April 2025: The third event in 2025's Parliamentary Science Forum was held on 1 April. MPs learnt about how aquaculture (fish farming) can feed our growing world. Dr Suzy Black, Plant & Food Research, spoke about farming fish in mobile enclosures and Dr Patrick Cahill, Cawthron Research Institute, spoke about a variety of aquaculture techniques for shellfish and seaweeds.

Patrick, Research Scientist and Marine Biosecurity Team Leader at Cawthron, discussed the potential of aquaculture to grow the New Zealand economy.

"We are currently realising less than 5% of the sustainable biophysical potential for aquaculture in New Zealand. A prosperous, resilient future aquaculture sector calls for diversity and sustainability, with low trophic aquaculture an important component. Low trophic aquaculture is the farming of aquatic primary consumers (e.g., seaweeds) and aquatic primary producers (e.g., shellfish). New Zealand are world-leaders in low trophic aquaculture, exemplified by our iconic Greenshell mussel farming sector. Low trophic species are inherently geared toward high productivity, and by farming the right species we can deliver high value products to domestic and international consumers."

Dr Suzy Black (left) and Dr Patrick Cahill (right) answer MPs' questions with event host Dr Parmjeet Parmar MP (centre). Photo: RSNZ.

April 2025: Wondering about the impact of the Trump tariffs on New Zealand and other countries?

Motu Economic & Public Policy Research Senior Fellow Professor Niven Winchester has estimated changes in countries GDP due to US reciprocal tariffs with the results published in The Conversation magazine. He models two scenarios - GDP impacts with and without retaliatory tariffs by countries.

Under the model where countries respond with equivalent tariffs on US goods - "Some nations gain from the trade war. Typically, these face relatively low US tariffs (and consequently also impose relatively low tariffs on US goods). New Zealand (0.29%) and Brazil (0.28%) experience the largest increases in GDP. New Zealand households are better off by $397 per year.

"The tariffs decrease US GDP by $149 billion (0.49%) because the tariffs increase production costs and consumer prices in the US...At the same time, retaliation leads to a worse outcome for the US.

"Previous tariff announcements by the Trump administration dropped sand into the cogs of international trade. The reciprocal tariffs throw a spanner into the works. Ultimately, the US may face the largest damages."

US President Donald Trump announces “Liberation Day” tariffs.