Science New Zealand has released a discussion paper as a further contribution to the Government’s  Te Ara Paerangi Future Pathways process. 

The Government’s White Paper was published in December 2022, laying out its vision for New Zealand’s research, science and innovation system, and the key actions and direction it sees over coming years to achieve that.

The Crown Research Institutes support the proposed reforms which enhance the ability of the Crown’s research investment to achieve impact that benefits New Zealand.  

The White Paper’s aspirations for accelerated impact from the national science investment, to which all parts of the system contribute from their various strengths, align neatly with the Crown Research Institutes’ commitment to producing and applying high quality science research - research that is useful, usable and used.

Prompted by the direction set out in the White Paper,  Science New Zealand members have given further thought to the issues and implementation in some key areas. The focus is on the process for identifying, developing and implementing National Research Priorities (NRP) and governance and funding mechanisms necessary to support NRP. 

Alongside NRP issues are the equally essential and related issues of Public Good Science Services, contestable funding,  system agility and workforce matters.  An overarching issue is the role of Te Tiriti, Mātauranga Māori and Māori aspirations in the reformed research, science and innovation system. Science New Zealand endorses the view that these must be integrated in all elements of the reforms. 

The discussion paper is the work of the CRI chairs, CEOs and pan-member groups such as Te Ara Putaiao (the pan-member Māori leaders group).

We welcome comment from readers.

Read the Discussion Paper here