Māori and agbio leaders to drive growth through science

Māori partner with agbio leaders to drive growth through science

Wellingtonm, 31st July 2012 - The Federation of Māori Authorities says supporting the world’s top agricultural biotechnology conference being held in Rotorua in September is an opportunity to connect its members with the best minds in the business.

The Federation has come on board as a Platinum sponsor of ABIC (Agricultural Biotechnology International Conference) 2012, which will bring industry leaders, researchers and scientists, investors and policy makers from around the world to New Zealand.

ABIC 2012 is hosted by NZBIO, the New Zealand biotechnology industry association.

The Federation of Māori Authorities represents New Zealand businesses with a combined asset base valued at NZ$8 billion, much of which comes from interests in seafood, forestry, dairy, sheep and beef, horticulture and energy.

Federation chief executive Te Horipo Karaitiana says the conference presents an exciting opportunity for the Federation to grow and advance Māori-owned agri-business through sharing science and biotechnology knowledge and networks.

“Māori have a saying that ‘with your basket of knowledge and ours, the people will prosper’ and our Federation sees this conference as a step in that direction.

“Through science, the Māori economy will grow, so it is vital that the Federation, as the largest network of Māori businesses, is a key player in this conference.”

Mr Karaitiana says Māori also have much to offer international guests attending ABIC 2012.

“We will bring a unique element to the discussion because of our cultural and environmental values where taking care of the land that we operate businesses on is just as important as making a profit.”

NZBIO Chief Executive Dr Suzanne Bertrand has welcomed the Federation’s involvement in ABIC 2012.

“This is an extremely positive confirmation that Māori agbiotech business will be playing an integral role in the development of the future knowledge-intensive bio-economy.

“Having them on board is enlarging our knowledge base and allowing us to have an all-encompassing view of the industry,” Dr Bertrand said.

ABIC 2012 takes place from 2 – 6 September and its theme is Adapting to a Changing World. The Ministry of Science and Innovation is a major sponsor of the event.

To view the programme for ABIC 2012, visit: www.abic2012.com/index.cfm/programme/

www.abic2012.com

About ABIC

The first ABIC conference was held in Canada in 1996 and in 1998 the ABIC Foundation was set up to ensure the continued success of ABIC meetings. The Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation overseen by a board of directors with representation from several countries and based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Its goal is to ensure ongoing opportunities for continuous learning and networking within the agbiotech community through the annual Agricultural Biotechnology International Conference. ABIC conferences are held on a four year rotation in the following regions: Europe/Africa/Middle East; Asia Pacific; United States/Canada/Mexico; and South America.

www.abic.ca

About NZBIO

NZBIO is a vibrant member-based organisation focused on growing New Zealand’s prosperous bioeconomy. With hundreds of individual and corporate members from across agbiotech, human health, industrial and environmental and food bioscience, NZBIO plays a leading role in providing practical support for companies to grow. NZBIO’s activities include member events, seminars and conferences, policy advocacy, national and international outreach and promotion. Our membership base ranges from start up bioscience companies, to mature corporates and major multinationals. We also represent New Zealand research institutes and universities, specialist service professionals, corporate, institutional, individual and student members from New Zealand and around the world.

NZBIO is an important voice of the New Zealand bioscience sector informing policy makers, enabling collaboration and investment, showcasing New Zealand’s capability to the world and demonstrating how biosciences can contribute to societal, economic and environmental challenges.

www.nzbio.org.nz

About the Federation of Māori Authorities

The Federation of Māori Authorities is a voluntary, member-based organisation which represents a nationwide membership of 150 Māori trust boards, iwi settlement bodies and Māori land entities. The Federation is the peak industry body of the Māori economic sector. With an estimated collective asset base of $8 billion, its members are major contributors to the New Zealand economy, with significant interests in seafood, forestry, dairy, sheep and beef, horticulture, property, energy and investments. The Federation’s mission is enabling sustainable economic prosperity for its members, its communities and New Zealand by facilitating Māori economic growth through the utilisation of natural, human and financial capital. Its core business is advocacy and influence for their members.

www.foma.co.nz

About the Ministry of Science and Innovation

The Ministry of Science and Innovation (MSI) has an exciting and ambitious mandate to coordinate and harness the scientific and innovative capability of New Zealand. MSI has a strong enabling and connecting role across the government, business and science sectors within New Zealand and a role in building New Zealand’s international profile as a smart country. By increasing collaborations and connections, MSI aims to create an environment where cutting-edge science and innovation can flourish.

As a major supporter of New Zealand's Bio sector, MSI is proud to support the 2012 Agricultural Biotechnology International Conference (ABIC).

ENDS

© Scoop Media