Contents

• Current Government reviews of science investment in NZ
• Some news from our clients
• Sustainable Business Network 2009 award winners use ACE

Merry Christmas

To all our clients and colleagues, as 2009 draws to a close, we trust that you will be taking a break and having a relaxing and happy Christmas with family and friends. Best wishes for the festive season and a safe and prosperous New Year.

Government reviews of science investment in NZ

Three Government reviews of the NZ science system are currently underway:

• A MoRST review of New Zealand’s research, science and technology priorities
• A Crown Research Institute (CRI) taskforce set up determine how New Zealand can get the greatest benefit from its research institutes.
• Ways to improve and encourage business R&D and how research organisations such as universities and CRIs can work more closely with business.

Clearly, although these reviews are being carried out independently, with different time frames, they are all inter-related. The success or otherwise of the public sector R&D investment will in large part be related to the successful integration of these three components. At this stage it is not at all evident how this integration will take place.

Given that MoRST defines innovation as “how people in firms can use science and ideas to increase the value of the goods and services they produce” and comments that “effectively harnessing RS&T is essential to improving innovation which is the foundation on which the economy can grow”; we would expect that the integrated result of these reviews will produce systems that better foster the relationships between firms and RS&T.

The government is looking to make decisions in all three areas in December.

If you would like a copy of CATALYST^® submission to the MoRST review of New Zealand’s research, science and technology priorities please email us.

Some news from our clients

Congratulations to Bell Booth Ltd for being ranked by their peers as number 4 out of the top 9 companies in an Animal Health sector survey published in the National Business Review. (#1 company was Bomac Laboratories). You can read details of the survey here.

Take a look at the new Vehicle Procurement calculator that the Sustainable Business Network has launched on their web site here. Choosing the right vehicle for the job makes a big difference in improving overall fuel efficiency and safety, and reducing environmental impacts. The GreenFleet Vehicle Procurement Tool enables vehicle buyers to compare their potential choices by bringing together the variety of vehicle information sources such as Rightcar and manufacturers' own data, to give an 'apples-with-apples' comparison.

Sustainable Business Network 2009 award finalists use ACE

The national 2009 Sustainable Business of the Year awards were held in November in Auckland. We offer our congratulations to all the winners. We have looked over the results of the national awards and have been delighted by the number of finalists using ACE, the carbon inventory measurement tool designed and provided by CATALYST^®. There were 8 ACE users represented amongst the 16 finalists.

In addition 10 of the BOP regional finalists and 6 Southern/Central finalists have downloaded ACE.

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