Prominent farm leader to chair new Innovation Board
Released 05 Jan 2011
Federated Farmers is delighted that Dr William Rolleston, Federated Farmers South Canterbury provincial president, has been named the inaugural chairperson of the Government's new Innovation Board, which will independently determine public research decisions.
"This is a genuine recognition of Dr Rolleston by the Minister of Science and Innovation, the Hon Wayne Mapp and reflects positively upon Federated Farmers and the entire agricultural sector," says Don Nicolson, Federated Farmers President.
"Dr Rolleston is also the only person who will sit on the two boards being formed - the Innovation Board, which Dr Rolleston will chair and also the Science Board.
"This reflects well upon Dr Rolleston as an exceptional farm leader, business person and biotechnologist.
"Both boards will work with the new Ministry of Science and Innovation, which becomes operational on 1 February.
"Federated Farmers has kept itself very close to the Government on reform of the science sector and the focus of the new Ministry is exciting.
"The new Ministry merges the roles of the existing Ministry of Research, Science and Technology and the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology. It will not just advise Government, but will manage science funding and look to drive knowledge transfer.
"This is fundamental to Federated Farmers and for economic progress from the science sector. Although we wish to progressively lift the overall research and development spend, a prerequisite is alignment of our public science and research sector.
"This includes renovation of the Crown Research Institutes, where the new Ministry of Science and Innovation will also advise Ministers on their performance.
"Dr Rolleston will play an important role ensuring New Zealand's public research funding decisions remain independent and based on sound criteria," Mr Nicolson concluded.
For further information contact:
Don Nicolson, Federated Farmers President, 027 226 6331, 03 216 7405
Dr William Rolleston, South Canterbury Federated Farmers President, 03 687 4050, 027 246 0634
For a photograph of Dr Rolleston:
David Broome, Federated Farmers communications, 04 470 2160, 027 448 9170
