Scion Media Releases

Scion’s application to grow genetically modified pine trees approved

Crown Research Institute Scion welcomes the Environmental Risk Management Authority’s decision to approve, with controls, its application to field test genetically modified radiata pine (Pinus radiata) in outdoor containment.

Inaugural symposium fuels scientific interest

The Biofuels Science Symposium on 13 and 14 of December is the first time the national biofuels research community has come together to discuss the latest scientific developments and the development of a national research strategy.

Scion awards Suffrage Scholarship to Rotorua student

Crown Research Institute Scion today awarded its Suffrage Scholarship to Rotorua Girls High School student Alivea Smith.

Scion embraces Statement of Core Purpose

Scion chairman, Tony Nowell, says that Scion’s Statement of Core Purpose provides a clear, explicit and enduring statement of Scion’s role in New Zealand’s science and innovation system.

Scion Delivers Strong Performance

Crown Research Institute Scion today announced a before-tax profit of $3.240 million for the year ending 30 June 2010.

Scion seeks talented female science students

Scion is once again combing Rotorua for an outstanding female science high school student, with the launch of its Suffrage Centennial Scholarship for 2010. Applicants must be senior female students living in Rotorua and attending a Bay of Plenty secondary school. In addition, they must be intending to start a degree course in 2011 in pure or applied sciences.

Landcare Research Chief Executive to move to Scion

The current head of the Christchurch-based CRI, Landcare Research Ltd, Dr Warren Parker has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of New Zealand Forest Research Ltd, trading as Scion.

Rotorua to gain from innovative research

Today the Minister for the Environment Hon Nick Smith announced that an innovative Rotorua research initiative will be awarded $1 million over two years from the Ministry’s Waste Minimisation Fund. The research project involves Crown Research Institute Scion and Rotorua District Council who joined forces in 2008 to develop a new approach to the management of organic waste.

Free Forestry Conference Puts GIS on the Map

On 6 October, Crown Research Institute Scion is hosting a free conference to raise awareness of how GIS technology can be used to best advantage within the forestry sector.

ERMA invites submissions on Scion’s application to field test GM pine trees

Today Scion’s application to the Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA) to field test genetically modified Pinus radiata in outdoor containment has been publicly notified by ERMA.

Exploring benefits of the bioplastics boom

More than 50 people from around the country with an interest in bioplastics are gathering in Rotorua for a day-long workshop at Crown Research Institute Scion on 13 August.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

Scion announces positive result

Scion today announced a positive financial result for the company of $2.3 million net profit in line with the shareholding Minister’s expectations. Scion Chairman Dr Russ Ballard says the year has seen improved results for Scion, in terms of scientific achievements, financial performance, and reinforcement of the company’s strategic direction.

Pioneer in bioenergy crop research to share knowledge in New Zealand

Dr Emily Heaton, Assistant Professor of Agronomy at Iowa State University in the United States, will be sharing her research and experiences at a conference organised by the International Energy Agency (IEA) Task 30 in December.

Growing Short Rotation Energy Crops: The potential explored

Taupo plays host to a conference organised by the International Energy Agency (IEA) Bioenergy Task 30 organisation this December to examine the potential of short rotation crops (SRC) as a source of future energy supplies.

Scion launches its annual Suffrage Scholarship

Scion has announced the launch of its Suffrage Centennial Scholarship for 2009. Applicants must be intending to commence a degreeThe scholarship aims to find an individual who is an academic achiever, but this is not the only consideration. Judges will be looking to identify someone who is an all-round performer. Candidates are also judged on criteria such as contribution to their school and the wider community, and career and study ambitions. Pupils who are not the very top achievers in their subjects should therefore not be discouraged from entering, the organisation says.

Scion supports Rotorua student to attend Copenhagen conference

Crown Research Institute Scion is pleased to be supporting Western Heights High School student, Phoebe Hunt as part of a delegation to attend the Global Climate Change conference in Copenhagen, Denmark next month.

Genetic Scientists Boost Knowledge Economy

A new collaborative research programme led by scientists at Crown Research Institute Scion could impact everything from the food we eat, to the things we make, and the medical diagnoses we undergo, by better managing genetic information.

The Worth of Waste

Scientists at the Crown Research Institute, Scion in Rotorua have come up with unique cost saving method of treating sludge from sewage treatment plants. And the first organisation to pick up the new technology is the Rotorua District Council who have contracted Scion to apply the technology to the sludge produced at the local wastewater treatment plant.

Modern Science on Show in Rotorua

'Science in the Park’ is a public event that provides everyone with the opportunity to learn more about modern science and about how Scion’s 300 scientists spend their day.

Pimp My Ride at Science in the Park

Scion scientist Dr Jonathan Harrington will be on-site at this year's Science in the Park, making mountain bike handle bars from radiata pine, illustrating the process of selecting lumber, turning it, shaping it into a desired form, steaming it and finishing the product.

B.Y.O. Bugs to Science in the Park

Bay of Plenty residents are being encouraged to explore the biodiversity that exists in their own backyards and bring along insects and fungi for identification by expert scientists at Scion’s open day.

Get Inside and Personal with a Termite

Scion scientist Dr Gareth Lloyd-Jones is leading the team of termite enthusiasts to construct a two metre wide by 10 metre long giant termite for Scion’s open day. Visitors will be able to touch, taste, smell and see all that is going on within the termite’s digestive system.