Promise of new stand on science

Labour promises to boost the funding and status of science to address what it calls an urgent need for a change of attitude towards it.

It will raise public funding of science to 0.8 per cent of GDP (now 0.6 per cent) by 2010 and will consider boosting the Marsden Fund, which gave $9.6 million in grants this year.

The party's policy, released today, says scientists should get higher status and recognition.

"New Zealand scientists have often achieved outstanding results with very little recognition outside of their specialist fields."

It plans to confer New Zealand honours on scientists, introduce several national awards for science and technology and give outstanding teachers and researchers study grants.

It will give scholarships for postgraduate study in areas with skill shortages, such as engineering and biotechnology, and give bonded scholarships to prospective science, technology and maths teachers.

Businesses will be encouraged, with tax incentives and a small business research fund, to address New Zealand's comparatively low levels of private investment in research.

Labour will also establish a science and innovation council and consider establishing a social science research council.