6 March 2002

Media Statement

The Centres of Research Excellence (CoRE) announced today will push the frontiers of knowledge in key areas vital for New Zealand's future.

Associate Education (Tertiary Education) Minister Steve Maharey announced today that five centres have been chosen to receive funding from the government's new $60m CoRE fund. The centres were chosen from 45 original applicants, and a final 11-centre strong shortlist, by an independent selection panel established by the Royal Society of New Zealand.

Steve Maharey visited researchers from the Allan Wilson Centre for Molecular Ecology and Evolution and The Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery today - two of the five successful centres. He said all five centres would make a major contribution to New Zealand's future economic and social development.

"Research is fundamental to growing a more innovative New Zealand. The CoRE fund enables these five centres to expand our national knowledge base in key areas to boost economic, environmental and social development.

"The fund is a concrete example of the government's active support for key drivers of economic and social transformation. The centres chosen by the Royal Society selection panel are very impressive:

• the Alan Wilson Centre for Molecular Ecology and Evolution will give us insights into how can live in harmony with our unique fauna and flora;
• the Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery offers exciting prospects for developing the biotechnology economy;
• Nga Pae o te Maramatanga (Horizons of Insight): The National Institute of Research Excellence for Maori Development and Advancement is the first ever Maori multi-site research centre and gives New Zealand the opportunity to make a real mark on the world-scene;
• the MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology is led by a Fellow of the Royal Society of London and will underpin a key aspect of the Growing an Innovative New Zealand framework by developing materials for our biotechnology, ICT and creative industries; and,
• the New Zealand Institute of Mathematics and its Applications is led by a Fields medallist and provides a coherent focus for mathematics research.

"Taken together the centres bring together researchers from twelve tertiary institutions, Crown Research Institutes and other collaborators. Most of our universities and wananga are involved in a centre. This is particularly welcome given the Government's policy of encouraging greater cooperation and collaboration across the tertiary education sector.

"Operating expenditure of $40.6 million over four years, and one-off capital funding of $20m for investment in strategic research assets this financial year, has been allocated to the centres. Funding for individual centres will be established following negotiations with The Royal Society.

"Like the Royal Society, the government was very impressed with the quality of the proposals short-listed by the Royal Society. I intend talking with Ministers during the 2002 Budget round to see how we might allocate additional resources for this initiative," Steve Maharey said.