The Bioeconomy Science Institute Maiangi Taiao is excited to be hosting the Aotearoa New Zealand Biodiscovery Platform.

Aotearoa New Zealand has a wealth of unique flora and fauna, many of which also have unique properties. The variety of plants found on our native islands may hold the raw materials needed for new drugs, foods and industrial chemicals.

The Biodiscovery Platform is an investment by the New Zealand Government to accelerate the development of new products from Aotearoa New Zealand’s unique biological resources.

Through the Biodiscovery Platform, researchers, Māori enterprises and industry will work together to build new partnerships and provide market analysis to guide the development of new pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, functional foods and biomaterials for overseas markets. Through this work, innovative product development will be supported from discovery to application.

The New Zealand Government is investing $42.8 million over seven years in the platform, to be led by the Bioeconomy Science Institute.

The Biodiscovery Platform is under development.

Getting up and running

We are now moving into the establishment phase of the Platform.  This marks the beginning of ongoing engagement with stakeholders across the biodiscovery sector to help shape its direction and identify key priorities.

To guide this work, a Detailed Platform Plan will be developed through sector engagement (now underway), for approval by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE).

Once approved, we will be in a position to begin putting the Platform into operation – initiating priority investments, activating key partnerships and progressing the development of high-value biodiscovery opportunities.  The agreed direction for the Platform will be communicated as we move into delivery.

For general enquiries email: biodiscoveryplatform@plantandfood.co.nz.

Related links