Pact to boost Massey research in region | Hawkes Bay News | Local News in Hawkes Bay

The Hawke's Bay Regional Council signed a memorandum of understanding with Massey University Vice-Chancellor Steve Maharey on Thursday.

The two parties hoped the signing would formalise a relationship to engage in collaborative projects, such as increasing the level of science and research undertaken in the Hawke's Bay region and providing projects for students.

Council chairman Fenton Wilson said any agreement that could strengthen the role Massey had in Hawke's Bay would be beneficial and would provide an opportunity for new technical skills and technology to be used by the council.

"We want to make sure we're right at the forefront of that opportunity," Mr Wilson said. "We need to be the top end of any technology advances or breakthroughs. Learning is so different now; it's not just campus-based any more."

He said Massey already had input into the water-storage studies. Although the signing took place only yesterday, there had been a collaborative relationship for some time.

Mr Maharey said the signing was a "sound signal" that the council wanted to work with them.

"We've already got some post-graduate students where they can do research. It's giving Massey a way of being relevant to the region it's closest to.

"From the students' point of view, they get real hand-on activities."

He said the university was currently looking at sharing the costs of a person who could be based in Hawke's Bay to investigate areas in which Massey could provide input, and students were currently working with the council on water issues.