5 NOVEMBER

NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE

3737

• The combined effect of increased carbon dioxide, UV and other climate factors on plant growth and development, and research into processes of interaction.

• Regional climate modelling including extreme events, preferably in cooperation with overseas modelling groups and computer centres.

• Studies of physical and biological processes in the ocean and exchanges with the atmosphere of importance to climate change.

• The understanding of the variations in the sources and sinks of methane and nitrous oxide in particular New Zealand land utilisation situations.

• Improving knowledge of the carbon budgets in New Zealand ecosystems, including soils. Also, of the net carbon emission balance in New Zealand.

• Developing an impact assessment methodology for policy development and appraisal.

Animal Welfare

• Physiological, genetic and behavioural bases for, and causes of, animal stress and welfare emphasising domestic livestock, companion animals and pest management.

Biodiversity

• Description and analysis of biodiversity of indigenous and modified ecosystems and the management requirements for effective maintenance of these genetic resources.

Hazard Mitigation

• Description, analysis and management of hazards and hazardous materials for the purpose of improving the quality of life and minimising economic and social risks.

Primary Production (Output Classes 1 to 10)

• Sustainable development of primary production systems emphasising integrated management, and control of weeds, pests and disease.

• Sustainable development and management of soil and land resources, including development of plants for soil conservation and land rehabilitation.

• Understanding and manipulation of biological components, and growth and development, emphasising quality rather than quantity attributes.

• Product diversification through the evaluation, production, market assessment and industry infrastructure requirements where exploitation and commercialisation are more certain.

• Education, development and well-being of individuals, families and other social and ethnic groups in relation to development of primary production.

• Dynamics and culture of labour and work and the relationship to improving enterprise, investment and performance in primary production.

Primary Processing (Output Classes 11 to 15)

• Advanced and intelligent processing technologies that enhance productivity, product quality and diversity.

• By-product and waste minimisation and utilisation.

• The development of technologies that improve the efficiency of measuring, storage and transport, including energy efficiency.

Secondary Manufacturing (Output Classes 16 to 19)

• Equipment, plant and material reliability and maintenance.

• Intelligent and flexible process, product and construction control technologies and systems suited to the scale of New Zealand industry and to the exploitation of niche markets.

Infrastructure (Output Classes 20 to 24)

• Infrastructural resource identification and analysis and its integration and coordination into infrastructure planning, including information bases, as part of broader social, environmental and economic planning.

Social Sciences (Output Classes 25 to 28)

• Description and analysis of models for ensuring equity, development and integration of individuals, families and other social, cultural and ethnic groups.

• New Zealand trade and investment patterns, their relationship to labour force dynamics, the workplace, and development of an enterprise culture for a competitive economy.

Protection, Exploration and Exploitation of the Earth (Output Classes 29 to 35)

• Description and analysis of properties, processes, interactions and interdependence of atmospheric, land, freshwater, marine and geological resources, natural and modified eco-systems and their biota.

• Analysis and monitoring of the impacts of natural phenomena or human intervention on the natural environment over time.

Nuclear Verification (Output Classes 38 to 40)

• Take into account the Government’s commitment to nuclear verification by seismological means and the need to contribute to a worldwide database of seismological events for this purpose.

Specific Output Topic Themes

The following themes, specific to output classes, have been derived from last year’s Priority Statement where they could not be encompassed in a cross-output topic theme, and from the deliberations of the Panel after consideration of the submissions. It is envisaged that they will be modified as output class strategies are developed.