In 2018 a mid-way review of the National Science Challenges concluded with the Science Board agreeing to fund all 11 National Science Challenges at the maximum funding amount. This amount was set by Cabinet in 2013 for 1 July 2019 – 30 June 2024, and brings the total investment to $680.8 million.
Established in 2016, the New Zealand-China Research Collaboration Centres are a mechanism to align existing cooperation and build new connections between New Zealand and Chinese researchers. In 2020, their mandate was expanded to include the coordination and support of joint research projects with China.
The Bioresource Processing Alliance is an MBIE-funded R&D programme that works with the primary sector to turn low value biological waste into high value exports – with a potential to add at least $100m to the New Zealand economy in the next three years.
A 2020 Catalyst: Strategic investment in a collaborative research programme with the People’s Republic of China that aims to develop high-quality research on cutting-edge health and biomedical sciences.
It all began with a Masters university assignment to commercialise technology designed to age bananas. Pretty soon, the ‘Wine Grenade’ team was over-subscribed for its innovative wine-ageing product which is now influencing wine production around the world.
The Resilience to Nature’s Challenges National Science Challenge is enhancing New Zealand’s ability to anticipate, adapt and thrive in the face of ever-changing natural hazards.
The Deep South National Science Challenge is working to understand the role of the Antarctic and Southern Ocean in determining New Zealand’s future climate and how the impact this role has on key economic sectors, infrastructure and natural resources.
Robin McNeill, Space Operations Manager at Southland’s Awarua Satellite Ground Station (SGS) heads Great South’s space programme. He was born between the launch of Sputnik and Gagarin’s first space flight and believes that starting life between these momentous events meant he was always going to take an interest in space.