Powerful combination of portfolios welcomed

Powerful combination of portfolios welcomed

“Combining the portfolios of economic development, tertiary education and research science & technology under one senior Minister is a powerful statement of the importance of science to the future of the nation,” says Alex Malahoff, CEO of GNS Science and President of the Association of Crown Research Institutes.

“The CEOs of the nine crown research institutes are heartened by this move.

“Science is critical to ramping up New Zealand’s economic performance. Science is the kernel of economic transformation. Science points the way to product and process improvement. Science does this whilst enhancing the environmental and societal wealth of the nation.

“The quality of our science enables New Zealand to punch well above its weight in the major global issues of trade, climate change and biosecurity.

“Having one Minister with responsibility for tertiary education and for Crown Research Institutes will enable the distinctive contributions of the science of each to be maximised for the benefit of New Zealand.

“CRIs and universities work together in many areas, each bringing their distinctive talents, cultures and skills. We believe that clarity of our distinctive roles should be continued and strengthened across the full spectrum of research and education.

“We welcome back Minister Hodgson. He predicted that that the nine CRIs would each become increasingly different; and that is true.

“But the solid core in all areas of science and business activities of each of the nine Crown research institutes remains delivering value to New Zealand.

“We congratulate Minster Maharey on his appointment as Massey University vice chancellor, that he will be taking up next year, and we thank him for his work in RS&T. His ‘More Stable Funding Environment’ initiative recognises the value of long term research, healthy competition and the good health of organisations. It is a great legacy to New Zealand’s future.”

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