The New Zealand Business Roundtable and the New Zealand Institute confirmed today that the boards of the two organisations had agreed to combine forces to form a new, independent public policy think tank.

In a joint statement, Business Roundtable Chairman Roger Partridge and New Zealand Institute Chairman Tony Carter said discussions between the two organisations had commenced in February this year, with the support of the executive directors of both organisations – however discussions were put on hold in September due to the declining health of Roger Kerr. The two chairmen acknowledged Roger Kerr’s enormous contribution to New Zealand over many years.

The two chairmen said that their organisations shared common missions and that, by combining resources, they could provide a stronger voice on public policy issues. The new organisation will promote social, economic and environmental policy with a view to improving the standards of living and welfare of all New Zealanders.

“Our view is that the New Zealand business sector is not large enough to support two separate, independent, CEO-based public policy think tanks, and we see many synergies between the two organisations.

“Both the Business Roundtable and the Institute comprise primarily chief executives of major New Zealand firms and some are members of both organisations.

“While there have been some different emphases in the past, we both share a vision of a competitive, open and dynamic economy, a flourishing business sector and a free, prosperous, fair and cohesive society.

“We also both share the view that the development and promotion of sound, high quality public policy is fundamental to achieving this”, the joint statement said.

The two chairmen said the merger means the business community will have a strong, well-resourced voice to ensure the country makes the policy choices necessary to enable all New Zealanders to prosper.

The merger is to take effect from 1^st April 2012. The new organisation is undertaking an international search for an Executive Director. The name of the new organisation is yet to be decided.

ENDS

For further information:

Roger Partridge                                                          Tony Carter
Chairman                                                                    Chairman
New Zealand Business Roundtable                            New Zealand Institute
Phone 021 660 965                                                     Phone 021 358 326
Email rpartridge@nzbr.org.nz                                     Email tony@lil.co.nz