12 February 2001
Growing An Innovative New Zealand Framework Is On The Right Track
Today’s announcement of the Government’s framework to grow an innovative New Zealand is on the right track according to
Rick Christie, Chair of the Science and Innovation Advisory Council (SIAC).
“SIAC’s own research has found that New Zealand can not afford to be complacent. The framework’s promotion of a cross
government approach to innovation, partnership with the private sector and investing in the key areas of biotechnology,
Information and communications technology, and the creative industries is a positive step forward.”
The Growing an Innovative New Zealand framework picks up on the vision and some of the key goals from SIAC’s second
report on innovation presented to the Prime Minister in December 2001.
“To build a more prosperous New Zealand we will need to focus on our strengths, innovate more rapidly and increase our
connections with international markets. The framework will give a lot of impetus to make this happen,” Mr Christie said.
Since being established by the Prime Minister in June 2000, SIAC has presented two major reports to the Government.
These, “A Proposed Innovation Framework” and “Innovation Report Card” were released at the Knowledge Wave conference in
August 2001.
“We are pleased that many of the ideas from SIAC’s research and consultation have been taken up by the Government. It’s
also a credit to the more than 85 groups and organisations who shared their ideas with SIAC since we presented our first
report at the Knowledge Wave conference in August 2000.
“SIAC’s members look forward to working with the Government to turn the framework into a reality that will benefit New
Zealand,” Mr Christie said.
SIAC’s full report is available at http://www.siac.govt.nz