PM's top science adviser appointed

One of New Zealand's best known scientists, Peter Gluckman, has been appointed as the Prime Minister's chief science adviser.

The newly created part-time role will see him provide Prime Minister John Key with advice when needed and be an independent voice alongside advice from government departments and the Royal Society.

Prof Gluckman is one of the world's leading researchers in the foetal origins of subsequent growth and health.

Among a long list of achievements he has also made important advances in the understanding of brain injury caused by traumatic birth, stroke or accidents.

He is founding director of the Liggins Institute and is the author of more than 500 scientific papers and reviews and the editor of eight books, including two influential textbooks in his subject area.

Prof Gluckman said the role would be an exciting challenge, especially as he was the first appointment.

He stressed he would not be a lobbyist for scientists or give advice on funding.

The new role showed the Government was committed to using the country's most important resource - its brains, he said.

Prof Gluckman will step down from his role as director of the Liggins Institute but will remain employed by the University of Auckland.

The role is worth $50,000 a year and the Government reimburses the university for any costs. It is expected to take up one to two days a week of his time.

Mr Key said Prof Gluckman would make an important contribution in the new role.

"This appointment delivers on the Government's goal of including science at the heart of our decision-making.

"I campaigned on creating this role because I recognise that New Zealand's prosperity rests on our ability to make full use of the expertise that our scientists can contribute."

Prof Gluckman will not be involved in science funding processes, which will remain the responsibility of existing government agencies.

His appointment was announced the day it was revealed the National government was replacing its predecessor's Fast Forward $700 million fund over 10 to 15 years for agriculture and food research with a $30m scheme.

A spokeswoman for Mr Key said the assertion the money was a cut in funding was wrong. She said the money wasn't actually allocated by the Labour government and the $30m was actually more money that was available for research than before.

The Labour Party did not see it that way.

Science and technology spokeswoman Moana Mackey congratulated the Government for appointing Prof Gluckman but said it could turn out to be bitterly ironic.

"I am sure Professor Gluckman can make a powerful contribution, bit it will hardly be an auspicious start if next week the Government's replacement for Labour's $700 million Fast Forward Fund turns out to be a new fund worth just $30 million a year at most," Ms Mackey said.

"That will make a mockery of National's promise to replace Labour's initiative with something better."

- NZPA