Establishing National Research Priorities
Having clear direction for the research, science and innovation system is a key poupou of the Te Ara Paerangi – Future Pathways reform. National Research Priorities will enable the government to focus research funding and activities on the most important social, environmental, health and economic issues and opportunities for Aotearoa New Zealand.
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How the National Research Priorities will work
National Research Priorities will enable the government to strategically and proactively invest in determined areas of importance, and create impact in these areas by coordinating capability across the research, science and innovation system.
They will be vehicles for building new capabilities and will enable researchers to work across disciplines. They will support strong connections between the research, science and innovation system and the people who will ultimately implement its innovation – be that government, industry, Māori and iwi, users of research, communities and others.
The National Research Priorities will not cover all government funding or activities within and outside of the Priority areas. They will, however, ensure the research, science and innovation system is responsive to Aotearoa New Zealand’s evolving needs with clear, future-focused and aligned strategies.
National Research Priorities framework
The National Research Priorities framework shows how ambitious goals for all of New Zealand will guide research outcomes and activities. For example, a Priority could be “Carbon Zero by 2050” with an outcome as “carbon capture through native forests”. This could then result in a specific research activity to model carbon uptake.
Priorities
Goals for New Zealand that research, science and innovation can help address.
Example: “Carbon Zero by 2050”
Research outcomes
Research outcomes that will guide the research, science and innovation sector.
Example: “Carbon capture through native forests”
Research activities
Specific research activities that contribute to each research outcome.
Example: “Modelling carbon uptake by a lowland forest region"
Setting the Priorities
National Research Priorities need to deliver tangible impacts that contribute to the most important social, environmental, health and economic issues and opportunities Aotearoa New Zealand faces. To be transformative for Aotearoa New Zealand, the portfolio of Priorities needs to be future-focused, enduring and honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
We drew from the National Science Challenges and other mission-led investments in New Zealand and across the globe when designing the process to set the Priorities. Given the strategic level and need to act above sector and industry interests, Cabinet will make the final decision on recommendations from an Independent Strategic Panel of experts.
The Independent Strategic Panel will consider analysis and advice provided by a cross-agency working group to determine the most important issues and opportunities for all of New Zealand that research, science and innovation can address. The working group has been engaging with Te Tiriti partners and specific stakeholder groups, including Pacific peoples, government agencies, relevant sector experts, strategic thinkers, and international and futures experts.
The Panel will operate from August 2023 until they deliver their recommendations and final report to government in late 2023. The Panel is chaired by Tā/Sir Jerry Mateparae (Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Kahungunu) and includes 11 members. You find out more about the members in the Panel profiles and press release.
Determining research outcomes and activities
Once the National Research Priorities are determined by Cabinet, MBIE will work with the sector to identify the research outcomes and activities under each National Research Priority as they develop. We will need significant input from the research sector and users of research to shape the research outcomes and activities that flow out of each Priority.
While the Priorities are yet to be determined, we are committed to undertaking the necessary transitions with the sector so it can retain, support and grow our workforce, and ensure the ongoing delivery of research and science services through the transitions. Our focus is to ensure people will continue to be able to conduct excellent, essential and impactful research.
More information
You can read more about how the National Research Priorities will create new futures in the White Paper.
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