Maurice Wilkins Centre

The Maurice Wilkins Centre brings together a multidisciplinary national network of scientists to target serious human diseases and develop cutting-edge drugs, vaccines, and early diagnostic tools. The centre’s major research focus areas include diagnosis and treatment of cancer, infectious diseases, diabetes, and metabolic diseases. It seeks to solve complex health challenges while training the next generation of biomedical leaders to drive scientific innovation and economic growth in Aotearoa.

Te Punaha Matatini

Te Pūnaha Matatini is the Centre of Research Excellence (CoRE) for complex systems, tackling complex challenges by working across disciplines and putting communities at the heart of research as active partners in co-production processes. The centre brings together a national, transdisciplinary network of researchers spanning data, computational, environmental, and social sciences. Te Pūnaha Matatini enables more effective responses to the critical, interconnected challenges of our time, including climate change, human and environmental health, and building a just, equitable society.

Riddet Institute

Hosted by Massey University

The Riddet Institute is a Centre of Research Excellence (CoRE) focusing on discovery-led research at the frontier of food materials science, novel food processing, gastrointestinal biology, and human nutrition. Using advanced computational modelling, clinical human nutrition, and transdisciplinary science, the centre aims to tackle the great contemporary challenge of creating a sustainable, high-value, and secure global food supply that optimises human health and well-being.

MacDiarmid Institute

Hosted by Victoria University of Wellington

The MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology is a network of leading researchers dedicated to creating and exploring innovative, sustainable materials that improve lives globally. The institute's research operates at the unexplored intersection of physics, chemistry, biology, and engineering to develop advanced materials and nanotechnology, addressing global challenges such as clean water, renewable energy and climate change.

Te Whai Ao – Dodd-Walls Centre

Hosted by University of Otago 

Te Whai Ao – Dodd-Walls Centre leads research in photonic and quantum technologies in Aotearoa. Exploring quantum optics and light-based sensing, the centre aims to future-proof Aotearoa for the global quantum revolution. By translating fundamental science into applications, it drives innovation in medical imaging, environmental monitoring, secure communications, and advanced manufacturing.

Ngā Ara Whetū - Centre for Climate, Biodiversity & Society

Hosted by the Faculty of Science, co-hosted by the Business School, Faculty of Arts and Education and Faculty of Engineering and Design. Ngā Ara Whetū will lead and contribute to world-class research and training, driving just and ethical action on climate change and the environment for thriving peoples and planetary wellbeing. Through this centre, Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland will take its place amongst the many global actors striving to reduce climate risk and enable resilient and biodiverse ecosystems, thereby supporting fairer and healthier societies of Auckland.

Centre for Brain Research

Hosted by the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences
The Centre for Brain Research excels in world-class neuroscience research carried out by cross-faculty research teams, alongside clinical collaborations with leading neurologists, neurosurgeons and physicians in Aotearoa New Zealand and around the world.

Centre for Computational Evolution

The Centre for Computational Evolution (CCE) uses computational tools and evolutionary theory to tackle 21st-century challenges such as health, linguistics, and conservation. The centre’s research themes include phylodynamics, life system modelling, and conservation genomics. The centre fosters transdisciplinary research to create new translational research.

Auckland SynBio Research Centre

The Auckland SynBio Research Centre advances synthetic biology research at the interface of biology and engineering. By connecting researchers, industry and government, the Centre builds national capability, supports innovation and research translation. It prepares Aotearoa New Zealand to respond to future opportunities in synthetic biology, while exploring its societal, ethical and regulatory implications.

Te Pūtahi o Pūtaiao

Te Pūtahi o Pūtaiao supports research projects that bridge mātauranga Māori and Science. The centre is Māori-led and underpinned by tikanga, mātauranga, and te reo Māori, advancing scholarship that aligns with Māori interests.

Centre of Machine Learning for Social Good

The Centre of Machine Learning for Social Good empowers researchers to solve high-impact societal problems in their diverse domains. By leveraging machine learning, the centre enables these diverse domains to work in a transformative manner, proactively facilitating interventions for better outcomes for Aotearoa.

Centre for AMR Research

The Centre for AMR Research addresses the growing challenge of antimicrobial resistance through collaborative research, innovation, and engagement with industry and policymakers. Working closely with researchers, clinicians, industry partners, and government agencies, the Centre develops novel prevention, diagnostic, and treatment strategies that help translate research into real-world health benefits.

George Mason Centre for the Natural Environment

The George Mason Centre for the Natural Environment is a multidisciplinary centre that focuses on environmental solutions to complex problems. Since its inception, the centre has funded 21 projects focusing on environmental restoration, conservation, and sustainability, and has supported 12 post-doctoral and 5 PhD students. The centre works with the George Mason Charitable Trust and collaborates with other organisations.

The Discovery Centre for Fundamental Research

The Discovery Centre advances fundamental research in computer science, mathematics, and statistics to solve societal problems. The centre uses mathematics as a language for understanding, improving, and safeguarding people and the world. The centre seeks to achieve globally transformative impact through foundational research, transdisciplinary translation to application, and flagship projects.

Te Ao Mārama – Centre for Fundamental Inquiry

Te Ao Mārama’s current cross-disciplinary initiative focuses on life and the universe, with an emphasis on space science and astrophysics. The initiative aims to facilitate research, develop the STEM workforce, foster engagement with the public, and partner with hapū interested in transdisciplinary approaches. Te Ao Mārama’s focus areas include cross-disciplinary teaching, mātauranga Māori, and solar system exploration.

NAOInstitute

The NAOInstitute (Natural, Artificial and Organisational Intelligence Institute) researches natural, artificial, and organisational intelligence and its impact on humanity's future. The centre collaborates with global institutions, follows a collaborative innovation approach, and incorporates tikanga Māori. The centre is transdisciplinary and aims to build strong relationships with hapū for inter-generational well-being.

Centre for Green Chemical Science

The Centre for Green Chemical Science aims to provide the foundations for a sustainable future by promoting and facilitating research, education and public engagement in Green Chemical Science. The centre uses chemical principles, science and technology to tackle global issues and problems that directly impact sustainability.

Centre for Health and Rehabilitation Research

The Health and Rehabilitation Research Centre promotes the interrelationship between physical activity, health, and well-being by conducting clinical trials and fostering interactions between the University, healthcare providers, industry partners, and communities. The centre includes the world-class Health and Rehabilitation Clinic. The centre conducts controlled physical activity-based intervention studies and provides state-of-the-art assessment of outcomes.

Centre for Optical Space Systems

The Centre for Optical Space Systems transforms astronomical optics into practical space capability. It brings together research and technologies in laser communications, space situational awareness and atmospheric sensing to address a challenge: enabling safer, more secure, sustainable and resilient use of space as orbital activity, data demand and environmental pressures increase.

Centre for Innovative Materials for Health

The Centre for Innovative Materials for Health enhances human health by developing and applying sustainable materials and engineering technologies. The centre has two approaches: developing medical technologies and restoring healthy water. The centre will collaborate with Māori communities and end-users to ensure continuous engagement and equitable health outcomes.

Cyber Security Foundry

The Cyber Security Foundry uses an industry-focused approach to cyber security challenges and collaborates with other groups to develop future cyber security strategies. The centre works with external parties seeking expertise in cybersecurity, promotes transdisciplinary collaboration across departments and faculties, and with other external stakeholders in government and industry.

Future Food Research Centre

The Future Food Research Centre aims to improve food and nutrition security sustainably through education, research, and innovation. The centre brings together multidisciplinary and multi-sectoral expertise to find solutions for problems related to food security, systems efficiencies, waste, sovereignty, and innovation.

Centre for Transdisciplinary Biophysical Imaging

The Centre for Transdisciplinary Biophysical Imaging co-locates nascent imaging systems to remove logistical burdens and accelerate the development of new imaging methods. The centre translates resultant imaging techniques, technologies and applications into commercial devices to deliver scientific impact through commercialisation. The centre aligns with end-user requirements and focuses on advancing Māori in Aotearoa.

Centre for Developmental Science

The Centre for Developmental Science is a research centre using basic science to understand the development of infants, children, and adults, to improve the lives of families in Aotearoa and globally. By uncovering the individual, contextual, cognitive, and social processes that underlie development across the lifespan, the centre forms a hub for developmental science at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland.