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 key functions to other parts of the system, establishing four future-focused Public Research Organisations (PRO), and developing a national policy to better manage intellectual property for science, innovation and technology-funded research.
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.
The details of these reforms will be carefully worked through as part of the design and implementation of this change programme.
Funding system changes
A simpler and more strategic science system will reshape how science, innovation and technology are funded and delivered.
A new outcomes-focused funding framework will be built around four pillars aimed at driving economic growth and delivering tangible results for New Zealand. A single funding decision maker called Research Funding New Zealand will be responsible for most research funding decisions across the system.
Innovation functions
To better support and incentivise innovation for future economic growth, Callaghan Innovation will be disestablished and its key functions are being redistributed to other parts of the science, innovation and technology system.
Administration of innovation and research and development grants and the Founder and Startup Support Programmes 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 Technology Incubator Programme, the New Zealand Product Accelerator and the HealthTech Activator will move to the NZ Institute for Advanced Technology once established.
Responsibility for the Bioresource Processing Alliance and New Zealand Food Innovation Network will transfer to the Bioeconomy Science Institute.
The Measurement Standards Laboratory will transfer to Earth Sciences New Zealand.
The Biotechnologies Group will continue to be funded until the end of June 2027 and will transfer to the Bioeconomy Science Institute.
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.
Milestones for change
| Milestones achieved | Established Invest NZ Established Earth Sciences NZ, PHF Science and Bioeconomy Science Institute as refocused and merged Public Research Organisations. Prime Minister’s Science, Innovation and Technology Advisory Council members appointed and meeting regularly. Announced first two investments as part of the NZ Institute for Advanced technology. |
| Milestones to come | Introduce a new national IP management policy. Introduce legislation to give effect to reforms. Research Funding New Zealand Board members appointed. Prime Minister’s Science, Innovation and Technology Advisory Council deliver first advice on priorities for the sector. |
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In this section I tēnei wāhanga
A new strategy for the science system
The Government is changing how science, innovation and technology are funded and supported in New Zealand. The goal is a simpler and more strategic system that helps researchers turn ideas into solutions that benefit New Zealand.
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
Research Funding New Zealand
Research Funding New Zealand is a new independent board, being established to consolidate funding decision makers across the science, innovation and technology system.
Public Research Organisations
3 new future-focused science organisations, formed by merging and refocusing New Zealand’s 7 Crown Research Institutes, have been in place since 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.
Invest New Zealand and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise
New Zealand has 2 targeted agencies to support economic growth through strong international connections in trade and investment.
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.
Reforms newsletters and webinars
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.
Science System Advisory Group
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment convened a group of experts to provide advice on strengthening the science, innovation and technology system, including the challenges and aspirations of the sector, and opportunities for growth. This group has now finished its work.