Nationally Important (Backbone) Assets

Backbone Assets are databases, collections and other nationally significant assets commissioned by the Ministry for Research, Science & Technology (now the Ministry of Business Innovation & Enterprise) prior to July 2010. These assets were transferred to the CRIs’ in July 2011 as part of their Core Funding allocation.

AgResearch manages its Nationally Important (Backbone) Assets Policy. This policy sets out management requirements for retaining Nationally Important (Backbone) Assets, and processes for commissioning or decommissioning assets.

Assets under this policy must be:
• retained with an intention for the long-term
• retained for the benefit of New Zealand (not AgResearch profit)
• made publicly available for (legitimate) science and innovation use
• made available free-of-charge or at cost.

AgResearch maintains a register of the Nationally Important Assets under its care.

AgResearch’s key asset is the Margot Forde Germplasm Centre on the Grasslands Campus in Palmerston North.