Completed Projects

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Education for Enterprise (E4E)

The E4E programme was facilitated by the EDA with funding from the Ministry of Education and New Zealand Trade & Enterprise for the 3 years from 2007 - 2010. The E4E programme has now been embedded in our region's schools and is a valuable part of their curricula.

Key Messages

An enterprising approach to learning develops enterprising, successful New Zealanders
Enterprising learning is relevant and authentic
Community partnerships are central to enterprising learning

Vision

E4E is a community partnership creating a dynamic learning process that develops enterprising students.
“Enterprising learners lead enterprising lives”.

Education for Enterprise Nelson

Nelson is one of four regions in New Zealand selected for this initiative. E4E is an education initiative funded by the Ministry of Education and New Zealand Trade & Enterprise. The New Zealand Council for Educational Research (NZCER) has been contracted to conduct an evaluation to track progress and support developments. The Nelson E4E Regional Coordinator’s contract is managed by the Nelson Regional EDA. Schools in the Nelson Cluster include: Garin College, Nayland College, Nelson College, Nelson College for Girls, Motueka High School, Waimea College and Broadgreen Intermediate.

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Nelson Marlborough Inforegion

The Nelson Marlborough Inforegion (NMi) was a joint venture between the Nelson Regional EDA and the Marlborough Regional Development Trust.

The core focus of this joint venture was to bring together key top of the south information and communication technology (ICT) initiatives for the benefit of all three regions, Nelson/Tasman and Marlborough.

Infrastructure providers Network Tasman Limited have rolled out the fibre optic cable network across Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough. The Pacific.net delivered Project Probe to the outlying areas of the three regions with a wireless solution, and we then brought together key service providers to use the networks.

An important first step was the development of an ICT Strategy, including an ICT Atlas, for the top of the south. While this strategy was being developed NMi worked with The LOOP (a project providing broadband based resources for schools), the three local authorities who are building a metropolitan network that will house various layers of regional information and Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) who have campuses in all three regions.

Broadband Challenge Project

The Nelson Regional EDA entered into an agreement with the Ministry of Economic Development (MED) to project manage an extension of the existing fibre network to more effectively link the major population centres in the Te Tau Ihu region and extend the existing network within these population centres.

The project was broken into two task components, Principle and Secondary Tasks. The MED stated that on the basis principle tasks were achieved efficiently and to the satisfaction of the MED, any excess funding will be applied to secondary tasks.

The EDA has met its Broadband Challenge project obligations with the MED in terms of commissioning an internet exchange and extending Network Tasman Limited’s fibre network. Effective and efficient project management has seen the completion of the secondary tasks. Although the project has been completed, the EDA continues to work with regional stakeholders to improve connectivity.

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Apple Futures Programme

Pipfruit NZ Inc (PNZ) has led the New Zealand Apple industry in the application of innovative orchard management techniques predicted to regain New Zealand’s premium position in the global apple market. PNZ has collaborated with Regional Economic Development Agencies from Nelson, Otago and Hawkes Bay to accelerate the implementation of their low spray residue production program.

The New Zealand Apple industry has traditionally held a premium position in the global apple market with a reputation for high quality fruit, new variety development and adaptability to consumer demands. In an international marketplace characterized by rapid growth of low cost, high perceived quality competition from the southern hemisphere competitors, Apple Futures is an initiative to regain a premier market position following a declining trend in returns from exports since 1998.

A pip fruit pilot study conducted in Hawkes Bay by PNZ, with the support of a MAF Sustainable Farming Fund Grant contributed to the development of the technology applied in the Apples Future project. This program was operating two seasons prior to the beginning of the Apple Futures project, providing the technology which Apple Futures has commercialized.

The Apple Futures program received $2.67 million in funding over three years, foreseeable national benefits attracted seventy-five percent funding from New Zealand Trade and Enterprise. Growers contributed twenty-five percent through Pipfruit NZ. The program is responsible for developing, commercializing, and implementing capability to meet industry regulations for low residue fruit.

Results for the first year of the project, the 2007/2008 season, identified that the majority of fruit had less than 10% of the European MRLs, the most stringent of the international standards. Results from the broader based 2009 season, the second year of the project improved significantly on that, with most fruit analyzed recording less than 5% of EU MRLs, and with many recording no detectable residues, or residues down at a level of detection of one part per billion.

The Goal is to produce apples with “nil detectable” residue levels, or at most 5% of the MRLs for a given market by 2010. This gives New Zealand apples a point of difference and competitive advantage at a time when competitors are struggling to keep within the upper limit of the MRLs.

Whilst too soon to evaluate the impact of Apple futures on export sales, returns on exports for the 2007/2008 season were up 28% for apples classified as IFP from the previous season.

Apple Futures has helped rejuvenate enthusiasm among New Zealand apple growers. John Austin-Smith (Apples Futures) states, grower buy-in to Apple Futures makes him hopeful that the industry will continue to redevelop itself.

Apple Futures has helped bring about a marketing strategy that leverages the high quality and safety of New Zealand apples, country of origin marking will promote New Zealand apples as “100% Pure NZ Apples”, taking advantage of the NZ Tourism marketing campaign.

By the end of the Apple Futures program in 2010, Pipfruit NZ will take sole responsibility for completing the commercialization of the program.