AgResearch, New Zealand's largest Crown Research Institute, congratulates the CRI Taskforce and its Chairman Neville Jordan for their very thorough analysis and incisive recommendations on how to enhance the value of New Zealand's CRIs.

AgResearch Chairman Sam Robinson said "The recommendations on how the CRIs could be supported and operate are visionary and courageous. Such proposals represent the most significant changes since the CRIs were established in 1992.

"Suggested devolution of funding from Government to the CRIs would represent an important step forward," he said. "Apart from vesting more trust in the CRIs to deliver for New Zealand, it would mean that CRIs would be able to better maintain their strategic directions. In addition, the implication is that CRI scientists would be able to undertake research without the distraction of recurrent bidding and costly compliance requirements. At the same time, increased emphasis on science relevance and excellence, combined with clarification of expectations, would benefit all, presaging more effective use of science funding.

"The suggested changes would moderate the intensity of competition across the research sectors leading to the prospect of more collaboration and with it, enhanced scientific and technological performance.

"It is also recognised that should the changes be adopted it would have implications for how CRI Boards would operate.

"Finally, the recommendations would provide opportunity to renew and review the CRIs' relationship with their sectors. This would enhance contribution to the Government's already-signalled intent to lift both technology transfer and private sector contribution to New Zealand's overall science and innovation effort," said Sam Robinson.

ENDS