Zealand's leading technology businesses flying under the radar even as they post record revenues. Read more.
IRL's Gracefield campus appears safe under National's plans
Hutt News, 8 November, 2011
Technology Valley gets a mention as Hutt News says that city leaders are excited by the National Party's plans for the science sector, which include a commitment that Industrial Research Ltd's Gracefield campus will not be dismantled. Read more.
Big new science institute promised by Govt
NZ Herald, 4 November, 2011
Government plans to boost investment in the science sector and transform Industrial Research Limited into an advanced technology institute that will function as New Zealand's "high-tech HQ". Read more.
Plans to power advanced technology in New Zealand
Conor O'Brien in NBR, 3 November, 2011
The Government’s number one priority, in the Powering Innovation report, is to transform and grow IRL by focusing it on supporting industry development. Read more.
Hutt scientists saved from axe
Dominion Post, 3 November, 2011
Industrial Research Limited (IRL) will be retained with an investment boost, according to a Government announcement. This after an axe loomed over IRL earlier in 2011. Read more.
Hutt power pod combines solar, wind and hydrogen energy
Hutt News, 27 October, 2011
It's the size of a small shipping container, but sprouting from the roof are solar panels and a wind turbine. That’s how the Hutt Valley’s ESG Energy describes the Green Energy Pod. It’s a “world first” and has already been recognised with a $100,000 development grant from GROW Wellington. Read more.
Auckland innovation precinct to benefit Lower Hutt
Scoop, 13 October, 2011
Ray Wallace, Mayor of Hutt City says plans to develop an innovation precinct on Auckland's waterfront Wynyard Precinct will enhance Lower Hutt's plans to promote a technology valley. Read more.
America's Cup cats help revive boat builder
Dominion Post, 12 September, 2011
The New Zealand America's Cup syndicate bought two 33-foot catamarans from Lower Hutt's Hakes Marine and helped the company carve out new niches to grow the business again. Read more.
Film studio planned for Upper Hutt
Dominion Post, 19 August, 2011
At least two giant sound stages, an amphitheatre, outdoor filming lots, an international film school and a secure residential village for Hollywood stars and film crews are parts of an apparent plan to locate a substantial studio based on the old AgResearch site at Wallaceville. Read more.
Winning lawyer lost for words
Upper Hutt Leader, 17 August, 2011
Supreme winner of Upper Hutt's top business award, John Gwilliam & Co, won out from 128 nominations in nine categories at an Expressions black-tie dinner. Read more.
Weltec and IRL cosy up in innovative move
Stick, 16 August, 2011
Stirring up innovation in the valley, Weltec’s Smart Product Centre has co-located alongside Industrial Research Limited’s Gracefield campus. Read more.
Fire truck deal 'seals arrival in Australia'
Dominion Post, 5 August, 2011
Lower Hutt ‘Technology Valley’ company, Fraser Engineering is making waves again this time with a multi million-dollar deal to build 18 fire trucks for the South Australian Country Fire Service. Read more.
Gillies McIndoe research more important than city rivalry
Hutt News, 19 July, 2011
Editorial identifies Gillies McIndoe as an important regional issue. Read more.
Innovation 'shopfront' launched
Dominion Post, 13 July 2011
Kiwi Innovation Network (KiwiNet), a cluster of nine universities and crown research institutes, has launched to help commercialise science and technology research. Read more.
NZ could be 'Silicon Valley of agricultural knowledge'
NZ Herald, 7 July, 2011
Visiting Australian food security expert, Julian Cribb, says New Zealand has a "fabulous opportunity" to position itself as an agricultural knowledge exporter in the face of looming food crises. Read more.
Technology Valley drive is gathering momentum
Hutt News, 5 July, 2011
Report on the 28 June Forum at GNS Science. Hutt News ran a major story on the turnout of more than 80 Hutt Valley business, science and research sector personnel, which underlined growing interest in the Technology Valley campaign. Read more.
Crowing in the Gold Awards
Gold Leaf, 1 July, 2011
The Gold Awards newsletter ‘Gold Leaf promotes the Hutt Valley as a research and development capital of New Zealand, along with this year’s supreme winner, Hutt Valley based, Msynthes. Read the PDF here.
See the Gold Awards website here.
Endeavour plans Florida office
Dominion Post, 30 June, 2011
A Wellington venture capital firm, Endeavour Capital, has put up $20 million to open an office in Florida to target two-way business connections with the United States.
IRL is looking at having a presence and Endeavour's chairman, Neville Jordan said Florida's state government was keen to attract innovative firms. Read more.
Manufacturing trade is back
Dominion Post, 30 June, 2011
Pattrick Smellie noted the recent mildly disappointing trade statistics, but that manufacturing was making a mark once more. Read more.
Wellington a natural home for hi-tech and the talent that drives it
Dominion Post, 28 June, 2011
Sir Paul Callaghan notes that the Wellington region offers much to hi-tech business and talent attraction. Read more.
PM refuses to confirm IRL won't be wound down in Lower Hutt
Hutt News, 9 June, 2011
Prime Minister John Key speaks to the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce and Hutt City Grey Power and was asked for assurances that IRL would not be wound down in the Hutt Valley. Read more.
Institute's future lies elsewhere, mayor told
Dominion Post, 4 June, 2011
Hutt City mayor Ray Wallace met with Science and Innovation Minister Wayne Mapp and reported; "I have been told that while the core of IRL will remain in Lower Hutt, future growth will happen in Auckland and Christchurch". Mayor Wallace described the minister’s views as “short-sighted”. Read more.
Government research investment is not a zero-sum game, English says
Hutt News, 3 June, 2011
Hutt City Mayor Ray Wallace tells businesspeople at a Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce event with Finance Minister Bill English, about his concerns that significant parts of IRL could be shifted from Lower Hutt. Read more.
IRL seen as pivotal to Technology Valley status
Hutt News, 24 May, 2011
Hutt City Mayor Ray Wallace and the Technology Valley Working Group say that IRL is pivotal to the future of the Hutt Valley. Read more.
Mesynthes supreme winner at Wellington Gold Awards
Dominion Post, 19 May, 2011
Mesynthes, the Lower Hutt company that developed an organic tissue substitute for people with burns or severe skin injuries, is named the supreme winner of the Wellington Gold Awards. Read more.
Hutt recognised for exporting world class innovation
Hutt City Council, 19 May, 2011
Mayor Ray Wallace comments on the success of Wellington Gold Awards supreme winner Mesynthes in the 2011 Wellington Gold Awards by saying, that the Hutt Valley is emerging as the creative cradle of business innovation. Read more.
Hutt Mayor calls on Minister to deny IRL relocation idea
Hutt News, 17 May, 2011
Hutt Mayor Ray Wallace, challenges Research, Science and Technology Minister Wayne Mapp to declare his hand on IRL. Read more.
350 jobs at risk in Lower Hutt
Dominion Post, 10 May, 2011
Hutt City mayor Ray Wallace says that a move to relocate state-owned science agency IRL would be the Hutt's biggest setback in a generation. Read more.
CRI review off agenda, says Govt
NZ Herald, 4 May, 2011
Science and Innovation Minister Wayne Mapp told Radio New Zealand the Government is dropping a review of Crown Research Institutes (CRI) that may have led to mergers. Read more.
Path to prosperity lies in technology niches
Dominion Post, 8 February, 2011
Sir Paul Callaghan says New Zealanders can become more productive but it is not about how hard we work but the nature of the work, writes New Zealander of the Year Paul Callaghan. Read more.
Paul Callaghan is Alan MacDiarmid professor of physical sciences at the School of Chemical and Physical Sciences at Victoria University. He was named New Zealander of the Year last week.
Silicon Welly
Dominion Post, 11 October, 2010
Wellington provides an ideal environment for web entrepreneur. Read more.
Wellington start-ups showing high sales
Dominion Post, 20 June, 2011
Scientist and New Zealander of the Year, Sir Paul Callaghan said the Wellington region had great potential as a centre of creativity and innovation. Read more.
The way ahead for science and innovation
NZ Hearld, 27 October, 2010
Report on the one-day conference entitled "Re-setting science and innovation (in NZ) for the next 20 years" was held in Wellington. Read more.
