Universities are key to a successful science system in Aotearoa New Zealand

Professor Grant Edwards
Vice-Chancellor, Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki Lincoln University
Chair of the New Zealand Vice-Chancellors' Committee

Tēnā koutou katoa,

As the new Chair of Universities New Zealand - Te Pōkai Tara I’d like to first acknowledge my predecessor Professor Cheryl de la Rey, Vice Chancellor of the University of Canterbury for her fantastic work in this role over the past two years.

We are at a pivotal moment of change in the New Zealand science system, but it is also a moment of great opportunity. And central to that opportunity will be the contributions of the country’s eight universities.

The university sector is a major driver of New Zealand’s science, innovation and technology (SI&T) system, with half of the national research effort being conducted by university-based researchers, who in turn invest back into the system through teaching, supervising and mentoring the next generation of emerging researchers.

Additionally, all of the research capability is developed within the university system through research-led higher education and direct researcher training.

Clearly a successful future SI&T system must recognise and support universities to continue to fulfil this critical role and thus play their part in boosting the economy.

Our universities’ deep and longstanding relationships with the Crown Research Institutes have yielded enormous benefits to science, the economy and the wider community.

The imminent reset of the public research sector delivers an opportunity to reaffirm our relationships with the recently announced Public Research Organisations (PROs), as well as independent research organisations, and to explore opportunities for new collaborations and partnerships.

Again, it is critical to the success of the future SI&T system that the relationships between universities and PROs are allowed to thrive and prosper within the reformed environment. 

One example of an outstanding collaboration between seven universities and four CRIs is Bioprotection Aotearoa, which is hosted by Lincoln University.

This national Centre of Research Excellence is dedicated to developing innovative solutions to protect our productive and natural ecosystems from pathogens, pests and weeds in a changing climate. It is just one of ten Centres of Research Excellence (CoREs) hosted by New Zealand’s eight universities.

Through its world-class research and enduring collaborations, Bioprotection Aotearoa provides our communities with the tools and knowledge needed to safeguard our whenua and waterways from biological threats for the benefit of future generations.

Likewise, many universities worked closely with CRIs on the 11 National Science Challenges, bringing together the country’s top researchers to work collaboratively across disciplines and institutions to tackle the biggest science-based issues and opportunities facing New Zealand.

The relationships formed during the National Science Challenges have in many cases cemented into ongoing collaborations, and the science advanced through the Challenges has underpinned new technologies, improved understanding and increased public engagement in science.

As we prepare to navigate the uncertain terrain of a reformed SI&T environment, a top priority should be to maintain and advance our collaborations and partnerships between the universities and the PROs to ensure we keep delivering world-class research that benefits all New Zealanders.

By fostering these crucial partnerships and supporting our universities as cornerstone institutions of science, innovation and technology research we can build a more resilient, sustainable and prosperous future for Aotearoa New Zealand.