Joint Statement from Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade Bede Corry and Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell on the occasion of the New Zealand–United States Strategic Dialogue in Auckland, NZ.
New Zealand Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade Bede Corry and United States Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell met in Auckland, New Zealand for the New Zealand-United States Strategic Dialogue. The annual Strategic Dialogue is an opportunity to celebrate and deepen the long-standing and historic partnership between New Zealand and the United States. This meeting underscored the deep commitment of both countries to shared values and to working ever more closely together to support them, in an increasingly complex Indo-Pacific environment.
Referring to the Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs, Winston Peters, in April 2024, the Strategic Dialogue highlighted the importance to both countries of investing in the bilateral relationship and proud tradition of partnership. As part of that investment, the two committed to maintaining the close and trusted security partnership, enhancing defence collaboration, and growing the trade and economic relationship. This commitment was further emphasized during President Biden’s recent meeting with Prime Minister Luxon in Washington on the margins of the NATO Summit, where both leaders reiterated the importance of a strong and resilient partnership in the face of global challenges.
Secretary Corry and Deputy Secretary Campbell noted that they were meeting at a time when global challenges are compelling New Zealand and the United States to strengthen cooperation in support of shared values and interests, including championing the rule of law, democracy, human rights, trade and investment, and strong people-to-people connections.
Secretary Corry and Deputy Secretary Campbell launched the New Zealand-United States Dialogue on Critical and Emerging Technologies. This will facilitate links between New Zealand and United States technology sectors, explore new avenues for research cooperation, and focus on opportunities to address regulatory and legal issues pertaining to the technology partnership between the two countries. The launch of this new strand of the relationship will enhance economic connections and build prosperity, including through technology and innovation, and is a fitting means to celebrate the 150th anniversary of when American scientists visited New Zealand for the first time to observe the transit of Venus.
The United States and New Zealand committed to pursue focused collaboration on the need to advance safe, secure, trustworthy, and responsible AI innovation; safe and secure biotechnologies; and quantum computing. They reaffirmed that the digital economy and information and communication technologies act as an essential enabler of these critical and emerging technologies.
Secretary Corry and Deputy Secretary Campbell also welcomed the April 2024 convening of the first-ever United States-New Zealand Space Dialogue, which demonstrated the robust and growing cooperation between the United States and New Zealand in outer space and look forward to exploring further opportunities to strengthen bilateral collaboration.
The Strategic Dialogue focused on developments in the Pacific, the Indo-Pacific strategic environment, the Middle East, Russia’s unprovoked war against Ukraine, and regional economic issues. Secretary Corry and Deputy Secretary Campbell expressed grave concern about dangerous, destabilising, and provocative actions in the South China Sea, including by Chinese vessels towards Philippines vessels. They emphasized the need for upholding principles of international law, including freedom of navigation and peaceful resolution of disputes. They also underscored the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and encouraged the peaceful resolution of cross-Strait issues.
Both nations highlighted the necessity for increased interoperability with like-minded countries to address common challenges. In this context, the United States also expressed its strong support for the close and cooperative relationship between Australia and New Zealand, recognizing its importance for regional stability and prosperity.
The two countries’ deep ties with the Pacific Islands were underscored, as well as their commitment to continuing to do more together in and with the Pacific to support Pacific priorities, the centrality of the Pacific Islands Forum, and the Pacific Islands Forum’s 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. The United States and New Zealand resolved to cooperate in the Pacific on issues ranging from maritime cooperation to economic prosperity and infrastructure. This commitment reflects our shared vision for a resilient and thriving Pacific community.
As two countries with a deep and enduring stake in an open, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region, New Zealand and the United States are committed to upholding the conditions that have enabled the region to thrive and to working with other like-minded regional partners and frameworks, such as the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF). Recognizing the increasing connectivity between Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific security and stability, Secretary Corry and Deputy Secretary Campbell welcomed the deepening coordination among NATO and Indo-Pacific Partners. Secretary Corry welcomed the United States’ proposal announced at NATO for the Foreign Ministers of New Zealand, Australia, Japan and Republic of Korea to meet with United States Secretary of State Blinken later in 2024. They also discussed the AUKUS trilateral partnership and affirmed it was an initiative which would enhance regional security and stability. They acknowledged New Zealand’s interest in exploring potential collaboration on advanced capability projects under AUKUS Pillar II.
Secretary Corry and Deputy Secretary of State Campbell looked forward to the next United States-New Zealand Foreign Ministers’ meeting, as committed to by Secretary of State Blinken and Deputy Prime Minister Peters in Washington DC in April 2024. They expressed their enthusiasm for continuing to build on the strong foundation of friendship and collaboration that defines the New Zealand-United States relationship. Source: https://www.mfat.govt.nz/
A Pāpāmoa skincare business that started in a garage has launched its products in America - a “monumental” stepping stone towards becoming the number-one premium pregnancy skincare brand in the world, its founder says.
Pure Mama - co-owned by sisters Lara Henderson and Yasmin Shepherd - will debut this year at four major American retailers, including the “infamous” Erewhon, described by Henderson as the “celebrity supermarket of LA”.
Celebrities including Hailey and Justin Bieber, Jake Gyllenhaal, Demi Lovato, Hilary Duff, Miley Cyrus and Cara Delevingne have been spotted at the upscale supermarket chain.
Pure Mama’s launch in America comes after it partnered with Mecca - the largest beauty retailer in Australasia - in July 2023.
In January, American socialite Kourtney Kardashian shared two of its products on her website, leading to website traffic going “through the roof” and “amazing” sales numbers.
Pure Mama launches in ‘the celebrity supermarket of LA’
Henderson told the Bay of Plenty Times the company wanted to work with “premium prestigious retailers” that would represent Pure Mama “the way that we want our brand to show up”.
On August 26, it launched in Erewhon across all 10 of its stores in California’s most affluent areas.
“Whether it’s ready-made food or on-shelf or skincare ... [Erewhon] really hand-pick the best of the best, so it’s an incredible privilege to be in there.”
In the following months, the brand would be available online through Nordstrom and Macy’s - “two premium, large-scale department stores” - and Revolve, an online retailer “in the premium beauty/fashion” space.
The mother of two said launching in America would be “monumental” regarding achieving the company’s ambition of being the number-one premium pregnancy skincare brand in the world.
“I think New Zealand and Australia are incredible markets, but the US is just a beast and has the potential to really catapult our brand.
“It’s just such a huge stepping stone for us.”
Launching in America could lead to “the very big opportunity for growth if our brand really lands”, she said.
She will travel to Los Angeles for a launch event on September 18.
Where to next?
The launch took almost 18 months of preparation, including setting up a US company, hiring a team in the US, getting FDA approval, new product development, filing its trademark, scaling up production, and looking at logistics around packaging and fulfilment.
She also went to America in June and visited midwives, obstetricians and retailers, and ran focus groups.
Henderson said the pregnancy and post-partum skincare industry was a $30 billion industry worldwide.
She said the company would be “very much focused on the US” for the next three to five years - a country with a population of 330 million people.
“It’s going to be a challenge in itself.”
Henderson said the company was in the process of securing its trademark in Europe and China. There were plans to move into those markets in five to 10 years.
How it started
Henderson founded the company in 2019 - the same year she was pregnant with her first child.
It took more than two years to develop the concept, brand and product and to undertake market research before it launched online in May 2021.
Her husband renovated their garage to be a warehouse and storeroom, and she launched her business from their Pāpāmoa home.
She worked from home for 18 months before moving into a commercial space in Pāpāmoa.
Henderson is now part of a team of six and employs a part-time team in America.
She has previously said Pure Mama’s “signature” product was a belly oil to help “support and nourish your skin” from the second trimester.
Additional products include a magnesium body rub, nipple butter and a “bump” scrub, typically used in the shower.
Source: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/bay-of-plenty-times Megan Wilson is a health and general news reporter for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post. She has been a journalist since 2021.
Kiwi tech start-up HyperCinema was just celebrating its success with the world’s first live AI experience, when the big leagues came calling. Atlanta’s College Football Hall of Fame was looking for a partner to help turn visiting the national home of the sport into a truly groundbreaking, unforgettable experience unique to every guest. With Microsoft Azure AI, the typical experience of visiting a museum has been transformed from viewing exhibits to being the star.
For more than a century, museum managers have tried a host of things to attract crowds to their experiences – from P. T. Barnum’s hoaxes to modern holograms that try to capture that Night at the Museum feeling of seeing exhibits come to life.
Yet the challenge has remained largely the same. For all the clever technology used to capture imaginations and reinvent the “dusty” stereotype, the exhibits themselves don’t change much. Exhibitions will get swapped out every few months, or a splash of interactivity added via kinetic “lightning” balls that respond to nervous fingers…but essentially what you see today is exactly what you get tomorrow.
A new visitor experience launching at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta is completely breaking the glass and putting guests inside its own smart displays. Thanks to groundbreaking use of Azure AI technology from right here in New Zealand, no two experiences are ever the same – and the whole entertainment sector might never be the same either.
From the stage to the football field
As with most museum stories, we have to go back a bit. To September 2022, in fact, when Miles Gregory and Tarver Graham, of New Zealand creative digital agency Gladeye, were talking about the opportunities of generative AI to create narratives that respond to each individual. As the entrepreneur behind the Pop-Up Globe that hosted Shakespeare’s plays in Australia and New Zealand until 2020, Miles had a passion for live theatre and storytelling that provides a unique, immersive experience at every performance.
In 2023, Gladeye spun HyperCinema into a new, separate business, with Miles and Tarver joined by third co-founder and Chief Technology Officer, Gareth Hordyk.
“People spend far too much time on their screens. We wanted to create an exhibition where AI could create personalised, in-person experiences and make the visitors the hero of their own story,” Miles explains. “We were expecting to have something ready in six months. But the very first venue we approached asked if we could open in six weeks!”
A month and a half of “white knuckle” development turned into the hugely successful HyperCinema show in Auckland’s Queen Street, billed as the world’s first live AI experience. Founder Geoff Thatcher of Savannah, Georgia experiential agency Creative Principals happened to attend as part of the global 7 Experiences Summit, for which HyperCinema was the opening session.
The next morning, he already had a business proposal drafted. Within 36 hours, the HyperCinema team were on a call with Geoff’s client – Kimberly Beaudin, CEO of the College Football Hall of Fame, America’s national college football museum.
That was in November 2023. Working closely with Creative Principals and leading theme park consultancy The Producers Group, HyperCinema’s team crafted a complex and rich personalised AI storytelling experience to put the Hall of Fame’s guests at the heart of the action. And on August 24, 2024, the new AI-driven heart of the museum, “Game On!” opened to its first visitors.
The “hyperengine” creating unique experiences
At the heart of that experience is a special “hyperengine” developed by the HyperCinema team, which Gareth Hordyk calls a “recipe management programme”. The whole show requires around 2,000 “recipes” to create the full visitor experience, each with dozens of steps.
When visitors arrive, a self-serve kiosk takes their photos from multiple angles, and asks 10 fun questions such as “What did you want to be when you grew up?” and “What’s your favourite food?” along with questions around favourite schools and rivals to help with personalising their visit.
This trains the Azure AI model, which then uses a visual FX processing platform to put them in shots and videos from throughout college football history, across every major national team. For authenticity, the engine adds effects such as sepia tones or scratches to make the images appear like a real photo from the 1920s, with lighting perfectly calibrated to capture the right images.
At 14 touchpoints around the museum, visitors use their RFID-enabled lanyard to trigger special personalised content, whether performing a team chant in their favourite team colours or featuring in documentary-style videos portraying the 1860s. That question around favourite food might appear as a picture of how much pizza or tacos you would need to eat to meet the calorific needs of a professional football player.
“It’s an incredibly rich history – it’s playful, serious and respectful all in the one experience. There’s even a quarter-size American football pitch where you can play, and you can also get to be a coach or a cheerleader during the big game. You’re part of the story of the whole college football world,” Miles says.
Because the College Football Hall of Fame was already a big user of Microsoft technology, the Kiwi team used Microsoft Azure AI to build the hyperengine, sense-checking ideas with Microsoft experts and receiving training on how to get the most out of the technology.
The general processing units (GPUs) that crunch the data sit on Microsoft Azure, enabling the museum to scale the number of visitors using the technology at peak times – up to 3,000 guests every day. This takes incredible processing power. As Gareth points out, visitors don’t want to get their personalised experiences an hour later.
“The experience needs to start within 10 minutes. And we’ve got a patent on how user information is collected, getting the model training down to under six minutes. The average elsewhere is 20,” he says.
As well as the images, Azure AI generates the written information that accompanies every image, based on the answers visitors have provided. The data is also fully encrypted, and only kept for as long as it’s needed to create the personalised football merchandise visitors get to take home at the end of the day.
“There’s a beauty about the transience of it. You can come back the next day and your experience will be totally different,” says Gareth. “But just to see the smiles on people’s faces…It’s a great reminder of the value of what we’re doing.”
Tapping a growth industry
This is just the beginning for HyperCinema. Its 20-strong team now looks set to grow rapidly thanks to Geoff and Kimberley’s championship Stateside, and for the help Microsoft provided with Azure credits and sponsorship to go from start-up to enterprise level at light speed.
“New Zealand has all of this amazing talent, but we’re not always brilliant at getting out there in the world and telling people what we’re doing. We see so many more opportunities for employment and storytelling,” Miles says.
Already, the company is in talks with others interested in exploring what the technology can do. Miles and Gareth see a massive future not just in museums, but theme parks, stadiums – everywhere that offers live experiences. Instead of the typical virtual reality or augmented reality headsets and green screens, theirs is a unique proposition that makes it possible for every member of the group to experience things simultaneously.
“From what we can tell, there’s no one else doing anything like this anywhere in the world. It really goes to show how generative AI can open up so many doors to businesses who are willing to take risks, to innovate and get creative – it doesn’t matter where you are anymore. We’re thrilled to have been able to support such an amazing Kiwi business to grow onto the world stage,” says Vanessa Sorenson, Managing Director of Microsoft New Zealand.
And Gareth says the opportunities keep growing as the technology evolves.
“Every week there’s a new technique that comes out. We’re already seeing some techniques that we’re saying: ‘We’ve got to get that into our next show’.”
Source: https://news.microsoft.com/
The 2024 AmCham - DHL Express Success & Innovation Gala Awards event was held tonight at the Pullman Hotel.
This was the twenty fifth year of the staging of these awards and yet again attendees learned about a group of exceptional New Zealand companies successfully growing trade, investment, education and tourism, links with the USA. Finalists included autonomous vehicles, Agri products, alcohol free drinks, technologies, special cameras, lifting and safety equipment, services, and tourism. AmCham was delighted to welcome The Hon Judith Collins as the keynote speaker at the dinner as well as presenting the exporter and supreme awards. The Supreme winner, Toku Inc, develops tools using AI and retinal photography to enable accessible healthcare for early and accurate diagnosis of health conditions. Born from a son's response to a father’s health challenges, Toku is revolutionizing the field of preventable health early diagnosis. The eye-scanning approach is scientifically proven and highly scalable in a world full of camera phones, the team's go-to-market strategy is clear and highly leveraged, and the ability to bring diagnoses to the masses on a global scale is truly inspiring. This company is doing everything right in the view of the judges and stands on the threshold of world changing success. This is yet another successful company to come out of the Velocity programme at the University of Auckland. Mark Foy, DHL Express Managing Director, New Zealand & Pacific Islands, expressed his pride in being a part of another remarkable AmCham Awards evening, emphasizing the significance of recognizing Kiwi companies that have achieved success in the USA. “Toku represents the epitome of the Kiwi success story, showcasing the entrepreneurial and innovative spirit of businesses that continue to thrive in their trade with the U.S.A. We congratulate Toku and all the other winners of the evening, celebrating their well-deserved achievements." The winners were:
Exporter of the Year to the USA – Technology Innovation- Toku Inc Developers of tools using AI and retinal photography to enable accessible healthcare for early and accurate diagnosis of health conditions.
Exporter of the Year to the USA – Food & Beverage Innovation - Rockit Global LtdGrowers, markets and exporters of a range of one-of-a-kind, perfectly-sized small apples. Exporter of the Year to the USA – Manufacturing Innovation Carac International LtdThe company developed TrackGrip excavator track attachments as a solution to get tracked vehicles in and out of tough situations with ease. Bilateral Connections with the USA- International Working Holidays Ltd The company was formed in 2001 to help people take off for their Big O.E. throughout the world including to Camp America, Au Pair in America, Educare in America and 12 month 5 star resort placements in the USA. Investor of the Year to or from the USA - AgriZeroNZA partnership between the New Zealand government and major agribusiness companies - we're helping farmers reduce emissions while maintaining profitability and productivity.
Contribution to Tourism with the USA - Canuckiwi LtdRepresentation and consulting firm for the travel and tourism industry for Travel Oregon, Utah Office of Tourism, Travel Nevada, Discover New England, Visit Anchorage, Destination D.C and Grapevine, Texas.
Social Impact award - Kara Technologies LtdTechnology company that designs sign language avatars (digital humans), that are responsible for translating a variety of media content such as Video, Audio, or Text into a signed language.
Supreme winner - Toku Inc Stewart Germann Law Office received a Highly Commended certificate for their contribution to bilateral connections with the USA.
Winners of the above awards received an Economy Plus® Round Trip Ticket to the USA from United Airlines. The Supreme winner also received USD 5,000 worth of PR and Marketing Services in the US from SweeneyVesty, key introductions to VC’s, Economic Development agencies, and business leaders in the USA. AmCham’s immediate past president, Jonathan Mason, won the 2024 AmCham Supporter of the Year award.
In addition to AmCham, DHL Express, United Airlines, the awards are supported by ANZ Bank, Auckland International Airport, Insprie Labs, Ironside McDonald Intellectual Property, Lockheed Martin New Zealand and Sweeney Vesty. Media sponsor - The Business. Wine sponsor - Constellation Brands. Water sponsor - Oravida and our event partner Event Revolution.
Optimized pasture management, better animal performance, greater labor savings is at a rancher’s fingertips.
Halter’s virtual fencing technology is now available to U.S. ranchers and dairy farmers. From its origins in New Zealand, Halter has become the world’s leading virtual fence company in revenue and volume of collars sold and is positioned to deliver its technology to the U.S. market.
“Halter technology is a powerful system that helps users precisely manage pasture to lift the performance of the animals grazing it,” says Craig Piggott, Halter Founder and CEO. “For years farmers in New Zealand and Australia have generated significant benefits from utilizing the technology, and we’re excited to bring these same benefits to U.S. cattle ranchers.”
There are 200,000 cattle under Halter’s management in the United States, New Zealand and Australia, making Halter the largest virtual fencing provider by number of cattle. Halter’s U.S. customers are in California, Oregon, Colorado, Texas and Louisiana, with new customers going live in additional states in the coming months. Halter is quickly growing its U.S.-based team and is hiring dozens of people throughout the States in the coming months.
Ranchers can see a heatmap of grazing activity through the Halter app and take advantage of grass growth by moving cattle to optimize the best grazing opportunities. Better pasture management enables better herd management and helps lift productivity through increased live weight gains. Beef producers can achieve precise and flexible grazing (such as strip grazing on cover or stubble crops) and can more effectively graze public lands.
The Halter app allows users to establish virtual fences anywhere on their land. Cows are trained to respond to the collar’s guidance cues as they approach the virtual fence. Users can create new fences from the Halter app on their mobile phone and herd animals into the new pasture area using sound and vibration cues generated through the app.
Halter collars are lightweight and ergonomically designed and powered by two small solar cells at the top of the collar. The collars and the Halter app are connected via solar-powered towers on the ranch. Through this technology, Halter delivers precise farming without the workload.
“Ranchers have real-time, 24/7 access to their cattle and pastures to quickly and easily put cattle where the grass is without moving fences or physically herding cattle, offering unparalleled oversight of their herds in real-time” says Piggott.
By enabling more precise pasture management, virtual fencing can play a significant role in regenerative land management. Ranchers can grow and harvest more grass, better protect soils, increase soil carbon sequestration to reduce net emissions, retire unutilized land without reducing stocking rate, and prevent animals from entering protected waterways.
For more information, visit www.halterhq.com
About Halter:Halter was founded in 2016 by Craig Piggott. Halter's mission is to enable half of the world's habitable landmass to be more productive and sustainable. Halter is one of the world’s fastest growing ag-tech companies.
Media contacts:Ashleigh Gilchrist Communications Lead, Halter Ashleigh.gilchrist@halter.co.nz
A 20-strong Industrial hemp trade and cultural delegation is going to an iHemp workshop at the Global Hemp Innovation Centre (GHIC), Oregon State University (OSU) 12-16 August 2024.
Around 100 attendees (including virtual participants) will be involved in the “Hemp Industrial Materials Supply Chain Workshop” to develop a roadmap for the industry and foster collaboration between New Zealand and the Pacific Northwest. The collaboration was initiated through the New Zealand Product Accelerator, who facilitate industry engagement with the science community.
A trade, investment, research, and cultural delegation of 20 people from New Zealand is heading to Oregon next week, 9 from the research community, including universities and Crown Research Institutes, and 11 from private industry, including 4 Māori businesses involved with industrial hemp and agricultural products. The roadmap will identify innovation barriers and opportunities to uptake hemp fibre as a material ingredient across a range of product categories, including building materials, biopolymers, and packaging.
The 4-day workshop and meetings, including Native American and Māori partners interested in biobased manufacturing, are hosted by Dr Jeff Steiner, Director Global Hemp Innovation Centre at Oregon State University.
Dr Karnika De Silva from the NZ Product Accelerator was instrumental in forging contact with GHIC; her in-person presentation to the faculty at OSU in 2022 began the relationship and facilitated the conversation between the NZHIA and the GHIC.
Dr Steiner says, “After attending the 2023 iHemp Summit in Christchurch, I was impressed seeing the similarities between the Pacific Northwest and Aotearoa New Zealand, including our connections to Māori and Native American Tribe business communities, so it just seems like a natural progression for us to work together and advance the hemp industry.”
Given the forestry and agricultural similarities, industrial hemp (iHemp) fibre is a natural starting point. With support from the USDA-National Institute of Food and Agriculture, the National Industrial Hemp Council of America, and the OSU College of Forestry, a workshop involving industry experts was planned to identify the gaps and opportunities in the iHemp fibre value and supply chain.
The organising committee Oregon State University, NZ Product Accelerator and NZHIA have been working for months to ensure the facilitated workshop, comes up with a useful road map for integrating iHemp into 4 large economic sectors
· Building Materials · Biopolymers and biocomposites (including plastic) · Paper and packaging · Activated Carbon
We aim to answer the question, What would it take for the established biobased building materials, paper/packaging, activated carbon, and plastics/biocomposites sectors to use industrial hemp in the manufacture of products?
More than 70 in-person and 30 virtual participants from Continental North America, New Zealand, and elsewhere are expected with attendees from private industry, other private organizations, government offices, and researchers coming together to explore cultural, industrial, research and investment collaborations.
With the help from Poutama Trust, 4 Māori industry leaders will be attending a hosted banquet before the conference to meet and form relationships with the Native American tribes working in the iHemp fibre space.
NZHIA Chair Richard Barge says “A road map will help relieve the stigma associated with low THC industrial hemp, it will de-risk the iHemp fibre industry for the regulator and help educate and highlight the potential for investors and industry”.
“It’s all about collaboration and connecting with communities of interest. The information on the supply and value chains in the final roadmap will be useful to join up the industry” he says.
Dr Kirstine Hulse, General Manager of the NZ Product Accelerator says “Initiatives like this showcase the value of engagement between Industry and our research community and lead to tangible collaborations with our trading partners, that help accelerate enterprise innovation. Partnering with industry, academia and government to develop research opportunities that are based on industry needs, as well as the closer trade, investment and cultural collaborations are positive for NZ Inc”.
Starting on farms, the iHemp industry can help revitalise rural communities, providing alternate land use in their rotations and value-added opportunities in the regions.
Understanding the industry needs and barriers, and where there is missing science required to adopt new materials in the supply chain and commercial applications is important. The facilitated road map discussion will be identifying current gaps, researchers and industry can collaborate on, to come up with the evidence, research and development of tech to bridge these gaps and scale up the industry.
The workshop is an opportunity to build cultural and trade relationships between Māori and Native American businesses and the iHemp industry to attract trade and investment for mutual benefit.
The road map brings together the potential with the actual, to showcase what is being done and how sustainable products and resilient supply chains can be created in the future. A relevant and timely road map is needed to raise awareness in the investor sector and bring together the various ministries involved, joining up the government with an exciting new primary industry.
We tick all the right boxes and with support, we can be the next big, good news story to help our regions prosper and thrive, whilst building on our global reputation as a clean green country. While assisting government to achieve their targets such as doubling exports in 10 years and affordable housing.
We also acknowledge the student exchange program between OSU and Lincoln University, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2025, further student exchange and research collaborations are expected as an outcome of the iHemp fibre workshop.
For more information: NZHIA, Richard Barge (Chair)richard@nzhia.com 021 706 690
Grapevine Texas wrapped up their Australian and New Zealand sales mission last week, with a series of one-on-one meetings and industry events held across Auckland, Adelaide, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Sydney, Melbourne, and Grapevine’s “sister city” - The Barossa Valley in South Australia. Leading the 12-day sales mission was Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau’s Director of Leisure & International Sales, Heather Egan, joined by Executive Director, Paul W (PW) McCallum, and hosted by Corey Marshall of Canuckiwi - the Australian and New Zealand Press Office for Visit Grapevine.
During their time Downunder, the team met with Australia and New Zealand’s top tour operators, travel advisors and media to learn more about the host of year-round activities while taste-testing the local vintage. The showcase provided an overview of the diversity of Grapevine for an authentic Texan experience, an accessible 15 minute drive from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.
The sales mission was well timed with Fiji Airways’ new announcement, introducing non-stop flights between Fiji - Dallas Fort Worth International Airport from December 2024, and American Airlines’ new direct service from Brisbane from late October 2024, making Texas even more accessible to Australian and New Zealand travellers.
Apart from one-on-one appointments and workshops where product updates and many valuable insider tips were shared, at evening sessions during the sales mission, a blind wine tasting was held over a fun, hands-on charcuterie board creation instruction. Following, guests used their newly acquired knowledge of Grapevine to guess the correct local Texan vintage against other Australian and international wines. A fun, interactive session leaving a lingering taste for Grapevine, Texas.
ABOUT GRAPEVINE, TEXAS Historic Grapevine, Texas, centrally located between Dallas and Fort Worth, is the premier go-to destination when planning a getaway or vacation to the United States, providing guests with a sophisticated escape from the big city. Step back in time on Downtown Main Street District and visit the more than 80 charming locally-owned shops, boutiques, jewellery stores, restaurants and art galleries. Guests can unwind at one of the many award-winning winery tasting rooms, and rest easy at one of the city’s exceptional hotels, like Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center or Great Wolf Lodge, which features an indoor water park. Take advantage of recreation on Lake Grapevine as well as over nine miles of wilderness and biking trails. Climb aboard the Grapevine Vintage Railroad and experience late 19th-century farm life at historic Nash Farm. Whether you enjoy indoor or outdoor activities, Grapevine has something for everyone. For more information visit GrapevineTexasUSA.com.
Issued by the Visit Grapevine, Texas Australia / New Zealand Press Office. For further information or to obtain high res images please contact: Corey Marshall at Canuckiwi on +64 21 555 463 or email corey@canuckiwi.com
The Royal New Zealand Air Force will operate a total of five C-130Js
MARIETTA, Ga., Aug. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A new era of tactical airlift capability for New Zealand has officially begun with Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) delivering the first of five C-130J Super Hercules tactical airlifters to the New Zealand Ministry of Defence and New Zealand Defence Force during a ceremony at the Lockheed Martin's facility in Marietta, Georgia, on Aug. 8.
For almost six decades, the Royal New Zealand Air Force's (RNZAF) C-130Hs have served as essential first-response resources for New Zealand and the entire Indo-Pacific region. Crews from 40 Squadron located at RNZAF Base Auckland, Whenuapai, will operate the new C-130Js, representing one of the most advanced configurations of the Super Hercules ever produced.
"From supporting humanitarian and disaster relief operations to partnering with allies in military operations, New Zealand's C-130s are truly a global force for good," said Rod McLean, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin's Air Mobility & Maritime Missions line of business. "The RNZAF's new C-130J fleet will continue to support these critical missions while offering New Zealand increased allied alignment, greater reach, enhanced capabilities and proven performance for some of the most demanding tactical airlift operational requirements."
New Zealand officials announced the intent to modernize its existing fleet of five C-130Hs with five C-130J-30 variants in 2020 via a Foreign Military Sale with the U.S. Air Force. A joint project team with personnel from New Zealand's Ministry of Defence and the New Zealand Defence Force have worked alongside the U.S. Air Force and Lockheed Martin to manage the aircraft delivery and training programs.
Always evolving, continually innovating and ready for what's next, the Super Hercules leads the charge by setting standards and shaping the future of tactical airlift missions, offering a multitude of advantages found in no other medium-sized tactical airlifter in production or operation today.
These discriminators include proven operational readiness with the greatest ease of transition, increased reliability, superior tactical airlift and combat airdrop capabilities, certification by more than 20 airworthiness authorities, and enhanced survivability. The C-130J also delivers unmatched interoperability with NATO and global air forces, robust industrial partnerships and verified low life-cycle costs with significant fuel savings resulting in a reduced carbon footprint compared to other medium-sized jet airlifters.
See how and why the C-130J continues to be the worldwide choice in tactical airlift through the newest episode of "Into the Cockpit" on Lockheed Martin's YouTube channel, which offers exclusive behind-the-scenes access to the Super Hercules.
For more information, visit www.lockheedmartin.com/c130.
About Lockheed Martin Lockheed Martin is a global defense technology company driving innovation and advancing scientific discovery. Our all-domain mission solutions and 21st Century Security® vision accelerate the delivery of transformative technologies to ensure those we serve always stay ahead of ready. More information at Lockheedmartin.com.
SOURCE Lockheed Martin Aeronautics
The search for a proof-of-concept vaccine that can cut methane emissions in cattle has received a welcome boost.
The Bezos Earth Fund has announced it will fund an international consortium which will build scientific evidence for a vaccine that can reduce the number and activity of methane-producing microbes in a cow’s stomach.
The $USD9.4 million research project will be led by researchers at The Pirbright Institute and the Royal Veterinary College.
AgResearch will add expertise in rumen microbiology and vaccine development to the consortium and receive about a third of the funding allocation.
AgResearch Principal Scientist Neil Wedlock said: “This funding announcement is a welcome boost for methane vaccine research. We are excited to be collaborating with the Pirbright Institute and will provide our research expertise and capability.
“The work will also complement the research we are doing here in New Zealand with the backing of AgriZeroNZ and the New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre.”
AgriZeroNZ is setting up a new venture in New Zealand to accelerate development of the vaccine, building on more than 15 years of pioneering science led by AgResearch and funded by the New Zealand government, industry and through the New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre.
The new venture aims to catalyse more of these types of global collaborations and international funding to accelerate scientific progress and get a vaccine into the hands of farmers sooner.
Dr Wedlock said: “This latest international funding announcement shows how important the work is and what might be achieved with international collaboration.”
The project comprises two key components, each tackling different aspects of the challenge:
Early Development of Immune Response:
Researchers at the Royal Veterinary College, in collaboration with Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), will study how and when methane-producing microbes (methanogens) colonize the digestive tract of calves and how the immune system responds. Advanced techniques such as multi-omics, histology, and immunology will be used to gain insights into these early interactions. They will also develop methanogens with fluorescent markers to track microbial interactions.
Antibody Response and Vaccine Development:
Scientists from the Pirbright Institute and AgResearch will identify and characterise specific antibodies needed to target methanogens effectively. This involves isolating antibodies from immunized cattle and testing their effectiveness in lab conditions. By driving cross-reactive antibody responses and generating panels of antibodies, researchers aim to establish a proof of concept for a methane vaccine.
To read the full press release from the Bezos Earth Fund click here:
About the Bezos Earth Fund
The Bezos Earth Fund is helping transform the fight against climate change with the largest ever philanthropic commitment to climate and nature protection. Jeff Bezos has committed $10 billion in this decisive decade to protect nature and address climate change. By providing funding and expertise, we partner with organizations to accelerate innovation, break down barriers to success and create a more equitable and sustainable world. Join us in our mission to create a world where people prosper in harmony with nature.
About AgriZeroNZ
AgriZeroNZ is a world-first public-private joint venture focused on helping farmers cut emissions while maintaining their competitive edge. Established on 1 February 2023, the JV is half owned by the New Zealand government through the Ministry for Primary Industries and the other half owned by private sector companies – The a2 Milk Company, ANZ Bank New Zealand, ANZCO, ASB Bank, BNZ, Fonterra, Rabobank, Ravensdown, Silver Fern Farms and Synlait. Private sector funding is matched by Government, dollar-for-dollar, to provide $191 million over AgriZeroNZ’s first four years.
Click here for more information about our work to accelerate the vaccine development.
Source: AgResearch
Fiji Airways’ new route will connect travellers with an additional 247 destinations through one of the busiest travel hubs in the world.
Fiji Airways has today announced the introduction of the first ever non-stop flights between Nadi, Fiji and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in Texas, USA commencing in December 2024*.
The new non-stop 13-hour service will operate three times per week every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday utilising Fiji Airways’ state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900 XWB aircraft. The aircraft will feature 301 economy class seats, which recently won Best Economy Class in Australia and Pacific at the SKYTRAX World Airline Awards 2024, and 33 business class lie-flat, all aisle access, seats.
The inaugural flight is scheduled to depart on 10th December 2024, with special introductory fares now available for purchase on the Fiji Airways website at fijiairways.com.
Speaking on the new route, Fiji Airways Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Andre Viljoen said “Introducing a direct service between Fiji and Dallas is a really exciting milestone for Fiji Airways, as we continue to increase Fiji’s connectivity with the United States and beyond offering our guests more travel options.”
The new service to Dallas will complement various other initiatives announced by the airline recently, including its plans to join the American Airlines’ AAdvantage® loyalty program in the coming year and becoming the 15th full member of the oneworld alliance in 2025.
“The new Fiji-Dallas service is set to bring more than 1,000 passengers a week into Fiji alone, helping to bolster the nation’s tourism industry. The overnight flight will also offer our customers increased connections to North America from the South Pacific and beyond” said Viljoen.
To celebrate the announcement, Fiji Airways has launched special introductory return airfares from Nadi, Fiji to selected points in Texas, starting from just FJD1,699. Fares are now available for purchase on the Fiji Airways website at fijiairways.com (terms and conditions apply – see website for details).
Fijian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Strategic Planning, National Development and Statistics, Hon Professor Biman Prasad, expressed his enthusiasm for the announcement, stating “Fiji Airways’ new direct route to Dallas is an exciting development for Fiji and will help pave the way for expanded opportunities in tourism and trade between our two nations. Dallas has immense potential as a new source market for Fiji’s tourism industry, with DFW International Airport currently ranked the third-busiest airport in the world and the state of Texas home to some of the fastest-growing counties in the United States.”
Dallas will be Fiji Airways' 24th international direct destination and will be the fifth North American port served by the airline, along with Los Angeles, San Francisco, Honolulu and Vancouver.
* Flights to, from or via Dallas are subject to US Government regulatory approvals.
Source: https://www.fijiairways.com/
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