Nā Te Tumu Whakarae | Chief Executive update
Kia ora koutou.
I recently attended two showcase events celebrating some of the great research, science and innovation happening across New Zealand.
The Building Research Association of New Zealand (BRANZ), an independent research provider, held an event in parliament entitled The Next Decade of Building with Science. BRANZ’s goal, to deliver affordable, resilient, sustainable and quality buildings for Aotearoa New Zealand, is critical to our future through their focus on our built environment.
GNS Science also held an event to celebrate a science-powered future. We were offered a snapshot into the four key areas of GNS’s research: Natural Hazards and Risks, Environment and Climate, Energy Futures, and Land and Marine Geoscience. Outstanding research enabling us to continuously grow our understanding of the unique part of the planet on which we live!
Both these events were about the translation of great science into “transformational impact”. Then, by way of acknowledging and celebrating some of this outstanding science and the difference it is making to our lives, Science New Zealand held their 2025 Awards event in mid-March. Please do have a look at the finalist videos and details of the award winners here.
The opportunity for Aotearoa New Zealand to further strengthen its science, innovation and technology system and ensure its future success was signalled by the establishment of the Science System Advisory Group (SSAG) in early 2024. You will be aware the SSAG is now seeking submissions for its second phase of consultation, following the release of its initial report back in January. This phase is focused on questions related to how we should prioritise and select research areas for government funding support, how we structure the funding for these areas, and how we manage recruitment and retention across the science system.
Needless to say, this is an extremely important next phase of work and timelines are tight. The Society is preparing a submission, as are the Early Career Researcher Forum Committee and the Academy Executive Committee. Please do make your own submission. View full details on making a submission.
Notwithstanding the continued change and uncertainty that exists across all areas of our operating environment, further heightened by the far-reaching implications of changes to US government policy, we continue to see the results of the outstanding research and innovation being conducted in Aotearoa New Zealand and have the opportunity to contribute to the future success of our science system.
Thank you all for your part in this!
Ngā manaakitanga,
Paul Atkins MRSNZ
Chief Executive
Royal Society Te Apārangi