Science News & Articles
New Research Projects Boost Efforts to Eradicate Yellow-Legged Hornet in NZ
1 day ago | 67 viewsFour new research projects led by the Bioeconomy Science Institute will support Biosecurity New Zealand's efforts to eradicate the yellow-legged hornet, focusing on risk modeling, impact assessment, targeted communication with Māori communities, and readiness planning for the apiculture sector. Since the hornet's detection in Auckland last year, 77 queens and 132 nests have been removed, with no sightings since early April, but ongoing surveillance and public vigilance remain crucial. Funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, these projects aim to enhance eradication strategies and prepare for potential long-term management.
Tags: Penny Simmonds Andrew Hoggard Biosecurity New Zealand Bioeconomy Science Institute Auckland Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment Maiangi Taiao Māori communities apiculture sectorSeven NZ Postgraduate Students Win 2026 Space Scholarship to Intern at NASA JPL
6 days ago | 132 viewsSeven postgraduate students from New Zealand have been awarded the 2026 New Zealand Space Scholarship to intern at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, working on advanced space technology projects. Their studies cover diverse fields such as physics, engineering, chemistry, and microbiology, contributing to missions like astrovirology and telemetry analysis. This initiative supports the growth of New Zealand’s rapidly expanding space sector and aims to build a skilled workforce aligned with the country's Space and Advanced Aviation Strategy.
Tags: Chris Penk Alexander Wiseman Angela Xue Laura Doyle Zhen Hong Chai Laura Franssen Kyja McCabe Thomas Phillips New Zealand Space Scholarship NASA Jet Propulsion LaboratoryNew Zealand’s Science Investment Plan 2026-2036 to Boost Innovation and Growth
2 weeks ago | 308 viewsThe New Zealand Government’s Science Investment Plan outlines a decade-long strategy to leverage public science funding for economic growth, resilience, and global competitiveness by focusing on four priority areas: primary industries and bioeconomy, technology for prosperity, environmental sustainability, and healthy people and society. The plan emphasizes shifting $122 million toward advanced technologies to boost productivity, innovation, and sustainability without reducing overall science funding, ensuring continuity for existing research contracts. Research Funding New Zealand will develop detailed Pillar Investment Plans by September 2026, guided by expert advisory groups, to implement these priorities effectively.
Tags: Penny Simmonds Prime Minister’s Science Innovation and Technology Advisory Council Research Funding New Zealand New Zealand Institute for Advanced Technology Science Investment Plan Science Innovation and Technology Minister PMSTIAC New Zealand Government Research Funding New Zealand Pillar Advisory GroupsKiwi Space Activator Funds $1.48M to Boost NZ Space Innovation Projects
1 month ago | 365 viewsSpace Minister Chris Penk announced the first recipients of the Kiwi Space Activator pilot programme, awarding $1.48 million to Dawn Aerospace, the University of Canterbury, and the University of Auckland for innovative space technology projects. These initiatives address government-identified challenges, enhance New Zealand’s space innovation reputation, and include educational components to inspire future innovators. The programme aims to reduce barriers for testing new space technologies, with funding increased to $2.08 million for rounds one and two, and applications for round two closing on May 25, 2026.
Tags: Chris Penk Dawn Aerospace University of Canterbury University of Auckland Kiwi Space Activator Hōpara MBIE New Zealand space innovationNew Zealand’s Science and Innovation Reforms Driving Agritech and Bioeconomy Growth
2 months ago | 437 viewsThe speech highlights New Zealand’s critical economic transition and the government’s commitment to modernizing the science, innovation, and technology system to better connect research with commercial success, particularly in agrifood, agritech, and deep-tech sectors. Key reforms include prioritizing mission-led research aligned with national goals, increasing investment in advanced technologies like AI and synthetic biology, simplifying funding structures, and fostering stronger collaboration between science, industry, and capital. These efforts aim to boost economic resilience, global competitiveness, and sustainable growth by leveraging New Zealand’s natural strengths and emerging technology opportunities.
Tags: Craig Piggott John Roche Halter AgResearch Prime Minister PMSITAC New Zealand Science Advisory Group MPI NZTEGovernment Boosts Advanced Technology Funding to Drive NZ Science Innovation
2 months ago | 412 viewsThe New Zealand Government is redirecting science funding towards areas with the greatest national impact, emphasizing advanced technology to boost productivity and international competitiveness. The Prime Minister’s Science, Innovation and Technology Advisory Council identifies four priority areas: primary industries and bioeconomy, technology for prosperity, environmental sustainability, and healthy people. By reallocating $122 million annually over three years, the Government aims to build a future-ready science workforce and strengthen the country’s research system through a carefully managed funding reset.
Tags: Shane Reti New Zealand Science Investment Plan Research Funding New Zealand Prime Minister’s Science Advisory Council advanced technology bioeconomy environmental sustainability science system innovationTransforming New Zealand Life Sciences: Innovation, Technology, and Future Growth
3 months ago | 534 viewsThe Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology highlighted New Zealand’s significant reforms to its science system, including the creation of unified funding bodies, advisory councils, and major bioeconomy institutes to enhance research impact and economic resilience. Emphasizing the convergence of life sciences with advanced technologies like AI and quantum computing, the government is investing in platforms such as the Biodiscovery Platform and Infectious Diseases Research Platform to drive innovation, health security, and sustainable growth. The Minister also addressed the importance of modernizing gene technology regulations to keep pace globally, underscoring the government’s commitment to supporting science that benefits New Zealand’s economy, environment, and communities.
Tags: Minister of Science Innovation and Technology BioTech NZ NZTech Prime Minister’s Science Innovation and Technology Advisory Council Research Funding New Zealand Bioeconomy Science Institute Public Health and Forensic Science New Zealand Institute for Advanced TechnologyNew Zealand Boosts Space Launch Cap from 100 to 1000 for Industry Growth
4 months ago | 614 viewsNew Zealand has increased the permitted number of space launches from 100 to 1000 to support the rapid growth of its space and advanced aviation sectors, which are significant contributors to the economy. This change follows a regulatory review that found low environmental risks for up to 1000 launches and provides long-term certainty for industry planning until at least 2050. The government aims to double the size of these sectors by 2030, ensuring continued innovation and investment while maintaining clear environmental standards.
Tags: Judith Collins Penny Simmonds New Zealand space launches advanced aviation space sector environmental regulations orbital rockets government policy economic growthResearch Funding NZ Launches Unified Board to Boost Science and Innovation Impact
4 months ago | 616 viewsResearch Funding New Zealand has been established to streamline and unify the country’s research funding system, replacing multiple decision-makers with a single independent board to enhance efficiency and impact. The new board, composed of leading science and innovation experts, will oversee funding decisions to support economic growth and real-world outcomes, beginning with the Marsden and Endeavour Funds. This reform aims to reduce complexity and red tape, ensuring continuous government investment across all scientific research areas to strengthen New Zealand’s economy, health, and resilience.
Tags: Shane Reti Emma Blott Aidan Byrne Amanda Barnard Brett Cowan Dianne Gleeson Meika Foster Peter Hunter Sue BidroseKiwi Space Activator Launches $1.8M Pilot to Boost NZ Space Innovation
6 months ago | 895 viewsNew Zealand's Space Minister Judith Collins launched a $1.8 million Kiwi Space Activator pilot program to help local companies and universities develop space technologies for future national missions. The program, administered by the New Zealand Space Agency, offers up to $600,000 per project over two funding rounds, supporting innovations aligned with government challenges like maritime security and ecosystem health. Open to New Zealand-based organizations, the initiative aims to advance space technology readiness and maintain the country's leadership in global space innovation, with applications closing on March 1, 2026.
Tags: Judith Collins Kiwi Space Activator New Zealand Space Agency space technology national space mission satellite technology space innovation maritime security biosecurity ecosystem healthNew Zealand Launches $1.35M Quantum Technology Discovery to Boost Innovation
6 months ago | 706 viewsScience, Innovation and Technology Minister Dr Shane Reti has launched a $1.35 million discovery phase to explore a national quantum technologies platform aimed at boosting New Zealand’s economy through job creation and international partnerships. The New Zealand Institute for Advanced Technology will assess domestic quantum capabilities and commercial opportunities from December 2025 to June 2026, collaborating with researchers and businesses to accelerate innovation in computing, secure communications, and sensing. If successful, this initiative will lead to the development of a quantum technology research platform, complementing the institute’s existing investments in materials, magnet technologies, and artificial intelligence.
Tags: Shane Reti New Zealand quantum technologies quantum computing New Zealand Institute for Advanced Technology Korea Paihau–Robinson Research Institute Artificial Intelligence innovation technology researchNew Zealand and US Launch $5M Antarctic Science Partnership on Climate Change
6 months ago | 691 viewsNew Zealand and the United States are expanding their long-standing Antarctic science collaboration through three joint research projects funded with up to $5 million over five years, focusing on climate and ecosystem change. These projects aim to advance understanding of Antarctic groundwater flows, ecosystem monitoring via combined UAV and satellite systems, and the causes and impacts of rapid sea ice decline in the Ross Sea. Supported by a new Memorandum of Cooperation and coordinated field research in 2026/27, this partnership enhances scientific innovation and environmental management in Antarctica while strengthening New Zealand’s global research standing.
Tags: Shane Reti New Zealand United States Antarctic science University of Otago University of Waikato National Science Foundation Antarctica New Zealand Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment Earth Sciences NZNew Zealand and US Launch $5M Antarctic Science Partnership to Tackle Climate Change
6 months ago | 767 viewsNew Zealand and the United States are expanding their long-standing Antarctic science collaboration through three new joint research projects funded with up to $5 million over five years, focusing on climate and ecosystem changes. These projects aim to map Antarctic groundwater flows, monitor ecosystem changes using advanced aerial and satellite technology, and investigate the rapid decline of sea ice in the Ross Sea, contributing to the global Antarctica InSync initiative. Supported by a recent Memorandum of Cooperation and upcoming field research in 2026/27, this partnership enhances environmental understanding and innovation while strengthening New Zealand’s role in international Antarctic science.
Tags: Shane Reti New Zealand United States Antarctic science National Science Foundation University of Otago University of Waikato Antarctica New Zealand Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment Catalyst FundNew Zealand Unifies Weather Services to Enhance Forecasting and Climate Safety
7 months ago | 694 viewsLegislation has passed its first reading to enable Earth Sciences New Zealand to acquire MetService, uniting the country’s key meteorological agencies to improve climate understanding and natural hazard response. The bill removes MetService from the State-Owned Enterprises Act, mandates data access policies, and exempts the acquisition from certain commerce regulations to prioritize public benefits over competition concerns. This integration aims to provide clearer climate insights, more accurate forecasts, faster warnings, and enhanced scientific collaboration while maintaining MetService’s trusted brand and authoritative public safety role.
Tags: Shane Reti Simeon Brown Earth Sciences New Zealand MetService Meteorological Services Legislation Amendment Bill New Zealand weather forecasting climate expertise Commerce ActNew Zealand Unites Weather Agencies for Better Forecasting and Climate Insights
7 months ago | 703 viewsLegislation has passed its first reading to enable Earth Sciences New Zealand to acquire MetService, uniting the country’s key meteorological agencies to improve climate understanding and response to natural hazards. The bill removes MetService from the State-Owned Enterprises Act, mandates data access policies, and exempts the acquisition from certain competition laws to prioritize public benefits. This integration aims to provide clearer climate insights, more accurate forecasts, faster warnings, and enhanced collaboration using expanded infrastructure and technology.
Tags: Shane Reti Simeon Brown Earth Sciences New Zealand MetService Meteorological Services Legislation New Zealand weather forecasting climate expertise Commerce Act