Science Reforms Risk Undermining New Zealand's Innovation Potential
The University of Auckland's MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology has expressed concerns about the current science reforms in New Zealand. The institute's director, Professor Nicola Gaston, argues that defunding excellent basic science to focus on commercialization is like pulling an apple tree up by its roots to harvest its fruit.
Gaston points out that building capability in 'deep tech' - commercial opportunities based on real intellectual property - requires sustained investment in discovery science over a significant timeframe. She notes that the current science reforms aim to improve efficiency and increase returns to the New Zealand economy from research, but may not achieve this objective if they prioritize commercialization over basic science.
The institute's experience with startups like Opo Bio, Liquium, and Advemto shows that commercialization is not a one-step process. These companies were developed through years of research in materials science, which was later applied to clean tech, agtech, or medtech. Gaston emphasizes the importance of leaving room for unexpected discoveries, as Sir Paul Callaghan famously argued that New Zealand scientists should focus on 'weird stuff'.
The Science Investment Plan identifies four priority areas for investment: primary industries and bioeconomy, technology for prosperity, environmental sustainability and resilience, and healthy people and a thriving society. However, Gaston argues that these priorities are too narrow and may not account for the unexpected applications of basic research. She warns that the cuts to science funding over the past year threaten the entire system and may undermine the very goals of the Science Investment Plan.
Gaston urges policymakers to pay attention to the companies being created today, but also to the research pipeline that produced them. This will enable New Zealand to produce companies and real economic benefits in a decade from now.