In recent years, the phrases “world-leading” and “for the first time in New Zealand” have frequently appeared in press releases and announcements related to research projects or scientific achievements. Many in the science community might contemplate the whakatauki “Kāore te kumara e kōrero ana mo tōna ake reka” (the kūmara doesn’t boast of its own sweetness) or something similar when these phrases are used. These phrases often seem more like acknowledgments to funding providers rather than significant announcements.
Looking ahead, we may see fewer instances of these terms, not because of self-reflection on their suitability, but because of reduced funding for science, making first-time achievements in New Zealand less frequent. Conversely, I fear these phrases may increase in the absence of any substantial backing. Last week’s Budget, with its flatlined tertiary sector funding, stagnant government research and development investment, and cuts to sustainable land management and climate change research, does not seem to look far into the future or consider the need for sustained and growing investment in agricultural and horticultural science research and development.
Is this because free-market thinking still drives public expenditure? Science sits uncomfortably in free-market approaches. Free markets do not respond well to things that are slow to change. The fact that it takes at least seven years of tertiary education (on top of the correct NCEA subj.