Smith’s Engineering recently opened its doors to host a Moananui Partner Forum, an event designed to highlight their engineering capabilities and to strengthen the connections within our blue economy cluster. This gathering was more than just a showcase; it was a catalyst for deeper collaboration, sparking conversations that will drive innovation and sustainability across Aotearoa’s blue economy.

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An Immersive Workshop Experience

The forum began with an immersive tour of Smith’s multi-functional workshop, where attendees were introduced to the operations and equipment used in their engineering processes, gaining insights into the practical applications of the technology at Smith’s.

A highlight of the tour was the demonstration of the ClampOn Float, a product designed for the mussel industry. Attendees observed the manufacturing process and explored how the machinery could be adapted for other uses. With an audience focused on aquaculture, the event fostered discussions on the relevance and benefits of this innovation, sparking a dynamic exchange of ideas among industry professionals.

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Fostering Meaningful Connections

For Moananui, the forum exemplified our mission to facilitate meaningful connections and build trust among our partners. By creating spaces where ideas and expertise can be shared, we’re not just promoting collaboration—we’re building a community that thrives on working together. The positive feedback and lively discussions that followed the event highlighted the value of these interactions in exploring potential partnerships.

"Moananui is providing us with a platform to make connections and build stronger relationships," said Simone Jarmai-Gill of Smith’s Engineering. “By hosting a partner forum, we were able to demonstrate our diverse capabilities to other partners. They enjoyed the tour, gained valuable insights, and their positive feedback highlighted this success.”

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Amplifying Moananui’s Vision

This forum was a testament to Moananui’s vision of transforming New Zealand’s blue economy through collaboration and innovation. We believe that by bringing together diverse minds and talents, we can address the complex challenges facing our oceans and create solutions that are both sustainable and economically viable. Events like this are crucial in our journey toward a thriving, resilient blue economy that benefits everyone—from local communities to global markets.

As the discussions from this forum continue to ripple out across the cluster, we are reminded that the true power of innovation lies in collaboration. By working together, we can unlock new opportunities, drive economic growth, and ensure that New Zealand’s blue economy remains at the forefront of global marine industries.

In the words of Moananui, "Big ocean, big opportunity, big responsibility." And it’s through events like the Smith’s Engineering Partner Forum that we are embracing all three.

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Join the Movement

Discover how your organisation can contribute to innovative solutions and sustainable development in the blue economy. Find out more on our website and become a vital part of our collaborative community.

Get in touch: kiaora@moanaui.org.nz.

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Smith’s Engineering- At Smith Engineering and S&S Floats, the mission is to build a sustainable future for the aquaculture industry. With the aim to provide innovative solutions that not only improve efficiency and profitability for customers but also protect the environment. Led by Paul Smith, the team manufacture the original ClampOn Float. The Engineering team renovate and provide maintenance to vessels, develop new boat equipment, rebuilds and everything in between. Paul is dedicated to shaping a more resilient aquaculture industry, and the ideas just keep coming.

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