New Zealand’s opportunity to lead in science and innovation

What would it take to make Aotearoa a world leader in science and innovation?

In an opinion piece featured in The Post this month, Dragonfly Data Science Director, Dr Finlay Thompson, shares his thoughts on how bold leadership and investment in research could transform New Zealand’s economy—and future.

At Dragonfly, we love science, and right now it’s a pivotal time for the sector.

Finlay argues that with the right support, science could become a key engine of long-term growth. But the window to act is narrowing. As local opportunities shrink, through moves such as the disestablishment of Callaghan Innovation and digital workforce reductions at Health NZ, we risk losing our brightest minds to opportunities overseas.

At the same time, more international researchers from the likes of the US are looking for stable, forward-thinking places to continue their work.

“Aotearoa can be a place where talent lives and where people are encouraged to have bold, ambitious dreams. We have a historic opportunity to be a safe haven for leading US scientists. We have an obligation to create an attractive home for our young scientists. The question is, will we grasp it?”