11. MOANA MACKEY (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister of Research, Science and Technology
What recent initiatives will enhance education and science research in New Zealand?
Hon STEVE MAHAREY (Minister of Research, Science and Technology) Link to this
Today I have some outstandingly good news. The Government has committed $43 million over the next 5 years to build the Advanced Network, which is a high-speed advanced communications network. It will link our universities with our Crown research institutes, and link them both to a worldwide network that will significantly enhance their ability to do research in this country. I should note that the $43 million put forward by the Government will be matched by the universities and the Crown research institutes themselves. It is a fantastic development.
What other investments is the Government making to accelerate New Zealand’s economic growth through science?
Hon STEVE MAHAREY Link to this
There is so much good news that I will restrict myself to the following: the Government is investing around $175 million a year, or 15 percent of the total research and development budget, to support biotechnology research. A report I released this week reinforces the value of that investment, because it tells us that just four biotechnologies alone returned $400 million to New Zealand last year. That has to be put against the fact that 62 percent of all biotechnology is still in a developmental stage. We are clearly watching a rising part of our economy, from which we will get huge returns.
R Doug WoolertonWhy has it taken so long to regain the focus of agricultural science, given that it is now many years ago that Simon Upton initiated the disastrous changes that led to a 40 percent drop in agricultural science, according to Fonterra?
Hon STEVE MAHAREY Link to this
Ever since the Labour Government has been in office, of course, that focus has been reversed, and we are now on the right track.