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 (PRO), 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.
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.
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. |
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In this section
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
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.
Invest New Zealand and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise
New Zealand will have 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.
Science System Advisory Group
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has 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.