Massey University vice-chancellor Steve Maharey is backing calls for a narrower focus on scientific funding in New Zealand.
The Prime Minister's chief science adviser, Peter Gluckman, was due to deliver a speech on Friday night saying that there's too much competition for research funding and that scientists need to work together better.
Mr Maharey, a former cabinet minister, has welcomed the comments, saying that in some areas too many research bodies are working on the same thing.
He says New Zealand must focus on innovation so it can hit the ground running after the recession.