Science Media Centre

News broke last night that the US military’s science research agency has funded research into gene drives, including to a group that includes New Zealanders. Documents released to media from a lobby group suggest the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has become the world’s largest funder of gene drive research, putting $100m into the technology. […]

The Science Media Centre put questions on key science-related issues to the political parties ahead of the General Election scheduled to be held on September 23. This is the fourth time the SMC has canvassed political parties on their science-related policies; you can access previous election Q&As on our website – 2008, 2011, 2014. Click […]

Sir Peter Gluckman, the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor, discuses the history and future of government research funding in latest blog post. An excerpt (read in full here): Why do governments support research? The evolving role of the State Recently, the New Zealand Government published the National Statement of Science Investment (NSSI). This statement heralds […]

The National Statement of Science Investment, launched yesterday, has been widely covered by New Zealand media. The document lays out the Government’s science strategy for the next ten years, including plans to raise business investment in R&D, introduce annual reporting on the science sector and simplify the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment’s contestable funding […]

The Government has laid out its strategy for science over the next decade in a new National Statement of Science Investment, launched this morning. The Statement sets out the governments long-term vision for the science system, and a strategic direction to guide future investment. “The NSSI provides a timely stocktake on the overall shape of […]

The Press science reporter Dr Sarah-Jane O’Connor looks at the state of science funding in New Zealand and whether it is serving the needs of the country. An excerpt: read in full here. “At the end of the year, Palmerston North’s Centre of Research Excellence the Allan Wilson Centre will close, after missing out on […]

New Zealand’s leading ‘blue skies’ research fund boosts Kiwi science, but could be tweaked for greater efficiency, says a new study. An evaluation conducted by researchers at Motu Economic and Public Policy Research institute has found that Marsden funding increases the scientific output of the funded researchers. Compared to similar groups that do not receive funding, […]

AgResearch has been the focus of intense media reporting this week in anticipation of an announcement that the Crown Research Institute will be cutting research staff. The government-owned research organisation yesterday confirmed plans to lay off 83  staff due to decreasing investment in some research areas, but will be hiring 27 for new roles – […]

The country’s brightest minds ponder the future of science in a special issue of the Journal of Royal Society of New Zealand, to be published this week.  The issue, which will be accessible online for free during the month of August, presents a dozen articles examining what the future holds for science research in Aotearoa. Will research […]

The national Budget announced today reveals a number of announcements on research, science and innovation funding. Some key initiatives announced in the budget include: Up to $25 million over three years to support the establishment of new privately led Regional Research Institutes, An $80 million operating boost over four years to R&D growth grants administered […]