Settlement helps Splice Group make a difference
Steve Finlay, Centre of Excellence manager for the Kapiti Coast’s innovative new Clean Technology Centre (CTC) says it offers tremendous opportunities for the region.
Clean technology is a rapidly growing industry concerned with creating products with a smaller environmental footprint by improving operational performance while reducing costs, inputs, energy consumption, waste, or pollution.
Globally the market for environmental products and services is estimated to double from US $1,370 billion in 2008 to US $2,740 billion by 2020.
“Internationally there is huge demand for proven clean technologies” says Steve. “This sector has the potential to transform the local, regional and even the national economy.”
Clean technology includes solar power, biofuels, water purification and renewable power generation. Already 11 companies have joined the CTC, among them Splice Group Ltd, which was established just over a year ago.
Splice works with organisations to optimise the use of their physical assets and resources through consultancy, project management, development services and implementation of information systems - though Director Ewen Church says the Group could have taken on a completely different look without fellow director and migrant Leigh Hunt from the UK.
“Splice Group would exist but would look totally different without Leigh - he has software development expertise and knowledge of the geospatial sector which is difficult to resource here in New Zealand.” says Ewen.
And to grow the company Ewen expects to continue to have to look offshore for other migrants like Leigh, so he is focused on ensuring they settle well and stay.
Steve Finlay, a Scotsman who immigrated here himself in 1996 knows just how important it is.
“Migrants from who are in a similar clean-tech space can become ambassadors for the Wellington region and connect us with their networks - and those global networks can bring huge benefits to this region.”
Steve says Kapiti Coast District Council and the local community have laid out the welcoming mat for migrants, and Settlement Support services help too.
“It’s about connecting them economically, through associations like the Kapiti Chamber of Commerce and NatureCoast and our local economic development agency, and good settlement support that ensures they aren’t left looking for the information they need.” he says.
“By helping and supporting them in this way we can hopefully provide migrants with not just a soft landing, but a really inspiring landing in an area that’s certainly one of the most sustainable in the world.”
