Mapp Wayne: Estimates Debate — In Committee 
Mapp Wayne: Estimates Debate — In Committee 
[Volume:665;Page:12783] 
Hon Dr WAYNE MAPP (Minister of Research Science and Technology) 
: 
 In the very first statement that Mr Shearer made—I know he has an interest in research science and technology—he accused the Government of being ad hoc. I think it is evident by that statement alone that he was not here for the previous 9 years of the Labour Government. I say that because Labour members were totally and completely beset by adhockery. I think the biggest single judgment made by the sector about the Labour Government was the failed Catching the Knowledge Wave conference. The previous Prime Minister Helen Clark basically poured cold water on the sector and that sent a profound signal right across the science and innovation sector that in succeeding years New Zealanders could not look to Labour for a step change in this sector at all. 
That is one of the reasons why in recent times in the latter period of the previous Government there was an insipid growth rate. New Zealand went into recession ahead of the rest of the world. I will tell the House what the previous Government delivered to New Zealand. It delivered a $9 billion deficit. We have had to deal with that and we have had to build out of that. 
I want to cover a couple of points. The first point is that in the context of a significant deficit the National Government has significantly increased expenditure in this sector for this year and for the next 3 years. In fact this is the largest amount of new money going into a sector behind education and health so that is a significant change. 
It is not however just money; it is the major changes that are being done within the sector. One priority is Crown research institute reform. I know that the member and other colleagues sitting beside him know the importance of that because I am certain that they are receiving information from across the Crown research institutes as to how profound those changes will be in respect of their future performance. An OECD report stated that New Zealand had the most contestable system in the entire OECD. What did the previous Government do about that? It did absolutely nothing. It just shelved the report. This Government actioned it and established a task force and we are implementing that right now. It is to be rolled out in the latter half of this year. That is one of the fundamental differences between the previous Government and the current Government. It talked and we do. 
The second issue that I want to draw people’s attention to is the merger of the Ministry of Research Science and Technology and the Foundation for Research Science and Technology which is not dare I say it a minor move. There are two aspects to it. It is a much simpler system and it is something that the sector has absolutely been crying out for but it was falling on the deaf ears of the previous Government. We changed that by making these changes. 
The other aspect was changing the name of the ministry. This is a very significant issue because it shows the change of intent. The words “research science and technology” show a lack of connection between our research system and innovation and growth. In contrast “science and innovation” is intended to show the connections and that is why there is specific funding in the Budget of $23 million that is designed to connect directly the science and innovation system within universities and the Crown research institutes with discovery and innovation. 
The previous speaker must be going around with an approach that the cup is half empty. Well I guess to be fair that is a function of the Opposition. That is its view of life generally. I have been there; I know that. 
Hon Darren Hughes 
: For 9 years. 
Hon Dr WAYNE MAPP 
: That member will be there for the same time. I guess I look at these things fundamentally positively. The sector is excited by these changes. The sector sees the changes as transformational and as setting up the conditions for a much improved connection between the sector and business and thus economic growth. 
I know that members across the House will be excited when they see and indeed have seen already the innovations within various companies. This Government is out there to make that more effective—not by a tax accountant reward system but by having effective programmes that will make a real difference.