Critical research areas miss out on funding

The Government must explain why critical areas such as bio-protection, Māori research, high-value food products and human development missed out on funding from the Centre of Research Excellence, Labour’s Innovation, Research and Development spokesperson Megan Woods says.

“Today’s announcement that six exciting areas of science will receive funding is positive, but questions remain over how the science funding jigsaw puzzle fits together.

“The six CoREs announced for funding today are world-leading in their respective fields and the successful researchers deserve heartfelt congratulations.

“However, bio-protection researchers say they may have to look overseas to fund their research. This means we will lose ownership of our ideas.

“There is also a lack of recognition that Maori research can help leverage social, economic and cultural outcomes. The Government needs to urgently reconsider its decision to stop funding Nga Pae o te Māramatanga.

“This is not the future of science and innovation I want to see in New Zealand.

“We urgently need to know how this funding fits together and how it will work alongside the National Science Challenges,” Megan Woods says.

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