NZ partnership program aims to attract overseas innovators

The New Zealand Government has launched a program designed to attract international innovators to undertake R&D and develop products in the country.

The Innovative Partnership program is led by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and engages with innovative companies that are looking to push technological boundaries.

It also 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,” said Research, Science and Innovation Minister Megan Woods.

The official launch of the program 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,” said Woods.

“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.”

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

While the program 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.

Image credit: ©Sergey Nivens/Dollar Photo Club

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