Research Institutes

SCIENCE NEW ZEALAND

Science New Zealand represents the seven Crown Research Institutes. Last year, government, business, sectors and communities invested $636 million with the Crown Research Institutes. From environment to trade, agriculture to manufacturing, in niche technologies and with leading edge science, the Crown Research Institutes identify, respond to and solve science-based challenges affecting our lives today and tomorrow.

AGRESEARCH

AGR’s purpose is to enhance the value, productivity and profitability of NZ’s pastoral, agri-food and agri-technology sector value chains.  It is the lead CRI in pasture-based animal production systems, new pasture plant varieties, agriculture-derived greenhouse gas mitigation and pastoral climate change adaptation, agri-food and bio-based products and agri-technologies, and integrated social and biophysical research supporting pastoral sector development. 

THE INSTITUTE OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND RESEARCH (ESR)

The Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) protects and enhances New Zealand’s health and wellbeing by addressing challenges that require science-based innovation and research in health, justice and security, food safety, food integrity, environmental health, and environmental hazards.

We provide independent scientific advice and services to clients so they can deliver evidence-based policy and services. We have internationally recognised capabilities in infectious diseases, forensic science and science-based services and are valued as advisors on reference science in health and forensics. Our role in protecting and defending New Zealand’s society and economy is unique.

GNS SCIENCE

GNS Science undertakes research that drives innovation and economic growth in NZ’s geologically-based energy and minerals industries, develops industrial and environmental applications of nuclear science, increases NZ’s resilience to natural hazards and enhances understanding of geological and earth-system processes.  It is the lead CRI in geothermal energy, oil, gas and gas-hydrates; mineral and geological resources; geological hazards, risk mitigation and societal impacts of natural hazards; earth-system processes and landscape evolution; groundwater processes and quality; the geological component of global environmental processes and climate change; and the application of nuclear and isotope science and ion beam technology.

LANDCARE RESEARCH – MANAAKI WHENUA (LCR)

The purpose of Landcare Research is to drive innovation in the management of NZ’s terrestrial biodiversity and land resources, with the aim of protecting and enhancing the terrestrial environment and contribute to NZ’s economic growth.  It is the lead CRI is such areas as the catchment-level ecosystems and related ecosystem services; terrestrial vertebrate pest control; terrestrial carbon processes and inventory, and other greenhouse gases from soil and land; land cover, land-use capability and effects, and spatial land information integrating across sectors and scales; soil characterisation, processes and services; and integrated social and biophysical research.

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF WATER AND ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH (NIWA)

NIWA's purpose is to enhance the economic value and sustainable management of NZ’s aquatic resources and environments, provide understanding of climate and the atmosphere, and increase resilience to weather and climate hazards.  It is the lead CRI in aquatic resources and environments, particularly surface freshwaters and coastal environments; oceans; freshwater and marine fisheries; aquaculture; climate and atmosphere; climate and weather hazards; aquatic and atmospheric-based energy resources; and aquatic biodiversity and biosecurity.

PLANT & FOOD RESEARCH

Plant & Food Research is a New Zealand science company delivering research and development designed to grow competitive advantage for clients in the horticulture, wine, cropping, seafood and associated high value food sectors worldwide.

The company has over 600 specialist research staff based in New Zealand, Australia and the USA, as well as global relationships with leading R&D companies and academic institutions.

SCION

Scion’s purpose is to create economic value and contribute to beneficial environmental and social outcomes for NZ, through driving innovation and growth from NZ’s forestry, wood product and wood-derived materials and other biomaterial sectors.  It is the lead CRI in such areas as sustainable forest management and tree improvement; forestry biosecurity and risk management mitigation;  wood processing, wood-related bioenergy, waste streams and other biomaterials; and forestry and forestry-based ecosystem services.