Science and Innovation Minister Paul Goldsmith today announced a number of new appointments, and reappointments to the boards of six Crown Research Institutes (CRIs) and Research & Education Advanced Network New Zealand Ltd (REANNZ).

12 reappointments, including several promotions, have been made to the boards of AgResearch, the Institute of Geological & Nuclear Sciences (GNS Science), Landcare Research, the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Ltd (NIWA), New Zealand Forest Research Institute Ltd (Scion), New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research and Research and REANNZ.

Mr Goldsmith is also welcoming six new appointments including Colin Armer, Jackie Lloyd, and Kim Wallace to the board of AgResearch; and Ngarimu Blair, John Rodwell and Hon Kate Wilkinson to Landcare Research.

“Crown Research Institutes generate tangible benefits for New Zealand by facilitating excellent research that generates ideas and innovations for our industries, promotes evidence that contributes to high-quality decision making, and seeks answers to many of our national challenges,” Mr Goldsmith says.

“REANNZ contributes to the success of New Zealand’s research and education sector, providing the infrastructure that enables growth in data-intensive research.

“These reappointments are a testimony to the strong leadership, commitment, and contribution these members have made to New Zealand’s science system. I welcome the valuable knowledge and experience these appointees bring to these boards,” Mr Goldsmith says.

Southland farmer and former Member of Parliament, Jeff Grant has been elevated to Chair of the AgResearch Board replacing Sam Robinson in 2016.  He is an experienced governor and well qualified for the position, having held roles on a number of agribusiness, research and education boards, as well as the role of deputy Chair at AgResearch since 2016. Andrew Macfarlane has also been reappointed to the AgResearch board.

Sarah Haydon has been reappointed as Deputy Chair of the GNS Science Board. She has strong commercial, financial, and Crown director experience and her current directorships include NZX-listed Cavalier Corporation Ltd, the Co-operative Bank Ltd, and Unitec Institute of Technology. Jane Taylor, Dr Emily Parker, Ngarimu Blair, John Rodwell and Hon Kate Wilkinson have been reappointed to the Landcare Research Board.

Jane Taylor has been reappointed as Chair and Dr Emily Parker as a member of the Landcare Research Board. Jane brings a successful track record as a director within the science system as well as her experience as Chair of New Zealand Post Ltd.

Sir Chris Mace has been reappointed as Chair of the NIWA board, and Nick Main, Dr Helen Anderson and Dr Gillian Lewis have been reappointed as members. Sir Chris has broad director experience and is a former Chair of ESR, Antarctica New Zealand, and the Marine Science Advisory Board of the University of Auckland.

Andrew von Dadelszen, Colleen Neville and Professor SteveWeaver have been reappointed to New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research, Scion and REANNZ boards respectively.

Note for Editors

Andrew Macfarlane is currently Chair of the Board of Deer Industry New Zealand, and is a past President of the New Zealand Institute of Primary Industry Management.  He is a director of ANZCO Foods Ltd and a number of other farming-related businesses, and is a member of the Lincoln University Council.

Colin Armer is a successful agriculture entrepreneur who has significant governance experience. He was on the Fonterra Board from 2006 to 2012 and is the Chair of Dairy Holdings Ltd.

Jackie Lloyd is a professional director based in Wellington who is currently the Deputy Chair of NZ Post, Chair of the Wellington Museums Trust, and a Council Member of WelTec and Whitireia Institutes of Technology. Prior to her governance career, Ms Lloyd held senior executive Human Resources roles including Director Global Human Resources for NZ Milk Products.

Kim Wallace is a professional director and a chartered accountant based in Christchurch. Her most recent executive role was Chief Financial Officer and General Manager, Supply Chain for Westland Milk Products.  Kim is also a director on the Port of Nelson, and Quotable Value boards. Prior to this she held a number of senior finance roles within Fonterra both here and offshore.

Jane Taylor is a Queenstown-based consultant and a highly experienced commercial and Crown director whose career spans finance, law and science.  She is currently the Chair of NZ Post and Predator Free 2050 Ltd, and a director of Silver Fern Farms and Radio New Zealand. She has a particular specialisation in the science and innovation sector, with a successful track record as a director of GNS Science, Scion and REANNZ.

Dr Emily Parker is a Professor at the Ferrier Institute and School of Chemical and Physical Sciences at Victoria University. She was previously Professor and Director of the Biomolecular Interaction Centre in the Department of Chemistry at Canterbury University.  Her research areas span chemistry and biochemistry.

Ngarimu Blair is a Trustee of Ngati Whatua Orakei Trust Ltd and a focus of his governance career lies on negotiating and navigating Maori values in natural resource protection. He is currently a director of Ngati Whatua Whai Rawa Ltd which controls the commercial assets of the Ngati Whatua Orakei Tribe, and is a board member of the National Science Challenge and the North Harbour Rugby Union.

John Rodwell is currently a director of several farming businesses, among those are Kintore Dairy Farm, Lindis Crossing Station and Broadfields Farm Ltd.  He is also Advisor to the Board and Manager International Business Development at Lincoln Hub.  Mr Rodwell has both a primary sector and corporate finance background and significant governance experience.

Hon Kate Wilkinson is currently an Environment Court Commissioner and a sheep and arable crop farmer in Canterbury.  Prior to this she was a Member of Parliament and held the following Cabinet posts, Labour, Food Safety and Conservation.  She was elected to Parliament in 2005 and prior to this she was a Barrister and Solicitor based in Christchurch.

Chris Mace is an Auckland-based businessman and company director with experience in the manufacturing, retail, brewing and construction sectors.  He is a former Chair of ESR, Antarctica New Zealand and the Marine Science Advisory Board of the University of Auckland, and he has strong interests in education, conservation and the marine environment.  He is currently a director of Heartland Bank Ltd and Member of the Tertiary Education Commission.

Nick Main is a former audit partner of Deloitte in Auckland, serving as Chair of that firm’s Board from 2005-09.  He is Chair of the Middlemore Foundation and has previously held a range of board roles, including Chair of the New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development and Deputy Chair of the NZ Leadership Institute.

Dr Helen Anderson is a company director, who was most recently the Chief Executive of the Ministry of Research, Science & Technology.  Dr Anderson has a PhD in Geophysics from the University of Cambridge.   Her current governance roles include Pro-Chancellor of Massey University Council, DairyNZ Ltd, Lincoln Hub Ltd, and Chair of BRANZ.

Dr Gillian Lewis is a Professor at the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Auckland. Dr Lewis is a former President of the New Zealand Microbiological Society and holds a PhD in Microbiology from the University of Otago.

Andrew von Dadelszen has a diverse background spanning farming, finance and local government.  He is a member of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council and was a member of the Environmental Protection Agency. Mr von Dadelszen has knowledge of primary industry as a sheep and beef farmer and shareholder in the kiwifruit industry.

Colleen Neville is the CEO and previously CFO of Te Arawa Group Holdings.  She is a qualified Chartered Accountant and has governance experience as a director of Te Kakano Whakatipu Ltd and Te Ohu Kaimoana. She is former Vice-Chair of Te Reo Irirangi o Te Arawa (the iwi’s radio station) and former director of the Rotorua Public Health Organisation.

Professor Steve Weaver was Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) at the University of Canterbury, where he was also Head of the Geology Department. He has been an executive member of the Canterbury Medical Research Foundation and was a member of the University of Canterbury Council. He is a former President of the Geological Society of New Zealand and former director of NZ Brain Research Ltd and NZ e-science Infrastructure (NeSI). He is currently a director of GNS Science.

Science and Innovation Minister Paul Goldsmith has welcomed the start of new funding contracts for New Zealand’s Crown Research Institutes (CRIs), which will enable a more strategic approach to science as they celebrate their 25th anniversary during 2017.

“Crown Research Institutes deliver real value for New Zealand by providing excellent research to generate ideas and innovations for our industries, to promote evidence that contributes to high-quality decision making, and to find answers to many of our national challenges,” Mr Goldsmith says.

“Their work covers many aspects that affect New Zealanders including resilience of communities and sectors to natural hazards, environmental protection and climate change, as well as high value manufacturing and development of new opportunities.”

The seven-year contracts, which combined represent a $1.2 billion investment, are the first to be issued through the Government’s new Strategic Science Investment Funding (SSIF) investment mechanism.

The move from five-year to seven-year funding contracts follows a review of CRI core funding to ensure alignment with the vision and design principles set out in the Government’s National Statement of Science Investment (NSSI).

The review found that increased stable funding would enable CRIs to operate more strategically and implement a number of improvements to deliver greater benefit to the science system.

“CRI funding accounts for around 15 per cent of the Government’s total science investment and represents a significant proportion of our national research activity,” Mr Goldsmith says.

“With more stable funding, CRIs can better plan for strategic scientific activity that is critical to the future of New Zealand’s economy, environment and wellbeing.”

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has worked closely with each CRI to develop ‘Platform Plans’ that describe how each agency will use its funding as well as  targets and metrics to measure its performance.

“Platform Plans focus on purchasing science outcomes rather than funding organisations or individuals. They also provide a framework to support science capability that makes a critical and enduring contribution to New Zealand while still having the flexibility to shift funding as priorities change,” Mr Goldsmith says.

Science and Innovation Minister Paul Goldsmith today announced the appointment of Dr Andrew McLeod to the Science Board for a term of three years.

The Science Board is responsible for investing funding used predominantly by research organisations for science, technology, research, and related activities.

“High-quality science can make a significant contribution to New Zealand by creating solutions to the economic, social and environmental challenges we face as a country. This is why we must invest in excellence and we must invest for impact,” Mr Goldsmith says.

“The Science Board plays a major role in ensuring we invest in quality research that has a clear line of sight to the eventual benefits for individuals, businesses or society.”

Dr McLeod studied Pharmacy at Otago University before completing his PhD and post-doctoral studies in Pharmaceutical Chemistry at the University of California in San Francisco. He has held senior management positions at Douglas Pharmaceuticals, Dow Pharmaceutical Sciences and Douglas Nutrition Ltd.

Currently, Dr McLeod is leading the medical division of Douglas Pharmaceuticals Global Dermatology Franchise in New Zealand.

“Dr McLeod has an excellent science background, strong experience using and commercialising science and is well regarded in the sector. His insight is a very welcome addition to the Board,” Mr Goldsmith says.

More information on the Science Board can be found on the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s website.

Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Paul Goldsmith has today released the draft New Zealand International Education Strategy for consultation.

The draft strategy sets out the government’s proposed vision, goals and immediate priorities for international education through to 2025.

“International education has grown rapidly to become New Zealand’s fourth biggest export earner, valued at $4.5 billion, creating around 33,000 jobs,” Mr Goldsmith says.

“It is important that New Zealand international education delivers on its promise to international students – an education to be proud of.”

“The draft strategy aims to ensure New Zealand continues to benefit from international education through a high quality and sustainable international education sector. The Government will work with the sector to encourage the development of innovative products and services, and continue to diversify our markets and to support regional economic growth.

“This means that we need to ensure that unethical or illegal activity is prevented, and that New Zealand education providers attract students who are motivated by study. It also means that government regulators need to act swiftly to address quality issues and make student wellbeing a priority.”

The Government is now seeking feedback from education providers and others about how the proposed strategy aligns with their priorities.

“I look forward to hearing the views of the sector and the public on this draft strategy,” says Mr Goldsmith.

The draft strategy and information on the consultation process has been published on the Education New Zealand website HERE. Consultation will close on 31 August 2017 and a final strategy is expected to be published later in the year.

The International Student Wellbeing Strategy launched earlier this month will be an important part of the finalised sector strategy. It can be found HERE.

A new report comparing the qualifications frameworks, levels, and quality assurance arrangements will help support more transparent and consistent recognition of qualifications between European Union Member States and New Zealand.

Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Paul Goldsmith, and European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility, Marianne Thyssen, announced the release of the report, titled ‘Comparative Analysis of the EQF and the NZQF: Joint Technical Report’, this week.

“The comparative analysis has established a relationship between levels of the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) and the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF),” Mr Goldsmith says.

“It provides information to promote greater understanding of qualifications and learning outcomes between European Union Member States and New Zealand.”

Ms Thyssen says that the improved understanding of the two frameworks may result in better informed decisions on the recognition of qualifications, and contribute to improved student and labour mobility between European Union Member States and New Zealand.

The report will support transparent and consistent recognition decisions by education providers and employers in New Zealand and among the European Union Member States.

Cooperation between the European Union and New Zealand is founded on strong historical and cultural links.

“Both the European Union and New Zealand share similar goals in ensuring learners develop the skills needed in the 21st century,” says Ms Thyssen.

“The project to compare the EQF and NZQF can help to further strengthen the existing relationship between the European Union and New Zealand,” Mr Goldsmith says.

This work aligns with the New Zealand Government’s vision of developing and sustaining mutually beneficial education relationships with key partner countries.

Despite the differences in nature between both frameworks, the comparative analysis has proved it possible to compare them. The NZQF dates back to 1992 and is one of the first qualifications frameworks in the world. It is an overarching national qualifications framework, comprising information on quality assured qualifications in New Zealand. It is designed to optimise recognition of educational achievement and its contribution to New Zealand’s economic, social and cultural success. The EQF was established in 2008 as a regional common reference framework with the purpose of improving the transparency, comparability and portability of qualifications in Europe. Thirty-two European National Qualifications Frameworks have been referenced to the EQF.

While the outcomes of the comparative analysis process do not entitle any holder of a European or New Zealand qualification to claim automatic recognition, the report provides clear information to support qualifications recognition decisions.

The report can be accessed here.

Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Paul Goldsmith today welcomed the launch of a new Labour Market Dashboard, which will give New Zealanders better access to data on trends in the labour market.

“One of MBIE’s responsibilities is to advise on New Zealand’s Labour Market and bring forward policy solutions that help achieve wage growth, keep employment high, grow the talent New Zealand needs, and ensure people get good outcomes from work,” says Mr Goldsmith.

“Helping New Zealanders better understand the large amount of data available on the Labour Market is a key part of achieving these outcomes.

“The new Labour Market Dashboard released today is a big step forward in putting all of this information in one place. It helps break down the data available and addresses a big gap in the way the labour market data is presented online,” says Mr Goldsmith.

There are four different topics displayed in interactive charts for easy analysis: the Workforce, the Worker, the Workplace, and the Nature of Work. The data is displayed in interactive graphs and can be downloaded and exported to Excel graphs for greater analysis.

“Previously, if you wanted to find labour market statistics you may have had to go to several different websites to find the most up-to-date data. This could be frustrating and time consuming,” says Mr Goldsmith.

“The data hub pools all the relevant information and data from a range of sources and put it all in one place so anyone can easily access the data they need. This is an online, dynamic dashboard which will be kept up-to-date as new data is released.

“As the dashboard can be continuously updated, MBIE welcomes feedback on content and usability to ensure the dashboard is as relevant and user-friendly as possible,” says Mr Goldsmith.

The Labour Market Dashboard can be accessed HERE.

Primary sector education, research and innovation will receive a significant boost thanks to a capital injection for state-of-the-art new buildings at Lincoln University, Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment and Science and Innovation Minister Paul Goldsmith announced today.

The Government has agreed to provide Lincoln University with $85 million to support the construction of new shared education and research facilities with AgResearch on the university’s campus. The investment will help Lincoln University’s recovery from the Canterbury earthquakes by replacing earthquake damaged buildings with modern teaching and research spaces.

“This is a significant investment by the Government that will benefit students, the primary sector, and New Zealand as a whole,” Mr Goldsmith says.

“The new 27,000m² joint facility will enable increased collaboration, with researchers and academics organised by discipline rather than organisation, leading to an increase in the quantity, relevance, and quality of agricultural related research.

“The new facility will make an important contribution to creating a globally competitive agri-tech industry. By creating better links between research and industry the new facility will improve innovation and the applicability and speed of technology transfer to industry,” Mr Goldsmith says.

The new buildings will be a key part of the Lincoln Hub – a specialist land-based innovation cluster in partnership with Lincoln University, AgResearch, Plant and Food Research, Landcare Research and DairyNZ.

“The new facility will assist the growth of the ecosystem of science and education at Lincoln. It will play an important role in promoting a career in the agricultural sector for prospective students and staff, and will increase the number and quality of land-based sector graduates.

“I am excited for this innovative new facility and I look forward to seeing its benefits realised,” Mr Goldsmith says.

The new facility will accommodate almost 700 staff, students and academics and is comprised of five linked buildings which will be home to Lincoln University science research and teaching spaces, AgResearch laboratories, corporate facilities, and office spaces and facilities for DairyNZ.

Construction of the new buildings is scheduled to be completed by December 2019.

Early stage technology businesses in the regions can expect an easier pathway to support, thanks to the expansion of Callaghan Innovation’s founder incubators, says Science and Innovation Minister Paul Goldsmith.

Founder incubators are, as the name suggests, centred around a start-up founder, and bring groups of start-ups together, sometimes in a shared working space, to provide services to help with technology and market validation, business planning and investment preparation, among other support.

“Following an extensive tender process, Callaghan Innovation has awarded six providers one and two-year contracts for founder incubator services, beginning 1 July 2017,” Mr Goldsmith says.

The six successful applicants are:

The Icehouse ZeroPoint Ventures SODA Inc Creative HQ BCC ecentre

“These successful applicants will significantly increase the extent of regional coverage. Our main cities are well served by multiple incubators and accelerators, but it has been much more difficult for regional start-ups to gain access to the same services.

“This regional expansion recognises that the tech sector’s best ideas do not only come from the main centres, and that improvements such as ultra-fast broadband mean that an export-focussed start-up could be based just about anywhere from Kaitaia to Bluff.”

Waikato-based founder incubator SODA Inc will work with partners to deliver services to start-ups in the Bay of Plenty, Gisborne/Tairawhiti and Hawkes’ Bay. The North Shore based ecentre will work with Northland Inc to deliver services to start-ups from the Te Tai Tokerau region. Wellington’s Creative HQ will look to bring services to several regions in the South Island.

Callaghan Innovation has also finalised contracts for business accelerators for the 2017/18 year, which includes the continuation of contracts for agritech accelerator Sprout, The Icehouse’s Flux, Creative HQ's Lightning Lab, and provision for a number of other sector-specific options in the coming year. Callaghan is also continuing the technology incubator pilot programme with funding confirmed for another two years.

The programmes demonstrate the Government’s commitment to encouraging more technology start-ups in New Zealand as a means to diversifying the economy and increasing productivity.

“These contracts underpin the Government’s commitment to readying the New Zealand economy for the technological disruption to come. Technology businesses create high value jobs, tend to be export-focussed form day one, and ensure that seismic shifts in global consumer demand will not consign our economy to the dustbin.

“I can’t wait to see the new Kiwi businesses that these incubators will help bring to market.”

More information on Callaghan Innovation can be found HERE.

Minister of Health Jonathan Coleman and Minister of Science and Innovation Paul Goldsmith today launched New Zealand’s first Health Research Strategy which aims to increase the excellence and impact of government investment in health research.

“Investment in health research is crucial to delivering better health outcomes for New Zealanders,” says Dr Coleman.

“The Health Research Strategy sets a vision of creating a world-leading health research and innovation system by 2027. The strategy brings together science, health, research and innovation to form a more cohesive system.

“This strategy also reinforces the role the health sector has to play in health research. Research underpins delivery and provides opportunities for new cost-effective technologies and improved models of care.

“Research is one of the three key pillars in any high-performing health system, along with training and delivery. That’s why the strategy includes a commitment to sustaining and growing a strong health research workforce. It also addresses specific areas that are unique to New Zealand, such as Maori and Pacific health.”

“New Zealand produces some excellent health research which helps put our science on the map. It is important that our contributions have value internationally,” says Minister Goldsmith.

“Quality health research also underpins our high-value medical technology industries. Our health research system will achieve the best results when researchers, government agencies, and the commercial sector work together.

“The Health Research Council will run an inclusive priority setting process to ensure this investment will have the greatest impact. A key focus of the strategy is to ensure effective translation of research findings into policy and practice.

“In 2016, a total of $378 million was spent on health research and development (R&D) in New Zealand, accounting for 12 per cent of the country’s total R&D expenditure. R&D spending is a key driver of economic growth and an investment in New Zealand’s future.”

Budget 2016 saw New Zealand’s largest increase health research funding. This sees funding increase by 56 per cent over four years, going from $77 million in 2015/16 to $120 million in 2019/20.

For more information, visit the Ministry of Health website: http://www.health.govt.nz

Notes: 

The Strategy sets four principles to achieve the vision: excellence, transparency, partnership with Māori and collaboration for impact. It establishes four strategic priorities:

Invest in excellent health research that address the health needs of New Zealanders Create a vibrant research environment in the health sector Build and strengthen pathways for translation into policy and practice Advance innovative ideas and commercial opportunities

The strategy was developed following an extensive consultation process in 2016 during which more than 500 people attended regional consultation meetings and targeted focus groups.166 written submissions were received by officials.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, the Ministry of Health and the Health Research Council will lead the implementation of the strategy and report on progress to Ministers regularly.  An advisory group comprising of experts across the system will advise on implementation.

 

Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Paul Goldsmith says the latest Jobs Online report shows strong growth in online job advertisements at 11.8 per cent in the year to May.

The report, released today by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), shows overall online job advertisements grew by 0.6 per cent in May, taking yearly growth to 11.8 per cent.

“It is encouraging to see job advertisements growing strongly over the past year, particularly the sectors which are part of the growth story for our economy,” says Mr Goldsmith.

The biggest increases in online job vacancy listings were in hospitality and tourism (up 1.6 per cent), and construction and engineering (up 1.4 per cent).

“Tourism for instance is New Zealand’s biggest export earner, at $14.5 billion, and employs over 180,000 people.

“The fastest growing occupations last month were in the construction industry, with job advertisements for machine drivers and operators increasing 2.6 per cent, and labourers increasing 2.4 per cent.

Construction vacancies in the March 2017 quarter were strongest in Auckland (up 2.6 per cent) and will be expected to continually rise with ongoing developments – such as the recently announced 1,500 new homes in Auckland’s Three Kings.

“With the real need for more skilled workers, approximately 38,000 through to 2020, we announced yesterday a further $7 million investment in apprentices and industry training over the next four years, and it is pleasing to see that the jobs are already there for those industry trainees to go into.

“It is also good to see growth spread around our regions which is vital to the success of our national economy. Last month the number of online job advertisements increased in all ten regions, with Nelson, Tasman, Marlborough, and the West Coast growing the strongest at 2.3 per cent,” says Mr Goldsmith.

Jobs Online measures changes in online vacancies from three online job boards: SEEK, TradeMe, and Education Gazette. It can be found HERE.