It gives the Crown research institute the capital it needs to move to the next phase of building a new fit-for-future scientific research facility and corporate headquarters on the Lincoln University campus, chairman Paul Reynolds said.
The facility will encourage more collaboration in food and fibre research and innovation to help farmers and growers manage challenges and seize opportunities to get more economic value out of products.
“The agriculture sector has a hugely important leadership role to play in New Zealand’s long-term recovery from the covid-19 pandemic.
“NZ needs research facilities to help generate innovative science that ensures our export products remain internationally sought after.
“This funding means we can continue to build state-of-the-art infrastructure that we can share with our partners in the commercial and tertiary education sectors.
“The build will be a significant boost to the Canterbury economy, land-based science and the farming sectors.”
AgResearch bought a 15,000 square metre parcel of land from Lincoln University this year.
The co-location agreement means they can consolidate their already close working relationship, he said.
The total value of the 8000 square metre build is about $97m.
AgResearch expects to complete the building in late 2023.
Association of Scientists president Professor Troy Baisden said “Site preparation started and stopped during the repeated business-case rethinks of the AgResearch building on the Lincoln University campus that has left a shovel-ready crater that deserves progress.
“Some researchers may question whether the support for institutions with fragile finances is fair but few can argue that our agriculture and health research institutions shouldn’t have adequate modern accommodation.”
The funding is part of a $400m package in the Budget and the Covid Response and Recovery Fund to deliver jobs and a stronger economy.
Of that, $196m is specifically for Crown research institutes over the next four years so they can keep staff and continue their research, Research, Science and Innovation Minister Megan Woods says.
“Crown research institutes’ critical science capability is an integral part of NZ’s response to covid-19 and our economic recovery.”
Science NZ chairman John Morgan said the money recognises the institutes’ role in helping NZ recover and rebuild and will help address financial pressures caused by covid-19.
“The sudden downturn and uncertain future came on top of long-term cost pressures. It put at risk critical research programmes and progressing the facilities our staff need. Now we can plan with more certainty.
“It will help support our science capability to address the immediate and the longer-term needs of NZ as the nation recovers and rebuilds.”
Plant and Food chief executive David Hughes said it will get extra financial support of just under $9m this financial year, which ends on June 30.
That will make up for some revenue lost during the lockdown and help support its capital investment programme, including buildings and equipment, which slowed because of covid-19.
Along with providing more confidence in its financial position the extra money will boost Plant and Food’s capacity to play its part in economic recovery.
“We expect the package of support announced today will also open the door for potential further financial support in the coming financial year.”
Forest research institute Scion received a one-off $4.7 million covid-19 recovery and response cash injection to maintain critical science capability, not for any specific projects, a spokeswoman says, with details of further funding yet to be confirmed.
The overall package announced by Woods includes $33m from Budget 2020 to support Vision Mātauranga, a partnership between Maori and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment to design a fund to enable Māori to determine, and make further investments in their research, science and innovation priorities. Scion may take part in those projects.
Another $150 million is being invested into a short-term R&D loan scheme and Scion may provide research for businesses accessing that.
