Public Research Organisation

A Public Research Organisation (PRO) is a type of New Zealand research organisation, established in 2025 as a reformation of the science and research system. The government announced in January 2025 that the Crown Research Institutes would be reorganised into three PROs, with a fourth to be established focusing on advanced technology. ^{[1] [2]}

Establishment

The government announced in January 2025 that the Crown Research Institutes would be reorganised into three PROs, with a fourth to be established focusing on advanced technology. The PROs planned to be established from 1 July 2025 include: ^{[3] [4] [2]}

• New Zealand Institute for Earth Science (NZIES): replaces the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), MetService (which would be merged into NIWA), and GNS Science;
• New Zealand Institute for Bioeconomy Science (NZIBS): replaces AgResearch, Landcare Research, New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research and Scion
• New Zealand Institute for Public Health and Forensic Science (NZIPHFS): a rebranding and reorganisation of the Institute of Environmental Science and Research
• New Zealand Institute for Advanced Technology, a new agency responsibly for boosting economic development through advanced technology such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing. ^[5]

References

1. "Bold science reforms to fuel economic growth". www.beehive.govt.nz. New Zealand Government. 14 May 2025. Archived from the original on 24 May 2025. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
2. "Public research organisations". Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. Archived from the original on 7 June 2025. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
3. Argue, Mary (23 January 2025). "Crown Research Institutes to merge into three mega science groups". RNZ . Archived from the original on 23 May 2025. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
4. Palmer, Russell (14 May 2025). "Chairs, board members named for new science mergers". RNZ . Archived from the original on 15 May 2025. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
5. Natanahira, Tuwhenuaroa (18 July 2025). "New Institute for Advanced Technology announced by government". Radio New Zealand . Archived from the original on 18 July 2025. Retrieved 21 July 2025.