Partner Organizations

Our partner organizations are working with NZTE to communicate the opportunities to fast track new health ideas, products and services to the United States.

Canterbury Development Corporation (CDC)

Canterbury Development Corporation (CDC) is a limited liability trust company that acts as the economic development arm of the Christchurch City Council. It is a non-profit, commercially neutral enterprise agency that is non-sector-aligned and regional in outlook, recognizing the very real economic/employment impacts of the wider Canterbury region on the Christchurch economy. CDC promotes and facilitates economic growth in the region by working with businesses to improve their management capabilities, and working alongside key agencies to promote Christchurch and Canterbury as the destination of choice to live in, invest in, and do business.

Canterbury Innovation Incubator (Cii)

Cii is New Zealand's leading business incubation facility, established to accelerate the growth of emerging high technology companies in Canterbury. The main objectives of Cii for Canterbury are to provide a regional resource to grow high technology companies, commercialize IP through company start-up, provide a networking hub, provide a link between research institutions and the private sector, facilitate investment in technology companies, and attract and retain knowledge and skills. Cii achieves these by providing intensive business support to start-up technology companies, using an entrepreneurial management team. In-house expertise is based on extensive knowledge and experience in commercializing technology. Located in central Christchurch, Cii also provides office space and facilities, with the capacity to support from 16 to 24 companies.

Escalator

The Escalator Service is a specialist investment advisory unit for companies seeking or considering early stage investment from $100K to $5M. Escalator is a NZTE funded initiative aimed at increasing awareness and closure of early stage investment to seed NZ's economic growth. The Escalator program utilizes independent approved service providers with knowledge and experience in early stage funding. The Service is operated on behalf of NZTE by a joint venture between EDANZ and Deloitte. Escalator provides Entrepreneurs independent support when seeking, preparing for and negotiating deals with Angel Investors, VCs and other investors.

The Foundation for Research, Science and Technology

The Foundation for Research, Science and Technology invests more than $460 million each year on behalf of the New Zealand government, in innovation and fostering the creation of new knowledge to enhance the wealth and well being of New Zealanders. Up to $50 million is available for businesses to help fund research and development projects, build capacity and capability and reduce technological barriers. Targeted sectors include food and beverage, biotechnology, specialized manufacturing and information and communication technologies. Through its Global Expert service, the Foundation also locates, pre-screens and qualifies international experts to help New Zealand companies solve their challenging problems.

TechNZ is the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology’s business investment program which invests more than $50 million each year in businesses to help fund research and development projects. Global Expert is a unique search service, provided by the Foundation, and can be used to locate, pre-screen and qualifies international experts to help New Zealand companies solve their challenging problems. TechNZ funding and Global Expert are used to help companies build capability and reduce technological barriers. Targeted sectors include food and beverage, biotechnology, specialized manufacturing and information and communication technologies.

The Health Research Council of New Zealand (HRC)

The Health Research Council of New Zealand (HRC) is the Government’s principal funding and investment agency for health research. It is responsible for investing government monies allocated for health research. As a Crown entity, the HRC is responsible to both the Minister of Health, and the Minister of Research, Science and Technology. The HRC’s mission is ‘benefiting New Zealand through health research’. This includes support for biomedical and clinical research, public health research, health services research and research which addresses the health needs of Māori and Pacific peoples.

The HRC’s statutory functions include:

• advising the Minister and administering funds in relation to national health research policy
• fostering the recruitment, education, training, and retention of those engaged in health research in New Zealand
• initiating and supporting health research
• undertaking consultation to establish priorities in health research
• promoting and disseminating the results of health research to encourage their contribution to health science, policy and delivery, and
• ensuring the development and application of appropriate assessment standards by committees or subcommittees that assess health research proposals.

For more information, telephone the HRC on (0064 9) 303 5200 or visit their website: www.hrc.govt.nz.

The Medical Technology Association of New Zealand (MTANZ)

The Medical Technology Association of New Zealand (MTANZ) is the leading industry body representing medical technology manufacturers, importers and distributors of medical devices in New Zealand. MTANZ aims to increase awareness of the industry in New Zealand and internationally to ensure the healthcare system and patients benefit from innovative medical technology, and to support New Zealand manufacturers in developing markets offshore. Between them, MTANZ members supply approximately 95 percent of all non-pharmaceutical products used in both the public and private healthcare facilities in New Zealand. Our member companies also provide essential education and training to healthcare professionals to maintain the highest standards of patient safety and effective use of medical technology.

Ministry of Health

The Ministry of Health works as policy adviser, regulator, funder and service provider. Our main responsibilities are:

• strategy, policy and system performance – providing advice on improving health outcomes, reducing inequalities and increasing participation, nationwide planning, co-ordination and collaboration across the sectors
• servicing Ministers’ offices and ministerial advisory committees
• monitoring and improving the performance of health sector Crown entities and District Health Boards, which are responsible for the health of their local communities
• funding and purchasing of health and disability support services on behalf of the Crown including maintenance of service agreements, particularly for public health, disability support services and other services that are retained centrally
• administration of legislation and regulations, and meeting legislative requirements
• information services
• payment services.

Hutt Valley DHB

Hutt Valley District Health Board (HVDHB) has almost 2500 staff serving our community of 139,000 people and funds a range of services to the Hutt Valley community. HVDHB pays Primary Health Organizations, a local hospice, a range of mental health services based in our community such as alcohol and drug services, day activities, eating disorder services and residential services, youth health providers, rest homes, residential hospitals, home support services, drug and alcohol services and Māori and Pacific health services. HVDHB pays for laboratory tests and radiology tests and also pays for most of the costs of prescription drugs Hutt Valley people use. It also funds some regional services such as family planning, fertility services, and some mental health services. Hutt Hospital provides an emergency department, general medicine, regional rheumatology, cardiology, rehabilitation, diabetes, dermatology, respiratory, mental health, children's and maternity services. It carries out plastic, orthopedic, general, ear nose and throat and gynecology surgery. Hutt Hospital runs a hospital laboratory, pharmacy and radiology department and also runs wider Wellington regional services such as cervical and breast screening, public health and school dental services.

Natural Products New Zealand (NPNZ)

Natural Products New Zealand (NPNZ) is the national industry organization representing the natural products, functional foods, complementary medicines, cosmeceuticals and nutraceuticals industry of New Zealand. NPNZ is the national voice of the industry in New Zealand, being a primary port of call for all matters relating to the industry; for government, media, industry commentators; potential business partners; related professional bodies and interested parties. The organization represents companies producing over 80%+ of New Zealand’s natural products output.

New Zealand Biotech (NZBIO)

NZBIO is an incorporated society representing the New Zealand biotechnology sector. NZBIO has a broad range of members engaged in a number of different activities and strong connections into regional and national networks. NZBIO's role is to create the right environment for individuals and organizations to be successful. The four goals that will allow NZBIO to have the greatest impact on building a prosperous biotechnology sector are:

1. Generating valuable intellectual property
2. Creating a favorable operating environment for commercialization
3. Developing business connections
4. Promoting industry development

New Zealand Health IT Cluster

The New Zealand Health IT Cluster is a vibrant alliance of organizations interested in health IT, comprising software and solution developers, consultants, health policy makers, health funders, infrastructure companies, healthcare providers, and academic institutions - who have agreed to work collaboratively. The Cluster works directly with key government agencies and industry stakeholders such as the Ministry of Health, ACC, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, Ministry of Research Science and Technology and the Tertiary Education sector and has relationships throughout the wider health sector, and export networks.

New Zealand Nurses Organization (NZNO)

New Zealand Nurses Organization (NZNO) is committed to the representation of members, the promotion of nursing and midwifery. NZNO embraces Te Tiriti O Waitangi and works to improve the health status of all peoples of Aotearoa/ New Zealand through participation in health and social policy development.

Otago University

The University of Otago is New Zealand's oldest university, founded in 1869. The university has an international reputation for research excellence and is New Zealand's most research-intensive university. Support for management of intellectual property and facilitation of research collaborations have assisted researchers in the process of commercializing ideas and technologies. This is reflected in the ability of the University multi-disciplinary teams to build world-class capabilities in biotechnology, biomedical sciences, health science and information science. Furthermore, the team's innovative approaches led to the establishment of pharmaceutical, diagnostics and probiotic commercial spin-outs.

ProCare

ProCare Health Limited was established in 1995 and is a New Zealand based company providing services and support to a network of 180 member General Practices (Family Practices). The network has an enrolled patient population of 653,000 and includes 30% of patients who are considered ‘High Needs’ since they experience health status’ significantly poorer than the rest of New Zealand. ProCare runs a wide range of clinical and business support programs and services to assist our member practices to meet the ever increasing demands for first contact health services with an aging, and growing population who are experiencing increasing levels of complex and chronic disease. As an organization, ProCare is committed to innovation and partnerships to continually and demonstrably improve the health of our enrolled patients and the sustainability and value of our members’ practices.

Start-UP

Start-UP is a multi-channel social media business dedicated to building the online and e-commerce capability of New Zealand SMEs. The Start-UP media model includes Start-UP TV, Start-UP Magazine, Start-UP Events and Start-UP Online. Start-UP is widely recognized as the first word in online business in New Zealand and the home of NZ's online business community.