From the President
With national elections just a few months away it is timely to focus on the political views of parties with regard to science and innovation.
The current government has released its Science Investment Plan outlining how public science funding will drive New Zealand’s economic growth, resilience and prosperity. Public investment will be targeted to four priority areas that offer the greatest potential to deliver impact, commercialise research, and accelerate economic growth:
- Primary industries and bioeconomy
- Technology for prosperity
- Environmental sustainability and resilience
- Healthy people and a thriving society
Research Funding New Zealand will now develop Pillar Investment Plans that will outline how the four priority areas will be delivered. These are expected this month.
On a slightly different topic, a major change that will be occurring in the next couple of years is the adoption of the Regulation on plants obtained through New Genomic Techniques (NGTs) by the EU. This will come into law in 2028. This means that plants developed using New Genomic Technique (NGT) or NGT-1, where plants are bred using simple gene editing techniques that do not incorporate any foreign DNA has brought the EU into line with many other countries. With this decision, the European Union takes a significant step forward in enabling innovation in plant breeding and reinforcing its ambition for a sustainable, competitive, and resilient agri-food sector.
So, what does this mean for New Zealand? The EU decision to approve NGT-1 gene editing changes the landscape significantly and may well leave New Zealand at a serious disadvantage. New Zealand is renowned for its high quality and reliable production of a range of arable and vegetable species which are then exported to Europe. In many cases these seed increases are from seed bred in Europe.
New Zealand gene technology regulations are currently going through redrafting with one Select Committee hearing and a second rewrite. This is all good news in a way unless of course the new regulations are not aligned with the gene technology legislation in Europe. If NGT-1 gene edits are now permitted in Europe, then cultivars using that technology could be sent to New Zealand for seed increases – but if our legislation does not permit that without a gene regulator licence then European breeders may go elsewhere for these valuable seed increases.
So, what difference would that make. Well, the New Zealand seed export business is worth NZ$318 million and much of that is sold into Europe (see Figure below taken from Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries June 2026 – page 116 https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/72076-Situation-and-Outlook-for-Primary-Industries-SOPI-June-2026 . That is $142 million export market to EU and UK.
An inability to easily grow and supply seed to Europe would be a serious concern to an already fragile arable seed industry in New Zealand. This country absolutely needs to ensure its gene technology regulations are at the very least aligned with those being installed in Europe and UK. A seriously weakened arable sector in New Zealand will have flow on effects into other areas of the primary sector which in the end underpins the wealth generation of New Zealand as country.
It is important that, whichever party is in government after the 2026 elections, they consider and understand the impact of the EU rule change and listen to industry feedback about it and changing sentiment. If our regulations are not sufficiently harmonised with the EU, and if EU companies want us to grow NGT-1 seed crops, our New Zealand seed companies are at risk of being shut out of the EU market. There are other southern hemisphere seed-producing countries with regulatory settings more aligned to the EU.
Finally, I would encourage you to take the time to join us at the NZIAHS Canterbury Forum to be held on Wednesday 21st October 2026 8.50am to 2.00pm, Lincoln University to be followed by the NZIAHS Political Forum – more on this below.
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Dr John Caradus, HFNZIAHS |
NZIAHS Annual General MeetingMembers are advised that the 2026 Annual General Meeting Should you wish to attend please email |
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From Sunset to Sunrise Stewart 1, Stewart Lecture Theatre, Lincoln University Link to the programme and registration form Wednesday 21st October 2026 8:50am to 2:00pm
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The topic for this one-day forum, “From Sunset to Sunrise – the Future of Agriculture and Horticulture in New Zealand” has been chosen to find out how we stop agriculture and horticulture becoming a sunset industry. Will we kill the golden goose if we continue to spend less and less on agricultural and horticultural science? New Zealand is high on the dairy dollar, but for other agricultural and horticultural systems, the pathway to profitability is more challenging. The Forum will bring together leaders and experts to explore themes including how to support local production systems, encourage growth in farm-gate exports and how investment in science and innovation can ensure long-term prosperity. Online registrations are available.https://agscience.org.nz/event/2026-nziahs-canterbury-forum/ |
NZIAHS Political Forum
Wednesday 21st October 2026
2.00pm to 4.00pm
Stewart 1, Stewart Lecture Block,
Lincoln University
After the Canterbury Forum we will be holding a Political Forum from 2.00pm to 4.00pm where we have invited politicians from each of the political parties to discuss their policy on agricultural and horticultural science.
The politicians will be asked to answer three pre-circulated questions and then given five minutes to present their policies. The debate will be then thrown open to the floor for questions.
This is a free event and online registration is available.
https://agscience.org.nz/2026-political-forum-agricultural-horticultural-science-policy/
New Zealand Horticultural Science Advancement Trust
Applications are open for the 2027 Funding Round
The Trust welcomes applications from as wide a range of members as possible. While most applications are for assistance to attend international symposia and meetings, consideration is given to any project that advances horticultural science in New Zealand. Value: Between $500 to $2,000 (no specific amount).
2027 Conferences of interest to our horticultural members: |
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| Plant Science Central Conference |
XII International Symposium on Kiwifruit |
World Avocado Congress 2027 |
| 6-8 July 2027 Massey University, Palmerston North |
5-10 September 2027 Matera, Italy |
6-9 September 2027 Cape Town, South Africa |
| All applications must be made on the New Zealand Horticultural Science Advancement Trust application form and emailed to the Secretariat by Friday 30th October 2026. | ||
| https://agscience.org.nz/membership/awards/nz-horticultural-science-advancement-trust-award/ | ||
