JCOIA 225 documents for release redacted.pdf

EVENT BRIEFING
Title
Date:
16 October 2024
Priority:
Low
Security
In Confidence

  Tracking
2425-0969
classification:
number:

Purpose
You have agreed to meet with the leadership of Genomics Aotearoa, in your office, at 3 – 3.30pm on
Tuesday 22 October 2024.
ACT 1982
This briefing provides logistical and background details to support your meeting.
Recommendations
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment recommends that you:
a  Note the background to the Genomics Aotearoa SSIF Platform
INFORMATION
Noted
b  Note the meeting details, including time and attendees
Noted

Trevor Drage
Hon Judith Collins KC
Manager, Strategic Investments
Minister of Science, Innovation and
Science System Investment and Performance, MBIE
Technology
15 / 10 / 2024
..... / ...... / ......

RELEASED UNDER THE OFFICIAL



2425-0969
In Confidence
1

Background
1.  Genomics Aotearoa (GA) is a collaborative research platform (the Platform) established in 2017 to build
New Zealand’s long-term genomics and bioinformatics talent base and infrastructure. The goals of the
Platform are to:
a.  Establish an agile, leading-edge collaborative platform of research on genomics that establishes
new connections in the New Zealand genomics sector and with genomics research end-users;
b.  Grow genomics capability in New Zealand through excellent genomics research;
c.  Grow new science col aborations with genomics research centres, networks and teams that are
doing world-leading work; and
d.  Increase the adoption and impact of genomics technology for scientists, relevant end-users and
their sectors.
2.  Hosted by the University of Otago, the Platform is a consortium of 10 partner organisations and 34
ACT 1982
associate organisations, both domestic and international. This includes universities, Crown Research
Institutes, Centres of Research Excellence, Independent Research Organisations and publicly listed and
privately held companies.
3.  The Platform has established national collaborations in areas of health, environment and primary
production, funding projects across these three key research themes  Projects provide the research
sector and end-users with the skil s and tools needed to establish internal capability to deliver
genomics initiatives within their own organisations.
4.  The Platform is managed through a Strategic Science Investment Fund (SSIF) – Infrast
INFORMATION ructure
investment contract and has a current end date of 31 December 2024. To date, the Platform has
received $39.75 million (excluding GST).
5.  In September 2024, you confirmed support for continued investment in an advanced genomics
platform with funding of up to $5 mil ion per annum, from 1 January 2025 to 30 June 2030. This was
conditioned with the investment being more aligned to current government priorities, particularly the
advancement of biotechnology and commercialisation of science (Weekly Report 2425-0543 refers).
6.  The Platform has been informed of your decision and MBIE is in the early stages of negotiating a
contract variation to the existing Genomics Aotearoa Platform contract with the University of Otago,
extending their funding at $5 mil ion per annum through June 2030.
7.  Continued investment in the Platform will:
a.  maintain established national research collaborations and genomics capability in the fields of
health, environment and primary production.
b.  enable New Zealand’s capacity to deliver in the rapidly developing fields of genomics and
bioinformatics; and
c.  support the delivery of your wider priorities for biotechnology, such as synthetic biology and
gene technology (including commercialisation), without requiring substantial change to the
RELEASED UNDER THE OFFICIAL
existing investment.
8.  Continued investment presents an opportunity to adjust the Platform’s focus toward developing key
areas required for a biotechnology economy, through:
a.  a renewed outcome logic and five-year work programme incorporating SI&T priorities
b.  revising the Platform’s governance board to include more commercial or biotechnology
expertise; and
c.  new economic/commercial impact key performance indicators.

2425-0969
In Confidence
2

Meeting at your office, 3 – 3.30pm 22 October 2024
9.  On 13 August 2024 (prior to your decision to extend funding for an advanced genomics investment),
the Genomics Aotearoa Platform Governance Group Chair wrote to you, requesting a meeting (letter
attached in Annex One).
10. This letter and meeting request sought to impress on you the important work the Platform had been
doing, and to advocate for extended funding. MBIE officials advised your office of the pending decision
on future funding, and recommended you accept the meeting invite, but to schedule it for after a
decision had been made.
11. As such, the meeting purpose has shifted from advocating for future funding, to opening a discussion
on the direction of the Platform through 2030. This is an opportunity for you to describe your priorities
for the wider science and technology system, and how a renewed Genomics Aotearoa Platform will
1982
work within it. The Platform leadership wil  then have an opportunity to discuss with you, how best to
select or shape their activities, to meet your priorities.
ACT
12. Genomics Aotearoa have prepared some discussion points for your meeting, covering:
a.   their background as a Platform
How they may support growing the biotechnology based economy, using:
b.  Precision health
c.  Rapid genomic testing for communicable diseases
d.  Health equity
INFORMATION
e.  New tools to combat the effects of climate change in primary production
f.  Artificial intelligence for improved animal breeding programmes
g.  Environmental monitoring
h.  Biosecurity
OFFICIAL
i.  Conservation of endangered species
THE
Areas of alignment between Genomics Aotearoa and your priorities for the science and
technology system
13. Genomics Aotearoa develops and supports New Zealand’s capability in genomics and bioinformatics –
two key focus areas for biotechnolo
UNDER  gy development. These capabilities are particularly important in
achieving novel outcomes from genetic technologies.
14. The Platform has supported impactful research for the livestock breeding industry, precision medicine,
fishing, and other areas where biotechnology can be used for commercial gains.
15. Through Genomics Aotearoa’s timeline, MBIE and independent reviews have encouraged them to
become more streamlined in their approach to prioritisation. Through the current reinvestment
RELEASED
process, MBIE are pushing for heightened commercialisation outcomes from their research, and strong
ties to biotechnology industries.
16. Suggested talking points to support your discussion are provided in Annex Two.

2425-0969
In Confidence
3

About the audience
17. You will meet with the Platform Governance Group Chair, Dr William Rolleston CNZM, and Platform Co-
Directors, Professor Peter Dearden and Professor Mik Black. Short biographies are attached in Annex
Three.
Risks and mitigations
18. This meeting is low risk, as the Platform has been confirmed for, and informed of future funding. This
meeting is primarily for you to inform them of your priorities for their work in the coming years and for
the Platform to discuss how they will be able to meet those priorities.
1982
Logistics
ACT
19. The meeting will be held in your office. Platform administration is in contact with staff in your office to
arrange the details.
Communications / Media
20. No communications or media are expected or planned for this meeting.
Contacts
INFORMATION
Name
Position / organisation
Telephone
William Rolleston
Governance Chair, Genomics Aotearoa
s 9(2)(a)

Mik Black
Co-Director, Genomics Aotearo
OFFICIAL a
s 9(2)(a)

Peter Dearden
Co-Director, Genomics Aotearoa
s 9(2)(a)

THE
Annexes
•  Annex One: Letter from Genomics Aotearoa to the Minister of Science, Innovation & Technology,
UNDER
13 August 2024
•  Annex Two: Suggested talking points
•  Annex Three: Biographies of attendees

RELEASED

2425-0969
In Confidence
4

Annex One: Letter from Genomics Aotearoa to the Minister of Science, Innovation
& Technology, 13 August 2024
13 August 2024

The Hon. Judith Col ins,
Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology,
Parliament Buildings,
Wellington.

Dear Minister,
Re Genomics Aotearoa Platform
1982
We seek a face-to-face meeting with you this month to appraise you of the work of Genomics
Aotearoa, to meet its leadership and to discuss its future in a modern New Zealand.  With the changes
in the regulation of genetic technologies flagged by your government we are also interested to hear
ACT
your aspiriations and priorities in this area.
Genomics Aotearoa was established seven years ago with the aim of building national capacity and
capability in genomics and bioinformatics.  During this time we have delivered key genomics
infrastructure resources across the health, primary production and conservation domains, as well as
building strong international linkages to ensure New Zealand remains at the cutting edge of this fast-
moving technology.
Our current contract with MBIE finishes in December 2024.  As you can appreciate, this timeline has
INFORMATION
created significant uncertainty which is resulting in the loss of vital talent at this critical moment and
this risk is ongoing.
Genomics sits at the heart of the biotech revolution and is a key enabler for our future in biology,
personalised medicine, predator control, species conservation and the primary sector.  Of note,
Genomics Aotearoa has developed capability in both gene editing and artificial intelligence, and we
OFFICIAL
are excited by the potential for these techniques to drive growth when combined with recent
technological advances in genomics, bioinformatics and synthetic biology.
THE
To this end we would like to meet with you to ensure that Genomics Aotearoa remains well-aligned
with the Government strategy on biotechnology and to discuss any specific priorities that you have in
this space.
UNDER
To maintain our national momentum, we have taken the step to develop a forward-looking strategy -
Genomics for the Future of Aotearoa New Zealand, which we attach for your information.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely
  RELEASED

Dr William BR Rol eston CNZM
Chair
Genomics Aotearoa
Genomics Aotearoa 
E: [email address]
Department of Biochemistry 
710 Cumberland St 
PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, 

New Zealand

2425-0969
In Confidence
5
genomics-aotearoa.org.nz

Annex Two: Suggested Talking points
You recently agreed to continued funding for a genomics platform, which MBIE is actioning through the
extension of the GA contract with modifications to better reflect Government priorities of biotechnology
advancement and commercialisation of science.
You may wish to ask the Platform:
•  What changes to the platform they intend to implement to support these priorities?
•  What existing industry connections has the Platform used to implement outcomes of its research?
•  What lessons has the Platform learned from its first seven years of operation? What wil  it do
differently in this new investment?
1982
•  What industries does the Platform see growing in New Zealand that could then provide pathways
for impact from Platform research?
•  How does the Platform plan to work with other Science, Innovation & Technology investm
ACT  ents, to
support a growing biotechnology economy in New Zealand?
o  Of note are the RNA SSIF Platform, the Health Research Council’s revised investment plan,
the Applied Doctorates scheme, the New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research
Centre (co-funded by MPI), and investments in the Crown Research Institutes.

Genomics Aotearoa have provided their strategy document to MBIE and to your office. Relating to this, the
Platform has prepared discussion points on the following areas, which you may wish to e
INFORMATION xplore:
•  Growing the economy through building a strong biotech sector
•  Human health related advances in genomics including:
o  Precision health
OFFICIAL
o  Rapid genomic testing for communicable disease
o  Health equity
THE
•  Advances in primary production enabled by genomic technology, including:
o  Adaptation and mitigation of climate change in primary production
o  Artificial intel igence for improved breeding programmes
UNDER
•  More effective and efficient environmental management
o  Environmental monitoring tools
o  Biosecurity screening
o  Conservation of endangered species
You may wish to ask:
RELEASED
•  What areas of your proposed strategy include developing or using gene editing?
•  What are the barriers you see to using gene editing applications in New Zealand?
•  What areas of the Genomics Aotearoa strategy wil  support New Zealand’s ability to implement
gene editing in the near future?
•  Within the proposed strategy, how much focus and resources wil  you commit to each area of
human health, primary production, and environmental management?

2425-0969
In Confidence
6

With changes planned for the science sector, based on advice from the Science System Advisory Group, the
Platform leadership has considered how best to work within a changing system.
You may wish to ask the Platform:
•  What connections does the Platform have across the science system, with different research
institutes, and in particular, CRIs?
•  How have Platform partners worked with seed and commercialisation funders or incubators, such
as Otago Innovation, Kiwinet, etc?
•  Has the Platform and its partner organisations felt wel  connected to Government priorities? Has
the Platform understood its role within the Science system?

1982
ACT
INFORMATION
OFFICIAL
THE
UNDER
RELEASED

2425-0969
In Confidence
7

Annex Three: Biographies of attendees
Professor Peter Dearden
Head of Department – Biochemistry, the University of Otago, 2024
recipient of the Distinguished Chair, Poutoko Taiea award.
Professor Dearden’s expertise includes genetics and genomics, with
work in gene editing and gene drives. He is an expert on the honey
fee and works closely with the beekeeping industry in New Zealand.
Professor Dearden has been the Director of Genomics Aotearoa
since its inception in 2018.

1982

ACT
Professor Mik Black
Professor of Bioinformatics, Department of Biochemistry, the
University of Otago. Professor Black is a member of the Centre for
Translational Cancer Research.
Professor Black’s research focus has been on using statistics and
computational tools on large datasets. He uses this to support
biomolecular research, and particularly on human diseases such as
cancer, but also for applications in other areas such as agriculture.
INFORMATION
Professor Black was appointed as Co-Director of the Genomics
Aotearoa Platform in May 2023.
OFFICIAL

THE
Dr William Rolleston CNZM
Dr William Rolleston is the co-founder of the biotechnology and
vaccine manufacturing company South Pacific Sera Limited and chair
of Genomics Aotearoa. Dr Rolleston is also a member of the Science
System Advisory Group.
UNDER Dr Rolleston has a degree in medicine and has received many awards
and accolades for his contribution to biotechnology, business,
farming and the community.
He was the founding chair of Aotearoa New Zealand’s biotechnology
industry association (now Biotech NZ), and the Life Sciences
Network, as well as president of both New Zealand Federated
RELEASED
Farmers and the World Farmers Organisation. Dr Rolleston has also
served many roles as an advisor to central and local government.

2425-0969
In Confidence
8

BRIEFING
SI&T Investment Portfolio Update
Date:
10 September 2024
Priority:
Low
Security
In Confidence
Tracking
2425-0825
classification:
number:
Purpose
To provide you with an overview of the key funds and investments within your portfolio, their
objectives, and outline key upcoming Ministerial input points and decisions for these investments.
Recommended action
ACT 1982
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment recommends that you:
a
Note the funds and investments within the SI&T portfolio and key upcoming decision points
for these funds.
Noted

INFORMATION

Joanne Looyen

Acting General Manager, Science System
Hon Judith Collins KC
Investment and Performance
Minister of Science, Innovation and
Labour Science and Enterprise, MBIE
Technology

10 / 09 / 2024
15
9
24
..... / ...... / ......

RELEASED UNDER THE OFFICIAL

2425-0825
In Confidence
1

Key SI&T Funds, Investment Processes and Ministerial Input
1.  MBIE manages 21 investments in the SI&T portfolio. As Minister of SI&T you agree the
policy settings, and MBIE officials design and deliver the investment processes aligned to
those settings.
2.  Since you became Minister of SI&T, we have provided you with advice on upcoming
investments as they have arisen and checked the policy direction before proceeding. This
briefing provides you with a summary of those decisions, as well as upcoming investments
so that you have a complete picture of key decision points in the portfolio.
3.  Annex One provides a portfolio view of your funds, their policy intent, recent decisions you
1982
have made, upcoming Ministerial decisions, updates and announcements.
4.  The investment processes that require your approval and possible announcement
ACT
opportunities before the end of this calendar year include:
a.
Out of Scope

b.  Out of Scope

c.
Genomics Aotearoa update on a funding extension
d.  Out of Scope
  INFORMATION
e.  Out of Scope

f.
Out of Scope

g.
Out of Scope

OFFICIAL
5.  MBIE officials can provide further information on specific funds, their investment processes
and Ministerial input points if required.
THE
6.  At the request of your office, we have also provided examples of funded projects (Annex
Two).
UNDER
Annexes
Annex One: Table of Investment Process Updates
Annex Two: Examples of Funded Projects

RELEASED

2425-0825
In Confidence
2

Annex Two: Examples of Funded Projects

Out of Scope



1982

ACT



INFORMATION


OFFICIAL

THE


UNDER
Strategic Science Investment Fund Infrastructure
•  Genomics Aotearoa has supported 264 researchers across 35 genomics projects and
delivered 97 training courses, upskilling 2,004 researchers in genomics / bioinformatics
techniques. The Platform has substantially developed New Zealand’s capability for
genomics by growing a skilled workforce, creating tools, partnering scientists with end-
users and forming
RELEASED   domestic and international colaborations. This capability enables wider
productivity through the uptake and utilisation of genomic technologies across
organisations and sectors.
•  Out of Scope



2425-0825
In Confidence
6

Out of Scope






1982

ACT


INFORMATION

OFFICIAL

THE

UNDER

RELEASED

2425-0825
In Confidence
7

  1

MINISTERIAL BRIEFING PAPER

TO:
Hon. Judith Collins KC, Minister for Science, Innovation & Technology

FROM:
Prof Peter Dearden, Co-Director, Genomics Aotearoa

Prof Mik Black, Co-Director, Genomics Aotearoa

Dr William Rolleston, Chair, Genomics Aotearoa

DATE:
Tuesday, 15th October 2024

SUBJECT:
Genomics Aotearoa

***********************************************************************  1982

INTRODUCTION

ACT
Genomics Aotearoa (GA), formed in 2017 and hosted by the University of Otago, is a science
pla@orm funded by Vote Science through the Strategic Science Investment Fund.  The fund is
administered by MBIE.

GA’s core purpose is to develop naLonal capability in genomics and bioinformaLcs.  Genomics
studies al  of the DNA in an organism, and bioinformaLcs is a key tool, combining compuLng and
data analysis to make sense of large amounts of geneLc data.

INFORMATION
Earlier this month you, as Minister for Science, agreed to extend GA’s funding for a further 5.5 years,
asking us to increase our focus on:

•  Enabling genomic research which has the potenLal to deliver economic beneﬁts to New
Zealand.

OFFICIAL
•  Research and capability development delivering on the Government’s prioriLes for
biotechnology.
THE

•  A strategy-led approach to research prioriLsaLon to ensure the enLrety of the Pla@orm
is delivering on the prioriLes above.

This brieﬁng paper sets out background
UNDER  informaLon on our programme,  future opportuniLes for
New Zealand, and potenLal roadblocks/constraints which may impede the delivery of the
Government’s prioriLes and realizaLon of the beneﬁts.

BACKGROUND
  RELEASED
Over the past seven years GA has delivered science infrastructure across three broad areas: health,
environment and primary producLon. Strategically we have focused on those aspects which are
unique to New Zealand - our biodiversity, our primary producLon systems and our Māori and Paciﬁc
populaLons - building on the heavy li]ing undertaken by other naLons.

GA has selected and supported projects which build criLcal science infrastructure through world-
class scienLﬁc research to provide ongoing access to new tools and techniques for New Zealand.

2

Projects supported by GA include:

•  Developing leading-edge tools to ensure the generaLon of high-quality genomic informaLon
for our producLon and indigenous species.
•  Using genomic informaLon and arLﬁcial intel igence to improve the breeding values of our
producLon plants and animals, and enhance conservaLon and species management eﬀorts.
•  ULlsi ng DNA which circulates freely in the blood of cancer paLents to be`er diagnose,
monitor and treat disease.
•  Developing a catalogue of Māori geneLc variaLon to ensure equitable precision healthcare.
•  Using genomic sequencing to diagnose and track infecLons, as was done with COVID-19
•  Building tools and resources to allow be`er stewardship of genomic data, and to enable
Indigenous data sovereignty, where approapriate.
•  Developing freely available analysis tools and processes to accelerate the uptake of genomics
and bioinformaLcs within the New Zealand science sector.
ACT 1982

GA has enhanced the capacity of people in the genomics sector through:

•  Developing project teams comprising New Zealand’s leading genomics and bioinformaLcs
researchers, who provide experLse, leadership and mentoring alongside the early career
researchers who wil  form the next generaLon of our scienLﬁc workforce.
•  Building an extensive training programme that has delivered over 100 workshops to more
that 2,000 parLcipants across the science sector since 2019.
INFORMATION

GA’s current projects and capability development acLviLes are outlined in further detail in our 2024
Annual Report (Dropbox link).

OPPORTUNITIES

Genomics and bioinformaLcs are key drivers of biotechnology-fuel ed economic, social and,
environmental beneﬁt.  As we begin our next phase of operaLons, GA wil  conLnue its work to
explore and develop opportunity for:

Health

•  InternaLonally there has been a rapid move towards populaLon-scale genome sequencing to
enable precision healthcare.  GA wil  deliver the key research that is needed for successful
clinical implementaLon of genomics-guided healthcare in New Zealand.  For example:

o  Precision healthcare for cancer, whereby we can build an understanding of the
geneLc makeup of the paLent and their tum
RELEASED UNDER THE OFFICIAL our cels, so the right drugs can be used,
and the right therapies deployed.
o  Genomics provides vital quality control of manufactured soluLons such as CAR T-cel
therapy, CRISPR and RNA therapies.

•  These developments wil  save taxpayer money by providing more eﬀecLve treatments at
aﬀordable cost and ensuring the treatments are most appropriate for the individual paLent,
leading to faster recoveries and more producLve outcomes.

  3

•  The response to the COVID pandemic indicated the value of tracing infecLous disease using
genomics, and GA researchers were at the forefront of NZ’s genomics response. Our ongoing
work in this space will generate cost eﬀecLve tools for early detecLon and monitoring of
disease incursions in humans and animals, allowing more rapid, extensive and accurate
understanding of and eﬀecLve response to emerging diseases.

Primary Produc?on

•  Climate change wil  require NZ’s primary producers to reduce emissions, change land-use,
and cope with increasingly severe weather events.
•  Genomics can help us idenLfy traits in our producLon animals which may help them cope
with a changing climate. Further, gene ediLng and the use of arLﬁcial intel igence has the
power to ensure those traits are present in our elite breeds and plant culLvars.  In the same
way, genomics wil  also enable us to reduce the environmental footprint of our primary
1982
producLon systems.  The result wil  be reduced carbon liabiliLes, an enhanced reputaLon on
which to sel  our products and a more eﬃcient and adapLve primary sector.  ACT

Environment

•  New tools and technologies are urgently needed to detect, monitor and miLgate the rapid
biological changes produced by climate change. An il ustraLve example of what is already
being achieved is the the analysis of environmental DNA (eDNA) – idenLfying the many
diﬀerent species present in a single sample. This is enabling farmers to measure the
biodiversity on their land, and wil  provide a powerful means to monitor the eﬀects of
climate change on environmental health.
INFORMATION
•  Developing genomic monitoring tools such as eDNA that are cheaper and more accessible
wil  unlock their potenLal to inform strategies for environmental remediaLon, detect change
events, and inform future land-use.
•  Genomic tools wil  support improved biosecurity monitoring for both the detecLon and
OFFICIAL
tracing of pests and wil  support research into tools for their eradicaLon.
•  New tools and technologies are required to support the use of genomics in conservaLon. For
THE
example, the development of reference genomes for al  our endemic and taonga species, to
provide baseline data for their conservaLon.

Working with tradi?onal and new sectors

UNDER
•  GA already works with many agencies in health, conservaLon and the primary sector across
the country.  Many of our projects are deeply embedded with iwi because we realise with
few resources we must focus on those things which are unqiue to New Zealand – our naLve
ﬂora and fauna and our Māori and Paciﬁc communiLes.  This builds on internaLonal work
and enables New Zealand to make a unique and valuable contribuLon – for example, our
work on kākāpō genomics was recently featured in a number of highly-ranked internaLonal
RELEASED
scienLﬁc publicLons.
•  Genomics is a key enabler of the RNA and gene ediLng revoluLons and wil  increasingly rely
on arLﬁcial intel igence to deliver outcomes in these spaces.

Further details of potenLal work to be undertaken by GA can be found in the document Genomic
Futures for Aotearoa New Zealand (Dropbox link).

4
CONSTRAINTS
Legisla(ve / Regulatory hurdles
•  Genomics and biotechnology work in NZ is chal enged by unsolved issues around Wai 262,
Indigenous data sovereignty and geneLc/genomic privacy. GA is interested and prepared to
assist the Government in addressing these issues.
•  A key output of genomics is biotechnology, including the use of geneLc technologies.  We
acknowledge that the government is reviewing the laws on geneLc technologies and agree
that, done properly, the Australian model, which is designed to manage risk, wil  enable
science to progress and opportuniLes to be realized.

Liability
•  On the issue of liability, the Australian Oﬃce of the Gene Technology Regulator has stated:
1982
“…the [Gene Technology] Act has as its object the protec9on of human health and the
environment. It does not deal with liability rela9ng to marke9ng, trade, or other
maDers. These issues were to be addressed in the courts via civil ac9ons…” ACT
•  Special liability regimes wil  have a chil ing eﬀect on innovaLon, commercializaLon and use,
including our ability to deploy eﬀecLve cancer treatments and tools to combat and adapt to
climate change.  In parLcular, part 7A of HSNO which imposes pecuniary penalLes and civil
liability was introduced by the Labour/Greens Government in 2003 at the height of the GM
debate in New Zealand and is considered no longer ﬁt for purpose.

Funding:
INFORMATION
•  We appreciate the current ﬁscal constraints, and in that light we are grateful for the
Government’s vision in extending GA’s mandate unLl 2030. We acknowledge that our plans
set out in the accompanying strategy document wil  need to be tailored to ﬁt this allocaLon.
•  It is well known that investment in science leads to increased wealth. In the same way
investment in genomics and the other leading edge sciences is an investment in the future,
OFFICIAL
not an indulgence of rich naLons.  We would hope that the government, when ﬁscal
condiLons allow (or in spite of them), will look to further build on the investment it has
already made in genomics as a reﬂecLon of the fundamental role it wil  play in our future
THE
prosperity. We will also look for opportuniLes to work with the private sector to deploy and
commercialise the results of our work.
•  To provide context, GA is aware of the fol owing recent investments in genomics:
UNDER

Annual Spend (NZD)  Adjusted for popula?on (NZD)
New Zealand
$ 5 M
$ 5 M
Genome Canada
$ 40 M
$ 9.5M
Singapore (health only)
$ 50 M
$ 45 M
Australian (health only)
$ 55 M
$ 10 M

  RELEASED
EDUCATION/INFORMATION

Final y, we acknowledge that genomics is a technically challenging area of science with limited
knowledge prevalent in the wider community, but also likely Parliament itself. GA would be more
than happy to discuss how we might take part in an educaLonal programme to ‘close the knowledge
gap’ of the sector, enabling parliamentarians to become appropriately informed to aid with decision-
making on this topic in the future.