2010 Media Releases

12/07/2010  Scion’s upcoming field trial application to ERMA
Scion is currently in the process of submitting an application to the Environmental Risk Management Authority for a new field trial of genetically modified Pinus radiata (radiata pine) trees in outdoor containment.

06/07/2010  Controlling gum leaf skeletoniser
Scion’s application to the Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA) for permission to release a parasitic wasp into New Zealand to control the gum leaf skeletoniser has been approved.

25/06/2010  Scion Board appointments
Today Research, Science and Technology Minister Wayne Mapp announced the appointment of a new chairman, deputy chair and an additional director to the Scion Board with effect from 1 July 2010.

18/06/2010  Scion Chief Executive announces resignation
The Chief Executive of Crown Research Institute Scion, Dr Tom Richardson, has announced he will be resigning after 5 years in the role. Dr Richardson leaves Scion in August to take up the Chief Executive Officer role at Crown Research Institute, AgResearch Limited.

31/05/2010  Scion makes waste pay
Crown Research Institute Scion will be highlighting practical technologies at this year’s Fieldays. Two of those technologies convert waste to profit.

14/05/2010  ArborGen Renews Agreement with Scion
ArborGen, LLC and New Zealand Crown Research Institute Scion have agreed to extend their multi-million dollar partnership in gene discovery and molecular breeding for forest trees.

04/03/2010  Scion welcomes Taskforce findings
Crown Research Institute Scion welcomes the positive and constructive report of the Crown Research Institute Taskforce – “How to enhance the value of New Zealand’s Investment in Crown Research Institutes.”

01/03/2010  Squeaky-clean shoes for Scientists
Scientists attending the 5th International Phytophthora working party meeting in Rotorua next week will bring only clean shoes with them. These scientists know the importance of controlling the spread of the class of micro-organisms whose name means “destroyer of plants”. Over 100 science delegates from 14 different countries will be attending the meeting from 7-12 March, hosted by Crown Research Institute, Scion, Landcare Research and Auckland Regional Council.

22/02/2010  Rotorua District Council looks to gain value from biosolids
Rotorua District Council (RDC) and Crown Research Institute, Scion, are joining forces to demonstrate a new approach to the management of organic wastes. Scion’s Group Manager of Sustainable Design, Dr Trevor Stuthridge, says this is an exciting regional initiative that could be applied in other centres.

25/01/2010  Scion fuels bi-lateral bioenergy talks
Crown Research Institute Scion hosted a high profile delegation today to discuss US-NZ research collaborations in bioenergy. The workshop, which was held at Scion’s Rotorua campus, focused on US and New Zealand research into the opportunities for new bioenergy products and identified where researchers from the two nations might collaborate to speed their development and deployment.

12/01/2010  Port of Tauranga trials new lighting system to beat bugs
A new lighting system being trialled at the Port of Tauranga aims to protect New Zealand’s export trade by reducing pest contamination of forest products in an environmentally-friendly way.