Reuben Davidson asked the Minister about the PM’s quoted intent to “brutally commercialise the research system”. Despite this and opportunities for the PM himself to walk it back at the PM’s science awards, I feel neither enlightened nor reassured. youtu.be/koeINt5pz3A

In this post webinar Q&A, @geneticsprof.bsky.social and I discuss a focus on improving conditions for MSc and PhD students. This is a way to make the system better and making it a kitchen table issue. 6 minutes #NZPOL @nzscientists.bsky.social @troybaisden.bsky.social @lcsnz.bsky.social @mehr.nz

We're pleased to announce applications are now open for NZ Association of Science's 2026 Medals. The closing date for all applications is 5pm Monday 3rd August 2026. The medals are ... scientists.org.nz/Awards (1/7)

NB we estimate you need approx 0.6% GDP investment in foundational research to support an active research system - we're headed for 0.3%

Oh and there is this … www.rnz.co.nz/news/environ...

NZAS release on Budget 2026 is out. It wasn't even a nothing burger this year... What is shocking is the long-term trend. scientists.org.nz/news/13636927

Concerned about the mishmash of bad news hitting research? So are we at New Zealand Association of Scientists (NZAS). Read the press release – scientists.org.nz/news/13632857 1/4

There's either a new fund not yet announced or we're seeing another swingeing cut to science funding. Either way the lack of clarity, given the current stress throughout the system, is...unhelpful.

If you came here looking for answers on what MBIE's Transition Research fund is, we're trying to find out. On the face of it, the $84.8m per year replaces Marsden + Endeavour and more, which currently total 4 times this much?

A lot of people have a lot things to say about Christopher Luxon this week. I’m mostly still concerned about him slamming people who make sourdough bread at home a few weeks back.

As a scientist who works on how land plays into both freshwater and climate change issues, I was pleased to be part of today’s episode of The Detail. lnkd.in/eVQ5k_Bw www.rnz.co.nz/news/environ...

Comment from Victoria University: The Govt’s science overhaul prioritises commercial outcomes, but risks narrowing the very research pipeline that fuels long-term innovation.

What worries me most about the directions of NZ's science reform is that it now matches closely what our extensive 2022 Te Ara Paerangi submission highlighted as 'what to avoid'. (1/3)

We'll keep updating our concerns about the Prioritisation Report released last week, cutting 22% of the funding that currently looks after the future competitiveness of 60% or more of our exports, and cuts other important areas too. Today, I want to focus on something @lcsnz.bsky.social spotted.

Our initial reaction to the Prioritisation Report, that would cut existing science areas by up to 22% to pay new Tech development, expresses deep concerns. Do you think the report has strayed into policy-based evidence making? scientists.org.nz/news/13616237

Our initial reaction to the Prioritisation Report, that would cut existing science areas by up to 22% to pay new Tech development, expresses deep concerns. Do you think the report has strayed into policy-based evidence making? scientists.org.nz/news/13616237

The report is dire all around but particularly bleak for Ag and Bioeconomy if its signals are followed. NZAS comments are on our releases page. scientists.org.nz/press-releas...

It's not a joke. Or is it? (Happy April 1) open.substack.com/pub/troybais...

We're filling the gap that was once a pillar of the previous science reform. What happened to it? Need for Workforce Strategy as Job Losses Escalate scientists.org.nz/news/13605014

Heavens! All that confusing noise about AirNZ’s dire financial results, and then I see in the Economist that the dire state of British planning has Heathrow’s expansion in exponential cost overruns when it is already the second most expensive airport in the world. AUCKLAND IS THE MOST EXPENSIVE!

FFS. Another year, another round of cuts to our public education and research system. This hurts everyone over time. Remember friends, never repeat the propaganda. It is not 'savings' it is cuts. And shame on ODT for repeating the 💩. They should know better. 🤡 #NZPOL

Where is @scotscientist.bsky.social when we been more venom on the range of pumped hydro options? www.linkedin.com/posts/christ...

How did we get into having Veolia on this contract?

Is it just me and a few encounters and anecdotes, but ummm… isn’t this untreated sewage mess in Welly seem a a bit to like par for course with Veolia? www.perplexity.ai/search/6bbcc...

The reform is failing... (1/5) NZAS: "We have 500% overheads in some cases." Kathryn Ryan: "What??? Where is that happening?" NZAS: "In some of our PROs." NB: Overheads are a necessary part of institutions, but it means something needs fixing when they approach 10 times international norms.

In the annals of NZ, even though I mostly avoid both, it doesn't feel great having The Warehouse in a bit of a deathspiral while the same model in the US is a headline success. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/03/b...

The current reforms of the research system are now on track for another failure. They double down on mistakes that undermine long-term growth, well being & safety. We must ask for accountability and transparency about three key issues as we go into the election year. scientists.org.nz/news/13593197

On my 25th anniversary day of being in NZ, my substack is back on slightly surprising topic, but one that captures why independence and integrity matter in a small nation. open.substack.com/pub/troybais...

Sun’s trying to come out but end of 2025 (year of discontent!?) still looking moody in Welly.

Good! Colorado Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper objected to moving forward with the minibus spending package, which would have funded 85 to 90% of the federal government through September 2026, because of the Trump regime's plan to dismantle NCAR.

🔥 Our Affiliate Troy Baisden was on RNZ's Mediawatch recently, discussing misinformation about EV's malfunctioning and causing fires. The story was in the context of the Goverment slashing by 80% the clean car standard - which incentivised sales of low- or zero-emission vehicles. 🚗

We hope to see you tomorrow at our conference and awards, in person in Wellington. If you can't make it, we'll have some limited streaming including the opening session and awards. Check the webpage for details. scientists.org.nz/nzas-confere...

"The most interesting thing about these stories is that there were stories about EV fires that contained ... no EV fire." Te Pūnaha Matatini Principal Investigator @troybaisden.bsky.social spoke to Mediawatch about recent media coverage of electric vehicles → www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa... 🧪

A cocktail of stories in recent weeks has made me deeply concerned our information ecosystem around electric vehicles (EVs) as a pathway to emissions reduction has been undergoing "rapid disassembly." This RNZ Mediawatch piece is a great compendium. (14 min) (1/3) www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...

Excellent summary of our energy and climate chaos out this morning from Kirsty Johnson. It should be played with the PMs talking point: that the oil and gas exploration ban is the main problem with the electricity market. That’s what I have to call insanely false. www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...

Nice to see Research, Science, Innovation and Technology getting a little airtime with two oral questions, and subsequent supplementary exchanges, in Parliament today. There are some extreme snippets on socials but here is full session (7 min). youtu.be/s2rz84uo2JQ

Just not the Māori ones coz we no longer have a marsden panel to apply too......

Could changes to our nation climate change policy do more to undermine integrity and transparency of our commitments? environment.govt.nz/news/governm... (1/2)

Could changes to our nation climate change policy do more to undermine integrity and transparency of our commitments? environment.govt.nz/news/governm... (1/2)

Exciting day today. Not only is it Halloween, but my crowdfunding campaign is also live! Please support me by making a pledge and/or sharing on all your socials and with your friends, family, and colleagues. Thanks to everyone offering rewards. You rock! www.pledgeme.co.nz/projects/852...

Now also on RNZ! A personal perspect on how the #BatshitBudget for science undermines and drives away the top science talent that helps us build a great nation. www.rnz.co.nz/national/pro...

Quick reminder - the NZAS 2025 conference is happening on 26 November in Pōneke, more information at this link. We will be talking about our 2025 survey of NZ scientists, the Save Science Coalition, priorities for public good science, and more!

NZ's new methane target: Represents doing nothing if historic efficiency gains continue, and assumes new mitigations won't work. Worse, our farmers need to realise it cedes the future of the paperwork they complain about to places like Brussels instead of Wellington.

14 years ago Paul Callaghan gave this talk. It leaned in to the idea of making Aotearoa New Zealand a place where talented people wanted to live. Our government is hell bent on doing the opposite. @nzscientists.bsky.social #NZPOL

Embarrassing? The good news is the grand potential for no one to notice NZ.

So, NZ? www.nytimes.com/2025/09/21/w...

Nice work Simon Stewart @troybaisden.bsky.social @icdugg.bsky.social et al. #Lakes are Earth’s eye indeed. 🧪

You know about NZ's cuts to research funding? How bleak is it for climate change research? Bleak. Explainer and perspectives now outside Carbon News NZ's paywall. www.carbonnews.co.nz/news/35492/s...

Read more about this research at @aunz.theconversation.com → theconversation.com/lakeshore-sh... #complexsystems @troybaisden.bsky.social