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An extra 140 undergraduate students will be funded to do research and development projects for New Zealand businesses this summer, Science and Innovation Minister Wayne Mapp announced today.

"We have huge demand from businesses so this year we have decided to award 341 internships instead of the 200 we initially intended,” said Dr Mapp.

“Ramping up New Zealand’s innovation potential across the high-tech manufacturing and services sectors will be a major catalyst for New Zealand's future growth,” says Science and Innovation Minster Wayne Mapp.

Dr Mapp and Acting Minister for Economic Development, David Carter, today released Powering Innovation, an independent report looking at how New Zealand can best grow its high-tech manufacturing and services sectors.

Dr Wayne Mapp is travelling to Singapore today to represent New Zealand at the 40th anniversary of the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA).

Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, the United Kingdom and New Zealand are the partners in the FPDA – the second oldest military agreement after NATO.

“This multilateral security framework is a tribute to the commitment of these countries, and a comment on the value of long-standing and stable security agreements in these ever-changing times,” said Dr Mapp.

Health Minister Tony Ryall and the Minister for Science and Innovation Dr Wayne Mapp have announced funding for three cancer research projects.

Studies of bowel cancer, palliative care and prostate cancer will be undertaken by researchers at Auckland and Massey universities over the next three years.

Health Minister Tony Ryall says, "This research will build our knowledge of the incidence and impact of these particular cancers in New Zealand, and how health professionals from primary care through to specialists work together delivering treatment.”

Emerging high-tech businesses will get a hand up at a crucial time in their development, Science and Innovation Minister Wayne Mapp announced today.

Business incubators will now be able to give research and development grants of up to $50,000 for young high-tech companies. New Zealand’s eight incubators currently host about 120 ventures.

“We need a larger pool of high-tech start-ups so more can grow into globally competitive businesses that will lift New Zealand’s prosperity,” said Dr Mapp.

New Zealand has been accepted as a member of the International Partnership for Geothermal Technology, announced Science and Innovation Minister Wayne Mapp.

“Geothermal energy is one of our most important renewable energy resources with huge potential for growth,” said Dr Mapp.

“This recognition of our geothermal research programmes will allow our scientists to collaborate with an elite group of researchers in the United States, Australia, Switzerland and Iceland.”

A world-class facility in Auckland that will house business incubators, research and development institutions, and business development providers, was announced today by Science and Innovation Minister Wayne Mapp and Auckland Mayor Len Brown.

“The Wynyard Quarter Innovation Precinct will connect entrepreneurs and businesses to international investors and partners,” said Dr Mapp. “It will also be a landing pad for overseas investors looking to connect with New Zealand knowledge-intensive companies.”

Fifteen years ago, following the formation of the first National-led coalition under MMP, three members of Parliament were invited by Ngati Hine to Otiria Marae. Each member was presented with a gift. Two of the gifts were weapons of war, one was a waka huia. The three members were Rt Hon Winston Peters, Hon Tau Henare and myself. There is no prize for guessing who received the waka huia.

The kaumatua told me to fill this treasure box with those things I most valued from my Parliamentary life. So, what are they?

New Zealand’s best researchers have been awarded $53.8 million in Marsden Fund grants, Science and Innovation Minister Wayne Mapp announced today.

“The winning Marsden Fund projects have been selected on the basis of scientific excellence,” Dr Mapp said. “The 88 successful applications range from new therapies for cancer and chronic inflammation to better communication technology.

Health Minister Tony Ryall and the Minister for Science and Innovation Dr Wayne Mapp, have congratulated ESR on their successful international bid for a 5-year, multi-million dollar flu research and surveillance project.

The project is paid for by the United States Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and is known as SHIVERS - the Southern Hemisphere Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness Research and Surveillance.

Science and Innovation Minister Dr Wayne Mapp has praised Victoria University of Wellington students whose energy efficient ‘First Light’ bach finished third at the Solar Decathlon in Washington DC yesterday.

“The First Light team have done a great job of showcasing New Zealand’s innovation, smart thinking and commitment to keeping our environment healthy,” said Dr Mapp.

Two research projects awarded a total of $1 million in funding will strengthen collaborative research relationships between New Zealand and Japan, Science and Innovation Minister Wayne Mapp announced today.

“These research projects have strong commercial potential, including through the Japanese market, and so have the potential to benefit our economy,” said Dr Mapp.

The Government is giving online game developer SmallWorlds $1.8 million to help realise its global growth prospects through research and development, Science and Innovation Minister Wayne Mapp announced today.

“The gaming industry is a lucrative sector and New Zealand businesses in this space need to get a piece of the action. Our investments help with this,” said Dr Mapp.

Gaming is the fastest growing entertainment sector in the world, and now generates more revenue than the music and film industry.

About 200 of our best scientific, engineering and technology undergraduate students will get a taste of working for innovative high-tech businesses this summer, announced Science and Innovation Minister Wayne Mapp today.

“We are investing $1.28 million so businesses can hire undergraduate interns to do research and development projects over the university summer holidays,” said Dr Mapp.

“This Government wants to see better connections and more collaboration between science and business. These internships contribute to this goal.”

Stronger links with the United Kingdom on science and innovation matters will result from an agreement signed today, Minister of Science and Innovation Wayne Mapp said.

UK Secretary of State Jeremy Browne and Dr Mapp have given Ministerial support for a New Zealand-United Kingdom Science and Innovation Working Group to be set up.

“The United Kingdom has always been one of New Zealand’s most significant science and innovation partners,” said Dr Mapp.

The Government is investing $100,000 to bring international agricultural biotechnology experts to New Zealand next year, Minister of Science and Innovation Wayne Mapp announced today.

New Zealand was announced as the host for the 2012 Agricultural Biotechnology International Conference at the closing of the 2011 conference in South Africa.

“This prestigious conference will bring hundreds of international delegates to New Zealand,” said Dr Mapp. “It is a chance to showcase New Zealand and Australian biotech capability.”

Boosting New Zealand’s digital technologies industry is behind a new talent development programme and a high-tech hub in San Francisco announced today by Science and Innovation Minister Dr Wayne Mapp.

“We have a new generation of innovators and entrepreneurs developing in New Zealand,” said Dr Mapp.  “These people are working in high-potential, globally-focused high-tech businesses.

“They know they must connect innovation, opportunity and market acumen to achieve commercial success on the world stage.”

A new round of technology grants to 19 businesses emphasizes the importance the Government attach to Research, Science and Technology, says Science and Innovation Minister, Dr Wayne Mapp.

The $50 million in Technology Development Grants are the second round of grants since the scheme was announced as part of Budget 2010.  That Budget provided a $321 million boost in Research Science & Technology activities.

“The first round of these grants totalled $92.6 million to 26 businesses, and were announced in December 2010,” says Dr Mapp.

High-tech mapping of New Zealand’s forests, pastures, rivers and cities will result from a research programme announced today by Environment Minister Nick Smith and Science and Innovation Minister Wayne Mapp.

The Government will give $1 million a year over the next four years for the research which uses satellite technology, geospatial mapping techniques and advanced computing power.

Science and Innovation Minister Wayne Mapp has announced new appointments and reappointments to the boards of Crown research institutes, effective today.

“New Zealand needs more from its science and innovation system. Through last year’s CRI Taskforce recommendations we gave the Crown research institutes a new sense of drive and purpose.

“They are now much more aligned with their sectors, ensuring that their work is fully utilised for New Zealand’s wider benefit.

Minister of Science and Innovation Wayne Mapp is on his way to the United States this week to help promote New Zealand companies at the Bio International Convention in Washington DC.

“The Bio International Convention is the major global event for the biotech industry world-wide, attended by close to 20,000 people, “ Dr Mapp said.

“Twenty of New Zealand’s top biotech and other related companies are showcasing New Zealand skills, products and services. It is a unique opportunity for New Zealand.

The launch of the NeSI network of high-performance computers tomorrow will keep New Zealand researchers at the cutting edge of science, says Science and Innovation Minister Wayne Mapp.

“The NeSI supercomputers will give our researchers an unprecedented ability to turn massive volumes of data into meaningful information," Dr Mapp said.

“This will enable more accurate and higher-quality research, leading to discoveries and insights that will benefit our economy, environment and society."

The Government is to invest $9.3 million over the next six years in fresh water research, Environment Minister Nick Smith and Minister of Science and Innovation Wayne Mapp announced today.

“Along with climate change, improving the management of our country’s fresh water is one of the Government’s top environmental priorities,” the Ministers said.

New Zealand is to seek membership of the International Partnership for Geothermal Technology (IPGT), Science and Innovation Minister Wayne Mapp announced today.

“This is an exciting opportunity. Geothermal energy is one of New Zealand’s most important renewable energy resources. Geothermal electricity generation has grown to 13 percent of total generation in 2010,” Dr Mapp said.