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Māori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell and Science and Innovation Minister Paul Goldsmith have today announced the recipients of the first round for the Ka Hao: Māori Digital Technology Development Fund.

“The first round of funding for Ka Hao will provide a total of $3.6 million for the 20 successful applicants,” says Mr Flavell.

“There are some really exciting initiatives ranging from online te reo tools to environmental monitoring systems which will provide skilled opportunities for whānau.

Primary sector education, research and innovation will receive a significant boost thanks to a capital injection for state-of-the-art new buildings at Lincoln University, Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment and Science and Innovation Minister Paul Goldsmith announced today.

Budget 2017 will invest $372.8 million of new operating funding in the second round of the Government’s Innovative New Zealand programme, Economic Development Minister Simon Bridges and Science and Innovation Minister Paul Goldsmith say.

“Every initiative in the Budget flows from having a strong economic plan that delivers sustainable growth and jobs,” Mr Bridges says. “The Government’s Innovative New Zealand programme invests in the skills and innovation that will keep our economy growing in the years ahead.”

The funding includes:

Science and Innovation and Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Paul Goldsmith will travel to China tonight to represent New Zealand at the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing.

“Attending the first Belt and Road Forum will allow us to add a distinctly New Zealand voice and perspective. New Zealand’s best interests lie in participating in international initiatives that have the potential to benefit our economy and society,” says Mr Goldsmith.

Science and Innovation Minister Paul Goldsmith will reveal the details of a significant challenge prize for the wearable technology sector at a launch event in Auckland this evening.

C-Prize, run by the Government’s business innovation agency Callaghan Innovation, will be open to anyone living in New Zealand aged 16 and over.

Mr Goldsmith says it is an example of incentives being used to spur inquisitive minds to create concepts with strong commercial potential.

Science and Innovation Minister Paul Goldsmith has today announced the winners of New Zealand’s most valuable and prestigious annual science awards, the Prime Minister’s Science Prizes.

“The Prime Minister’s Science Prizes celebrate scientific achievement, highlight the impact science has on New Zealanders’ lives, and aim to attract more young people into science careers,” Mr Goldsmith says.

The Government is making a major investment in growing innovation in Budget 2016, through the Innovative New Zealand package to encourage entrepreneurship, skills and economic growth.

“Innovative New Zealand is a series of 25 initiatives that will see $761.4 million invested over the next four years in science, skills, tertiary education and regional development initiatives. These will help diversify the economy, and support more jobs and higher wages for New Zealanders in the decade ahead,” Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce says.

Summary

Budget 2016 will provide $94.4 million of new funding over the next four years for regional economic development initiatives that will boost economic growth and benefit communities across regional New Zealand.

This dedicated regional investment funding is part of Budget 2016’s Innovative New Zealand package, which aims to unlock opportunities for innovation and diversification across New Zealand.

Summary

A total of $256.5 million in operating funding over the next four years will be invested across the tertiary education sector through Budget 2016’s Innovative New Zealand package as the Government continues to incentivise the provision of skills for the 21st century.

This package will encourage training in disciplines such as science, engineering, agriculture and the trades as we continue to grow a high-value, diversified New Zealand economy.

Summary

The Government will significantly increase its investment in science and innovation through Budget 2016’s Innovative New Zealand package, providing a further $410.5 million in operating funding over the next four years.

Investing in the work of our scientists and innovators is hugely important for developing an innovative New Zealand with a truly resilient and diversified economy.