Dr Robert Shaw
[FYI request #4607 email]
Ref: DOIA 2016/17 0362
17 October 2016
Dear Dr Shaw,
Request for information under the Official Information Act 1982
On 15 September 2016 you made the following request to MBIE, under the Official
Information Act (1982):
“Might you please update the response you gave to me some time ago regarding the
research money for the regions, by giving an account of how much money is directed
at projects in Taranaki, their objectives, what reports you have on their advancement,
and who is responsible for those projects?
A comparative spreadsheet showing the level of funding to other regions for
comparison would also be informative.”
On 21 September, you agreed to narrow the scope of your request to the Regional Research
Institutes, in line with your previous request on this programme.
At this time, none of the applications for the RRI programme have been approved for funding,
and as we expect announcements about the RRIs in the near future, we decline your request
under section 18 (d) of the Act – the information requested will soon be publically available.
Regarding the second part of your request, we do not yet know what the distribution of funds
by region will be for the first round of RRIs. We have compiled a table that shows the number
of applications that came from each region. Funding will be directed to applications, and will
not necessarily be allocated to each region. Multiple regions may benefit from each RRI.
Science, Innovation and International
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
15 Stout Street, Wellington 6011
Region
RRI Concept
Applications
Bay Of Plenty
3
Canterbury
1
Gisborne
1
Hawke's Bay
3
Manawatu-Wanganui
2
Marlborough
2
Northland
1
Otago
3
Southland
2
Taranaki
1
Waikato
4
West Coast
1
Total
24
You have the right to seek an investigation and review of this response by the Ombudsman,
whose address for contact purposes is:
The Ombudsman
Office of the Ombudsman
PO Box 10-152
Wellington 6143
If you wish to discuss any aspect of this response, or if you require further assistance, please
contact Ron Clink, Principal Policy Adviser, Science Policy at [email address].
Yours sincerely,
Richard Walley
Manager, Science Policy
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
Science, Innovation and International
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
15 Stout Street, Wellington 6011