A watershed moment for the region’s blue economy that was fit for a King’s representative.
Lauded as a leading hub for sustainable ocean innovation, investment, and collaboration, the Blue House at Port Nelson and Nelson Marina was officially launched on Thursday last week by New Zealand’s Governor-General, the Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro.
The initiative is a partnership between Nelson firm Kernohan Engineering, Nelson Regional Development Agency (NRDA), Westpac NZ, and Moananui, a Nelson Tasman blue economy cluster.
The hub’s direction is to anchor Nelson Tasman as Aotearoa’s blue economy rudder by making a splash in supporting early-stage ventures, established businesses transitioning to sustainable ocean activities, and organisations working between marine innovation, science and industry.
Around 100 buoyed guests were present for the grand opening, with Dame Cindy Kiro remarking the Blue House as “a huge asset to this region”.
“This occasion aligns very well with some of my own strategic objectives, obviously the use of expert knowledge and caring for our environment, but also celebrating the ingenuity and achievements of New Zealanders,” she says.
She referenced His Majesty King Charles III’s Commonwealth Day message this year, quoting his call for stewardship of nature and prosperity in sync with the natural world.
“His Majesty's words resonate clearly with the spirit and the intent of the Blue House, a place where shared responsibility to care for our oceans and our natural environment is seen not as an obstacle, but as an opportunity for innovation.”
Nelson Mayor Nick Smith says the opening “could not come at a better time” given the region’s choppy waters over the last 12 months.
“The strength of the new Blue House is getting companies, whether it be Maidenfleet or Ocean Intelligence, who even before the opening, have announced their intent to be part of this initiative,” he says.
“This is part of that story of Nelson wanting to be the capital of that ocean resource and the economic opportunities that go with it.”
Tasman Mayor Tim King says the hub gives the region “a platform to explore what a sustainable economy beneath the waves can deliver for our future”.
NRDA chief executive Fiona Wilson says the hub’s focus is on scaling regional strengths for national impact.
“Encouraging investment and innovation in sustainable blue economy activity will benefit the Nelson Tasman region, with flow-on effects for businesses and communities throughout the country,” she says.
Westpac NZ chief executive Catherine McGrath says “the region can really lead the way” with the Blue House.
“I think this is one of those moments where we will all stand back in 10 years or 20 years’ time and recognise the significance of this decision and the leadership that Nelson will show,” she says.
“Westpac’s interest in the blue economy is not something that’s abstract. It’s about backing the kinds of businesses, technologies and transitions that can deliver economic value while protecting the ecosystems they depend on.
“It’s about helping regions like Whakatū build futures that are prosperous and resilient through the generations.”
