Science and Technology Park Scoping Study

Report Date: January 2004

Prepared for New Zealand Trade and Enterprise by Dr. Chris M. Kirk, Massey University, New Zealand, and Mr. Brian C. Catts, Cattman Ventures, LLC, USA. 

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Preface

Science and Technology Parks (STPs), like Business Incubators, are essentially economic development tools.  Although these facilities have a substantial history internationally, New Zealand's incubator movement has emerged only recently, and at present there is only minimal STP infrastructure.  This scoping study was undertaken to provide input to New Zealand Trade and Enterprise on the role of STPs internationally and their potential for supporting innovation initiatives already underway in New Zealand.  The Report presents comprehensive background material on the role of STPs in economic growth within an international context, and identifies best practice activities and lessons to be learned.

Structure

1. Setting the Scene:  A brief introduction to STPs.
2. Major Findings - What Makes STPs Work?:  This is a condensed version of what the scoping study found;  it is essentially an extended Executive Summary.
3. Introducing STPs:  The section defines what STPs are (and what they are not), their unique value proposition to various stakeholder groups, and how they contribute to economic growth.
4. Best Practice Criteria for STPs:  This is a major section of the Report and considers in detail a range of key factors that contribute to establishing successful STPs.
5. STPs are not a Perfected Science - What Could be Done Better?:  The final section acknowledges that STPs are not a universal panacea or magic bullet.  It highlights a number of areas where STPs tend to underperform and where stakeholders and Park tenants have a mismatch of expectations.  The section concludes by identifying some emerging trends.
6. The Appendix - Selected Case Studies:  Ten Case Studies are presented that illustrate a range of Park developments with relevance to various NZ circumstances.

If STPs are to play a role within the NZ environment it will need to be a unique adaptation of what works best elsewhere.  Follow-on work will be required to convert the information contained in this Report into practical guidelines for strategic STP initiatives, or further development of Government policies aimed at accelerating NZ's goal of building a modern innovation-based economy.