Early this year former Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins announced the Government’s intention to establish four public research organisations (PROs) and disestablish Callaghan Innovation as part of “the largest reset of the New Zealand science system in more than 30 years”.
The seven Crown Research Institutes, where many NZIAHS members are employed, will be absorbed within these PROs, focusing on bio-economy, earth sciences, and health and forensic sciences and with a new Advanced Technologies focused PRO to be formed.
The announcement followed the Government’s consideration of the first report delivered by the Science System Advisory Group (SSAG), which is now working on phase two of its consultation process.
Since then, Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Dr Shane Reti has given some guidance for the future of the science sector. In mid-March he said he expected Crown Research Institutes will form three new “and more focused” PROs in early October, with legislation to formally establish the PROs to follow in 2026.
Dr Reti also announced further decisions on funding extensions for the Callaghan Innovation’s Biotechnology and Applied Technologies Groups. The Biotechnologies Group will continue to be funded until the end of June 2027 and will transfer to the new bioeconomy public research organisation once it is established. This will provide sufficient time for the Biotechnologies Group to become commercially viable and operate sustainably, independent of government funding. Funding for the Applied Technologies Group will continue through to 30 September this year, to allow contracted work to be delivered and a more orderly wind down of the function over the coming months.

Funding and other issues

Submissions for phase two of the SSAG’s work closed on 4 April. They were called for to consider questions relating to the funding of the “broader aspects” of the science, technology, and innovation system (such as workforce and infrastructure).
The questions are –

• In what areas must New Zealand have or develop in-depth research-based expertise over the next two decades?
  1. At what levels should research prioritisation occur?
  2. What are some criteria for research selection?
  3. What is the value of research roadmaps in priority areas?

• Does New Zealand need to rationalise its funding mechanisms?
  1. Should we have multiple funding agencies or combine them into a single entity?
  2. What kind of funding instruments should be used and in what circumstances?
  3. How would a funding agency balance these different expectations?
  4. How should high- intellectual risk but potentially high-reward research applications be identified and funded?
  5. How should research involving the study of or the application of Mātauranga Māori be managed and funded?
  6. How should New Zealand address expensive research infrastructure needs such as access to supercomputing, bespoke lab equipment or spaces, and data requirements?

• What does New Zealand do to improve workforce retention and develop the research workforce from the early career to the mature? How does New Zealand ensure the retention of research/innovation leaders?
• Are there other key issues (beyond the quantum of funding) that should be considered in the science and innovation system not yet addressed in this or the previous report and consultation?

With the generally recognised under-funding of science within New Zealand, compared to many other countries, and the current trend for governments to want ‘more for less’, it is difficult to see how this can be achieved without a significant shift in how we operate so as to free up scientists to do science without the currently increasing administrative burdens. If we are going to have money for science, then let’s get as much science done as possible.

Things could be worse?

At a time of budget trimming and staff layoffs, New Zealand scientists could be forgiven for thinking about looking for greener pastures. However, we are not alone! A poll has found that three-quarters of US scientists say they are considering leaving the country following moves to slash scientific programs by the current US Department of Government Efficiency. Coupled with the financial pressures on research and university sectors in other countries, such as the UK, it could be difficult to find those greener pastures.
Any questioning of science programme funding, let alone the major cuts to funding of millions of dollars of research seen in the USA, is going to leave any scientific community feeling uncertain. At least here there is a process underway that should make the current transitions in the New Zealand science system a bit more orderly, although that in itself is no guarantee of certainty for the future. We also have not yet had any word on the Government’s thoughts for the University sector, a process which is having a similar advisory group approach to that for the CRIs, but as yet with no news.
Yet it is not only the cutting of federal spending and re-aligning of research activities to match the current administration’s goals where things are changing in the USA. Universities New Zealand chief executive Chris Whelan said it received notification a few weeks ago that a US$30,000 (NZ$51,580) grant for a function in Washington to celebrate 150 years of scientific cooperation between New Zealand and the United States had been cancelled.

Gene Technology

Meanwhile many of our members will be awaiting the outcome of Parliament’s health select committee hearing submissions on the Government’s Gene Technology Bill, which would change genetic modification laws. The purpose of the Gene Technology Bill is to “enable the safe use of gene technology and regulated organisms in New Zealand”. The intention is to establish a new regulatory regime for gene technology and genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
The Bill seeks to provide for—

• risk-proportionate regulation;

• efficient application and decision-making processes;

• a flexible legislative framework able to accommodate future technological and policy developments without frequent amendment;

• international alignment, including with key trading partners, to facilitate trade and improve access to new technologies;

• ways to recognise and give effect to the Crown’s obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment have produced an overview of this legislation that can be found here.
The changes are supported by Genomics Aotearoa chairperson William Rolleston, who says genes have been manipulated by humanity since the dawn of agriculture. He maintains that holding out against genetic engineering would be like being the last country to adopt the automobile.
But while the Government says the Bill will help Kiwi farmers (among others), some are not convinced. While some farmers and growers are reported to have misgivings about the consequences for the country’s primary exports, others are troubled by the speed at which the Bill is being considered. While supporting the creation of new technologies to make farming greener and more efficient, Labour agriculture spokesperson Jo Luxton said rushing the process could prove detrimental, whilst Labour trade spokesperson Damien O’Connor suggests that the trade implications need further study, along with further public consultation.
The select committee’s report is due on 31 July.

Other news

Congratulations to Dr Robyn Dynes FNZIAHS

Dr Robyn Dynes, a Fellow of NZIAHS, received Lincoln University’s top medal, the Bledisloe Medal, in recognition of her highly regarded career during which she has led multi-disciplinary, agriculture-focused research and adoption programmes that are both science and industry-leading.

Robyn works across all three agricultural sectors – arable, dairy and sheep and beef. She is on the Foundation of Arable Research (FAR) Board, FAR’s Research and Development and Advisory group, Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s Northern South Island Farmer Council, and a member of the Southern Dairy Hub and Lincoln University Dairy Farm Research Advisory Committees.

Robyn has worked at AgResearch for over 20 years. Her applied science work has investigated flock efficiency, pasture quality, climate adaptation and greenhouse gas emissions. Most recently, Dr Dynes led the significant Whitiwhiti Ora programme as part of the National Science Challenge – Our Land and Water – looking at land use opportunities.