Reforms to boost science sector and economy

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January 23, 2025

Source: New Zealand Government

Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins today announced the largest reset of the New Zealand science system in more than 30 years with reforms which will boost the economy and benefit the sector.
“The reforms will maximise the value of the $1.2 billion in government funding that goes into the science sector each year, creating a more dynamic science, innovation and technology system that can respond to priorities and keep pace with technological advances,” Ms Collins says.
“Getting the system settings right is the best way to boost long-term economic performance and ensure our scientists can pursue meaningful careers in New Zealand.”
The reforms will:

Transform the current seven Crown Research Institutes into three Public Research Organisations (PROs) focusing on bio-economy, earth sciences, and health and forensic sciences;
establish an advanced technology PRO to deliver research, capability and commercial outreach around technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum [advanced computing] and synthetic biology;
establish a Prime Minister’s Science, Innovation and Technology Advisory Council to provide strategic direction and oversight of the system, advise on priorities and identify the biggest opportunities to leverage science, innovation and technology for economic growth;
establish a new agency, Invest New Zealand, as the Government’s one-stop-shop for foreign direct investment, to help the Government reach its goal of doubling exports by 2034;
develop a national policy for managing Intellectual Property (IP) for science, innovation and technology-funded research; and
disestablish Callaghan Innovation and move its most important functions to other parts of the system.

“The four new PROs will be designed to maximise the long-term NZ Inc benefits. They will be adaptable and responsive to government priorities, accountable through appropriate cost recovery, and set up to be well-coordinated and to avoid unnecessary duplication. The PROs will also look for partnerships with private sector investors in research capability, facilities and knowledge production.
“The PROs will play a role in stewardship of public good science, which the Government recognises the benefit of,” Ms Collins says.
“Callaghan Innovation will be disestablished and its most important functions moved to other entities. Callaghan has simply been spread too thinly across too many functions, leading to poor financial performance and an over-reliance on Crown funding.
“The new Prime Minister’s Science Innovation and Technology Advisory Council is charged with setting national priorities for the system, including across the four PROs.
“A key role of the Council will be to make sure the taxpayer funding that goes to the sector is spent in the best way possible to grow the economy, because innovation and technology are the future.
“Invest New Zealand will be the Government’s one-stop-shop for foreign direct investment, excluding public infrastructure, and will be an Autonomous Crown Entity.
“It will be focussed on attracting greater investment into truly innovative activities in existing sectors and those with high potential to raise productivity and drive economic growth, as well as greater research and development investment and innovative activity in New Zealand by multi-national companies.
“Invest NZ will also be tasked with attracting more skilled professionals to New Zealand, to help foster innovation, raise domestic capabilities and improve international connections.
“The Government wants to reward and incentivise people in the industry and will therefore develop a national policy for managing Intellectual Property (IP) for science, innovation and technology-funded research.
“This will be based on the model used by Canada’s Waterloo University, which vests ownership of IP with the researchers who create it.
“We will also be considering how this policy will apply to the new PROs, with the intention being that researchers receive a share of the financial rewards from commercialising intellectual property.
“This work, along with our move to overturn what has effectively been a 30-year ban on gene technology, will unlock enormous opportunities for our science sector and New Zealanders,” Ms Collins says.
“The changes we have announced today are extensive but they will ensure a science system that generates maximum value for the economy and, therefore, for New Zealanders.”
The estimated timeline for next steps for the implementation of the reforms is outlined below.
Today’s announcement follows consideration of the first report delivered by the Science System Advisory Group.

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Invest New Zealand opens doors to the world

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January 23, 2025

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Source: New Zealand Government

The Government has unveiled a bold new initiative to position New Zealand as a premier destination for foreign direct investment (FDI) that will create higher paying jobs and grow the economy.
“Invest New Zealand will streamline the investment process and provide tailored support to foreign investors, to increase capital investment across critical infrastructure, fostering greater innovation in key sectors and attracting world-class talent to our shores,” Mr McClay says.
The new agency, modelled on Irish and Singaporean best practice, will focus on:

Attracting FDI into high-potential sectors to boost productivity and innovation.
Streamlining processes to significantly increase the capital available to invest in new and existing projects and enterprises including, banking and Fintec, critical infrastructure, including roading and energy projects, manufacturing and private sector growth.
Increasing research and development (R&D) investment in New Zealand by multinational companies.
Encouraging skilled professionals to enhance domestic capabilities and global connections.

Invest New Zealand will incubate within New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) and then transition to a new Autonomous Crown Entity, which operates with a clear mandate to attract international capital, infrastructure investment, ideas, and expertise.
Meanwhile, NZTE will be refocused with a single mandate to support Kiwi businesses to export more and grow international markets.

Both agencies will retain all NZTE staff to help achieve the Government’s ambitious goal of doubling exports by value in ten years.
“This initiative will help unlock tens of billions of dollars in global investment opportunities, significantly increase the capital available to support key roading and energy infrastructure and make New Zealand a more attractive and predictable destination for investors.
“With Invest New Zealand leading the charge, we’re rolling out the welcome mat to the world. Streamlining processes and supporting investors as they navigate our legal and commercial landscape,” Mr McClay says.

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Economic growth the key to better days ahead

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January 23, 2025

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Source: New Zealand Government

Turbocharging New Zealand’s economic growth is the key to brighter days ahead for all Kiwis, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says.

In the Prime Minister’s State of the Nation Speech in Auckland today, Christopher Luxon laid out the path to the prosperity that will affect all aspects of New Zealanders’ lives.

“Right now it is a tough time for many Kiwis – we’ve experienced the biggest recession since the early 1990s. Growth is the solution – we must embrace it.

“We’ve already made significant reforms in 2024 – take fast-track, stopping wasteful spending, new roads, RMA reform, stopping ram raids, new trade deals, backing farmers, banning cellphones in class, FamilyBoost, making foreign investment easier, increasing speed limits, and focusing councils on the basics.

“And in 2025 we’re going even further – all focused on growth so we can have thriving businesses making a profit, paying higher wages, hiring more people and investing in more growth.

“Going for growth means wherever you come from, and whatever you want to achieve, New Zealand will be an outstanding place to make it happen.

In his speech Mr Luxon announced major changes to the science and innovation sector and overseas investment, all designed to lift productivity, boost Kiwi incomes, and create opportunities here at home.

“Invest New Zealand will be established as the Government’s one-stop-shop for foreign direct investment.

“Modelled off the success of Ireland and Singapore, Invest New Zealand will roll out the welcome mat – streamlining the investment process and providing tailored support to foreign investors.

“Invest New Zealand will increase capital investment across a range of critical sectors – like banking and fintech, critical infrastructure like transport and energy, manufacturing, and innovation.

“We’re also undertaking a significant reform of the science sector – because we want more break throughs, more discoveries, more start-ups, more IPOs, and many more opportunities for Kiwis to compete on the world stage.

“Backing our science and innovation sector, and backing economic growth, will drive productivity and make us all wealthier. It will lift incomes, help families to get ahead and also allow us to invest more in the public services Kiwis deserve.

“We will shake up our Crown Research Institutes, establishing four Public Research Organisations – focused on bio-economy, earth sciences, health and forensic sciences, and advanced technology.

“And I want us to commercialise our brilliant ideas – so that our science system makes us all wealthier. Too often, new innovations are effectively shelved – with potential commercialisation often an afterthought.

“Right now, scientists see too few of the proceeds of their own research. We’re going to change that – with researchers seeing a greater commercial share of their own innovations.”

In his speech Mr Luxon also highlighted some of the other areas that would be key for growth – including competition, RMA reform, fixing health and safety rules, backing tourism and mining, and making life easier for farmers.

“Last year the OECD said that insufficient competition was an important factor in driving New Zealand’s long standing productivity woes – with our distance from other markets making domestic competition doubly important.

“Too often we see reports of Kiwis getting a raw deal because of a lack of competition. In banking, energy, retail, construction and groceries. I’m up for action.”

Mr Luxon said that 2025 would be all about going for growth.

“Too often when it comes to economic growth, New Zealand has slipped into a culture of saying no. We need to shift our mindset and embrace it.

“I want our kids to know that New Zealand is where the opportunities are – not Australia or the UK.

“2025 will be another massive year for New Zealand – and I am obsessed with doing everything it takes to unleash the growth, innovation, and investment we need to thrive – because Kiwis deserve nothing less.”

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Greenpeace – Luxon’s bonfire of natural capital leaves New Zealand poorer

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January 23, 2025

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Source: Greenpeace

Luxon’s bonfire of natural capital leaves New Zealand poorer

Prime Minister Luxon’s plan to burn natural capital in a desperate bid for short term GDP growth will leave us poorer, says Greenpeace.

Luxon is due to give his State of the Nation speech today which will once again prioritise the War On Nature. These destructive policies, including the fast track law, have become one of the trademarks of his first year in office.

“Luxon’s relentless War on Nature burns the natural capital of Aotearoa for short term GDP growth,” says Dr Russel Norman, Greenpeace Aotearoa Executive Director.

“The quick sugar hit of more coal mines, more polluted rivers, more gas guzzling cars and more climate pollution might produce a short term GDP hit, but it will destroy the natural capital of Aotearoa and leave us poorer.

“Since being elected, Luxon has waged a war on nature to allow big polluters – the dairy, fossil fuel, fishing, and mining industries – to wreak havoc on New Zealand’s environment, removing local communities’ right to have a say on developments in their backyards.

“What makes New Zealand such an amazing place to live is nature.

“Moreover, what attracts talented people to New Zealand is nature, and those people are critical to our economic success, especially in the service sector.

“Our export industries are built on protecting the natural environment.

“International tourists come here for nature, not coal mines. The green movement’s successes in protecting nature over the decades is the ‘infrastructure’ of international tourism.

“Our export food industries rely on the perception of ‘clean green New Zealand’, a perception that the Luxon Government daily tarnishes with its anti environment policies. New Zealand businesses will face increasing scrutiny for their green claims.”

“Already our free trade agreements with the EU and the UK are being put at risk by Luxon’s anti-environment policies, as confirmed by the leaked advice from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

“It is remarkable that the clean up costs of one contaminated coal mine are greater than the full year royalties paid by the coal industry to the government. Luxon’s new coal mines are liabilities not assets,” says Dr Norman.

“Passing on a series of toxic waste dumps and a scarred landscape will make us all poorer.

“People are unhappy with a Government that is radically anti-environment. Already people are responding by taking to the streets, the courts, and putting their bodies on the line to prevent big polluters from destroying the places we hold dear.”

“Greenpeace and others will fight Luxon’s War on Nature because it is the right thing to do but also because it is the economically sensible thing to do.”

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Animal Welfare – SAFE calls for urgent reforms following horrific sheep cruelty footage

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January 23, 2025

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Source: SAFE For Animals

SAFE is calling for an independent inquiry after evidence of severe violence towards sheep was captured across 34 farms. Workers on New Zealand sheep farms were filmed beating, cutting, and throwing sheep to the ground, with one individual seen stomping on the neck of a sheep.

SAFE CEO Debra Ashton says these deliberate and callous acts of cruelty may constitute willful ill-treatment under New Zealand’s Animal Welfare Act.

“This level of abuse is not just morally reprehensible, it’s criminal,” says Ashton.

“Sheep are gentle, sentient creatures who feel pain and fear, just like we do. What we’ve seen is a shocking betrayal of their right to humane treatment.”

SAFE is profoundly disappointed in Federated Farmers’ response to the footage, which failed to demonstrate genuine concern for the level of brutality inflicted on the sheep.

“The lack of empathy in their response is deeply troubling. Instead of addressing the severity of the abuse or the systemic failures that enabled such cruelty, Federated Farmers have sought to minimise the issue, which only reinforces the need for greater oversight,” says Ashton.

To hold the industry accountable to a lawful level of conduct, SAFE supports the call for mandatory cameras in shearing sheds.

“This measure would not only deter animal cruelty but restore public trust that animals in our agricultural sector are treated with respect.”

SAFE is calling on Associate Agriculture Minister, Andrew Hoggard, to ensure individuals and farms responsible for the crimes are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, and to initiate an independent inquiry into systemic abuse within New Zealand’s sheep industry.

“This disturbing footage has laid bare a culture of violence within Aotearoa’s wool sector,” says Ashton.

“The Minister must address these egregious acts of cruelty at both an individual and industry-wide level, or risk sending a dangerous message that animal suffering is an acceptable cost of doing business.”

“If the government is serious about animal welfare, meaningful reform must begin now.”

SAFE is Aotearoa’s leading animal rights organisation.

We’re creating a future that ensures the rights of animals are respected. Our core work empowers society to make kinder choices for ourselves, animals and our planet.

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International migration: November 2024 – Stats NZ information release

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January 23, 2025

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Source: Statistics New Zealand

International migration: November 2024 – 23 January 2025

International migration statistics give the latest outcomes-based measure of migration, which includes estimates of migrants entering or leaving New Zealand.

Key facts

Annual migration

Provisional estimates for the November 2024 year compared with the November 2023 year were:

migrant arrivals: 158,400 (± 1,100), down 32 percent
migrant departures: 127,800 (± 1,100), up 28 percent
annual net migration: gain of 30,600 (± 1,400), compared with a net gain of 133,300 (± 200).

The 127,800 migrant departures in the November 2024 year are, provisionally, the highest on record for an annual period.

Annual migrant arrivals provisionally peaked at 234,900 in the year ended October 2023.

Annual net migration provisionally peaked in the year ended October 2023, with a gain of 135,700.

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International travel: November 2024 – Stats NZ information release

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January 23, 2025

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Source: Statistics New Zealand

International travel: November 2024 – 23 January 2025 – International travel covers the number and characteristics of overseas visitors and New Zealand resident travellers (short-term movements) entering or leaving New Zealand.

Key facts

Monthly arrivals – overseas visitors

Overseas visitor arrivals were 321,200 in November 2024, an increase of 17,800 from November 2023. The biggest changes were in arrivals from:

Australia (up 14,100)
United Kingdom (up 3,700)
Singapore (up 1,900)
Germany (up 1,200)
Japan (up 1,200)
Korea (up 1,200)
Taiwan (up 1,100)
United States (down 1,000).

The total number of overseas visitor arrivals in November 2024 was 86 percent of the 372,100 in November 2019 (before the COVID-19 pandemic).

For more, see:

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BusinessNZ – Saying ‘yes’ to investment and growth

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January 23, 2025

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Source: BusinessNZ

The Prime Minister’s state of the nation address has correctly identified many key issues holding back economic growth, BusinessNZ says.

BusinessNZ Chief Executive Katherine Rich says businesses around the country would agree that NZ for too long has been saying ‘no’ to investment and development.

“The result has been economic contraction and GDP growth of 0% – a sluggish economy where it’s hard for business to flourish.

“Instead of ‘no,’ businesses want to hear ‘yes’ to investment and development,” Katherine Rich said.

“Businesses will be applauding the Government’s new approach to attracting more foreign investment by streamlining the investment process and providing better support to foreign investors.

“We look forward to seeing the work of Invest New Zealand in increasing capital investment into key sectors of banking, fintech, infrastructure, manufacturing, minerals and energy.

“Changes to science and technology policies and institutions separately announced today will also support this improved focus on investment and development.

“NZ needs a thriving innovation sector better supported by NZ’s science institutions and their work, to help grow the economy.

“Businesses will be heartened by the focus on investment and growth in today’s state of the nation address.”

The BusinessNZ Network including BusinessNZ, EMA, Business Central, Business Canterbury and Business South, represents and provides services to thousands of businesses, small and large, throughout New Zealand.

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Name release: Fatal crash Albury

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January 23, 2025

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Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Police can now release the name of the man who died in a single-vehicle crash near Albury, Mackenzie, on Thursday 19 December.

He was Cale Tompkins Tairua, 18, of Albury.

Police extend our sympathies to his loved ones at this difficult time.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

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Appeal for information following fatal crash, Nelson

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January 23, 2025

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Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Nelson Police investigating a crash on the Coastal Highway earlier this month would like to speak to anyone who witnessed the crash.

At around 3:10pm on Tuesday 7 January, emergency services responded to a two-vehicle crash near the O’Conner Creek Bridge.

One person was seriously injured in the crash, and later died in hospital on 10 January.

Police have spoken to a number of witnesses already but would still like to hear from anyone who witnessed the crash, or saw a silver Toyota hatchback travelling towards Richmond on or around the Coastal Highway between 2:50pm and 3:10pm on 7 January.

If you have any information that could help our enquiries, and you have not yet spoken to Police, please update us online now or call 105.

Please use the reference number 250113/2691.

Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

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