Members appointed to the PM’s Science, Innovation and Technology Advisory Council

The members are:

• Merryn Tawhai
• Sir Peter Gluckman
• Craig Piggott
• Komal Mistry-Mehta
• Malcolm Johns
• Dr John Roche, who was also announced as the new Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor.

The chair of the council is the Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Dr Shane Reti. Dr John Roche will be Deputy Chair. Biographies of the members will be published soon.

Collectively, the members bring a whole-of-economy perspective to the investment decisions made in our Science, Innovation and Technology system. Members are nominated for 3 years and can hold a maximum of 2 terms.

This council, announced as part of the science reforms earlier this year, will be focussed on ensuring our science system is driving economic growth and improving the quality of life for New Zealanders now and into the future. This will involve:

• identifying focused priorities
• identifying areas that could be deprioritised
• identifying opportunities for commercialisation
• ensuring that the science, innovation and technology system is aligned with New Zealand’s economic strategy.

MBIE will be secretariat and will soon arrange an initial meeting.