The first chief executive of the new Ministry of Science and Innovation says he expects job cuts as two government agencies are merged into one.
Murray Bain has been appointed to the top role after working as the chief executive of the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology since 2004.
That organisation will merge with the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology on 1 November.
Mr Bain says the two organisations have about 170 staff.
He says some restructuring is likely because of overlapping job responsibilities.
Mr Bain says it is important for the new ministry to retain the regional offices it will inherit, in Auckland and Christchurch.
