New Zealand
August 13, 2008
The Boards of
HortResearch and
Crop & Food Research have
received approval from the Minister of Research, Science &
Technology Pete Hodgson to investigate merging the two
organisations. This approval follows a request made to the
Minister by the Boards.
The Chairmen of the two Crown Research Institutes say the two
organisations have complementary skills and work closely with a
range of important sectors including the horticulture, food and
seafood industries, to deliver benefit to New Zealand.
Crop & Food Research chairman Rodney Wong says a merger could
offer potential for new opportunities and greater benefits.
“This includes a more robust critical mass around research for
New Zealand’s horticulture and food industries.
“The two organisations already collaborate across many research
programmes in a range of sectors. A merged organisation would
serve to enhance and strengthen the collaborative science taking
place and deliver innovation for industry faster and more
efficiently.”
HortResearch chairman Jim McLean says the increased scale of the
merged organisation would enable the business to successfully
and more quickly tackle emerging issues for New Zealand. “This
includes such things as the sustainability challenges facing our
food exports in international markets, and the expanding global
demand for food.
“While there would be economies of scale achieved by a merger,
it’s really about two successful businesses merging to create
one of greater critical mass which is sustainable in the long
term, and able to deliver even greater value to New Zealand and
to national and international clients.”
In addition, he says the scale of the merged organisation would
potentially offer greater professional and development
opportunities for staff. It would also enhance the ability to
recruit and retain top staff in areas where there are specific
skill shortages.
A final decision will be made by the shareholding Ministers in
late September. To inform that decision the Boards will prepare
a report which will include feedback from staff and PSA obtained
via consultation.
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