New Zealand’s universities and its Public Research Organisations (formerly Crown Research Institutes) are today announcing a new milestone in their long-standing partnership.

A formal Statement of Collaboration has been signed by the Vice-Chancellors and Chief Executives of all eight universities and three PROs, underpinned by an ambitious joint work programme which will be delivered through Science New Zealand and Universities New Zealand.

Together, these organisations form the core components of the publicly funded part of New Zealand’s science system and are responsible for about $1.7 billion of research annually.

This year they have been working together on opportunities provided by the current science system reforms to enhance the impact of the shared efforts across the sector. This partnership will explore new areas of collaboration and further grow existing connections.

Speaking on behalf of the organisations, Professor Sir Ashley Bloomfield, Chair of Science New Zealand and Chief Executive of PHF Science, and Professor Grant Edwards, Chair of Universities New Zealand and Vice-Chancellor of Lincoln University, are clear that all New Zealanders benefit from a research system that works collaboratively.

Science underpins critical sectors for New Zealand, including health, food, technology and the environment, they note.

Professor Edwards says: “New Zealand is fortunate to have a world-class science system and workforce, and the science system changes provide an opportunity for us to scale up research to grow resilience and economic opportunities for New Zealand.”

“Public Research Organisations and universities have long worked collaboratively and there are many excellent examples of this. However, in many cases this been the result of individual relationships and specific projects.

Professor Bloomfield says: “With the current reform of the science sector underway, we have got together to take a good look at processes across our institutions as a whole and ask how we can all work in a more deliberate and collective way for New Zealand.”

“The formal agreement between PROs and universities will drive greater system connectivity, better value for money and can contribute to improved economic, cultural, environmental and social benefits for New Zealanders.

“This is not a memorandum of understanding which will gather dust. The work programme will be a living document focused on action, while allowing the ability to respond to emerging priorities for the country.”

Outcomes from this new collaboration include a work programme that will increase the impact of publicly funded science in New Zealand through:

• Strategies for growing and developing New Zealand’s research workforce
• Exploring opportunities for shared infrastructure and expertise
• Streamlining engagement and information sharing with decision makers in government, industry and other parts of the research sector to ensure New Zealanders get the best return from public investment in science
• Better connections with government advisors and ministries to speed up access to public research systems in times of emergencies.

Collaboration supported by Hon Dr Shane Reti, Minister for Universities and Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology:

“As both Minister for Universities and Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology, I’m very encouraged to see this greater level of cooperation between the new Public Research Organisations and our Universities.

“This agreement follows the first meeting of Vice Chancellors and Chairs of our publicly-funded research institutes in more than a decade. This ongoing partnership is one of the significant benefits of our reformed public research organisations, who have a mandate to collaborate more closely with universities, other research organisations and industry.

“Although we are a small country, we have many innovative thinkers and talented scientists. We need to ensure we are all working together collectively to harness the enormous opportunities in technology and science that will improve lives, help create higher paying jobs, and diversify the economy into new industries and markets.”

Collaboration draws on long history of partnership

Public research institutions and universities have worked together for a long time. Examples include:

• Massey University and Bioeconomy Science Institute staff worked together to help inform those dealing with sediment left behind after Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023 – sampling and analysis was needed as part of the cyclone recovery
• Research engineers from the University of Canterbury and an ecologist from the Bioeconomy Science Institute were collaborators in the development of a new forecasting system using a form of AI to combat wildfires – the new system uses real-time weather data to help inform timely decision making on the ground
• The Forensic Science postgraduate programme jointly run by the University of Auckland and PHF Science - Shaping the future of forensic science: PHF Science and University of Auckland’s postgraduate programme
• Earth Sciences New Zealand leads three New Zealand universities and other organisations in a five year research programme to develop a consistent flood hazard mapping system across New Zealand – the project will reveal how our flood risk might change over the coming 100 years
• The Joint Postgraduate School - Food Transitions 2050, operated by Lincoln University, University of Canterbury, and the Bioeconomy Science Institute– its first students graduated this year
• Earth Sciences New Zealand working with the universities of Lincoln, Waikato, Victoria and Otago on the Our Lakes, Our Future programme – studying sediment at the bottom of Hawke’s Bay’s lakes to discover the effects of Cyclones Gabrielle and Bola on ecosystems
• A combined effort led by the University of Otago and including the Bioeconomy Science Institute, Massey University and Department of Conservation researchers worked to find the causes of a disease affecting the critically endangered kākāpō – finding three possible bacteria using advanced genomic techniques
• The Joint Graduate Schools, a collaboration between the University of Auckland and the PROs, have supported more than 200 students studying postgraduate qualifications since their inception in 2010, with PRO staff holding co-appointments at the University – joint graduate schools

Note:

Science New Zealand is the peak body of the PRO sector. Universities New Zealand is the peak body of the university sector.

New Zealand’s universities and CRIs are:

• Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland
• University of Otago - Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka
• Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington
• University of Waikato
• Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University
• Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki Lincoln University
• Auckland University of Technology
• Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury
• New Zealand Institute for Bioeconomy Science Limited – Bioeconomy Science Institute (formerly AgResearch, Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research, Plant & Food Research and Scion)
• New Zealand Institute for Public Health and Forensic Science Limited – PHF Science (formerly Institute of Environmental Science and Research, ESR)
• New Zealand Institute for Earth Sciences Limited – Earth Sciences New Zealand (formerly GNS Science and NIWA)

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