Hon Jim Anderton

Minister of Agriculture, Minister for Biosecurity
Minister of Fisheries, Minister of Forestry
Associate Minister of Health
Associate Minister for Tertiary Education
5 August 2008 Media Statement

NZ Fast Forward board members appointed

Seven outstanding people have been appointed to the New Zealand Fast Forward board, Agriculture Minister Jim Anderton said today.

Jim Anderton said he was delighted with the calibre of the new board members, which matched the potential of the up to $2 billion investment to boost innovation in our food and pastoral agriculture sectors.

"These people will help facilitate the investment of the single biggest boost to innovation in our history. They will play a hugely important role in maintaining our global leadership in food production."

The board members are: Bill Baylis, Bill Falconer, Robin Fenwick, Richard Janes, Kevin Marshall, Mike Matthews, and Jacqueline Rowarth.

The board will be chaired by Bill Falconer.

New Zealand Fast Forward is an initiative set up with $700 million from Government, to be allocated over the 10-15-year life of the fund. The Government contribution is to be matched with private sector investment.

Already seven industry groups have committed to be cornerstone investors, each putting in at least $10 million in the next five years.

Jim Anderton said the board members all had a long association with different sectors in New Zealand's primary industries.

"They understand the importance of innovation, of maintaining our global leadership in food production, and of applying knowledge - new technologies and new products - to our primary industries."

He said the New Zealand Fast Forward initiative had been warmly embraced by the primary industries sector.

"There is clear and overwhelming recognition of the timeliness of this initiative."

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This statement is issued by Jim Anderton. MPs' press releases and speeches are part of the normal course of business of elected representatives. We do not believe they are election advertisements within the Electoral Finance Act, and nor was the Act intended to apply to them. However, because some people are confused about the Act, and because the Progressive Party is proud to confirm our responsibility for what we say, this statement is authorised by Phil Clearwater, 5 Sherwood Lane, Christchurch.

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Biographies:

Bill Falconer is a professional director, including in the meat and wine industries. He is also chairman of the Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiversity and multiagency organisation Nutrigenomics NZ, which works in food effects on health.

Bill Baylis is an experienced company director and has had a long involvement in the primary sectors, including fast moving commercial goods, meat, seafood and rural services.

Robin Fenwick is an experienced company director whose business interests promote sustainable development. He also has a background in the food and beverage sector.

Richard Janes is an experienced director, with a long career primarily in the agribusiness sector, with a focus on new products and market branding.

Kevin Marshall has a long history with the dairy industry, and more recently with innovation projects in the kiwifruit and wool industries.

Mike Matthews brings professional qualifications and experience in food science and technology, with a strong focus on application and commercialisation in the dairy industry in New Zealand, Japan and the United States.

Professor Jacqueline Rowarth is a experienced agricultural researcher and currently director of agriculture at Massey University.

ENDS

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