Articles tagged with Innovation
Government Boosts Advanced Technology Funding to Drive NZ Science Innovation
5 days ago | 82 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 innovationRe-Energise 26 Report Calls for Coordinated Action to Build NZ Energy Workforce
1 week ago | 195 viewsThe Re-Energise 26 report highlights the urgent need for coordinated efforts to build New Zealand’s energy workforce to meet growing sector demands and avoid missed opportunities. Key challenges include workforce uncertainty, training pipeline issues, and critical role shortages, while opportunities lie in unified talent development and clearer career pathways. The government, industry, and educators must collaborate to strengthen skills, improve job connections, and support regions facing industry decline to ensure a sustainable energy sector future.
Tags: Louise Upston New Zealand Energy Resources Aotearoa Electricity Engineers’ Association Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment Social Development and Employment Minister energy workforce energy sector governmentMental Health Innovation Fund Round Three Expands Access Across New Zealand
2 weeks ago | 134 viewsThe Mental Health and Addiction Innovation Fund in New Zealand has entered its third round with changes to increase access, including revising the requirement for an independent Social Return on Investment (SROI) report to a more flexible proposal-based approach. These adjustments respond to sector feedback by lowering barriers such as matched-funding thresholds and allowing community organizations to better demonstrate outcomes while maintaining robust evaluation. With $20 million allocated over two years, the Fund aims to support grassroots initiatives that improve timely access to mental health and addiction services, protect public specialist services, and deliver scalable, evidence-based solutions.
Tags: Matt Doocey Mental Health Minister New Zealand Mental Health Addiction Innovation Fund Women’s Refuge Social Return on Investment Grassroots Organisations Mental Health Workforce Crisis ResponseNew Zealand Releases Oil Tickets to Support Global Supply Amid Strait of Hormuz Closure
2 weeks ago | 348 viewsNew Zealand will release 1.577 million barrels of crude oil purchase options, known as oil tickets, to support the International Energy Agency’s collective response to oil supply disruptions caused by the Strait of Hormuz closure. This contribution, part of a larger IEA release of 400 million barrels, aims to ease global refinery pressure and stabilize markets without affecting New Zealand’s domestic fuel security. The released tickets pertain to crude oil and fuels incompatible with New Zealand’s system, meaning no physical oil supply will be directly released.
Tags: New Zealand International Energy Agency Shane Jones Strait of Hormuz oil tickets crude oil fuel security Middle East Ministry of Business Innovation and EmploymentNew Zealand Maintains Strong Fuel Stocks with 49 Days Supply Amid Global Uncertainty
2 weeks ago | 307 viewsNew Zealand currently maintains healthy fuel stocks, with about 49 days of petrol, diesel, and jet fuel supply available, including fuel in storage and shipments en route. The government is enhancing fuel data reporting and working closely with industry to monitor supply risks, ensuring readiness amid global uncertainties like the Strait of Hormuz closure. Authorities emphasize there is no need for fuel restrictions at this time, assuring the public that any changes will be communicated promptly with mitigation plans in place.
Tags: Nicola Willis Shane Jones New Zealand fuel stocks petrol diesel jet fuel Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment fuel security Strait of HormuzTransforming New Zealand Life Sciences: Innovation, Technology, and Future Growth
3 weeks ago | 186 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 Welcomes Second Private Building Consent Authority to Boost Efficiency
1 month ago | 392 viewsNew Zealand has approved its second private Building Consent Authority (BCA), Farsight NZ Limited Partnership, to increase competition and capacity in the building consent system, aiming to reduce paperwork and speed up approvals. Farsight will manage key building control tasks for Summerset, a major residential builder, which will help alleviate pressure on council BCAs and improve consistency in applying the Building Code. All BCAs, including private ones, must meet strict accreditation and legal requirements to ensure strong consumer protections and efficient service delivery.
Tags: Chris Penk Farsight NZ Limited Partnership Building Consent Authority Building Consent Approvals Limited Summerset Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment Kāinga Ora International Accreditation New Zealand Building Code New ZealandApply Now: New Zealand’s Applied Doctorates Scheme Supports Industry-Driven PhD Research
1 month ago | 269 viewsThe Applied Doctorates Scheme, supported by a $20 million government investment, connects PhD students with industry to address real-world challenges while developing advanced research and commercial skills. The 2025 cohort focused on energy innovation with 25 industry-led projects, and the 2026 round is now open for applications centered on Aerospace, Defence, and Security. This initiative aims to build a skilled research workforce that drives economic and community benefits for New Zealand through applied science.
Tags: Shane Reti Contact Energy Vector Victoria University Rio Tinto New Zealand Aluminium Smelter Applied Doctorates Scheme Science Innovation and Technology Aerospace Defence Security Biotechnology BioprocessingNew Insights Reveal Why and How New Zealanders Travel Domestically in 2025
1 month ago | 292 viewsThe new Domestic Visitor Survey, conducted in late 2025, reveals that three in five New Zealanders took overnight trips and nearly half took day trips in the previous six months, with main motivations being visiting family and relaxation. Domestic tourism accounts for about 60% of New Zealand's tourism expenditure, making these insights crucial for industry planning and responding to travel trends, especially as international visitor numbers recover post-COVID. The survey highlights high trip satisfaction, common planning methods, and barriers like cost and weather, with further data releases planned to support ongoing tourism development.
Tags: Louise Upston New Zealand Domestic Visitor Survey Tourism Hospitality Verian Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment Tourism Evidence and Insights Centre Covid CensusKiwi Tradies Gain Easier Access to Thousands of Australian Plumbing Products
1 month ago | 302 viewsNew Zealand’s Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has expanded recognition of thousands of Australian WaterMark-certified plumbing and drainage products, simplifying their use by Kiwi tradies and homeowners. This change, enabled by the Overseas Building Products Amendment Bill, reduces red tape by allowing Building Consent Authorities to accept these products as compliant without individual assessments, improving supply chain resilience and lowering costs. MBIE plans to continue reviewing overseas products, enhancing access to essential building materials like plasterboard, cladding, windows, and doors to support housing affordability and construction efficiency.
Tags: Chris Penk Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment MBIE WaterMark Building Act Overseas Building Products Amendment Bill Building Consent Authorities New Zealand Australia tradiesSouth Taranaki Green Hydrogen Facility Begins Construction with $19.9M Funding
2 months ago | 361 viewsConstruction has begun on a sustainable green hydrogen facility in South Taranaki, supported by a $19.9 million government investment and additional co-funding, with a total project cost of up to $112.3 million. The facility will supply renewable electricity to Ballance Agri-Nutrients' Kapuni site and produce green hydrogen for emissions-free transport, creating around 50 construction jobs and seven permanent roles. This project, a partnership between multiple organizations, aims to boost the regional economy by integrating wind energy, renewable electricity, and zero-carbon hydrogen fuel production at scale.
Tags: Shane Jones Hiringa Energy Parininihi ki Waitōtara Todd Regional Development Minister Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment Provincial Growth Fund South Taranaki New ZealandGovernment Activates Temporary Accommodation Service for North Island Weather Victims
2 months ago | 359 viewsThe Government’s Temporary Accommodation Service (TAS) has been activated to support people displaced by recent severe weather in parts of the North Island. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment is coordinating with emergency agencies, local councils, and communities to provide safe accommodation and additional support services, including social, mental health, and financial assistance. Those affected are encouraged to register for temporary accommodation through the TAS website or phone line, though registration numbers are not yet confirmed.
Tags: Tama Potaka Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment MBIE Temporary Accommodation Service Civil Defence Emergency Management National Emergency Management Agency Northland Coromandel Bay of Plenty TairāwhitiNew Zealand Allows Granny Flats Without Building or Resource Consents for Affordable Housing
2 months ago | 410 viewsNew Zealand has removed the need for building and resource consents for granny flats up to 70 square metres, simplifying the process and reducing costs by up to $5,650 and 14 weeks. This change, part of the Coalition Government’s housing reforms, aims to increase affordable and diverse housing options while boosting construction jobs and easing council workloads. Homeowners must ensure their granny flats meet Building Code standards and local council rules, with guidance and templates available from government websites.
Tags: Chris Bishop Shane Jones Chris Penk New Zealand Coalition Government RMA Reform Building Act National Direction Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment Ministry for the EnvironmentNew Zealand Boosts Mental Health Support with Funding for Community Programs
3 months ago | 495 viewsNew Zealand’s Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey announced increased funding for four grassroots organisations to improve early access to mental health support, focusing on prevention and removing barriers. The funded projects include expanded early intervention, digital support services, workplace mental health programs, and culturally tailored assistance for Asian communities, collectively reaching thousands nationwide. This initiative, supported by the Mental Health Innovation Fund, aims to reduce wait times and ensure timely, appropriate mental health care across diverse communities.
Tags: Matt Doocey Hearts and Minds The Loft MATES in Construction Asian Family Services Mental Health Innovation Fund New Zealand Mental Health Minister community organisations mental health support$200M Gas Security Fund Opens Jan 12, 2026 to Boost NZ Natural Gas Supply
3 months ago | 500 viewsThe $200 million Gas Security Fund, opening on 12 January 2026, aims to increase natural gas availability in New Zealand by supporting projects that accelerate supply or enable storage for critical demand periods. Declining gas production is raising costs and hindering economic growth, making natural gas essential during the transition to renewable energy sources. A new gas advisory panel will provide expert guidance to ministers, ensuring informed decisions amid the complexities of gas exploration and market conditions.
Tags: Shane Jones Chris Bishop Gas Security Fund New Zealand natural gas Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment Kānoa Grow Regions gas exploration energy transition