“GR was a key enabler in assisting the hub partners with the delivery and documentation of a Plan to set the vision and foundation for the Lincoln Hub. Key attributes they displayed were the ability to synthesise a significant volume of inputs from the five organisations, to organise and structure into an effective framework, in a short timeframe, and to add value to content generation and format, and a real ability to work closely with the customer, all of which added to the quality of the Plan.”
Background and aims
In 2013 the five Lincoln Hub Partners (AgResearch, DairyNZ, Landcare Research, Lincoln University and Plant and Food Research) embarked on an ambitious plan to bring their organisations closer together to deliver greater land based sector returns for New Zealand. New Zealand’s economic, social and environmental future is dependent on this improvement as this sector currently returns 30% of GDP and the New Zealand Government’s aim is to increase this to 40% by 2025. GDP growth will not be cost-free however, as the sector is based on the use of natural resources; the aim is to increase productivity and economic returns, while at the same time reducing environmental impacts.
The Lincoln Hub aims to deliver its collaboration physically, scientifically and operationally at Lincoln in Canterbury New Zealand.
Our role
Global Research worked closely with the multi-party working group to record the ideas for collaboration and turn that thinking into a cohesive Plan which could be shared with Government Ministers and the broader Hub Partner network.
Design and method
Global Research attended workshops to record and clarify ideas. Between workshops draft sections were prepared collaboratively with all of the organisations – Global Research coordinated this process. In the final stages of the plan we worked with key organisation representatives to finalise, confirm and polish the final plan.
Result
The Lincoln Hub Partners produced a collaborative Hub Plan in March 2013, which was approved by Government Ministers and is the basis for the future development of the Lincoln Hub.
Outcome
The Lincoln Hub continues to progress. With future building work planned for Lincoln University and AgResearch the physical collaboration will be manifest in new scientific facilities. The scientific collaboration will continue to grow as more projects are embarked on as Hub Partners. Through the sharing of facilities and human resources the organisations will produce more efficient outputs and have greater resources for all to use, such as scientific, conference, hospitality, security and recreation facilities.
Most importantly New Zealand’s land-based economic returns will increase and its environment will be better protected.