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The new Crown entity that is set to connect New Zealand firms
with science, engineering and technology expertise
has appointed former Aotearoa Fisheries chair
Robin Hapi to their new board — Callaghan Innovation.
Science and Innovation minister Steven Joyce says the aim
is to drive the innovation and commercialisation
of products and services.
Typically this descendant of Ngati Kahungunu
resides in the town of Foxton where he tends to his farm.
But it's through his town duties
he has become all too familiar with the complications of innovation.
I've seen for myself the difficulties companies face
when selling our ideas and trades to those overseas.
He has been appointed a member of the Callaghan Innovative Board.
They have not yet met or appointed a Maori title,
but Hapi knows exactly what he wants to achieve.
I can take my experience from working on boards like BERL,
NZ Trade and Enterprise,
and bring that experience to use on this new board.
He's also acted as CEO for Aotearoa Fisheries,
chaired for Sealord,
The Treaty of Waitangi Fisheries Commission,
the Tertiary Education Commission,
Raukawa Tertiary Institution,
and currently he's the chairman of Business and Economic Research.
Familiarised also with the respect that overseas players
have for NZ in the game of innovative enterprises.
They think that NZ is a highly innovative country
and our people excel in food trade, technology and produce.
He hopes that this new board will actively promote unique ideas
in the sciences, technology and innovation
and ultimately bring better financial gain to local companies.
Peata Melbourne, Te Karere.