7. Question No. 7—Science Innovation and TechnologyDr VANESSA WEENINK (National—Banks Peninsula) to the Minister of Science Innovation and TechnologyQuestion No. 7—Science Innovation and Technology7. Dr VANESSA WEENINK (National—Banks Peninsula) to the Minister of Science Innovation and Technology: What recent announcement has she made in the science innovation and technology portfolio?Hon JUDITH COLLINS (Minister of Science Innovation and Technology): Yesterday I was pleased to announce the establishment of a Science System Advisory Group. This group will help us explore the well-documented issues facing the science sector and will be chaired by Professor Sir Peter Gluckman who will also chair the University Advisory Group appointed by the Minister for Tertiary Education and Skills the Hon Penny Simmonds. The Science System Advisory Group has been tasked with delivering two reports: the first in June 2024 and the second in October 2024. It will form the basis of what is needed to enable this Government to bring about the changes needed to ensure the science and higher-education systems are well-placed to deliver maximum benefit for the country and its people.Dr Vanessa Weenink: Why is this needed?Hon JUDITH COLLINS: The issues facing the science sector are very well documented. Science innovation and technology are critically important to rebuilding the New Zealand economy. With a country of our size and with a limited human and financial capital and markets we need to focus our approach to science and innovation. Unfortunately the status quo is not working. We have great scientists and innovators but we as a Government must ensure that taxpayer money is being spent wisely and creating benefits for the economy. This advisory group will address these issues and provide us with advice.Dr Vanessa Weenink: How will the Science System Advisory Group tie in with the University Advisory Group?Hon JUDITH COLLINS: Well we understand the critical link between our universities and science and the Crown research institutes. For too long these sectors have not had the synergy required and have been disjointed in the way that they operate. It is critical that we get these two sectors working in conjunction with each other to ensure that we can turn research excellence into global impact. And while the two advisory groups will operate separately having the same chair of each group will ensure that any changes made can benefit both science and higher-education sectors.Dr Vanessa Weenink: What goals does she have for the portfolio?Hon JUDITH COLLINS: So many goals but right now there are real opportunities for New Zealand in areas of emerging and existing research such as space and aerospace biotechnology quantum technology advanced materials and medical technology alongside other areas of strength and high potential. But commercialisation is essential to the success of science innovation and technology and the Government will support more partnerships between the public and private sectors to see better outcomes from the amazing science research being done in New Zealand. We will also deliver on our election promise of establishing a dedicated gene technology regulator investigating changes to employee stock ownership plan taxation and delivering tech visas to get the best talent to New Zealand.Hon Dr Deborah Russell: How much will the Professor Sir Peter Gluckman's Science System Advisory Group review and reports cost?Hon JUDITH COLLINS: Thank you very much for that question. I've had a look at that and it's actually about just over $400000 for the entire system—which is pretty amazing considering that was pretty much what one Government agency might have spent on gifts for its outgoing CEO.Hon Dr Deborah Russell: How is this not a waste of the time and effort put in by the science sector in fully documenting the issues in the sector and developing a plan which was contained in the 2022 Te Ara Paerangi Future Pathways White Paper?Hon JUDITH COLLINS: Well thank you so much again for that question. That Te Ara Paerangi was frankly a waste of paper. In fact the forestry people should have taken back the money. It was really a shame because I was looking for something that didn't just say Oh everything's going really well and we just keep doing a bit more of it."—nothing in there about where we need to be. So that was a waste of space. This is actually about getting things done. And unlike a previous Minister in this role I actually get stuff done."