Over 700 New Zealand Scientists Protest Their Government's Research Policy. (November 8, 2004)

    More than 700 of New Zealand's scientists have signed an open letter to the NZ Minister of  Science, Research and Technology expressing concern that New Zealand's core research capability is being jeopardised by current research structures and funding strategies.

The open letter was presented to the Science, Research and Technology Minister Pete Hodgson at the end of this past October. Hodgson promised to consider the issues raised, and agreed to meet with the delegation again in the near future to continue the discussion. The open letter, list of signatories, their comments, and authors' conclusions are available at http://www.psa.org.nz/science.asp.

The open letter expresses concerns that changes to the structure, funding and role of crown research institutes (CRIs) over the past 15 years had resulted in a loss of research capability and had undermined public confidence in New Zealand science. Among other concerns the signatories pointed to the disquiet in the scientific community that the quality of fundamental scientific research was being affected by short-term funding, a lack of strategic long-term funding and little opportunity for scientists to contribute to policy making. For example, CRIs were being measured on financial indicators rather than social,
economic and environmental benefits.

In reply Mr Hodgson said changes had been made to research funding since the scientists' open letter had first been posted on the New Zealand Public Service Association's website in November 2003 to elicit comment and signatures. "In a sense they are concerned about something which has already been substantially addressed," he told New Zealand Public Service Association, and went on to say the changes had been announced but were yet to come into effect.

The NZPSA released the following statement on October 28^th:

Under the changes, CRI funding which allowed scientists to "do what they wish" under Non-Specific Output Funding would increase from 10 to 20  percent, Mr Hodgson said. It would begin to address concerns over research contestability.

There was additional funding which enabled a CRI to choose its own projects independent of the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology. "It will enable them to build new capability for very new areas of  science," he said.

The minister said science contracts in New Zealand had also been extended from two years to five years.

The minister would hold another meeting with the scientists in the next few weeks to outline the Government's changes. "They'll get a chance to respond and we'll see where we go from there."