Economic Valuation of the New Zealand Food Safety Science and Research Centre (NZFSSRC)
In 2023, the AERU was commissioned by the New Zealand Food Safety Science and Research Centre (NZFSSRC) to make an independent estimate of the value of the Centre to New Zealand.
The New Zealand Food Safety Science and Research Centre (NZFSSRC) is a national, virtual scientific network of New Zealand’s food safety researchers, hosted by Massey University and launched in 2016. The Centre synthesises input from industry, government, researchers and Māori to promote, coordinate and deliver food safety science and research for New Zealand.
Three case studies for economic valuation of the Centre’s involvement were constructed. These case studies do not capture all of the benefits of the NZFSSRC, but they are representative examples that
indicate its substantial impact. These case studies examined the value of the Centre by industry - namely dairy, kiwifruit, and poultry. The total conservative estimate based on case studies of the above industries was NZ$164 million per year - a significant return on the government’s NZ$2.5 million investment - that roughly matched contribution from industry.
Interviews with NZFSSRC members carried out during the project also extolled the value of the Centre as a fast and efficient way of getting access to the best scientists for the job, and expertise in identifying, framing and managing research projects, thereby saving time and giving managers and board members confidence in the research.