By Yoke Har Lee
AgResearch, the largest Crown Research Institute, is spearheading moves to develop a biotechnology centre for Hamilton.
On Tuesday the chairman of AgResearch, Neil Richardson, and its chief executive, Keith Steele, made presentations to the Hamilton City Council, outlining the organisation's long-term development plan.
AgResearch has the support of the University of Waikato.
Neither Dr Steele nor Dr Richardson were available to comment, but the university's deputy vice-chancellor (research), Michael Selby, told the Business Herald AgResearch was the driver behind the concept of a centre, which in theory would require capital outlay of about $100 million.
"The key point is that Hamilton already has a strong research base on the Ruakura campus. A considerable number of university staff and students already work with HortResearch and AgResearch," said Professor Selby.
"The other key thing is the dairy industry. The largest milk processing plant in the country is in Hamilton. The dairy industry has to move towards producing high-value products rather than just bulk milk."
It was not clear whether the biotech centre would be part of the science park project said to be keenly promoted by Tainui Development.
Tainui has plans to build a $130 million science park in Ruakura. Purpose-built facilities would cater to biotechnology companies.
Professor Selby said some land had been identified as suitable for a science park.
"What we now need to do is to take the next step which is to identify a particular company which could establish itself as an incubator company, or an initiating company. AgResearch is taking the initiative, looking for such a company."
When Professor Selby was acting vice-chancellor a few weeks ago, he had called a meeting of the broader community and the city council to explain and raise the consciousness of biotechnology.
On the proposed biotech centre, Professor Selby said: "The city council expressed general support but did not make any firm promises. So there is quite a quite a long way to go before anything can start. But now that the initiative has been taken, it is going to be necessary over the next few months to make some firm plans."
The biotechnology industry has the potential to turn into a multibillion dollar industry for New Zealand.
On its web site, AgResearch is presenting itself as "the bridge between food, fibre and biotechnology products of New Zealand's pastoral industry and consumers of the 21st century."
William Rolleston, chairman of a joint action group for biotech companies called Biotenz, said the size of all New Zealand's biotech companies combined would equal one medium-sized United States biotech company.
Hence a coordinated approach for development was a necessity.
Dr Rolleston said: "There will be a lot of focus on the sector all over New Zealand. Regions are looking at the sector for their own development, but they need to do it in a coordinated way. Each region will have to focus on its own expertise."
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