Statement of Core Purpose

AgResearch's Dr Liz Wedderburn attending a water quality workshop organised by Pastoral 21.

AgResearch and New Zealand’s seven other Crown Research Institutes (CRIs) have been given greater clarity of role from the Government with the announcement of CRI Statements of Core Purpose (SCPs).

AgResearch’s purpose is to enhance the value, productivity and profitability of New Zealand’s pastoral, agri-food and agri-technology sector value chains to contribute to economic growth and beneficial environmental and social outcomes for New Zealand.

In announcing the SCPs, Science Minister Hon Wayne Mapp said; “The eight CRIs are a cornerstone of the science that underpins New Zealand’s economic and environmental wellbeing. They have a key role in our science and innovation system.”

The priorities for each CRI arose from recommendations in the CRI review in
2009 and explain the strategic purpose of each institute, the outcomes from their work, and how they will collaborate with other research institutions for the benefit of all New Zealanders.

Importantly, the SCP confirms that AgResearch will develop strong, longterm partnerships with key stakeholders including industry, government and Maori and work with them to set research priorities that are well linked to the needs and potential of its end-users.

DairyNZ Chief Executive Tim Mackle says while AgResearch is the primary CRI related to the pastoral industry, nearly all of the CRIs undertake work which
is important to the dairy industry.