9. DAVE HEREORA (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister of Research, Science and Technology
What has the Government done to support the development of the biotechnology sector?
Hon STEVE MAHAREY (Minister of Research, Science and Technology) Link to this
The Government has a comprehensive programme to support biotechnology, covering research, commercialisation, and the encouragement of investment. This includes spending $175 million each year on biotechnology research, seed funds to support early-stage biotech companies, a dedicated biotechnology investment fund to invest in New Zealand companies, $12 million to fund commercial projects with Australia, and support for two biotechnology incubators, one in Waikato and one in the Manawatū.
What has the Government done to ensure that New Zealanders are engaged with research in the biotechnology sector?
Hon STEVE MAHAREY Link to this
The Government has a number of innovative community engagement projects, which include a website featuring examples of biotech for use in classrooms, research programmes on ways to involve the public in decision making about new biotechnologies, a network of experts to help the Government prepare for future biotech developments, and the recent Talking Biotechnology conference, which was a huge success.
Dr Paul Hutchison Link to this
Can the Minister explain precisely why Nigel Kirkpatrick, the former chief executive officer of Industrial Research Ltd, resigned—or was pushed to resign—after he had been a consistently strong advocate for what has been described as one of New Zealand’s most promising biotechnology projects?
Hon STEVE MAHAREY Link to this
I am sure Industrial Research Ltd will thank the member for his endorsement of the company, but Nigel Kirkpatrick was employed by the board of Industrial Research Ltd, and his employment arrangements are a matter for the board, not for me as the Minister for Crown Research Institutes.
Dr Paul Hutchison Link to this
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I asked an absolutely clear question, which the Minister ducked, as to why Nigel Kirkpatrick had resigned. He has avoided the question.
Madam SPEAKERHas the Minister seen any reports on the value of the contribution biotechnology makes to our country?
Hon STEVE MAHAREY Link to this
Yes, I just happen to. A recent study commissioned by the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology has shown that four biotechnologies used in New Zealand primary sectors contribute between $300 million and $400 million each year to those sectors, alone. With the recent biotech investments that the Government has made, which I outlined earlier in my reply, we expect that amount of money to rise significantly in the future.