Kea Aerospace
ChristchurchNZ
UC
NZTE
Innovation is in our DNA - it is an integral part of our history and it is very much a part of our future.
Christchurch and Canterbury have a long history of exploration and innovation.
1. Christchurch was the leaping off point for the heroic age of exploration with both Robert Falcon Scott and Ernest Shackleton, basing themselves in Christchurch before heading onto that last to be discovered continent, Antarctica.
2. Ernest Rutherford, one of the greatest physicists of all time, who explored the boundaries of nuclear physics and was the first to split the atom, attended University here in Christchurch.
3. Sir William Hamilton, who developed the HamiltonJet waterjet - one of the most advanced and innovative marine propulsion systems still in use today
4. Sir Angus Tait, the radio communications pioneer, whose company Tait Communications will based here in Christchurch, remains a world leader and continues to innovate over 50 years later.
5. And Zephyr Airworks, who has chosen Canterbury to explore the development of future transport technologies through Cora, their autonomous flying taxi
This ability to innovate was even more evident after the earthquakes as people, communities, businesses and institutions quickly created new ways of operating, and devised innovative solutions to new challenges, drawing on their own resourcefulness and that of their communities.
This openness to experiment, to try new things and new ways of doing things is embedded in our city narrative – a City of Exploration and opportunity - a city open to new ideas, new people and new ways of doing things - a place where anything is possible.
· Leverages technology and data evolution
· Responds to changing consumer or industry needs
· Focuses on old, new and emerging competitors
· Unlearns as fast as they learn
· Undertakes innovation that is designed to scale
Companies cannot afford to be
· blind to technology and data evolution
· Keep to the same existing needs
· Focus on historical competitors
· Learn but not let go
· Innovate in pockets, but not to scale.
As you have seen Christchurch and Canterbury have always been the ‘basecamp for exploration’ – which ChristchurchNZ has captured
This Super-node focus builds on the strengths across the region with links to emerging global opportunities. We are excited about the opportunity to inspire innovation around these Super-nodes:
1. Aerospace and Future transport
2. Future Food, Fibre and Agritech
3. Health tech & Well being
4. Hi-tech Services
Each of our Super-nodes builds on our strong tertiary presence in Christchurch, with University of Canterbury, University of Lincoln, Ara Institute and University of Otago Canterbury Campus - who supply our strong pipeline of talent and skills that unlock our businesses success today and for tomorrow.