The Government's decision to consolidate science research funding into a new body - Research Funding New Zealand - raises serious questions about job security and the future independence of research funding decisions.
The Government today announced the shift of the Endeavour, Marsden and Strategic Science Investment Funds into Research Funding NZ, along with health research funding shifting from the Health Research Council. But there is no new funding.
"After hundreds of science and research jobs were lost and the impending closure of Callaghan Innovation, workers in the science and research system are facing yet another major restructure with no guarantee of job security," said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
The PSA is particularly concerned about staff at the Royal Society Te Apārangi, which currently administers the Marsden Fund independently from government.
"The Royal Society has provided crucial independence in research funding decisions for 30 years, keeping them at arm's length from political interference.
"We're also concerned about the future of blue skies research, which is essential to a healthy science and research system, and has already been hammered by cuts to the Marsden Fund and the axing of all humanities and social sciences funding last year.
"How do we understand an ageing population, or the impacts of new technologies without research in humanities and social sciences? These disciplines are fundamental to addressing complex challenges facing New Zealand.
"Countries that perform well economically invest in fundamental research across all disciplines. You can't just pick winners and expect innovation to flourish.
"The Minister says the funding system will be independent, but consolidating research funding under a single board to be administered through MBIE raises real questions about whether funding decisions will be based on research excellence or political priorities.
"This Government has forced many scientists offshore, gutted research institutions, and now announces another restructure. How will today's announcement help attract our best and brightest scientists and researchers back to the science system or back to New Zealand after they have been burnt already by changes made by the Government?
"You can't restructure your way to excellence. You need sustained funding, job security for researchers, and the freedom to pursue the fundamental research that drives real innovation."
