Science & research

We're the technology partner backing New Zealand researchers build solutions that last, respond when it matters most, and stay focused on discovery instead of systems. 

Contact us
Mt John Observatory New Zealand

Homegrown science, homegrown solutions

New Zealand's resilience depends on knowledge about our history, our land, our communities, and our environment. For nearly 30 years, we've built the infrastructure that helps researchers generate and protect those insights, from environmental monitoring and real-time hazard models to discovery platforms that open up research collections.

We back you with open source software and open standards so you work to your own roadmap; help you host data about New Zealand on home soil; and offer the flexibility to build what existing platforms can't provide. We know discovery platforms need to outlive grants, that some questions are urgent and others unfold across decades, and that all of it serves communities that matter beyond any single project. Our solutions are designed to help you achieve that.

Our services

Custom software

Build operational systems when existing platforms can't address your specific research requirements. Co-develop solutions that flex with your roadmap and research needs.

Discvoer software engineering services

Data visualisation and analytics

Surface insights within your research more easily. Custom dashboards, real-time search, and analytics that turn raw operational data into decisions - built on decades of experience working with tools, including the Elastic Stack.

Talk to us about data & analytics

Workflow optimisation and automation

Automate repetitive research processes and data pipelines. Connect disparate systems so information flows without manual handling. Free researchers from administrative tasks to focus on discovery. Build automated responses to changing needs.

Talk to us about automation

AI and machine learning

Agentic search, automation, content generation, decision support, or R&D proof-of-concepts, we help you experiment with AI, prove use cases, and implement what works. Option to run open source models on NZ infrastructure, or your preferred cloud.

Discover AI services

Discovery platforms

Connect everything from physical archives to real-time data streams. Access library systems, repository software, and custom discovery layers backed by over a decade supporting institutions globally.

Explore research & discovery platforms

Cloud consulting, platform & services

Cove is Catalyst's fully managed cloud platform - auto-scaling, high availability, geo-redundancy and disaster recovery. Runs on Catalyst Cloud with the option to store data in NZ, or across AWS and Azure infrastructure.

Explore cloud services

Sovereign cloud

Catalyst Cloud is our sister company and an All-of-Government provider, with the option to host on NZ infrastructure, keeping your data governed by NZ law and supporting data sovereignty.

Discover Catalyst Cloud

Learning management

Build internal capability, deliver training and education resources quickly and efficiently. Connect training, development and compliance platforms to wider business systems including HR and ERP.

Learn more

Success stories

Screenshot of the Dam Safety Intelligence website login screen

Dam Safety Intelligence uses open source to go above and beyond

Catalyst and Dam Safety Intelligence deliver a cloud-native solution to future-proof the rebuild of the Dam Monitoring System software.

A microsite from RiskScape displaying a map of flooding by the Ngaruroro River and what buildings would be the most exposed

RiskScape™ used to model landslide risk and impacts during Auckland floods

Developed with GNS Science and NIWA since 2018. Discover the award-winning platform that provides detailed insights into the potential impact of natural hazards like earthquakes, floods and cyclones in Aotearoa.

Screenshot of the Ia portal

Ia: the world's first LGBTQI+ research portal

Rōpū kohinga partnered with AUT to create a platform that enables free and open access to Rainbow knowledge. Now, people can easily search and filter the results in Ia by facets such as author, supervisor, subjects, year of publication, and institution.

Screenshot of the Met Office Learning Portal login page

Met Office and Tōtara Learn

The Met Office is the national meteorological service for the UK with more than 2,000 employees. Together, we implemented a new learning management system to deliver training and education resources quickly and efficiently.

Solutions built for New Zealand research, protecting our knowledge, and serving our communities for generations.

Contact us