Tauranga’s horticulture innovation business hub is hitting high gear, with the second stage about to open and new business moving in.
Bay of Plenty MP and Cabinet Minister Tony Ryall and Tonga’s Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Sangster Saulala will officially open the second stage of The Newnham Park Innovation Centre on 23 May.
Developers Steve Saunders and Rob Jeffery opened the first stage of the park in 2010 with Plus Group, vanilla producer Heilala Vanilla, marketers Southern Produce, and kiwifruit processing company Kiwifruitz being the first occupants of the site.
The second stage has seen product development and innovation consultancy Locus Research move in, and has allowed Heilala Vanilla to expand its premises.
Heilala Vanilla director and co-founder Jennifer Boggiss, says the company quickly outgrew its premises after moving to Newnham Park in 2010.
“Our harvest has increased year on year,” says Jennifer. “That’s enabled us to develop a full range of gourmet vanilla products for the retail, food service, and food manufacturing sectors, which we now export to over seven countries.”
Heilala Vanilla’s growth has brought the company many accolades, the most recent being last year’s prizes in the Deloitte Fast 50 Central Region, as fastest-growing exporter and fastest-growing manufacturer.
The team at Locus Research are “relishing the purpose-built space”, says director Timothy Allan. The company is working on several projects, including a hydraulic boat loader, medical devices and wool fibre filtration. Moving into the park is a “game changer”, he says.
“Being so close to businesses that we work with will create the kind of environment in which creativity will thrive,” he says. “We had 30-odd teachers here for the Young Innovators Launch and still had project work continuing on at the same time”.
Developer and owner of Plus Group, Steve Saunders, says the park expansion will create a real difference in the region.
“We are committed to developing an innovation-driven hub,” he says. “It is hugely satisfying to get the buildings completed and see Heilala and Locus Research moving ahead. The expansion is also exciting for Plus Group Horticulture and the continued growth of our team.”
Stage two of The Newnham Park Innovation Centre will be officially opened on May 23rd at 2.30pm by Mr Ryall (Minister of Health and State Owned Enterprises and local MP for Bay of Plenty) and Tonga’s Prime Minister, Lord Tuʻivakanō.
Media Contacts
For more information contact:
Timothy Allan – Managing Director, Locus Research
timothyallan@locusresearch.com
+64 7 552 6810
Jennifer Boggis – CEO Heilala Vanilla
jennifer@heilalavanilla.co.nz
+64 7 552 6879
Steve Saunders – Managing Director, Plus Group
steve@plusgroup.co.nz
+64 7 552 6890
