New Zealand releases science and technology investment plans through 2031

The New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has released the Pillar Investment Plans, which will direct science, innovation, and technology investment from 2026 to 2031. The strategy aims to bolster the national economy, support public-good research, and increase global competitiveness by focusing on four priority areas: Technology for Prosperity, Primary Industries and the Bioeconomy, Environmental Sustainability and Resilience, and Healthy People and a Thriving Society.

While the government intends for these plans to accelerate commercialization and create high-value jobs, some experts have raised concerns regarding the implementation. Rod McNaughton, a professor at the University of Auckland Business School, noted that while the plans connect discovery to practical use, they may lack clear pathways for supporting research outside the prescribed pillars. He also cautioned that a heavy focus on industry-defined problems and early commercialization requirements could potentially disadvantage entrepreneurs and limit the scope for unexpected scientific discoveries.