28 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1332 views
Three innovative trans-Tasman space projects have received up to $5.3 million in government funding to enhance maritime awareness, improve agricultural planning, and secure satellite communications. The projects aim to boost economies, strengthen international competitiveness, and accelerate aerospace innovation in both New Zealand and Australia. Led by various institutions from both countries, the projects focus on monitoring the Southern Indo-Pacific, satellite sensing in agricultural practices, and establishing an optical communications network for high-speed satellite data transfer.
26 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1320 views
Dr Shane Reti, the Science, Innovation, and Technology Minister, has announced increased support for early-stage game studios and startups in New Zealand to boost the growing game development sector. The Government will provide an additional $2.75 million annually to the Centre of Digital Excellence (CODE) from 2026, doubling their current funding to offer more grants to emerging game developers. The industry generated $513 million in 2024, with projections to exceed $750 million in 2025 and reach $1 billion in revenue by 2027, driven largely by overseas sales and a 29% growth in employment, creating 321 new jobs.
18 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1241 views
The content discusses the importance of AI in driving innovation, productivity, and economic growth in New Zealand. It highlights the government's commitment to AI through policies, infrastructure development, and investments in research and education. The focus is on fostering responsible AI use, building a skilled workforce, and collaborating internationally to leverage AI opportunities for economic advancement. The government's initiatives aim to position New Zealand as a leader in AI technology and drive sustainable growth through innovation.
18 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1164 views
Dr Shane Reti, the Science, Innovation, and Technology Minister, announced a $70 million investment in AI research to enhance New Zealand's AI capabilities, accelerate commercialization, and stimulate economic growth. The investment will be made over seven years through the New Zealand Institute for Advanced Technology to support innovative AI research, develop expertise, and boost competitiveness. Dr. Reti emphasized the importance of seizing opportunities in AI, citing successful collaborations that have shown potential for significant healthcare savings and revenue generation.
11 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1287 views
The Seafood Sustainability and Innovation Awards recognized projects like re-seeding juvenile pāua and driving mussel farming innovation. Professor Kura Paul-Burke of the University of Waikato was celebrated for championing healthy oceans through community-based restoration efforts. Other winners included individuals and organizations contributing to sustainable practices and innovation in the seafood sector.
10 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1479 views
Opening Remarks express gratitude to the organizers and attendees of the summit themed "Digital as Core Infrastructure," highlighting the importance of digital infrastructure for science, innovation, and economic growth. The reforms aim to streamline the science, innovation, and technology system, with a focus on maximizing government funding and driving real-world impact. The AI Strategy emphasizes a balanced approach to regulating AI, leveraging existing laws while fostering innovation and maintaining public trust.
10 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1428 views
The opening remarks express gratitude for the summit's organization and highlight the importance of digital infrastructure in supporting science and innovation. The reforms in the science, innovation, and technology system aim to drive economic growth and maximize government funding for research. Additionally, the AI Strategy focuses on regulating AI to enable innovation while building trust and social license, with a commitment to leveraging existing laws and global partnerships.
10 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1471 views
The Rotokawa Geothermal Reservoir in New Zealand's Taupō Volcanic Zone has been chosen for the country's first supercritical geothermal exploration, with plans to develop multiple wells for enhanced power output. The site selection followed thorough geological studies and risk assessments, with a focus on involving the local community and cultural considerations. A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between stakeholders to explore the potential of supercritical geothermal energy, with a multi-disciplinary team working on regulatory approvals, design, and drilling for the project's success.
02 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1249 views
The speech highlights the importance of universities in New Zealand, emphasizing the need for alignment between student skills and industry needs, faster research impact, and adaptability to new opportunities like advanced technologies. The government is introducing a new Tertiary Education Strategy with priorities including student achievement, economic impact, and international connections. Reforms also involve establishing a University Strategy Group, transitioning to a Tertiary Research Excellence Fund, strengthening quality assurance, and enhancing governance to ensure universities remain independent yet accountable for delivering impactful research and education.
14 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1412 views
The Government is investing in a new Biodiversity Research Centre in Upper Hutt to replace the earthquake-prone and inadequate Tory Street facility, preserving Te Papa’s natural history collection of over 860,000 specimens. The project, costing $155.4 million, is part of a $6 billion infrastructure initiative and will create construction jobs for over 2,000 people, with completion expected by March 2028. The collection transfer and decommissioning of the current facility are scheduled to be completed by April 2029.
31 Jul 2025
1 year ago
4111 views
Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden is proposing changes to health and safety regulations to support innovation in New Zealand's science and technology sector by simplifying compliance requirements. The proposed changes aim to align hazardous substances requirements for university laboratories with their actual risk, addressing discrepancies in regulations that hinder scientific progress. Additionally, consultations are underway to remove regulatory barriers for the development and use of hydrogen technologies, with the goal of creating a flexible and internationally aligned regulatory environment to unlock the potential of hydrogen technologies across various sectors.
24 Jul 2025
1 year ago
1954 views
The Government of New Zealand is investing $24 million in research programs with Singapore to advance AI tools for healthy aging and biotechnology for sustainable food production, aiming for practical applications and economic growth. The AI program focuses on enhancing health outcomes for older adults through AI-assisted assessments and cognitive health monitoring, while the biotechnology program aims to develop scalable food solutions like algae-based foods and bio-fermented functional foods. These collaborations will deepen research ties, build capabilities in AI and biotechnology, and address global challenges with New Zealand science leading the way.
18 Jul 2025
1 year ago
3118 views
Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Dr Shane Reti has announced the establishment of the New Zealand Institute for Advanced Technology (NZIAT) to boost high-value exports through breakthrough technologies like AI, quantum computing, and synthetic biology. The Government has committed an initial $231 million over four years to invest in science and technology, develop skills in new technologies, and commercialize innovations. The Institute, based in Auckland with satellite centers, aims to leverage existing strengths in agri-tech and expand into new technologies to drive economic growth and global impact.
01 Jul 2025
1 year ago
2469 views
Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Dr Shane Reti says today marks a major milestone for New Zealand’s science and innovation sector with the launch of three new science organisations designed to unlock innovation, drive economic growth, and improve the lives of hardworking Kiwis. “Science, innovation and technology are the engine rooms of a productive economy and our Government is committed to powering up our scientists and innovators to deliver for New Zealanders,” says Dr Reti. “From today, six Crown Research Institutes will merge to form two new entities: the Bioeconomy Science Institute and the Earth Science Institute.
25 Jun 2025
1 year ago
2222 views
The Government has reinforced its commitment to science-led economic growth by funding 46 high-potential research projects, says Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Dr Shane Reti. The projects will be funded by the contestable Endeavour Fund, which invests in research that unlocks new knowledge, technologies, and capabilities. The Smart Ideas stream of the fund targets bold, high-risk projects by catalysing and rapidly testing promising, innovative research.