The Government has backed a shift in science spending to areas with the greatest national impact, with a stronger focus on advanced technology.
According to Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Dr Shane Reti, the Government has set a clear direction for smarter investment.
“This marks a turning point as we fix the basics of the science system, build the future for New Zealand research and our scientists, and position ourselves more like other small, advanced economies,” he said.
The Prime Minister’s Science, Innovation and Technology Advisory Council’s report on Priorities for Science Funding identifies four priority areas for future government investment:
- Primary industries and the bioeconomy
- Technology for prosperity
- Environmental sustainability and resilience
- Healthy people and a thriving society
Dr Reti mentioned that a central focus of the report is advanced technology, where increased investment has transformative potential. The council recommended boosting investment in advanced technologies by NZD 122 million per year, by reallocating funding over the next three years.
While New Zealand invests strongly in areas such as agriculture and environmental science, it has invested less in advanced technologies than similar countries.
Investment in advanced technology has already delivered real results, boosting farm productivity, reducing environmental impacts, and enabling smarter, data-driven decisions that improve health, resilience and sustainability across New Zealand.
Reallocating public funding, Dr Reti said, can increase support for advanced technologies where capability is still developing but strategic need is growing. This shift will boost productivity across all sectors, help build a future‑ready science workforce, and strengthen our international competitiveness.
Any changes to the funding system will be phased and carefully managed over time to provide stability, maintain continuity for researchers, and minimise disruption.
“The Council’s report marks a key milestone in the most significant reset of our science, innovation and technology system in more than 30 years,” added Dr Reti.
“The Government will embed its recommendations in the Science Investment Plan that Research Funding New Zealand will use to make allocation decisions.”
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