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9 Settled warmth will bring harvest home Vol 23 No 1 | January 13, 2025
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Looking to light a rocket under science NEWS
Research
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OON-to-be-announced science sector reforms need to address systemic issues rather than offer minor tinkering, say those who work at the coal face. Scientists and sector leaders told Farmers Weekly the sector is suffering from four decades of policy inaction, a lack of funding, excessive bureaucracy and a lack of long-term certainty. The Science System Advisory Group chaired by Professor Sir Peter Gluckman will this year release its report on how to strengthen New Zealand’s research, science, innovation and technology system – and those spoken to say it is eagerly awaited. Private and public sector investment in science in 2022 was 1.47% of GDP, well below the 2.7% average of OECD countries. Sector leaders said that while science and research need more money, the issues facing the sector go much deeper. There was also consensus that boosting primary sector research must be a priority. All this is happening as funding cuts impact staff numbers. The number of fulltimeequivalent employees at AgResearch fell from 722 in 2019 to 666 last year, for example, with Lincoln University Professor
Jon Hickford saying continued uncertainty ahead of the Gluckman review is leaving the sector vulnerable to losing good people to overseas posts. Dr Troy Baisden, the copresident of the NZ Association of Scientists, said reforms need to rebuild capability, encourage collaboration and attract young people to the industry. Dr Kate Muise, the chief executive of Science NZ, said longer-term funding and research contracts are required to provide certainty and to encourage a longterm view.
As a nation, we face a plethora of problems that need science to solve.
Scion unveils spectrometer upgrade Dr Stefan Hill and Dr Hayden Thomas pictured in Scion’s upgraded Nuclear Magnetic Resonance lab. Scion says the $3.6 million upgrade, comprising two new NMR spectrometers, is a significant investment in New Zealand’s NMR capability. Spectrometers allow scientists to delve into the molecular structure of materials. Photo: Scion
Lim and Bagrie on honours list
Sir Peter Gluckman Science System Advisory Group There is a view that the seven Crown Research Institute (CRIs), created in 1992, should be reformed, with Hickford saying the country needs one super entity with a common vision. AgResearch chief scientist Axel Heiser said reforms must encourage foundational research that provides the material from which foundational science evolves. He also wants to see less bureaucracy and less competitiveness among scientists seeking funding. Continued page 4
Nadia Lim and her husband Carlos Bagrie are among the farming community’s recipients of New Year Honours.
NEWS 10 Year of the Rural Leader aims to encourage more to step up.
Anger at prospect of high country being turned into forestry.
NZ raw products are ingredients in other’s recipes, says Phil Weir.
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NEWS 8
OPINION 13
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Richard Rennie & Neal Wallace