Research, Science and Innovation Minister Megan Woods has formally launched the Innovative Partnership programme which aims to attract future-focused international innovators and firms to undertake R-D and develop their products in New Zealand.

“This Government is committed to developing New Zealand as a hub for high-value, knowledge intensive businesses that create value through innovation and R-D,” says Woods.

“The Innovative Partnerships programme, which is led by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, engages with innovative companies that are pushing the boundaries of technology and solving the world's big problems, and promotes the compelling advantages of working in New Zealand.

“These companies are then connected with the right people, businesses, agencies, research organisations and universities, as well as supported through navigating central and local governments,” says Woods.

The official launch of the programme comes after American innovator Kitty Hawk Corporation, operating in New Zealand as Zephyr Airworks, credited Innovative Partnerships as part of the reason it is testing its revolutionary air taxi technology in New Zealand.

“International innovators are finding our unique expertise, resources and talent, together with our size and location, offer surprising advantages when it comes to turning ideas into reality.

“Zephyr Airworks' presence in New Zealand will build capability in our own science system - partially in areas like software engineering, Artificial Intelligence, robotics, composite material, and aviation design.

“New Zealand has a long history of innovation and being at the front of change. Our future is still being imagined and we are determined to play an active role in shaping it for the better through new ideas, new innovations, and new ways of looking at the world,” said Woods.

The Innovative Partnerships programme is run by small team of experts dedicated to helping R-D players connect, collaborate and innovate in New Zealand.

While the programme is led by MBIE, multiple agencies across local and central governments work together to support and facilitate the elements that influence a decision to undertake R-D in New Zealand. More information on the programme is available on MBIE's website.