Vision Mātauranga
We understand that Māori success is New Zealand’s success and that unlocking the science and innovation potential of Māori knowledge, people and resources will benefit New Zealand.
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For this reason we have embedded our Vision Mātauranga policy across all priority investment areas.
Funding information and opportunities
The Vision Mātauranga policy unlocks the science and innovation potential of Māori knowledge, resources and people.
Themes:
- Indigenous Innovation: Contributing to economic growth through distinctive research and development.
- Taiao / Environment: Achieving environmental sustainability through iwi and hapū relationships with land and sea.
- Hauora/Health: Improving health and social well-being.
- Mātauranga: Exploring indigenous knowledge and science and innovation.
Purpose:
- To use the science and innovation system to help unlock the potential of Māori knowledge, people and resources for the benefit of New Zealand.
- To recognise Māori as important partners in science and innovation; both as inter-generational guardians of significant natural resources and indigenous knowledge, and owners and managers of commercial assets.
- To build the capability of Māori individuals, businesses, incorporations, rūnanga, trusts, iwi, hapū, and marae to engage with science and innovation.
- To maximise the quality of the relationship between Māori and the Crown through science and innovation through the Treaty of Waitangi.
Vision Mātauranga: Unlocking the innovation potential of Māori knowledge, resources and people [PDF 418KB]
Note: The former Ministry of Research, Science and Technology (MoRST) developed the Vision Mātauranga policy. It remains the guiding policy for the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.
This policy is referrred to in the Request for Proposals for the 2015 science investment round and the Request for Proposals for the National Science Challenges.
Vision Mātauranga in practice
Milestones
In 2010 the Minister of Science and Innovation approved the integration of Vision Mātauranga across our investment priority areas, and established the Vision Mātauranga Capability Fund.
Vision Mātauranga Capability Fund
In 2011 the Vision Mātauranga policy was incorporated into the Crown research institutes’ (CRIs) Statements of Core Purpose. CRIs are now required to enable the innovation potential of Māori knowledge, resources and people as part of their operating principles.
Bringing Vision Mātauranga to life:
- Investing in Māori-relevant science and innovation through grants to businesses and research organisations.
- Developing Māori science and innovation capability through partnerships with individuals, businesses, incorporations, rūnanga, trusts, iwi, hapū and marae.
- Fostering connections between Māori, government, the science system and industry to grow opportunities for Māori science and innovation.
- Supporting the development of iwi-led research and development strategies.
- Collaborating with other agencies to develop whole-of-government approaches.
- Partnering with the Regional Business Partners to improve collaboration between Māori, researchers and firms to enhance knowledge transfer and business success.
Expanding the impact of Vision Mātauranga
Te Ara Paerangi – Future Pathways aims to attract and grow Māori talent and enable Māori to better navigate and participate in the research, science and innovation system. An early investment to deliver on these outcomes includes a suite of programmes and funding opportunities designed to create meaningful pathways for Māori talent into and through the system.
- Kanapu programme(external link) – Māori-designed and led programme to support and accelerate Māori talent and leadership across the research, science and innovation system.
- He tipu ka hua fund – investment in Māori-led research programmes of up to $6 million (excluding GST) per annum for up to 5 years.
- He aka ka toro fund – investment in projects that advance iwi, hapū, hapori and Māori rōpū research, science and innovation priorities and mātauranga Māori of up to $4 million per annum (excluding GST).
- Ngā Puanga Pūtaiao fellowships – funding for early and mid-career Māori and Pacific researchers at eligible New Zealand research organisations working primarily in STEM fields of $19.3 million (excluding GST).
- Te Ara Pōtiki(external link) – a global knowledge exchange programme that will see Māori innovators in STEM disciplines placed in world leading international food and agriculture tech businesses, initially in the United States of America.
More information about these programmes and funding opportunities can be found in the Expanding the impact of Vision Mātauranga 2023 investment plan.
Expanding the Impact of Vision Mātauranga – 2023 investment plan
These investments accompany the Te Pūnaha Hihiko: Vision Mātauranga Capability Fund, a government investment designed to accelerate and support the science and innovation potential of Māori knowledge, resources and people for the benefit of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Analysing government investment in Māori
MBIE commissioned an independent analysis of government grants and investment funds from 2018 to 2020. The report showed that Māori are significantly underrepresented in research careers and there are generally low levels of investment in Māori research, science and innovation. Its findings and recommendations are helping improve funding processes and management.
Government investment in Māori research, science and innovation