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Total research funding Key points What agencies are doing What you can do to help More information What we want to achieve Key points Expenditure for research and development (R&D) indicates the level of innovation and investment in science and technology. This reflects the type of society and is a driver towards a knowledge-based economy. Total research and development expenditure in New Zealand for 2010 was estimated at almost $2.5 billion. This compares with $1.11 billion in 1998, an increase of 68% on an inflation-adjusted basis over a twelve year period. R&D expenditure increased as a percentage of overall national GDP over the period 1998 to 2010. R&D expenditure was 1.29% of GDP in the 2010 reference year compared with 1.09% in 1998. Despite these increases, New Zealand’s total R&D expenditure continues to be relatively low compared with other countries in the OECD. Australia’s R&D expenditure made up 1.97% of GDP in 2006, and the OECD average was 2.33% for 2008. Research income by the University of Waikato increased by around 37% in real terms over the period 2002 to 2010. Research income contributed approximately 13.0% of total revenues for the University of Waikato in 2010. According to latest figures from the university’s 2010 Annual Report, annual research income (including income earned by subsidiaries and associates) decreased slightly by $344,000 to $27.5 million, reflecting a year of consolidation after significant growth in prior years. Real expenditure on research and development in New Zealand ($million) in June 2006 dollars Source: Statistics New Zealand: Research and Development Surveys, inflation-adjusted using CPI deflator Notes: For the purpose of this indicator, gross expenditure on R&D is adjusted by the Consumers Price Index (CPI) (base June 2006 quarter) to calculate real R&D expenditure. Real research income (June 2006 dollars) – University of Waikato (consolidated) Source: Annual Reports – University of Waikato, inflation-adjusted using CPI deflator Notes: Includes income earned by subsidiaries and associates (ie, consolidated). What agencies are doing Information currently being collated. What you can do to help Information currently being collated. More information More detail on this indicator, including how and where this information is collected, is available here. What we want to achieve The community outcome we are seeking to achieve by increasing total research funding is: Our region has a reputation for entrepreneurship, innovation, research and education, attracting investment and people to work, study and visit.