NMIT at NZ’s first Blue Economy Innovation Summit

NMIT was at the Blue Economy Innovation Summit, with aquaculture programme lead Denise Hearn and second year student and technician Ben Beveridge speaking about the available opportunities at NMIT and their personal experiences with them.  

Ben comes from a small farming town in north Waikato and has always had a dedication to the ocean.    

“Aquaculture was a natural calling,” Ben says.  

“While my classmates and I have had different work placements, each of us have come back with high praise, being able to experience on-the-job learning.” 

For his first work experience, Ben was down in Stewart Island, where he lived on a sea farm and worked as a deck hand. His next work placement will be on a National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) Kingfish and Hapuku farm, up north in Bream Bay, to further explore what New Zealand’s aquaculture industry has to offer. 

“Working with industry has led to job offers that I know students have taken,” says Ben. “For instance, a classmate of mine has begun working at Plant and Food Research after completing his placement with them last year.” 

“As for myself, I currently work as a technician for NMIT, both on campus and within our saltwater facility at Cawthon Aquaculture Park. I hope to continue this line of work as I have a particular interest in system design and research, both on and offshore.” 

The summit was a great opportunity for kaimahi (staff) and ākonga (learners) to participate in engaging discussions about sustainable seafood and aquaculture with industry, contributing their energy and innovative ideas to help shape the future of New Zealand’s blue economy.  

For more information about our available aquaculture and marine conservation programmes, please visit the NMIT website(external link).