The New Zealand Government has announced significant changes to the Marsden Fund, which is a major source of funding for research in the country. The fund, which has been administered by the Royal Society on behalf of the government for 30 years, will now focus more narrowly on research that will help support high-tech, high-productivity, high-value businesses and jobs.

The changes have taken many in the academic community by surprise, with universities and research institutions expressing concern over the impact on humanities and social sciences research. Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Victoria University, Margaret Hyland, said the changes had been a “huge blow” to her institution and were “short-sighted and will have significant negative effects on all universities’ ability to carry out valuable and critical research in humanities and social sciences.”

The Royal Society, which has administered the Marsden Fund for 30 years, said it would be assessing the broader implications of these changes. President Dame Jane Harding stated that the society would continue to work to support the social sciences and humanities through a range of mechanisms in addition to funding.

However, some have welcomed the change, arguing that it is necessary to focus funding on areas that will drive economic growth and productivity. BusinessNZ advocacy director Catherine Beard called the move “the right move,” saying that New Zealand continues to lag behind other countries in terms of innovation and productivity.

“This is a problem that can be partly solved through innovation,” Beard said. “Directing the Marsden Fund to focus more narrowly on research that will help support high-tech, high-productivity, high-value businesses and jobs is the right move.”

Labour’s research, science and innovation spokesperson Dr Deborah Russell took a different view, saying that New Zealand only spent half the OECD average for science, research, and development. “It’s time the government saw research as a priority,” Russell said. “We want to keep talented people here, who contribute to the growth of New Zealand’s knowledge base and economy.”

The changes have also been welcomed by ACT, which said that the funding would help deliver long-term benefits for New Zealanders. Science, innovation, and technology spokesperson Dr Parmjeet Parmar stated that some projects were hard to justify to taxpayers who were struggling to afford the basics. “Every dollar spent on these grants is a dollar that is not supporting research in the hard sciences, or for that matter, life-saving medicines, essential infrastructure, or tax relief for struggling households.”

In conclusion, the changes to the Marsden Fund are likely to have significant implications for research in New Zealand. While some have welcomed the shift in focus towards high-tech industries, others have expressed concern over the impact on humanities and social sciences research. As the debate continues, it is clear that the future of funding for research in New Zealand will be shaped by a range of factors, including economic priorities and government policy.

Surprise and Concern

The announcement took many by surprise, with universities and research institutions expressing shock and dismay at the news. An email sent to all Victoria University staff from Deputy Vice-Chancellor Margaret Hyland said it had taken the whole sector by surprise.

“We have fundamental concerns about the changes, which we believe are short-sighted and will have significant negative effects on all universities’ ability to carry out valuable and critical research in humanities and social sciences,” Hyland stated.

She added that all universities in New Zealand were united in their condemnation of the changes. “We know that humanities and social sciences research is hugely valuable to us as a university, and necessary for the well-being of society in general.”

The statement was echoed by Universities New Zealand, which said the announcement was very concerning. While investment in science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines were important for shorter-term economic benefit, it stated, longer-term transformation of innovation and the lifting of productivity required social and culture change also.

“Every dollar spent on these grants is a dollar that is not supporting research in the hard sciences, or for that matter, life-saving medicines, essential infrastructure, or tax relief for struggling households.”

The Right Move

BusinessNZ welcomed the change, with advocacy director Catherine Beard calling it “the right move.” New Zealand continues to languish in the productivity space, and directing the Marsden Fund to focus more narrowly on research that will help support high-tech, high-productivity, high-value businesses and jobs is a welcome step toward a better tomorrow.

“New Zealand’s research and development expenditure is growing, but is still well behind the OECD average,” Beard added. “Setting clear expectations by funding research that can boost New Zealand’s economy and living standards is a welcome step toward a better tomorrow.”

Labour’s Research, Science and Innovation Spokesperson Dr Deborah Russell took a different view, saying that New Zealand only spent half the OECD average for science, research, and development. “It’s time the government saw research as a priority,” Russell said.