A New Era for New Zealand Science: Three MEGA Organizations & Focus on Advanced Tech
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced sweeping changes to New Zealand’s science sector today, reshaping the landscape with the creation of three mega science organizations – Public Research Organisations (PROs) – and a fourth dedicated to advancing technology. This monumental shift, described as the “biggest reset” in over 30 years by Science, Innovation and technology minister Judith Collins, aims to enhance the efficiency and impact of New Zealand’s scientific endeavors.
Stemming from the recommendations of Sir Peter Gluckman’s Science System Advisory Group (SSAG), this restructuring responds to a need for greater focus and streamlined operations within the Crown Research Institutes (CRIs). Collins, who will be passing the science portfolio to Shane Reti tomorrow, emphasized the government’s commitment to maximizing the return on taxpayer investment, currently at $1.2 billion annually.
“The reform will maximise the value of the $1.2 billion of taxpayer money that we already put into the science sector each year, creating a much more dynamic science innovation and tech system,” she stated.
The new PROs will cluster CRIs based on their areas of expertise, fostering collaboration and efficiency. Earth Science will unite NIWA and GNS Science, with NIWA’s acquisition of MetService proceeding as planned. The realm of Bioeconomy will encompass AgResearch, Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research, Plant & Food Research, and Scion, while Health and Forensic Science will emerge from the repurposing of ESR.
A fourth PRO dedicated to advanced technology will also be established, highlighting the government’s focus on harnessing cutting-edge innovation.
Acknowledging the criticism of Callaghan Innovation’s spread across multiple functions, leading to financial struggles and heavy reliance on Crown funding, Collins announced its disestablishment, with its functions being integrated into other entities.
“It had simply been spread too thinly across too many functions, leading to poor financial performance and an over-reliance on Crown funding,” she explained.
This conversion extends beyond organizational restructuring. The government plans to overturn New Zealand’s three-decade-long ban on gene technology, which Collins believes will unlock significant opportunities for various sectors, including agriculture, health, and climate change mitigation.
“This will unleash enormous opportunities for our science sectors and also for New Zealanders – whether it’s in the primary industry sector, health sector – and it’s really going to be something that helps us on climate change issues as well.”
Collins emphasized that this change had been welcomed by the current CHairpeople of the CRIs,who have already been engaging in staffing and downsizing discussions,prepared for the impending changes.
“They’ve been knowing that they are going to have to right-size and they knew that there was change coming, so much so that every one of the Crown Research Institute chairs is supportive of what we’re doing.
“They’re excited about this.”
The government has chosen to deviate from the SSAG’s suggestion of merging all CRIs into a single entity, believing that healthy competition and benchmarking will drive innovation.”As we certainly know that people like to have a bit of competition, they like to be able to benchmark themselves against others, and we think it’s a much better opportunity for them to be able to work together and to get some of those right-sizing,” Collins remarked.
These ambitious reforms signal a new era for New Zealand’s science sector, poised to become more efficient, impactful, and globally competitive. The success of this transformation will hinge on seamless integration, fostering collaboration, and leveraging the expertise of the newly formed PROs to drive innovation and address critical national challenges.
How will PRO-Surroundings and Agriculture measure the impact of its research in terms of environmental sustainability, agricultural productivity, and innovation?
Welcome to Archyde News. Today, we have an exclusive interview with Dr. Emma Green, the newly appointed CEO of one of the three Public Research Organizations (PROs), tasked with driving New Zealand’s scientific endeavors into a new era. Welcome,Dr. Green.
Archyde News: Thank you for joining us today, dr. Green. Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and your new role?
Dr. Emma Green: Thank you,I’m delighted to be here. I’ve worked in the New Zealand science sector for over two decades, with a focus on environmental and agricultural sciences. In my new role as CEO of PRO-Environment and agriculture, I’m excited to lead one of the three mega science organizations that the government has established. My primary goal is to maximize the impact of our research, addressing the pressing challenges we face in our environment and primary industries.
Archyde News: That’s a significant change from the Crown Research Institutes (CRIs). What do you think are the key benefits of this new structure?
dr. Green: Indeed, this is a significant shift. The new structure allows for greater focus and agility.by consolidating related research areas under a single organization, we can foster better collaboration, share resources more effectively, and ultimately, deliver more impactful outcomes.Additionally,the creation of a fourth entity dedicated to advancing technology will provide a much-needed boost to our innovation ecosystem.
Archyde News: Speaking of impact, Minister Collins mentioned that the aim is to maximize the return on taxpayers’ $1.2 billion annual investment. How do you plan to measure this impact?
Dr. Green: That’s a crucial aspect of our new mandate. we’ll be adopting a outcomes-focused approach, tracking metrics that reflect real-world impact. For instance, in our case, we’ll be looking at improvements in environmental sustainability, increases in agricultural productivity and resilience, and the number of innovative solutions we’ve helped create or commercialize. We’ll also be reporting regularly on our progress,ensuring openness and accountability.
Archyde news: The new structure is a response to Sir Peter Gluckman’s recommendations. How do you think his leadership has influenced the reform process?
Dr. Green: Sir Peter’s leadership has been invaluable. He brought a unique viewpoint, drawing from both his deep knowledge of the New Zealand science sector and his international experience. his report provided a clear, evidence-based roadmap for reform, and it’s fantastic to see the government acting on it. We’re all excited to build on his work and deliver a new era for New Zealand science.
Archyde News: Lastly, what message do you have for the public about these changes and the future of New Zealand science?
dr. Green: I’d like to assure the public that their investment in our science sector is in good hands. These changes are about ensuring that we’re focusing on the right areas,working more effectively,and delivering meaningful impact. We’re committed to open communication, so you’ll hear more from us about what we’re doing and why. We’re excited about the future of New Zealand science, and we’re looking forward to taking this country’s research and innovation to the next level.
