Public Research Organisations

The new institutions will continue as Crown entity companies, but with a strengthened ability to focus on delivering economic benefits to New Zealand. Legislation to officially convert the Crown Research Institutes into Public Research Organisations (PROs) will be introduced to Parliament later this year.

A fourth Public Research Organisation, the New Zealand Institute for Advanced Technology is being established.

New Zealand Institute for Advanced Technology

The New Zealand Institute for Advanced Technology (NZIAT) will focus on accelerating economic growth through cutting-edge science and innovation. It is currently being incubated within MBIE and once established, will operate from a central hub in Auckland with a network of strategic research investments around the country in partnership with universities, industry and research institutions.

The NZIAT has launched a major initiative to accelerate artificial intelligence (AI) research and commercialisation with an investment of up to $70 million over 7 years. This investment will support ambitious, high-impact AI research that strengthens New Zealand’s capability in emerging technologies and unlocks new economic opportunities.

The institute will engage in a two-phase process to identify ambitious AI research with the greatest potential to advance technology capability and economic performance.

In phase one, around 5 proposals will be selected to receive seed funding. In the second phase, selected proposals will further develop their ideas and demonstrate their ability to form strong research–industry partnerships. An independent expert panel will review proposals at each stage.

Applications for the first phase are expected to open in late October, with further details available soon on the MBIE website. The final form of the AI investment will be confirmed in the first half of 2026, and funding will begin in July 2026.

The Institute’s first investment was announced in May. $71 million over 7 years will be invested in a new advanced technology science platform focused on Future Magnetic and Materials Technologies. The platform, which is hosted by the multidisciplinary Paihau—Robinson Research Institute, supports innovation in superconductors, magnets, and materials technologies, with applications in health, energy and aerospace.

Further areas for investment continue to be explored. Key innovation programmes will transfer to the Institute from Callaghan Innovation, including the Technology Incubator scheme, New Zealand Product Accelerator, and HealthTech Activator.

New Zealand Institute for Bioeconomy Science

Formed by bringing together AgResearch, Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research, Plant & Food Research, and Scion. This PRO will focus on fostering economic growth and ensuring environmental prosperity, advancing innovation in agriculture, aquaculture, forestry, biotechnology and manufacturing; protecting ecosystems from biosecurity threats and climate risks; and developing new bio-based technologies and products.

Biographies of the board members

Barry Harris – Chair

Barry Harris is a company director with extensive governance and executive experience. He has held a number of chief executive roles including Environment Waikato, Greater Wellington Regional Council and Hamilton City Council. He was also a senior executive with Fonterra for 5 years. Barry currently chairs McFall Fuel, Hamilton Airport Company and Wel Networks. Previous boards include DairyNZ, Primary ITO, CentrePort, RD1, AgResearch, International Nutritionals, Hamilton Riverside Hotels, OSPRI, Food Innovation Waikato and Local Authority Shared Services. Barry has a Masters of Agricultural Science (Honours).

Barry has very strong governance experience across both local and regional government, giving him a significant understanding of public accountability. He has developed leadership and stakeholder management skills from his wide variety of governance and executive roles, which also have imparted strategic understanding.

Kim Wallace – Deputy Chair

Kim Wallace is currently the chair of Te Manawataki o Te Papa and AgResearch. She is also serving as a member on the boards of the Port Nelson and Origin Capital Partners. Previous governance appointments include Quotable Value. Before pursuing a full-time career in governance in 2017, Ms Wallace had a 24-year career in the global dairy industry, which included working in senior executive roles based in New Zealand, USA, Germany and Australia. She is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors and a member of Global Women.

She brings significant audit and risk experience, and experience in capital programmes and asset management.

Candace Kinser – Director

Candace Kinser is a seasoned director and business leader with a strong track record in governance, commercialisation, and leadership across science and technology sectors. She has served on the boards of Livestock Improvement Corporation, Eastland Group, Plant & Food Research, and WEL Networks, and currently sits on the University of Auckland Council, Helius Therapeutics and chairs the Cancer Society Auckland/Northland. She was CEO of NZTech, where she launched TechWeek, and earlier led the global growth of successful genetics software firm Biomatters. She has also held senior roles with Palantir in New Zealand and led digital transformation at investment firm Jarden.

Candace brings deep expertise in technology strategy and scientific innovation with a governance style that is strategic, commercially astute, and impact focused.

Andrew Morrison – Director

Andrew Morrison is a current director of AgResearch, and Chair of Wool Research Organisation of NZ (WRONZ), Ovis Management LTD, and of the Environment Southlands Investment Subcommittee. He was the former Chair of both Beef and Lamb NZ, and the New Zealand Meat Board. He is a former Director of Ballance Agri Nutrients and has sat on the boards of 2 science consortiums, and Pastoral Greenhouse Gas Research Consortium (PGGRC).

Andrew has extensive primary sector industry governance experience, business and commercial acumen, governance capability and experience in ensuring value for money on investments. He brings of primary and biological sector credibility to the Board.

Gray Baldwin – Director

Gray Baldwin is currently a director of Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research, the Alliance Group, Trinity Lands, and Farmlands. He previously held senior management and executive roles for BNZ Agri, Carter Holt Harvey and Summit Quinphos. His past co-op governance roles include 9 years with Ballance and 10 years with Livestock Improvement (LIC).

Mr Baldwin has a deep governance and commercial focus, experience in agribusiness and proven ability to deliver on outcomes. He has deep experience leading scientists to commercialise research for economic benefit. Mr Baldwin also brings significant connections and credibility within the primary sector.

New Zealand Institute for Earth Science

Formed by bringing together the National Institute for Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) and the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences Limited (GNS Science), noting Cabinet’s decision for NIWA to acquire MetService as a wholly-owned subsidiary. This PRO will focus on supporting energy security and sustainability; developing land, marine and mineral resources; and improving resilience to natural hazards and climate-related risks.

Biographies of the board members

David Smol – Chair

David Smol is currently the chair of GNS Science, and a director of Contact Energy, NZTA, the Cooperative Bank, and Tait International. He chairs the Risk and Audit Committee of the Ministry of Social Development, and the External Advisory Committee of the Department of Internal Affairs, and a member of the Risk and Audit Committee of Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. David was Chief Executive of the Ministry of Economic Development between 2008 and 2012 and led the formation of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) as the inaugural Chief Executive from 2012 to 2017.

David has worked across the public and private sectors through his executive and governance roles. He has experience in leadership roles, stakeholder management and organisational change and an applied understanding of commercial outcomes from science.

Mary-Anne Macleod – Deputy Chair

Mary-Anne Macleod is a current director of National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) AgResearch, DairyNZ Limited, the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), Fire and Emergency New Zealand, the New Zealand Transport Agency, and on the University of Waikato Council.

She was previously the CEO of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council and also held senior leadership roles with the Ministry for the Environment and in international consultancies. Mary has a governance background in local and central government and the private sector. She has a master’s degree in Earth Science and is a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Directors. Her knowledge and connections across the science and research sector will be particularly valuable.

Paul Connell – Director

Paul Connell is a current director of Plant & Food Research, WorkSafe, Environmental Protection Authority, Telarc Limited, WEL Networks Ltd, New Power energy group companies and ETEL Limited. He is an independent member of the Risk and Assurance Committee for Waikato Regional Council and the independent chair of the Audit and Risk Committee for Auckland Council. He is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Directors.

Paul has worked through a number of complex public governance issues through his career, including managing chief executives. He possesses strong connections to the information technology systems and regulatory sectors. He brings extensive governance and strategic financial skills, a strong understanding of public accountability and an in-depth knowledge of audit and risk practices.

Paul White – Director

Paul White is a professional director and consultant. He has significant governance experience in both the public and private sector. He is currently a trustee on Top Energy Consumer Trust, the Chair of Ngāi Tūpoto ki Motukaraka Trust, and a director of GNS Science, and Te Matapihi. He was previously a board member of the Housing NZ Board, Health Sponsorship Council, the Canterbury DHB and Top Energy Limited.

Paul has wide experience working with hapū and iwi including commercial entities involved with forestry, dairy and beef farming.

Peter Landon-Lane – Director

Peter Landon-Lane is the Chair of AsureQuality and director of NIWA. He has governance experience in the agri-food, science and trade sectors, and his management career included senior roles at T&G Global, CEO of Plant & Food Research and Managing Director of Fonterra Europe. Prior to that, he was President of Fonterra Japan and had roles in China, the Philippines and Taiwan. Peter has degrees in science and economics and is a member of the Institute of Directors.

Peter has a well-rounded knowledge of the science sector, commercial acumen, governance capability and leadership experience. He has a strong understanding of change management and extensive business acumen. He brings extensive governance experience and the ability to bridge science with market needs, understanding of market trends and industry needs and business development.

Professor Chris Bumby – Director

Professor Bumby is Chief Scientist (Materials) at the Paihau-Robinson Research Institute, Victoria University of Wellington, and a Principal Investigator at the MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology. He has previously held roles on the Climate Change Commission’s Technical Reference Group on Industry, Heat and Power, the Marsden Assessment Panel for Physics, Chemistry and Biochemistry, and the New Zealand Hydrogen Council’s Research Working Group. He holds a DPhil in Physics from the University of Oxford, and was awarded the 2024 Shorland Medal by the New Zealand Association of Scientists.

Chris brings a strong science sector perspective and international networks, informed by his collaborations with multiple world-leading institutions. In recent years has driven a rejuvenation of New Zealand’s research and development capability in minerals process engineering. Chris also has extensive experience in commercialising public-sector research via both IP-driven startup companies, and commercial research contracts for clients ranging from emerging NZ start-ups to multinational corporates.

New Zealand Institute for Public Health and Forensic Science

Formed by re-purposing the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR). This PRO will focus on strengthening public health through disease detection and response; and supporting public safety through forensic science services.

Existing governance will remain in place for the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) as they refocus to become the Institute for Public Health and Forensic Science.

See existing governance for ESR:

Our people(external link) — ESR

Governance of CRIs/PROs

The CRIs/PROs have 2 shareholding ministers who act to protect the Crown’s investment in CRIs/PROs, these are:

Minister of Science and Innovation(external link) — beehive.govt.nz

Minister of Finance(external link) — beehive.govt.nz

The governance structure for all CRIs/PROs is the same — shareholding ministers appoint CRI/PRO boards of directors, who in turn appoint the chief executive in accordance with the Companies Act and the constitutions of each CRI/PRO.

Our relationship with CRIs/PROs

Our ownership and performance role is to monitor the Government’s investment in CRIs/PROs.

As part of this role we:

• provide strategic ownership advice to the shareholding ministers on the financial and non-financial performance of the CRIs/PROs
• work with CRIs/PROs to ensure they can deliver optimal outcomes for New Zealand
• help appoint directors to CRI/PRO boards.

The document 'Monitoring arrangements for MBIE-monitored Crown entities' outlines the accountability and performance framework in which CRIs/PROs operate. Particular information relating to CRIs/PROs is included in Annex 7: