The Centre was officially launched by the Prime Minister of New Zealand, the Right Honourable Helen Clark, at a function on 25th March 2004.

The day’s activities began with the unveiling of a commemorative plaque at the Centre’s reception area, witnessed by a number of the Centre’s strategic stakeholders.

The Prime Minister was then escorted by the University Chancellor, Margaret Austin, to the NZ Biotron Facility via a drive around Lincoln University’s scenic campus.

After introductory comments by Margaret Austin and Alistair Betts, the NZ Biotron was officially opened by the Prime Minister during a speech in which she stressed the importance of the Centre’s research in achieving the Government’s biosecurity and environmental sustainability goals.

A tour of the Facility followed, in which the Primer Minister was shown the working elements of the Biotron – the growth chambers upstairs and rhizotrons downstairs.

The celebration ended with a lunch attended by Centre researchers and stakeholders.