Positioning CoREs for the Future: Key Insights from Our Discussion with Minister Reti
On 5 November 2025, the Centres of Research Excellence (CoREs), of which Pūtahi Manawa is one of ten, met with Hon Dr Shane Reti, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, to discuss the Government’s proposed reforms to Aotearoa New Zealand’s research, science and innovation system. Pūtahi Manawa was represented at the meeting by Soteria Ieremia, Co-Director Pacific, Matua Joe Pihema, Pou Tikanga, and Linda Fotherby, Operations Manager.
Government Direction: A More Connected, Impact‑Driven System
Minister Reti reiterated the Government’s intention to lift national impact and economic growth through a more connected and outcomes-focused research system. A key development is the establishment of Research Funding New Zealand, a single agency that will align investment and decision-making across the sector. Future funding will be guided by four national pillars:
- Economy
- Environment
- Health & Society
- Technology
Read more about the four pillars here
During the transition, existing CoRE contracts will remain in place; however, the Minister indicated a future shift toward greater expectations around translation, commercialisation, shared research infrastructure, and alignment with the above national research pillars.
Implications for CoREs
The Minister acknowledged the value of the CoRE model and its long-standing contribution to Aotearoa, but has not committed to its continuation in its current form.
This review—jointly led by MBIE and the Ministry of Education—is at an early stage and will run through to late 2026.
In this context, future CoREs will need to demonstrate:
- Strong alignment with the national research pillars above
- Clear pathways to real‑world impact
- Collaboration with iwi, communities, new public research organisations, and industry
- Efficient use of shared platforms and infrastructure
- Continued leadership in research excellence and workforce development and diversity
What This Means for You
For partners, collaborators and supporters, the overall message is one of continuity and opportunity:
- The reforms present an opportunity to strengthen partnerships across sectors as the system moves toward more integrated, impact-driven research.
- Pūtahi Manawa is actively organising to ensure our collective strength, impact, and needs of our partners are clearly represented to TEC annually and in our upcoming bid for another contracting round, whatever that may look like.
To engage more formally with our partners, we have updated our membership to include Organisation Membership. This will enable us to present key engagement opportunities to your whole organisation, as well as to continue communicating with individuals from organisations to hear your wants and needs for advancing heart health equity together.
Apply for organisation membership
We would love to see any organisation that has a passion for heart health equity and wants to have a voice in the direction that Pūtahi Manawa takes beyond 2028 to register for this membership.