March 2021: The latest IRANZ newsletter is out now. Stuffed full of science research goodness from New Zealand's independent research organisations.

Read all about IRANZ's new research members; Malaghan experts weigh in on challenges with COVID-19 vaccines; MRINZ notes death rate down in NZ; MRINZ: Death toll from COVID-19 likely underestimated; HydroMetrics finds high levels of nitrate in water samples; Bragato's first vintage; Red seaweed hailed a ‘game changer’ in reducing carbon footprint; Aqualinc tables new report on Christchurch's groundwater levels; Xerra: Fishy behaviour?; Verum Group Acid-Base Accounting sets international benchmark; WSP: Quality of life ultimate goal for 'smart' communities; Mackie Research takes ACTIVATION role to boost Auckland’s active travel; Land and Water Science working on Landscape DNA; Malaghan: New drug shows promise in promoting MS recovery; and much more.

The BRI research winery completed all of its scheduled 2020 vintage trials. Image: Jep Gambardella, Pexels.

March 2021: At a special meeting of IRANZ members on 17 March, Dr John Bright, CEO of Aqualinc, officially handed over the reins as Chair to Dr John McDermott, CEO of Motu Economic and Public Policy Research.

IRANZ continues to grow in size as New Zealand’s independent research sector continues to expand. With practical, real-world applications of their science, Independent Research Organisations (IROs) are key to New Zealand increasing business expenditure on research and development, and are a crucial pillar in a high-performing science system.

To that end, IRANZ welcomed four new members to the fold at the March meeting.

CEO of Aqualinc and outgoing IRANZ Chair Dr John Bright, left, Royal Society Te Apārangi President Prof. Wendy Larner and Chief Executive Prof. Dame Cynthia (Cindy) Kiro, and newly elected IRANZ Chair Dr John McDermott (Executive Director of Motu Economic and Public Policy Research) at BRANZ for IRANZ's special meeting. Image: Louise Thomas.