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A Nation of Curious Minds – He Whenua Hihiri i te Mahara
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Investment funds
- Commercialisation Partner Network
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Catalyst Fund
- New Zealand – Japan Joint Research Programme Call for Proposals 2024
- Australia New Zealand Collaborative Space Research Programme in Earth Observation Call for Proposals
- New Zealand-China Strategic Research Alliance 2024 Call for Proposals
- e-ASIA Joint Research Programme Call for Proposals 2024
- Funded projects
- COVID-19 Innovation Acceleration Fund
- Curious Minds
- Endeavour Fund
- Envirolink Scheme
- Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Capability Fund
- Extreme weather science response
- He whakawhānui i te pāpātanga o Vision Mātauranga – mahere haumi 2023
- Expanding the Impact of Vision Mātauranga – 2023 investment plan
- MBIE Science Whitinga Fellowship
- National Science Challenges
- Partnerships
- PreSeed Accelerator Fund
- Strategic Science Investment Fund
- Regional Research Institutes Initiative
- Who got funded
- Te Tahua Whakakaha o Te Pūnaha Hihiko
- Te Pūnaha Hihiko: Vision Mātauranga Capability Fund
A Nation of Curious Minds – He Whenua Hihiri i te Mahara
A Nation of Curious Minds – He Whenua Hihiri i te Mahara is our national strategic plan for science in society.
On this page
Science and technology in Aotearoa New Zealand starts with curiosity. With an objective to encourage and enable better engagement with science and technology in all sectors of New Zealand, the A Nation of Curious Minds – He Whenua Hihiri i te Mahara strategy outlines the Government's key objective to be achieved over a 10-year period (from 2014 to 2024) and with key action areas to progress.
The strategy at a glance
Curious Minds main objective: Encourage and enable better engagement with science and technology in all sectors of New Zealand
Strategic action area | MBIE-funded activities, initiatives and programmes that collectively contribute towards the strategy’s main objective |
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Enhancing the role of education Focusing on science / pūtaiao and technology / hangarau education for young people |
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Public engaging with science and technology Building on the importance of parents, families/whānau and locals to create opportunities for engagement through community-focused and collaborative opportunities. |
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Science sector engaging with the public Supporting the different ways in which science and tech researchers, specialists and institutions can share their work and connect with other people, places and organisations. |
Why Curious Minds was developed
In February 2013 the National Science Challenges panel was asked to identify the most significant science-based issues and opportunities facing New Zealand. The panel submitted its report in March 2013. In response to the recommendations in their report:
- The Government announced 10 research areas as New Zealand’s National Science Challenges in May 2013. An 11th area was added in 2014.
National Science Challenges(external link) - The Minister of Science and Innovation and the Minister of Education with close involvement from the Office of the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor developed a strategic plan A Nation of Curious Minds – He Whenua Hihiri i te Mahara : A National Strategic Plan for Science in Society which was officially launched(external link) in July 2014.
The strategy responded to the panel’s recommendation for an additional Science in Society Leadership Challenge to ensure the success of the National Science Challenges if New Zealand is to responsibly apply science and innovation as well as benefit from its investment in scientific research.
Monitoring the strategy’s progress
The plan details how these actions will be monitored and evaluated throughout their initiation and continuation. It also identifies the outcomes we should expect to see over the 10 years, which include:
- more science and technology-competent learners, and more choosing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)-related career pathways
- a more scientifically and technologically engaged public and a more publicly engaged science sector
- a more skilled workforce and more responsive science and technology.
Resources for project teams
Materials to help Curious Minds funded project teams set up, manage and evaluate their activities.
If you currently manage or are about to begin a project funded through the Unlocking Curious Minds contestable fund or the Participatory Science Platform, these materials can help you.
Brand guidelines [PDF, 4 MB] — To help you know where to put our logo and what formats to use.
Curious Minds logo kit [ZIP, 16 MB] — Downloadable pack of logo formats to use in your documentation and marketing.
Photo consent guidelines [DOCX, 51 KB] — To help you get permission from participants (if adult) or their parents that allows you and us to use and share photographs/videos of your project with others.
Surveying guidelines [DOCX, 131 KB] — To help you manage the ethical and confidentiality issues that can arise from feedback surveys etc.