New Zealand Science Teacher

National Science Challenges Announced

01/05/2013

Prime Minister John Key and Minister for Science and Innovation Steven Joyce have announced the ten National Science Challenges as part of Budget 2013.

$73.5m will be allocated over four years to boost the country’s investment in science, in addition to the $60m set aside for the Challenges in 2012.

Sir Peter Gluckman, chief science advisor to the Prime Minister, chaired the panel that drew up the shortlist of scientific challenges facing New Zealand.

The list aims to provide a cohesive focus for the science sector on large and complex issues that affect the nation.

The ten named challenges are:

• Ageing well – harnessing science to care for older New Zealanders
• A better start – science to improve the wellbeing of children
• Healthier lives – research into major health problems
• Nutrition – developing high value foods
• Biological heritage – protecting biodiversity and biosecurity
• Our land and water – enhancing primary sector production and water quality
• Life in a changing ocean – harnessing and protecting marine resources
• The deep south – the Antarctic, Southern Ocean and climate change
• Technological innovation – engineering for economic growth
• Resilience to nature’s changes – responding to natural disasters