New Board Members At Foundation For Research, Science And Technology

Minister of Research, Science and Technology Pete Hodgson has appointed three new board members for the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology and reappointed three for a second term.

The new members are Professor Gary Hook and Associate Professor Pare Keiha, who will join the board immediately. Dame Margaret Bazley will join the board as deputy chair on May 1.

“Between them, Gary Hook and Pare Keiha bring great experience in international, Maori, research, legal and business perspectives,” Mr Hodgson said. “Along with Dame Margaret’s extensive public management experience, the new directors will add momentum to the Foundation’s role in funding and promoting research and innovation in New Zealand.”

The Foundation invests nearly $400 million a year in research with economic, social and environmental benefits for New Zealand, and funds further education for researchers.

The three reappointed board members are Neil Richardson (chair), Paula Rebstock and Dr Jim Watson. The other current members are Maxine Simmons, Neville Jordan and Andy Pearce.

Mr Hodgson paid tribute to Professor Mason Durie whose term on the board finished on January 31.

“Professor Durie made a major contribution to the Foundation as part of his tireless work across the research, health and education sectors,” Mr Hodgson said.

Biographical details of new board members attached.

Ministry of Research, Science and Technology: www.morst.govt.nz
Foundation for Research, Science and Technology: www.forst.govt.nz

New FRST Board Members

Dame Margaret Bazley chairs the Fire Service Commission and is a member of the Waitangi Tribunal. She has extensive management experience in the public service including change and financial management. Her past roles include Commissioner at the State Services Commission, Secretary for Transport (1988-1993), Director-General of Social Welfare (1993-1999), and Chief Executive of the Ministry of Social Policy (1999-2001).

Professor Gary Hook is currently Chief Executive Officer and Professor of Environmental Science at Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi in Whakatane. He holds a PhD and a DSc in Biochemistry from Victoria University of Wellington. His career has included lecturing and professorships at Victoria University, the University of Wales and at Duke University in North Carolina. He has held research positions at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in North Carolina, including Chief of the Environmental Health Perspectives Branch. He was editor of the scientific journal Environmental Health Perspectives for nearly 30 years.

Associate Professor Pare Keiha holds the degrees of PhD in Chemical engineering, Master of Commercial Law, MBA and MSc. He is currently head of Te Ara Poutama, the Faculty of Maori Development at the Auckland Institute of Technology. He has strong governance experience, as a director of Metro Water Ltd (since October 1999), a member of the Waitemata District Health Board (since December 1998), a member of the Waerenga-a-Hika Trust Board (since 1996), and a member of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (since August 2000). He has held a number of consultancy positions with private and public sector organisations including KPMG, The University of Auckland, Otago University and Victoria University, and advises Maori enterprises including tribal and pan-tribal organisations in business development and strategy.

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