In 2018-19 Scion and Ngati Whare Holdings Ltd received two-year funding for an MBIE Vision Matauranga project. Now into its second year the project is building on the science and innovation potential of Maori knowledge, resources (Whirinaki Forest), and people (Ngati Whare).

Ngati Whare are kaitiaki of the nationally renowned Whirinaki Forest, which has enormous cultural and spiritual value for them. A 10-year Regeneration Plan will return 640 hectares to indigenous species from exotic species, restoring the identity of Ngati Whare and enhancing the value of Whirinaki for New Zealand. Sourcing the podocarps required for such an extensive block of land is difficult and expensive. Since 2013, Scion and Ngati Whare have worked together in a strong relationship with a shared vision to restore and protect this forest.

In 2016, Ngati Whare built their $1m indigenous nursery in Minginui initially to provide trees for their Regeneration Plan and also create employment for Minginui. Under licence, Scion’s proprietary podocarp propagation research is being continued while at the same time being applied commercially – there are plans to support other iwi interested in nurseries, for example in Northland and East Coast.

In the programme’s first year, the primary focus was the transfer of basic scientific methodology and critical horticultural knowledge. Scion is helping Minginui staff to develop these new skillsets and explore new ways to improve tree health and size for out-planting and commercially scale-up production. At Minginui Nursery, Scion scientists are mentoring, teaching, and working closely with nursery staff on plant husbandry. In turn, Scion scientists are being mentored by kaumatua and hapu to explore and understand Ngati Whare matauranga for integration into the research.

At meetings with Minister of Forestry Shane Jones in October 2018 Scion reiterated the need for a regional multi iwi approach to the One Billion Trees Programme, underpinned by tools to assist Maori landowners to position themselves with regional councils, MPI, MBIE and Te Uru Rakau for funding.

Myrtle rust monitoring showed that infection significantly reduced germination of Lophomyrtus spp and that seeds from infected fruits were contaminated by myrtle rust spores. Myrtle rust significantly affects these species in native stands, causing significant dieback, premature fruit drop, and seedling death. One fungicide combined with a spreader showed promise in controlling myrtle rust on pohutukawa.

The three-year MBIE Weaving the Korowai research programme was completed in October 2018. The programme developed tools and approaches to support agency and community interactions in its delivery of the 100-year accord signed by the Crown, the regional council and Runanga to restore the Waiapu Catchment. These tools have been welcomed by parties outside the research programme including regional councils and government partners.

Scion’s FIF tool was deployed as part of a project with Rotoma No. 1 Committee of Management. This work led to a decision not to plant gevuina trees, which were the original preferred planting option but did not adequately reflect the cultural needs of the committee.

With the appointment of the General Manager Maori Forestry Futures the Maori Forestry Roadmaps are being developed and planned for completion by June 2020.

In 2018-19 Scion reviewed the Forest Investment Framework (FIF) and developed a baseline tool to which new products (ecosystem service values) may be added. As part of this process potential clients were canvassed may be added. As part of this process potential clients were canvassed to determine their needs and to embed them in a co-innovation approach for the expansion of the FIF concept.

In 2018-19 Scion developed a unique genome array containing 36,285 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) that are well distributed across the genome. The array was tested on >8,000 samples, including material from archival progenitors, current RPBC breeding trials, nursery material, clonal lines, and material from Australia. Initial analyses indicated that the array is performing very well, with over 98% of data captured and reproducibility of 99.9%. A major achievement by Scion and the RPBC, this is the world’s first SNP array for radiata pine. RPBC is operationalising the use of this ‘array’ in its breeding programme during 2019-20.

A collaborative agreement was signed between Scion and the RPBC to enable greater science impact across all Scion research using RPBC germplasm as a conduit. The agreement will significantly benefit Scion’s forest growing outcomes in the next 20 years.

By financial year end, an Oceania Ecosystem Services Forum, organised by Scion for September 2019, had attracted >50 abstracts and workshop proposals, which were sent for review by the OESF programme committee whose members are from New Zealand (AUT, StatsNZ, WRC, Maanaki Whenua Landcare Research) and Australian (ANU, UTas, IDEEA) institutions. The forum includes the Forest Ecosystem Services Forum and results from the related System of Environmental-Economic Account international framework application to forestry.

In 2018-19 Scion implemented two commercialisation approaches for its Fufurylation (FA) technology, which gives radiata pine hardwood properties:

• approach New Zealand companies to develop the FA technology and build a modification plant in New Zealand, and
• approach an overseas company who might want to partner to build a plant in New Zealand.
  

We engaged with multiple New Zealand and international partners and shared technical data on formulation development and performance, as well as some patent details. We noted increased interest from New Zealand-based companies and entered into a collaborative agreement with an international partner. As part of this agreement, Scion undertook pilot plant trials. The trial process was productive, and we are continuing conversations with the partner about how best to progress this opportunity further.

Scion continued the development of its integrated land use modelling tools as part of a Northland case study. The results of this work were presented at the International Boreal Forest Research Association (IBFRA) hosted by the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) in Laxenburg, Austria. Acceptance of the model led to IIASA interest in collaborating with Scion in this area.

With the appointment of the General Manager Maori Forestry Futures the targets are now being reviewed.

With Toi Ohomai in the Building Better Homes, Towns and Cities National Science Challenge project Toitu te Kainga, Toitu te Ora, Toitu te Tangata, we have developed building designs targeting life time affordability resulting in positive health outcomes for the community of Te Whaiti.

Scion’s work on herbicides has added to the good practice guides for MPI’s national wilding control programme - a critical step to improve the efficiency of wilding control. Our close collaboration with DOC and MPI led to development of a prototype detection system by DOC which we will continue to improve with the aim to operationalise our detection research over the next two years. We are also progressing work using new algorithms to detect major conifer infestations to help shape conifer management and control.

An outcome expected from Scion’s phenotyping platform is the ability to search for and identify outstanding trees in a forest, identify parentage and inform future deployment (and breeding) programmes.

A proof of concept ‘search’ for outstanding trees was undertaken. DNA fingerprinting work on several ‘exceptional trees’ is underway. This technique can be used to select genotypes that grow well on forest growers’ estates, informing their preference for certain parents to deploy to maximise forest productivity. Equally, the technique can be used to identify poor performers, removing them from deployment plans and thereby increasing forest performance.

Owing to the long-term nature of this research and ability to translate into value, it is expected to have a small contribution to valuations using lidar and real-data approaches, and on very young stands. The value of the approach will increase with time and will facilitate better site and genotype matching. By 2023 the estimated contribution to forestry = 1%, and the estimated long-term potential is up to 50%.

Scion completed an assessment of the challenges to catchment level that arise from climate change impacts. Key challenges were identified from the systems and the vulnerability analyses from which draft adaptation pathways were developed: integrated environmental planning, low carbon technologies, local empowerment, multi-level governance, social equity, sustainable lifestyles, resilient water management, education, rural development/local economies/circular economies, agriculture within limits, leadership.

Pre-testing and sensitivity analysis of up-scaled qPCR for detection and quantification of Phytophthora agathidicida (cause of kauri dieback) was completed in collaboration with Slipstream Automation.

Models to help biosecurity managers make informed decisions about optimal interventions and investment across prevention, surveillance, incursion response and pest management were developed and a first draft of the local biosecurity risk framework was presented for feedback from end-users at a workshop in late May.

In addition, an assessment of risk of biological control agents on non-target species model was developed and shown to EPA and DOC in June demonstrating the value of this approach.

A phone app to report suspect new forest pests and pathogens was developed and released in February. By April it had over 500 downloads. This software system has the potential to reduce MPI’s workload and improve biosecurity outcomes by screening out zero risk reports before they reach MPI.

Smoke modelling tools were used in the Nelson fire response and a Scion Rural Fire team member worked in Incident Command to assist with development of triggers that initiated or cancelled evacuations and returns, thus helping to reduce risk and deploy resources effectively.

A Pest Incursion Economic Calculator was developed and introduced for the industry to support fast decision making.

A minimum viable product concept has been developed for the Forest Investment Framework. The future expansion and uptake of this concept will be driven by the outcome consultation with key client groups.

As part of the MBIE-funded Speciality Wood Partnership Scion has:

• evaluated a new structural product Optimised Engineered Lumber (OEL) on Eucalyptus nitens and Douglas-fir thinnings;
• developed an LVL model linking log properties to LVL product requirements;
• undertaken multiple novel drying trials on E. nitens that show improved results;
• kept trees for trials in the nursery as well as genetics trials for Douglas-fir and Cupressus macrocarpa breeding programmes.

Scion initiated analysis of the Douglas-fir breeding programme using genomics with approximately 2,000 individuals genotyped. Scion used this information to analyse a provenance/progeny trial where the original provenances of the material are known and clearly identifiable, and this can be accounted for in the application of the technology and analytical approach. This knowledge will also be transferable to radiata pine and other species.

The EPA approved full release of an insect to control a major eucalypt pest. A release is planned for late summer 2020. Host specificity testing with another insect intended to control giant willow aphid was favourable and received unanimous stakeholder support for its release. An application was submitted to EPA, the result is pending.

Five different bioplastic samples prepared at Scion were compression moulded to enable mechanical testing. The test results enabled Scion to identify potential prototype applications for these materials.

Scion undertook a large-scale electrospinning trial that provided enough lignin nanofibre for the printed electronics proof-of-concept work to be completed in collaboration with a large multinational organisation, which is currently assessing the material for use in its commercial applications.

We also worked with industry to produce biodegradable vine net clips. The net clip samples were produced at scale and field trialled by wine growers who provided positive feedback about product performance. Scion is continuing its commercialisation conversations with the industry partner concerned.

Two lignin modified lines were harvested from the field trial and are being processed to evaluate the impact of the modification in processing for fibre and sugar syrup production.

The Biojet project presented a pre-feasibility level study to Ministers. Unfortunately, the high level of investment risk has meant that the commercial partners are not currently prepared to progress the project.

Scion undertook short rotation forest analysis, based on high growth and high-density clones data identified from trialling in Rotoehu Forest. Early results suggest that high tree density can be achieved. The greater density will give more oven dry tonnes per hectare (rather than more cubic metres per hectare), which is highly desirable in a bioenergy forest.

In 2018-19 Scion performed different extraction and analytical processes to derive high-value products from bark. Extractions were undertaken with a New Zealand-based commercial partner. Pre-treatment and processing conditions were refined at pilot-scale extraction and then applied in large-scale extraction. The trial produced >12 kg of waxy material as well as water-soluble extract material.

Also, Scion initiated a project attempting to develop high-value thermal conductive materials from nanocellullose extracted from New Zealand seaweeds. Staff visited the Australian Synchrotron where X-ray patterns (some 15,000 datasets) were processed. The seaweed-derived nanocrystals were shown to be significantly larger than those made from land plants (including commercial CNCs). It is believed that chemical pulping will allow for even larger crystals.

Scion’s five-year MBIE funded Bark Biorefinery programme started in October 2018. Already significant volumes of bark have been processed through our partners Pharmalink (Nelson, New Zealand) and Fraunhofer IGB (Leuna, Germany) delivering sizable amounts of polyphenols, polysaccharides, terpene and resin acids that are explored for industrial applications.

In pioneering research, we demonstrated the use of an extruder as a chemical reactor to modify sander dust for further use. This novel use of an extruder shows proof of concept for what is possible with mobile distributed manufacturing. To implement this technology, an extrusion set-up could be run by a wood processor or even a juice manufacturer as another way to use their resources. Alternatively, a mobile plant operator could move to the biomass resource as it becomes available, e.g. seasonal food processing.

With the appointment of the General Manager Maori Forestry Futures targets are now being reviewed.