MEDIA RELEASE
May 30

CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPRESENTS BROAD CROSS SECTION OF NEW ZEALAND INTERESTS

The Conference Committee guiding the Catching the Knowledge Wave project and conference is representative of a broad cross-section of New Zealand education, government, arts, business, media, trade union, social and community interests.

“Their collective experience and expertise make this a dynamic committee for shaping the conference and the broader project,” said Conference Committee Chair, Dr John Hood.

Dr Hood said other countries had demonstrated that it was possible to achieve a more prosperous and socially cohesive society based on knowledge society values quickly. It required a broad commitment to that goal, with national priorities re-ordered and resources made available.

“A diverse group such as the one we have brought together is the key to ensuring that all sectoral interests have the opportunity to be heard during the process of forming a national consensus on what needs to be done to achieve this goal and how best we might go about it,” he said.

Members of the Conference Committee are:

- Dr George Barker, Director, Law and Economics Consulting Group
- Kent Blumberg, Chief Innovation Officer, Carter Holt Harvey
- Dr Alan Bollard, Chief Executive, The Treasury
- Dr James Buwalda, Chief Executive Officer, Ministry of Research Science and Technology
- Tony Caughey, Chief Executive, Rudd Watts & Stone
- Rick Christie, Chairman, Science and Innovation Advisory Committee
- Professor Marston Conder, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), The University of Auckland
- Peter Conway, Economist, Council of Trade Unions
- David Cunliffe, MP, Chair Commerce Select Committee
- Professor Raewyn Dalziel, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), The University of Auckland
- Gavin Ellis, Editor in Chief, New Zealand Herald
- Hugh Fletcher, The University of Auckland Council
- Professor Peter Gluckman, Dean, Faculty of Medical and Health Services, The University of Auckland
- Andrew Grant, Principal, McKinsey & Company
- Dr Ruth Harley, Chief Executive Officer, New Zealand Film Commission
- Hon Pete Hodgson, Minister of Research Science and Technology
- Dr John Hood, Vice Chancellor, The University of Auckland (Committee Chair)
- Professor Bryce Hool, Head, Economics Department, The University of Auckland
- Shane Jones, Chairman, Waitangi Fisheries Commission
- Professor Daryl Le Grew, Vice-Chancellor, The University of Canterbury
- Chris Liddell, Chief Executive Officer, Carter Holt Harvey
- Jack MacDonald, Chief Executive Officer, Manukau Institute of Technology
- Lesley Max, Director, Pacific Foundation
- Peter F Menzies, Chairman, Auckland UniServices Ltd
- Professor Warren Moran, Professor of Geography, The University of Auckland
- Douglas Myers, Chairman, Lion Nathan
- Ralph Norris, Managing Director, ASB Bank Ltd
- Scott Perkins, Chief Executive, Deutsche Bank
- Professor Dame Anne Salmond, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Equal Opportunity), The University of Auckland
- Professor Graham Smith, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Maori), The University of Auckland
- Mary Anne Thompson, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet
- Associate Professor Christopher Tremewan, Pro Vice-Chancellor (International), The University of Auckland (Chair Knowledge Wave Project Team)
- Associate Professor Michael Walker, School of Biological Studies, The University of Auckland
- Bridget Wickham, Chief Executive, University of Auckland Development
- Hon Maurice Williamson, National Party Spokesperson on Tertiary Education and Research Science and Technology

ENDS

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