Koi Tū Centre for Informed Futures is a leading non-partisan, future-focused think tank, dedicated to tackling the complex, long-term challenges shaping our future.
Koi Tū provides independent high-quality, evidence-based insights to create a cohesive, prosperous, and resilient New Zealand.
Our work tackles critical national and global issues arising from rapid social, economic, technological, and environmental change.
We work across four key themes:
We ask the hard questions, spark informed debate, and develop tools and knowledge to guide decision-making for Aotearoa’s future.
Our history
Following a nine-year term as Chief Science Adviser to the Prime Minister, Distinguished Professor Sir Peter Gluckman saw a need for a greater focus on complex long-term issues facing Aotearoa New Zealand. In 2019, he and his team from the science advisory office set up Koi Tū. Learn more about our staff.
After five years of incubation within the University of Auckland, Koi Tū transitioned to full independence in 2025.
Today we are a research institution and a convener, bringing together diverse viewpoints and facilitating an exchange of views to inspire change.
Our name
Our name, Koi Tū, was gifted by iwi Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei from Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.
Koi is the sharp end of an arrow. Like an arrow, Koi Tū aims to get to the heart of complex long-term issues challenging our future. Koi also means to be bright and clever.
Tū is to stand, to set in place and implies resilience. The centre is future-focused addressing areas of national and global concern.
Koi Tū colloquially means “sharp as!”
Pepeha (an introduction that establishes identity and heritage)
Ko Maungawhau te maunga
Ko Wai Horotiu te awa
Ko Waitematā te moana
Ko Herald te waka
Ko te tāone o Tāmaki te whenua tuku
Ko Koi Tū te whare mahi
Nō Aotearoa tātou
Tēnā rā tātou katoa
Context
For democracy to thrive and societies to progress, dialogue and decision-making on complex issues must be informed, inclusive and constructive. Yet, we live in a world where the contest of ideas takes place in an unhealthy environment of misinformation and declining public trust in democratic, scientific and societal institutions. Misinformation distorts the choices we make about the future.
In addition, short-term thinking is rife in policy processes when we most need responses that span a future beyond election cycles.
How we work
Koi Tū operates at the intersection of academia, civil society and public policy both nationally and internationally. We take a systems-based approach and integrate multiple forms of transdisciplinary knowledge to explore emerging issues.
We use innovative methods to engage policymakers, academia, the business sector and society in conversations on contentious, complex and dynamic public-policy questions. We deal with long-term issues typically left in the too-hard basket of policymaking.
We produce and synthesise evidence from multiple disciplines and seek new ways to use robust knowledge and deliberation to counter misinformation and declining trust. Learn more about how we work.
Collaborations
Tapping into our extensive domestic and international partnerships with science and policy communities, we act as brokers and conduits, helping thought leaders and researchers to engage with the wider community and inform debates. Central to our work is attracting visionaries to engage with thought leaders across society at large.
We have a strong record of internationally recognised research, extensive domestic and international networks, and experience in brokering science knowledge to governments and society.
Learn more about our collaborations.
Funding
Philanthropy is the mainstay of our funding. We also undertake third-party contracts from government, industry and trusts provided these do not compromise our intellectual independence and trusted non-partisan position. Learn more about how you can support us.
Our Supporters
Andrew and Elle Grant
Anita Baldauf
Bernard Pesco
Bernard Sabrier
David Levene Foundation
The Gluckman Family
Graeme and Robyn Hart
Gus Fisher Charitable Trust
Kelliher Charitable Trust
Modena Trust
The MSA Trust
Norman Barry Foundation
The Wright Family Foundation