Media Statement

YOUNG NEW ZEALANDERS GET TASTE OF TOP KIWI INNOVATION

Primary and secondary school students from the Canterbury region are being invited to hear first hand about the Innovation behind blockbuster movie Lord of the Rings at the Government's Innovate event to be held next month in Christchurch.

The invitation, from Deputy Prime Minister Jim Anderton, has been issued as part of the Innovate Schools Programme. This provides the opportunity for schools to attend, for free, key parts of Innovate, a celebration of innovation aimed at helping New Zealanders turn great ideas into successful business.

Weta Workship director Richard Taylor, who was responsible for the special effects in Lord of the Rings, will speak at a lunch forum, open to schools and the public, on Wednesday 6 March. The Innovate Ideas Gallery, featuring exhibits from successful New Zealand innovators will also be open to schools and public throughout the three day event from March 5-7.

Ministry of Economic Development principal advisor Roger Wigglesworth says Innovate is an exciting opportunity for students to experience for themselves the innovation and stories behind some of New Zealand's best businesses.

"It will be a great learning opportunity for young New Zealanders who are, after all, the innovators of the future," he says.

A school information kit is also being developed which will enable Innovate and innovation to be integrated into classroom activities throughout the country. Details of how classes can tune in to live broadcasts from Innovate and links to video footage that will be available for schools after the event will also be included in the kit.

Registrations are now open via www.innovate.org.nz for schools wanting to bring groups to the event - entry is free but tickets will be allocated. Schools can also order their information kit via the internet.

Innovate is supported by the Ministry of Economic Development, Industry New Zealand and Te Puni Kokiri and principal sponsor the University of Otago.

The Innovate programme, details of the line-up of top New Zealand innovators who will share their experiences at the event and full registration details can also be found at www.innovate.org.nz