23 April 2025
A collaboration between science system researcher Brittany Bennenbroek and illustrator Jean Donaldson. Edited by Jonathan Burgess.
Deep in the heart of Aotearoa, a mighty kauri forest once stood. These ancient trees represented the pursuit of knowledge, their towering trunks standing firm against the winds of uncertainty.
They were first planted in 1926 when the government recognised that a more coordinated approach to research was essential for national development. Those who tended this land believed in cultivating strong, enduring trees that would stand the test of time, their knowledge and resources serving future generations.
This was the era of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), which was established to coordinate and support scientific research. Over the decades, the DSIR grew into a powerhouse of discovery, employing thousands of scientists across fields like climate science, geology, marine research, and agriculture. It played a crucial role in wartime innovation and later provided research that supported industries and environmental management.
The DSIR was carefully cultivated, with scientists given increasing autonomy, allowing deep-rooted knowledge to flourish. Over time, these trees grew strong, their canopy stretching wide, sheltering diverse fields of research.
As the years passed by, the forest changed hands many times, with each new group of owners bringing with them their own vision and priorities, transforming the landscape of research funding.
In the late 1980s, the political winds shifted dramatically. The DSIR was instructed to adopt a “user-pays” approach to research, and before long, all research funding was made contestable. This meant that trees could no longer be planted for their potential; they would need to compete for space and resources, and every tree would need to prove its worth.
The old, slow-growing trees, those that might one day yield the most profound discoveries, were no longer seen as a priority. The shift marked a move away from collective stewardship toward a more transactional model, where steady growth and deep roots gave way to efficiency and return on investment.
In 1992, the government restructured the system entirely. The DSIR was disestablished, and the land cleared for a new kind of tree. Fast-growing and commercially valuable, pine trees promised quick returns, aligning with an era driven by immediate economic benefits. The Crown Research Institutes (CRIs) were established, dividing the forest into zones aligned with key industries like agriculture, forestry, and environmental science.
Unlike the DSIR, which was largely government-funded, the CRIs were designed as government-owned companies and operated under a contestable funding model that aimed to encourage competition, accountability, and commercialisation. As a result, they often prioritised projects that had immediate practical applications. It marked a significant shift – from long-term discovery-led research to a fragmented system driven by shorter-term economic priorities.
As time passed, the limitations of the pine forest became apparent. While fast to grow, these trees were shallow-rooted and vulnerable, especially when storms rolled in. Unlike old-growth forests that absorb impact and offer protection, the pine forest proved far less resilient. A forest optimised for quick economic returns may look productive, but it can leave the landscape exposed when conditions change.
Seeking to bridge the fragmented system and bring greater collaboration to the research landscape, in 2014, the government established ten National Science Challenges. These were designed to address Aotearoa’s most significant science-related issues and opportunities, and unite researchers across CRIs, universities and other organisations. Through these partnerships, new shoots began to regrow a more connected forest, linking people, knowledge, and purpose.
In 2024, the National Science Challenges came to an end, and the forest became restless. Now, in 2025, things have shifted again. The pine trees are being cleared, ready for a new kind of forest to take root: the Public Research Organisations (PROs).
We stand at a crossroads, and what this forest may become is still uncertain. We have an opportunity to grow a rich and resilient ecosystem – diverse by design, rooted in care, curiosity, and collaboration. A forest shaped by partnership across disciplines, institutions, and communities, capable of bearing different kinds of fruit. One where long-term sustainability is prioritised alongside innovation, and where the seeds we sow today will support future generations, withstand the storms to come, and lead to research that delivers lasting, real-world impact.
Brittany Bennenbroek completed an internship with Te Pūnaha Matatini’s Kindness in Science project as part of her Master of Science in Society study at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington.
Jean Donaldson is a designer and illustrator who works with Toi Āria: Design for Public Good. She is based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara. You can see more of her work at https://jeanmanudesign.com/.