In January, the Government announced changes to New Zealand’s science, innovation and technology system that includes bringing our existing Crown Research Institutes together to form three future-focused Public Research Organisations (PROs).

PROs will be agile organisations with the scale and capabilities to deliver transformational science that creates opportunities for greater economic growth for New Zealand.

PROs will be grouped by focus area:

• Bioeconomy: formed by bringing together AgResearch, Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research, Plant & Food Research, and Scion. This PRO will drive innovation and enhance the value of New Zealand’s bioeconomy, fostering economic growth and ensuring environmental prosperity.


• Earth sciences, including climate and hazards resilience: formed by bringing together the National Institute for Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) and the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences Limited (GNS Science), and noting that Cabinet agreed-in-principle for NIWA to acquire MetService as a wholly owned subsidiary. This PRO will foster economic and environmental resilience in New Zealand through sustainable resource use, energy innovation, climate science and effective hazard mitigation. The process for the NIWA acquisition of MetService will continue as planned.


• Health and forensic science services: formed by re-purposing Environmental Science Research. This PRO will enhance and protect New Zealand’s public health and justice systems through scientific and research services, to support economic growth, health innovation, forensic impact and to improve health and forensic outcomes for people and communities.


• A fourth new advanced technology-focused PRO will deliver research while building capabilities and commercial outreach in areas such as artificial intelligence, synthetic biology, aerospace, medical technology and quantum technology.

Process for the science system reform

Legislation is required to give effect to the reforms; however, we are committed to moving quickly to realise the benefits of this new structure ahead of legislation, giving certainty to our people and stakeholders.

We see these changes as an exciting opportunity to shape the future of New Zealand’s science, innovation and technology system.

Our Board Chairs have already done some initial thinking about consolidation and taken steps to increase our focus on national benefit, including science with potential economic impact.

More detailed thinking and due diligence is needed on the best way to bring our organisations together quickly and carefully and we will be working closely with the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) throughout this process.

Next steps:

• We expect to share more on this in the second quarter of this year as further decisions are made.
• In the meantime, our work and relationships with stakeholders continues as normal.
• There is a lot of important science and research occurring across our organisation and this work will continue. Our stakeholders can expect the same level of service and support that we currently provide.