Science and innovation success stories
How our investment is helping to produce science and innovation success in New Zealand.
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Research accelerates New Zealand’s heavy transport future
The Robinson Research Institute’s advanced energy technology platform is accelerating the electrification of New Zealand’s aviation and heavy transport fleets and reducing our carbon emissions. By building world-class expertise in power electronics, cryogenics and more, they are driving sustainable transport solutions with global impact.
Lumi™ Drug Scan: A scientific innovation for safer policing
The Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR), alongside New Zealand Police, has developed an innovative testing solution and mobile app that’s enabling evidence-based decision-making on the frontline with rapid and reliable drug identification.
Spotlight on rare disease research to benefit patients worldwide
Over 30 million people live with rare diseases across Europe alone. Meet the Kiwi involved in a Horizon Europe project that aims to leave no one behind by prioritising research into new treatments, prevention, and diagnostic pathways for rare health conditions.
Growing global food security with digital tools
Orchards in Hawke’s Bay are among 6 key sites for an international project testing the use of digital technologies — including artificial intelligence (AI) — to combat plant pests and diseases. Known as STELLA, the Horizon Europe project is a collaboration between 14 partners across France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Lithuania, Austria, Italy, Greece and New Zealand.
Kiwi researchers working to bring marginalised voices to the forefront in European Citizens’ Assemblies
Creating an Inclusive European Citizens’ Assembly (EU-CIEMBLY), a Horizon Europe project with a Kiwi connection, addresses the challenge of increasing citizen participation in politics while prioritising inclusion and equality. This is one of the first two successful Horizon Europe collaborations involving New Zealand researchers and the first to involve a Māori senior researcher.
The Kiwis building a ‘SimCity’ for resilience planning
As an island nation at the edge of the world, New Zealand is no stranger to natural hazards. But despite our isolation, we are far from alone. Kiwi researchers, participating in a Horizon Europe project, say international collaboration is crucial to disaster mitigation and they’re building tools to aid resilience in cities around the globe.
Kiwi professors combatting the world’s deadliest infectious disease
With over a million deaths each year, tuberculosis (TB) is the world’s deadliest infectious disease. Senior Epidemiologist Professor Philip Hill and Senior Statistician Professor Katrina Sharples of the University of Otago aim to reduce this global problem as part of an international research project funded through Horizon Europe.
Digital twins in healthcare: a collaboration between New Zealand and Europe
VITAL, a groundbreaking Horizon Europe project with a Kiwi connection, has set its sights on revolutionising the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. The project’s ultimate goal is to contribute to a worldwide shift towards personalised medicine, embodied in the concept of 'digital twins' – virtual models that are continuously updated with real-time patient data.
Rethinking the future of New Zealand infrastructure
Professor Larry Bellamy from the University of Canterbury is heading up an 8-year industry-led applied research programme that is responding to the massive challenges facing New Zealand’s infrastructure sector.
Advancing our understanding of flooding in New Zealand
Researchers from NIWA are developing the first, nationally consistent flood inundation hazard and risk assessment for New Zealand. It’s vital research that’s revealing how changing rainfall patterns, rising sea levels, and the way land is used could – and likely will – affect flood risk across the country.
A new model for clinical trials in New Zealand
A promising new cancer treatment is entering a phase 2 trial coordinated by the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, proving New Zealand is an ideal testing ground for clinical research in CAR T-cells and other immunotherapies.
Wielding the waste of the nation to combat COVID-19
Dr Joanne Hewitt, Science Leader at the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR), reflects on her career as a virologist and the fundamental role she and her team played in New Zealand’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic in a new podcast from local producers PhD: Unpacked.
Creating value from the meat industry’s waste
Research by the Leather and Shoe Research Association (LASRA) has been awarded a Gold Status by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment for exceeding excellence and impact.
Ocean observation project takes New Zealand from world trailing to world leading
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has awarded the Moana Project Gold Status for exceeding excellence and impact in their work. The project supports a sustainable seafood sector by advancing understanding of ocean circulation, connectivity and risks from marine extremes.
Examining layers of history to protect lakes in Aotearoa New Zealand
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has awarded a team of researchers from GNS Science and The Cawthron Institute the Endeavour Fund’s highest rating of Gold Status for their research into the current, and historic, health and biodiversity of lakes across Aotearoa New Zealand.
Research to support and help future-proof the ageing workforce
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has awarded the team behind Maximising Workforce Participation for Older New Zealanders the Endeavour Fund’s highest rating of Gold Status for their research.
New Zealand researchers create world-first stroke detection technology
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has awarded a team of researchers from the University of Otago and Victoria University of Wellington the Endeavour Fund’s highest rating of Gold Status for their research into the feasibility of using portable nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) sensor technology to help detect strokes and diagnose brain injury.
Monitoring energy use to create a sustainable eco-community
Taiepa Tiketike: Passive Resistance to Climate Change at Parihaka is a project which recently received Gold Status for its partnered approach to research into sustainable energy opportunities for the community of Parihaka.
Flip the Fleet
Flip the Fleet is a nationwide project aimed at getting more Kiwis behind the wheel of an electric vehicle.
Kiwi scientists revolutionising x-ray scanning technology
We have awarded Gold Status for research excellence to a project that is revolutionising the way x-ray technology will detect, diagnose and monitor many diseases, including cancer.
University of Canterbury research future-proofing NZ’s power supply
A team of researchers led by the University of Canterbury’s Electric Power Engineering Centre (UC EPECentre) has struck gold again, receiving our Gold Status for the second year running.
Blowin’ in the wind: University of Auckland’s breakthrough air quality measurement programme
The University of Auckland’s air quality measurement programme in high-density urban environments made significant progress in 2017, receiving our Endeavour Fund Gold Status.
STRATUS soaring to the Cloud
STRATUS is a six-year $12.2 million cyber security project led by the University of Waikato's Dr Ryan Ko and funded by us.
University of Canterbury antimicrobial research receives Gold, again!
The Advanced Energy and Material Lab (AEMSLab), a multidisciplinary research group at University of Canterbury, made leaps and bounds in their research in 2017, receiving our Gold Status rating for the second year in a row.
Combatting climate change with hybrid-electric jet planes
In a quiet industrial backroad at the foot of the Wainuiomata hills, Victoria University’s Robinson Institute is busily developing technology to power the world's first hybrid-electric jet planes.
Alliance turning waste into $100m boost to the New Zealand economy
The Bioresource Processing Alliance is an MBIE-funded R&D programme that works with the primary sector to turn low value biological waste into high value exports – with a potential to add at least $100m to the New Zealand economy in the next three years.
3D printing a new way of life for amputees
Artificial limbs are running hot off the press at Victoria University’s School of Design in Wellington – the 3D printing press that is.
Kiwi wine tech shakes up industry
It all began with a Masters university assignment to commercialise technology designed to age bananas. Pretty soon, the ‘Wine Grenade’ team was over-subscribed for its innovative wine-ageing product which is now influencing wine production around the world.
Research helping New Zealand prepare for the new reality of extreme wildfires
The Extreme Wildfire Programme, led by Scion, demonstrates excellence and impact for understanding and preparing New Zealand for the expected increase in wildfires due to climate change.