The Government has released its Science Investment Plan 2026–2036, setting a long-term direction for how public science investment will support economic growth, productivity, and prosperity across New Zealand.
The Plan identifies four priority areas for future investment: Primary Industries and the Bioeconomy, Technology for Prosperity, Environmental Sustainability and Resilience, and Healthy People and a Thriving Society. Together, these priorities will guide how public science funding is aligned over the coming decade.
A key feature of the Plan is a progressive shift of investment toward advanced technologies, recognising the growing role that areas such as artificial intelligence, advanced materials, quantum technologies, and digital innovation will play in strengthening New Zealand's economy and international competitiveness.
The New Zealand Institute for Advanced Technology (NZIAT) has been established as part of this wider vision, helping to translate world-class research into commercial opportunities, high-value jobs, and new export industries.
The Science Investment Plan provides certainty for researchers, institutions, and industry while ensuring New Zealand remains well-positioned to seize future opportunities and compete on the global stage.