Quantum Technologies Aotearoa

In 2025, the global scientific community commemorates a century since the development of quantum mechanics.

Quantum Technologies Aotearoa (QTA) is a national research programme that brings together leading scientists and engineers across Aotearoa New Zealand to accelerate innovation in quantum science.

Led by Te Whai Ao—Dodd-Walls Centre and supported by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), QTA spans multiple institutions and fields, from quantum computing to advanced sensing.

At Paihau—Robinson Research Institute, our contribution to QTA focuses on scalable quantum hardware, particularly in superconducting devices and spintronics.

Our researchers are working on next-generation technologies, including hybrid superconducting–ferromagnetic memory and π-Josephson junctions, which are key components in superconducting quantum circuits. Paihau—Robinson QTA Investigators Dr Simon Granville and Dr William Holmes-Hewett drive this work, which aligns with QTA's broader objectives to advance quantum technologies and foster international collaborations.

These projects are supported by QTA funding and align with global efforts to realise practical quantum technologies.

In 2025, the global scientific community commemorated a century since the development of quantum mechanics. The International Year of Quantum (IYQ), endorsed by UNESCO and the United Nations, aimed to raise public awareness of the significance of quantum science and its transformative applications in computing, communication, sensing, and more.

Aotearoa New Zealand played a significant role, with QTA leading national efforts to raise awareness through public events, exhibitions, and outreach initiatives. These activities were designed to foster a deeper understanding of quantum technologies and their transformative potential in areas such as computing, communication, and precision measurement.

As the field of quantum technology evolves, our Institute remains committed to advancing the fundamental and applied science needed to make quantum systems viable and scalable in the real world.