The government is redirecting $122 million of existing science, innovation, and technology funding toward emerging and high-value sectors, including quantum technology, robotics, and genomics, a move aimed at giving New Zealand a competitive edge on the global stage.
Science Minister Shane Reti said the reallocation reflects a commonsense approach to investment: focusing on areas where New Zealand can realistically lead. He cited small, high-performing economies like Singapore and Ireland as models.
“Now is the moment … to seed that thinking. To seed those new things,” Reti told about 100 scientists, investors, and innovators at a Sprout Agritech summit in Auckland.
He emphasised that without decisive action, bureaucratic inertia would lock in inefficient policies that are costly and difficult to reverse.
“Fly, be bold. I’m giving you a simplified structure to do exactly that.”
“Also remember. We can’t do everything.”
Reti explained that New Zealand cannot dominate all areas of quantum technology, which spans computing and communications, but it can build on its proven strength in photonics.
“You can be out there and go right to the edge, right to the envelope, and using emerging technologies,” he said.
Funding will expand to sectors previously overlooked, including defence and space, while areas such as infrastructure and industrial production will see increased support.
The government will also reweight funding allocations to prioritise mission-led work (60% of funding, up from 45%) over investigator-led projects (40%, down from 55%), ensuring taxpayer dollars go to results-driven programmes.
The $122 million, representing roughly 15% of the total $839 million available, will support four strategic pillars, such as the primary industry and bioeconomy, technology for prosperity, environmental sustainability, and healthy people and a thriving society.
Reti said a prime example of the kind of innovation supported under the four pillars is the use of robotics to drive efficiency and productivity in the agri-tech sector.
“A kiwifruit grower in Kerikeri who’s using drone technology to image his kiwifruit and make decisions about it. That’s cool. That will give us a competitive advantage,” he said.