Hon Steven Joyce
Minister of Science and Innovation

29 June 2015

New Chairs for three Crown Research Institutes

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce today announced a number of appointments and reappointments to the boards of the seven Crown Research Institutes (CRIs), which carry out scientific research for the benefit of New Zealand.

Three of the CRIs will have a new Chair from 1 July. Denise Church will chair the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR), Nicki Crauford will chair the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences (GNS), and Jane Taylor will take over as Chair of Landcare Research.

Chris Mace has been reappointed for a further two years as Chair of the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA).

Mr Joyce has also appointed four new directors and reappointed 10 directors across the CRI boards. The new appointments include Colin Dawson (New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research), Michael Pohio (NIWA), Paul Reynolds (AgResearch) and Caroline Saunders (Landcare).

“These directors are all experts in their field, and I would like to thank them for agreeing to serve on the boards.

“I would also like to acknowledge the outgoing directors for their valuable contribution to New Zealand’s science and innovation systems.”

All terms are for three years unless otherwise specified.

Biographies of new appointees

Denise Frances Church is a Director of Leadership Matters Ltd and a company director, consultant and executive coach. She has extensive governance experience and currently holds a number of Board roles including Chair of Karori Sanctuary Trust, the NZ Police National Development Board and the National Health IT Board.

Nicola Lane (Nicki) Crauford has a diverse range of experience in leadership, management and governance. She is a senior consultant with WorleyParsons, and has served as IPENZ Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Executive of the Institute of Directors. She holds a number of governance positions including on the Board of Orion New Zealand, Watercare Services, the Wellington Rural Fire Authority (Chair) and the Environmental Protection Authority.

Deborah (Jane) Taylor is a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court and a Chartered Accountant. She holds a number of professional affiliations and memberships including as a member of the New Zealand Law Society and Institute of Chartered Accountants in New Zealand. She has extensive governance experience and is on the boards of Silver Fern Farms, Radio New Zealand Ltd and HGL New Zealand Ltd.

Colin Ernest Dawson was formerly Chief Executive of Otago Innovation Ltd, the commercialisation arm of Otago University. He has held directorships of a number of biotechnology and medical companies including BLIS Technologies and Pacific Edge Ltd, and is the owner/director of Dawson Cherries. He is director of MARS Bio Imaging Ltd and executive Chair of TIRO Life Sciences Ltd.

Michael Eric Pohio was recently Chief Executive of Tainui Holdings Ltd, a role he had held since 2006. He is on the Board of Transpower, is Chair of BNZ Partners Waikato, and is Chancellor of the University of Waikato.

Paul Hugh Stewart Reynolds recently retired as Chief Executive and Secretary for the Environment at the Ministry for the Environment. He has held previous roles with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, and the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology.

Caroline Mary Saunders has a PhD in Agricultural Economics. She has a long career in the university sector, most recently as the Professor of International Trade and the Environment at Lincoln University. She is a Council member for the Royal Society and sits on the Biosecurity Ministerial Advisory Committee and the Advisory Committee of Economics Statistics.

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