7. R DOUG WOOLERTON (NZ First) Link to this
to the Minister for Economic Development
Does he believe that high-value, high-tech products developed from a huge, stable commodity base provide more certainty for increased exports than new, unproven enterprises?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN (Leader of the House) Link to this
Yes, to a certain extent. But we do need a balanced portfolio of products, and that means added-value products from our existing product base and new products that either use new technology or exploit emerging new market opportunities.
Has the Minister put any proposal to Cabinet seeking more funding for the Waikato Innovation Park; if not, will he consider doing so in the near future to aid the expansion of innovation within the pastoral sector, which remains the backbone of our economy and export industry?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
At the moment we have received no formal request for additional funding for the Waikato Innovation Park. Of course, an initial $2 million was funded. The park has been so successful that it is now looking for further space, and initial discussions are under way with the park around the financing of that.