Protip: nominate your friends and colleagues for awards.

NZAS - New Zealand Association of Scientists@nzscientists.bsky.social · 2mo ago

We're pleased to announce applications are now open for NZ Association of Science's 2026 Medals. The closing date for all applications is 5pm Monday 3rd August 2026. The medals are ... scientists.org.nz/Awards (1/7)

In case you missed it the original comment was reported here. www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...

Luxon 'constantly underwhelmed' by slow AI uptake in NZ businesses

Christopher Luxon says he is "constantly underwhelmed" at the slow adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) technology by Kiwi businesses.

rnz.co.nz

Reuben Davidson asked the Minister about the PM’s quoted intent to “brutally commercialise the research system”. Despite this and opportunities for the PM himself to walk it back at the PM’s science awards, I feel neither enlightened nor reassured. youtu.be/koeINt5pz3A

Question 7: Brutally commercialise the research system?

YouTube video by New Zealand Association of Scientists

youtu.be

We're pleased to announce applications are now open for NZ Association of Science's 2026 Medals. The closing date for all applications is 5pm Monday 3rd August 2026. The medals are ... scientists.org.nz/Awards (1/7)

NZAS release on Budget 2026 is out. It wasn't even a nothing burger this year... What is shocking is the long-term trend. scientists.org.nz/news/13636927

We've put out a press release drawing a thread through recent concerns, and also provided a Briefing to the Incoming Minister (BIM) earlier in the month that suggests a more coherent approach to reform. 2/4

The BIM ends with four narrative strategies we think are needed for the research system to be successfully reformed. Read the BIM - scientists.org.nz/news/13632765 4/4

It includes an improved conceptual diagrams with the needed horizontal layers to complement 'pillars' – so that we focus on the intersection of technology and our existing strengths. Do you agree a new tech pillar isn't the right way to think about it? 3/4

Concerned about the mishmash of bad news hitting research? So are we at New Zealand Association of Scientists (NZAS). Read the press release – scientists.org.nz/news/13632857 1/4

There's either a new fund not yet announced or we're seeing another swingeing cut to science funding. Either way the lack of clarity, given the current stress throughout the system, is...unhelpful.

Troy Baisden@troybaisden.bsky.social · 3mo ago

If you came here looking for answers on what MBIE's Transition Research fund is, we're trying to find out. On the face of it, the $84.8m per year replaces Marsden + Endeavour and more, which currently total 4 times this much?

I've never seen anything quite so unclear. Well, except maybe the maths mistake when MoRST eliminated the post-doc scheme that had worked well for a generation. (They tallied up all the postdocs in the country to be 100, and thought we only fund 30. But they funded 30 each year, for 3 years = 90%).

If you came here looking for answers on what MBIE's Transition Research fund is, we're trying to find out. On the face of it, the $84.8m per year replaces Marsden + Endeavour and more, which currently total 4 times this much?

Comment from Victoria University: The Govt’s science overhaul prioritises commercial outcomes, but risks narrowing the very research pipeline that fuels long-term innovation.

NZ's science reforms all shell, no substance

newsroom.co.nz

We left the Green Paper Submission on line. It, along with our call for renewal before it, has stood up better than the reforms and their reports, don't you think? (3/3) scientists.org.nz/GreenPaperSu...

From PRO reform that still lacks underlying strategy, to our concerns about the Prioritisation Report scientists.org.nz/news/13616237, to the recent webinar, it looks like our nightmare scenario of managerialism meets the machinery of government along with the worst of politics. (2/3)

What worries me most about the directions of NZ's science reform is that it now matches closely what our extensive 2022 Te Ara Paerangi submission highlighted as 'what to avoid'. (1/3)

You can't have successful missions like the government wants science to be organised into without sufficient social science research.

The government has adamantly cut social science research. It claims we should be more like small advanced economies (SAEs) - even those not dependent on primary/bioeconomy exports. But SAEs fund much more social science research than we do. scientists.org.nz/news/13616237

Our initial reaction to the Prioritisation Report, that would cut existing science areas by up to 22% to pay new Tech development, expresses deep concerns. Do you think the report has strayed into policy-based evidence making? scientists.org.nz/news/13616237

We're filling the gap that was once a pillar of the previous science reform. What happened to it? Need for Workforce Strategy as Job Losses Escalate scientists.org.nz/news/13605014

FFS. Another year, another round of cuts to our public education and research system. This hurts everyone over time. Remember friends, never repeat the propaganda. It is not 'savings' it is cuts. And shame on ODT for repeating the 💩. They should know better. 🤡 #NZPOL

Mark Baxter@tartanperil.bsky.social · 5mo ago

Yet more cuts at #Otago University 😢😡 [Paywalled sorry - very welcome to post a link here if you find a non-paywalled version] www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin...

The reform is failing... (1/5) NZAS: "We have 500% overheads in some cases." Kathryn Ryan: "What??? Where is that happening?" NZAS: "In some of our PROs." NB: Overheads are a necessary part of institutions, but it means something needs fixing when they approach 10 times international norms.

NZAS - New Zealand Association of Scientists@nzscientists.bsky.social · 6mo ago

Co-President Dr Lucy Stewart spoke to Kathryn Ryan on Nine to Noon this morning about the continued failure of the government's science sector reforms to make necessary change (or provide desperately needed funding increases)

Co-President Dr Lucy Stewart spoke to Kathryn Ryan on Nine to Noon this morning about the continued failure of the government's science sector reforms to make necessary change (or provide desperately needed funding increases)

Is stagnating science funding leaving NZ more exposed to hazards?

The scientists' association says reform of science funding has stagnated, and leaves the country exposed to worsening hazards.

rnz.co.nz

The current reforms of the research system are now on track for another failure. They double down on mistakes that undermine long-term growth, well being & safety. We must ask for accountability and transparency about three key issues as we go into the election year. scientists.org.nz/news/13593197

🔥 Our Affiliate Troy Baisden was on RNZ's Mediawatch recently, discussing misinformation about EV's malfunctioning and causing fires. The story was in the context of the Goverment slashing by 80% the clean car standard - which incentivised sales of low- or zero-emission vehicles. 🚗

Mediawatch: Angst over EVs blows up in headlines

EV uptake boomed with incentives in place, but this week, the government made traditional cars cheaper instead.

rnz.co.nz

We hope to see you tomorrow at our conference and awards, in person in Wellington. If you can't make it, we'll have some limited streaming including the opening session and awards. Check the webpage for details. scientists.org.nz/nzas-confere...

A cocktail of stories in recent weeks has made me deeply concerned our information ecosystem around electric vehicles (EVs) as a pathway to emissions reduction has been undergoing "rapid disassembly." This RNZ Mediawatch piece is a great compendium. (14 min) (1/3) www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...

Mediawatch: Angst about EVs blows up in the headlines

EV uptake boomed with incentives in place, but this week the government made traditional cars cheaper instead. And have reports of EVs on fire sparked safety fears fuelled by bad information?

rnz.co.nz

Nice to see Research, Science, Innovation and Technology getting a little airtime with two oral questions, and subsequent supplementary exchanges, in Parliament today. There are some extreme snippets on socials but here is full session (7 min). youtu.be/s2rz84uo2JQ

Parliament Oral Questions 10 and 11 on 13 Nov 2025

YouTube video by New Zealand Association of Scientists

youtu.be

Now also on RNZ! A personal perspect on how the #BatshitBudget for science undermines and drives away the top science talent that helps us build a great nation. www.rnz.co.nz/national/pro...

Top scientist calls out woeful funding arrangements

A recent government science funding announcement hasn't impressed one of the country's top scientists, who says the country's best researchers are being driven overseas.

rnz.co.nz