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MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

If you are a manufacturing exporter, don't miss out on Go Global at Eden Park on 14 May. It's packed with all you need to know to take your products to the world.

Come and learn from the high-value line up of exporting stars we have for speakers this year - from the likes of  Hunter's Wines, Tegel Foods and Magic Memories - imparting priceless knowledge and experience. See all speakers here.

Themes include: how to stand out globally, in-market knowledge and innovation. The day will be a mix of keynote speakers, case studies, breakout sessions and Q&A from the audience. See the programme here.

If you act now you can still grab an Early Bird Special rate! Register now.

Catherine Beard
027 463 3212 or cbeard@businessnz.org.nz

BNZ - BusinessNZ PMI
PMI - Autumn Tinge

Despite a slower rate of expansion, New Zealand's manufacturing sector remains in solid territory, according to the latest BNZ - BusinessNZ Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI).

With a seasonally adjusted PMI for March of 54.5, while the level of expansion was not as strong as the previous month, activity was still healthy and positive across most of the sub-indices recorded.

"Comments from respondents remained more positive (60%) than negative (40%), although a number of those that provided a negative influence mentioned the increased value of the New Zealand dollar, in particular against the Australian.  This is something we'll continue to watch out for in the months ahead." C Beard

More...

UAV Challenge - win $50,000 and a trip to Vegas

Callaghan Innovation is running an open innovation competition to develop unmanned aircraft (UAV) technology for the film and screen industry - the C-Prize UAV challenge.

The competition aims to solve three key challenges for the screen industry:

  • the ability to record sound from a multi-rotor UAV
  • the ability to fly in rough weather conditions
  • object tracking for augmented reality.

The competition is open for entries until July 5th, and involves submitting a two page description of an idea or concept to solve these problems. Concepts can be UAV hardware, software, or off-board systems. Six finalists will receive NZ$10,000 to develop their prototypes (supported by Callaghan Innovation with advice and access to facilities), and one grand-prize winner will receive NZ$50,000 and an expenses-paid trip to exhibit at the 2016 NAB trade show in Las Vegas.

For more information contact cprize@callaghaninnovation.govt.nz or click here.

VEX World Champions again!

VEX is the biggest and fastest growing classroom based robotics competition in the World and we are at the top of it. More than 33 countries and 11,000 teams compete worldwide to attend the World Championships and only 450 make it to the High School Championships. To win is a magnificent effort that cannot be overstated and to win the Excellence Award in unbelievable.

New Zealand has won World Excellence Awards in BOTH High School and University Divisions. These awards are a great opportunity for manufacturers to partner with schools and universities - they are producing the next generation of talent. More...

Review of the Skills Shortage lists – have your say

Is your industry or business experiencing difficulties in filling positions? Is growth of your industry or business being constrained by lack of skills?

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment is about to commence its annual review of the Skill Shortage lists (formally known as the Essential Skills in Demand List).

The Ministry is calling for occupations to be added, retained, removed from the Immediate Skills Shortage List and the Long-term Skill Shortage Lists, or the movement of occupations between the lists. More...

Standards and Accreditation Bill Update

The Commerce Select Committee reported back on the Standards and Accreditation Bill on 31 March 2015.

The Commerce Select Committee considered the Bill and recommends a number of changes. Many are minor and technical in nature.

The main changes recommended by the Select Committee are:

  • provide for a more flexible and proportionate approach to managing actual and perceived conflicts of interest for members of standards development committees
  • make it clear that New Zealand will continue to be involved in the development of international standards. More...
SouthMACH 2015

SouthMACH 2015 is gearing up to be the South Island’s largest Manufacturing, Engineering & Technology trade show, on 22-23 July. Over 80% of available stand space is already sold.  

If you wish to generate a qualified pipeline, increase your sales leads and connect to a wider, industry specific professional network then SouthMACH 2015 is a must attend event. More...

WasteMINZ Roundup 2015

In 2015 the WasteMINZ Roundup theme is Sustainable Economies – Building a better industry, where we will explore the interactions between the waste industry and business at large. It's happening at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Auckland, on 23 and 24 April.

Ultimately the aim is to create a smarter and more sustainable economy. BusinessNZ's Phil O'Reilly is speaking about the business case for product stewardship. More...

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