New Zealand scientists call for more government funding
紐西蘭科學家呼籲政府增加撥款
As of April 2026, New Zealand’s scientific community is navigating a major systemic transition.
截至2026年4月，紐西蘭的科學界正在經歷一場重大的體制轉型。
For years, experts have argued that public investment in Research and Development (R&D) in New Zealand remains low, often stalling at 1.5% of GDP compared to the OECD average of 2.7%.
多年來，專家們一直主張，紐西蘭在研發(R&D)方面的公共投資仍然偏低，通常停滯在國內生產毛額(GDP)的1.5%，遠低於OECD平均水準的2.7%。
To address these issues, the government is implementing a major reform by launching a new agency, Research Funding New Zealand|entity (RFNZ), to consolidate decision-making.
為了解決這些問題，政府正在實施一項重大改革，成立了一個名為紐西蘭研究資助機構(RFNZ)的新機構，以整合決策。
The government is now prioritizing four key pillars, with a specific focus on like AI and quantum computing.
政府目前正優先推動四大支柱，並特別關注人工智慧和量子運算等先進與賦能技術。
While officials describe this as a strategic "reset" to boost productivity, many researchers fear the changes will disrupt long-term, curiosity-driven science.
雖然官員們將此描述為提升生產力的戰略性「重啟」，但許多研究人員擔心這些變革會干擾長期的、由好奇心驅動的科學研究。
Despite promises of increased efficiency, critics maintain that without a fundamental increase in overall investment, even the best administrative reforms will struggle.
儘管政府承諾提高效率，但批評者堅持認為，如果沒有整體投資的根本性增加，即使是最好的行政改革也難以奏效。
Ultimately, the sector is caught in a high-stakes tension between the government’s drive for immediate economic impact and the scientists' need for sustained support for discovery-led research.
最終，該領域陷入了政府對短期經濟影響的追求與科學家對發現導向研究之持續支持需求之間的高風險緊張狀態。
