New Zealand Flax (Harakeke) Forum

Waiariki Institute of Technology, Rotorua
8.30am – 5pm, Friday 20 February 2015
Cost: $25

This forum will present research and development about the innovative and commercial uses of harakeke (New Zealand flax) and extensive work done on planting during the past decade. Topics include: species selection, plantations, industrial processing, muka (traditional fibre preparation), innovation, composites, natural skincare and other uses.
Open to the public, in particular small business developers, researchers and scientists.

Hosted by Biopolymer Network Ltd, and supported by Scion and Callaghan Innovation.
To register, visit www.biopolymernetwork.com

13th Annual FOA/MPI Forest Biosecurity Workshop

Rimu Room, Scion, Rotorua
24 - 25 February 2015

The introduction of the “Log Levy” has provided the mandate to extend the FOA forest health surveillance to include all of New Zealand’s commercial plantation forests. Growing international concern about the prevalence of biosecurity threats associated with trade and travel has seen the introduction of new remote sensing technologies and molecular-based diagnostic tools for detection and identification of biological invaders. The workshop will review what the Forest Biosecurity Committee is doing in partnership with MPI to provide improved surveillance and greater confidence to MPI and New Zealand’s trading partners that our export products do not pose a biosecurity threat. The workshop is open to all interested parties but attendance limited to the first 100 to register. For further details go to www.nzfoa.org.nz/events

Christmas closing hours

Scion will be closed from 5pm, Friday 19 December and will re-open on Monday 5 January 2015.

The Scion Board and staff would like to extend to all our clients and colleagues our very best wishes for the festive season, and we look forward to working with you again in the new year.