Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins announced the most extensive New Zealand science system reset in more than 30 years.
“The reforms will maximise the value of the NZD 1.2 billion in government funding that goes into the science sector each year, creating a more dynamic science, innovation and technology system that can respond to priorities and keep pace with technological advances,” said Collins.
“Getting the system settings right is the best way to boost long-term economic performance and ensure our scientists can pursue meaningful careers in New Zealand.”
The reforms will:
- Transform the current seven Crown Research Institutes into three Public Research Organisations (PROs) focusing on bio-economy, earth sciences, and health and forensic sciences;
- establish an advanced technology PRO to deliver research, capability and commercial outreach around technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum [advanced computing] and synthetic biology;
- establish a Prime Minister’s Science, Innovation and Technology Advisory Council to provide strategic direction and oversight of the system, advise on priorities and identify the biggest opportunities to leverage science, innovation and technology for economic growth;
- establish a new agency, Invest New Zealand, as the Government’s one-stop-shop for foreign direct investment to help the Government reach its goal of doubling exports by 2034;
- develop a national policy for managing Intellectual Property (IP) for science, innovation and technology-funded research; and
- disestablish Callaghan Innovation and move its most essential functions to other system parts.
The four new PROs will maximise the long-term benefits. They will be adaptable and responsive to government priorities, accountable through appropriate cost recovery, and set up to be well-coordinated and to avoid unnecessary duplication.
The PROs will also seek partnerships with private sector investors in research capability, facilities, and knowledge production. They will play a role in stewarding public good science, which the government has recognised as beneficial.
Callaghan Innovation will be disestablished, and its most essential functions will be moved to other entities.
“Callaghan has been spread too thinly across many functions, leading to poor financial performance and an over-reliance on Crown funding. The new Prime Minister’s Science Innovation and Technology Advisory Council is charged with setting national priorities for the system, including across the four PROs.”
Collins added that a key role of the Council would be to ensure that taxpayer funding for the sector is spent effectively to grow the economy, as innovation and technology are the future.
Invest New Zealand will be the Government’s one-stop-shop for foreign direct investment, excluding public infrastructure, and will be an Autonomous Crown Entity.
It will focus on attracting more significant investment in innovative activities in existing sectors and those with the highest potential to raise productivity and drive economic growth. Multinational companies will invest more significantly in research and development and engage in innovative activities in New Zealand.
Invest NZ will also attract more skilled professionals to New Zealand, helping to foster innovation, raise domestic capabilities, and improve international connections.
The Government wants to reward and incentivise industry workers. To this end, it will develop a national policy for managing Intellectual Property (IP) in science, innovation, and technology-funded research. This policy will be based on the model used by Canada’s Waterloo University, which vests ownership of IP with the researchers who created it.
“We will also be considering how this policy will apply to the new PROs, with the intention being that researchers receive a share of the financial rewards from commercialising intellectual property. This work, along with our move to overturn what has effectively been a 30-year ban on gene technology, will unlock enormous opportunities for our science sector and New Zealanders.”
The announced changes were extensive but will ensure a science system that generates maximum value for the economy and New Zealanders.
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