Researcher Plans Further Investment in Nelson Facilities As it Looks to Second Century of Science Delivery

With 90 years of pioneering research behind it, the country’s largest independent not-for-profit research institute is now looking to further cement its investment in Nelson.

The Cawthron Institute this week lodged an application for resource consent with the Nelson City Council for a new building at its Halifax Street headquarters. It will replace existing offices and storage along Halifax Street, providing upgraded work space for existing staff, some additional office and laboratory facilities, and a new main reception for the Institute.

Chief Executive, Gillian Wratt, says that as Cawthron's reputation and contribution has grown, so has the size of the Institute. Our facilities have been developed in an ad hoc way and are no longer adequate to accommodate the needs of close to 200 Cawthron staff and the national and international scientists who come here to work with us.

"Despite two world wars, a depression and the constantly changing face of science funding, Cawthron has continued to play an important part in the scientific development and economic growth of our nation and our region, through the immense contribution of our researchers to agricultural, freshwater and marine sciences over many years.

"We need efficient and quality space that makes better use of our city site if we are to continue to meet the demand for our research expertise."

The proposed building, to be erected at the front of the existing Halifax Street site, would provide nearly 400 square metres of laboratory space, 750 square metres of office space, a new reception area, meeting rooms and display space.

Chief Financial Officer, Daryl Wehner, says two key requirements for the preliminary design given by the Institute in its brief to architects, Stapleton Elliot, were sustainability and a design in keeping with the character of the neighbourhood.

"The Wood has been our home for more than 90 years. The Institute headquarters moved in 1970 from Fellworth House where it was originally established through the almost quarter of a million pound bequest of our founder Thomas Cawthron. The land on the corner of Halifax and Milton Streets has been the location for other Cawthron and Department of Scientific and Industrial Research facilities since the 1920s, and the Cawthron Museum was located in Harley House on Milton Street in the 1960s and 70s.

"During that time we hope we have been good neighbours, and because it is important to us to continue that relationship we have been careful to create a design that will not only work for us but will also fit in with the immediate surroundings.

The proposed new two storey building would be set 10m back from the street boundary and include significant landscaping at the front."

The Nelson City Urban Design Panel has assessed the bulk and form of the plans. They recommended four changes, all of which have been adopted in the design. Cawthron has received favourable feedback on the proposed building from its four immediate neighbours.

Chief Executive Gillian Wratt says staff are excited by the prospect of improved facilities and are keen to see construction begin, but acknowledges funding could still prove to be a major hurdle.

"Throughout its history the Institute has largely had to rely on its own resources to survive – starting from that very first foundation bequest from Thomas Cawthron through to the current day when our revenue comes from a range of research and consulting contracts and analytical services.

"The challenge for us now, as a financially constrained not for profit organisation, will be to find the money needed in the current financial environment to invest in this new facility to ensure we can continue to provide research support for New Zealand business and communities."

Earlier this year Aquaculture Minister, Phil Heatley, opened an extension to Cawthron’s aquaculture research facility at The Glen, home to the Institute's internationally renowned shellfish breeding programme.

The Institute won matching funding from government for the Glen expansion, but considers it unlikely it could attract additional government support for the Halifax Street facilities.

For more information:

Gillian Wratt
Chief Executive Cawthron Institute
Phone: +64 3 539 3270
Mobile: 021 548 110
E:

Daryl Wehner
Chief Financial Officer Cawthron Institute
Phone: +64 3 548 2319
Mobile: 021 829 320
E: