By Yoke Har Lee
The hunt for a new manager for Technology New Zealand is on following former manager John Manning's resignation.
The chief executive of the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology, Dr Steve Thompson, told the Business Herald that a new manager would be in place in "about a month or two" as a candidate has been found.
Neither Dr Thompson nor Mr Manning would comment on the circumstances surrounding Mr Manning's departure.
All Mr Manning would say was that "the matter was settled out of court recently". He had earlier been advised by his lawyer that his was a case of constructive dismissal which he intended to pursue.
Technology NZ, which falls under the foundation's umbrella, provides a dollar-for-dollar grant to help companies raise their technological capability.
Dr Thompson would not comment when asked whether Technology NZ had worked out a compensation package for Mr Manning.
Mr Manning's step-down from his position followd a Business Herald article which quoted him highlighting the science funding system's shortfalls.
Since the article, Mr Manning has been described by Technology NZ as either being on sick leave, annual leave or on special projects. He has now resigned.
He is widely seen as a sacrificial lamb in a greater debate on what is wrong with New Zealand's research funding system now undergoing change.
Mr Manning is credited with having fine-tuned Technology NZ from a not-so-user-friendly system to a highly popular scheme, indicated by the record number of applications Technology NZ received this year.
A close associate of Mr Manning said he was highly popular with his staff and had great loyalty from them because of his ability to get the best out of people.
Mr Manning is meanwhile pursuing other business ventures. He has set up an engineering company involved in hydraulic systems, based in Wellington.
New Tech NZ head waiting in wings
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