News

Find news and updates here on what the AMA is doing, along with industry-wide information, resources, and events.

Image 01 Oct 2024

Sistema Plastics Factory Tours - 16th Oct / 13th Nov

AMA is inviting manufacturers to join us for an exclusive tour of Sistema Plastics Oct 16 & Nov 13. Experience Industry 4.0 technologies and automation in action!

Image 01 Oct 2024

Panning for Gold with Fisher & Paykel Healthcare

On a recent visit to Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, AMA CEO Catherine Lye met with Desh Edirisuriya, General Manager – New Zealand Operations. They discussed everything from people to plant productivity and going above and beyond world class best practice to do something different, something better.

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BNZ Performance of Manufacturing Index - September 2024

New Zealand’s manufacturing sector showed further signs of improvement during August, although still in contraction, according to the latest BNZ – BusinessNZ Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI).

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Consultation on the Government's proposed redesign of the vocational education and training system is closed

Thank you to everyone who has engaged over the last six weeks to ensure that your voice is heard by the Government. Read the AMA and Hanga Aro Rau submissions here

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BNZ Performance of Manufacturing Index - August 2024

Activity in New Zealand’s manufacturing sector showed some small signs of improvement, although still in contraction, according to the latest BNZ – BusinessNZ Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI).

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Vocational education reform consultation begins

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Success Stories: Hutt Valley Innovation and Collaboration Story

There is no silver bullet to solve New Zealand's economic challenges, but gold nuggets are scattered everywhere.

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Mapping Waste Streams & Reducing Carbon Emissions

This week Advanced Manufacturing Aotearoa attended the report launch and unveiling of the updated Climate Action Toolbox. Both initiatives aim to help the manufacturing sector reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.

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BNZ Performance of Manufacturing Index - July 2024

Activity in New Zealand’s manufacturing sector dropped to its third lowest value for a non-COVID lockdown month.

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EVENT: Transforming Manufacturing - the role of AI

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New Zealand Manufacturing Talent Survey 2024

AMA are surveying the manufacturing sector to collect and present comprehensive evidential data to support our advocacy for solutions to the challenges arising from the recent changes in immigration settings.   Our goal is to provide the Minister with detailed, data-driven real-time insights that highlight the critical areas affected and propose actionable solutions

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EMEX2024 - One Company’s Reflections

Des Pitfield from Lower Hutt manufacturer Datum Machines - Our stand was the result of 11 months of design and prototyping.

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BNZ Performance of Manufacturing Index - May 2024

Activity in New Zealand’s manufacturing sector experienced a drop in May

Image 31 May 2024

Budget 2024 for Manufacturing

It is clear that the allocation for manufacturing is significantly less than what the sector needs, though this is not surprising for the immediate 12-month horizon. The key factor will be the Minister's decisions regarding the long-term strategy, and we are confident that through AMA’s established connections with MPAG, we will continue to play a vital role in this process…

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The Relentless Pursuit of Better, Faster, Smarter

Having arrived late to the viewing of the latest Netflix series, “Drive to Survive,” I couldn’t help but notice the striking parallels between Formula One and our manufacturing/engineering industry.

Image 26 May 2024

Go Fourth and Prosper

How can Industry 4.0 technologies help Aotearoa’s manufacturers to work smarter, not harder, and is there a flow-on benefit for the way people view engineers

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Success Story: SnapCore - Oceans to Orbit

Catherine Lye attended the grand opening ceremony of SnapCore’s new advanced manufacturing facility in Nelson on the 13th May 2024. The Honourable Shane Jones, Minister of Regional Development and Oceans and Fisheries presided over the ceremony, and it was attended by well over 100 friends, family, iwi, business leaders, local & central government officials, investors. It was incredibly fulfilling, rewarding, and inspiring for all who have played a key role in SnapCore’s transition into a global hitter.

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Tech Week 24 is live! 20th - 26th May

Featuring hundreds of events nationwide and engaging thousands of Kiwi across the motu. Techweek drives the national conversation about the value and impact of emerging technology upon the lives of New Zealanders.

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TechStep - Tech Ambassadors to inspire the next generation

Auckland Business Chamber, Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce and their many partners around Aotearoa.  The team would like to appeal to Manufacturers to get involved - find out more

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BNZ Performance of Manufacturing Index - April 2024

Activity in New Zealand’s manufacturing sector experienced a pick up during April,

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AI and manufacturing: why AI is not an either-or decision

AMA board member Phill Patton asked his Datacom colleagues Tracey Cotter-Martin & Dave Ffowcs-Williams to share insights on the opportunities AI holds for manufacturing in New Zealand – and some advice for organisations getting started.

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Digital Systems for Productivity Improvement in Manufacturing

NZQA has just approved a new micro-credential for Digital Systems for Productivity Improvement in Manufacturing

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BNZ Performance of Manufacturing Index - March 2024

Activity in New Zealand’s manufacturing sector experienced stronger contraction during March, according to the latest BNZ – BusinessNZ Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI). The seasonally...

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Innovate, Collaborate, Transform: NZ Product Accelerator and Fisher & Paykel's Visionary Partnership

In the ever-evolving landscape of technology and innovation, the NZ Product Accelerator (NZPA) aims to supercharge the research and development processes of local companies.

Image 28 Mar 2024

Success Stories: 2024 Finalists announced in NZ Hi-Tech Awards

A HUGE round of applause for the amazing NZ Hi-Tech Award Finalists with a particular spotlight and shoutout to New Zealand’s ‘manufacturing’ finalists demonstrating excellence across the technology sector!

Image 28 Mar 2024

Event: Manufacturing Industry Conference (in conjunction with EMEX 2024)

After the success of the 2023 Manufacturing Industry Conference hosted by MAKE│NZ and SouthMach, we’re bringing the conference north to Auckland for EMEX 2024. Join us on Wednesday May 29th 2024 at 10am to 5:30pm

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Success Stories: East Auckland Business Awards 2024

Business East Tamaki staged an unforgettable evening filled with recognition, inspiration and a lot of fun on the 20th March!  Congratulations to the finalists in the 'excellence in industry & manufacturing' category and winner Leanne's Kitchen.

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Event: SOREC Summit - Future proofing your manufacturing & engineering business

The premier event celebrating manufacturing & engineering businesses across Otago & Southland scheduled for Thurs 18th April

Image 18 Mar 2024

Developing a Plan to PowerUP NZ Manufacturing

Manufacturing is critical to the New Zealand economy, underpinning over half of our exports and employing around 250,000 people. As New Zealand’s first ever Minister for Manufacturing, Andrew Bayly, has hosted two workshops to improve the sector and encourage growth, which will ultimately make sure our economy is firing on all cylinders.

Image 17 Mar 2024

Industry4.0 Demonstration Network

The Industry 4.0 Demonstration Network is a Government initiative to help New Zealand businesses realise the benefits of a range of digital technologies that will enhance manufacturing performance, output, monitoring and control.

Image 17 Mar 2024

Beyond Borders: Global Innovations in Sustainable Manufacturing Technology

Image 17 Mar 2024

NZIER Report to ASB - Business Productivity in New Zealand

This provides a prime opportunity for banks to play their part in driving productivity growth by supporting businesses with financial investment in technology, innovation and developing export markets.Take out business lending to increase productivity by 30 June, and you could be eligible for your share of $5 million worth of Productivity Grants.

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BNZ Performance of Manufacturing Index - February 2024

Activity in New Zealand’s manufacturing sector continued to show improvement in February, but still remained in contraction, according to the latest BNZ – BusinessNZ Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI).

Image 29 Feb 2024

ImmigrationNZ Roundup: January - February 2024

The latest bi-monthly ImmigrationNZ Roundup, with a summary of policy changes in January & February - plus the usual key links and recent stats

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Success Stories: ANZ Business of the Year Awards 2024 (Ashburton District)

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It's time to hit fast forward

It’s time to hit fast forward: Spark study finds a 20% uplift in advanced digital technologies could boost productivity and increase industry output by up to $26 billion in the next decade

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Westpac Manufacturing Insights Report - Connecting for Prosperity

Westpac released their new insights report today, "Manufacturing in New Zealand - Connecting for prosperity".

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Manufacturers urged to adopt more digital tech: 'NZ is a decade behind Europe'

"Larger firms here are investing in smart technologies, although that typically focuses on getting greater efficiencies out of existing operating models. But that's very different from using digital technologies to enable transformative change." - Westpac NZ Industry Economist, Paul Clark

Image 12 Feb 2024

Small is our Superpower

New Zealand has a strong manufacturing sector, but it could be better, stronger, more productive. Technology is a key enabler.

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Debunking the Myths: A case for manufacturing

Catherine Lye interviews AMA Board member Glenn Hansen Group CFO, Vortex Engineering Group

Image 01 Feb 2024

Accelerating Manufacturing Innovation

Join us for an exciting in-person event - the Accelerating Manufacturing Innovation hosted by New Zealand Product Accelerator and University of Waikato!

Image 15 Dec 2023

What is advanced manufacturing? It's as easy as SMB...

Advanced Manufacturing for SMB: the path to smarter, modern & better operations

Image 27 Nov 2023

AMA applauds Minister for Manufacturing appointment

Advanced Manufacturing Aotearoa (AMA) applauds the appointment of Andrew Bayly as Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing, and Minister of Statistics.

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Minister of Manufacturing?

National’s Manufacturing spokesman Andrew Bayly aims to have a Minister of Manufacturing in the new Government.

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2023 NZ Advanced Manufacturing report

The Technology Investment Network’s (TIN) inaugural NZ Advanced Manufacturing report is now available.

Image 11 Oct 2023

Productivity - it turns out its rocket science

We need a government that’s clever enough to put policy in place that supports companies shifting from identifying high value innovation, to making it. It’s not rocket science. Or is it?

Image 02 Oct 2023

Chief Executive Appointed

Catherine Lye is the first Chief Executive of Advanced Manufacturing Aotearoa. She has a deep knowledge of the ITP and understanding of issues faced by the sector.

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