News release from the Royal Society of New Zealand
Embargoed until 11am Tuesday 15 December 2015
National treasures under threat – call to support New Zealand’s
taxonomic collections
More resources and a coordinated approach are needed to safeguard and grow New Zealand’s
taxonomic collections which are intrinsic to supporting sectors of New Zealand life from
economic growth to human health, says an expert panel of the Royal Society of New Zealand on
the release of their expert advice on taxonomic collections today.
Dr Wendy Nelson, chair of the National Taxonomic Collections in New Zealand panel that has
conducted a review, says taxonomy is how we understand New Zealand’s living things, allowing
us to identify native and non-native species but also identify pests, weeds and toxic organisms.
New Zealand has 29 collections which help us do this with 12 million species held in 20
institutions around the country – museums, Crown Research Institutes and universities – but
eroding funding threatens the collections and the taxonomic workforce, she said.
“Taxonomy allows us to understand New Zealand’s unique flora and fauna – 50 per cent of
which is found nowhere else in the world – but it also allows us to make the most of
opportunities in trade, health, and our environment, and to meet our international obligations.”
“From carrying out the review, we have heard that funding declines over at least 20 years have
resulted in loss of expertise and access to these important biological collections. Many retiring
taxonomists have not been replaced and those still working in the area have little time to devote
to this important work.
“Recommendations in this report have been reached through a wide-ranging collaborative
process and the collection holders are committed to working together to preserve and grow
these collections and build systems for better sharing of information, but they need resources
and stable funding to do so.”
Dr Nelson says the collections are a ‘treasure trove’ of information collected over nearly 250
years and new technologies mean the rate that new species are being discovered and described
is increasing rapidly.
“We still do not have a good understanding of New Zealand’s biota. Seventy per cent of
arthropods, a group that includes insects, spiders and crustaceans such as crayfish, remain
undescribed. Even with New Zealand plants, which you might imagine we would have a good
handle on, we estimate that fifteen per cent are not described. Even less well understood are
the organisms living in New Zealand’s vast marine realm. It is estimated that 80% of our native
species live in our large marine zone but only 1% of this has been surveyed.
“We face a range of challenges with increasing biosecurity risks associated with trade and
tourism, and changing climates affecting the species that are able to live in New Zealand. This
means that taxonomic research is more important than ever in equipping us for the future and
providing essential baseline knowledge.”
Professor Richard Bedford, Royal Society of New Zealand President, commended the panel for
its in-depth and consultative process and said that the resulting recommendations were clear.
“To preserve and build our taxonomic collections, which is vital, we must invest in core
infrastructure, support collaboration, and provide long term professional development and job
security.”
He emphasised that having a good handle on New Zealand’s biota is not ‘nice to know’ but ‘need
to know’ with implications for the economy and many areas of national life.
“An effective biological collections’ infrastructure is critical in the defense of the economy,
environment and society against pests, diseases, and weeds which currently cost New Zealand
$2.45 billion annually, and in ensuring market access for New Zealand’s $1.5 billion seafood
exports, for example.”
“Our biological heritage is part of our identity. In addition, collections and taxonomic research
can provide key information about taonga species and assist with biodiversity and resource
management with direct relevance to Māori.”
Demand for skilled taxonomists will likely increase as climate change shifts the geographical
regions where species can survive, including disease-carrying mosquitoes, and changes in ocean
currents could bring new species to New Zealand that will need to be identified, he said.
Professor Geoff Boxhall FRS of the Natural History Museum, London says that New Zealand is
obligated to preserve and build its taxonomic collections to meet international obligations.
“All nations have an international responsibility to identify, monitor and conserve their
biodiversity, and taxonomic collections are essential infrastructure for supporting accurate and
standardised species identification.
“The declines in funding for taxonomic collections and the loss of taxonomic expertise
highlighted in this report are worrying trends and need to be reversed for New Zealand to
continue to meet its international obligations in this area, particularly around ensuring online
access to information. Other countries, such as Canada, Australia and the UK, have reported
declines in taxonomic workforce, but none to the extent seen in New Zealand.
“I fully support the recommendations of this report - changes are urgently needed to support
and grow New Zealand’s taxonomic collections.”
The members of the National Taxonomic Collections in New Zealand panel are:
 Dr Wendy Nelson MNZM FRSNZ (Chair), Principal Scientist, Marine Biology, NIWA and
Professor, School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland
 Dr Ilse Breitwieser, Portfolio Leader/Capability Leader for the Systematics Team,
Landcare Research
 Professor Ewan Fordyce FRSNZ, Department of Geology, University of Otago
 Dr Janet Bradford-Grieve ONZM FRSNZ, Emeritus Researcher, Marine Biology, NIWA
 Dr David Penman, Executive Secretary, New Zealand Organisms’ Register
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Dr Nick Roskruge, Senior Lecturer/Kaiarahi Maori, Institute of Agriculture and
Environment, Massey University
Dr Tom Trnski, Head of Natural Sciences, Auckland War Memorial Museum
Dr Susan Waugh, Senior Curator Sciences, Te Papa
Dr Colin Webb FRSNZ, environmental scientist
Copies of the report and supporting information can be found at
www.royalsociety.org.nz/taxonomy
ENDS
For more information
Nancy de Bueger, Communications and Digital Engagement Advisor, Royal Society of New
Zealand, 04 470 5807, 027 458 8982 nancy.debueger@royalsociety.org.nz
Background information
About the Royal Society of New Zealand
The Royal Society of New Zealand offers expert advice to government and the public, recognises
excellence in research and scholarship in science, technology and humanities, promotes science
and technology education, publishes peer-reviewed journals, administers funds for research and
fosters international scientific contact and co-operation.
www.royalsociety.org.nz