ScienceNZ - The Value of Science Discovery
Science Value
Prime Minister’s Science Prizes
Nominations for the Prime Minister's Science Prizes close on the 4th of August. The five prizes recognise the impact of science on New Zealanders' lives, celebrate the contribution of current scientists and encourage those of the future. To find out
New Value
Building community awareness of fire risks
Scion’s Rural Fire Research Team has been running hot this past year with the fire research programme again receiving Gold status in the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s (MBIE) annual reporting round, one of only 18 awards over 250 contracts.
2014 Briefing to Incoming Ministers
The 2014 Briefing to Incoming Ministers by Science New Zealand provides an overview of the role and purpose of CRIs within the New Zealand science and innovation eco-system. CRIs are two-thirds of the nation's publically-funded science researchers (excluding health and ICT areas); and where businesses choose to spend $3 of every $4 on RS&T they commission externally. There has been significant progress since the 2010 CRI Taskforce. The BIM proposes key issues for Ministerial leadership, as CRIs focus on advancing ideas and delivering results that benefit New Zealand
Greater flexibility for quarantine treatments
Some of the tight scheduling pressures around log exports for ports and log marshalling companies have been eased, thanks to Scion’s forest protection scientists.
Investment in bioplastics research pays off
Bioplastics are a small but rapidly growing niche that currently represents about 1% of the global plastics market. Their use is expected to grow by over 10% per year, with the estimated global market expected to be more than 12 million tonnes per year by 2020.
Is wood quality still relevant?
Planting forests is a long term commitment. Choosing the right trees and management regime requires good site knowledge and a long term perspective about the future value of wood. It also requires a better understanding of what constitutes quality from a consumer’s perspective.
Doubling forest productivity sustainably
A multi-disciplinary team of scientists at Scion and other research organisations is embarking on a six year research programme aimed at raising the profitability of current and future commercial forestry
New Thinking
What will the new water standards mean for forestry?
Government’s freshwater reforms aim to balance economic growth with sustainability, and herald a change to the way freshwater is managed. Communities are now responsible for setting the standards for freshwater management within their region, creating the opportunity for forestry growers to be actively involved in the process.
Choosing the right tree for the job
Forest growers are becoming increasingly aware of the ecosystem services and non-market values that forests provide.
Ginseng adds a layer of possibilities for forestry
Neat rows of netting cloches lined up beneath well pruned radiata pine trees are in sharp contrast to the usual vision of a commercial planted forest block.
New Science
Balleny Islands humpback research
The New Zealand-Australia Antarctic ecosystems voyage has successful completed research at the Balleny Islands, a 160km island chain in the northern Ross Sea
Setting standards for a safer environment
Without standards our lives would be chaotic. Developing and revising standards is a continual process at Scion as new technologies and products become available, with many of our scientists actively engaged in national and international standards committees for such things as wood preservatives, biodegradability, packaging, freshwater and biosecurity measures.
Mobile scanner game changer for forestry management
A small, lightweight mobile laser scanning device is proving a boon for forestry resource management.
Exciting new possibilities for eucalypts
Eucalypts are a promising commercial plantation species. With their strength, hardness and attractive appearance, and in some species, durability, they provide timber for a range of markets from furniture and outdoor uses, to fibre for high quality papers.
Science discovery already returning millions to New Zealand sheep farming
An enormous international effort to map the sheep genome has already had very valuable spin-offs for New Zealand agriculture
