Scientists Support CRI Taskforce Findings

The New Zealand Association of Scientists (Inc.)
P.O. Box 1874
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
4 March 2010

Media Release from NZ Association of Scientists

Scientists Support CRI Taskforce Findings

The New Zealand Association of Scientists is heartened by the findings of the CRI Taskforce. President Dr James Renwick said “the recommendations of the report echo a number of the main points that NZAS made in its submission, and Government implementation of the Taskforce’s recommendations would go a long way to addressing some of the main concerns identified in the NZAS survey of scientists.”

The Association feels that the Taskforce has carried out an excellent analysis of the CRIs, the problems they face, and how these issues affect their ability to work in the national interest. Their recommendations are very much a step in the right direction, and will allow for adaptive change.

Successful implementation of the recommendations and the philosophy they embody will depend on all of us, and upon the quality of the interactions within CRIs, between the CRIs, their boards and stakeholders, the universities, independent research groups, and the wider public. The key to successful implementation and a positive way forward will be to balance priorities across capability development and maintenance, strategic research, advice and future watch, given the level of funding the Government and other organisations are willing to put in.

“There is a great deal of good will from the research community” said Dr Renwick. “Uptake of the Taskforce report will be a very positive step for CRIs, and can serve as a springboard for looking more broadly at the whole science and technology sector in New Zealand.”

The NZAS is planning a one-day conference later in 2010 (after the May budget), to address the state of the New Zealand science system, the ramifications of these developments and ways forward to further maximise the benefit to New Zealand.

New Zealand Association of Scientists (nzas.rsnz.org) is a nationwide association of practicing research scientists spanning the universities, technical institutes, Crown Research Institutes of Science NZ, government departments, industry, museums, other science institutions, and independent researchers.

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