By LIAM DANN
We're no longer a nation of farmers but it seems New Zealand design innovation is still seldom far from the sheep's back.
In fact, it is sometimes located just a few centimetres south.
The supreme winner of the product design category at the Designers Institute of New Zealand (Dinz) awards
last night was a device which fits snugly on the rear-end of sick farm animals and delivers computer-controlled doses of medicine to a region where - even out in the paddock - the sun does not always shine.
The Autovet micro-pump was designed by David Gibson of Impian Technologies.
It can be pre-programed to deliver controlled doses of one or more medicines for up to a month. The device minimises the number of costly visits vets need make to the farm.
The judges described it as an example of intelligent innovative design with the potential to be "an international winner for New Zealand industry".
Outdoor clothing company Icebreaker took out the graphic design category for the box packaging it uses for its Skin and Bodyfit range.
The award for interior design was won by Jon and Niki Harrison for the four international venues they designed for the Louis Vuitton 150th anniversary party.
Weta boss and Lord of the Rings design director Richard Taylor was also presented with the John Britten award for leadership and vision.
More than 500 companies entered the awards this year.
