By Adam Gifford
Telecommunications giant Motorola says it will look at the fine print of the Government's Bright Future package to see whether it will influence its decision to open a research facility here.
The company is looking for a suitable site for a third Australasian software centre, and its deliberations are believed to be one of the factors that woke the Government to the need for a better science and technology strategy.
Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and several Australian centres are being considered.
Ron Nissen, Pacific division vice-president, said last night that no one factor would tip the site decision.
"We will take on board this announcement and what it means to skill availability. It's important in that regard."
The facility would have an establishment staff of up to 100 experienced engineers and would hire at least 50 people a year.
Mr Nissen said another factor would be whether Motorola won the $160 million contract to provide a new CDMA cellular network for Telecom. It is shortlisted with Nortel and Lucent.
"That's a contributing factor because having a major strategic relationship in a country focuses our research and development activity."
Possible changes to the tax regime were also a factor.
"Anything that impacts the bottom line cost is important. You can't take a single policy, be it tax or anything else. You have to look at the total package and see how it compares.
"People talk about New Zealand not offering incentives, which is true, but costs are lower in other respects and there's not the super-salary elements like payroll tax, fringe benefit tax and superannuation guarantees."
Mr Nissen said politics would play little part in the decision.
IT giant checks Govt policy
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