Our role
The Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor (PMCSA), Kaitohutohu Mātanga Pūtaiao Matua ki te Pirimia, has a broad role. The central focus is advising the Prime Minister about how science can inform good decision making in Aotearoa New Zealand.
The PMCSA:
- provides strategic advice across sectors, and does not seek to influence operational or funding matters within the science system;
- serves as an accessible conduit between the science community and government;
- provides advice on specific topics, to the Prime Minister or other Ministers;
- plays a role in raising the profile of science in Aotearoa New Zealand;
- assists in making science more accessible to the public; and
- builds relationships internationally with science advisors and international thought leaders.
The PMCSA is independent and not an employee of the Government. This enables the freedom to speak out on important issues.
The PMCSA commits to scrupulous management of conflicts, resigns from all board appointments and leadership roles, and does not apply for research funding in New Zealand during their term.
Advice
The OPMCSA has a small team that provides science-based evidence to the Prime Minister to inform the programme of government. The OPMCSA may also assist Cabinet Ministers with requests for science advice.
Formal advice
This can be provided in three different ways:
- In response to an informal, sometimes confidential, request – in person, directly to the PM and/or Ministers.
- In response to a request from the PM and/or Ministers – a formal letter containing a quick scan of the relevant literature on a topic of interest. The letter is a way to quickly provide advice and scope an issue for possible future comprehensive research.
- A full and comprehensive report. This will generally become publicly available and could be:
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- Initiated by the PMCSA with agreement from the PM
- Initiated by the PM as part of the core work plan
- Commissioned as a separate project by a Minister
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Informal Advice
In addition, there are often ‘hot topics’ that emerge due to a rapidly changing research landscape and/or particular public interest. The office keeps a watching brief on these topics and produces information summaries for the public. These are normally uploaded to the website after prior distribution to the Prime Minister and relevant Ministers, on a no surprises basis.
Programme of work
We keep a watching brief across all areas of science, and update our immediate priorities periodically in consultation with the Prime Minister. We avoid projects that overlap with other providers of science advice – e.g. the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment. Some major topics of interest are covered below.
Artificial intelligence (AI)
AI technology has many opportunities and implications for Aotearoa New Zealand. We are currently working on a new project on artificial intelligence with a particular focus on healthcare delivery.
We will be working with a panel and wider reference group of experts and stakeholders to inform our work. The panel will be co-chaired by the PMCSA and the CSA to Manatū Hauora|Ministry of Health, Ian Town.
See our AI topic page for more information about this project
Food
Food waste
We are currently working on a project on food waste.
Read more about our food waste project here
Read the first report in the food waste series – ‘Food waste: A global and local problem‘ (July 2022)
Read the second report in the food waste series – ‘Food rescue in 2022: Where to from here’ (October 2022)
He Uru Kahikatea: Building young people’s resilience
We are currently working on a project focused on building young people’s resilience to polluted information through media and information literacy and digital citizenship, alongside Professor Stuart McNaughton and Professor Melinda Webber.
Read more about the project here
Minimising gang harms
We have completed a piece of work focused on minimising gang harms.
Read the full report report here (June 2023)
Read the key messages report here (June 2023)
Antimicrobial resistance
A global public health emergency, pathogens are rapidly evolving resistance to antimicrobial drugs such as antibiotics.
In 2022, we released a report entitled ‘The threat of infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance in Aotearoa New Zealand’. (March 2022)
Read our ‘Rheumatic fever’ annex to the project (November 2021)
Read our 2019 briefing on antimicrobial resistance (2019)
Fluoride
In 2021, we provided a public-facing evidence summary of the health effects of water fluoridation. Our office examined new evidence published since the Royal Society Te Apārangi report in 2014.
Read ‘Fluoridation: An update on evidence’ here (June 2021)
Fisheries
In 2020-21, we produced a report titled ‘The future of commercial fishing in Aotearoa New Zealand’ at the request of the Prime Minister.
Read ‘The future of commercial fishing in Aotearoa New Zealand’ report (March 2021)
Fisheries Cabinet papers – July 2022 – Proactively released
- Paper 1 of 7 Oceans and Fisheries – Ensuring Healthy Ocean Ecosystems
- Paper 1 of 7 Appendix 3 (appendix 2 is in the paper)
- Paper 2 of 7 Fisheries System Reform
- Paper 3 of 7 Strengthening Fishing Rules and Policies: Landings and Discards
- Paper 4 of 7 Strengthening Fishing Rules and Policies: Offences and Penalties
- Paper 5 of 7 Revitalising the Hauraki Gulf – Government Sea Change Strategy
- Paper 6 of 7 Initial response to the Prime ministers Chief Science Advisors Report on Commercial Fishing
- Paper 7 of 7 On Board cameras
- Paper 7 of 7 Appendix 1: Business Case
- Paper 7 of 7 Appendix 2: Summary of Operating Model and Costings
Read the government response to our report (August 2022)
Sustainability
Plastics
In 2019, we completed our first major report: Rethinking Plastics in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Read the ‘Rethinking Plastics’ report (December 2019)
Nitrates in drinking water
In 2022, we provided a public facing evidence summary of what we know, what we don’t know, and what we need to know about nitrates in drinking-water
Read “Nitrates in drinking-water” (July 2022)
Regulation of genetic technologies
In 2019, the Royal Society Te Apārangi released a comprehensive report on gene editing. Juliet provided commentary on the report for the Prime Minister. Read Juliet’s briefing to the PM (August 2019)
In 2022, Hon David Parker, Minister for the Environment, has asked for some official advice about some elements of New Zealand’s genetic modification regulation. Listen to Min Parker interview (June 2022)
See our webpage.
Science advice in emergencies
This is a developing focus in conjunction with Professor Tom Wilson and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). Juliet also sits on the Hazard Risk Board.
In 2019, we provided advice after the Christchurch mosque shootings.
Read the Christchurch mosque briefing (May 2019)
We also supported the response to the 2019 Whakaari/White Island eruption and the COVID-19 response.
Equity, diversity and inclusion in science
This was a major focus for 2019–2021, addressed by a collection of intern projects – including two interns in partnership with Tairāwhiti iwi in 2021-2022.
In 2019, we facilitated a series of hui focused on increasing Māori – and especially Māori rangatahi – participation in STEAM. This culminated in a special hui with Hon Dr Megan Woods, then Minister of Research, Science and Innovation.
Read about the outcomes of the hui (February 2020)
Read a foreword from Juliet and Tahu Kukutai on the relationship between science and mātauranga Māori (December 2019
5G
In 2019, we provided accessible information for the public at the request of the Prime Minister and Hon Kris Faafoi, then Minister of Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Media.
Read the 5G information sheet (November 2021)
Evidence to policy
In 2021, a fellowship project was completed on enhancing knowledge sharing between academics and policymakers
Read the ‘Enhancing knowledge sharing between academics and policymakers in Aotearoa New Zealand’ (December 2021)
Our office is working with DPMC and Universities NZ to support improved knowledge sharing between researchers and policy makers.
In 2022, we have a Riddet Institute funded intern project that is developing templates to assist researchers to prepare evidence to policy briefings.
In 2022, we are supporting the National Science Challenges (NSCs) to produce evidence to policy briefings.
Open access
In 2021-2022, an intern project was completed, with support from the Royal Society Te Apārangi, on establishing wider open access for research publication in New Zealand
Read ‘The Future is Open: Establishing Wider Open Access for Research Publications in Aotearoa New Zealand’ report (May 2022)
Climate change
We provide informal advice on request, e.g. on targets in the 2019 Zero Carbon Bill.
In 2020, Juliet was appointed by Hon James Shaw, Minister for Climate Change, to the Climate Change Commission Nominating Committee.
Legalisation of cannabis
In 2020, we provided a public-facing summary of the evidence of harm reduction on legalisation of cannabis.
Read ‘Legalising cannabis: What does the evidence say?’ (July 2020)
Adaptation to the zero carbon economy
Renewable energy has been a focus of several small intern projects aligned with the office.
Data ethics
Juliet chaired the Data Ethics Advisory Group 2019–2020, supported by Stats NZ, and maintains an active interest in this area.
Independent science advice to Standards NZ
We provide advice as required at the request of Hon David Clark, Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.
Sensitive technologies
In 2019–2020, Juliet sat on the Sensitive Technologies Working Group, chaired by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and the Defence Technology Advisory Board. She maintains an active interest in this area.
Last updated: 4 August 2022.