GIGO

Science Research Funding

Budget time is not an easy time for anyone. I rejoiced when I heard that science research funding had risen by $5 million. It's not a lot, but every little bit helps when you're on a starvation diet.

Later, I was dismayed to find out that the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology was closing down its science promotion activities. No more sponsorship of award schemes like the innovative CREST programme. No money for the Science-Technology Roadshow. No more information summaries.

There is a consensus that science and technology need a greater profile, but they will no longer have any public push from MORST. Like all the ministries, MORST had to cut back its spending. Faced with its primary role of policy provision, the ministry had little choice but to ditch science promotion.

Presumably, the government expects private industry to pick up the ball and run with it. There seems precious little chance of that, however. Our major companies have other games to play.

If you're a sportsperson and you win a world championship, you can get $25,000 in the sporting Challenge underwritten by Brierley Investments and promoted by TVNZ. Be part of a team, and you get $150,000 between you. The Challenge, operated by the NZ Sports Foundation, only rewards winners -- there are no prizes for second, as is constantly pointed out.

There's been $6 million put into The Challenge. It is going to honour winning athletes and teams at events such as the Winter Olympics and the Americas Cup.

It's hard not to be a little disheartened by this. Sport already gets so much support that yet more seems excessive. I look at the Challenge brochure, with its numerous grammatical errors and its emphasis on winning and nothing else, and I wonder where our priorities really lie...

We hear so much of the need to invest in the country, to invest in the future. There are hundreds of little research projects struggling along, usually through the dogged determination of one or two enthusiasts. They won't win gold medals in front of cheering fans, but they could very well provide this country with new industries and new jobs, or even just new insights into how the world works.

This issue marks a full year for the New Zealand Science Monthly. Over the last year, I've talked to enthusiasts up and down the country, learning about their work and seeing the potential for new developments in this country. It is startling to see how much work can be done with so little support.

We've had a busy year, both fun and frustrating, and we're happy to celebrate our first anniversary. All of you -- researchers, readers, contributors and advertisers -- have had a hand in that, and we thank you.

The magazine was begun in the firm belief that science and technology, engineering and business development were doing interesting and innovative things in New Zealand. We've been proved right. That's a challenge it has been a pleasure to win.

Vicki Hyde is the editor of New Zealand Science Monthly.