Science New Zealand
CRIs core purpose: to benefit New Zealand

16 November 2010
The Hon Dr Wayne Mapp, Minister of Research Science and Technology, today released the Statements of Core Purpose for each of the 8 Crown Research Institutes.

In March this year, the CRI Taskforce on enhancing the value of New Zealand’s investment in CRIs, chaired by Neville Jordan, recommended that each CRI should have a Statement of Core Purpose setting out its roles and responsibilities.

The SCP sets out a clear and enduring strategic role for each CRI, and has been developed in close consultation with the key industry and government stakeholders and research partners of the CRI.

The Chief Executive of Science New Zealand, Anthony Scott, said:
“CRIs are delighted at the emphasis upon CRIs delivering science that is both high quality and relevant to the needs of New Zealand.

“That has been our core purpose from the start. It is heartening to have the Crown, our owner, reassert that purpose so clearly and define CRIs as a cornerstone of the science that underpins New Zealand’s economic and environmental well-being.

“This follows the most thorough review since we were established in 1992. So today is very important to the more than 4,200 hard working staff in the CRIs, to our stakeholders in industry and government, and to our research collaborators.

“It begins a new stage where revitalised CRIs, working with committed partners, can help New Zealand achieve its aspirations through top-quality, relevant science and innovation.

“Having clarity of focus, boundaries and areas of collaboration enables CRIs to work more closely with each other and with other research organisations. It enables industry and government partners to better understand what CRIs can do for them.

“Across the 8 SCP one over-riding message leaps out: that the CRIs exist to serve and benefit New Zealand. That is why the Crown owns CRIs, and why the first question each CRI asks itself as it prepares its strategy and implementation plan is, ‘how will this benefit New Zealand?’

“CRIs deliver on their core purpose through such means as enhancing the value, productivity and profitability of sectors critical to New Zealand’s wealth and well-being; driving innovation and sustainability in management of our nation’s biodiversity, land and water resources; enhancing science services to our public health, security and justice systems; and ensuring resiliency to natural hazards.”

ENDS

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