\u201cThis is an obscene waste of money from a Government which claims to want to spend taxpayer money wisely,\u201d said PSA national secretary Fleur Fitzsimons.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut more importantly, this is a critical loss of expert scientists and researchers who had more to give New Zealand.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt will set New Zealand back for years.\u201d<\/p>\n
Former Callaghan Innovation scientist Ben Wylie-van Eerd, who was made redundant this year, said: \u201cI don\u2019t understand why the Government was so determined to shrink the science sector, that it thought spending $10m to get rid of these skilled people who still had so much to give made sense.<\/p>\n
\u201cMany of my colleagues have moved overseas and have been snapped up quickly by organisations in Europe and Australia where their skills are valued.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dr Shane Reti, Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology, said the Government is progressing the most significant reform of New Zealand\u2019s science system in more than 30 years.<\/p>\n
\u201c[We\u2019re] making the system more effective and therefore creating more opportunities long-term. <\/p>\n
\u201cCallaghan Innovation was spread thinly across many conflicting functions. It was tasked to deliver a wide range of grants, advice, technical services and research, alongside innovation support for businesses, and has struggled to work to a clear, focused purpose.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlthough Callaghan is closing, as part of these reforms the Government is investing in new areas of science which present new opportunities for New Zealand scientists and researchers.\u201d<\/p>\n
Reti said this included $70m for artificial intelligence research and $71m for future materials and magnet technology as part of the newly created New Zealand Institute of Advanced Technology.<\/p>\n
A further $42m is going towards a new biodiscovery platform to harness the country\u2019s unique biodiversity and support the development of high-value products, he said.<\/p>\n
The National-led Government has slashed thousands of public sector roles since returning to power in 2023 as it looks to make cost savings.<\/p>\n
In April, it was announced Government landlord and developer K\u0101inga Ora would shed 673 roles<\/a> \u2013 195 of which were vacant. <\/p>\n The public service shrank by 2162 people in the first six months of last year<\/a>.<\/p>\n Callaghan Innovation was created by the National-led Government in 2013.<\/p>\n