The Save Science Coalition is interested in hearing from anyone affected by the science cuts in New Zealand.
Please see their message, and consider participating, below:
Under the current Government, in each Budget we have seen cuts to science funding. We have also seen cuts to the science workforce at universities, in the Crown Research Institutes, and across the public service. Despite numerous reviews pointing to chronic underfunding as a problem for Aotearoa New Zealand’s science system, actions are being taken which are making the problem worse, not better.
The Save Science Coalition (a group of 30 scientific societies and unions) was set up to oppose these cuts, and help highlight the effect of these cuts. We are looking for individuals who are interested in working with the Save Science Coalition to help highlight the effect of the cuts in the science sector in the past couple of years.
What are we doing?
We are looking for some scientists who would be willing to tell their story, to be used in Save Science Coalition material. We are looking for scientists and workers in science who:
- Have been affected by the cuts to the science system, and as a result, have left science or left New Zealand, or otherwise have been personally affected by the science cuts;
- Can help communicate your story to an audience which includes non-scientists, to explain your work and why you are unable to do it anymore in New Zealand, and what New Zealand is losing as a result.
These stories would then be used in a publication (booklet) alongside other stories. The second part of the booklet will also include information about what the Save Science Coalition’s policy principles ahead of the 2026 election, which would be put to political parties and their response sought. The scientists’ profiles will support the explanation of what we are asking of political parties. The Save Science Coalition’s policy principles are under development, but will be based on feedback received at the recent parliament event.
Who are our audience?
The information will be publicised in the following ways:
- Save Science Coalition member organisations will distribute it to its members (including those outside of science);
- Print copies of the booklet will be distributed at Save Science Coalition events and distributed at relevant worksites;
- An online copy of the booklet will be available on the Save Science Coalition website;
- We will aim to get some media coverage of the stories;
- The booklet will be provided to political parties, and their response would be sought to the policy principles on whether their own policies align with our principles;
- The stories can be posted individually over a period of time on the Save Science Coalition facebook page;
- The booklet could be shared with other interested parties, e.g. environmental campaigners, to help spark any future collaboration opportunities.
I’m interested – but can I do it anonymously?
Our preference is for people to be willing to be named as part of this activity. The reason for this is that it makes the stories more relatable to the general public. We recognise that being named in this kind of thing can create some discomfort for some people. For this reason, we are aiming to get a group of people who are willing to do this together (10 – 20 people), so that you are not doing it alone.
How do I register my interest? What would happen next?
Please contact Lucy and Claire on the contact details below to let them know you are interested. We have a team who are helping document and draft the stories. Once we have registered your interest, we will set a time for you to speak with someone to get this process underway. The final story will be drafted and agreed with you before publication. As the policy principles are still under development, we will also ensure that you have a chance to review these before anything is published.
I have to remain politically neutral in my job, or my employer has a policy preventing me from speaking to media. Does this mean I can’t participate?
No – it just means that we would need to address this carefully. Anyone in New Zealand is entitled to participate in political activities. However, we would need to be sure not to name your current employer or draw a link between you and your employer in the story. However, in this activity, we are looking for people who may have left science or left New Zealand, in which case this restriction may not apply.
Contact details:
Claire Nickson PSA National Science Organiser - claire.nickson@psa.org.nz
Dr Lucy Stewart NZAS Co-President - lucy@scientists.org.nz