New appointments to CRI Boards announced

A number of new appointments have been made to three of the Government’s seven Crown Research Institutes, providing new talent and experience for the institutes, Science and Innovation Minister Paul Goldsmith announced today.

“Crown Research Institutes generate real benefits for New Zealand by facilitating excellent research that spawns new ideas and innovations for both the public sector and private industries, promotes evidence that contributes to high-quality decision making, and seeks out answers to many of our national challenges,” Mr Goldsmith says.

The five appointments are to the Boards of The Institute of Environmental Science Research (ESR), The Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences (GNS Science), and the New Zealand Forest Research Institute (Scion).

“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 will bring to their respective boards,” Mr Goldsmith says.

Professor Cris Print from Auckland University and Dr Andy Shenk, Chief Executive of Auckland Uniservices, the commercial arm of Auckland University have been appointed to the ESR Board. Professor Print is a specialist in human genomics and bioinformatics and Dr Shenk has extensive experience in the commercialisation of science and research.

Northland based professional director Paul White has been appointed to the GNS Board. Mr White currently sits on the Top Energy Board and a number of iwi based trusts.

General Manager of Arbogen Australasia, Greg Mann has been appointed to the Scion Board alongside previous Plant & Food Board Member Stana Pezic, who has extensive Chief Financial Officer experience.

All of the appointments are a for a term of one year.