Latest news with #CrownResearchInstitutes
Scoop
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
How ‘Public' Will Our Public Research Organisations Be?
Tomorrow is "Day One" for new institutes representing Bioeconomy Science and Earth Science, combining six of the seven current Crown Research Institutes (CRIs). New Zealand Association of Scientists co-Presidents Troy Baisden and Lucy Stewart ask - these are framed as the biggest science system reforms in over 30 years, but how much is actually changing? 'When announced, the public good aspect of the merged organisations was played up, calling them PROs - Public Research Organisations,' says co-President Professor Troy Baisden. 'Yet the freshly minted Statements of Core Purpose make it clear the three new organisations are still very much commercially-oriented CRIs, just bigger, with no clear policy to encourage the spinoffs and spillovers that bring big benefits to NZ Inc 's bottom line over the internal accounts of the organisations. This leaves us asking if the two bigger new entities will end up feeling more like the supermarket duopoly than the solution to our nation's research needs.' The Bioeconomy Science Institute will combine Plant & Food, AgResearch, Scion (Forest Research Institute), and Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research. The Earth Science Institute will combine NIWA and GNS Science, and also include Metservice as well as the Measurement Standards Laboratory (formerly part of Callaghan Innovation). ESR is being rebranded as the Institute for Public Health and Forensic Science, but not merging with any other organisation. 'MBIE have acknowledged that the structure of the CRIs over the past thirty years has not delivered for our economy as intended, but that this doesn't represent the quality of our researchers,' adds co-President Dr Lucy Stewart. 'We agree this far - but we are deeply concerned that these new organisations, faced with ever-tightening funding constraints, will not deliver systemic change. The country's main funding mechanism for getting research to deliver for the economy and other national outcomes, the Endeavour Fund, is suspending operations for a year. And the 2025 Budget has cut research funding in order to support reform.' 'Improved focus on intellectual property settings associated with investment is one bright spot,' says Prof Baisden, 'But IP is a small part of a much bigger problem leading to suspicions this change is driven by what appears to be a false hope. Our system has mostly failed miserably at commercialisation, with only spotty successes. Instead, up to 50% of revenue to Crown Research Institutes is derived from commercial consultancy. Thinking that commercialisation will somehow save the day has been a dangerous distraction that everyone inside CRIs has seen many times over the last 30 years, and was explicitly called out in the Science System Advisory Group report delivered in August last year. We have not seen any evidence that the new PROs will turn away from this failed path – nor any evidence they will be funded to do so.' The NZAS has consistently noted that the reform agenda implemented to date based on the SSAG report has pulled very selectively from the report rather than addressing its recommendations holistically. Dr Stewart says 'The approach we're seeing from the Government towards science is similar to focusing on success at marathons by training sprinters to run the last hundred metres as fast as possible. Commercialisation is only successful globally where a solid foundation of public research exists. No path towards such a foundation has been put forward in these reforms.' Prof Baisden expresses hope, 'The best case would be where the two new PROs set to work to make cases for Government to better support them collectively, and collaborations with universities, with stable funding that forms a foundation of at least a quarter of the now abandoned target for R&D to reach 2% of GDP. Without that foundation, we can't compete with other nations to attract investment and won't generate spinoff and spillover benefits.' He concludes 'In a worst case, this reform could cause further loss of confidence in the value of investing in science, and then further cuts to funding. For every dollar cut or held back, the EU's funding agency suggests up to $11 will be lost from the future economy. 'Most likely, "Day One" will mean the institutes continue to get on with business as usual, with some incremental gains from efficiency of scale. Real reform is not on the horizon. Perhaps the biggest mystery is whether our universities, who are still awaiting the publication of two big advisory reports delivered to the government, will also see significant reform in exchange for increased or changed funding, or simply be required to continue on without absorbing the costs of significant change.' 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
RNZ News
25-06-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Big science sector shake up coming into force next week
Just six months ago the Prime Minister announced a major shake up of Crown Research Institutes, such as Niwa, the natural hazard experts GNS Science and AgResearch. The Crown entity Callaghan Innovation has been scrapped. The plan was for the seven CRI's to be merged to create three new public research organisations - an Institute for Bioeconomy Science, an Institute for Earth Science and an Institute for Public Health and Forensic Science. Next week, these changes kick in. Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Dr Shane Reti, said the new organisations would have a strong commercial focus - this was about "turning research into results for New Zealand's economy." The changes have resulted in a number of scientists losing their jobs and the sector has pointed to reduced funding in the budget. So what is ahead? Kathryn is joined by the co-president of the New Zealand Association of Scientists, Lucy Stewart and Rod Badcock, who is professor at the Robinson Research Institute at Victoria University, but spends most of his time at Open Star - a nuclear fusion start up aiming to create near limitless clean energy. To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
Scoop
14-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Bold Science Reforms To Fuel Economic Growth
Press Release – New Zealand Government These reforms are about unlocking the full potential of science to deliver stronger economic growth and greater resilience for New Zealand. Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology The Government is moving swiftly to implement the most significant science reforms in three decades, with three new public research organisations to be formed by 1 July, Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Dr Shane Reti announced today. 'These reforms are about unlocking the full potential of science to deliver stronger economic growth and greater resilience for New Zealand. We're not wasting a moment,' says Dr Reti. 'Earlier this year, the Prime Minister unveiled a major overhaul of the science system, including the move from seven Crown Research Institutes to three new, future-focused entities. These new organisations will concentrate on key areas of national importance.' The new institutes will be: New Zealand Institute for Bioeconomy Science – advancing innovation in agriculture, aquaculture, forestry, biotechnology and manufacturing; protecting ecosystems from biosecurity threats and climate risks; and developing new bio-based technologies and products. New Zealand Institute for Earth Science – supporting energy security and sustainability; developing land, marine and mineral resources; and improving resilience to natural hazards and climate-related risks. New Zealand Institute for Public Health and Forensic Science – strengthening public health through disease detection and response; and supporting public safety through forensic science services. 'These institutes will ensure our world-class researchers are focused on delivering science that drives innovation, supports our industries, and improves the lives of everyday New Zealanders,' says Dr Reti. 'Critically, the new research organisations will have a strong commercial focus, with a mandate to translate science into real-world outcomes and commercial success. 'It's not enough to have great science — we need that science to power start-ups, lift productivity, and create jobs. This is about turning research into results for New Zealand's economy.' To lead this transformation, Dr Reti today announced the appointment of Barry Harris as Chair of the Bioeconomy Science Institute, and David Smol as Chair of the Earth Science Institute. 'Both Mr Harris and Mr Smol bring outstanding leadership and deep sector experience. They are well placed to guide these new organisations as they take shape and begin delivering on our vision for a stronger, more productive science system,' says Dr Reti. The Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) will retain its current governance as it transitions to become the New Zealand Institute for Public Health and Forensic Sciences. 'These changes are about focus, outcomes, and value. We are investing in science that delivers for New Zealand — science that strengthens our economy, supports our environment, and builds resilience for the future,' Dr Reti says. 'I'm confident these new leaders will help us deliver a science system that is more connected, more commercially focused, and better aligned with the needs of our nation.' Notes: A Chair and directors have been appointed to govern the bioeconomy Crown Research Institute as well as a Chair and directors to govern the earth sciences Crown Research Institute. Both entities will be formed on 1 July and formally established as public research organisations once new legislation is in place. Bioeconomy board appointments: Barry Harris – Chair for a three-year term Kim Wallace – Deputy Chair for a two-year term Candace Kinser – Director for a three-year term Andrew Morrison – Director for a two-year term Gray Baldwin – Director for a three-year term Earth sciences board appointments: David Smol – Chair for a three-year term Mary-Anne Macleod – Deputy Chair for a two-year term Paul Connell – Director for a three-year term Paul White – Director for a two-year term Peter Landon-Lane – Director for a three-year term Professor Chris Bumby – Director for a two-year term The Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) will refocus as a health and forensic science services public research organisation. All three organisations will remain Crown Research Institutes until legislation enables their transition to Public Research Organisations in mid-2026.
