For Immediate Release
September 3, 2001

Prime Minister
Rt Hon Helen Clark

Dr John Hood
Vice Chancellor
The University of Auckland

Catching The Knowledge Wave – The Next Step

A new, independent body, The Knowledge Wave Trust, was announced today to build on the ideas and momentum generated by the Catching the Knowledge Wave conference.

The Vice Chancellor of The University of Auckland and co-chair of the August 1-3 conference, Dr John Hood, said The Knowledge Wave Trust was being formed because of the clear desire among those who attended the conference to build on the conference’s success.

“We have received tremendous support from throughout the country to keep Knowledge Wave going by continuing to promote public debate around the core ideals and values that would underpin New Zealand’s transition to a more successful, prosperous and socially cohesive society.

“The Trust will keep the spirit and energy of Knowledge Wave alive by acting as a catalyst to promote existing and new initiatives, stimulate public debate and discussion about the merit of those initiatives and benchmark New Zealand’s progress on economic, social and environmental indicators,” said Dr Hood.

Support from key sponsors has been secured to establish the Trust; it will make an appeal to all New Zealanders for contributions through ideas, action, and support.

Dr Hood said from the very outset the Knowledge Wave organisers had been determined to make the conference inclusive, by inviting participation by a wide cross section of New Zealand political and public service organisations, education, business, social and community groups, unions, creative and cultural groups. “The continued involvement of all these groups will be an integral part of the Knowledge Wave Trust,” said Dr Hood.

“As many speakers at the Knowledge Wave conference identified, a national change in mindset will be an essential first step if we are to create a culture that values learning, innovation, and the pursuit and application of knowledge to transform New Zealand’s economic and social prospects.”

Dr Hood said the Trust’s scope of activities would comprise:

- Monitoring progress on the recommendations from the conference.
- Producing new studies and commentaries and providing research input.
- Promoting public awareness through communication of Knowledge Wave themes
- Identifying and initiating a series of projects, by the Trust or by business and community organisation partners, that would focus on key economic, education, social and environmental areas.

Dr Hood said a major role of the Trust would be to continue to promote public debate and discussion.

“This was very successful in the lead up to the conference and we need to maintain the public momentum. New Zealand’s development as a society that recognises and rewards knowledge will only be achieved if all New Zealanders support that goal.”

Dr Hood said an independent board of directors representing business, education, community and social groups would run the Trust. An Advisory Board would meet quarterly; representatives of political parties would be invited to participate as observers on the Trust’s Advisory Board.

The Prime Minister, Helen Clark, who co-chaired the conference with Dr Hood, welcomed the formation of the Knowledge Wave Trust.

“There was a clear consensus from the conference to take this project to the next stage. The Knowledge Wave Trust is the logical forum to build on the momentum of the conference to develop and contribute ideas on our collective national goal of raising the living standards of all New Zealanders.”

Media Inquiries:

Greg Shand
Knowledge Wave Trust
Baldwin Boyle Group
025 970-782

Pattrick Smellie
Knowledge Wave Trust
Baldwin Boyle Group
021-588-203

© Scoop Media