New Zealanders are innovative; it's in our DNA.
We're breeding the best livestock on the planet, we designed the first jet boat and we invented the bungy. We're building world-class health software and we're at the forefront of digital visual effects for the movie industry.
Our productive sector and our niche companies provide the world with high-quality, unique products. We can be especially proud of the leading role played in so many of these fields by Waikato businesses, scientists and entrepreneurs.
Our Waikato tertiary institutions are contributing hugely in the areas of research and innovation. It was good to have a chance to highlight some of these matters when Prime Minister John Key visited Hamilton this month.
National knows how important it is to stay ahead of the global competition so we can build a more competitive and productive economy that creates jobs, lifts incomes and boosts the standard of living of Kiwi families.
We have an ambitious science and innovation agenda. This includes our half-billion-dollar investment in the Primary Growth Partnership to develop cutting edge research and innovation in our rural industries.
More than 30 countries are now part of the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases that we established in 2009 to explore ways to grow more food without increasing emissions.
This month we took another step, unveiling the Advanced Technology Institute - New Zealand's "hi-tech HQ" - which will help get our best ideas out of the lab and into the marketplace faster.
The institute builds on our science and innovation programme that has seen New Zealand climb from 28th on the Global Innovation Index five years ago to be 13th today. We are third in Asia behind Singapore and Hong Kong and well ahead of our Australian neighbours who are 23rd.
The Advanced Technology Institute takes in Industrial Research Ltd (IRL). It will become a good career option for our brightest young scientists, engineers, designers and technicians.
This year's Budget allocated $166 million over four years for the institute.
We are committed to unlocking the potential of our world-class scientists, and plugging them into businesses and the global marketplace.
We want to connect business better with our Crown Research Institutes, universities, polytechnics and other research organisations.
The Advanced Technology Institute will focus on industries with significant growth potential such as food and beverage manufacturing, agri-technologies, digital technologies, health technologies and therapeutics manufacturing and high-value wood products.
National wants to see more local business success stories.
Bridging the gap between business, science, engineering and design will turn ideas into products and products into more jobs and higher incomes for everyone.