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New Zealand’s Science, Innovation, and Technology Minister, Judith Collins, has announced the launch of a digital platform, Kitmap, designed to optimise access to the country’s extensive science and technology research infrastructure.
This online platform aims to bridge the gap between public and private sectors, empowering Kiwi innovators, businesses, and entrepreneurs by providing streamlined access to high-end research and development (R&D) resources.
Kitmap serves as a digital hub, allowing users to locate state-of-the-art science equipment, infrastructure, and expertise housed within Crown Research Institutes (CRIs), the National eScience Infrastructure, and Callaghan Innovation. The platform hosts more than 260 specialised R&D facilities and tools, including clean rooms, certified testing facilities, and pilot manufacturing infrastructure.
With this centralised access, scientists and innovators across New Zealand can quickly locate and utilise resources, driving innovation in sectors such as agriculture, environmental sciences, and technology development.
As Kitmap expands, it will integrate resources from universities and private organisations, positioning itself as a one-stop digital marketplace for science infrastructure. This growth will facilitate collaboration across various sectors, allowing businesses to tap into high-end technological tools, thus boosting innovation and driving economic growth.
The platform also promises to generate revenue for public sector institutions by increasing the utilisation of existing R&D capabilities.
Co-developed by Callaghan Innovation and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), Kitmap represents a significant technological advancement in New Zealand’s R&D ecosystem.
By providing easy access to physical and digital research tools, from laboratories and field sites to computational resources and monitoring networks, the platform fosters a collaborative environment that promotes cutting-edge research and development.
Kitmap’s infrastructure portfolio includes various digital collections, virtual networks, and physical spaces, including research vessels and livestock facilities. The platform’s comprehensive range of tools is particularly vital for fields like agriculture, environmental science, and the primary sectors, where access to advanced R&D infrastructure can accelerate discoveries and technological breakthroughs.
New Zealand is committed to harnessing technology to drive progress and sustainability across various sectors. By leveraging innovative solutions and cutting-edge research, the country aims to enhance economic growth while addressing environmental challenges.
Through a focus on sustainable practices and smart technologies, New Zealand seeks to build a resilient future, promoting eco-friendly solutions that benefit both its economy and the environment. New Zealand’s largest contestable science fund, the Endeavour Fund, will invest over NZ$236 million in 72 innovative projects aimed at advancing technology and addressing key challenges.
Minister Judith Collins announced that this funding will support cutting-edge research, including efforts to enhance the energy efficiency of supercomputers and quantum computers, which is crucial for reducing their environmental impact.
OpenGov Asia reported that New Zealand’s Minister of Finance, Hon Nicola Willis, highlighted the importance of technology for the nation’s future during a meeting to present the New Zealand Tech Metrics. These metrics reveal that each tech job creates 4.8 additional jobs and a 4% growth in the tech sector adds NZ$ 2.7 billion to GDP, with the sector reaching NZ$ 23 billion in 2023.
The discussion also highlighted AI’s transformative impact, noting that 67% of businesses using it reported increased productivity without significant job losses. To enhance AI adoption, the AI Forum launched the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) Working Group and Minister Judith Collins introduced initiatives like the AI Activator program and the GovGPT pilot chatbot, aimed at driving economic growth and improving public services.
The introduction of Kitmap not only democratises access to these resources but also enhances the efficiency of New Zealand’s R&D landscape. By integrating a diverse range of digital and physical infrastructure, Kitmap will play a pivotal role in pushing the boundaries of innovation and creating new opportunities for growth in the science and technology sectors.
