Opening remarks: Launch of FoRST Technology Awards Scheme

Auckland City Art Gallery
6pm Tuesday 14 March 2000

Good evening ladies and gentlemen.

I am very happy about being here. I leapt at the opportunity when it arose and the reason is this: the new Government wants to help transform the New Zealand economy.

That's a pretty far reaching statement. Transform is a pretty far reaching word. But we mean it. We mean business.

Did you spot the word "help"? The new Government wants to help transform the New Zealand economy. We know that a Government, by itself, can do only so much.

We know that a Government, in concert with partners, can do so much more.
A modern Government must demonstrate its ability to lead, facilitate, broker, partner and occasionally fund.

Partnerships are particularly powerful. If there is more than one player the result is more effort, more ownership, more momentum.

It seems to me that this Government, with its new definition of the functions and obligations of modern government, has assumed office at about the right time.

I've held the Research, Science and Technology portfolio before, in opposition, in the early nineties.

Back then I knew that it was a crucial portfolio. Back then I had the honour of becoming familiar with New Zealand innovators. It was a wondrous voyage of discovery and I poked into every nook and cranny I could find.

There was a lot going on. An awful lot. But those days are nothing compared with these.

These days New Zealand innovators have begun to positively hum. There is a mood in the air to get on with it. There is a mood in the air that there is a role for Government to play, and that it is time it did.

That's why I think this Government, with its policies, has assumed office at about the right time.

We are wanting to play our part in the transformation of the New Zealand economy.

We find, to our considerable pleasure, a mood in the private sector that says "Welcome. We want to go places. We can get there more quickly with your enthusiasm". This Government will, and we will in a private sector environment that is turning more and more to R&D.

The pace of innovative thinking, and activity, is quickening. The desire to use R&D as a long term growth strategy for a business is deepening. The awareness in the community at large of the role of R&D is widening. The understanding of how R&D gives an edge in the international market place is sharpening.

The view that we can better compete abroad by co-operating at home is gaining credence. The idea that a good innovation system is a highly interactive and interacting system is starting to take root.

In these regards therefore, our economy has begun to transform.

Just as well. Our R&D investment is still only half the western world average. Our private sector R&D investment is still only a third the western world average. And it is too concentrated. Over a third of the private sector R&D investment in this country is made by just 10 firms. Just 10.

Transformation has a way to go yet.

This evening is another step along the way.

Tonight we begin the search for the best innovative technology companies in New Zealand. And when the search is complete, the commendations will be made. And when the commendations are made the Government will be able to fulfil one of its roles which is to celebrate the success of individual companies.

Let me do that now, in passing. Not a technology commendation obviously, but an Auckland company that 10 days ago won a bid from the New Economy Research Fund - itself a creation of the previous Government, so I would like to acknowledge the presence here of the Hon Maurice Williamson.

Pacific Lithium Ltd are researching novel materials that could make rechargeable cellphone batteries cheaper, lighter, safer. Imagine the potential commercial value of that. Pacific Lithium Ltd is a good example of a private company taking up the challenge to invest in R&D. Congratulations to Pacific Lithium Ltd.

Congratulations to the Foundation while I'm at it.

They, not Government, conceived of these technology awards. They, not the Government, progressed them. It is a simple idea, an important idea and an idea that, a few years from now, will be regarded as self evidently permanent. Just like the export awards are now.

It is an idea that is an important step in creating a mentality in this country where the use of science and technology and investment in R&D is recognised, encouraged and cherished.

It is an idea that does not stand alone. It must be supported by a bigger plan to create a culture of innovation in New Zealand. Responsibility for that planning rests with the new Government.

My message is that we recognise our responsibility, we happily shoulder it and over the next several months will be in a position to demonstrate it. We are committed to transforming the New Zealand economy, the role of science and technology in that transformation is iust unarguable.

Thanks for coming. Let's make sure that the quality of entries for these commendations knock people's socks right off.

ends