In 2025, the New Zealand Government instigated a sweeping reorganisation of the public science system — the most substantial since the 1992 breakup of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR).

Immediately following the report of Sir Peter Gluckman and the Science Sector Advisory Group (SSAG) review, the Government announced in February that it would implement several key recommendations, including the reorganisation of the long-standing Crown Research Institutes (CRIs).

Independent research organisations that conduct research in New Zealand and the Pacific, for contract and public good purposes, the CRIs were consolidated into three new Public Research Organisations (PROs), along with a new body focused on advanced technologies. 

Working at remarkable speed, the restructuring brought together previously separate institutes and their specialist functions. The new entities came into existence on 1 July 2025, though supporting legislation to formalise the transition from CRIs to PROs is expected next year. The merged entities are:

• New Zealand Institute for Bioeconomy Science (Bioeconomy Science Institute) — AgResearch, Scion, Manaaki Whenua
• Landcare Research, Plant & Food Research
• New Zealand Institute for Earth Science (Earth Sciences New Zealand) — GNS Science, NIWA, MetService
• New Zealand Institute for Public Health and Forensic Science (PHF Science) — ESR
• Disestablished: Callaghan Innovation

The reforms also echo the earlier transformation of 1992, when the long-standing DSIR was dissolved and its functions divided among ten newly formed CRIs — the direct predecessors of today’s PROs.

IMPLICATIONS FOR LIBRARIES AND KNOWLEDGE SERVICES

This transition has significant implications for our libraries and knowledge teams. Our shared goal is to maintain uninterrupted access to valuable resources while paving the way for a more unified and efficient library service within — and eventually between — the new organisations.

Each of the former CRIs maintained its own physical and digital collections, subscriptions, and heritage materials — often under unique cataloguing standards, metadata practices, and legacy systems dating back decades. Fortunately, there is already a strong foundation of goodwill and reciprocal knowledge between the libraries, whose staff have collaborated closely for years. Even so, integrating systems, collections and processes that differ so widely will take both time and care.

Understandably, there are concerns about possible restructuring and perceived duplication. However, each CRI library has long operated very leanly, and we are hopeful that the new organisations will recognise the value of investing in strong, collaborative information services. Our teams are working to model what a first-class research library service could look like with appropriate support and modern infrastructure.

Change has been occurring at unprecedented speed, and there is still a long way to go. Library staff across the CRIs thank the many colleagues who have already reached out with advice and encouragement. You will continue to see visible changes — in branding, library names on Te Puna, and contact points for specific functions — but for now, we remain in place and carrying on with business as usual.

In August, a Statement of Collaboration between the Universities and PROs was signed, signalling strong intentions to work more closely and develop joint initiatives to strengthen New Zealand’s research and science sector. Further changes arising from the SSAG reports include the creation of the Prime Minister’s Science, Innovation and Technology Advisory Council, along with updates to national science funding systems now being implemented.

The 2025 reforms mark not only a realignment of science governance but also a new phase in the collective management of New Zealand’s scientific knowledge base. For the library community, they offer both disruption and opportunity: a renewed impetus to collaborate across institutions, modernise systems, and reaffirm the library’s role as the enduring connector in a constantly evolving research ecosystem.  

FURTHER READING

• Changes in the New Zealand Crown Research Sector – Update 12 March 2025: MBIE News
• Public Research Organisations (MBIE overview): mbie.govt.nz
• Universities and PROs Collaboration: Science New Zealand