Sector Engagement

Sector Engagement has been a feature of the government's approach to economic development since January 2001 when work began on a Wood Processing Strategy. Since then, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise in partnership with other agencies has developed strategies in other sectors such as the textile, clothing, footwear and carpet sector. Engagements have addressed systemic barriers to business growth such as skill shortages or inadequate infrastructure, and the provision of business assistance such as international market intelligence and market development services.

Sector Engagement is also one of the four original pillars of the Growth and Innovation Framework (GIF). Under GIF, engagement was focussed on sectors with growth potential in their own right and with potential to raise productivity across the economy as a whole. The GIF sectors were ICT, biotechnology, and the creative industries (where engagement focussed on the "sub sectors" of screen production and design.) These engagements built on experience gained from working with the wood processing sector.

Right Hemisphere Loan Agreement
In the first half of 2006, the Crown negotiated an agreement with Right Hemisphere. In return for a loan from the Crown of US$8 million dollars for three years, Right Hemisphere committed to retaining its R&D centre in New Zealand.

Manufacturing Sector Engagement
In August 2005 NZTE convened the Manufacturing Vision group to develop a vision and strategy for New Zealand manufacturing. Their report was released in November 2006 and the Government's response to that report was released in August 2007.

Large Budget Screen Production Grant Review
The Large Budget Screen production Grant (LBSPG) has been in place since 1 July 2003. It is a financial incentive used to attract large budget film and television productions to New Zealand.

Framework for Sector Engagement - Cabinet Paper
This cabinet paper sets out a three-level framework to guide government's future engagement with sectors.

GIF Taskforces
Four sector taskforces were established under the Government's Growth and Innovation Framework. These were in the areas of design, information and communication technology (ICT), biotechnology and screen production.

Food and Beverage Sector Engagement
The Food and Beverage Taskforce marks the beginning of a Government and industry-led initiative to capitalise on one of the country's fastest-growing sectors.