New Zealand Research Information System Update
Issue # 4

13 August 2019

Welcome to the latest update from the NZRIS programme.

In this issue we update you on:

• our new simple guides to the data specifications
• the release of Version 2 of the API specifications
• the latest from the Funder-Researcher Working Group
• our new-look website pages which include Q&As

The inaugural meeting of the NZRIS Stewardship and Oversight Group was also held recently, and we’ll update you on this in our next newsletter due out in two weeks.

As always, get in touch if you have any questions by emailing the team at nzris@mbie.govt.nz.

Simple guides to the NZRIS data specifications

We’ve created two new documents designed to make it easy to get an understanding of the data that will go into NZRIS – not just what it’s about, but how it’s made up, how the different parts work together, who needs to provide what data and how protection patterns work.

The first is our information sheet Data in NZRIS [PDF, 310KB] which explains the data in NZRIS, and the second is our Data in NZRIS at a glance [PDF, 245 KB] infographic which is an A3 infographic that shows the data in NZRIS by phase.

These aren’t designed to replace the data specifications; ICT managers and staff in data provider organisations will still need to read and understand the full data specifications. However, we think that the new documents will be a big help for those who want to have a good sense of what it’s all about. 

As always, if you have any questions just email us at nzris@mbie.govt.nz

API specifications (V2) released

We have just released Version 2 of the Application Programme Interface (API) specification [DOCX, 987KB].  Changes in this version have been made to ensure alignment with V2 of the NZRIS data specifications [DOCX / 2.9MB]. The purpose of this document is to set out the specifications (interface behaviours and payloads) for the NZRIS API.

Refreshing the Funder-Researcher Working Group

The future direction for the Funder-Researcher Working Group (FRWG) was the main topic of discussion at the meeting held in July.

Set up in 2015, the FRWG was initially established as a forum to discuss the draft Research, Science and Innovation Domain Plan report.  Since the release of the 2016 Domain Plan, its major focus has been on supporting the development of NZRIS, and it has played a key role in ensuring there is true co-development and design of the new system.

Approximately 20 people from across the research, science and innovation sector attended the meeting, and it was a good opportunity to share thoughts and ideas on the best way forward for the group.

Rio Yonson of the NZRIS Programme team says with the new NZRIS Stewardship and Oversight Group now in place, it has been an ideal time to review the purpose of the FRWG and ensure it can continue to work effectively as NZRIS develops.

“We used the meeting to develop a common understanding of the future role of the group, engage members more fully in the development of operational guidance and input into NZRIS, and set a foundation for a refreshed FRWG,” she says.

The meeting comprised a series of workshops that generated valuable inputs from the participants, and helped to understand how the FRWG could work in future.

The NZRIS team is now working through the inputs generated at the meeting to draft a new terms of reference, which will be put forward for adoption at the next meeting scheduled for later this year.

Anyone from the RS&I sector who wants to know more, or to be part of future meetings, is welcome to attend. To find out more, get in touch with the NZRIS team at nzris@mbie.govt.nz

Making it easier to find what you’re looking for

We’ve just updated the NZRIS pages on the MBIE website. We’ve re-ordered them and added some new content, and we hope you’ll find it easier to find what you’re looking for.

Some key changes include the addition of a Getting Ready page. If you’re a research organisation and you’re not sure where to start, then this is a good place. Here you’ll find out about the three main stages to getting ready, and what material is available to help, depending on where you’re at.

We’ve also added a Q&A page which we’ll update regularly – so if there’s anything you want to know that’s not covered there, please let us know.