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4.0 General Principles for the Technology New Zealand Scheme

The Foundation will be responsible for the establishment of, and management of funding allocations for the Technology New Zealand scheme. The scheme will remain consistent with the following principles:

• Awareness of a Technology New Zealand scheme “brand” should be fostered. This brand should be associated with all activities. Where an activity is contracted out this activity should be seen to be part of the overall Technology New Zealand scheme.

• The needs of enterprises for a simple and well-integrated set of services with national accessibility should be met.

• Enterprises and science and technology providers should identify the Foundation as the entry-point to the Technology New Zealand scheme.

• The Technology New Zealand scheme should work closely with other parts of the New Zealand technology infrastructure to provide national and international information and technology services that maximise the value added by the public sector without encouraging distortionary behaviour.

• The Technology New Zealand scheme should advance the competitive advantage of New Zealand enterprises.

• Funding will be allocated in a transparent and contestable way.

5.0 Monitoring of the Technology New Zealand Scheme

Monitoring of the Technology New Zealand scheme, including implementation of this Ministerial scheme by the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology and the extent to which the scheme achieves its stated objectives, will be carried out by the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology.

6.0 Period of Operation for the Technology New Zealand Scheme

The scheme will operate each year until further notice.

7.0 Technology New Zealand Scheme—Programme Guidelines

7.1 The TechLink Programme

Overview of the TechLink Programme

The TechLink programme is intended to create awareness of and facilitate access by enterprise to new technology. The outcome of the programme will be enterprises with the increased awareness, and understanding needed to access new technology and undertake technological innovation.

Funding for this programme will be $2.694 million for 1997/98.

Objectives of the TechLink Programme

The objectives of the TechLink programme are to:

• increase the awareness of, understanding of, and access to new technology and technological capabilities critical to successful enterprises now and in the future;

• provide New Zealand enterprises information about and access to programmes and activities within the Technology New Zealand scheme;

• provide enterprises with access to and information about public and private suppliers of technology, and technology services, within New Zealand and overseas;

• reduce transaction cost barriers associated with providing:

  • technology needs assessment services to small and medium sized enterprises;
  • access to new technology and to sources of guidance and assistance to enterprise commencing technology based projects.

Mechanisms of Support for the TechLink Programme

The Foundation will have full discretion to manage the allocation of funding for the TechLink programme in a way that achieves the outcome and objectives for the programme. The type of activities that could be supported may include, but are not limited to, the following examples:

• publication, promotion and pro-active delivery of technology success stories and case studies on a national and a regional basis;

• the establishment of a Technology New Zealand website, to provide a virtual point of entry into New Zealand’s technology information and networking framework, and access to overseas information;

• delivery of technology needs assessments and technology guidance services to enterprise;

• encouraging and facilitating technology acquisition, research and development, and technology strategy development through supporting the technology aspects of existing Industry Associations, Tradenz Joint Action Groups and other business networks;

• supporting the acquisition of overseas technologies and technological innovations by enterprises.

Performance Indicators for the TechLink Programme

• Level of technological capability of enterprises that have participated in the TechLink programme, measured annually and demonstrated by:
  • the acquisition of, or intent to apply technology within enterprises;
  • level of awareness by enterprises of local and international sources of technology and technology services.