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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.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce and Food Safety Minister Jo Goodhew today launched the New Zealand Food Safety Science and Research Centre at Massey University in Palmerston North.

Formed as a partnership between government, industry organisations and research institutions, the virtual centre aims to ensure New Zealand’s food safety system remains among the best in the world.

The Government will increase funding for health research by $97 million over the next four years, Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce and Health Minister Jonathan Coleman announced today.

“The annual amount available for health research through the Health Research Council (HRC) will increase by 56 per cent over four years - from $77 million in 2015/16 to $120 million in 2019/20,” Mr Joyce says.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce today announced $15 million of additional funding over four years for two schemes that speed up the commercialisation of new clever technologies developed by scientists and entrepreneurs around New Zealand.

“Encouraging the development of new export-oriented high-tech businesses is a key part of the innovation stream of the Government’s Business Growth Agenda,” Mr Joyce says.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce today announced that 44 projects have been successful in the 2016 round of the Unlocking Curious Minds contestable fund.

The Fund, launched in 2015, has already seen 53 projects deliver science and technology experiences for our young people and communities throughout New Zealand.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce today launched the Better Homes, Towns and Cities National Science Challenge, which is tasked with conducting research to develop better housing and urban environments for New Zealanders in the 21st century.

The Challenge, the last of the eleven National Science Challenges to be launched, will receive funding of up to $47.9 million over a ten year period.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce today announced that three proposals to establish new Regional Research Institutes (RRIs) have been shortlisted and that applicants will now enter the business case development stage of the selection process.

Regional Research Institutes are to be new research centres developed in areas outside of Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch that help build research and development intensity and lift innovation in key regional industries.

Eleven more start-up technology companies will be funded $450,000 each in repayable loans to help them commercialise their technology through Callaghan Innovation’s incubator network, Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce announced today.

A total of 18 companies have now been funded through Callaghan Innovation’s new technology incubators which have been set up to help commercialise complex, new to the world, intellectual property. Companies repay the grant when they begin to earn revenue from their venture.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce today announced the appointments of Stefan Korn and Andrew Hamilton to the Callaghan Innovation Stakeholder Advisory Group.

Callaghan Innovation is the government agency tasked with encouraging more research and development activity by businesses across New Zealand’s science and technology sector.

“These new appointments both bring extremely useful skills and insights to the advisory group and ensure Callaghan remains well connected with its stakeholders,” Mr Joyce says.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce has welcomed the news that New Zealand companies are investing more in research and development, according to a Statistics New Zealand survey released today.

The Statistics New Zealand Business Operations Survey says business spending on R&D has grown by more than 15 per cent in one year, from $1.25 billion in 2014 to $1.44 billion in 2015.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce and Communications Minister Amy Adams have welcomed today’s announcement by Hawaiki confirming it will build a submarine cable linking New Zealand, Australia and the United States.

“Hawaiki’s new cable system will provide more international data choice and resilience for Kiwi consumers and business and help progress New Zealand’s digital economy.” Mr Joyce says.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce today launched Kākāpō 125 – a joint New Zealand Genomics Limited (NZGL) and Genetics Otago project that will sequence all the genomes of the kākāpō species.

“This is the first time genomes will be sequenced for an entire species population. This sequencing will allow scientists to refine their breeding programme so that each kākāpō chick has the best chance of growing into a healthy adult,” Mr Joyce says.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce and Health Minister Jonathan Coleman today announced that the Government will invest $14 million over seven years in a $37.8 million public-private research partnership to promote precision-driven healthcare.

“The partnership will work on developing and conducting ground-breaking health data analysis and optimisation technologies for health assessment and management,” Mr Joyce says.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce today announced appointments to the board of Callaghan Innovation – the government agency tasked with encouraging more research and development activity by New Zealand’s fast growing technology companies.

The new board members are Kate McGrath, Frances Valintine and Simon Botherway. Richard Janes has been reappointed to the Board, along with Sue Suckling, who has been reappointed as Chair.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce today announced a call for proposals for three multi-institution New Zealand-China Research Collaboration Centres to be supported as part of the new Catalyst Fund international research programme.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce today announced that New Zealand has joined Australia’s Medical Research Commercialisation Fund (MRCF).

“The MRCF is an early-stage venture capital fund, which provides capital and hands-on expertise to support the development and commercialisation of promising biomedical discoveries. New Zealand’s research organisations can now sign up to gain access to the $200 million (AUD) investment fund to support the development of their biomedical innovations,” Mr Joyce says.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce today launched “A Better Start” - E Tipu e Rea - New Zealand’s 10th National Science Challenge.

The “A Better Start” Challenge will receive funding of up to $34.7 million over 10 years for research aimed at solving some of the complex problems that are faced by New Zealand children and young people as they start out on life.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce has today announced $4.75 million will be invested through the Government’s new Catalyst Fund in 18 global strategic partnerships to support high-quality research in areas that will deliver a range of benefits to New Zealand.

The Catalyst Fund aims to strengthen international research collaboration by linking New Zealand with world-class international research groups, infrastructure and initiatives.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce today announced a three-year investment of $2.8 million in the Australian Synchrotron, the largest piece of scientific infrastructure in the Southern Hemisphere, to secure preferential access for Kiwi scientists.

The Synchrotron is a source of intense light ranging from infra-red to hard x-rays, and is used for a variety of research purposes. The Government funding, along with co-investment from NZ research organisations, will support the operating costs of the leading-edge research facility.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce today launched the Our Land and Water National Science Challenge, which aims to enhance primary sector production and productivity while maintaining and improving land and water quality.

The National Science Challenges are dedicated to breaking new ground in areas of science that are crucial to New Zealand’s future.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce today announced the appointment of three new members to the boards of the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR), the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences (GNS), and the New Zealand Forest Research Institute (Scion).

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce today launched a second round of the Unlocking Curious Minds contestable fund, offering up to $2 million for successful projects.

Applications are now open for the fund, which supports innovative projects that will excite and engage young people, in particular those who have fewer opportunities to become involved in science and technology.