GNS Science
New Zealand research institute
title: "GNS Science" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["state-owned-research-organisations-in-new-zealand", "science-and-technology-in-new-zealand", "national-geological-agencies", "nuclear-technology-in-new-zealand", "earth-sciences", "earth-science-research-institutes"] description: "New Zealand research institute" topic_path: "science/earth-science" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GNS_Science" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary New Zealand research institute ::
::data[format=table title="Infobox government agency"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | GNS Science |
| native_name | Te Pū Ao (Māori) |
| logo | File:GNS Science logo.svg |
| formed | 1865 |
| preceding1 | New Zealand Geological Survey (1865–1990) |
| preceding2 | DSIR Geophysics Division (1951–1990) |
| preceding3 | Institute of Nuclear Sciences (1959–1992) |
| preceding4 | DSIR Geology and Geophysics (1990–1992) |
| preceding5 | Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences (IGNS; 1992–2005) |
| dissolved | 30 June 2025 |
| superseding1 | Earth Sciences New Zealand |
| headquarters | 1 Fairway Drive, Avalon, New Zealand |
| employees | 390 |
| website | https://www.gns.cri.nz/ |
| :: |
| name = GNS Science | native_name = Te Pū Ao (Māori) | logo = File:GNS Science logo.svg | formed = 1865 | preceding1 = New Zealand Geological Survey (1865–1990) | preceding2 = DSIR Geophysics Division (1951–1990) | preceding3 = Institute of Nuclear Sciences (1959–1992) | preceding4 = DSIR Geology and Geophysics (1990–1992) | preceding5 = Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences (IGNS; 1992–2005) | dissolved = 30 June 2025 | superseding1 = Earth Sciences New Zealand | headquarters = 1 Fairway Drive, Avalon, New Zealand | employees = 390 | website = https://www.gns.cri.nz/
GNS Science (), officially registered as the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences Limited, is a New Zealand Crown Research Institute. It focuses on geology, geophysics (including seismology and volcanology), and nuclear science (particularly ion-beam technologies, isotope science and carbon dating). On 1 July 2025 GNS Science became part of the new Public Research Organisation Earth Sciences New Zealand.
Functions and responsibilities
As well as undertaking basic research, and operating the national geological hazards monitoring network (GeoNet) and the National Isotope Centre (NIC), | url = https://www.gns.cri.nz/Home/Services/Laboratories-Facilities/National-Isotope-Centre | title = National Isotope Centre | publisher = GNS Science | access-date = 2016-11-01 | quote = The National Isotope Centre at GNS Science is New Zealand's premier provider of isotope science expertise and associated commercial applications. GNS Science contracts its services to various private groups (notably energy companies) both in New Zealand and overseas, as well as to central and local government agencies, to provide scientific advice and information.
GNS Science has its head office in Avalon, Lower Hutt, with other facilities in Gracefield, Dunedin, Wairakei, Auckland and Tokyo. ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/db/GNS_Science.jpg" caption="GNS Science headquarters in Avalon, Lower Hutt."] ::
History
GNS Science was known as the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences (IGNS) from 1992 to 2005. Originally part of the New Zealand Government's Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), it was established as an independent organisation when the Crown Research Institutes were set up in 1992.
In late September 2024, GNS Science confirmed that 59 roles would be cut, amounting to ten percent of its workforce. In addition, 37 new roles would be created. This was part of the Sixth National Government's public sector job cuts.
In mid May 2025, Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology Shane Reti announced that GNS would be integrated into a new Public Research Organisation called Earth Sciences New Zealand from 1 July 2025.
References
References
- "Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences Limited (547568) Registered".
- (14 May 2025). "Bold science reforms to fuel economic growth". [[New Zealand Government]].
- (14 May 2025). "Chairs, board members named for new science mergers". [[RNZ]].
- [http://www.geonet.org.nz/ GeoNet Hazards Monitoring Network]
- "2012 Annual Report". GNS Science.
- https://www.gns.cri.nz/contact-us/
- "Our History".
- "Crown Research Institutes Act 1992 No 47 (as at 23 December 2023), Public Act Contents – New Zealand Legislation".
- (25 September 2024). "59 jobs to go at GNS Science". [[RNZ]].
::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::