Abstract
This paper presents a view of research and development absorptive capacity from a Mori perspective. The assessment is part of a case study of a longitudinal programme - Science for Technological Innovation: Kia kotahi mai - Te Ao Putaiao me te Ao Hanagarau that aims to increase Aotearoa New Zealand's capacity to use sci-tech for economic benefit. The paper finds that while Aotearoa New Zealand's macro policy and meso institutional levels have become more responsive to Mori research and development demands, at the micro level of the individual or the firm there are still constraints given the small numbers of Mori in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. In response to this, a novel model of Mori sci-tech capacity is under development that considers not only research and development technical capacities, but also the human and relational capacities required to accelerate absorptive capacity to respond to Mori social and economic aspirations.