Wiley has entered into a new publishing agreement with the Royal Society Te Apārangi, set to commence in 2026, marking a significant development for the Society’s eight academic journals. This partnership is expected to strengthen the global reach of research originating from Aotearoa New Zealand, while supporting the Society’s broader goals of sustained journal growth and international engagement.
The Royal Society Te Apārangi has been publishing scholarly work since 1867. Its journals include contributions from both local and international researchers, with overseas submissions steadily increasing in recent years. In 2024, the journals collectively received 1,785 submissions and published more than 500 peer-reviewed articles. The transition to Wiley is intended to support this momentum by leveraging Wiley’s international network, editorial tools, and publishing infrastructure.
The agreement is structured to align with the evolving open access landscape. It is anticipated that more authors, particularly from New Zealand and affiliated institutions, will benefit from the ability to publish open access articles at no additional cost, supported by Wiley’s Transformative Agreements with a wide array of academic organizations. These agreements are designed to accelerate open access publishing by allowing participating institutions to bundle subscription and publishing services.
Under the new arrangement, all active Members, Companions, and Fellows of the Royal Society Te Apārangi will continue to receive digital access to the Society’s journals. The partnership emphasizes continued service to the domestic research community, while expanding opportunities for international engagement, especially within the Southern Hemisphere and the Global South.
The collaboration also responds to current shifts in global academic publishing, including heightened competition among journals and increased expectations around open access dissemination. Wiley’s extensive experience in global publishing is expected to assist the Society in navigating these challenges, supporting growth in both submissions and readership, and enhancing the profile of New Zealand-based research on a global stage.
The partnership underscores a shared commitment to high editorial standards, equitable access to knowledge, and the strategic development of scholarly communication networks that span geographic and disciplinary boundaries. By joining forces, Wiley and the Royal Society Te Apārangi aim to strengthen the role of New Zealand journals in the international academic ecosystem while maintaining their foundational commitment to excellence in research publishing.
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