Nelson in Focus

Research

The Nelson Tasman region has the scientific knowledge and expertise available to ensure the environment remains sustainable and to support a range of ventures including those that rely on natural resources.

Long established research bases include the Cawthron, HortResearch and Landcare Research. The growth of specialist activities in the region has given rise to the establishment of other research organisations in Nelson, including the National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research (NIWA), and the Seafood Research Unit of the New Zealand Institute for Crop & Food Research Ltd. The shift in economic activity in the region to value-added activities is increasing the demand for research and product development within the region, encouraging further growth in research activities and employment.

Funding assistance

The New Zealand government invests in research and development (R & D), with approximately 70% of this funding through Foundation for Research Science and Technology (FRST), which invests over $465 million annually to achieve the government economic, environmental or social goals. FRST funds R & D in companies through Technology NZ which includes SmartStart. This scheme supports the investigation and resolution of early stage barriers to technological innovation R & D projects by addressing issues such as technology project design, planning, gap and opportunity assessment and strategic technology planning. The Nelson Regional Economic Development Agency is the regional agency for the SmartStart Assistance Scheme.

Other research and development investment is available through the Foundation. Talk to the EDA about this support if you believe your project or company meets criteria such as:

• being a technology or sector leader
• growing new technical capability
• having a credible pathway to markets established
• the ability to deliver with good, strong project management
• evidence of realistic investment returns

Seafood & Marine Extracts Group

(Part of the New Zealand Institute for Crop & Food Research Ltd) The Seafoods & Marine Extracts Group undertakes fish production, harvesting and post-harvest research and development on behalf of the seafood industry, with support from seafood companies, Seafood Innovations Ltd and the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology.

Focus of research

Understanding the fundamental properties of commercial finfish, shellfish and crustacean species, and developing novel processes and higher value seafoods and byproducts from New Zealand’s key seafood resources.

Current projects

The group uses its science strengths in physiology, biochemistry, microbiology, food chemistry and process development to conduct research and development in the following areas:

• understanding the physiology and biochemistry of live finfish, shellfish and crustacea, and developing technologies, products and protocols to facilitate the rested (stress-free) and humane harvesting, transport and slaughter of live and chilled seafoods
• understanding bacteria associated with live fish and seafood processing environments, and developing techniques to minimise microbiological hazards associated with seafood products
• understanding the physiological, biochemical and microbiological changes that occur during the harvesting, handling, processing and storage of commercial seafood species, and developing protocols and technologies to help companies produce consistently safe and high-quality seafood products
• understanding the intrinsic composition of economically important finfish and shellfish species, and working with partners to develop new food ingredients, cosmetic products or industrial chemicals from seafood processing discards

The Seafoods & Marine Extracts Group currently has 24 staff in Nelson and 6 in Auckland, and is backed up by another 300 staff nationwide with expertise in plant, food and nutrition science.
Source: Crop & Food Research, Seafoods & Marine Extracts Group

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Cawthron Institute

Cawthron is a community owned, independent research organisation that has been operating since 1919.

Focus of research

Science and technology solutions for sustainable management and development of New Zealand ’s marine and freshwater systems and resources.

Current research projects

• Production of Greenshell™ mussels, Pacific oysters, paua and micro-algae, including hatchery technology and selective breeding programmes.
• Effects of changes in river flow on trout and new indicators for assessing river health.
• Seafood safety, risk assessment and management of bacterial and viral pathogens and biotoxins
• ‘Integrated Catchment Management’ - what happens to water as it travels from the mountains to the sea.

Consulting Services

Cawthron’s consultancy services are comprehensive and client-focused. They include: wastewater characteristics and impacts, habitat mapping and monitoring, sustainable shellfish production, ecosystem modelling, fisheries and marine farm assessments and management, biosecurity risk assessment and aquatic pest management,non-market resource valuations and in-shore fin fish stock assessment.

Analytical testing services

The Cawthron Institute also provides a comprehensive range of analytical testing to clients throughout New Zealand ; a prompt, 24-hour, 7-day service for environmental, food and organic, GMP/nutraceutical, woodchip, microbiological, biotoxin, and phytoplankton testing.

Staff

150 scientific, technical, field, and administration staff.

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NIWA

(National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research Ltd)

Work carried out at the Nelson regional office of NIWA is more or less equally divided among projects supported by contestable public good science funding, contracts to the Ministry of Fisheries, and consultancy services for a wide range of commercial and government clients.

Focus of research

Anything associated with fisheries, aquaculture, the atmosphere, marine and freshwater environments.

Current research services

• Marine ecological services for resource consents, aquaculture and port developments or environmental assessments.
• Stock assessment for customary, commercial and recreational fisheries, and shellfisheries.
• Marine reserve, marine habitat mapping, and conservation research.
• Freshwater hydrology and river gauging.
• Sanitation and harvesting criteria for the aquaculture industry.
• Identification skills for marine fishes and invertebrates.
• Biosecurity surveys to detect and control unwanted organisms.

Staff

20 staff in Nelson, but access to the entire NIWA staff skill-base of over 650 employees.

Landcare Research (Manaaki Whenua)

The Nelson office of Landcare Research, a Crown Research Institute, carries out government-funded research and consultancy services relating to sustainable land and water management.

Focus of research

Ecology of native plants and animals, the effects of introduced species, soil science, and integrated land and water management.

Current research projects

• The Integrated Catchment Management project (with Cawthron Institute and Tasman District Council) based in the Motueka catchment and Tasman Bay
• Soil survey, irrigation suitability, water allocation.
• Impact of introduced weeds.
• Ecological studies of invertebrates, lizards and birds (including Antarctic penguins)
• Impact and management of introduced wasps and ants.
• Contracted ecological surveys

Staff

9 permanent; 3 research associates

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HortResearch

HortResearch at Riwaka provides essential research for local and national fruit growerrs and forms part of a nationwide network of HortResearch orchards and laboratories.

Focus of research

Pipfruit, hops, kiwifruit, berryfruit, and mine revegetation.

Current research projects

• Plant breeding and crop production for apples and pears, berry fruit (particularly raspberries and boysenberries), hops and kiwifruit.
• Methods to control pests through integrated fruit management to decrease pesticide use and provide tools for successful organic production.
• Improved production methods for pipfruit, particularly enhancing precocity and fruit quality.
• Methods to revegetate mine sites using mosses and other early succession plants.

Staff

27 permanent staff.

Like to know more?

Cawthron Institute

98 Halifax Street East, Nelson
Ph: + 64 3 548 2319
Fx: + 64 3 546 9464
Email: info@cawthron.org.nz
Web: Cawthron Institute

Crop & Food Research

300 Wakefield Quay, Nelson
Ph: + 64 3 548 0362
Fx: + 64 3 546 7049
Web: Crop & Food Research

Landcare Research

16 Paru Paru Road, Nelson
Ph: + 64 3 548 1082
Fx: + 64 3 546 8590
Email: fenemora@landcareresearch.co.nz
Web: Landcare Research

NIWA Ltd

Dr Ken Grange, Regional Manager
217 Akersten Street, Port Nelson, Nelson
Ph: + 64 3 548 1715
Fx: + 64 3 548 1716
Email: k.grange@niwa.co.nz
Web: NIWA Ltd

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