NZ's science reforms all shell, no substance

Comment from Victoria University: The Govt’s science overhaul prioritises commercial outcomes, but risks narrowing the very research pipeline that fuels long-term innovation.

We left the Green Paper Submission on line. It, along with our call for renewal before it, has stood up better than the reforms and their reports, don't you think? (3/3) scientists.org.nz/GreenPaperSu...

From PRO reform that still lacks underlying strategy, to our concerns about the Prioritisation Report scientists.org.nz/news/13616237, to the recent webinar, it looks like our nightmare scenario of managerialism meets the machinery of government along with the worst of politics. (2/3)

What worries me most about the directions of NZ's science reform is that it now matches closely what our extensive 2022 Te Ara Paerangi submission highlighted as 'what to avoid'. (1/3)

You can't have successful missions like the government wants science to be organised into without sufficient social science research.

The government has adamantly cut social science research. It claims we should be more like small advanced economies (SAEs) - even those not dependent on primary/bioeconomy exports. But SAEs fund much more social science research than we do. scientists.org.nz/news/13616237

Our initial reaction to the Prioritisation Report, that would cut existing science areas by up to 22% to pay new Tech development, expresses deep concerns.

Do you think the report has strayed into policy-based evidence making?

scientists.org.nz/news/13616237

We're filling the gap that was once a pillar of the previous science reform. What happened to it?

Need for Workforce Strategy as Job Losses Escalate

scientists.org.nz/news/13605014

FFS. Another year, another round of cuts to our public education and research system. This hurts everyone over time.

Remember friends, never repeat the propaganda. It is not 'savings' it is cuts.

And shame on ODT for repeating the 💩. They should know better. 🤡

#NZPOL

The reform is failing... (1/5)

NZAS: "We have 500% overheads in some cases."
Kathryn Ryan: "What??? Where is that happening?"
NZAS: "In some of our PROs."

NB: Overheads are a necessary part of institutions, but it means something needs fixing when they approach 10 times international norms.

Is stagnating science funding leaving NZ more exposed to hazards? The scientists' association says reform of science funding has stagnated, and leaves the country exposed to worsening hazards.

Co-President Dr Lucy Stewart spoke to Kathryn Ryan on Nine to Noon this morning about the continued failure of the government's science sector reforms to make necessary change (or provide desperately needed funding increases)

The current reforms of the research system are now on track for another failure. They double down on mistakes that undermine long-term growth, well being & safety. We must ask for accountability and transparency about three key issues as we go into the election year.

scientists.org.nz/news/13593197

Mediawatch: Angst over EVs blows up in headlines EV uptake boomed with incentives in place, but this week, the government made traditional cars cheaper instead.

🔥 Our Affiliate Troy Baisden was on RNZ's Mediawatch recently, discussing misinformation about EV's malfunctioning and causing fires. The story was in the context of the Goverment slashing by 80% the clean car standard - which incentivised sales of low- or zero-emission vehicles. 🚗

Conference splash screen "State of Science 2025" - the event is at Royal Society Te Aparangi in Thorndon, Wellington. Logo shows a road cone wearing a labcoat, with hands in pockets.

We hope to see you tomorrow at our conference and awards, in person in Wellington. If you can't make it, we'll have some limited streaming including the opening session and awards. Check the webpage for details.

scientists.org.nz/nzas-confere...

Mediawatch: Angst about EVs blows up in the headlines EV uptake boomed with incentives in place, but this week the government made traditional cars cheaper instead. And have reports of EVs on fire sparked safety fears fuelled by bad information?

A cocktail of stories in recent weeks has made me deeply concerned our information ecosystem around electric vehicles (EVs) as a pathway to emissions reduction has been undergoing "rapid disassembly."

This RNZ Mediawatch piece is a great compendium. (14 min)

(1/3)

www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...

Parliament Oral Questions 10 and 11 on 13 Nov 2025 YouTube video by New Zealand Association of Scientists

Nice to see Research, Science, Innovation and Technology getting a little airtime with two oral questions, and subsequent supplementary exchanges, in Parliament today. There are some extreme snippets on socials but here is full session (7 min). youtu.be/s2rz84uo2JQ

Top scientist calls out woeful funding arrangements A recent government science funding announcement hasn't impressed one of the country's top scientists, who says the country's best researchers are being driven overseas.

Now also on RNZ! A personal perspect on how the #BatshitBudget for science undermines and drives away the top science talent that helps us build a great nation. www.rnz.co.nz/national/pro...

NB - we are open to submissions for this slot from social sciences and the humanities as well!

Short talks at the 2025 NZAS Conference This year we are holding a session on 'What We Aren't Doing' - a space for researchers to talk about work which has ended or cannot continue because of the cuts to government science funding and uncer...

In particular we have space for some short (10 min) talks from people whose work has ended because of funding cuts. We want to know what we're missing out on. If this is you - let us know here

Quick reminder - the NZAS 2025 conference is happening on 26 November in Pōneke, more information at this link. We will be talking about our 2025 survey of NZ scientists, the Save Science Coalition, priorities for public good science, and more!

Um. I mean. Um. In this moment, it is really really bad. But bugger all jobs in New Zealand after busting one's behind to get advanced science degrees is 40+ years lived reality.
#NZPOL
@nzscientists.bsky.social

14 years ago Paul Callaghan gave this talk. It leaned in to the idea of making Aotearoa New Zealand a place where talented people wanted to live. Our government is hell bent on doing the opposite.
@nzscientists.bsky.social
#NZPOL

You know about NZ's cuts to research funding? How bleak is it for climate change research?

Bleak.

Explainer and perspectives now outside Carbon News NZ's paywall. www.carbonnews.co.nz/news/35492/s...

University sector changes announced - Expert Reaction The Government will be changing aspects to New Zealand's higher education system, informed by a recently released report by the University Advisory Group. Changes include a new strategy for all of New...

Did you catch news that the Universities Advisory Group (UAG) reports were released, but the government binned or balked on many of the key recommendations?

The whole process went from shelved to buried yesterday morning.

www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2025/09/03/u...

University Advisory Group We formed the University Advisory Group (UAG) in March 2024 at the request of the Government.

UAG report and cabinet paper are out. Gluckman: Read the Interim Report’s strategic approach first (before getting lost in the operational details.) Alas, if only more of the strategic recommendations had a clear path to implementation… www.education.govt.nz/our-work/inf...

Reuben Davidson (Labour) on Research, Science, Innovation and Technology Oral Q 12 22Aug2025 YouTube video by New Zealand Association of Scientists

Our parliament might give us confidence in the government's approach to the science if answers were delivered with care and clarity. youtu.be/2Glk1fHNMaU?...

RSIT in Parliament – Oral Q5 14 Aug 2025 YouTube video by New Zealand Association of Scientists

Robust debate in Parliament yesterday, with questions from Scott Willis to Shane Reti MP about cuts, job losses and whether reprioritisation will yield clarity or any benefits. The answers aren't reassuring but it is good to see this getting attention. youtu.be/Vam6UmnvtyY

Further cuts fund new tech institute - Expert Reaction Details of new changes to research funding under sweeping science sector reforms have been released today. The briefing confirms that set up of the NZ Institute for Advanced Technology will be paid fo...

Unsurprisingly shocking news: the Advanced Technology Institute is being funded by mortgaging the future of other science funding.

Had you wondered whether we're rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic, or playing musical chairs?

It's both.

www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2025/08/06/f...

If you're a researcher in NZ please do our very short survey on the Vision Mātauranga policy! We are keen to hear your opinions. DM for the survey link