GNS Science

{{short description|New Zealand research institute}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}{{Use New Zealand English|date=February 2024}}

{{Infobox government agency

| name = GNS Science

| native_name = {{lang|mi|Te Pū Ao}} (Māori)

| logo = File:GNS Science logo.svg

| formed = 1865

| preceding1 = New Zealand Geological Survey (1865–1990)

| preceding2 = DSIR Geophysics Division (1951–1990)

| preceding3 = Institute of Nuclear Sciences (1959–1992)

| preceding4 = DSIR Geology and Geophysics (1990–1992)

| preceding5 = Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences (IGNS; 1992–2005)

| headquarters = 1 Fairway Drive, Avalon, New Zealand

| employees = 390

| website = https://www.gns.cri.nz/

}}

GNS Science ({{langx|mi|Te Pū Ao}}), officially registered as the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences Limited,{{Cite web |title=Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences Limited (547568) Registered |url=https://app.companiesoffice.govt.nz/companies/app/ui/pages/companies/547568 |access-date=2021-10-12 |website=New Zealand Companies Office}} is a New Zealand Crown Research Institute. It focuses on geology, geophysics (including seismology and volcanology), and nuclear science (particularly ion-beam technologies, isotope science and carbon dating). From 1 July 2025 GNS Science will become part of the new Public Research Organisation New Zealand Institute for Earth Science.{{Cite web |last1=Reti |first1=Shane |date=14 May 2025 |title=Bold science reforms to fuel economic growth |url=https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/bold-science-reforms-fuel-economic-growth |access-date=14 May 2025 |website=www.beehive.govt.nz|publisher=New Zealand Government|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250524102716/https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/bold-science-reforms-fuel-economic-growth|archive-date=24 May 2025|url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last1=Palmer|first1=Russell |date=14 May 2025|title=Chairs, board members named for new science mergers |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/560964/chairs-board-members-named-for-new-science-mergers |access-date=15 May 2025 |work=RNZ |language=en-nz|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250515001110/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/560964/chairs-board-members-named-for-new-science-mergers|archive-date=15 May 2025|url-status=live}}

Functions and responsibilities

As well as undertaking basic research, and operating the national geological hazards monitoring network (GeoNet)[http://www.geonet.org.nz/ GeoNet Hazards Monitoring Network] and the National Isotope Centre (NIC),

{{cite web

| url = https://www.gns.cri.nz/Home/Services/Laboratories-Facilities/National-Isotope-Centre

| title = National Isotope Centre

| publisher = GNS Science

| access-date = 2016-11-01

| quote = The National Isotope Centre at GNS Science is New Zealand's premier provider of isotope science expertise and associated commercial applications.

}}

GNS Science contracts its services to various private groups (notably energy companies) both in New Zealand and overseas, as well as to central and local government agencies, to provide scientific advice and information.{{cite web |title=2012 Annual Report |url=http://www.gns.cri.nz/Home/About-Us/Corporate-Documents/Annual-Reports/2012-Annual-Report |publisher=GNS Science |access-date=27 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130208052942/http://www.gns.cri.nz/Home/About-Us/Corporate-Documents/Annual-Reports/2012-Annual-Report |archive-date=8 February 2013 |url-status=dead}}

GNS Science has its head office in Avalon, Lower Hutt, with other facilities in Gracefield, Dunedin, Wairakei, Auckland and Tokyo.https://www.gns.cri.nz/contact-us/

History

GNS Science was known as the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences (IGNS) from 1992 to 2005.{{Cite web |title=Our History |url=https://www.gns.cri.nz/about-us/our-history/ |access-date=2023-08-17 |website=GNS Science {{!}} Te Pῡ Ao |language=en-NZ}} Originally part of the New Zealand Government's Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), it was established as an independent organisation when the Crown Research Institutes were set up in 1992.{{Cite web |title=Crown Research Institutes Act 1992 No 47 (as at 23 December 2023), Public Act Contents – New Zealand Legislation |url=https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1992/0047/latest/DLM264292.html |access-date= |website=www.legislation.govt.nz}}

In late September 2024, GNS Science confirmed that 59 roles would be cut, amounting to ten percent of its workforce. In addition, 37 new roles would be created. This was part of the Sixth National Government's public sector job cuts.{{cite news |last1=Gibbens |first1=Krystal |title=59 jobs to go at GNS Science |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/528963/59-jobs-to-go-at-gns-science |access-date=25 September 2024 |work=RNZ |date=25 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924233104/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/528963/59-jobs-to-go-at-gns-science |archive-date=24 September 2024}}

In mid May 2025, Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology Shane Reti announced that GNS would be integrated into a new Public Research Organisation called the New Zealand Institute for Earth Science.

References

{{More citations needed|date=September 2010}}

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