Source: New Zealand Government
The Government is backing a shift in science spending to areas that will have the greatest national impact, with a stronger focus on advanced technology, says Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Dr Shane Reti.
“The Government is setting a clear direction for smarter investment. This marks a turning point as we fix the basics of the science system, build the future for New Zealand research and our scientists, and position ourselves more like other small, advanced economies.”
The Prime Minister’s Science, Innovation and Technology Advisory Council’s report on Priorities for Science Funding identifies four priority areas for future government investment:
· Primary industries and the bioeconomy
· Technology for prosperity
· Environmental sustainability and resilience
· Healthy people and a thriving society
Speaking at the report’s launch, Dr Reti says: “A central focus of the report is advanced technology, where increased investment has transformative potential. The council recommends boosting investment in advanced technologies by $122 million per year, by reallocating funding over the next three years.
“While New Zealand invests strongly in areas such as agriculture and environmental science, we invest less in advanced technologies compared with similar countries. Investment in advanced technology is already delivering real results – boosting farm productivity, reducing environmental impacts, and enabling smarter, data-driven decisions that improve health, resilience and sustainability across New Zealand.
“By reallocating public funding, we can increase support for advanced technologies where capability is still developing but strategic need is growing. This shift will boost productivity across all sectors. It will also help build a future‑ready science workforce and strengthen our international competitiveness. Any changes to the funding system will be phased and carefully managed over time to provide stability, maintain continuity for researchers, and minimise disruption.
“The Council’s report marks a key milestone in the most significant reset of our science, innovation and technology system in more than 30 years. The Government will embed its recommendations in the Science Investment Plan that Research Funding New Zealand will use to make allocation decision,” says Dr Reti.
