The Government set up the challenges in 2014 as cross-disciplinary, mission-led programmes designed to tackle New Zealand’s biggest science-based challenges, including the cost and availability of food, building resilience to the effects of climate change, managing our health and wellbeing, protecting our environment, housing and transport issues.
Nearly $681million has been spent on the challenges, which are now at the peak of realising their scientific potential.
Challenge science communicator and University of Otago medical researcher Dr Cherie Stayner said the science challenges only had one year of funding left and they rarely came together.
"So this is a unique opportunity to hear about research from all eleven challenges in the same week — in Dunedin."
A series of evening panel discussions will be held next week as part of the International Science Festival (running from today to July 9).
The first panel discussion on Tuesday is titled Healthier Kiwis and will focus on research from the three health and wellbeing-focused national science challenges: a better start, healthier lives and ageing well, as well as science for technological innovation.
The Wednesday panel discussion, Liveable Cities, will discuss how we can adapt our cities, and the way we inhabit them, to make them more liveable in an era of climate change.
On Thursday, Enabling Kaitiakitanga will illustrate how Vision Mātauranga has been an integral part of all of the national science challenges and has resulted in a wealth of Kaupapa Māori research.
And next Friday, Feeding Aotearoa will highlight how an adequate and healthy food supply, amid climate and economic challenges are crucial for our survival.
Dr Stayner said the speakers were some of New Zealand’s leading scientists.
"This is a one-off chance to hear the latest national science challenge research in areas of great importance to New Zealand."
