Biotechnology Research Roadmap - Science and Innovation

Preface
The Government recognises the critical role science and innovation
have in driving New Zealand’s transformation to a high-value,
knowledge-based economy and society. Our focus has been on ensuring
research, science and technology deliver on their potential as drivers of
economic, social and environmental improvement.
The Roadmaps for Science series represents an important step in
providing more explicit guidance on science directions. They cover
areas of scientific and technological research and development that
present significant opportunities for New Zealand and where we feel more direction will help
us make the most of those opportunities. This will ensure New Zealand is well positioned to
identify future research programmes and direct our efforts towards meeting our long-term needs.
Biotechnology is an area which is playing a central role in driving long term economic
growth and prosperity for New Zealand. Biotechnology research is the engine which fuels
biotechnology sector growth and which will help to sustain and transform New Zealand’s
biologically-based industries. Biotechnology research will also provide the knowledge and tools
which will assist in protecting our pristine natural environment.
The Biotechnology Research Roadmap acknowledges the long-term nature of investing in and
capitalising from biotechnology research. It sets a series of enduring directions designed to
ensure certainty and stability for the government’s biotechnology research investments
over time.
In part, these directions confirm existing research priorities which are working well, like the
setting of joint targets and co-investment mechanisms for applied research investments with
industry. It also identifies a range of areas where additional or re-focused efforts will need to
be made for New Zealand to capitalise from emerging areas of opportunity or challenge, like
emerging sustainable development challenges.
Over the coming months and years we will be introducing Roadmaps in other areas of science
where we see a need for them. The Roadmaps for Science will serve us well in ensuring
research, science and technology provide a strong platform for an innovative and prosperous
New Zealand.
Hon Steve Maharey, Minister of Research, Science and Technology
2 Roadmaps for Science : biotechnology research