Sir Peter Gluckman, chair of the Science System Advisory Group (SSAG), says he is delighted the government has accepted the core concepts arising from the group’s first report recommendations.
“This is the most substantive change in the science and innovation system since 1991. With the universities now coming under the same minister, it brings more opportunities for a productive knowledge-based society,” he says.
The SSAG was established by Cabinet and commissioned via the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment to provide advice to the government on strengthening the science, innovation and technology system. More than 300 written submissions were received and the SSAG conducted extensive consultation across the academic, research, government and private sectors.
Group members are considering the challenges and aspirations of the sector’s many components, as well as its structure, efficiency, and effectiveness.
The first report, which focused on structural matters, was released today. The nature of the research funding system will be considered in the second phase.
Sir Peter says science and innovation underpin economic growth, and social and environmental prosperity and health.
“Global evidence shows science and technology are core to enhancing productivity in developed economies, including in small, advanced countries like New Zealand.
“Rapidly evolving science and technological developments are having broad impacts on geostrategic, security and trade relationships and impacting national economic strategies across the developed world,” he says.
“We are encouraged to see the Government adopting the general direction of our recommendations. Of particular note is the need for the science and innovation system to have strategic oversight to maximise New Zealand’s use of knowledge and innovation to promote productivity, social and environmental development and enhance our place in the world.
“We are delighted the Prime Minister has acted upon our recommendations in bringing universities alongside science, technology and innovation under the purview of a single Minister. The establishment of the Prime Minister’s Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council (PMSTIAC) is a core recommendation. Similarly, Cabinet has followed further recommendations by the SSAG with restructuring the public research organisation sector, forming an advanced technology institute and addressing issues related to the innovation sector and technology transfer.
“Similarly, in identifying the need to address issues of attracting offshore investment and starting to look appropriately at models of industry support, we see the system’s architecture being reshaped to be more effective so that, in time, greater investment can be seen as a priority,” Sir Peter says.
“The next stage of our work will focus on more technical aspects of the system and aspects of the transition, the foci of which will include issues of research prioritisation, early-stage company support, research funding mechanisms and the government’s own use of science. These will be informed by advice from the government in response to the first report.
“We acknowledge Minister Hon Judith Collins KC for her strong support for the SSAG and furthering the fundamental reset that was needed for the sector,” Sir Peter says.
Sir Peter says the SSAG is looking forward to working with Hon Dr Shane Reti, the incoming Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology, Statistics, and Universities,on the next stages of the review. Sir Peter has already met with him to begin framing the second phase which will consider longer-term changes to ensure the future success of the science system in New Zealand.
The SSAG membership is Sir Peter Gluckman (Chair), Michael Ahie, Professor Mark Ferguson, Dr. Hermann Hauser, Dr Barb Hayden, Nadia Levin, Professor Tracey McIntosh, Dr William Rolleston, Distinguished Professor Hamish Spencer, Professor Alastair MacCormick (University Advisory Group observer), and Hema Sridhar (Project lead).