The purpose of this blog is to provide a platform for commentary on science matters. The Office of the Prime Minister’s Science Advisory Committee is politically independent and will refrain from political debate.

Monthly Archives: March 2012

NZ science – well regarded but could do better

March 23, 2012

It is satisfying to see from the 2011 rankings of Asia-Pacific countries by the leading science journal Nature that New Zealand and New Zealand research institutions continue to rank highly despite our relatively low level of investment in basic research. … Continue reading →

Our Waterloo

March 21, 2012

As I mentioned in my last posting, I have recently spent time in Canada as a guest of their government. A key focus was to better understand how Canada, with an inherently low risk culture, was advancing its innovation agenda. … Continue reading →

Anti-scientism

March 20, 2012

Recently I was the guest of the Government of Canada as the inaugural Prime Ministerial fellow—this is a reciprocal programme to exchange senior leaders between Canada and New Zealand. I started by attending the American Association for the Advancement of … Continue reading →

Science and innovation central to New Zealand’s future

March 15, 2012

The heightened centrality of science and innovation to New Zealand’s economic growth strategy is demonstrated in the reorganisation of government departments announced today. What was the Ministry of Science and Innovation will soon be a central part of the new … Continue reading →