Govt must look beyond political gains in R&D reform

What does it take for New Zealand to remain an advanced economy? For small, open economies like ours, foresight is not optional. It’s how countries prepare early for future challenges and opportunities.

Yet for decades, New Zealand has deferred long-term investment, particularly in science, research and innovation. Public R&D investment has remained well below what’s needed to drive private-sector capability and attract international investment, even as other small advanced economies acted early and reaped the benefits.

Reforms are underway and there are promising signs. But restructuring alone will not succeed if investment continues to be deferred. If “building the future” is the country’s goal, long-term investment choices are necessary, even when the political rewards are delayed. 

You can read an opinion piece by Sir Peter Gluckman and Dr Christopher Erwin of Koi Tū Centre for Informed Futures on this topic on BusinessDesk [paywalled]: https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/opinion/govt-must-look-beyond-political-gains-in-rd-reform