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Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce and Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy have today unveiled concept plans for a world-class agricultural research and education facility to be sited at Lincoln, near Christchurch.

The Lincoln Hub concept plans and business proposal have been developed by a partnership of Lincoln University, DairyNZ and Crown Research Institutes (CRIs) AgResearch, Plant & Food Research, and Landcare Research.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce yesterday announced the establishment of a senior science and innovation representative in China.

Mr Joyce announced the new position following bilateral talks between Prime Minister John Key and new Chinese Premier Li Keqiang at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce yesterday signed a scientist exchange programme between New Zealand and China at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Mr Joyce signed the arrangement with China’s Science and Technology Minister, Wan Gang, following bilateral talks between Prime Minister John Key and new Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.

“China is a major global science and research player,” Mr Joyce says.

New Zealand will continue to invest in the Australian Synchrotron research facility to provide access for New Zealand scientists, says Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce.

New Zealand will contribute A$5 million over four years towards the operating costs of the Australian Synchrotron, which is the largest piece of scientific infrastructure in the Southern hemisphere. The Synchrotron provides scientists with an intense light that can be used to study the structure and composition of materials.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce welcomed Statistics New Zealand data released today that shows businesses in New Zealand spent $1.2 billion on research and development in 2012 – an increase of almost 25 per cent since 2010.

“The positive results highlight the good progress the Government is making under the Business Growth Agenda to encourage more firms to invest in R&D and increase productivity in the economy,” Mr Joyce says.

Firms with an interest in locating in the Christchurch Innovation Precinct are being asked to put up their hands.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce today welcomed the release of a Market Engagement document and a Request for Proposals for the Precinct, which is designed to be a catalyst for Christchurch to be recognised on the world stage as a hub of innovation.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce today welcomed the appointment of Dr Mary Quin as the inaugural Chief Executive of Callaghan Innovation.

“The appointment is a key step in the development of Callaghan Innovation following its establishment on 1 February this year,” Mr Joyce says.

“Callaghan Innovation will be a one-stop shop for business innovation support whether it be in the science, engineering, design or technology sectors. It will be a high-tech HQ for New Zealand businesses.

Over $25 million worth of Government Technology Development Grants have been awarded to eight high-tech New Zealand businesses to help them speed up the development of innovative products and services and get them to the market faster.

The grants are the first to be allocated by Callaghan Innovation, which began operating on 1 February this year, taking over responsibility for the TDG from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

A panel of top researchers and some budding young scientists have been appointed to identify New Zealand’s National Science Challenges for the Government.

The 11-person panel has been tasked with identifying the biggest science challenges facing New Zealand and will be chaired by the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Adviser Sir Peter Gluckman.

The Government will invest $21 million over a maximum of seven years to support research that will benefit two of New Zealand’s primary industries Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce announced today.

A $16 million investment over seven years will be made in the Pastoral Greenhouse Gas Research Consortium and a $5 million investment over a maximum of seven years will be made in Seafood Innovations Limited.

"Callaghan Innovation will accelerate the commercialisation of New Zealand innovation,” says Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce.

The new organisation commences operations today, and is being officially launched at functions in Auckland and Wellington.

“Callaghan Innovation will be a one-stop shop for business innovation support whether it be in science, engineering, design or technology. It will be a high-tech HQ for New Zealand businesses,” Mr Joyce says.

Science and Innovation Minister Hon Steven Joyce today announced an eight-member board to lead Callaghan Innovation—the new Crown entity that will better connect New Zealand firms with science, engineering and technology, in order to drive the innovation and commercialisation of products and services and economic success.

“The Callaghan Innovation Board consists of members with a broad range of skills and expertise and the right mix of business and science experience relevant to the high-value manufacturing and services sector,” Mr Joyce says.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce has today announced the appointment of three new Crown company directors.

Lizzie Chambers and Dr Barry O’Neil will join the Board of the New Zealand Forest Research Institute Ltd (trading as Scion) and Phil Norman will Join the Board of the Research and Education Advanced Network NZ Ltd (REANNZ).

“The new directors bring a valuable range of scientific knowledge, commercial skills and governance experience to their roles on the Scion and REANNZ boards” Mr Joyce says. 

A New Zealand-China joint declaration, which will boost science and technology links and co-operation between the two countries, has been signed in Wellington today.

The joint declaration, focussing on enhancing and supporting science and technology research co-operation, was signed by Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce and Chinese Deputy-Minister of Science and Technology Wang Zhigang.

The signing was witnessed by visiting State Councillor Liu Yandong.

State Councillor Liu Yandong will visit New Zealand next week as a guest of the New Zealand Government – the first visit by a senior Communist Party figure since China’s November leadership transition.

State Councillor Liu is a senior leader in China’s 2012-2017 hierarchy. Her portfolios include education, science, screen and television, and culture.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce says he will sign a joint declaration with State Councillor Liu on science and technology in Wellington on 10 December.

This year’s Rutherford Foundation Trust Awards and James Cook Research Fellowships recipients have been announced today by Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce.

The two grant schemes have combined Government funding of more than $1.7 million and are aimed at developing the skills of New Zealand scientists.

Three new members have been appointed to the Marsden Fund Council in an announcement today by Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce.

The researchers will take their place on the Council for three-years from December 2012 and each will convene one of the Marsden Fund Council’s panels. They are:

The Callaghan Innovation Bill, which establishes a new high-tech HQ for manufacturing and services firms, today passed its third and final reading in Parliament.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce says Callaghan Innovation will be a one-stop shop offering firms the business innovation support they need to lift their international competitiveness and in turn boost New Zealand’s economic growth.

I move that the Callaghan Innovation Bill be now read a third time.

Mr Speaker, this is a special day in a special year for New Zealand science and innovation.

Applications have been invited for $52.8 million of Government research funding in the 2013 science investment round, Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce announced today.

Proposals are invited for science and research that will improve New Zealanders’ health and wellbeing with $52.8 million per annum available for new projects starting next year.

Professor Margaret Brimble has been announced the 2012 Rutherford Medal winner by Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce.

Professor Brimble, from Auckland University’s Department of Chemistry, was awarded the prestigious scientific honour during the New Zealand Research Honours Dinner at Auckland Museum tonight.

A medicinal chemist, who designs new chemicals for the treatment of disease, she is being recognised for her world-leading contributions to the synthesis of bioactive natural products and novel peptides.

Ten of New Zealand’s top up-and-coming researchers have been awarded Rutherford Discovery Fellowships this year, Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce has announced.

The 2012 Fellowships, funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and administered by the Royal Society of New Zealand, will see more than $9 million invested to support the selected scientists over the next five years.

The name of the new institute set up by the Government to help firms in the high-tech manufacturing and services sectors will be Callaghan Innovation, Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce announced today.

A bill to establish the new Advanced Technology Institute (ATI) – a new high-tech HQ for innovative New Zealand businesses – today passed its second reading in Parliament.

“The purpose of the ATI is simple: to help get New Zealand’s best ideas out of the lab and into the marketplace more quickly,” Mr Joyce says.