New Zealand Unveils Largest Science Sector Reforms in Three Decades
Last week, new Zealand announced its most important shake-up of the science system in 30 years, marking a pivotal moment for the country’s research and innovation landscape. The reforms, spearheaded by Science Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins, aim to maximize the economic impact of the $1.2 billion invested annually in the sector while addressing long-standing structural and funding challenges.
The changes are based on the first report from the Science System Advisory Group (SSAG),which emphasizes the need for a more dynamic and cohesive approach to science and technology. Though, as with any major overhaul, the devil lies in the details.
What’s Changing?
Table of Contents
- New Zealand’s Research Sector at a Crossroads: Calls for Urgent Funding and Reform
- New Zealand’s Research Sector at a Crossroads: Expert Insights
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- Q: What are the key challenges facing New Zealand’s research sector today?
- Q: How do the reforms aim to revitalize the science sector?
- Q: What role does mātauranga Māori play in the research sector?
- Q: How does New Zealand’s R&D spending compare globally?
- Q: what lessons can be learned from past attempts to reform the sector?
- Q: What are the key recommendations for policymakers?
- Conclusion
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the government’s reforms include:
- The merger of seven public Crown Research Institutes into three larger Public Research Organisations (PROs).
- The creation of a fourth PRO focused on advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, synthetic biology, and potentially cleantech.
- The disestablishment of Callaghan Innovation and the establishment of a new agency, “Invest New Zealand,” to attract international investment.
- A new national intellectual property policy to level the playing field for scientists in PROs and universities regarding commercialization.
- The formation of a Prime Minister’s Science,Innovation and Technology Advisory Council to provide strategic oversight.
These reforms aim to streamline the sector, foster innovation, and enhance New Zealand’s global competitiveness. However,critical questions remain unanswered. For instance, how will expertise in advanced technologies, currently concentrated in universities, be integrated into the new PROs? And how will the funding model evolve to support these changes?
The Bigger Picture
The reforms come after years of discussion within the Crown Research sector and are seen as a positive step forward. However, the SSAG report highlights that structural changes alone are not enough. Adequate funding is essential for success.
“The SSAG stands firmly of the view that our parsimonious attitude to research funding is a core reason that New Zealand has become an outlier in performance on productivity growth,” the report states.
The advisory group also points to cultural barriers, such as New Zealand’s risk-averse attitude toward innovation, as a hindrance to progress. Addressing these issues will be crucial for the reforms to achieve their intended impact.
key Challenges
While the reforms are ambitious, their success hinges on implementation. The government must ensure that the new PROs are adequately funded and that the transition from existing institutions is seamless. Additionally, fostering a culture that embraces innovation and risk-taking will be vital.
What’s Next?
As the reforms move forward, stakeholders will be watching closely to see how the government addresses these challenges. The creation of the Prime Minister’s Science, Innovation and Technology Advisory Council is a promising step, but its effectiveness will depend on its ability to provide clear strategic direction.
Summary of Key Reforms
| Reform | Details |
|————|————-|
| Merger of Crown Research Institutes | Seven institutes to merge into three PROs |
| New Advanced Technology PRO | Focus on AI, synthetic biology, and cleantech |
| disestablishment of Callaghan Innovation | Replaced by “Invest New Zealand” |
| National Intellectual Property Policy | Level playing field for commercialization |
| Advisory Council | Prime Minister’s Science, Innovation and Technology Advisory Council |
These reforms represent a bold step toward revitalizing New Zealand’s science sector. Though, their ultimate success will depend on the government’s ability to address funding gaps, integrate expertise, and foster a culture of innovation.
For more insights into the reforms, visit the Science media centre or read the full declaration on 1News.
New Zealand’s Research Sector at a Crossroads: Calls for Urgent Funding and Reform
New Zealand’s research sector is facing a critical juncture, with experts warning that underfunding and a lack of strategic investment are stifling innovation and economic growth. A recent report highlights the urgent need for bipartisan agreement on funding systems and investment levels to strengthen the sector and position the country as a global competitor.
The report underscores the importance of research in the social sciences and mātauranga Māori, emphasizing its role in driving economic growth. “There is no debate that research into Māori culture and knowledge is an obligation of the New Zealand research system and that this should be largely determined by experts in mātauranga Māori,” the report states. It also recommends establishing a distinct funding stream within the proposed National Research Foundation to support this vital work.
However, the government’s recent decision to defund the social sciences and humanities, announced in December, raises concerns about its commitment to these disciplines. This move has been criticized as short-sighted, with experts arguing that it overlooks the broader need for sufficient funding to strengthen the sector as a whole.
Missing the Bigger picture
While the government has adopted some of the report’s most visible recommendations, it appears to have missed the bigger picture: the need for thorough funding to make New Zealand internationally competitive. The report highlights the country’s low public spending on research and growth (R&D) compared to other nations, stating, “The international analysis is clear: we are spending considerably less than comparable countries spend from the public purse on [R&D].”
This underinvestment has significant implications for economic growth. The authors stress that for countries with low R&D expenditure, improving research activity is crucial for boosting GDP. New Zealand, they note, is an outlier both as a low investor and a poor economic performer.
A History of Unfulfilled Promises
These warnings are not new. Steven Joyce, science minister in the national-led government between 2011 and 2016, championed the National Science Challenges as a way to justify increased government investment. However, implementation costs derailed his promise of additional funding. Similarly, Labor’s science minister between 2022 and 2023, Ayesha Verrall, argued for establishing research “priorities” to secure increased spending, but this also failed to materialize.
The current reforms may offer a fresh opportunity to address these issues. Though, experts caution that the system must first receive the necessary investment to absorb the implementation costs of these changes. This is particularly urgent given recent funding cuts and job losses in the sector.
Key Recommendations at a Glance
| Recommendation | Details |
|———————————————|—————————————————————————–|
| Increase public spending on R&D | Benchmark against comparable countries to boost economic growth. |
| Establish a distinct funding stream for mātauranga Māori | Support research into Māori culture and knowledge. |
| Strengthen the social sciences and humanities | Reverse defunding decisions to ensure a balanced research ecosystem. |
| Prioritize bipartisan agreement on funding | Secure long-term investment to stabilize the sector. |
A Call to Action
The report’s findings are a wake-up call for New Zealand’s policymakers. To remain competitive on the global stage, the country must prioritize research and development, invest in its social sciences and humanities, and support mātauranga Māori as a cornerstone of its research system.
As the report concludes, “This time we need to put the horse before the cart by investing money in the system.” The future of New Zealand’s research sector—and its economic prosperity—depends on it.
New Zealand’s Research Sector at a Crossroads: Expert Insights
Q: What are the key challenges facing New Zealand’s research sector today?
A: new zealand’s research sector is at a critical juncture, with underfunding adn a lack of strategic investment being the most pressing issues. Experts warn that this stifles innovation and hampers economic growth. the recent reforms, while promising, must be backed by sufficient funding to address these challenges effectively. The sector also needs to integrate expertise from diverse fields, including mātauranga Māori and the social sciences, to ensure a balanced and complete approach to research.
Q: How do the reforms aim to revitalize the science sector?
A: The reforms focus on restructuring the sector to enhance efficiency and innovation. Key measures include the merger of Crown Research Institutes into fewer Proactive Research organizations (PROs), the establishment of a new Advanced Technology PRO focusing on AI, synthetic biology, and cleantech, and the creation of the Prime Minister’s Science, Innovation, and Technology Advisory Council. These changes aim to provide clearer strategic direction and foster a culture of innovation.However, their success hinges on addressing funding gaps and ensuring effective implementation.
Q: What role does mātauranga Māori play in the research sector?
A: Mātauranga Māori is a cornerstone of New Zealand’s research system. The report emphasizes that research into Māori culture and knowledge is an obligation and should be largely determined by experts in this field. The proposed National research Foundation includes a distinct funding stream to support mātauranga Māori, ensuring it remains a vital part of the country’s research ecosystem. This investment not only honors cultural heritage but also drives economic growth by leveraging unique knowledge systems.
Q: How does New Zealand’s R&D spending compare globally?
A: New Zealand’s public spending on research and development (R&D) is significantly lower than that of comparable countries. The report highlights this as a major barrier to economic competitiveness. International analysis shows that countries with low R&D expenditure can boost their GDP by improving research activity. New Zealand, however, remains an outlier both as a low investor and a poor economic performer. Increasing public spending on R&D is crucial to achieving global competitiveness and driving economic growth.
Q: what lessons can be learned from past attempts to reform the sector?
A: Past attempts to reform the research sector, such as the National Science Challenges under Steven Joyce and the prioritization efforts by Ayesha Verrall, were hindered by a lack of sustained investment and implementation costs. These experiences underscore the importance of securing bipartisan agreement on funding systems and investment levels.Without adequate financial support, even well-designed reforms risk falling short of their objectives. The current reforms must prioritize funding to ensure they deliver long-term benefits.
Q: What are the key recommendations for policymakers?
A: The report’s recommendations include increasing public spending on R&D to benchmark levels, establishing a distinct funding stream for mātauranga Māori, reversing defunding decisions in the social sciences and humanities, and prioritizing bipartisan agreement on funding. These measures aim to stabilize the research sector, enhance its global competitiveness, and ensure it contributes effectively to economic growth. Policymakers must act urgently to address these issues and secure the future of New Zealand’s research ecosystem.
Conclusion
New Zealand’s research sector stands at a crossroads, with urgent reforms and investments needed to drive innovation and economic growth. the integration of mātauranga Māori, increased R&D funding, and bipartisan support are essential to revitalizing the sector. By addressing these challenges, New Zealand can position itself as a global leader in research and innovation, ensuring long-term prosperity for the country.
