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Science and research collaboration has become an integral part of the overall Australia-New Zealand relationship.
The current Closer Economic Relations arrangements and the cultural, language and legal similarities between the two countries facilitate researcher to researcher and institutional links. The close trans-Tasman relationship is supported by New Zealand’s inclusion as a member of Australia’s Commonwealth, States & Territory Advisory Council on Innovation (CSTACI). CSTACI is a high level advisory council on innovation to enhance coordination of innovation and science policy across Australia and with New Zealand.
The Australia-New Zealand science and technology (S&T) relationship is very active and growing rapidly. Most areas of scientific collaboration between the two countries are in areas of mutual strength, including: Marine & Freshwater Biology, Ecology/Environment, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Medicine, Geoscience (including Oceanography), Pharmacology and Plant & Animal Science.
Square Kilometre Array Collaboration
In August 2009, Australia and New Zealand governments agreed to join forces to bid for the A$2.5 billion international Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project. The SKA is able to see back to the formation of the first stars and is one of the world’s most significant science projects, on a par with the Large Hadron Collider in Europe.
Extending the SKA bid to include New Zealand will significantly add to the scientific outcomes of the project and could possibly see two stations constructed in New Zealand with an array of radio telescopes. New Zealand’s role in the project is viewed as crucial to building the global collaboration required for the SKA to reach its full potential. If the bid is successful, the SKA will not only significantly increase Australia’s and New Zealand’s scientific capabilities; it will result in economic benefits and spinoffs in a number of areas, including supercomputing, data transmission, renewable energy, construction and manufacturing.
INCO-NET Pacific
Organisations from Australia, New Zealand, Pacific nations, France, Italy and Germany are collaborating in the establishment of "INCO-NET Pacific"; an initiative of the European Commission as part of the 7th EU Framework Programme for Research.
The INCO-NET project is aimed at establishing a bi-regional dialogue that will:
- Promote and structure the participation of Pacific Island communities in the activities of FP7
- Lead to the identification and the prioritisation of common research areas of mutual interest and benefit
- Promote international Scientific and Technological cooperation.
Australia is expected to play a key role in INCO-NET through the CSIRO.
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