OPINION PIECE FROM PLANETFOOD.NEWS EDITOR SCOTT MATHIAS
The New Zealand government has unveiled its long-awaited science revamp, aiming to position the country as a leader in innovation while addressing critical challenges like weather changes, health, and sustainability.
Source: PFN Ai Archives - NZ Science - Food Technology Graphic
Coinciding with the release of Sir Peter Gluckman’s damning review of decades of under funding in the sector, the announcement raises crucial questions about whether proposed changes can genuinely deliver transformative outcomes for the nation...or risk leaving New Zealand behind global innovation trends.
The overhaul includes merging seven Crown Research Institutes into three larger entities, creating a new organisation dedicated to advanced technology and artificial intelligence, and closing Callaghan Innovation. These changes are designed to streamline operations and align research with national priorities, leveraging the findings of the Science System Advisory Group chaired by Sir Peter Gluckman.
The government’s vision, as per the National Statement of Science Investment 2015-2025, is to develop a "highly dynamic science system that enriches New Zealand, making a more visible, measurable contribution to our productivity and well-being." Yet, as critics note, there’s a glaring omission and that is - funding. Without it, the sector’s ability to deliver envisioned productivity and innovation gains remains questionable.
Sir Peter Gluckman’s review identifies chronic under funding as the Achilles’ heel of New Zealand’s science ecosystem. He points to "unequivocal global evidence" of how science, innovation, and technology drive productivity growth. Frustration over policymakers’ failure to act on this reality resonates strongly across the scientific community.
Gluckman also warns against New Zealand’s science sector falling into the traps of inefficiency and stagnation. To avoid the "banana republic" syndrome - a metaphor for economies reliant on a narrow, low-value export base - New Zealand must strategically align its science system with commercial realisation and global trends.
A prime area for alignment is food technology, a field undergoing rapid transformation globally. From cultivated meats to precision fermentation and plant-based innovation, countries investing in ‘future food’ technologies are reaping economic and environmental rewards. These advancements not only reduce agricultural emissions but also cater to generational shifts in consumer behaviour favouring sustainable, ethical, and health-driven products.
New Zealand’s reliance on primary industries makes this sector critical to its economic future. The government’s emphasis on advanced technology and AI in its reform plan holds potential for breakthroughs in food production and sustainability. However, critics argue the absence of targeted funding could stifle innovation, preventing the sector from realising its full commercial potential.
For New Zealand to remain competitive, its science sector must move towards market-oriented research meeting global consumer demands. This requires fostering stronger partnerships between academia, industry, and government ensuring innovation doesn’t stop at the lab but translates into commercially viable products. Consumer benefits from such alignment are significant - affordable, sustainable food options, reduced environmental impact, and healthier dietary choices.
As well, generational trends in overseas food markets increasingly set the bar for innovation. Countries like Singapore, Israel, and the Netherlands have demonstrated how government-backed science can catalyse commercial success in emerging food technologies. New Zealand must follow suit or risk being left behind in an industry it’s historically dominated.
To avoid the pitfalls of becoming a low-value commodity-based export economy, New Zealand must address systemic under investment in its science sector. This includes prioritising funding for research directly supporting high-value industries like food technology. Additionally, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration, where scientific advances are seamlessly integrated into the marketplace, is essential.
New Zealand has the potential to be a global leader in sustainable food technology, offering consumers around the world products ethically, healthfully, and environmentally responsible. But this requires a science system that is not only well-structured but adequately funded and aligned with both commercial and societal needs.
While the government’s revamped science plan is a step forward, its ultimate success hinges on addressing funding gaps and aligning research with commercial realities. Future food technologies represent a generational opportunity for New Zealand, but capitalising on this requires bold investment and strategic vision. The question remains: will the government’s reforms transform the sector into a powerhouse of productivity and innovation, or will they fall short, leaving New Zealand to grapple with the inefficiencies of a "banana republic" science system?
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