Biodiversity-related sciences in New Zealand

This web page has been set up by researchers with interests in biodiversity in New Zealand and contains information about New Zealand's involvement and capability in biodiversity research. It also provides contacts to some of the researchers involved in these sciences in New Zealand.

Royal Society Committee on Biodiversity

The Royal Society Committee on Biodiversity was established in 1994 in response to the perceived important role for science concerned with biological diversity, particularly in the light of obligations consequent to the signing of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity. Currently the committee comprises a core group  representative of the science sectors concerned with biological diversity, and a wider network.

Committee details:

• Terms of reference
• Committee membership
• Approved work plans for the current year
• Latest annual report to Society Council
• Meeting Minutes
• Archive Documents

Obituary to Dr David Given, 1943-2005

Policy documents:

• Response to Backbone Funding of National Collections and Databases - MoRST discussion documents (June 2007)
  
• Response to the draft Environment Research discussion document; October 2006.
  
• Letter to Minister of Conservation regarding native snail Powelliphanta augustus, (March 2006)
• Contribution to review of the Outcome Based Investment process; May 2005.

Terms of Reference

Having regard to the Convention on Biological Diversity, the full range of land tenure and the use in New Zealand, and in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, the committee shall:

• Identify scientific, technical and educational programmes contributing to biodiversity research with special reference to:

1. Identification - systematics, taxonomy, and paleoecology.
2. Conservation - monitoring systems, ecosystems analysis.
3. Sustainable use - economic and social impacts.

• Establish priorities for research in biodiversity having due regard to the capabilities of research providers, future needs and the requirements of users.
• Facilitate the application of biodiversity research in the Southwest Pacific and Antarctica.
• Contribute to the preparation of a biodiversity strategy for New Zealand (done).

   

Committee Membership

List correct at 05/07/08

• Mr JG Charles (Chair), Hort Research, Mt Albert Research Centre, Private Bag 92 169, AUCKLAND   Phone: 09 815 4200 x 7094   Fax: 09 815 4201   Email: jcharles at hortresearch.co.nz
• Dr RA Benton mrsnz, 2793 River Road, RD 1, TAUPIRI   Fax: 07 8248025   Email: tumanako at gmail.com
• Dr D Choquenot, Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, Private Bag 92 170, AUCKLAND   Phone: 09 574 4129   Fax: 09 574 4101   Email: ChoquenotD at landcareresearch.co.nz
• Dr JGB Derraik mrsnz, 20A Woodland Rd, Johnsonville, WELLINGTON   Phone: 021.079.5068   Email: derraik at gmail.com
• Kevin Hackwell, Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of NZ, P.O. Box 631, WELLINGTON   Phone: 04 801 2215   Fax: 04 385 7373   Email: k.hackwell at forestandbird.org.nz
• Dr JR Leathwick , NIWA, PO Box 11115, HAMILTON   Email: j.leathwick at niwa.co.nz
• Dr ME Livingston , NIWA, PO Box 14 901, Kilbirnie, WELLINGTON   Phone: (04) 386 0300   Fax: (04) 386 0574   Email: Mary.Livingston at fish.govt.nz
• Professor P J Lockhart frsnz, Allan Wilson Centre, Institute of Molecular BioSciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, PALMERSTON NORTH   Phone: 06 356 9099 ext 7053   Fax: 06-350 5626   Email: p.j.lockhart at massey.ac.nz
• Dr Heidi Meudt, Museum of New Zealand, Te Papa Tongarewa, P.O. Box 467, WELLINGTON   Phone: 04 381 7127   Fax: 04 381 7070   Email: heidim at tepapa.govt.nz
• Ms M Newfield, Biosecurity New Zealand, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, P.O. Box 2526, WELLINGTON   Phone: 819 0495   Email: melanie.newfield at maf.govt.nz
• Dr Naomi Parker, Biosecurity New Zealand, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, 25 The Terrace, WELLINGTON   Email: naomi.parker at maf.govt.nz
• Dr M J Parsons , 4 Avery Place, Balmoral Hill, Redcliffs, CHRISTCHURCH   Phone: 03 384 9998   Fax: 03 384 6996   Email: parsons_whanau at xtra.co.nz
• Dr MA Potter mrsnz, Institute of Natural Resources (Ecology), Massey University, Private Bag 11222, PALMERSTON NORTH   Phone: (06) 356 9099 ext 2608   Fax: (06) 350 5623   Email: m.potter at massey.ac.nz
• Dr Greg Sherley, Department of Conservation, Research Development and Improvement Division, PO Box 10420, WELLINGTON   Phone: 04 471 3251   Fax: 04 471 1082   Email: gsherley at doc.govt.nz

 

 Archive

• Presentation on Terms of Reference for new Biodiversity Committee members, (PPT, April 2007)
  
• Marine Taxonomy  -An analysis of needs and a history of support for taxonomic research (PDF 1MB, submitted by Dennis Gordon, with thanks to Wendy Nelson, NIWA for the contribution) April 2007.
  
• Dept of Conservation response to the Review of the NZ Biodiversity Strategy, and its recommendations (April 2007). [awaiting permission to copy here]
  
• FRST funding in marine systematics – impact on national capacity 1999 versus 2005 (submitted by Dennis Gordon) December 2006
  
• Marine Taxonomy – capacity and capability crisis for NZ (Dennis Gordon, Dec 2006)
• Constituents letter – to  MoRST regarding situation of taxonomy in New Zealand
  
• Global Biodiversity Information facility -(PDF, 368kB) background information about GBIF provided by Professor David Penman University of Canterbury, 2006
  
• Index of Biocultural Biodiversity (submitted by Richard Benton) March 2004
• CBD Global Taxonomy Initiative draft decision (February 2004)
• Biodiversity Report 1996 - on the need for a national science strategy for biodiversity in relation to the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Biodiversity Strategy.  Written under contract to MoRST by Colin O'Loughlin and Tony Warrington.

For additions/corrections to these documents please contact Dr Kathleen Logan, Executive Officer, Royal Society Committee on Biodiversity, phone +64-4-470 5754, fax +64-4-473 1841