Updates from the Office

Measuring pollution produced by the space sector can be quite complicated and it seems there's more to it than just space debris. OPMCSA fellow Priyanka Dhopade and analyst Carolle Varughese reflect on caring for the final frontier. The space sector Historically,...

In a December 2022 blog post, I reflected on the pathway from science advice to implementation of science-based recommendations that arise from commissioned reports from our office. Not all our advice is commissioned – sometimes the science community proactively...

AI (artificial intelligence) regulation is a hot topic internationally. Leaders of some of the big players in the AI world are signing open letters and talking to politicians and journalists about the need to regulate AI to prevent serious harms. In this blog, we...

After several years of interacting with the international community remotely, it has been great to be able to connect in person again. This year the (fully vaccinated!) team have been making the most of the opportunity to travel and learn from colleagues in other...

The government's launch of Te rautaki para - Waste strategy today sheds light on the importance of how we create and manage waste in Aotearoa New Zealand, and sets out a pathway for changing unsustainable practices where valuable resources are wasted in enormous...

Flooding events across the North Island have resulted in fatalities, uninhabitable homes, and vital infrastructure in need of repair. OPMCSA analyst Dr Emma Brown reflects on the situation.

Now well into her second term as PMCSA, Juliet reflects on the policy impact of science advice across a range of projects and contexts.

Food rescue organisations in Aotearoa captured over 11,500 tonnes of food at risk of going to waste last year, distributing it to people in the community, including those experiencing food insecurity. Our second food waste report, which we are releasing today, explores the food rescue sector’s role as part of the solution to food waste.

After another busy year as Kaitohutohu Mātanga Pūtaiao Matua ki te Pirimia, Juliet looks back on the past year of science advice, evidence, communication and conversation.

Our office has spent the last few months looking at the evidence around nitrates in our drinking-water, including whether there are any likely health impacts.

Food ending up in the bin is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to food waste. That’s one of the key messages from our first report in the food waste series, Food waste: A global and local problem, which we are releasing today.

This week New Zealanders across the motu will enjoy a long weekend, the nation’s first ever Matariki holiday. Senior analyst Emily McCarthy met with astrophysicist, Māori astronomy expert, and member of the Matariki Advisory Committee Dr Pauline Harris to find out more.

As part of our work on food rescue and food waste, research analyst and writer Colson Verdonk joined a KiwiHarvest driver on their daily food rescue rounds. Read his reflection on the day here.

Our next major project is on food rescue, food loss and food waste. We’re kicking off our project to understand the nature and extent of this problem in Aotearoa New Zealand and explore evidence-based solutions to reduce food waste across the food supply chain.

With New Zealanders preparing to turn their clocks back as daylight saving ends this Sunday, senior analyst Emily McCarthy has been pondering the history and science behind this tradition.

The Kotahitanga report on infectious disease and antimicrobial resistance is out! Read Juliet's reflection on the project here.

Don’t worry, it’s not just you. With global temperatures up 1.1°C compared to pre-industrial levels, it’s getting noticeably warmer throughout the world. Aotearoa New Zealand is no exception.

With 2022 well underway, senior analyst Emily McCarthy reflects on COP26 and the year ahead in climate action in Aotearoa New Zealand and globally.

In anticipation of COP26, chief science advisors from around the world lay out a vision for limiting global warming to below two degrees, writes senior advisor George Slim.

We are now well into our project and the team and panel are working hard to collate the vast range of evidence about AMR in Aotearoa New Zealand, within the broader context of infectious diseases.

Beginning a second term as Kaitohutohu Mātanga Pūtaiao Matua ki te Pirimia, Juliet looks back on the past year of science advice, evidence, communication and conversation.

Our office has examined new evidence on water fluoridation published since the Royal Society Te Apārangi report in 2014. Here’s what we found.

Responding to emergencies, addressing public concerns and delivering detailed evidence syntheses – our work this year has spanned the full spectrum of science advice.

Juliet and Ben from the OPMCSA have co-authored an article on science advice in Aotearoa New Zealand, published in Policy Quarterly.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern visited the Office of the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor today, as part of her schedule in Auckland.

Juliet visited the Ngatamariki geothermal power station, an exciting example of iwi, science and industry all working together.

The Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Adern today announced that University of Auckland Professor Juliet Gerrard will be the new Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor.