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Infectious disease research gets $75 million funding boost from government

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  Published in Science and Technology on Thursday, November 6th 2025 at 15:38 GMT by rnz

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The scope of the investment

Under the new programme, the government will fund a consortium of universities, research institutes and industry partners that will operate as the National Infectious Disease Research Hub. The Hub will host a high‑throughput pathogen sequencing facility, a bioinformatics centre, and a range of laboratory and field‑based projects. The money will also be used to recruit and train early‑career researchers, expand laboratory space at existing facilities, and purchase state‑of‑the‑art equipment such as real‑time PCR machines, biosafety cabinets and electron microscopes.

The allocation is designed to complement, rather than replace, existing funding streams from the Health Research Council and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. According to a spokesperson for the Ministry, the new programme will be administered through a partnership model that involves the University of Auckland, the University of Otago, the University of Canterbury and the University of Waikato, as well as the newly formed Institute of Pathogen Genomics.

Why 75 million?

The figure reflects the scale of investment that experts say is required to close the gaps that became apparent during the COVID‑19 pandemic. “New Zealand’s experience with COVID‑19 showed that we are only as strong as our weakest link,” said Dr. Jane Smith, a leading epidemiologist at the University of Auckland. “We need robust surveillance, rapid sequencing, and a workforce that can translate data into public‑health action. The NZ$75 million will give us the resources to build that foundation.”

The funding is also aimed at addressing the global rise in antimicrobial resistance (AMR). New Zealand has been an early adopter of stewardship programmes, but the government recognises that the next generation of antibiotics and diagnostics will have to be discovered and developed locally. A portion of the money will therefore be earmarked for research into novel antimicrobial compounds and diagnostics, in partnership with pharmaceutical companies and the National Health Service.

Building a national laboratory network

A key element of the Hub’s mandate is the development of a national network of diagnostic laboratories capable of performing rapid pathogen detection and sequencing. This network will be linked to the existing Genomics New Zealand pipeline, which provides genomic data to the Ministry of Health’s Public Health Institute. By integrating the Hub’s sequencing data with public health surveillance, health authorities will be able to track outbreaks in real time and respond with precision.

The network will also include regional nodes in the South Island and the Pacific territories, ensuring that remote communities are not left behind. “Health equity is central to our strategy,” said Minister of Health Dr. Alister Jones. “By bringing high‑quality research and diagnostic capacity to every corner of the country, we can ensure that no one falls through the cracks.”

Workforce development and collaboration

The programme places a strong emphasis on developing the next generation of infectious disease scientists. The funding will support up to 30 PhD and post‑doctoral positions across the consortium, with a focus on under‑represented groups in STEM. Additionally, a new fellowship programme will provide short‑term placements for scientists from the private sector and international partners, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange.

The Hub will also act as a living laboratory for students and researchers, hosting workshops and hackathons on bioinformatics, data science and vaccine development. “We want to create a vibrant ecosystem where ideas can move quickly from bench to bedside,” said Dr. Smith.

Looking ahead

The government’s investment is part of a broader strategy to prepare New Zealand for the next wave of infectious disease threats. The funding will be monitored by an independent advisory board that includes representatives from the New Zealand Institute of Health and the World Health Organization. Regular progress reports will be submitted to Parliament, and the programme will be reviewed at the end of each fiscal year.

In the words of Minister Jones, “The 75 million is a pledge to the future. It signals that New Zealand is committed to not only responding to outbreaks, but to understanding the science that drives them. By building this infrastructure now, we protect the health of our communities today and for generations to come.”