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Terms of Reference:
Science System Advisory Group

Purpose
1.  MBIE is convening a Science System Advisory Group (the Group) to develop a set of
evidence-based recommendations to strengthen the science, innovation and technology
system and ensure its future success.

2.  This document sets out the Terms of Reference for the Group.
The aspiration
3.  The Government is committed to building a thriving science, innovation and technology
system (the system) that delivers growth for New Zealand’s economy, environment and
society by:
•  Driving innovation and accelerate the shift towards a knowledge-based, diversified
economy.
•  Developing innovative solutions to emerging challenges such as climate change,
biodiversity loss, and sociological change.
•  Adapting to, and making good of opportunities provided by, a rapidly evolving global
research landscape.
•  Enhancing Government’s effectiveness through the use scientific data, knowledge,
and new technologies.

The challenges
4.  The systematic issues limiting the performance of the system include:
•  Funding: The adequacy, sustainability and balance of funding in areas of national
and system importance, and effectiveness of funding mechanisms.
•  Research infrastructure: Uneven access to research facilities and equipment,
hindering research progress and collaboration.
•  Regulatory frameworks and incentives: These may not be conducive to the most
effective management of research and research innovation or commercialisation.
•  System inefficiencies and fragmentation: The system experiences inefficiencies,
such as excessive managerialism, complex funding mechanisms, fragmented
research efforts, and limited collaboration between different stakeholders.
•  Workforce: Career pathways are uncertain, diversity is limited, Māori and Pacific
Peoples are under-represented and under-served, and there are dif iculties in
attracting and retaining the best talent.
•  Competition: Competition between research organisations limits collaboration and
benefit to New Zealand.
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•  Industry: co-ordination across government and industry needs strategic
redevelopment, Industry co-operation and support is not well positioned to adapt to
emerging markets (for example, India).
•  International: New Zealand, as a small country, needs to exploit international
partnerships in both research and innovation (including access to capital).
International science funding is largely ad hoc and not co-ordinated across
government to assist diplomatically.
Function, scope and approach
Function
5.  The purpose of the Group is to provide strategic recommendations to MBIE on options to
improve the effectiveness and impact of New Zealand’s science, innovation and
technology system, as informed by the aspirations and systemic challenges described
above.
Scope
6.  Except where noted below, the Group may consider any matters within New Zealand
science, innovation and technology system that are relevant to the completion of its
reports.

7.  The following areas are out of scope:
•  The Research and Development Tax Incentive, as a statutory independent
evaluation is mandated by Parliament for the coming calendar year.
•  The planned Biotechnology Regulator, given the highly specific and technical issues
involved.

8.  The Group wil  be connected to, but is not responsible for, a parallel review into aspects
of higher education including the future of the Performance-Based Research Fund and
related incentive structures.

9.  The Group is not required to produce fully costed options or completely detail any
structural arrangements necessary to achieve the recommendations presented.
Approach
10. The work of the Group wil  proceed in two phases.   The first phase wil  be completed by
30 June 2024, the second by 30 October 2024.

11. Phase 1 wil  determine a set of principles, provide preliminary advice on the topics of
focus as set out below, and recommendations that can be considered and actioned
quickly.

12. Phase 2 will continue to address the topics of focus but provide final recommendations
and longer-term changes that would ensure the effective operation of the system in
coming decades.

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Topics of focus
13. The Group wil  provide advice on the following topics of focus.
Institutions
•  What are the appropriate functions, scopes and structures of Crown Research Institutes
and other Crown-owned research organisations to ensure they are better placed to
deliver impact for New Zealand?
•  What is needed to effectively deliver science services of ongoing importance to New
Zealand, such as national monitoring systems for weather and geohazards, national
surveys, national databases and collections?
•  How can the research contributions of universities be strengthened within the overall
science system?

Funding
•  What sort of mechanisms could be established to identify funding priorities?
•  What could be done to improve the effectiveness of our funding mechanisms?
•  How can the funding system better serve under-represented and under-served
communities, such as Māori and Pacific Peoples, and increase diversity within the
science, innovation and technology workforce?
•  What is an appropriate balance of funding between:
o  Areas of system importance? For example, competitions, short versus longer term
contracts, institutions, workforce initiatives, infrastructure, and commercialisation.
o  Areas of national importance? For example, sectors, science disciplines, wicked
problems.

Advanced technology and commercialisation
•  What form should Government’s investments in advanced technology take?
•  How can we strengthen and grow commercialisation pathways?
•  How can we strengthen our ability to take advantage of opportunities around
eResearch?  This should consider the future of our High Performance Computing
infrastructure and the role of artificial intelligence.
•  How can we improve the role and function of Callaghan Innovation? What role and
function do industry, incubators, and other government agencies, for example, NZTE
play in this?
Government as a commissioner, funder and user of science
•  How can Government most effectively prioritise and commission science where it is the
main user of the outputs?
•  How could public funders of science, innovation and technology be best configured?
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Workforce and connectedness
•  What is needed to ensure we are developing a science, innovation and technology
workforce that wil  meet our future needs and chal enges?
•  How can opportunities and solutions for Mātauranga be better realised within the
system?
•  What is needed to deliver greater diversity with the science, innovation and technology
workforce, and participation of under-represented and under-served groups such as
Māori and Pacific Peoples?
•  How can we grow key international linkages and strengthening the role of science in
diplomacy?
•  How can we lift awareness and appreciation of the role and impact science, innovation
and technology have on the economy, society and environment?
•  How can we develop better connectedness with the higher education system?

14. The Group is not limited by the above topics and questions and may provide advice on
other matters it sees fit.

15. The review will include, but is not limited to document reviews, stakeholder and expert
consultation and input (including internationally), site visits and data analysis.

16. MBIE or the Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology may seek advice from the
Group about other questions or proposals as needed.
Administration
Membership
17. The Group wil  be chaired by Professor Sir Peter Gluckman.   Members will collectively
bring diverse backgrounds and bring expertise in science, research, innovation,
technology, mātauranga, policy, and stakeholder engagement.

18. Members are appointed:
•  as individuals and expected to provide impartial advice.
•  until 30 October 2024, but may be extended if agreed by the Chair and MBIE.
Meeting frequency
19. The group will meet, either in person or virtually, at a frequency determined by the Chair
and agreed by MBIE.  Other work (including site visits, workshops or similar) and
meetings may be required in-person of all or some members between meetings of the
Group.
Reporting
20. The group will report at a frequency determined by the Chair and agreed with MBIE, with
the primary reports being provided to MBIE in two phases:
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•  Phase 1 report, by 30 June 2024
•  Phase 2 report, by 30 October 2024
Conflicts of interest
21. Members should be aware of all actual, perceived and potential conflicts of interest and
notify the Chair before any meeting. The Secretariat wil  maintain a register of notified
conflicts.

22. The Chair is responsible for determining mitigations to address any conflicts of interest
that arise.
Secretariat
23. Secretariat support wil  be overseen by the Chair and provided by Koi Tū: The Centre for
Informed Futures.
Remuneration.
24. Renumeration wil  not be paid to members who are employees of government agencies
listed in Schedule 2 of the Public Service Act 2020. Their employer is responsible for
meeting all costs associated with their membership on the Group.

25. Al  other members are entitled to compensation per day of meeting or other work agreed
by the Chair and MBIE. Remuneration wil  be set according to guidance set out in
Cabinet Office Circular CO(22)2: Revised Fees Framework for members appointed to
bodies in which the Crown has an interest. Travel and accommodation wil  be booked for
and paid through Koi Tū: The Centre for Informed Futures.
Funding
26. MBIE will fund the University of Auckland to enable Koi Tū: The Centre for Informed
Futures to provide secretariat support for the Group.

27. Other cost-generating activities wil  be agreed by the Chair and MBIE before the costs
are incurred.
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Document Outline