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| No.8 November, 2009 |
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NZ to set up digital innovation hub |
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Hong Kong will take a lead role in helping create New Zealand’s first digital innovation hub following the signing of a breakthrough agreement in the country’s capital, Wellington.
The Knowledge Sharing and Transfer Agreement deal was signed on 5 November by Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited (Cyberport), Wellington City Council and the New Zealand Institute for Screen Innovation Limited (NZISI.)
It will facilitate the sharing of Cyberport's knowledge, know-how, processes and services to help accelerate the development of New Zealand's first Digital Innovation Hub (DIH) in Wellington.
The signing was witnessed by a visiting Hong Kong delegation including the Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (Communications and Technology), Mr Duncan Pescod, officials from CreateHK, industry practitioners, academics and Cyberport's incubatees.
The DIH will be located in a purpose-built building in central Wellington. Housing a scoring studio and be home to the NZISI internship programme and finishing school, the DIH will focus on enterprise and professional development, and help commercialise creative ideas and incubate start-ups.
Grow Wellington, the agency that established the NZISI, has hailed the agreement as helping establish a digital community to enhance Wellington's reputation for innovation and creativity, whilst taking its cue from Hong Kong’s trailblazing project.
"Cyberport has already done it. They have achieved what we want to achieve on a large scale - namely a unique Creative Digital Community," said Mr Nigel Kirkpatrick, Chief Executive Officer of Grow Wellington.
"By engaging with Cyberport we are gaining invaluable knowledge and expertise. We are learning at a practical and operational level how best to move ahead with the project."
The institute is also offering the Chief Executive Officer of Cyberport, Nicholas Yang, a position as an international advisor on the governance group for the new Digital Innovation Hub.
Mr Yang said: "We are honoured and delighted to be invited to provide consultancy to WCC and NZISI to enhance the development of the digital entertainment and creative industries of New Zealand.
"Cyberport has helped neighbouring countries and cities build successful digital communities based on Cyberport's execution and experience, but this is the first formal agreement Cyberport has signed to export its intellectual property and expertise to another country.
"This agreement is not only a big step forward for Cyberport towards our closer collaboration with international counterparts, but also confirms the international recognition and acceptance of Cyberport's business model."
The agreement will also foster stronger commercial and policy ties between both governments in the areas of digital entertainment and other creative industries.
The deal is also expected to encourage co-investment in screen and digital entertainment companies or content including film, television, digital media and online gaming.
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