Hon Pete Hodgson
Minister of Research Science and Technology
27 June 2008 Media Statement
Minister announces Crown Research Institutes and REANNZ Board appointments
The Minister of Research, Science and Technology, Pete Hodgson, today announced a number of director and chair
appointments and reappointments to the Boards of the nine Crown Research Institutes and Research and Education Advanced
Network New Zealand (REANNZ), effective from 1 July 2008.
The appointments (list appended), made up of 14 new appointments, 15 reappointments and 2 appointments of current
Directors to Deputy Board Chairs, include a new Chair for AgResearch Ltd – Sam Robinson.
Mr Robinson replaces outgoing Chair Rick Christie, who will step down after six years in the role. “I’d like to thank
Rick for his contribution to AgResearch and the agricultural sector over the years” said Pete Hodgson. “Rick has been
very successful in leading AgResearch through its renewed focus on pastoral research and development that provides great
benefit for New Zealand”.
Mr Robinson is Hawke’s Bay-based and has extensive experience in the farming industry and agricultural sector. He
currently serves on the Board of the state-owned enterprise AsureQuality Ltd. He was the Chair of Richmond Limited until
July 2004, and is until recently, was the Chair of the Agricultural and Marketing Research and Development Trust
(AGMARDT).
“The Crown Research Institutes and REANNZ play an important role in the New Zealand innovation system” said Pete
Hodgson. “I am pleased to welcome the new appointments to the Boards, each of whom have a wide mix of skills and
experience and will make a valuable contribution”.
The nine Crown Research Institutes and REANNZ employ approximately 4,300 staff throughout New Zealand.
ENDS