Minister of Agriculture Damien O’Connor visited ASB MAGS Farm on Wednesday and responded positively to the redevelopment plans that include an Agri-food and Fibre Experience Centre.
The $12 million Experience Centre will be built on the farm and give students and visitors a world-class experience and educational environment with classrooms, an exhibition space and a seminar area.
Its location in central Auckland provides a unique opportunity to connect urban New Zealand with rural New Zealand, something that Mr O’Connor said was vital for the prosperity of the Agri-food and Fibre industries.
He said innovations such as the Experience Centre would help New Zealand chase higher values for its products and leverage off its strong international reputation for the integrity and sustainability of its primary industries.
“Part of that fine food system is using all of our knowledge to extract the best returns,” Mr O’Connor said. “As a government, we are trying to help schools like MAGS get us on a really good pathway. You are the future of New Zealand.”
He said primary industries were about nutrition – not just production, strong regulatory systems and traceability – areas where New Zealand could lead the world.
“People overseas know that when they buy something from New Zealand it’s the very, very best,” Mr O’Connor said. “With agriculture and horticulture it’s not about producing more, it’s about getting more for what we produce.”
In his time at the farm, Mr O’Connor spoke to students about the future of primary industries and the challenges they faced as tastes changed and markets evolved. He also took questions from students before enjoying morning tea with them.
Mr O’Connor was hosted at the farm by Headmaster Patrick Drumm, Board of Trustees Chair Greg Moyle, members of the ASB MAGS Farm Advisory Group Mark Heer (chair), Roger Bourne and Ian Proudfoot, HoD Agriculture and Horticulture Esther Hancock, and Experience Centre Development manager Peter Brice.
With the help of the advisory group, Mr Brice is driving the planning and construction of the Experience Centre, which will have five new classrooms and – in addition to the seminar and exhibition spaces – shearing and milking facilities and machinery bays. It will also have a hydroponics building and overlook neighbouring horticulture and viticulture blocks.
The new farm will use the latest technology and will also house an ‘industry incubator’, showcasing products and services at the edge of primary sector innovation.
