Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology Shane Reti (centre) and PHF science chief executive Ashley Bloomfield (right) at the announcement. Photo: RNZ / MARK PAPALII
Scientists do not know what the next pandemic will be - or when it will hit - but they are certain about one thing: it is coming.
To boost New Zealand's resilience ahead of the next pandemic, the government is investing $75 million in infectious disease research.
Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology Shane Reti, who made the announcement at the NZ Institute for Public Health and Forensic Science (PHF Science) in Porirua on Thursday, said the eight-year investment would grow "science surge capacity" against infectious disease threats.
It builds on the three-year infectious disease research platform, Te Niwha, which is set to end in February.
Co-hosted by PHF Science and Otago University, that has funded 95 research projects since its founding in 2022 with a $36m grant.
"Along with carrying deep institutional knowledge from co-hosting the initial investment, PHF Science is well-placed to lead a refreshed, collaborative national effort," Dr Reti said.
PHF science chief executive Ashley Bloomfield said the funding was good news for the country's science research community and for New Zealanders.
"As host of this new phase of an Infectious Disease Research Platform, we think of ourselves as stewards of the funding, and we will work with the full range of stakeholders to develop and lead a strategic programme of research."
Photo: RNZ / MARK PAPALII
PHF Science would be forming a steering group - drawing on the expertise of universities, researchers, community and iwi - to guide planning for the next phase of the fund, Dr Bloomfield said.
The three years of funding so far had set "a solid base" for what came next.
"This will help us not just develop research, but also capability and capacity and the research environment that will be needed to put New Zealand in a great position to respond to outbreaks - both the ones we know are going to come from existing agents but also new and emergent agents."
The Kenepuru Science Centre will provide 4000 m2 across two-storeys the main construction is due for completion in March 2028. Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii
New state-of-the-art science facility under construction
Meanwhile, PHF Science's workforce will have a glossy new facility in which to do their critical work within a couple of years.
Minister Reti was joined by Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop, officials, scientists and iwi leaders for a tour of the construction site today where the huge concrete shell is taking shape on PHF's existing property.
The Kenepuru Science Centre will provide 4000 m2 across two-storeys, including purpose-built laboratories, an innovation hub and shared workspaces, and support PHF Science's work in infectious disease testing, public health surveillance, forensic investigations and emergency response.
The main construction is due for final completion in March 2028.
Of its total budget of $97.68m, $25m has come from a Crown grant with the remainder self-funded by PHF Science.
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