Background on New Zealand's Research Publishing Landscape
New Zealand's research community has long relied on a suite of specialized journals to disseminate findings from the natural sciences, social sciences, and beyond. These publications, managed by the Royal Society Te Apārangi, serve as vital platforms for scholars at institutions such as the University of Auckland, Victoria University of Wellington, and the University of Otago. They highlight work on topics ranging from indigenous knowledge systems and biodiversity to geological processes and agricultural innovation, often with a focus on the Pacific region and Aotearoa New Zealand's unique environment.
The Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand, one of the flagship titles, traces its roots to the 1860s and continues to publish multidisciplinary research. Alongside it sit seven other titles that together form a core part of the country's scholarly output. These journals have historically been published in partnership with Taylor & Francis, providing a stable but limited reach for many authors seeking broader international visibility.
The Announcement of the Wiley Partnership
In June 2025, the Royal Society Te Apārangi announced a major shift in its publishing arrangements. Beginning in 2026, all eight of its journals will move to Wiley, a global leader in academic publishing. This transition marks a significant evolution for New Zealand research dissemination, aiming to increase visibility, support open access options, and strengthen connections with researchers worldwide.
The decision reflects broader trends in scholarly publishing, where societies seek partners capable of navigating open access mandates, digital platforms, and global distribution networks. For New Zealand's higher education sector, the change arrives as universities emphasize research impact and international collaboration in performance assessments and funding applications.
Details of the Eight Journals Transitioning
The portfolio includes the Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand, New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research, New Zealand Journal of Botany, New Zealand Journal of Crop and Horticultural Science, New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics, New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, New Zealand Journal of Zoology, and Kōtuitui: New Zealand Journal of Social Sciences Online. Each title maintains its distinct focus while benefiting from unified publishing infrastructure under Wiley.
Collectively, these journals received 1,785 submissions and published more than 500 papers in 2024 alone, demonstrating robust activity and growth. Overseas contributions have been rising steadily, underscoring the journals' appeal beyond domestic borders.
Key Benefits for Researchers and Institutions
The partnership with Wiley is expected to facilitate greater open access publishing through existing Transformative Agreements with institutions and funders. This could reduce barriers for authors at New Zealand universities, allowing more work to be freely available without article processing charges in many cases. Members, Companions, and Fellows of the Royal Society Te Apārangi will receive complimentary digital access to the full collection.
Enhanced digital tools, global marketing, and data analytics from Wiley should help editors track submissions, improve peer review efficiency, and boost citation rates. For early-career researchers and PhD candidates, this could translate into stronger publication records when applying for positions or grants through bodies such as the Marsden Fund.
Stakeholder Perspectives on the Transition
Paul Atkins, Chief Executive of the Royal Society Te Apārangi, emphasized the partnership's role in sustaining momentum and elevating the international profile of New Zealand researchers. He noted the competitive publishing environment and the value of Wiley's resources in meeting evolving researcher expectations.
Peter D’Onghia, Director of Partner Publishing for Asia-Pacific at Wiley, highlighted the quality of the journals and the shared commitment to advancing scholarly goals locally and globally. Fei He, Head of Publishing at the Society, pointed to opportunities for deeper engagement with the Global South and Southern Hemisphere communities while maintaining strong ties in New Zealand.
Implications for Higher Education in New Zealand
Universities across the country stand to gain from improved research visibility. Publications in these journals often feed into national research assessments and international rankings, where citation metrics and open access compliance play growing roles. The move aligns with government priorities around science and innovation, potentially supporting stronger linkages between academia and industry in sectors such as agriculture, environmental management, and health sciences.
Administrators at institutions like Massey University and Lincoln University, which have strong agricultural and environmental research programs, may see enhanced opportunities for collaborative outputs. The transition could also encourage more submissions from postgraduate students, fostering a pipeline of published work that strengthens CVs for academic job markets both domestically and abroad.
Challenges and Considerations During the Shift
Any publishing transition involves logistical elements, including updates to submission systems, author guidelines, and archiving arrangements. Researchers accustomed to the previous platform will need to adapt to Wiley's workflows, though support resources are anticipated. Maintaining the journals' New Zealand-centric identity while expanding global reach requires careful editorial oversight.
Concerns around equity in open access models remain relevant, particularly for authors without institutional support. The Society's commitment to waivers for eligible New Zealand-based corresponding authors in certain cases helps address this.
Future Outlook and Opportunities
Looking ahead, the Wiley partnership positions the journals for sustained growth amid increasing competition and shifting funder requirements. Enhanced discoverability could lead to higher impact factors and broader readership, benefiting the entire New Zealand research ecosystem. Special issues on timely topics such as climate adaptation or Māori knowledge integration may attract even wider attention.
For job seekers in higher education, familiarity with these evolving platforms signals awareness of current publishing trends. Opportunities may arise for editorial roles or guest editing as the journals scale operations.
Actionable Insights for Academics and Administrators
Researchers planning submissions should review the updated author guidelines on the Wiley platform once available. Early engagement with institutional library teams can clarify open access options under Transformative Agreements. Administrators might consider workshops on the new systems to support faculty and students during the transition period.
Monitoring citation trends and submission volumes post-2026 will provide data on the partnership's effectiveness. Collaboration with international co-authors could further amplify the journals' reach.
Broader Context in Global Scholarly Publishing
This development mirrors similar moves by other national societies seeking scale through commercial partners while preserving editorial independence. Wiley's experience with society journals worldwide offers proven models for growth without compromising quality standards. For New Zealand, it reinforces the country's contributions to global knowledge in areas where local expertise is particularly valuable.
