Crown Research Institutes

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A Crown Research Institute (CRI) is a New Zealand state-owned, corporatised entity charged with conducting scientific research.

Crown Research Institutes date from 1992, with most having been created out of the old Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) and elements of various government departments. The dissolution of the DSIR, along with the requirement that the CRIs be "financially viable" and operate on commercial lines, created a certain amount of resentment among some scientists.

The Government via two Cabinet Ministers (Minister of Crown Research Institutes and the Minister of Finance) hold all shares in each of the nine CRIs. Cabinet appoints a Board for each CRI. Each Board - intended to comprise business, professional and science expertise - operates according to the Companies Act, as well as the CRI Act (1992) and other relevant Acts. Each Board produces an Annual Report and reports to the Crown Company Monitoring Advisory Unit, (part of The Treasury) who are the Shareholders' representatives. Parliament also scrutinises each CRI on a regular basis. In day to day practice, however, CRIs operate as any commercial company would, within its strategic statement of intent (agreed with the Shareholders) that is aligned with the CRI Act purpose and principles.

The CRI Act 1992 sets out that the purpose of a CRI is to do research, and that it must do this for the benefit of New Zealand, pursuing excellence in all that it does, abiding by ethical standards and recognising social responsibility; and being a good employer. A CRI must do these things whilst remaining financially viable. The latter's technical definition changes from time to time but is currently based around return on equity. CRIs are not intended to maximise profit, simply to cover costs of capital. This is intended to ensure appropriate commercial disciplines whilst fulfilling its purpose.

CRIs are also charged with promoting the transfer and dissemination of research, science & technology. In other words, their role is to make a difference with the research they produce. They do this via strategic, long term relationships with sectors (most CRIs were created around sectors), to support, sustain, challenge and develop existing sectors and also to lead development of new sectors.

Current CRIs are:

Another CRI, the Institute For Social Research and Development, was disestablished in 1995 after failing to achieve financial viability.

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