February 01, 2017
Maori innovators turn to agency
A review of Callaghan Innovation has found its Maori enterprise unit is a rare bright spot in an organisation struggling with its task of commercialising innovation.
In her performance improvement framework review of the agency, former Commerce Commission head Dame Paula Rebstock said innovative Maori businesses are increasingly turning to the agency, which grew out of the Industrial Research crown research institute.
But she says overall Callaghan has weak management and was struggling internally to work out how it can offer services to companies with high-value, high-tech commercial ideas.
It was only able to assist firms in the very early stage phase, raising questions as to whether its workforce has the required depth and breadth of experience.
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