A confidential document leaked to RNZ says one of the country's top research institutes, Callaghan Innovation, is tens-of-millions-of-dollars short for urgent building work, some of which is needed to keep staff safe.
It warns that hazardous goods storage is not up scratch in some laboratories and it is likely health and safety risks will increase if no action is taken.
RNZ understands some staff are sceptical about the claims - they say the state of facilities is an excuse to downsize the government agency and lay them off.
RNZ education correspondent John Gerritsen spoke to Corin Dann.
