CCMAU Output Class Performance

Statement of Objectives and Service Performance
Section 45A of the Public Finance Act 1989

Vote Crown Research Institutes

Crown company monitoring advice to the Minister for Crown Research Institutes (CRIs), Minister for Economic Development and Minister of Research, Science and Technology.

This output involves the provision of policy and ownership monitoring advice on nine CRIs, NZVIF and Research & Education Advanced Network New Zealand Ltd (REANNZ) and the provision of advice on the performance of the CRI Capability Fund, and includes:

• advising the Minister for CRIs, the Minister for Economic Development and the Minister of Research, Science and Technology on the strategic direction of CRIs, NZVIF and REANNZ, respectively and the commercial and fiscal risks associated with Crown ownership
• providing advice which assists the Minister for CRIs, the Minister for Economic Development and the Minister of Research, Science and Technology to set ownership objectives and targets for CRIs, NZVIF and REANNZ
• monitoring and advising the Minister for CRIs, the Minister for Economic Development and the Minister of Research, Science and Technology of CRIs', NZVIF's and REANNZ's performance against these objectives and targets
• providing policy advice on, and managing issues arising out of the ownership of, CRIs, NZVIF and REANNZ, including residual implementation issues
• managing, on behalf of the responsible Ministers, the appointment of CRI, NZVIF and REANNZ directors and monitoring the performance of those directors and boards
• assisting the responsible Ministers in the formulation of shareholders' expectations in relation to the governance practices and structures companies adopt.

Maintaining and enhancing the Crown's ownership interest in these companies to contribute to the efficient management of the Crown's assets and liabilities.

The CRIs, NZVIF and REANNZ have an important role to play in the New Zealand innovation system, thereby contributing to improving New Zealand's overall economic performance.

Significant Work Completed During 2007/08

• Completed the 2007/08 strategic planning round which included analysing and reporting on each company's draft Statement of Corporate Intent/Statement of Intent and strategic plan so that shareholding Ministers were able to provide informed advice to boards.
• Completed quarterly performance reports for the June, September, December and March quarters, which were presented to Cabinet.
• Contributed to the 2008 Operating Framework for CRIs.
• Provided a briefing to the incoming Minister of Research, Science and Technology.
• Completed and issued the revised Owner's Expectations Manual for CRIs.
• Managed various company issues, and provided advice to Ministers on such issues.
• Continued to take a “lead agency” role in the International Network of Government Ownership Agencies (INGOA), including organising and Chairing the inaugural INGOA conference in London, England. INGOA is an international best-practice sharing network of organisations with a similar role to that of CCMAU.
• Hosted three core training programmes for recently appointed or aspiring directors.
• Hosted four professional director updates for existing Crown directors (a series of three workshops on conflicts of interest; and a one-day study tour on corporate social responsibility).
• Hosted two workshops on the roles and powers of Select Committees (for both Crown company and entity directors).
• Hosted a one‐day induction seminar for new CRI directors.
• Managed expressions of interest from candidates wishing to be considered for Crown governance roles.
• Continued to provide assistance to other agencies regarding nominations.
• Provided advice to Ministers on a number of appointments and governance issues, including:
  • the 2007/08 CRI appointment round
  • a review of the directors' fees methodology for the Crown companies; and the implementation of associated changes in January 2008.

* General service performance standards are detailed on page 53.

Actual 2007/08 output class expenditure was $11,000 or 1% under Supplementary Estimates budgets.