Articles
The Asia-Pacific Country Outperforming Established Markets
New Zealand is delivering what many sponsors assume only large, established markets can achieve, and is a frequent contributor to global research. This capability means it is becoming an increasingly popular destination for savvy sponsors and CROs looking for strategic advantage. It's ability to deliver high-quality results with speed, scale and cost efficiency is already setting new benchmarks in global research.
Fast-Track Start-Up, With Fewer Barriers
New Zealand is a world leader in rapid trial start-up with 4-6 weeks for regulatory and ethics approval and no IND requirement.
Quality That Regulators Trust
New Zealand is a frequent contributor to global research with its skilled workforce, KOLs, and experienced PIs.
Diverse Population
New Zealand has a population profile similar to the US and Europe with 72% willing to participate in trials and high vaccine uptake.
Scale
New Zealand has the ability to scale, exceed recruitment targets, and match larger markets. In a June 2025 late phase global flu vaccine trial, New Zealand achieved 112.3% of its target, recruiting the equivalent of 95% of South Africa’s and 86% of Australia’s total enrollment.
Cost Efficiency
With 15–43% Research & Development tax advantage and a favourable exchange rate, running clinical trials in New Zealand can be very cost-effective. Data shows that clinical trials are up to 60% less expensive to run in New Zealand than in the US, 40% cheaper than the UK, and 10% cheaper than Australia.
Trial-Ready Ecosystem
New Zealand offers a stable economy, world-class infrastructure and reverse seasonality, which expands recruitment options.
In the field of medicine, New Zealand’s global impact is equally impressive.
From the development of leading technology used to treat respiratory conditions, to first-in-human gene therapies, to advancing complex cell and CRISPR editing studies, and large-scale vaccine trials, this forward-thinking nation is regularly contributing to new achievements in healthcare.
In the last five years alone, the country has unlocked impressive achievements, including:
- Auckland University FSHD trial sees first person in the world receive revolutionary ‘gene silencing’ therapy
- Successful phase 1 trial of locally-developed CAR T-cell therapy for lymphoma leads to roll out of phase 2 study in New Zealand
- ENABLE first-in-human third-generation CD19 CAR T-cell trial conducted in
Wellington - Contribution to the RSV clinical trial vaccine program that led to FDA-approved
Arexvy - New Zealand participates in multi-country phase 3 study to demonstrate efficacy of GSK’s RSVPreF3 OA investigational vaccine in adults aged 60+
- Groundbreaking CRISPR gene therapy for rare form of muscular dystrophy trialled at the University of Auckland’s Centre for Brain Research.
Thinking about running a trial in New Zealand?
Reach out if you’d like to know more about setting up trials here, and to receive a copy of the country comparison for trial readiness.