KEY POINTS:
The Herald this week asked a number of NZ scientists, here and overseas, their opinions on research funding. Here is a snapshot of their responses:
Professor Andrew Abell, Adelaide University: "I left New Zealand because I didn't see any future in science there. The opportunities, the long term prospects of doing good science in New Zealand were quite limited."
Professor Murray Barrett, National University of Singapore: "If New Zealand chooses not to invest in these kind of things, and they have chosen not to, they are going to lose a complete technology base for their society."
Professor Michael Corballis, Auckland University: "Since 1990 I have supervised or co-supervised 22 PhD students. All but four are now working overseas, and three of the four who remained are no longer working in research."
Dr Mike Meylan, Auckland University: "There is absolutely no doubt that research is better funded in almost every other country. If I was not here for family reasons then I would definitely leave because of funding."