Introduction to Landcare Research - Manaaki Whenua
Known as Landcare Research or alternatively by our Māori name, Manaaki Whenua (which means “to care for the land”), our core purpose is research focused on the sustainable development of New Zealand’s terrestrial resources and ecosystems, whether natural, productive or urban. Hence the majority of our work is in New Zealand, although we use our expertise to assist other countries, particularly in the Pacific Islands, and benefit from overseas collaborations that bring new knowledge back to New Zealand. In the report we focus on the value our natural environment provides for our economy and quality of life.
We are one of nine Crown research institutes. We were established in 1992 from several land-focused predecessor organisations including the DSIR, the Ministry of Works and Development and FRI. We report through a board of directors to two shareholder ministers: the Science Minister and the Finance Minister. All CRIs are required to pay tax and make a surplus, negotiated with the shareholders.
Landcare Research has approximately 390 staff at nine locations to provide both national coverage and local solutions to meet end-user needs.
Our science
Our science includes research into the processes that maintain our ecosystems, enable our natural flora, fauna and fungi to flourish, and protect our soil and catchments for a range of production and other purposes. We investigate the impacts of disruption of ecosystems; biosecurity risks from foreign weeds, pests and micro-organisms; and contamination to land, water and air caused by the production of natural, manufactured or waste compounds. We develop tools to help mitigate inefficient resource use and excess waste. We design systems that improve resource use productivity, lifestyle and business viability.
Previously our science was organised within six functional themes, each with its own science manager. During the year we restructured our science portfolios under two general managers, each with five science teams led by a science leader.
 |
 |
| Dave Choquenot, GM Biological Systems. Image - Diana Leufkens |
Richard Gordon, GM Environment & Society. Image - Hugh Gourlay |
More detailed information on the restructuring purpose and process is given in the Chairman's review and maintaining focus through changing times sections.
Biological Systems (GM Dave Choquenot)
Ecosystem Processes (led by Rob Allen)
This team’s aim is to enhance natural functions and processes within terrestrial ecosystems through researching weed and indigenous plant interactions, multi-pest impacts in forests, below-ground processes, global change and ecosystem responses, and sustainable indigenous forestry.
Biodiversity and Conservation (led by Matt McGlone)
Research focuses on sustaining and restoring biodiversity, and minimising the impacts of environmental weeds, through dryland and wetland restoration, enhancement of forest fragments, sustaining rare and threatened ecosystems, understanding pollination ecology, using biocontrol for weeds, and researching environmental genomics.
Biosystematics (led by Peter Buchanan)
This team researches the biosystematics of New Zealand plants, invertebrates, fungi and bacteria through the discovery, characterisation and determination of phylogenetic relationships within New Zealand biota, the curation of biological collections, the consideration of host–pest–pathogen interactions, and delivery of biodiversity data.
Wildlife Ecology and Epidemiology (led by Andrea Byrom)
Research concentrates on predicting the ecological response of pest populations and assemblages to management, along with changes in the status of the assets they affect. This includes the role pests and weeds play as vectors of the diseases that aff ect conservation assets, livestock production and public health.
Pest Control Technologies (led by Phil Cowan)
Key concerns for this team are understanding the ecological context of existing and emerging pest control techniques, their cost-effectiveness in various settings, and the need to develop more environmentally friendly and humane control methods.
Environment & Society (GM Richard Gordon)
Soils and Landscapes (led by Alison Collins)
The science undertaken by this team deals with soil processes and functions through landscape behaviour and response, the behaviour, function and resilience of soil and landscape systems under existing land-use management, and integrated catchment management.
Global Change Processes (led by David Whitehead)
These researchers seek to understand and inventory the characteristics, causes and consequences of geospheric processes, variation and change. Their work includes research on clay nanotechnologies and biofuels.
Sustainability and Society (led by Bob Frame)
This team investigates the long-term effects of society on the environment. It focuses on ecosystem services and environmental management systems, sustainable development (policy, management and practice), ecological economics, climate change and tourism, and collaborative learning.
Built Environments (led by Michael Krausse)
Research is undertaken relating to the long-term eff ects of the built environment, with a focus on low-impact urban design and development, sustainable buildings and systems, sustainable urban futures, and environmental toxicology.
Informatics (led by Jerry Cooper)
This research provides underpinning state-of-the-art information to multiple science teams in the area of GIS, remote-sensing, biometrics and databases.
Organisational chart (as at October 2006)
