Several science and technology goal-setting exercises from the late 1980s engaged many in the scientific community and led, in 1995 to Parliament accepting RS&T 2010 as guidance for the future of science and technology for the nation. The "Foresight Project," to articulate goals and build consensus, began in 1997 and concluded in 1999. Performance measures to aid accountability and inform public management have been dutifully stressed, but these are hard to devise with specificity and/or monitor.
In 1996 a Survey of New Zealand Scientists and Technologists asked questions designed to provide benchmarks for some RS&T 2010 goals. In 2000, the Year 2000 Survey queried a sub-set of the original respondents. Responses to these surveys indicate whether there has been a perception of progress toward achieving goals, hence rudimentary performance indicators are introduced. Survey results can provide additional information for managing S&T, enhancing public understanding of S&T and, being an important voice for the science and technology community. Both quantitative and qualitative responses tell tales of hope and woe, and raise questions about the efficacy of zealous management of S&T.