Ngaio Merrick has been on the commercialisation initiative's board since 2016, having previously worked with a municipal development agency.

Kiwi Innovation Network (KiwiNet), a New Zealand government-backed commercialisation initiative affiliated with several universities and research centres, has named Ngaio Merrick (pictured) as chairwoman.

Merrick, currently an independent KiwiNet board member, will succeed the outgoing board chairman, Ruth Richardson, who is retiring after seven years that started with KiwiNet’s formation in 2011.

KiwiNet facilitates access to funding, training and networks for researchers and tech transfer offices. It is primarily supported by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and…