Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) - National
New Zealand participates in IODP through the Australian and New Zealand IODP Consortium (ANZIC)
New Zealand IODP Participation (2008-2011)
From 2008-2011, New Zealand contributed a 5% national membership (US$280,000) to IODP as part of the Australian and New Zealand IODP Consortium (ANZIC). Together with Australia's 25% national membership fee, ANZIC had a 30% associate membership in IODP. Participation on IODP panels and expeditions is governed by the membership level; New Zealand was entitled to one shipboard position and one primary panel representative per year under this arrangement. Seven institutions and the New Zealand government contributed to the New Zealand annual membership fee:
- GNS Science
- Victoria University of Wellington
- University of Otago
- University of Auckland
- University of Canterbury
- University of Waikato
- NIWA (2011 only)
- Foundation for Research, Science and Technology (FRST); now the Ministry of Science and Innovation (MSI)
After failing to secure additional government funding, New Zealand was forced to relinquish its national membership on 6 December 2011.
New Zealand IODP Participation (2012-2013)
As a stop-gap measure to allow New Zealanders to continue participating in IODP through the end of the current program in 2013, Australia has invited New Zealand institutions to remain a part of IODP through Australia by paying a minimum annual membership fee of AU$20,000. GNS Science, Victoria University of Wellington and Otago University have accepted this invitation and will receive essentially the same entitlements as Australian universities and research institutions. Scientists at these institutions are eligible to sail on upcoming expeditions, participate on IODP panels and serve as lead proponents on drilling proposals. Furthermore, expedition participants will be able to apply for up to AU$40,000 for post-cruise research funding. The total amount of money available to New Zealand institutions for IODP-related activities will be capped at the total amount paid to the Australian IODP Office each year.
Governance structure
The NZ IODP committee is made up of two representatives from GNS Science as the lead organisation and one representative from each of the participating universities and research organisations. The committee chairperson is also a member of the ANZIC governing council. New Zealand is entitled to two positions on the ANZIC Science Committee.
The current NZ IODP committee membership is: Chris Hollis (chairperson, GNS), Denise Kulhanek (GNS), Gary Wilson (ANZIC Sci Com, University of Otago), Tim Naish (Victoria University), Lorna Strachan (University of Auckland) and Joshu Mountjoy (NIWA).
Benefits to New Zealand Scientists
As New Zealand had to relinquish its national membership in 2011, only scientists from institutions that have joined ANZIC by paying a membership fee are eligible to sail on IODP expeditions, participate on IODP panels or serve as lead proponents on drilling proposals.
All NZ researchers are entitled to lodge requests for samples or data from IODP, ODP and DSDP expeditions through IODP.
NZ researchers are also welcome to visit the IODP Micropalentology Reference Centre at GNS Science, Lower Hutt, which contains reference sets of microfossil samples and slides from DSDP, ODP and IODP expeditions (currently up to ODP Leg 189). Loans can be arranged in special cases.
ANZIC welcomes applications to sail on any IODP expedition from NZ researchers at member institutions. Learn how to apply here.
Recent New Zealand Participation on IODP Expeditions
In 2009-2010, New Zealand scientists participated on three IODP expeditions, all utilising the riserless drilling vessel JOIDES Resolution:
- IODP Exp. 320 Pacific Equatorial Age Transect (5 Mar - 5 May 2009), Christian Ohneiser, paleomagnetist, University of Otago
- IODP Exp. 317 Canterbury Basin Sea Level (4 Nov 2009 - 4 Jan 2010), Greg Browne, sedimentologist and Martin Crundwell, micropaleontologist, both GNS Science and Kirsty Tinto, paleomagnetist, University of Otago
- IODP Exp. 318 Wilkes Land Glacial History (4 Jan - 10 Mar 2010), Rob McKay, sedimentologist, Victoria University of Wellington
IODP Links
- Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP)