Innovation
[ Last Updated 18 July 2008 ]
There is a need to better align government expenditure and activity across the innovation system. A more focused approach will enable government to get the best possible return from its investments in economic development, tertiary education, and the science system. To achieve such an approach, the Government is considering a more targeted approach to innovation investment around six areas of focus within two overarching themes.
The first theme relates to a sustainable bio-economy. The focus is on maintaining and extending the value we gain from our core strengths in pastoral and food production. The three areas of focus within this theme are sustainable pastoral systems, added value foods, and environmental solutions. The second theme relates to building capabilities to support niche high-tech sectors. The focus is more on the capability needs of firms rather than seeking to identify specific sub-sectors and niches. The three areas of focus within this theme are application of materials technologies, digital content and tools, and health technologies.
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To support these areas of focus, we will work closely with the other five innovation agencies (the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology, the Ministry of Education, the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology, the Tertiary Education Commission, and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. This will include ensuring our strategies and priorities are well-coordinated across all six agencies to align our innovation activities and investment around the areas of focus.
There will also be a need for greater engagement with the private sector, as well as other parts of the innovation system (such as the Crown Research Institutes and tertiary education organisations) about where government should direct its efforts. Strategic partnerships with the private sector will be a key part of this engagement.
Through such engagement, we hope to develop networks of world-class firms, research institutions, and tertiary education organisations that collaboratively drive innovation. The aim is for New Zealand to be recognised as a world leader in a small number of priority areas. Such a focused approach will enable us to build the necessary scale and critical mass to attract globally-competitive talent, R&D, and businesses to help drive New Zealand's economic growth.
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