Science Media Centre

UPDATED: A snapshot of New Zealand’s science and innovation system has laid out where we are doing well and where there is room for improvement compared to other small advanced economies. The Science and Innovation System Performance Report was published yesterday by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and is intended to benchmark performance […]

In a two-page spread in the Herald on Sunday, science journalist Jamie Morton lays out ten New Zealand science and innovation success stories, ranging from migraines to methane. You can read the full feature online here. An excerpt: Making thunder Underground If anyone says science is boring, ask them how many professions let you blow […]

The government has announced the recipients of the 2014 Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment funding round, injecting $139 million into innovative and exciting research projects over the next six years. Of a total 207 initial proposals, 48 research programmes were selected to be funded in the biological industries, high-value manufacturing and services, energy and […]

‘Can plants get sunburnt?’, ‘how and when does cooperation develop in infants?’ and ‘how has religion shaped Kiwi attitudes?’ These intriguing questions are a just a few of the problems being tackled by the recipients of this year’s round of grants from the Marsden Fund – New Zealand’s largest ‘blue skies’ research funding body. Announced […]

The question ‘Is science good for the economy?’ will be the focus of an NZ IceFest panel discussion this week. Ahead of the event one of the speakers, Prof Julia Lane, spoke with Radio NZ’s Kathryn Ryan on Nine to Noon. You can listen to the interview below. Dr Julia Lane is  Senior Managing Economist […]

A Stuff.co.nz opinion article by technology writer Pat Pilcher highlights the challenge that “scientific rock star” Sir Paul Callaghan has left for New Zealand society. An excerpt (read in full here): Sir Paul’s legacy: invest in the future Sir Paul Callaghan’s passing marks a very sad moment not only for New Zealanders now, but also […]

The Hon Steven Joyce, the first politician to hold the economic development, science and innovation and tertiary education portfolios simultaneously, talked to Radio New Zealand’s political reporter Brent Edwards about his varied plans. Listen to the audio here.    

In an article for Computerworld, Sarah Putt quizzes the new Minister for Science and Innovation, Steven Joyce, on how the Ministry will be nurturing the ‘science ecosystem’, and what he thinks about IT in schools. An excerpt (read in full here): Expecting an ROI from the Ministry of Science and Innovation “too simplistic”: Joyce The […]