Industry Trailblazer
Where AUKUS Meets New Zealand
Industry Trailblazer
Where AUKUS Meets New Zealand
Where AUKUS Meets New Zealand
Where AUKUS Meets New Zealand
At Industry Trailblazer, we are redefining the future of trans-Tasman collaboration. We are dedicated to fostering dynamic partnerships and driving innovation between Australia and New Zealand.
Our Mission: Industry Trailblazer is where industry leaders, researchers, and innovators come together to explore new horizons and create lasting impacts. Our mission is to build a vibrant ecosystem that leverages the strengths of Australian and New Zealand industries, accelerates technological advancements, and cultivates a resilient, competitive, and sustainable economic environment.
Why Industry Trailblazer? In a rapidly evolving global landscape, collaboration is the key to unlocking potential and achieving breakthroughs. At Industry Trailblazer, we facilitate this by:
Key Areas of Focus:
Join the Journey: Whether you are an industry leader, a research pioneer, or an innovative startup, Industry Trailblazer offers a platform for you to connect, collaborate, and create. Explore our initiatives, participate in our programs, and be a part of a community that is shaping the future of industry and technology across Australia and New Zealand.
Together, we are pioneering new paths and building a brighter, more innovative future.
AUKUS is more than just submarines. As a trilateral security pact, it opens a whole new world of innovation and technology opportunities for industry, academia, researchers, government, and defence. Across the three nations, it supports the growth of businesses–big and small.
Not only does the pact see the United States & the United Kingdom help Australia acquire nuclear-powered submarines, it also includes, but isn’t limited to, cooperating on:
· Quantum technologies
· Advanced cyber
· Artificial intelligence and Autonomy
· Hypersonic and counter-hypersonic capabilities
· Undersea capabilities
· Electronic warfare
· Information sharing.
This presents significant new market opportunity for manufacturers, innovators, creators and thought leaders.
The Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese said "This whole of nation effort also presents a whole of nation opportunity; for new jobs, new industries, and new expertise in science, technology and cyber."
Case studies are powerful tools. The AUKUS Connect program is a ground breaking initiative to build bridges between key stakeholders. We enable organised site visits, enabling groups to witness innovation firsthand on the factory floor. These strong engagements across industry showcase real-world applications and successes.
Industry leaders thrive on mutual learning, and facilitating discussions through panels and visits serve as an excellent method to foster dialogue on new solutions, innovations, and industry evolution. The Industry Trailblazer is committed to these engagements, including site visits, our regular Speaker Series, and the Workshop Series conducted right on the factory floor.
Banana Shire Council and AUKUS Forum have signed a landmark partnership, marking the first-ever membership agreement between a Local Government body and AUKUS Forum.
The collaboration is set to spotlight Queensland's regional manufacturing and industrial capabilities on the global stage, reaching AUKUS partners across Australia, in the United States and United Kingdom, to drive innovation, investment, and economic growth.
Michael Sharpe, Chairman of the Industry Trailblazer and Chief Executive of the AUKUS Forum, recently toured the bustling factory floors of Auckland and Christchurch. His journey included insightful conversations with key industry leaders, such as Dieter Adam, the head of MAKE│NZ, and visits to circuit board manufacturers, heavy engineering firms and aerospace companies. These visits highlight the deep commitment to building robust and innovative manufacturing partnerships between Australia and New Zealand.
Advancing Collaboration Through Strategic Partnerships
During his tour, Michael Sharpe emphasized the importance of strategic partnerships, cutting-edge technologies, and the shared expertise that underpin the Industry Trailblazer initiative. By harnessing these elements, we are dedicated to fostering collaboration and strengthening the industrial ties across our nations.
Driving Innovation and Enhancing Capabilities
At Industry Trailblazer, our mission is to propel innovation and enhance the capabilities of our partners. By providing unparalleled access to the vibrant manufacturing and industrial ecosystems of both New Zealand and Australia, we empower our partners to explore new opportunities and achieve growth.
Together, we are committed to:
Unlocking the Future of Trans-Tasman Industry
As we look to the future, Industry Trailblazer is dedicated to strengthening the trans-Tasman relationship through collaborative efforts that unlock new potentials and drive sustainable development. With the combined strengths of New Zealand and Australia, we are well-positioned to lead the way in manufacturing and industrial innovation.
New Zealand’s technology sector is a powerhouse of innovation and creativity, consistently delivering solutions that improve lives in Australia and beyond.
Whether it's through educational technologies that transform learning, healthcare innovations that enhance patient outcomes, or gaming experiences that captivate global audiences, New Zealand's tech companies are making a profound impact.
With a proven track record and a future-focused approach, New Zealand is well-positioned to continue leading in these sectors, driving positive change and fostering stronger connections between New Zealand and Australia.
The Australia-New Zealand Closer Economic Relations Trade Agreement (ANZCERTA), also known as the CER Agreement, is one of the most significant and comprehensive bilateral trade agreements in the world. Its evolution from early 20th-century trade arrangements to a modern framework underscores the dynamic economic partnership between Australia and New Zealand.
This agreement has significantly shaped the economic landscape across the Tasman, promoting free trade, regulatory harmonization, and closer economic integration.
Industry Trailblazer strives to support New Zealand and Australian industries, particularly SME's in their growth trajectories and to unlock their export potential. By fostering strategic partnerships, we aim to cultivate a robust ecosystem where people can contribute to and benefit from the largest industrial project in Australia's history.
AUKUS Pillar Two includes cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, hypersonics and much more. We are building taskforce groups with a focus on industry and research engagement.
Adjacent Capability Across Industry - Whilst there is much talk about defence industry capability constraints, the AUKUS Forum is bringing together industry and business leaders that have never been involved with defence, but are wanting to support from across a range of sectors including agriculture, heavy engineering and advanced manufacturing, including watch manufacturing!
Australia's first and only traditional watchmaker, Sydney-based ‘Nicholas Hacko Watchmaker’ not only makes high end timepieces for discerning collectors – in 2022 they established a new division, ‘NH Micro’, and it’s taken off like a rocket!
Anecdotally the light bulb moment occurred during a company barbeque when a group of academics and others suggested that the watch company's precision engineering would be of great interest to a range of industries, including defence.
Vesi-Water has harnessed proprietary technology, developed through a fruitful collaboration with the University of New South Wales, to harvest fresh water from airborne humidity. This revolutionary process creates fresh water in areas where traditional sources are scarce or nonexistent. With a firm belief in the effectiveness of their technology, Vesi-Water is now eager to find partners who can help deploy this cutting-edge solution.
The AUKUS Forum's focus on collaboration and innovation will undoubtedly pave the way for further advancements in the defence sector, bolstering national security and driving economic growth. By harnessing the potential of Andromeda's Steel Cable & Slings Division and other similar companies, Australia is poised to emerge as a global leader in defence-related industries, underpinned by cutting-edge technology, skilled expertise, and unwavering dedication to excellence.
Industry Trailblazer is making significant strides in bringing together a wide array of industry leaders and stakeholders, many of whom are engaging with the defence sector for the first time, eager to contribute their expertise and innovations. The strong leadership presence across industry and research organisations underscores the high level of strategic influence and decision-making capability within our community.
Our mission is to build a vibrant ecosystem that leverages the strengths of Australian and New Zealand industries, accelerates technological advancements, and cultivates a resilient, competitive, and sustainable economic environment.
Our initiatives, such as the sector-spanning taskforce groups showcase our commitment to broadening horizons, embracing innovation from diverse fields like agriculture, heavy engineering, and advanced manufacturing. Success stories like Nicholas Hacko Watchmaker's transition into precision engineering for defence and Vesi-Water's groundbreaking technology exemplify the transformative impact of our collaborative efforts.
The Industry Trailblazer's extensive engagement and factory site visits, demonstrate our dedication to empowering businesses across New Zealand and Australia, particularly SMEs, to harness their potential for collaboration and growth. By fostering strategic partnerships and supporting industries in navigating the vast opportunities AUKUS presents, we are not just strengthening defence capabilities but also building economic growth and technological advancement.
Our collective journey with the AUKUS Forum is shaping a future where New Zealand and Australian industries are integral to the defence landscape, driving innovation, and building export potential. We are grateful for the robust support and enthusiasm from our community and remain committed to advancing our mission, ensuring that Industry Trailblazer can be a catalyst for unprecedented opportunities and success.
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