Local research with global impact

‘Local research with global impact’ could describe many of the offerings coming from Independent Research Organisations (IROs) in the past year. As we prepare a briefing for the incoming Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology, the Hon. Judith Collins, the growth of IROs as a significant player in the New Zealand Science System, the impact of their research, and the key role they play in increasing business expenditure on research and development (BERD) is highlighted.

With impact across the spectrum from local communities to global markets, IRANZ members and associates employ over 1250 staff and have a combined turnover of around $170 million p.a., with approximately $75 million of research investment from Government and $35 million from independent stakeholders. IRANZ also provides an independent voice for Māori research organisations. The total IRO science infrastructure is approximately equivalent to two CRIs.

So far this year we have welcomed a further five Independent Research Organisations to the Independent Research Association’s (IRANZ) fold – indicative of a thriving independent research sector outside of government.

World-leading medical research

In medical research our internationally-recognised IROs punch well above their weight. In Wellington, the Medical Research Institute of New Zealand (MRINZ) is responsible for a novel management approach for the optimal treatment of asthma – this has changed protocols around the world, with New Zealand leading the way. At the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research they are running New Zealand’s first CAR T-cell clinical trial, a revolutionary new approach to fighting cancer that has the potential to transform cancer treatment. The protocols being developed at Malaghan potentially are safer than leading commercial overseas CAR T-cell products in treating certain types of blood cancer, while remaining effective.

Also based in Wellington, the Gillies McIndoe’s research team, globally famous for the treatment of strawberry birthmarks, focuses on the treatment of numerous diseases, including vascular birthmarks, fibrotic conditions, and brain tumours. The team is internationally recognised for their ground-breaking work, which spans in vitro methodologies, molecular biology, and drug development through to physiology, clinical trials, and novel organoid and cell culture models.

In Christchurch, the New Zealand Brain Research Institute originally focussed on Parkinson’s disease, but has now grown to include studies and clinics for other conditions, including Huntington’s and multiple sclerosis, and the normal functioning of the brain. The institute is responsible for a large longitudinal study of over 320 people with Parkinson's and 90 controls, which has been running since 2007. In addition, they form part of a national network of Dementia Prevention Research Clinics investigating a wide range of factors that influence the development and progression of memory problems and Alzheimer’s disease in New Zealanders.

IRO contribution to regional development

In the regions, the Mātai Medical Research Institute is a world-leading medical imaging research and education centre based in Tairāwhiti, Gisborne, but with national and global research collaborations. Their work in enhancing the capabilities of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) using new and advanced software, post-processing and artificial intelligence, delivers health, social, and economic benefits to the people of Tairāwhiti.

In Nelson, New Zealand’s largest independent science organisation the Cawthron Institute, focusses on science solutions that support blue economy growth both here and abroad, to the benefit of the environment and people. The institute collaborates globally and attract overseas revenue for environmental, food safety, and aquaculture research. Cawthron’s microalgae laboratory provides early warning of risks associated with toxic marine species at over 110 sites around the east coast of New Zealand.

Cawthron directly employs more than 275 scientists, laboratory technicians, researchers and specialist staff. A report by New Zealand Institute of Economic Research (NZIER), Impact of the Cawthron Institute: Economic contribution to Nelson and New Zealand, showed that the Cawthron Institute has created a unique business model, adding value to the Tasman/Nelson region and national economies. It represents 25% of the Nelson business service sector’s exports, contributes $14m in added value to the local economy, and indirectly creates an additional 91 jobs. It has national and global reach, and its future successes have the potential to boost New Zealand's GDP by $200 million and create over 500 jobs.

Another NZIER report estimates the impact of Blenheim’s Bragato Research Institute research and development (R&D) on the wine sector, and the impact of Bragato activities on the Marlborough region, the national winegrowing industry, and the wider economy. They estimated that Bragato’s contribution to the national economy would be approximately $8 million per annum, including the economic benefits from 30 jobs at Bragato. As part of that $8 million, the creation of Bragato has boosted Marlborough’s economy by $2.2 million. Each year, wine R&D leads to an increase in exports by $41 million, an increase in the size of the national economy by $64.5 million, a boost in household consumption by $37.2 million, and 258 new jobs for the economy.

Other research highlights

Across our 26 IRANZ members the research programme in any given year is too vast to list, but highlights include:

Lincoln Agritech has just joined one of the largest research programmes in the world, as a partner in a four-year Horizon Europe project to develop a digital system to detect and provide early warning of plant diseases and pests. The Agricultural University of Athens, Greece, is leading the project.

Scientists from Verum Group’s bioacoustic research group (now DigiLab) have been developing the methodology to allow the individual identification of birds in the wild using passive bioacoustic monitoring. They have collected and analysed thousands of hours of bird recordings from several species in the last few years. This research will eventually allow vulnerable bird species to be monitored in the wild using non-invasive means. The researchers have published several papers and late last year were invited to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, which manages the global eBird site, to speak on the research.

Xerra continues to develop and support Starboard Maritime Intelligence, a maritime domain awareness platform that uses Earth observation (satellite) data to help nations and organisations monitor their maritime domain and help protect the world's oceans. The market for this is global.

In 2022, WSP was recognised by the ACE awards for achieving excellence for the KiwiRail innovation project – rail corridor scanner. This project developed an assistance system to help ensure railways are clear from obstructions. Work included a rotating LiDAR scanner, a central processing device, and a combined visual aid light with a control button. This design successfully detected obstruction on the tracks and used visual alerts to inform the rail inspector. The outcome of the project improved the efficiency of the rail corridor inspections and reduced the likelihood of damage to rail vehicles, and interruptions to train services.

Cawthron is teamed up with GNS Science on the Lakes380 project - the biggest scientific study of New Zealand’s lakes in our history. The Lakes380 team has travelled across New Zealand collecting and analysing water samples, lake bottom sediment samples and lake sediment cores from about 10% of our 3,800 lakes (>1 ha). A suite of scientific tools are being used to determine the current and historic health of each lake. Lakes380 datasets will be a public resource for New Zealand and global scientific advancement.

At BRANZ, the research portfolio from the Building Research Levy continues to grow. Numerous projects are underway to ensure the resilience of New Zealand’s built environment whether it is advances in seismic design or the understanding of the behaviour of building materials during fires or floods. Other research projects are focussing on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the built environment and the construction sector; the quality and performance of homes and buildings; and housing affordability.

At Aqualinc, scientists are conducting cutting-edge research on water and land, tackling areas such as groundwater and irrigation management, changes in land use, nitrate management, and the impacts of climate change on groundwater. Earlier this year, Aqualinc's Dr John Bright led an expert panel that produced a think piece report Future Focused Freshwater Accounting for the Ministry for the Environment. The report provides options and concepts for implementing accounting systems to support freshwater outcomes. Other ongoing research includes how important rainfall, and particularly the onset of winter recharge, can be in terms of driving nitrate leaching.

At HERA (Heavy Engineering Research Association), they continue their manufacturing and construction sectoral research leadership in developing low carbon design guidance for low-storey building typologies, developing Australasia’s first material passport to help support the re-use of steel at the end of its life and their four-year research programme to develop a Construction 4.0 (the uptake of smart technologies and data) transformation of Aotearoa’s construction sector. HERA is also one of only two international partners in Australian’s ten-year Advanced Composite Manufacturing CRC, with projects relating to circular design, AI in fabrication and composite connections. Last year, design support was strengthened with the long awaited composite beam and slab design tool and supporting software, the Innovation Centre achieved approval for a 6 star green star build, HERA’s GM Fabrication 4.0 was awarded the SCNZ Chair’s Award and HERA was named as a finalist in the prestigious 2022 Asia Pacific SABRE Awards in the Associations category for works in sustainability, innovation and diversity in the steel industry. Its podcast, Stirring the Pot, was also named in the top 15 most inspiring podcasts in Aotearoa.

Contribution to education and early-career researchers

Our IROs also provide valuable research opportunities for many students and researchers from partner institutions at universities and other research organisations here and abroad.

IROs have a number of initiatives to support Early Career Researchers, for example, the Cawthron Institute offers scholarships to tertiary students, providing them with an opportunity to contribute to an active scientific research project and be mentored by top Cawthron scientists. One of Motu Research’s founding motivations is building capacity in economic research in Aotearoa. Motu offers permanent Research Analyst positions to post graduate students and internships and scholarships for early career researchers, post graduate students, and students of Māori descent. Takarangi Research Group supports several PhD students, all of whom are researching alongside mātauranga specialists (tōhunga) within marae communities across Aotearoa.

BRANZ, WSP, and HERA have scholarships programmes for infrastructure research. Mātai Research supports Post Doctoral Fellows, PhDs, Masters, Honours and Medical Students, they also offer undergrad and intern scholarships. They prioritise candidates from Tairāwhiti. Our other members in the health sector also support Post Doctoral Fellows, PhDs, and other students. Bragato Research Institute also supports several PhD scholarships to build capability in the wine industry. Scarlatti and Lincoln Agritech also have several annual intern and mentorship positions in their respective fields.

Meri Kirihimete me te Hape Nū Ia!
Rob Whitney
Executive Officer, IRANZ