New Zealand Science Review

Cover and Contents

Editors — 2023-11-13

President's Column (November 2023)

Troy Baisden — 2023-11-13

President’s Column (December 2022)

Lucy Stewart — 2022-12-19

Reform for a future-focused science system

Tara Thurlow-Rae — 2022-12-19

NZAS Council Perspectives on Mātauranga Māori and Science

NZAS Council — 2023-03-12

New Zealand Association of Scientists: Te Ara Paerangi Future Pathways submission

New Zealand Association of Scientists — 2022-12-19

A bridge between: Te Ao Māori and Te Ara Paerangi

Tahu Kukutai — 2023-10-04

Purpose

Aotearoa New Zealand’s Research, Science and Innovation (RSI) system is undergoing a ‘once in a generation’ reform known as Te Ara Paerangi Future Pathways (TAP). One of TAP’s four high-level goals is to embed Te Tiriti o Waitangi across the RSI system. Using the analogy of bridge-making, we draw on insights from Māori submissions to TAP to identify collective Māori expectations for what a Tiriti-embedded system entails.

Method

Submissions were accessed through the document library on the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment website. 34 submissions from individuals and collectives were identified as Māori. Qualitative Document Analysis was used to identify major themes.

Results

Results are described with reference to basic bridge-building principles of design, foundations, materials and maintenance. Key thematic findings include: Māori, as Tiriti partners, must be meaningfully involved in the reform design; the RSI system’s foundations are deeply colonial - decolonisation is needed to value, respect and protect Māori knowledges and knowledge-holders; workforce development, infrastructure and policies are required to empower partnered and autonomous RSI approaches; and, ongoing system maintenance in the form of monitoring is required to ensure transparency, accountability and equitable benefits.

Reflection

Having committed to embedding Te Tiriti across the RSI system, MBIE now has a duty of care to deliver on its commitment vis-à-vis the National Research Priorities. This paper is a timely opportunity to set a baseline of collective expectations against which to assess the future efficacy of TAP.

Ka mahi mātou, me te takune hei puananī

We will work with the intent to travel freely in any direction

A Strong and Resilient Research System is Built by Valuing People

Robert Elshire — 2023-10-04

The New Zealand public research system is undergoing a once in a generation review and renewal. This piece reflects on past working conditions, describes the current situation, and provides some possibilities for improvement.

Building connectivity at the research-policy interface in Aotearoa through a public sector postdoctoral fellowship scheme

Olivia Truax — 2023-08-22

Improving connectivity at the research-policy interface and supporting career development for early career researchers are twin goals of government-funded research systems in Aotearoa New Zealand and globally. The Aotearoa Ministry for Business, Innovation, and Employment (MBIE) began the process of overhauling the research system to achieve these, and other, goals through Te Ara Paerangi Future Pathways programme in 2021. Here, I propose a public sector postdoctoral fellowship scheme to place PhD graduates into roles within central government agencies, which MBIE could implement during the first phase of Te Ara Paerangi Future Pathways reforms. The Fellowship would strengthen collaboration at the research-policy interface and provide a low investment, high impact, opportunity to retain talent in Aotearoa by developing flexible career pathways for PhD graduates.

The Grim Realities of a Doctoral Student in Aotearoa

Sneh Patel — 2023-11-13

This article explores the multifaceted challenges confronting PhD students in Aotearoa New Zealand’s universities. In contrast to the advertised three-year completion timelines, evidence reveals extended PhD durations and a disconnect between enrolments and academic opportunities. The often unrecognised hurdles faced by PhD students include financial strains stemming from low stipends that do not cover the local cost of living, difficulty accessing additional income, and ambiguous student status. The complex phase at the completion of PhD represents a separate narrative with new challenges including the end of stipend funding and a significant gap in employment prospects while waiting months for the PhD to be examined. By documenting the poorly documented difficulties and realities, the authors aim to offer insights to stakeholders and prospective PhD students, fostering awareness and advocating for improvements in the doctoral education system.

Consulting with Māori during development of a point-of-care device; translational and experiential findings.

Te-Rina King-Hudson — 2023-02-15

Aim: To consult with Māori on the design and development of a direct-to-consumer point-of-care (POC) device and gather views on point-of-care testing and biotechnology.

Method: One-on-one interviews and small group hui with self-identified Māori university staff and students (n = 6) conducted by an early-career Māori scientist.

Results: Key themes were the importance of achieving improved health outcomes for Māori through addressing known socioeconomic, geographic, and cultural factors that perpetuate health disparities. Other findings were the value of recognising the diversity in modern Māori identities, perspectives, and communities, as well as views on using synthetic biomolecules in medical devices and perceptions of biotechnology, and the potential for cultural over-engagement or misplaced focus in consultation.

Conclusion: In this article, we describe our approach and experience of consultation led by a Māori lab-based scientist, and report unique perspectives of biotechnology from non-expert Māori academics for the first time. Direct-to-consumer POC testing may promote kaupapa Māori values such as tino rangatiratanga, whakawhanaungatanga and tikanga, which may help Māori overcome barriers to health care and testing, a key step in achieving improved health outcomes.

Taku teina, tōku rangatira. Recruitment, development and retention of Māori and Pasifika in science

Sarah Rewi — 2023-07-26

The tuākana-teina (older-younger sibling) relationship is one of reciprocity that empowers leadership and support (Amopiu 2019). In response to the struggles of Māori and Pasifika students within educational institutions, the tuākana-teina relationship has been incorporated to enhance their cultural and academic well-being (Bishop and Glynn 2003; Callaghan et al. 2018; Oetzel et al. 2021; Parr 2016). In 1991, based upon this philosophy, Professor Michael Walker began the Tuākana programme within the School of Biological Sciences at Waipapa Taumata Rau, the University of Auckland. This paper examines the role of the Tūakana Biology programme in the recruitment, development and retention of Māori in Science at Waipapa Taumata Rau. Drawing from data and experiences of the programme from its inception to current day students, a secondary data analysis was conducted. Here we identify key components that make Tuākana Biology a success and challenges that restrict its implementation. We found the cultural space and community provided by Tuākana enhances Māori and Pasifika recruitment, development, and retention, positioning Tuākana Biology as a potential solution to Māori and Pasifika success within academia. Lack of funding, staffing capacity, and access to student data are the challenges the programme looks to overcome to realise its full potential.

NZAS Briefing for Incoming Minister - Research, Science & Innovation

NZAS Council — 2023-11-13

Donald Dalglish McGregor

Willie Smith — 2022-12-19

The New Zealand Association of Scientists Awards for 2021

Editors — 2022-12-19

The New Zealand Association of Scientists Awards for 2022

Editors — 2022-12-19

Ms. Information (2023)

Georgia Carson — 2023-11-13