Extra $140 million for science and technology

The Government is investing an extra $140 million in research, science and technology over the next four years.

The budget increase brings the total for the next financial year to $557 million.

Science and Technology Minister Pete Hodgson said science was driving innovation and generating new ideas and concepts.

The money will go to:

* the Research Consortia programme ($34.2 million over four years). It supports research projects and the funding is matched by the private sector;

* the Marsden Fund ($3.8 million over four years). It supports "curiosity-driven" research with international potential;

* Maori knowledge and development research ($1.94 million over four years);

* social research ($9.02 million over four years);

* health research ($6 million over four years). It will focus on biomedical research; and

* environmental research ($4 million over four years). It will include developing alternative possum control measures.

- NZPA