The Government's Advanced Technology Institute (ATI) announcement has been welcomed by Mayor Len Brown as a significant gain for Auckland.

"With our goal of establishing Auckland as an innovation hub, the ATI is a crucial step in bringing together universities, polytechnics, Crown Research Institutes, other research organisations, and business, alongside Auckland Council's economic growth agency, ATEED," says Len Brown.

"The Prime Minister signalled in January that the ATI is likely to have a presence at our Wynyard Quarter Innovation Precinct, and across several other ATI sites in Auckland including the FoodBowl - Te Ipu Kai in Mangere."

ATEED Chief Executive Brett O'Riley looks forward to a partnership with the ATI on a range of initiatives. "We are already the government's contracted regional partner for the provision of research and development grants, capability assessments and vouchers. We are also collaborating with them in a number of innovative sector activities including food, ICT, health, tourism, events and education," he says.

"We look forward to the ATI integrating a number of these activities into a single organisation and working with us to expand access and engagement to more businesses, expanding their innovative, competitive and commercial potential."

"Our colleagues at Auckland Council and Waterfront Auckland hosted Minister Stephen Joyce on a briefing and tour of the Wynyard Quarter Innovation Precinct development this morning - we look forward to having some of the ATI's functions based there," says Mr O'Riley.