New Ministry puts science and innovation at heart of future

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 15 March 2012

Science New Zealand: new Ministry puts science and innovation at heart of New Zealand’s future

New Zealand has been built on the back of great science and science-based innovation. For the first time, science and innovation is at the heart of a major government department that links business, innovation and employment, with the objective of improving New Zealand’s wealth and wellbeing.

Crown Research Institutes welcome this integration, and relish the renewed challenge to contribute to New Zealand’s future through excellent, relevant science across the economic, environmental and social areas. CRIs are focused on delivering results that matter for New Zealand, and have two-thirds of the nation’s publically-funded science researchers (outside health and ICT). Competitiveness and productivity through science-based innovation is a key result for our partnerships with private and public sector clients. The new Ministry will turbocharge that expectation across the economy.

The new Ministry will integrate and strengthen the government’s policy capability around innovation, and this will assist productivity and competitiveness for business and other users of science research. We are pleased to see that all MSI staff will be transferred to the new entity, and that existing work programmes will continue while the new Ministry is formed and integration occurs.

ENDS

Notes to Editor
Science New Zealand promotes the value of science and technology for New Zealand. Its Board comprises the CEOs of the 8 Crown Research Institutes which collectively employ 4,400 staff, with annual revenues of $690 million. Two-thirds of the nation’s publically-funded science researchers, outside health and IT, work at CRIs.

The Crown Research Institutes undertake science research for government and private sector markets in New Zealand and abroad. They also provide the essential underlying capability in people, facilities and knowledge for the long term future of science and innovation in New Zealand.

The Crown Research Institutes are: AgResearch, ESR, GNS Science, IRL, Landcare Research, NIWA, Plant & Food Research, and Scion.

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