GNS is a Crown Research Institute (CRI) wholly owned by the New Zealand Government and incorporated on 1 July 1992.

GNS's core purpose is to understand earth systems and technologies and to transform this knowledge into economic and social benefits for New Zealand.

The work we do here at GNS can be loosely divided up into the following categories:

The Active Earth:
Understanding the natural forces operating within the Earth.

Earth Resources:
Understanding our mineral, hydrocarbon, geothermal and groundwater
resources.

Using the Atom:
Using isotopic techniques to further our knowledge of biological,
geological, medical, and industrial processes.

Earth History:
Understanding the origin and evolution of the New Zealand landmass
and its flora and fauna, and improving our knowledge of global climate change.