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Kia ora koutou,
Welcome to an update of the Te Ara Paerangi – Future Pathways programme.
Green Paper summary of submissions published
In June, we published a summary report on the Green Paper submissions. This was a significant item of work involving submissions analysis, coding and cross-agency engagement. The report presents the key themes of the wide-ranging feedback we received. The submissions have been extremely valuable to our policy work, and we are very grateful for the time and effort people put into their submissions.
We received over 800 submissions and held 27 workshops during consultation. We have been building on what we heard and have been extensively analysing research, data and international comparisons. We have also been focusing on system issues with the science sector to develop initial policy options based on themes from the submissions.
Working towards a White Paper
We are developing a White Paper to be released at the end of 2022 that sets out directions for progressing the programme of system reform. The White Paper will outline the vision and key objectives and outline key policy directions for how to meet them.
As with the Green Paper, the White Paper will go through Cabinet, and we are working through timing options with the Minister of Research, Science and Innovation, Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall. When the White Paper is released you will have the chance to fully engage with the reform process and provide your feedback on the reform’s high-level direction.
National Research Priorities
The Green Paper discussed introducing National Research Priorities, which would use dedicated funding to bring researchers together to address national challenges and realise opportunities that will make a difference for people’s lives. It is also an opportunity to give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi in a central part of a modern RSI system.
Feedback on the Green Paper was highly supportive of having clear National Research Priorities, with submissions saying they should be ambitious and long term.
During the consultation we asked for your thoughts on how a Priorities-setting process might work, including the nature of decisions, who participates and makes decisions and to what extent. Participation and collaboration across disciplinary, sectoral and institutional boundaries will also be critical to successfully set Priorities. We are carefully considering how the Priorities-setting process gives effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We have been developing and testing initial thinking about how to design a Priorities-setting process with key stakeholders.
Reference Group
The Te Ara Paerangi – Future Pathways Reference Group was established earlier this year to provide strategic guidance for the programme. The Group relays feedback from the sector to MBIE and provides an opportunity for MBIE to test ideas and ensure we have a thorough understanding of system-wide issues. High-level outcomes from each meeting and a list of the Group’s members are available on the MBIE website.
How we are continuing to work with the sector and what we’re hearing
We meet regularly with sector representatives to provide updates on the work programme, discuss ideas in submissions and listen to people’s experiences and suggestions. We have formed focus groups and also held stakeholder workshops to allow us to engage deeper on topics and hear more feedback on where the programme should be heading. Some of the groups we’re meeting with include Crown Research Institutes, Universities, the Early Career Researcher Forum, National Science Challenges, Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, Natural Resource Sector agencies, Komiti Pasifika, Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor, Independent Research Association of New Zealand and more.
We have been continuing to engage with Māori stakeholders on Te Ara Paerangi-Future pathways process for setting National Research Priorities and Te Tiriti obligations and opportunities in RSI. This includes representation on the Reference Group and other avenues such as Te Tira Whakahihiko, and more recently through Rauika Māngai and Te Ara Pūtaiao. Engagement will continue and grow.
We consulted more in-depth with Pacific researchers in June 2022. This included holding 2 online Talanoa sessions with Pacific researchers and research users, and 2 focus group sessions with Pacific researchers who submitted on the Green Paper. A report summarising what we heard during this consultation will soon be available on our website.
We meet regularly with other government agencies. Our cross-agency group includes Treasury Te Tai Ōhanga, Ministry for Primary Industries Manatū Ahu Matua, Tertiary Education Commission Te Amorangi Mātauranga Matua, Ministry for the Environment Manatū Mō Te Taiao, Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai, Ministry of Health Manatū Hauora, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, National Emergency Management Agency Te Rākau Whakamarumaru, Te Puni Kōkiri, and Ministry of Education Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga. The discussions include issues raised in the agencies’ submissions, and how the sector can better support work including on issues such as workforce, funding and Priorities. We’ve also been closely involved in Te Pae Tawhiti, the whole-of-government response to the Wai 262 claim.
Meet the team
Iain Cossar, General Manager Science, Innovation and International, has oversight for the programme.
“I want to thank those who have taken time to engage with us on this programme so far. We have heard what matters to stakeholders about our future research, science and innovation sector and we highly value this input and expertise. Te Ara Paerangi – Future Pathways project is a top priority to ensure our sector is well-positioned for future opportunities and challenges.”
Tara Thurlow-Rae, Manager Te Ara Paerangi – Future Pathways, leads the MBIE Future Pathways team and work programme.
“I’m proud to be leading a team of dedicated staff, who want the best research, science and innovation sector for Aotearoa. Our team has good connections across the sector and many have been working in the research, science and innovation sector themselves. I relish the opportunity to bring people together from various backgrounds and interests to contribute to Te Ara Paerangi – Future Pathways"
If you have any questions or feedback, get in touch with the team at futurepathways@mbie.govt.nz
Tēnā koutou katoa
Te Ara Paerangi – Future Pathways team.
