Appointment of Chief Executive, Ministry of Research, Science and Technology

Appointment of Chief Executive of the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology The State Services Commissioner, Michael Wintringham, announced today the appointment of Dr Helen Anderson as Chief Executive, Ministry of Research, Science and Technology.

Dr Anderson is presently the Acting Chief Executive of the Ministry, a position she has held since July 2003.

Dr Anderson first joined the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research in 1978 as a Research Scientist and in 1992 moved to a Research Scientist role at the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences. In 1994 she was appointed Director, Earth and Ocean Sciences Research. From 1996 to 2001 Dr Anderson was the Deputy Chair, Transfund New Zealand, where she contributed to strategic planning and management of a budget in excess of $1 billion.

Since 1997 Dr Anderson has been the Chief Scientific Advisor at the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology. In this role she has led a team with responsibility for identifying and monitoring science issues and advising on wider policy implications. She has led the work on developing the Government's Biotechnology Strategy and was the Minister's representative on the Growth and Innovation Framework Biotechnology Taskforce.

Dr Anderson has a BSc (Hons) First Class from the University of Otago and University of Auckland, a PhD from the University of Cambridge and she was a Fulbright Senior Research Scholar in 1990.

"Dr Anderson has the experience and skills for this position. As Acting Chief Executive Dr Anderson has managed a smooth transition after Dr Buwalda's departure, while progressing the Ministry's initiatives.

"She has a very strong academic and scientific background and has the respect of the wide range of stakeholders in the research, science and technology sectors. She has worked well with the Government and Public Service chief executives on a range of scientific and policy issues," Mr Wintringham said.

Background

The Ministry of Research, Science and Technology is the Government's principal advisor on research and innovation, and works with many agencies in both the private and public sectors to achieve improved research and innovation outcomes. The Ministry has approximately 65 staff. Further information is available on its website at www.morst.govt.nz

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