Wednesday, 19 February 2025 07:55

Science 'deserves more funding'

Written by  Peter Burke
Sir Peter Gluckman Sir Peter Gluckman

A committee which carried out the review into New Zealand's science system says the underinvestment will continue to compromise the country's future.

The committee, headed by Sir Peter Gluckman and consisting of other prominent science leaders, says in its report to government that there is overwhelming evidence investment in research and science is absolutely core to productivity growth.

And it adds that "failure over several decades to accept and act on this causation has led NZ to being a poor performing outlier compared to most advanced economies of comparable size". Essentially this is a rap over the knuckles for successive governments for underfunding science.

This is the same committee that recommended the merger of the four agricultural related CRIs (AgResearch, Landcare Research, Plant and Food Research and Scion) into a mega organisation called Bioeconomy. They will no longer be called CRIs; rather they get a name change, and probably a new logo, and will be known as a PRO or public research organisation.

As part of the changes, a new entity will emerge called Earth Sciences which will bring together NIWA and GNS and, as already signalled, will see MetService become a wholly-owned subsidiary of NIWA.

ESR will be renamed the Health and Forensic Science Services PRO with a 'new' focus. Gone is Callaghan Innovation, with the Government saying its functions will be spread amongst other PROs.

The rationale for this move, according to Judith Collins, the Science Minister at the time of the announcement, is to ensure that there is a science system that generates maximum value for the $1.2 billion the Government invests in science funding.

There are other changes afoot, including the establishment of a special investment agency and a super advisory body to provide strategic oversight for the changes.

"This work, along with our move to overturn what has effectively been a 30-year ban on gene technology, will unlock enormous opportunities for our science sector and New Zealanders," she says.

More like this

Keep it real

OPINION: With the Government applying some fiscal discipline to scientific research funding, this mutt thinks it might be timely to look at what's still being done in the ag-science space.

Advanced tech key to future success

OPINION: The Government's announcement that it will create a new advanced technology public research organisation (PRO) is sparking conversations about what advanced technology means for New Zealand, and for the research and innovation needed to grow our economy.

Cut with care

OPINION: NZ farming is built on hard work, but also on innovation, a lot of which came about thanks to a focused scientific effort over many decades.

Featured

NZ growers lead freshwater compliance

Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) says that commercial fruit and vegetable growers are getting ahead of freshwater farm plan regulations through its Growing Change project.

Case IH partners with Meet the Need

Tractor manufacturer and distributor Case IH has announced a new partnership with Meet the Need, the grassroots, farmer-led charity working to tackle food insecurity across New Zealand one meal at a time.

25 years on - where are they now?

To celebrate 25 years of the Hugh Williams Memorial Scholarship, Ravensdown caught up with past recipients to see where their careers have taken them, and what the future holds for the industry.

National

Top ag scientist to advise PM

A highly experienced agricultural scientist with specialist knowledge of the dairy sector is the Prime Minister's new Chief Science Advisor.

Machinery & Products

Hose runner saves time and effort

Rakaia-based equipment manufacturer Pluck’s Engineering will soon start production of a new machine designed to simplify the deployment and retrieval…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Science fiction

OPINION: Last week's announcement of Prime Minister’s new Science and Technology Advisory Council hasn’t gone down too well in the…

Bye bye Paris?

OPINION: At its recent annual general meeting, Federated Farmers’ Auckland province called for New Zealand to withdraw from the Paris…

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter