The New Zealand Institute for Advanced Technology (NZIAT) has officially launched, marking an important milestone as the Institute begins its work to help build New Zealand’s advanced technology future.
More than 120 people from across New Zealand’s science, technology, research, business and investment communities came together at NZIAT’s new Auckland offices at GridAKL to celebrate the launch.
NZIAT was welcomed to Tāmaki Makaurau by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, and was joined for the occasion by Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology Hon Penny Simmonds, Minister for Auckland Hon Simon Watts, and Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown.
NZIAT has been established with a clear mission: to help turn New Zealand’s strengths in advanced technology into new industries, high-value companies and long-term economic growth.
NZIAT Chair Steve O’Connor said the launch represented the beginning of an ambitious new chapter for advanced technology in New Zealand.
“New Zealand has world-class researchers, entrepreneurs and innovators. Our opportunity is to better connect those strengths and create pathways that take great ideas from frontier research through to frontier firms.
“NZIAT has been established to take a long-term view, focus on areas where New Zealand has the potential to build genuine advantage, and help create the conditions for new technology-driven industries to grow here.”
While NZIAT’s headquarters are in Auckland, its mandate and ambition are national.
From its Auckland base, NZIAT will work with researchers, businesses, investors, universities, research organisations and other partners across the country to connect expertise and capability around opportunities in advanced technology.
NZIAT’s initial areas of focus include advanced materials and magnetic technologies, artificial intelligence and quantum technologies.
Work is already underway across these areas, with NZIAT taking a deliberate approach to identifying where New Zealand has the capability, partnerships and potential to build internationally competitive areas of strength.
The launch also provided an opportunity to introduce NZIAT’s growing team and share more about its mission, vision and approach to working with New Zealand’s wider science, innovation and business ecosystem.
For NZIAT, the official launch is an important milestone — but it is also just the beginning.
As Steve O’Connor told guests:
“Our job now is to turn ambition into action. We want to help build the connections, capability and momentum that allow New Zealand ideas and technologies to grow into globally competitive companies and industries.”
From frontier research to frontier firms.