Crown research institutes (CRIs) are Crown-owned companies that carry out scientific research for the benefit of New Zealand.
Each of the seven CRIs is aligned with a productive sector of the economy or a grouping of natural resources. They are:
- AgResearch
- Institute of Environmental Science Research (ESR)
- Institute of Geological and Nuclear Science (GNS)
- Landcare Research
- National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA)
- Plant and Food Research
- Scion
As of 1 February 2013 Industrial Research Limited (IRL) became Callaghan Innovation. Read more about Callaghan Innovation at www.callaghaninnovation.govt.nz 
Established in 1992, CRIs play a unique and important role supporting their sectors to innovate and grow. They strive to address New Zealand’s most pressing issues and achieve economic growth by improving sectors’ productivity and improving the sustainable use of natural resources.
Governance of CRIs
The CRIs have two shareholding ministers who act to protect the Crown’s investment in CRIs. The two ministers are the Minister of Science and Innovation and the Minister of Finance .
The governance structure for all CRIs is the same: Shareholding Ministers appoint CRI boards of directors, who in turn appoint the chief executive in accordance with the Companies Act and the constitutions of each CRI.
The CRI Toolkit outlines the accountability and performance framework in which CRIs operate
Our relationship with CRIs
MBIE's ownership and performance role is to monitor the Government’s investment in CRIs.
As part of this role we:
- provide strategic ownership advice to the shareholding Ministers on the financial and non-financial performance of the CRIs
- work with CRIs to ensure they can deliver optimal outcomes for New Zealand
- assist with the appointment of directors to CRI boards, in partnership with the Crown Ownership Monitoring Unit.
The CRI Toolkit outlines the accountability and performance framework in which CRIs operate.
The CRI Taskforce recommendations
In February 2010 the CRI Taskforce presented its recommendations on how to enhance the value of New Zealand’s investment in CRIs.
Read the CRI Taskforce recommendations [PDF; 875kb]
The CRI Toolkit
The CRI Toolkit is a resource primarily for CRI boards, management and staff. The information and guidelines in the toolkit:
- outline the accountability and performance framework in which CRIs operate
- reflect the overarching outcomes and changes as a result of the Government’s endorsement of the CRI Taskforce recommendations.
