12. MOANA MACKEY (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister of Research, Science and Technology
What action is he taking to improve funding for New Zealand’s world-class researchers and scientists?
Hon PETE HODGSON (Minister of Research, Science and Technology) Link to this
The Government is moving to a greater proportion of some of our bigger research funding areas from a purely contestable past to a negotiated future. On average, the negotiation will deliver funding certainty for 8 years, although in some cases it will be as much as 12 years. From 1 July, $155 million will be available for this purpose.
Negotiated, longer-term contracts give researchers more certainty that funding will be available in the long term, self evidently. It allows them to focus on outcomes rather than the next funding round. It reduces transaction costs, and it improves their ability in the appropriate areas of science to deliver world-class science for our economy and our society.