Centres of Research Excellence push boundaries of knowledge
A further two Centres of Research Excellence were announced today – bringing to seven the number of world-class research
centres the government hopes will make a major contribution to New Zealand’s future economic and social development.
The National Centre for Advanced Bio-Protection Technologies (based at Lincoln University) and the National Centre for
Growth and Development (based at the University of Auckland) were chosen from amongst six proposals by The Royal Society
of New Zealand. The government set aside $27.9m over four years in operating funding and an initial $20m one-off
allocation for capital expenditure in the May 2002 budget to fund the new centres, in addition to $9.4m in top up
funding for the existing centres chosen in March. $40.6m over four years in operating expenditure and $20m in capital
funding was also provided in 2001 budget for Centres of Research Excellence.
Associate Education (Tertiary Education) Minister Steve Maharey said the full complement of Centres of Research
Excellence position New Zealand well to advance the frontiers of knowledge in key areas vital for our future.
“World-class research is fundamental to growing a more innovative, prosperous and socially-inclusive New Zealand. The
government’s support for these seven centres demonstrates our commitment to actively support key drivers of economic and
social transformation.
“The centres bring together researchers from tertiary institutions, Crown Research Institutes and other collaborators.
We are a small country but by working together the Centres concept allows us to ‘bunch up’ resources and support
research at the leading edge of the respective fields within the international research community.
“The Centres were chosen because they demonstrated their excellence in international terms. Growing a more innovative
New Zealand requires exactly this kind of government-brokered partnership,” Steve Maharey said.
Capital funding for the new centres announced today is still the subject of negotiations with The Royal Society.
Contact: Michael Gibbs, Press Secretary, (04) 471 9154 or (021) 270 9115, e-mail: michael.gibbs@parliament.govt.nz.
Attached is a schedule and description of the seven Centres of Research Excellence.
Allan Wilson Centre for Molecular Ecology and Evolution
Host Institution: Massey University, Directors: Professors D. Penny, (06) 350 5033 and M. Hendy (06) 350 7842 Partners:
University of Canterbury, University of Auckland, University of Otago, Victoria University of Wellington Funding: three
year operational funding of $6.87m and a one-off $5.357m capital grant.
The Allan Wilson Centre will undertake studies of the ecology and evolution of New Zealand plants, animals and
micro-organisms. Recent research, using new techniques such as sequencing of whole genomes and the study of ancient DNA,
has revolutionised our understanding of New Zealand’s biodiversity. The simplistic view that New Zealand is a “Moa’s
Ark” of relic species undergoing “ancient and slow “ changes over long periods of time has been overturned by the
information obtained with these new techniques. The Centre’s vision is to utilise the network of outstanding New Zealand
biologists and mathematicians, who have made significant contributions to developing new analytical methods and
techniques in this area, to address some of the fundamental questions about our plant and animal life. The Centre will
enable a dramatic acceleration in the progress of our understanding of the processes underpinning the ecology and
evolution of living systems. The knowledge gained will enable us to contribute internationally to an understanding of
the nature of complex biological processes and fragile ecosystems.
Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery
Host Institution: University of Auckland, Director: Professor E. Baker, (09) 373 7599 extn 4415 Funding: three year
operational funding of $8.9m and a one-off $4.314m capital grant.
The Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery comprises a cluster of five leading research groups at the University of Auckland
with complementary expertise in science, engineering and medicine. The Centre will focus on the use of new technology
for genomic discovery and on the innovative development of new medicines for infectious disease, diabetes and cancer,
based on new findings in molecular biology.
Proteins are molecules that perform essential processes in organisms and affecting their function is useful in altering
disease states. The structure of key proteins will be determined and used to design and develop new synthetic drugs as
well as to enable the development of models that mimic how they function in cells. The Centre’s links with major
pharmaceutical companies ensure the commercialisation of new discoveries and consequent economic benefits to New
Zealand.
The MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology
Host Institution: Victoria University of Wellington,
Director: Professor P. Callaghan (04) 463 5945 Partners: University of Canterbury, Industrial Research Limited,
Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences Funding: three year operational funding of $13.39m and a one-off $9.8m
capital grant.
The MacDiarmid Institute will be the centre for innovation and discovery in fundamental and applied materials science
and technology in New Zealand. Strong international links coupled with a multi-disciplinary approach will enable the
Institute to discover and understand new advanced materials and technologies to create new products, technologies and
industries for New Zealand. Materials and technologies currently attracting world-wide attention that will be addressed
by the Institute include: nano-engineered materials and devices, opto-electronics, superconductors, conducting polymers,
functional materials and coatings, energy storage systems, soft materials, bio-materials and complex fluids.
National Centre for Advanced Bio-Protection Technologies
Host Institution: Lincoln University, Director: Professor Alison Stewart, (03) 325 2811 extn 8196 Partners: Massey
University, New Zealand Crop and Food Research Ltd and AgResearch Ltd. Funding: three year operational funding of
$8.142m.
This centre brings together a multidisciplinary group of researchers to meet the pest management and biosecurity needs
of New Zealand. It aims to lead the world in biosecurity, developing state of the art sensor technologies, molecular
identification systems and mathematical models to protect against pest and disease incursions. The Centre will also
develop new generation biocontrol, superior crops with enhanced pesticide resistance. Another aim is to develop
agricultural technologies that value and sustain matauranga and tikanga Maori. Centre members come from a wide range of
disciplines including pest management, biotechnology, organics and Maori knowledge and tikanga. A unique feature of the
Centre will be world’s third Biotron, a purpose-built facility that allows complex ecosystems to be modelled under
precisely controlled environmental parameters.
National Centre for Growth and Development
Host Institution: The University of Auckland, Director: Professor Peter Gluckman, (09) 373 7999 extn 6476 Partners:
Massey University, University of Otago, with contributions from AgResearch Ltd. Funding: three year operational funding
of $12.509m.
The National Centre for Growth and Development will combine basic biomedical techniques with experimental and clinical
physiology to develop new preventative and therapeutic approaches to human health and improve animal productivity in
agriculture. This will boost New Zealand’s budding biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors. The centre’s research
focuses on the early periods of life, such as the causes and consequences of low birth weight and prematurity. This
focus also will see investigation into how genes and the environment interact to regulate growth, development and
disease; how to prevent brain injury in newborn babies; and developmental biology therapies for neurological disease in
adults. Another major commitment of the centre will be preparing scientists for the future by training students,
especially Maori, and encouraging school students to consider a career in the biological sciences.
New Zealand Institute of Mathematics and its Applications
Host Institution: University of Auckland, Directors: Professors V. Jones and M. Conder (09) 373 7599 extn 8879 Partner:
New Zealand Mathematics Research Institute Funding: three year operational funding of $4.855m and a one-off $113,970
capital grant.
The New Zealand Institute of Mathematics and its Applications will focus on the use of high-level mathematical and
computational techniques to problems in medicine, biology, engineering, industry and commerce, with particular emphasis
in areas of emerging importance such as bio-engineering, bio-informatics, medical statistics, optimisation and risk
assessment. A key activity of the Institute will be the organisation and presentation of six-monthly programmes on
themes of significant and contemporary importance such as mathematical biology and its applications. The rest of the
science community will contribute suggestions for these themes. The Institute will accelerate the use of mathematics
across the spectrum of science and engineering through its research programmes and intensive periods working on
particular themes. In an increasingly complex world, the use of mathematical techniques to enhance good decision-making
will provide New Zealanders with a competitive advantage.
Nga Pae o te Maramatanga (Horizons of Insight) The National Institute of Research Excellence for Maori Development and
Advancement
Host Institution: University of Auckland, Directors: Professor L. Smith, (09) 373 7599 extn 2391, and Associate
Professor M. Walker, (09) 373 7599 extn 2391 Partners: Te Whare Wananga O Awanuiarangi, Te Wananga O Aotearoa, Victoria
University of Wellington, University of Otago, University of Waikato, Landcare Research Funding: three year operational
funding of $11.38m and a one-off capital grant of $382,000.
The National Institute of Research Excellence for Maori Development and Advancement will focus and build on Maori
strengths in education, health and science. It plans to bring together Maori and western intellectual traditions and
experience to generate new knowledge that will lead to new technologies and significantly improve socio-economic
outcomes for Maori. It will achieve this by (1) drawing on Maori and mainstream knowledge and thought to raise standards
of research; (2) improving uptake of research through engagement with Maori social structures; and (3) expanding and
deepening both Maori and national research capability. The Institute’s planned research programme includes expanding
current research activities in (1) new building materials for cheaper, warmer housing; (2) young people’s views of
schooling and society; and (3) fundamental studies of the processes underlying diseases, such as diabetes, to which
Maori are genetically predisposed.