08.06.2022
As part of the Te Ara Paerangi – Future Pathways Green Paper consultation, Sir Peter Gluckman has contributed a submission detailing some of the key issues that need further discussion.
Download Sir Peter Gluckman’s full submission here
Submission abstract
The Green Paper is timely and welcomed but it does not address many of the core issues associated with using science and research to advance Aotearoa New Zealand. It avoids addressing the higher-level policy framework under which science and research operate – a framework that has not substantively altered since the policy reforms of the 1990s. Further, limiting the review to substantively exclude consideration of more than half of the sector (the Universities) constrains its value. This commentary, which is made from a rather uniquely informed position, suggests that a starting point would be:
- Formation of a ministry combining the science and research responsibilities of MBIE with the university responsibilities of the Ministry of Education
- Reducing the overlap and redundancy of research administration by having a single New Zealand Research Council
- Separating policy from funding decisions more completely and transparently
- Recognising it is not in New Zealand’s interests to continue as a low funder of public R&D
- Addressing the need for support of Mātauranga Māori via a discrete funding route thereby distinguishing between supporting Mātauranga Māori from supporting the diversity of the research workforce
- Developing a clearer understanding of the multiple levels of priority setting
- Developing mechanisms to support social science, transdisciplinary and mission-led research
- Amalgamating the CRIs into a single management entity
- Reviewing the full cost funding model to allow better management of infrastructure
- Giving greater priority to investing in international science partnerships and opportunities
- Taking a more integrated and holistic view of the research workforce, its development and maintenance.
