Refocusing the science, innovation and technology system
The Government is making changes to New Zealand’s science, innovation and technology system to set a clear direction, lift economic growth and position New Zealand for the future.
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Introduction
The Government is making changes to New Zealand’s science, innovation and technology system. These changes will clarify priorities, lift economic outcomes and harness advanced technology for a more prosperous future.
Changes include establishing a Prime Minister’s Science Innovation and Technology Advisory Council, establishing new agency Invest New Zealand, refocusing New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE), disestablishing Callaghan Innovation and redistributing its most important functions to other parts of the system, establishing four future-focused Public Research Organisations, and developing a national policy to better manage intellectual property.
They will maximise the value of public investment and create a more dynamic science, innovation and technology system that can respond to priorities and keep pace with technological advances.
This reform follows government consideration of the first report of the Science System Advisory Group.
The details of these reforms will be carefully worked through as part of the design and implementation of this change programme.
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Prime Minister’s Science, Innovation and Technology Advisory Council
Members of a new Prime Minister’s Science, Innovation and Technology Advisory Council have been appointed. This council will provide advice on long-term priorities for government-funded science and innovation in New Zealand. They will focus on:
- providing advice to the Prime Minister on the long-term direction and high-level priorities for government-funded science, innovation and technology, along with areas that could be de-prioritised.
- identifying and developing a list of emerging technologies that are critical to the future of New Zealand
- identifying and recommending ways to address barriers to innovation and commercialisation ensuring a thriving science and innovation ecosystem, and
- monitoring and reporting to Government on the execution and delivery of science, innovation and technology strategy, priorities and system reform.
Members of the Council bring a strong mix of scientific, commercial and strategic expertise.
The members are:
Sir Peter Gluckman
Craig Piggott
Merryn Tawhai
Komal Mistry-Mehta
Malcolm Johns
John Roche
Read the terms of reference for the advisory council:
Prime Minister’s Science, Innovation and Technology Advisory Council - Terms of reference [PDF 65KB]
Public Research Organisations
Three new future-focused science organisations, formed by merging and refocusing New Zealand’s 7 Crown Research Institutes, will be in place from 1 July 2025. These organisations will concentrate on key areas of national importance to deliver a science system that is more connected, more commercially focused, and better aligned with the needs of New Zealand.
The new institutes will be:
- New Zealand Institute for Bioeconomy Science – formed by bringing together AgResearch, Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research, Plant & Food Research, and Scion. This PRO will focus on fostering economic growth and ensuring environmental prosperity, advancing innovation in agriculture, aquaculture, forestry, biotechnology and manufacturing; protecting ecosystems from biosecurity threats and climate risks; and developing new bio-based technologies and products.
- New Zealand Institute for Earth Science – formed by bringing together the National Institute for Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) and the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences Limited (GNS Science), noting Cabinet’s decision for NIWA to acquire MetService as a wholly-owned subsidiary. This PRO will focus on supporting energy security and sustainability; developing land, marine and mineral resources; and improving resilience to natural hazards and climate-related risks.
- New Zealand Institute for Public Health and Forensic Science – formed by re-purposing the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR). This PRO will focus on strengthening public health through disease detection and response; and supporting public safety through forensic science services.
During the transition period, Crown Research Institutes will continue to deliver the science that is needed by their customers and New Zealand. A fourth, new Public Research Organisation will be established to focus on advanced technology.
In May 2025, the Government announced an investment of $71 million over 7 years in an advanced technology science platform to accelerate innovation and grow the New Zealand economy. Investing in this platform, hosted by the multidisciplinary Paihau—Robinson Research Institute, is the first step in the Government’s commitment to establishing a Public Research Organisation for advanced technology.
Invest New Zealand and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise
New Zealand will have two targeted agencies to support economic growth through strong international connections in trade and investment.
A new agency, Invest New Zealand (Invest NZ) will be established as a one-stop-shop for foreign direct investment – excluding public infrastructure which is the remit of the national infrastructure agency.
Invest NZ will work with multi-national corporations and foreign investors to attract people, businesses and capital into New Zealand across industries and technologies, with a particular interest in investing in the science, innovation and technology that will drive our economy.
New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) will focus on driving export growth by facilitating trade and access to international markets and ensuring New Zealand businesses have the necessary support to expand their international reach.
Both Invest NZ and NZTE will have a culture underpinned by clear economic incentives, with a laser focus on commercial outcomes. The agencies will also have clearly defined roles that allow them to function as easy conduits for inward investment and outward growth.
NZTE will incubate Invest NZ and run its establishment process before it officially becomes an Autonomous Crown Entity. An Autonomous Crown Entity is a type of statutory Crown entity in New Zealand that must consider government policy when directed by the responsible minister. Examples include the Arts Council of New Zealand, and Te Māngai Pāhō (Māori Broadcasting Funding Agency).
Innovation functions
To better support and incentivise innovation for future economic growth, Callaghan Innovation will be disestablished and its most important functions will be redistributed to other parts of the science, innovation and technology system.
Administration of innovation and research and development grants, the Founder Startup and Tech Incubator programmes, and the HealthTech Activator will move to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, as will Callaghan Innovation’s current responsibilities to support the Research and Development Tax Incentive.
Responsibility for the Bioresource Processing Alliance, New Zealand Product Accelerator and New Zealand Food Innovation Network will transfer to the most relevant PRO.
The Measurement Standards Laboratory will also transfer to the Institute for Earth Science.
The Biotechnologies Group will continue to be funded until the end of June 2027 and will transfer to the new Institute for Bioeconomy Science once it is established.
Up until the point of transfer of these activities, Callaghan Innovation will as far as possible continue to administer these programmes as it would under normal circumstances, in accordance with the relevant legislation and Ministerial directions.
Intellectual property
The Government will move to ensure the right settings and incentives are in place for intellectual property (IP) to generate greater commercial and economic benefits from our science, innovation and tertiary education sectors.
This will involve developing a national policy for managing intellectual property for science, innovation and technology-funded research. It could be based on the model used by Canada’s Waterloo University which vests ownership of intellectual property with the researchers who create it, however we will look at how this model is best applied in a New Zealand context.
The Government will also consider how this policy will apply to the new PROs. The intention is for researchers to receive a share of the financial rewards from commercialising IP.
Indicative timeline for change
The high-level timeline is as follows and as the implementation planning progresses, these timeframes may change:
| Q1 2025 | Further decisions on:
|
| Q2 2025 | Prime Minister’s Science, Innovation and Technology Advisory Council members appointed. Further decisions on proposed national IP policy for research and wider incentives for commercialisation. Introduce legislation to give effect to reforms. |
| Q3 2025 | Set up strategic investment in advanced technology research as a first step toward establishing a PRO focused on advanced technologies. |
| Q4 2025 | Legislation passed. |
| 2026 | Legislation takes effect. |
Science System Advisory Group
The Science System Advisory Group was convened by MBIE to provide advice on strengthening the science, innovation and technology system, including the challenges and aspirations of the sector, and opportunities for growth.
The group’s first report and its recommendations informed the Government’s decisions.
Visit the Science System Advisory Group’s website:
Science System Advisory Group(external link)
Read more about the Science System Advisory Group on our website: