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Scion (organisation)

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Scion
Agency overview
Formed1947
Preceding agency
  • New Zealand Forest Research Institute
Headquarters49 Sala Street, Rotorua, New Zealand
Employees330[1]
Agency executives
Websitewww.scionresearch.com

Scion, officially registered as New Zealand Forest Research Institute Limited,[1] is a New Zealand Crown Research Institute with its primary areas of research, science and technology development being in the areas of forestry, wood products, wood-derived materials and other biomaterials sectors.

History

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The organisation was established in April 1947 as part of the New Zealand Forest Service, originally named the Forest Experiment Station.[3][4] Its early research included work on timber drying, preservation and fibre production that remains relevant in the 21st century.[4]

In the 1960s the organisation undertook intensive forest pathology research following the spread of red band needle blight among New Zealand pine trees.[5] It undertook research in the 1970s into growing trees as crops, including improving techniques for mass production of seedlings and trials of growing trees on fertile farmland.[6]

In 1987 the organisation became part of the new Ministry of Forestry. It became a Crown Research Institute in its own right in 1992 under the name New Zealand Forest Research Institute.[3] In 2000, following increased interest globally in sustainable energy and the environment, the organisation extended its focus to include the development of renewable chemicals, materials and energy from forestry resources.[7]

In 2005 the new trading name Scion was launched.[3] Part of the rationale for the change of name was the extension of the organisation's research areas to include the development of biomaterials.[3] The name Scion is a metaphor, which according to the organisation's website, means that "All parts of the Scion organisation share the same DNA, or the forestry legacy, that was established as part of the original Forest Research Institute."[8]

In 2015 the Government announced it would invest $5 million in funding over seven years for a research partnership between Scion, industry body Future Forests Research, the University of Canterbury and the New Zealand Dryland Forests Initiative.[9] The partnership would focus on developing more economic wood products from several tree species.[9]

In 2022 Scion celebrated its 75th anniversary with a photography exhibition at its Rotorua office, which ran until April 2023.[10] In 2023 Scion collaborated with iwi-based organisation Rotoiti 15 to work with rangatahi (young people) on protecting native species of trees from myrtle rust,[11] and with Lincoln University scientists on the ability of forest floor microbes to absorb agriculture-produced methane.[12] Scion also hosted a Symposium on the Transition to a Circular Bioeconomy in Wellington in February 2023.[10]

In March 2024 Scion hosted the International Union of Forest Research Organizations conference in Rotorua.[13][14] The conference focused on the use of vegetative propagation technologies in forestry, which is an area of Scion's research.[14] It also addressed issues of sustainability, indigenous knowledge and climate change.[13]

Areas of research

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Scion carries out research into forestry and related sectors including biomaterials, bioenergy, waste and ecosystem services, and its research has contributed to the growth of New Zealand's forestry sector.[7] Its research into forest inventory methods over many years are used by commercial forestry companies.[15]

In 2017 Scion's chief executive Julian Elder noted that the organisation's work now included genetics research and biomaterials research, reflecting the increased and changing uses of forestry products since the organisation was founded.[4] Work since the 2010s has included research into the impacts of climate change on forests,[7] research into the use of unmanned aerial vehicles for forestry mapping,[16] and research on converting waste pulp into carbon nanofibre.[17]

Scion also carries out research into diseases impacting on the forestry sector. New Zealand's pine forests have been experiencing outbreaks of red needle cast since 2008, and Scion has undertaken research into the influence of temperature and moisture on the disease. Since 2017 it has also collaborated with Manulife Forest Management on trials of copper as a treatment.[18]

Locations

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As of 2023 Scion employs approximately 300 full-time equivalent staff at its main office in Rotorua, Te Whare Nui o Tuteata,[1] which was opened by then prime minister Jacinda Ardern in 2021.[19] Scion is one of the largest employers in Rotorua.[4] The office is sited at Te Papa Tipu Innovation Park, and Scion has entered into a memorandum of understanding with local tangata whenua Ngā Hapū e Toru.[20] It also has an office on the campus of the University of Canterbury in Christchurch with close to 30 staff, as well as a smaller office in Wellington.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Who we are". Scion Research. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  2. ^ "Our people". Scion Research. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d Richardson, Margaret (24 November 2008). "Page 1. The development of forest research". Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d "Scion celebrates 70 years and looks to continue growing NZ through trees". The Rotorua Daily Post. 18 April 2017. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  5. ^ Richardson, Margaret (24 November 2008). "Page 5. Combating threats to forests". Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  6. ^ Richardson, Margaret (24 November 2008). "Page 3. Studying exotic plantations". Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  7. ^ a b c "Scion celebrates 75 years of forest science impact". The Rotorua Daily Post. 21 April 2022. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  8. ^ "What's in a Name?". Scion Research. Archived from the original on 23 April 2011.
  9. ^ a b Arthur-Worsop, Stephanie (20 May 2015). "Scion hails 'special' forestry alliance". The Rotorua Daily Post. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  10. ^ a b "Scion photography exhibition celebrates 75 years of impact". Rotorua Weekender. 23 December 2022. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  11. ^ Tebbutt, Leah (8 September 2023). "Race to save Rotorua's native trees nurtures local rangatahi". Radio New Zealand. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  12. ^ Wannan, Olivia (17 June 2023). "Forests are quietly absorbing livestock emissions – study". Stuff. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  13. ^ a b Ryan, Aaron (6 March 2024). "Global forest summit in Rotorua: charting a path amid climate change". Te Ao Māori News. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  14. ^ a b "Rotorua, Scion to host prestigious International Union of Forest Research Organisation conference". The Rotorua Daily Post. 7 July 2023. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  15. ^ Richardson, Margaret (24 November 2008). "Page 7. Helping with the harvest". Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  16. ^ Porter, David (2 September 2016). "Scion gets eye-in-the-sky head start". Bay of Plenty Times. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  17. ^ Porter, David (12 August 2015). "Scion leads charge for efficient batteries". Bay of Plenty Times. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  18. ^ "Scion hones tools to meet red needle cast". Farmers Weekly. 10 October 2023. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  19. ^ Makiha, Kelly (31 March 2021). "Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern opens Scion's new front door - Te Whare Nui o Tuteata". The Rotorua Daily Post. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  20. ^ "Scion and hapū sign Memorandum of Understanding and launch visitor display". The Rotorua Daily Post. 25 August 2022. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
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