Reform of New Zealand’s science, innovation and technology system

The announcement marks the start of the most significant reset of New Zealand’s science, innovation and technology system in over 30 years.

Changes are designed to maximise the value of public investment and create a more dynamic science, innovation and technology system that can respond to priorities and keep pace with technological advancements.  

What’s changing?

• A Prime Minister’s Science, Innovation and Technology Advisory Council will be established to provide strategic direction and oversight of the science, innovation and technology system.

• New Zealand’s seven existing Crown Research Institutes will be refocused around the areas of:

  • Bioeconomy: formed by bringing together AgResearch, Plant and Food Research, Scion and Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research.

  • Earth sciences: formed by bringing together the National Institute for Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) and the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences Limited (GNS Science), noting that Cabinet agreed-in-principle for NIWA to acquire MetService as a wholly owned subsidiary.

  • Health and forensic science services: formed by re-purposing Environmental Science Research (ESR).  

• A fourth, new advanced technology public research organisation will deliver research, capability, and commercial outreach around advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, synthetic biology, and quantum.

• Callaghan Innovation will be disestablished, with its most important functions transferred to other parts of the science, innovation and technology system.

• A new agency, Invest New Zealand will be established as government’s one-stop-shop for foreign direct investment, attracting people, businesses and capital into New Zealand across industries and technologies.

• New Zealand Trade and Enterprise will focus on driving export growth, facilitating trade and access to international markets to ensure New Zealand businesses have the necessary support to expand their international reach.

• The Government will develop a national policy for managing intellectual property for science, innovation and technology-funded research.

Read more about these changes including an indicative timeline:

Refocusing the science, innovation and technology system

Read the Minister’s announcement:

Reforms to boost science sector and economy(external link) — Beehive.govt.nz

This announcement follows government consideration of the Science System Advisory Group’s first report. View the report: