Dr Shane Reti, Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology, today announced that new consolidated Crown Research Institutes (CRIs) will be formed from 1 July 2025. From this date, Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research will operate as a division of the New Zealand Institute for Bioeconomy Science (Bioeconomy Science Institute).
Manaaki Whenua will join AgResearch, Plant & Food Research and Scion in the new Bioeconomy Science Institute. The Institute will conduct research to advance innovation in agriculture, aquaculture, forestry, biotechnology and manufacturing; protect ecosystems from biosecurity threats and climate risks; and develop new bio-based technologies and products.
Minister Reti also announced the appointment of a Board of Directors for the new Bioeconomy Science Institute. This includes:
- Chair Barry Harris, currently Chair of NIWA Deputy Chair Kim Wallace, Chair of AgResearch;
- Candace Kinser, Director of Plant & Food Research;
- Andrew Morrison, Director of AgResearch;
- Gray Baldwin, Director of Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research.
Two other new CRIs – the New Zealand Institute for Earth Science, bringing together NIWA and GNS; and the New Zealand Institute for Public Health and Forensic Science, currently ESR – will also be formed on 1 July.