Bioeconomy Science Institute chief executiver Mark Piper. Photo: SUPPLIED/PLANT & FOOD RESEARCH (file)The government's Bioeconomy Science Institute is to cut 134 jobs less than a year after it was formed. That comes on top of 152 jobs axed when the institute was set up as a merger of AgResearch, Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research, Plant & Food Research and Scion into a single organisation. The cuts include 86 science roles and 48 professional services roles such as finance and administration. "The government's own science system advisory group had warned them that the lack of investment in science, innovation and technology is playing a role in our sluggish productivity."

Source: Otago Daily Times February 27, 2026 16:10 UTC