Michael Reddell • Apr 20, 2018 •
That was the title of a speech David Parker gave a couple of weeks ago. Parker is, as you will recall, a man wearing many hats: Minister for the Environment, Associate Minister of Finance, Minister for Trade and Export Growth, and Attorney-General. Since he was speaking to a seminar organised by the Resource Management Law Association, this speech looked … Read More
Michael Reddell • Oct 15, 2017 •
I’ve been a little unclear what to make of the Rocket Lab story. Don’t get me wrong, I liked the idea that our regulatory systems can, on occasion, be sufficiently adaptive to cope with new and innovative industries – even if it is far from generally true. And I wish all the best to any New Zealander with innovations … Read More
Donal Curtin • Jul 04, 2017 •
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has released the Labour Market Dashboard – a one-stop self-service tool which displays labour market information from many different sources in one place. According to Manager of Labour Market Trends Nita Zodgekar, one of MBIE’s roles is to advise on New Zealand’s labour market and develop policy solutions to grow … Read More
Michael Reddell • May 02, 2017 •
I was having a conversation with someone the other day, trying to explain both what data there were on movements of people into (and out of) New Zealand, and which data was useful for what purpose. Reflecting on that afterwards, it seemed that a post might be useful. This follows on from my post last week on the Herald’s misleading … Read More
Peter Kerr • Jan 10, 2017 •
It’s that time of year when we fly kites, give voice to possibilities. So, given we have a new Science and Innovation minister, namely Paul Goldsmith, how about exploring whether now is a good time to put seriously explore forming a Science and Innovation Council. New Science and Innovation Minister Paul Goldsmith should look at the advantages of forming a … Read More
Michael Reddell • Dec 08, 2016 •
Bill English is reported to have the numbers to become leader of the National Party and, thus, our next Prime Minister. And if does succeed in that quest he has indicated that Steven Joyce will become the Minister of Finance. That news had me digging out a couple of posts I’d written this year on Mr Joyce’s comments and claims. … Read More
John Kerr • Nov 30, 2016 •
A ‘big picture’ report on the New Zealand science system shows Kiwis are pretty good at publishing top-notch research and collaborating with scientists overseas, but there is room for improvement on our business R&D spending. The 2016 Science and Innovation System Performance Report was released yesterday by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE). The report aims to give policy-makers, academics and … Read More
Michael Reddell • Dec 07, 2015 •
The outgoing Ombudsman’s report reviewing OIA practices in the public sector is to be released this week. The Dominion Post wrote a scathing editorial about her tenure and her approach to the Official Information Act. As it notes: Her retirement is welcome. We don’t expect much from her review. The Ombudsman’s office is badly under-resourced, limiting the extent to … Read More
Victoria Metcalf • Nov 06, 2015 •
If you were in Christchurch anytime over the last few weeks you would have probably noticed posters advertising the Big Science Day. This event, run by Science Alive and with funding from the Unlocking Curious Minds fund, an initiative within the government-led “A Nation of Curious Minds” programme, took place on a stunningly fine day, Saturday … Read More
Victoria Metcalf • Nov 06, 2015 •
The power of curiosity One of my beliefs is that everyone has curiosity programmed into them. Sometimes as people progress from childhood wonder into adulthood that curiousness becomes dulled, covered in layers, just like the clouds I am viewing from my plane window at the precise moment I write this. A moment spent looking and thinking might lead to consideration … Read More