July 5, 2021

Report from the edge of the Earth: Prof. Leonid Melnyk’s scientific and teaching training in New Zealand

07/01/17 – 18/02/17 Head of the Department of Economics and Business Administration of Sumy State University, Director of the Research Institute for Development Economics at Sumy State University, Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, National Academy of Science of Ukraine, Prof. Leonid G. Melnyk was on the research and teaching internship. He was invited by the colleagues from the Business School of Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand.

During the internship period methods of teaching at the university, approaches to the formation of sustainable development in the country, as well as business management instruments were studied. The manuscript of the textbook “Formation of Sustainable Economy” and the article “The Third Industrial Revolution and the formation of ” green “economy: economy of enterprise, region, country” were prepared.

Professor’s direct speech comes next.

In addition to work-related internship directly at the university, I was able to visit many interesting places.

• Tea production company «Zealon». There was the opportunity to see the full cycle of tea production from tea leaves growing to its finished products. The process of enterprise “growing” is no less interesting. Seven years ago, when I first visited «Zealon», it made only the first steps, borrowing Japanese technology. Today this is one of the leading tea manufacturers. Over the past two years, it received three prizes at international tea competitions (in London and Hong Kong).

• The most eastern city in the world – Gisborne. It is 178ᵒ on the east. 2ᵒ to the east the Western Hemisphere begins. Land near Gisborne is known for dry weather and good conditions for growing grapes. It produces excellent wine. Once Captain Cook visited these places.

• Village Mahiya (Mahia) (an hour’s drive from Gisborne). It is likely to be soon become a history. Just 30 km from the place (where Cape Mahia Area abuts the edge of the sea) the world’s first private space launch complex, designed for orbital launch of 120 missiles per year is being built. The location is unique. Here one can launch missiles with a “particularly wide azimuth” (quote from the booklet for tourists). The site has other undeniable advantages: extremely low populated areas and historically low both maritime and air traffic. I was lucky. When I went to have a meal on the beach in a small village in a local cafe, there came the team of builders for dinner. It turned out they regularly have lunch and dinner there.

• Plantation, where residents pick blueberries, paying the price twice lower than in the supermarket. At the same time no limits to the number of berries that can be consumed when harvesting.

• Airport of Gisborne, the only one of its kind. The runway crosses the railroad. During take-off and landing the barrier falls in front of the train. Perhaps the only case when the train stops before a barrier. The airport itself is very similar to a bus station. Here, the plane goes to the door of the terminal. Passengers go 10-20 meters to board or return.

• Children’s regatta, more than a hundred young sailors came to start

• Historical sites, preserving the memory of anxious days that happened to New Zealand.

• Preserve «Kinikini», where among the arid hills jungle oasis (4 km along the perimeter) hides and «Morere», where the hot springs hit right from the ground.

• And, of course, the local beaches, where at a distance of 1-2 km on chic sandbanks during peak hours as much as 5 to 10 families of vacationers can be seen.

When I was about to start the journey back home, the international media reported that New Zealand is actually a surface part of the whole (the size of Australia) continent. It is suggested to call it Zealand. It is not known whether the New Zealand continent will be officially recognized. But it has proved by the activities that its economy is already an entire “green” economy continent, the economy of renewable resources, comparing to “brown” economy, in which the rest of the world continues to live.

Round table with the department teachers and guests from German Universities

Meeting with Professor Alexander Molchanov in Massey Business School

Symbol of Massey University: “Golden wing for flight”, which the university provides for its graduates. Teachers and students gave an ironic nickname “chicken wing”. Its order and installation cost the university 90 thousand dollars (though New Zealand)

Recycling waste in Massey University

Tea plantation of company “Zealon”

Panorama of Gisborne

Coordinates of the most eastern city of the Earth – Gisborne

Palm tree planted in Gisborne by Princess Diana

Captain Cook Monument in Gisborne

Information about the strangeness of the monument to Captain Cook, testifying about the objectivity of Gisborne city residents

Beach in Mahia Beach village. Near the beach a memorial plaque: “During the Second World War there were training of the defenders against the expected Japanese attack”

Mahia Peninsula, on the south “tip” of which, rocket launch complex is being built

Rocket “Electron” at the launch complex Mahia

Banner with information about a newly built rocket launch complex

Construction of New Zealand’s rocket launch complex on the land edge

The team of builders of launch complex builders during supper on the cafe terrace

Blueberry plantation for harvesting on self-service

Gathering blueberries on self-service

Gisborne Town Airport: walk to board the aircraft

Sailing is one of the most popular kiwi hobbies (New Zealand). It is adored by people of all ages

Preparations for the regatta

Children City regatta

Echoes of the Second World War… New Zealand dugout against the Japanese. Fortunately, they were not needed

And this is the echoes of another war, undeclared, almost, hybrid. In Oakland on top of an extinct volcano a concrete bunker was built. An old howitzer in it. Next to the inscription: “This is a tool delivered here in 1885 against Russian expansion in the Pacific” … It turns out that “polite, little green men” were already there…