Hon Dr Shane Reti, Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology, announced the Biodiscovery Platform at the Bioeconomy Science Institute’s Mt Albert Research Centre in Auckland on Saturday, 4 October 2025.
The Government is investing $42.8 million in the platform over seven years. The Bioeconomy Science Institute will bring together researchers, industry and Māori enterprise to set priorities for the platform, explore research partnerships and provide market analysis to guide high-impact investments in bio-based pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, functional foods, and advanced materials.
“This is a really exciting moment for the Bioeconomy Science Institute. There’s clear opportunities to partner with Māori to create impact and drive growth for New Zealand through the discovery and development of new bio-based products, which this platform will enable,” says Bioeconomy Science Institute Chief Executive Mark Piper.
“Mānuka honey, for example, is a globally-recognised example of a premium export with proven bioactive benefits, and we believe there are other native species with unique properties that have big potential.”
