The science programmes
Real-time biological heritage assessment
Creating solutions to allow biodiversity and biosecurity decision makers to have accurate, comprehensive information at their fingertips.
Reducing risks and threats across landscapes
Reducing rates of incursion or establishment by foreign invader species; improving efficacy of pest management by scaling-up control operations.
Enhancing and restoring resilient ecosystems
Enhancing and restoring the resilience of vulnerable ecosystems; preventing biodiversity loss, and mitigating the effects of global change.
The National Science Challenge, New Zealand’s Biological Heritage, has been created to protect and manage our native biodiversity, improve our biosecurity, and enhance our resilience to harmful organisms.
New Zealanders value highly our biological heritage – the natural, production and urban environments in which we live, work and recreate. These environments underpin our economy, particularly through primary industries and tourism, are integral to our sense of national identity, and have important cultural and recreational significance.
Elements of our environment are under increasing pressure.
With 17 partner organisations and input from dozens of other stakeholder entities, this National Science Challenge will transform the way that we as New Zealanders respond to that pressure.
News Feed
International Science Advisory Panel
01 Oct 2016
The Challenge welcomes and thanks members of the International Science Advisory Panel, chaired by Stephen Goldson. See you at our first national meeting 8-10 May 2017, Te Papa, Wellington, 2017.
Taranaki Mounga
30 Sep 2016
Another big step towards a predator-free NZ by 2050 - the launch of Taranaki Mounga in New Plymouth yesterday, 29 September.
Challenge Ambassador receives Fleming Award
14 Sep 2016
Professor Bruce Clarkson, Challenge initiator and Ambassador, has "worked tirelessly to advance and communicate understanding of native plant ecology..."
