Accelerating successful commercialisation of innovation in New Zealand firms is the yardstick by which Callaghan Innovation will be measured, says the Chair of the newly established Crown entity, Sue Suckling.

“There is great potential in the high value manufacturing sector and Callaghan Innovation’s role is to help firms grow through greater application of science, engineering and technology based innovation,” Ms Suckling said.

 “Ultimately our success will be based on the success of others. Our reputation will be earned by creating opportunities and revenue, for firms in the manufacturing sector as well as organisations in the science, engineering and technology sector.”

 Callaghan Innovation legally came into being today. It is named after the late Sir Paul Callaghan, one of New Zealand’s top scientists who was committed to the role innovation must play to unlock New Zealand’s potential.

From today, Callaghan Innovation will incorporate former Crown Research Institute IRL and the government’s R&D grants schemes transferring from MBIE. The Auckland Foodbowl research facility and NZTE’s Better by Lean Programme will go into Callaghan Innovation in coming months.

“Today is the start for the new organisation. We will be focussed on integrating and shaping the parts coming into the new organisation. More than that, we now start refining and validating the new services and support we will start to roll out later in the year.

“This work will result in something tangibly different from what we had before, including services to help firms navigate the science, engineering and technology system and easily access providers to help them with their business opportunities and challenges.”

“It will encompass, for example, working with customers, industry, providers and government to develop platforms for competitive advantage including, in the first instance, food and beverages, medical devices and advanced materials.”

“Perhaps most importantly, the new organisation will be looking to lift awareness and understanding of innovation, shifting the national psyche to embrace innovation. Sir Paul played a huge role in this area and just as we take his name, we also take responsibility for promoting the critical role innovation has to play in New Zealand’s future wealth and wellbeing.

“The government has given Callaghan Innovation a challenging mandate, one we are looking forward to enthusiastically. Delivering on that mandate involves a wide range of players across the innovation system and we all have to play our part. We will be looking to work with motivated and energetic organisations that want will be part of the transformation,” Ms Suckling says.