News

Pitopito kōrero

Directors urge NZ science system to build on momentum of decade-long research programme in this report: National Science Challenge (Directors Discuss the Mission-led Approach to Science and Research

Last week SfTI's Ending with Impact team successfully demonstrated their self-navigating forest track mulching robot in a Whanganui forest.

In November 2023, SfTI held a very special All of Researchers’ Workshop in Rotorua. Amongst the highlights of the three-day wānanga was a fascinating conversation on intellectual property (IP) between Dr Willy-John Martin and Lynell Tuffery Huria. 

Meet Chaz, Jamie, and Katerina, from our Biosecurity Technology Spearhead team as they trial their autonomous predator-seeking robot in the remote wilderness of Te Urewera. In this episode from our SfTI Innovation series, we see the importance of relationships between people in place and how that informs technology and transformational innovation. 

Vision Mātauranga is a New Zealand government science policy framework. It aims to unlock the science and innovation potential of three dimensions of Māori capacity: knowledge, people and resources, for the benefit of all New Zealanders. It’s also woven through everything we do here at SfTI, and sits at the foundation of our overall goal – to unite mātauranga Māori and western science to explore new and exciting opportunities to build a vibrant and prosperous technology-driven economy. But with all eleven of the National Science Challenges coming to a close later this year, researchers are considering what comes next for Vision Mātauranga.

One of SfTI’s priorities has been to open new leadership pathways for rangatahi (young people) in New Zealand’s STEM sector. We’ve done everything from running collaborative Mission Labs and mandating rangatahi involvement in Spearhead projects, to funding ‘Bolt-on’ projects for early career researchers, and adding dedicated rangatahi seats to our Board and Advisory Group. So, it’s no surprise that at our All of Researchers’ Workshop in November, we hosted a panel discussion dedicated to rangatahi.

How do we get people to work together to tackle the global challenges of our time? That’s one of the big questions being asked by a major SfTI programme,  ‘Building New Zealand’s Innovation Capacity (BNZIC)’. This unique longitudinal study is tasked with researching the researchers and identifying exactly what it is that nurtures effective innovation.

SfTI supports people as well as science. We offer a comprehensive Capacity Development programme. As we are getting closer to the end of SfTI, we want to remind everyone these are the final months that SfTI-funded researchers can take advantage of the support for Capacity Development. Don't miss out!

Following very positive feedback from our 2021 video storytelling workshop with Baz Caitcheon, SfTI offered our researchers another opportunity to learn how to communicate their science to the world quickly and easily with their smartphone.

As we head towards the end of 2023 and closer to the end of the National Science Challenges in June 2024, we reflect increasingly on SfTI’s impact and its legacy for the future of Aotearoa’s science and innovation system. 

SfTI funds innovative inundation mapping project that uses GPS data to monitor saturated soils.

Meet our new Commercialisation and Development Manager, Deborah Crowe, to find out. 

SfTI bids a fond farewell to Enrico, our Commercialisation Development Manager. We take this opportunity to recognise his hard work, but also to highlight the importance of his role for researchers. The Innovation system is complex, and if you’re a researcher investigating novel science, your chances of having real-world impact are hugely improved with the guidance and support of someone like Enrico who can help you broker a commercial pathway. Following his departure, Enrico’s role will be continued with the support of KiwiNet.

SfTI-sponsored researcher collaborates with telecoms giants

Hear from some of the Ātea team in this short video honoring this project and its legacy for the future.

As part of SfTI’s ‘bolt-on’ projects, early career researchers from Ātea are building a mobile phone-compatible Mixed Reality (MR) based tātai arorangi (Māori astronomy) experience with immersive content about Matariki. 

The Science for Technological Innovation National Science Challenge is funding talented young researchers up to $200,000 per project as part of our ‘Early Career Researcher Bolt-on’ funding initiative.

SfTI’s Biosecurity Spearhead project is developing a swarm of smart networked sensors, with robotic assistants, that use artificial intelligence to detect the last predators in New Zealand. The team are working on the technology to make this possible and have recently received a boost towards their ultimate goal with the Bioheritage National Science Challenge co-funding the project with a further $300,000. This collaboration is aimed specifically at developing the models of animal behaviour that will underpin the artificial intelligence. 

In this compelling episode of Waka Huia, Sir Pou Temara talks about technology and tikanga. This includes a look at our project, Ātea, which is using virtual technology to connect Māori to culture and whenua.

The SfTI board has announced the successful projects for its latest round of funding. During 2022 our Spearhead projects were invited to propose research projects that have germinated out of their work of the past few years. A feature of these projects is that they include strong collaboration with industry and sector partners, and where possible further SfTI’s commitment to vision mātauranga.

If you read the news you would be forgiven for thinking that innovation is the realm of driven and ruthless individuals or tech superstars. But this is far from the reality of successful science innovation in Aotearoa, as uncovered in a report from the unique longitudinal study from The Science for Technological Innovation National Science Challenge (SfTI).

Our Spearhead project Ātea, which is using virtual technology to connect Māori to culture and whenua made the news recently.

Getting the attention of mainstream media is hard at the best of times, but even more so when it’s research about research. We achieved this in 2021/22.

A hybrid electric-powered, half-tonne, four-wheel drive, self-navigating robot capable of hauling 250 kgs through gullies, mud and timber slash has been demonstrated to the forestry industry by the SfTI Spearhead project team – Adaptive learning robots to complement the human workforce.

Science can be a lonely place for scarce Māori researchers who face constant demands for their time and input, and can feel uncomfortable working within the Western research paradigm.

The Science for Technological Innovation National Science Challenge (SfTI) has joined forces with the Crown’s Predator Free 2050 to tackle the ambitious goal of ridding Aotearoa of predators by 2050.

Predator Free will fund $1.2 million towards the SfTI Biosecurity Technology Spearhead Project - Detecting the last Predator, which is developing smart-networked sensors that use artificial intelligence to detect the last rats, stoats and possums in New Zealand’s vast backcountry.

The report titled 'Accelerating Science Innovation Through Human and Relational Skills Development' assesses our professional development offerings for researchers.

‘Don’t pick winners’ is among the advice for policy makers who are engaging with popular ideas on mission-led research in science and technology.

This weekend we join the nation in celebration of Aotearoa / New Zealand’s first Matariki holiday.

One of the team who advised government on when the holiday should fall for the next 30 years was our own Senior Leadership Team member, astrophysicist, Māori astronomy expert and mum, Dr Pauline Harris.

“Collaboration’s a word that’s often bandied about in innovation and technology research, but just saying to people 'you should collaborate' isn’t very helpful,” SfTI Director Professor Sally Davenport says. 

The Science for technological Innovation, Kia Kotahi Mai - Te Ao Pūtaiao me Te Ao Hangarau, National Science Challenge (SfTI), are excited to announce the appointment of Te Taka Keegan as Co-Chair to the Board.

The Science for Technological Innovation National Science Challenge (SfTI) is pleased to announce that we will be joining forces with Predator Free 2050 (PF2050 Ltd) to help tackle the ambitious goal of ridding Aotearoa of predators by 2050. 

Are you making the most of patent literature? If you're doing cutting-edge research and are not searching for patents to investigate the work taking place outside of academic journals in your area, then you're risking missing a wealth of critical information.

We sit down with Heni Unwin, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa, Rongomaiwahine, Ngāi Tūhoe, Te Atihaunui-a-Papaarangi, and talk about what makes her tick and her advice for rangatahi looking at science as a career pathway.

How does cutting edge research become a new product or service that can benefit New Zealand and the planet?

Dr Wood believes that adversity is the catalyst to growth. In these challenging, far-from-normal times, work, life and research demands are putting pressures on us in ways we have not experienced previously.

A critical part of eradicating pests and predators is finding the last few before numbers increase again. In Aotearoa this currently involves skilled trappers flown in by helicopter to traverse huge rugged landscapes. This is resource heavy and difficult, but critical to a predator free New Zealand. 

SfTI’s 2021 Kaupapa Kākano Seed funding call closed on 18 June, 2021 with 121 proposals received. The assessment panel carefully assessed each application and this resulted in the SfTI Board approving funding for 15 new physical sciences and engineering Seed projects.

Imagine clothes that could change to suit your mood, or a piece of furniture which changes to fit the environment? Or maybe a wheelchair which adapts to reduce pain.

Callaghan Innovation, the Science for Technological Innovation (SfTI) National Science Challenge, New Zealand Growth Capital Partners, Auckland Unlimited and UniServices have established the NZ CleanTech Mission partnership to convert local CleanTech into thriving and profitable businesses. 

Meet Baz Caitcheon and his workshop participants, who talk about what it takes to communicate science to the masses

A Matariki message to the Science for Technological Innovation (SfTI) research community from Associate Professor Te Taka Keegan, Kaihautū – Kāhui Māori.

Dr Pauline Harris (Rongomaiwahine, Ngāti Rakaipaka and Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa) speaks with us about Matariki, the Matariki Advisory Group to the government, and her fascination with Māori astronomy.

This week the Science for Technological Innovation National Science Challenge is launching a two year, $2 million Spearhead Research project looking for data and computer science solutions to an ancient question: How can you verify something is what it appears to be? 

Linda Cooper has been appointed as Chair to the Science for Technological Innovation (SfTI) Board to replace retiring inaugural Chair, John Bongard.

Aotearoa New Zealand’s opportunity to trade in trust

Tā (Sir) Pou Temara - Ngāi Tūhoe (KNZM) renowned Māori orator, tikanga and te reo Māori expert and academic has gifted a whakatauākī to the Science for Technological Innovation National Science Challenge.

Traci Houpapa (Waikato Maniapoto, Taranaki, Tūwharetoa) MNZM JP joins the Science for Technological Innovation (SfTI) National Science Challenge Board.

A career in scientific research is associated with long hours and periods of intensity. Dr Maedeh Amirpour, an advanced materials modelling and multi-physics simulation scientist based at the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Auckland, and member of the SfTI research community, feels it is important to find joy in your life outside work to be successful in your science. She feels her opportunities with SfTI have not only furthered her research career, but helped her find ways to work towards balance.

SfTI welcomes recent NZ Hi-Tech finalist and tech startup founder, Jeremy Banks (Ngāti Rārua, Rangitāne and Ngāti Kuia), to our Kāhui Māori.

SfTI’s Biosecurity Technology Mission moves into next phase. 

A team of multi-disciplinary researchers, in partnership with Māori, iwi, councils and industry are developing new technology for treating wastewater, with a mission to improve freshwater quality and restore the health of our awa (rivers) and streams. 

Applications for our last round of Seed Project Funding closed 12 noon Friday the 18th of June 2021. Each successful application will receive up to $200,000 for up to two years, with about 15 new Seed projects from 1 October 2021.

The bloodless blood test: When science meets the market. 

A team of young postdoc and PhD students based at the University of Canterbury (UoC), sit huddled nervously around a laptop in a video conference with people who could open doors and make all their hard work into something game changing for Aotearoa New Zealand, and the world.

We would like to reassure all Seed and Spearhead Project Leads that SfTI will continue to work with your Research Office to support you through any impacts from COVID-19 on your projects.

SfTI would like to welcome Senior Lecturer, Dr Pauline Harris, from Victoria University of Wellington, to our Leadership team as our Associate Vision Mātauranga (VM) Theme Leader.

The Biosecurity Technology mission is one of several new topics being explored by SfTI for Phase two (2019-2024), in partnership with National New Zealand’s Biological Heritage | Ngā Koiora Tuku Iho National Science Challenge. 

The Veracity Technology mission is one of several new topics being explored by SfTI for Phase two (2019-2024). We are calling for Expressions of Capability (EoCs) from researchers to support the implementation of this new Mission. Applications closed on Monday 17 August 2020.

He karere ki a koutou te hunga rangahau Māori e pā ana ki ngā kaupapa Vision Mātauranga kua whakaāetia e SfTI i te tau 2020 – nā Te Taka Keegan.

Lessons from Māori voices in the New Zealand Science Sector.  

The 2020 Seed Projects funding call closed on 20 March, 2020 with 108 proposals received. The assessment panel carefully assessed each application which resulted in 15 successful projects. Read on for full list of the 2020 Seed projects and learn more about the exciting breakthroughs and discoveries ahead.

Building New Zealand's Innovation Capacity Spearhead releases Phase One Insights Report.

In the coming months, we plan to release a formal call for Expressions of Capability (EoC) for researchers to register their relevant capability to be part of a SfTI Biosecurity Technology research project with our National Science Challenge partner, New Zealand's Biological Heritage | Ngā Koiora Tuku Iho. 

SfTI is proud to be supporting, and participating in Rewa. The teams kick started in April 2020, during New Zealand’s COVID-19 Level 4 Lockdown. With seatbelts fastened, the six teams are ready to take their research to orbital levels.

On March 10, SfTI brought together over 40 workshop participants including researchers, sector representatives and industry stakeholders to focus on how science and technology could provide solutions to improve New Zealand’s water quality. 

SfTI has completed a comprehensive report on the second Māori Data Futures Hui held in Te Aurere in March 2019. This hui is part of a series of hui which started in 2018, exploring key questions relating to Māori data and how we protect and use this taonga. Co-hosted by SfTI, the Data Iwi Leaders Group, and Te Hiku Media.

A collaborative research project to improve monitoring of offshore mussel farms has moved to its next phase with sensor-laden smart buoys undergoing testing in the Marlborough Sounds.

Meet Enrico Tronchin. An experienced innovation agent who has recently joined the SfTI Programme Office team as our Commercialisation and Development Manager.

Accomplished tech entrepreneur and researcher driven by a desire to create technology that will challenge the way we think, work and live.

At our annual Researcher’s Workshop, we asked our researchers to reflect on their SfTI experience and share what is working, and what we can build on.

Phase two (2019-2024) of SfTI is kicking off with 21 new Seed projects and eight renewed and refreshed Spearhead projects.

SfTI is ensuring tomorrow’s hi-tech world, is being developed alongside tomorrow’s people.

In a career spanning almost four decades, John Bongard ONZM has been at the forefront of commercial innovation in New Zealand.

The Kiwinet Awards celebrate heroes in research commercialisation. SfTI Deputy Director, Professor Bruce MacDonald of University of Auckland was a finalist for the Baldwins Researcher Entrepreneur Award.

An entrepreneur with a passion for empowering people to make the world a better place through action has joined the Board of the Science for Technological Innovation National Science Challenge.

Far in the Northern reaches of Te Ika a Māui lies Aurere, northeast of Kaitaia. From a plateau at the top of a hill there, you can see the horizon all around.

A joint project between Scion and SfTI has enabled researchers to create a 4D printed tree that stands up when triggered by water or heat, opening up possibilities such as valves that open and close as water temperature changes or solar cells that unfold in response to light.

Meet the researchers working on technological advancements in aquaculture.

We've added some answers to your questions about our current round of funding for new seed project proposals.

The SfTI Challenge was delighted to host a hui this month for the Māori experts who are playing leading and advising roles within each of the 11 National Science Challenges.

The Clean Water Tech Mission is one of several new topics being explored by SfTI as a big idea for the next stage of this National Science Challenge.

SfTI Roadshows were held around the country during October. These
were a chance to find out more on the SfTI approach to Tranche 2.

Professor Geoff Chase talks about his work on home and community care for diabetes patients.

Watch Bruce MacDonald's lecture on YouTube.

July 2017 SCIBLOG from SfTI Director, Sally Davenport MNZM.

SfTI Deputy Director Bruce MacDonald and Auckland University's Medical and Health Sciences faculty associate Professor Elizabeth Broadbent featured in a recent NZ Herald article.

How do we ensure appropriate tikanga around digital guardianship, data sovereignty, data security, and respectful use?

Hot off the press: the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment this week launched ‘Highlights from the National Science Challenge Challenges’ booklet outlining achievements reached by the Challenges in 2016/17.

SfTI welcomes applications from researchers interested in the PVC spearhead project: to enable the use of technology to better link NZ’s exporters with global consumers.

Having made a big step forward to improve their understanding of Te Ao Māori, several Challenge researchers are better equipped to integrate Vision Mātauranga into their work.

Read SfTI Director Sally Davenport’s Dec 2017 NZ Business and Management Magazine article ‘Where science benefits business and society’

Nearly 200 Science for Technological Innovation (SfTI) National Science Challenge researchers now work on 35 projects at 25 local, and four international, organisations.

Two new technological projects aimed at selling New Zealand innovation locally and overseas have been funded by the Science for Technological Innovation (SfTI) National Science Challenge Board.

At the All of SfTI Researchers’ Workshop held 10-11 July 2017, the Challenge presented the Science and Innovation Minister Paul Goldsmith with a 3D-printed version of the SfTI logo made by Scion. This video allows you to follow the creation of the 3D printed Logo using state of the art biopolymers and printing techniques. See the team, the design, the manufacturing process and the final product.

Applications for the 2017 seed project funding round will close at 12 noon on 21 March.

Former SfTI Director Professor Margaret Hyland was recently formally farewelled by the Challenge.

Renowned science, innovation and entrepreneurship researcher Sally Davenport has been appointed Challenge Director following the departure of Margaret Hyland.

Our researchers are learning how stakeholder engagement can help deliver our mission of enhancing physical science and engineering capacity for economic growth.

If you want funding for an ambitious research project that could help grow New Zealand’s future high-tech economy, come along to one of our seed project roadshows to find out how.

Our medical technology research team will soon take an important step towards their goal of creating a next-generation, high-tech systems-solution for insulin-dependent Type 2 diabetes.

Challenge researchers who want to build their innovation capabilities will be pleased to know our capacity development programme is offering a diverse range of opportunities.

A revolutionary new method for groundwater mapping will lead to global opportunities for New Zealand firms

Hard work, a genuine belief in our mission and strong commitment from all 13 partner organisations have been key to the early success of the Challenge, says Director Margaret Hyland.