Dr Wayne Mapp MP - News

Ministerial visit to Australia

nospam@example.com (admin) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 14:40:00 +1300

Minister of Defence and of Research, Science and Technology Wayne Mapp will travel to Australia tonight for annual meetings with his Australian counterparts.

Dr Mapp will meet the Australian Minister for Science and Innovation, Senator Kim Carr, in Melbourne tomorrow.

"New Zealand has an ongoing commitment to research collaboration with Australia. Like ourselves, Australia is engaged in reviewing and setting its science priorities for the next few years. I look forward to building co-operation with Australia on those issues for the development of our two economies," Dr Mapp said.

The Minister will hold discussions with Defence Minister Senator John Faulkner in Sydney on Wednesday.

"The ANZAC partnership is our most fundamental defence and security commitment, on which Prime Ministers Key and Rudd have put particular emphasis," Dr Mapp said.

"There is a very strong commonality of interest between the two countries. This year the Defence Reviews in both countries create a unique opportunity to further develop the relationship to a new level of co-operation," he said.

The Minister will return to New Zealand on Wednesday night.

Ministerial visit to China

nospam@example.com (admin) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:37:00 +1200

The Minister of Defence and of Research, Science and Technology, Dr Wayne Mapp, leaves for Beijing tonight for a formal visit to China on defence and science issues.

"China's influence in Asia, particularly in the Pacific region, is of growing importance," Dr Mapp said. "China is central to our economic future. It also has an essential role in the stability and security of the Asia-Pacific region."

While in Beijing, Dr Mapp will have talks with the Chinese Minister of Defence, General Liang Guanglie, and the Vice-Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Cao Jianlin.

Dr Mapp said the Research, Science and Technology relationship with China, now the world's second-largest investor in research and development, is one of New Zealand's most important and enduring relationships in Asia.

"The opportunities for working with China will continue to grow as they take a position of global leadership in targeted areas of science and technology."

The Minister returns to New Zealand on Friday.

Experience to the fore in Crown company appointments

nospam@example.com (admin) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 13:05:00 +1200

New appointees to the boards of five Crown companies announced today bring a wealth of experience to their roles, Minister of Research, Science and Technology Dr Wayne Mapp said.

Nine new appointments have been announced, including the promotion of two current directors to deputy chair positions. The appointments include new chairs for Crown Research Institute Industrial Research Ltd (IRL) and the Research and Education Advanced Network New Zealand Ltd (REANNZ).

The new chair of IRL is Keith McConnell, an Auckland-based professional company director. Mr McConnell has a strong and diverse commercial background. He has served as chief executive officer of a number of businesses, most recently Fruehauf Pacific Ltd. He also has significant governance experience in the wind energy sector, and is currently chair of Wind Gears Ltd and a director of Wind Blades Ltd and Windflow Technology.

“His experience covers a range of sectors relevant to IRL,” said Dr Mapp.

At REANNZ, the company that owns and operates the high-speed KAREN network, Professor John Raine, regional chief executive at Massey University’s Albany Campus, joins the board as chair.

“Professor Raine has vast experience in engineering, a close understanding of the operations of the main users of KAREN, and a strong commercial background. This will ensure the continued success of REANNZ.

“I would like to acknowledge the contribution of the former chairs, Dr Brian Rhoades (IRL), and Dr Jim Watson (REANNZ), and thank the new chairs and directors for agreeing to serve on these boards,” Dr Mapp said.

Defence Review public meetings get under way

nospam@example.com (admin) — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 13:23:00 +1200

A series of public meetings on Defence Review 09 starting in Auckland on Saturday will give people a chance for face-to-face engagement with the Government on the direction of the Defence Force in the coming decades.

The meetings are part of the public consultation process on the Review which began in June. There will be 14 meetings in 12 locations between this Saturday and Tuesday 29 September (The full schedule is available through this link).

Each meeting will be attended either by Defence Minister Wayne Mapp or Associate Defence Minister Heather Roy, or by another Government MP.

Dr Mapp said that the Review will establish the Defence Force's path for the future. "Big decisions on capabilities face Defence over the next decade. That is why we need public input into New Zealand defence," he said.

Mrs Roy said that in addition to the main Review, there are three companion studies. "They are considering the defence industry, the role of the New Zealand Defence Force in youth programmes and the concept of voluntary national service. People are also welcome to offer their views on these subjects as part of the public meetings programme," she said.

The final outcome of the Defence Review will be a White Paper early next year setting out the direction and purpose for the Defence Force out to 2035.

For more information about Defence Review 09 or the consultation process, please email review09@defence.govt.nz.

Keeping ahead of tourism trends

nospam@example.com (admin) — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 12:07:00 +1200

A significant research investment will help tourism keep ahead of fast-changing consumer demands and grow its position as one of the country’s biggest export earners.

Research, Science and Technology Minister Wayne Mapp and Associate Minister of Tourism Jonathan Coleman today announced a $2 million package that will fund three major linked research streams.

“The requirements of today’s tourists have changed significantly,” said Dr Mapp. “They are concerned about climate change, carbon consumption and the impact of air travel. They want to know that New Zealand is meeting its ‘100% Pure’ image.”

The Ministry of Tourism will contribute $500,000 to the three-year programme, with the rest of the money coming from the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology.

“It is vital that New Zealand can compete effectively on the global tourism market. We also need solid research to help make the best possible decisions to shape the industry around future customer demands. Tourism has been a major success story for New Zealand and we want to keep it that way,” Dr Coleman said.

The new funding will go to projects investigating scenario planning, climate change and the factors around air travel.

Developing long-term scenarios to help better understand the potential options for New Zealand tourism (Victoria University of Wellington, $792,000 over three years)
Identifying how the physical effects of climate change will impact on tourism in New Zealand regions, to help the sector adapt to and take advantage of these effects (Lincoln University, $617,000 over three years)
Developing a deeper understanding of the key economic and political variables affecting international and domestic air travel, in recognition of how critical airlinks are for international tourism to New Zealand (University of Otago, $704,000).

Building growth with science

nospam@example.com (admin) — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 16:06:50 +1200

Minister of Research, Science and Technology Wayne Mapp has set out the Government’s priorities for the RST sector.

In a keynote address to sector leaders at Parliament yesterday, Dr Mapp said that public money is invested in science to lift the country’s economic performance, not just for science’s sake.

“We need to ensure we get maximum value from the $745 million we currently spend,” he said.

“Last month the Prime Minister highlighted six policy drivers that are fundamental to the Government’s drive to boost New Zealand’s economic performance and improve our standard of living. One of those is innovation. A significant driver of innovation is the Government’s investment in RST.

“RST will be expected to play a bigger part in improving our economic performance. This is the start of a process that will be completed by the end of the year. It will directly engage the key participants in the sector.

“There are four major themes for RST underpinning the Government’s policy to grow the economy. They are:

enhancing the migration of science from laboratory to market
improving the way we strategically invest in the public-good science that underpins our economy
directly boosting economic growth through more effective market-driven research
simplifying the entire system.

“Implicit in these themes are the Government’s priorities for Vote RST. They will determine the best way for science to both directly and indirectly build economic growth,” Dr Mapp said.

Upgraded Orion makes first test flight

nospam@example.com (admin) — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 17:32:28 +1200

The newly upgraded flight deck of the Orion, with “glass” instrumentation.

The first of the Air Force's newly upgraded P-3K2 Orion aircraft made its initial test flight yesterday at contractor L-3 Integrated Systems' facility in Greenville, Texas, Defence Minister Wayne Mapp announced today.

"This is an important milestone in a complex project," Dr Mapp said.

"New Zealand is the smallest country in the world to operate the Orion, with its sophisticated airborne maritime surveillance capability. It is among our most advanced defence capabilities.

WN 09-0035-58: The upgraded tactical rail has been completely refitted with modern sensors, communication and data management systems.

"The upgrade will greatly increase the capability and versatility of these advanced aircraft.

"The Orions will have much greater ability to deal with contemporary maritime operations. They will now also be properly equipped for overland operations and have greater capability for civil tasks," he said.

This is he first of the six Air Force Orions to be upgraded. The surveillance, reconnaissance, navigation and communication systems have been dramatically improved.

"In addition to the upgrade of surveillance equipment, the flight management systems will now have a new-generation glass cockpit, which will enable the aircraft to maintain pace with civilian flight requirements and legislation."

The remainder of the fleet will be upgraded at the Safe Air facility in Blenheim. The first aircraft of the remaining five is scheduled to be handed over to Safe Air on 26 August.

Funding boost for natural hazards research

nospam@example.com (admin) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 12:05:00 +1200

The Natural Hazards Research Platform, launched today by Minister of Research, Science and Technology Wayne Mapp, breaks new ground in how science research is funded.

"This new Platform means that essential scientific research will benefit from secure long-term funding and a cooperative approach," Dr Mapp said.

"It is a significant step in building New Zealand's science capability. The Government will be investing $140 million over the next 10 years. It is a new way of funding science in New Zealand."

The new platform is hosted by GNS Science and the National Institute for Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA). It will potentially include expertise from New Zealand's leading environmental research organisations including the University of Auckland, the University of Canterbury, Massey University and Opus.

The Platform will examine how natural hazards occur, their effects, and how we deal with them. It will involve scientists from a range of fields, including hydrology, seismology and climate.

"This initiative will provide further long-term certainty for our scientists. It will reduce the transaction costs involved in applying for research funding every two or three years.

"This approach avoids duplication and unnecessary contestability. Most importantly, it encourages collaboration. Bringing together our best researchers from different agencies will help maximise the impact from the Government's science investment," he said.

Defence Minister to attend France-Oceania Summit

nospam@example.com (admin) — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 12:11:00 +1200

Defence Minister Wayne Mapp will represent New Zealand at the third triennial France-Oceania Summit in Noumea on Friday 31 July.

"France is an important player in the Pacific region," said Dr Mapp. "The Oceania Summit is an excellent way for Pacific countries to engage across a range of issues."'

The agenda includes discussion of regional politics and security, economic growth, sustainable development and climate change. The Summit will be chaired by French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner.

‘Whilst in Noumea, I will also visit Les Forces Armees de Nouvelle Caledonie (FANC) and particularly thank them for their role on the rescue of New Zealanders from the yacht Carenza in distress last month. This co-operation between the RNZAF and the French patrol ship La Glorieuse illustrates how we work practically together for the safety of people throughout our region," said Dr Mapp.

Dr Mapp will also lay a wreath at the Bourail New Zealand War Cemetery.

"The graves of 239 New Zealanders are a reminder of the magnificent contribution our country made in some of the toughest campaigns of the Pacific war. A memorial at the cemetery commemorates another 280 New Zealanders who died in the Pacific campaign but have no known grave. It is an ongoing reminder of the price paid for our region's security."

Dr Mapp returns to New Zealand on Saturday.

Government fuels future creativity at Weta Digital

nospam@example.com (admin) — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 12:10:00 +1200

A major TechNZ investment of $5.8 million in a research partnership with Weta Digital over three years announced today has been welcomed by Minister of Research, Science and Technology Wayne Mapp. Weta's dollar investment will be on a basis of at least two-for-one.

"Weta Digital has been at the forefront of positioning New Zealand as a creative and innovative country that can re-imagine reality on a global scale," Dr Mapp said. "Through the magic of the movies, billions of people throughout the world benefit from their expertise.

"More importantly for New Zealand, an industry has been created that in less than 20 years has gone from just about nowhere to world leadership. To maintain that position Weta Digital must invest in research that will pioneer new techniques.

"TechNZ assists companies to develop, so that new products and processes can be brought to market. That is the value that TechNZ adds."

TechNZ is the business investment programme of the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology. It invests up to $50 million a year to help businesses find and develop new technologies. The Weta investment is the first example of the Foundation partnering with a company in a long-term R&D programme.

Over the past decade some 4,500 New Zealand businesses have benefited from TechNZ support. "It's about growing new products and processes for export," the Minister said.

"Today's announcement represents a very significant contribution that will accelerate the growth of New Zealand's strong creative digital industry. It signals that this Government is serious about growing our competitive advantages."

Freshwater management project welcomed

nospam@example.com (admin) — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 12:13:00 +1200

Research, Science and Technology Minister Wayne Mapp has welcomed NIWA's new freshwater management project for Canterbury.

NIWA (the National Institute of Atmospheric & Water Research) announced today that it was combining projects in the climate, freshwater and hazards areas into a single clearly-identified piece of research. The new project will create information and tools that will improve the management of Canterbury's water resources.

The new project is funded by Crown Research Institute Capability Funding. The fund received an extra $40 million over four years to reinforce the ability of CRIs to maintain and develop nationally significant research.

The project aims to better define the links between weather and climate and the available water resources on the Canterbury Plains area. That will significantly improve water management for the region in the future. NIWA will invest more than $2 million over the next three years in the project.

Dr Mapp said water resource management is a key issue for central government and is one of the most significant issues for regional councils.

He said Canterbury was an obvious area for the project because water demand was high, and often exceeded current availability.

"Seventy per cent of all irrigated land in New Zealand is in the Canterbury Plains. An extra 400,000 irrigated hectares could add more than $1 billion to the national economy. Anything we can do to make that water use more efficient and productive will see huge boosts for the whole economy," he said.

"While this proposal is clearly centred on the catchments linked with the Canterbury Plains, I expect that this information will be used elsewhere."

Crown Research Institute board appointments

nospam@example.com (admin) — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 10:05:12 +1200

Director and chair appointments and reappointments to the boards of seven Crown Research Institutes were announced today by Minister of Research, Science and Technology Wayne Mapp.

There are 12 new appointments, five reappointments and one promotion of a current director to deputy chair. They include new chairs for the Institute of Environmental Science & Research Ltd (ESR) and the National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research Ltd (NIWA).

Auckland businessman Chris Mace is the new chair of NIWA. Mr Mace has previously served as chair of the New Zealand Antarctic Institute (now Antarctica New Zealand) and ESR. He was also a founding member of the New Zealand Institute, which introduces new and creative thinking into economic and social policy debate.

At ESR, Dr Susan Macken, also Auckland-based, will take over as chair. Dr Macken is a director of several public and private companies including Bank of New Zealand and Southern Cross. She is a business consultant with particular expertise in business strategy, marketing and strategic relationship development.

Dr Mapp acknowledged the strong leadership provided by outgoing chairs Sue Suckling (NIWA) and Ian Wilson (ESR). "Both companies have consistently been the strongest performing Crown Research Institutes," he said.

"They have enhanced New Zealand's scientific and commercial expertise. They have both been top performers."

Dr Mapp thanked Mr Mace and Dr Macken for agreeing to serve in the chair roles. "I look forward to working with them both to pursue the continued success of these businesses," he said.

Other new appointments and reappointments to the CRI boards are listed below. A small number of further new appointments to the boards will be announced shortly.

Job Summit output a boost for young innovators

nospam@example.com (admin) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:00:00 +1200

A new post-graduate internship programme to be set up by the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology will create 150 new intern positions, Research, Science and Technology Minister Wayne Mapp announced today.

The pilot programme will support post-graduate science, technology and engineering students. The Foundation will provide a maximum of $30,000 towards a post-graduate salary for a period of up to nine months.

"This initiative is an output of the Prime Minister's Job Summit ‘Workers-Skills and Transition' work stream. It will give 150 of New Zealand's young innovators a head start in their careers," Dr Mapp said.

"The work stream highlighted the need for a continued focus on building and developing New Zealand's capability. These new positions are a practical response to that need.

"This is a great opportunity for New Zealand businesses that might not have the means to employ post-graduates. We are encouraging businesses to continue innovating through the recession so they will be well placed in the market when the turnaround comes," he said. Specific companies will be targeted to create new vacancies for post-graduates that will lead to new or more research and development work.

"We believe this will also stimulate an interest in companies across New Zealand to identify the graduate vacancies and improve industry collaboration with universities," Dr Mapp said. The funding for the post-graduate internships will be provided under TechNZ's capability funding programme.

Travel grants for Kiwi and Spanish researchers

nospam@example.com (admin) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 09:57:00 +1200

New Zealand and Spanish science researchers will benefit from a new travel grant programme between the two countries, Research, Science and Technology Minister Wayne Mapp has announced.

The new initiative was formalised in a joint declaration signed yesterday by Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman (on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Murray McCully), and Spanish Deputy Foreign Minister Angel Lossada.

Mr Lossada and the Spanish Minister for Science and Innovation, Dr Cristina Garmendia, were part of a delegation accompanying King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia on their official visit to New Zealand this week.

Dr Mapp said that annual funding of $50,000 from the New Zealand Government will enable New Zealand researchers to travel to Spain, and Spanish researchers to travel to New Zealand to work on joint research projects.

Paid for through New Zealand's International Science and Technology (ISAT) Linkages fund, the programme will be administered by the Royal Society of New Zealand.

"Spain's research strengths are very relevant to our own priorities, particularly in biology, genetics and biochemistry, plant and animal science, geophysics and astronomy," Dr Mapp said.

"Spain is also achieving its strong renewable energy goals. It will be of great benefit to New Zealand to have our researchers working with Spanish researchers in this field."

Dr Mapp accompanied the Spanish royal party on Monday morning on a visit to the University of Auckland, and met Dr Garmendia at Parliament yesterday.

"Dr Garmendia and I look forward to seeing the improved links between New Zealand and Spanish research that are sure to result from the new programme," Dr Mapp said.

Dr Garmendia said that for the Spanish Government the programme reflected the goals pursued by the Ministry of Science and Innovation: internationalisation, mobility and excellence in research careers.

"This is a first step to broaden our bilateral collaboration in scientific and technological research for mutual benefit on new priority areas. I expect Spanish and New Zealand scientists will also work together toward joint proposals through the European Commission's research Framework Programme (FP7)," she said.

New Defence Force medal planned

nospam@example.com (admin) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:54:08 +1200

The Government is to introduce a new Defence Force medal for non-operational military service, meeting a campaign commitment to recognise service in the Defence Force by New Zealanders.

"The RSA had proposed such a medal for a number of years. Fulfilling this commitment will enable New Zealanders who have served to receive recognition similar to that of Australia," Defence Minister Wayne Mapp said.

"The new medal will acknowledge the unique requirements of military service. These include commitment to the service of the Crown, represented by taking an oath or affirmation of allegiance, being liable for operational service and being subject to military discipline and lifestyle," he said.

"This medal will also honour the commitment of Reserve personnel, whose service to their country comes over and above their jobs and other activities."

A Joint Working Group on the medal has been set up, chaired by former Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade Neil Walter. It includes representatives from the Defence Force, the RSA, Veterans' Affairs and observers from the Honours Secretariat and the Police.

"The working group will consult the public and current and ex-military service personnel, including those who undertook Compulsory Military Training and balloted National Service, about the proposed medal. This is to ensure that fair eligibility criteria for the new medal are determined," Dr Mapp said.

A survey to gauge public opinion on the medal was launched today. The survey closes on 23 July and the working group will report back to the Government by 30 September 2009.