One of the best outcomes of the Blue Economy Innovation Summit, held recently in Nelson, has been the ripples of action that continue to emanate from the connections made, says Chief Executive of Moananui Jodie Kuntzsch
“Messages are still coming in to say, ‘this is happening now as a result of the event’ and actions are being taken too,”says Cheif Executive Kuntzsch, who came up with the idea for the gathering. “People wanted to find collaborators and find solutions and I know some have actually signed an NDA since.”
Many also acknowledged the energy and convergence the event created, she adds. “That was really the whole motivation, for it to be an activation moment – to help create momentum from fast-fire exposure.”
On 11 April 2024, over 170 people gathered at the Trafalgar Centre from many sectors involved in the blueeconomy – businesses, innovators, universities, research institutions, funders and policy makers. Presentations and panel discussions helped not just showcase innovation, but also highlight collaboration pathways, build networks, drive R&D and create opportunities for commercial projects.
Among those addressing the attendees was Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries Jenny Marcroft MP. She noted that the event and leadership of Moananui and the Nelson Regional Development Agency (NRDA), will help cement Nelson as the national hub of New Zealand’s blue economy and applauded the willingness of those attending to share and cooperate.
“I know the work you’re involved in will be key to ensuring the potential of the ocean sector, much of which is still untapped. Your work will also ensure that the health of our oceans will continue to flourish,” she said at the event.
Nelson Mayor Nick Smith also addressed those gathered, noting that, as part of the conversation about the blue economy, it’s important to have an outward-looking and international perspective on the challenges.
“There’s only a very small number of activities in which New Zealand can really consider itself to be a global power,” he said.
“I would suggest to you rugby, dairy and oceans. New Zealand does need to step up to the plate and understand the significance of our ocean resource - the fact that it is 20 times the size of our land area and that we have responsibility for the fourth-largest area of any nation in the world. If we can get the scientists, the entrepreneurs, the technologists, those people who are involved in law and policymaking, engaging at summits like this, I believe that there are exciting opportunities not just for Nelson, but for New Zealand from the blue economy.”
One of the day’s panel discussions specifically focused on financial partnerships.
“What I’ve seen especially within the blue economy is that there seems to be a more collaborative spirit amongst the funding pathways,” says Kuntzsch. There is an active interest for all kinds of reasons in the investments and fundings space.”
The idea for the event first came about after Kuntzsch received two enquiries in the same day from two different universities looking to connect with industry to share news of innovations they were working on.
“I started to wonder how could we get researchers in New Zealand together with the wider blue economyecosystem to participate in that research,” says Kuntzsch. “I knew the faster we could connect them with the industry to help them prototype, test and iterate, the more successful they will be, and the more successful our industries will be.”
The calls had come late last year and the resulting intention was to hold an event at the Moananui venue in central Nelson, which Kuntzsch estimated could host up to 100 people. As interest started, it quickly became evident that a larger venue would be required.
Kuntzsch was delighted by the appetite for participation, with people registering from all over Aotearoa. “It was a very collaborative way to build an event,” she says, emphasising that it was only made possible through utilising the networks of Moananui partners and the NRDA. One of the pieces of feedback we have had is that the energy in the room was very different than a conference, there was an energy of people with a shared ambition and who wanted to realise that.”
Following the Summit, a number of businesses involved in the blue economy took the opportunity to showcase their work by opening their doors to visitors or hosting more indepth presentations about innovations.
Experiences included a chance to view inside the Cawthron Institute’s innovative blue technology shed, a presentation by New Zealand King Salmon, a tour of Kernohan Engineering’s facilities, exploration of the cybermarine pre-pilot plant site at Plant & Food Research, and an opportunity to tour the new premises recently ensconced by SnapCore.
“What we’ve done now is create the foundation,” says Kuntzsch. “Maybe the next move is to take the challenges of our businesses and put them on stage to lead the conversation and come back the other way through the supply chain.”
