The largest is at Mt. Albert in Auckland and has 200 staff members. I was stationed for a time at Havelock North in Hawkes Bay, which is considered the major tree fruit research center. Currently at Havelock North, there are 36 staff, and this is expected to rise to 60 within four years. New buildings are being planned for Mt. Albert and Havelock North. Public and scientific expert panels review projects to make sure that funding is in line with government and industry goals.
Independent auditors monitor progress and make sure project objectives are completed.
ENZA employs a science manager to liase with scientists to guarantee that research priorities set by local grower committees are addressed. New varieties and food safety are two major ENZA research areas. Disinfestation research to address nontariff trade barriers accounts for almost half of all ENZA research funding. In spite of the needs of individual scientists to be identified as an authority in a particular field, and the competition inherent within this system, I witnessed more cooperation in both attitude and deed than I have ever seen among my peers in Washington State. The team approach to problem-solving permeates the New Zealand research centers.