It will have laboratories and shared spaces focused around education and research into meat and dairy in a three-storey, 5000 square metre building that will be NZ’s largest agri-food innovation centre.
It will also be a key component of FoodHQ – a partnership to grow NZ’s reputation in food and beverage innovation that includes AgResearch and Massey University among its network of science and innovation partners (more at www.foodhq.com).
AgResearch chief executive Dr Tom Richardson says local firm McMillan and Lockwood is the lead building contractor.
Work to prepare the site was to begin after Waitangi Day.
“At this stage the plan is to have the building completed by October 2019.
“The occupants will include AgResearch staff already based in Palmerston North and others working in the food sciences who will be relocating to the city,” Richardson says.
“This new joint facility concept, similar to what AgResearch is doing with Lincoln University near Christchurch, is going to accelerate innovation by having world-class talent working together under one roof.
“In the case of food research it means the opportunity for new generation products that offer exciting new textures and flavours and improve peoples’ health and nutrition.”
Massey vice-chancellor Professor Jan Thomas says the facility is another exciting development for the university and its Manawatu campus.
It is integral to Massey’s collaborations with research institutions and other organisations and businesses involved in growing NZ’s food exports and reputation for quality and innovation.
“Part of Massey’s strategy is that all our campuses will be innovation ecosystems, magnets for smart enterprises,” she said.
