A science and agribusiness leader says increased research and innovation funding confirmed in the Budget is sending the right signals.
The Government has allocated $200 million of new funding for science and innovation Aover the next four years.
That sum includes $75 million for business research and development (RD) grants, $31 million for repayable grants for start-up businesses and $73 million for the National Science Challenges programme.
Waikato University's professor of agribusiness Jacqueline Rowarth, who's also on the the National Sciences Challenges panel, supports the stronger focus on RD funding for businesses.
"Across the spectrum we've got some very good signals and we need them to make sure that people regard science as important - and, equally, as a good career."
Professor Rowarth says increased funding for university science and engineering courses and apprenticeships is also progress.