The Royal Society is charged by its Act to: “To provide expert advice on important public issues to the Government and the community:”
The policy paper process spans a spectrum from responses to requests for information, to policies developed by Council. These processes vary in their approval, time consumption, and consultation. However, all resulting papers are intended to both inform policy-makers and be available for public attention. The Society also runs policy workshops to connect scientists and policy-makers, to allow discussion of key issues and to promote debate.
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2013
Languages in Aotearoa New Zealand
New Zealand is now more diverse than ever before, having seen unprecedented increases in the ethnic, cultural, social and linguistic diversity of the New Zealand…
The Sustainable Carrying Capacity of New Zealand
In March 2013, the Society released two Emerging Issues papers on sustainability. Download the papers: The Sustainable Carrying Capacity of New Zealand (PDF, 709 kB)…
Languages in Aotearoa paper launch, 5 March
New Zealand is superdiverse, having seen unprecedented increases in the ethnic, cultural, social and linguistic diversity of the New Zealand population embedded in a rapidly…
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2012
Evidence from ten years of research contract management
An evidence paper from the Society on research funding decisions.
Submission on the ATI Bill
The Society’s submission on the Advanced Technology Institute Bill
Future of Science Education
This paper explores the implications of the government’s smart economy strategy for science education.
Freedom and Responsibility in the conduct of Science
A reponse to the International Council for Science (ICSU) Committee on Freedom and Responsibility in the conduct of Science (CFRS) on the ‘muzzling’ of scientists and scientific institutions and the protection of whistle-blowers
Consultation on the 1996 HSNO Act
The Academy of the Royal Society of New Zealand conducted a consultation seeking views on the impact of the HSNO Act on new organism research…
Future Marine Resource Use
Download the full paper: Future Marine Resource Use (PDF, 589 kB) View Science Media Centre briefing: Marine resource use in the EEZ Read media release:…
Submission on the Marine Bill
The Society’s submission on the Exclusive Economic Zone & Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) Bill.
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2011
The Outlook for New Zealand – Garth Carnaby
Dr Garth Carnaby, President of the Royal Society of New Zealand, was invited to address the Annual Congress of Plant and Food Research on the future of New Zealand.
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Science as a Public Enterprise response
In October 2011, the Society responded to a call from the Interacademies Panel and the Royal Society of London on the public use of scientific data.
The Canterbury Earthquakes: Scientific answers to critical questions
News release from the Office of the Prime Minister’s Science Advisory Committee and the Royal Society of New Zealand
Land Use Competition
This paper highlights changes in land use and how conflicts over land resources can be addressed.
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Development and Research in New Zealand
Dr Garth Carnaby, President of the Royal Society of New Zealand, addressed the President’s forum on development, research, and the role of the Society.
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Response to the Green Growth Advisory Group
In September 2011, the Society responded to the Government’s Green Growth Advisory Group’s questions on eco-innovation.
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Response to the MfE consultation on Environmental Reporting
In October 2011, the Royal Society responded to the discussion document on national state of the environment reporting from the Ministry for the Environment.
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Submission on Traditional Chinese Medicine
The Society’s comment on the Proposal that Traditional Chinese Medicine Become a Regulated Profession under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003
Emerging Issues – Ecosystem Services
A new Emerging Issues paper describes how ecosystem services benefit human wellbeing and the need to include these in economic decision-making.
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Ecosystem Services in Policy workshop
Building on the Society’s Ecosystem Services paper, this August workshop will explore how to implement ecosystem services thinking in a policy context.
Information Paper – Earthquake engineering
An information paper from the Royal Society of New Zealand examining building design in the wake of Canterbury earthquakes.
Geo-engineering: An Interactive Workshop
In March 2011, the Royal Society of New Zealand hosted a workshop exploring how geo-engineering proposals could be assessed.
Response to the draft National Policy Statement on Indigenous Biodiversity
The Royal Society of New Zealand contributed to the Ministry for the Environment consultation on the proposed national policy statement on indigenous biodiversity.
Gazetting New Zealand’s 2050 Emissions Target
This paper from the Royal Society of New Zealand’s Climate Expert Panel is a response to the Ministry for the Environment’s position paper on New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions target.
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2010
Emerging Issues – Sea Level Rise
An Emerging Issues paper from the Royal Society of New Zealand looking at new research on sea level rise.
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Response to the Draft New Zealand Energy Strategy
In September, the Society responded to the Government’s Draft New Zealand Energy Strategy highlighting the opportunities for renewable energy, domestically produced biofuels, energy efficiency, and energy innovation. There is a growing domestic demand for both low-carbon energy and low-carbon energy technologies. The response raised with Government the Society’s previous work on climate change and energy.
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Darfield Earthquake
An information paper from the Royal Society of New Zealand looking at knowledge developed about earthquakes
Emerging Issues – GM Forages
An information paper discussing the benefits and risks of genetically modified forages. The use of genetically modified forage could increase farm productivity, drought resistance, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions intensity. However, the release of genetically modified organisms is at variance with identities and values that many New Zealanders hold dear.
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2009
Emerging Issues – Virtual Water
(PDF, 729 kB)September 2009: An information paper discussing the water content of our agricultural products. New Zealand is a major exporter of virtual water through our agricultural products and our farmers will increasingly need to show that their use of water is sustainable.
Ocean Acidification Workshop
September 2009: Presentations from a combined science-policy workshop to explore ocean acidification. This event followed on from the Emerging Issues – Ocean Acidification paper and brought together scientists and policy-makers to share knowledge of this issue.
Geoengineering no replacement for reducing greenhouse gas emissions
(PDF, 407 kB)September 2009: The Royal Society of London released a major report on geoengineering – the science of actively intervening in the climate. The Royal Society of New Zealand commented on the report from a New Zealand context, where proposals for afforestation, biochar and biofuels, and ocean fertilisation are most relevant. However, no proposal is a silver bullet to solve climate change.
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Emerging Issues – Ocean Acidification
(PDF, 283 kB)May 2009: Emissions of carbon dioxide are causing the world’s oceans to acidify. This information paper discusses the research on this topic in New Zealand and what this may mean for New Zealand’s ecosystems and offshore industries.
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2007
Backbone Funding for National Collections and Databases
(PDF, 147 kB)June 2007: Response to MoRST discussion documents on backbone funding and public access to research data. Written in conjunction with the Biodiversity Committee.
Sustainable Land Management and Climate Change
(PDF, 146 kB)March 2007: Response to discussion document from Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
Response to Draft Energy Strategy
(PDF, 139 kB)March 2007: From the Ministry of Economic Development.
Use of Human Gametes and Embryos in Research
(PDF, 148 kB)February 2007: Response to the Advisory Committee on Assisted Reproductive Technologies.
Freedom and responsibility in science
(PDF, 66 kB)February 2007: Response to questionnaire from the International Council for Scientific Unions’ Committee for Freedom and Responsibility in Science, with particular reference to the (lack of) biological and toxic weapons research under the BTW Convention.
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2006
Response to the Draft Environment Roadmap
(Word, 45 kB)November 2006.
2020: Energy Opportunities
October 2006: Report from the Energy Panel.
Response to the Draft Second Tertiary Education Strategy
October 2006.
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Submission by the Biodiversity Committee
(PDF, 69 kB)October 2006: Submission to MoRST’s Environment Research Roadmap.
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Submission on the Business Tax Review
September 2006: From the Policy Unit of the Royal Society of New Zealand in response to government review of business taxation
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Use of Human Tissues in Unspecified Future Research
September 2006.
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MEDSAFE fees increase proposal
February 2006.
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More Stable Funding. A response to MoRST
February 2006.
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2005
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Briefing for the Incoming Minister
October 2005.
If creative scientists sustain New Zealand’s knowledge economy, how is science education doing?
(PDF, 562 kB)2005: Insights from recent university science graduates. Scott Koslow, University of Waikato.
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Women in Science – a Royal Society Overview
June 2005.
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Biodiversity Committee contribution to the review of the Outcome Based Investment process
May 2005: A policy document by the Royal Society of New Zealand Biodiversity Committee
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2004
People and Energy
(PDF, 2.6 MB)November 2004: Proceedings of a conference organised by the Royal Society of New Zealand in Christchurch.
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How can research afford big capital items?
April 2004: Response to MoRST’s discussion paper on large-scale research equipment
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Science and Technology Capabilities in New Zealand
March 2004: A Response to the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology’s “I3 Discussion Paper” on Capabilities.
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2002
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Improving the Operation of the HSNO Act for New Organisms
November 2002: Response to the Ministry for the Environment Public Discussion Paper
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Harnessing Excellence
February 2002.
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2001
Manifesto for Change
(PDF, 281 kB)Manifesto for Change (PDF, 281 kB)
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Centres of Excellence
April, 2001
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Cooperative research
In a letter to government, The Council of the Royal Society of New Zealand strongly shares the view that urgent measures are needed in New…
