Technology crew behind challenge

With 18 months left before a government grant expires, Emirates Team New Zealand’s engineers will be looking to create a ‘‘super high-tech’’ yacht for the next regatta.

Callaghan Innovation’s business adviser for Team New Zealand, Nick Brewer, said the agency’s Growth Grant towards research and development was a factor in the Bermuda victory.

Most of the money went towards making and testing materials such as carbon fibre, he said.

Such material cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and whole foils have to be built to then be tested on the water.

‘‘It is an expensive game … Without the grant they would not have been able to afford that.’’

He said specialised technicians and the designing of hydraulic systems would have consumed the rest of the money.

The technology developments benefited other industries such as aviation, construction and civil engineering. The latest carbon fibre could be used to create aircraft and bridges.

Callaghan chief executive Victoria Crone said the win was a reminder of what New Zealand tech companies could achieve on the world stage.

‘‘Technology powers every aspect of our lives now and, along with investment in research and development, is critical to a successful New Zealand economy,’’ she said.

‘‘All that the technology sector needs to expand is more brains, more ideas and more capital to bring them to market.

‘‘Every dollar invested in the technology sector creates $3 worth of growth in the New Zealand economy.’’

Crone said other businesses should follow suit and start investing in innovation because it helped grow the economy.

Team New Zealand’s chief executive Grant Dalton said its research had a flowon effect for the national marine industry and many other New Zealand businesses.