Our speaker was Right Honourable Goldsmith Minister of Science and Technology. He gave us a wide-ranging address from his role in the cabinet and his specific ministerial duties.
Before entering politics Paul was a professional Historian and Biographer focusing on New Zealand economic history and development. Additionaly he spent some time as an Auckland City Councillor.
The underline theme of his address that science and technology are everywhere and the focus on science technology is to preserve and enhance what is special about New Zealand with the intention over insuring our society remains cohesive. Paul commented that in comparison to the rest of the world that is the special feature of New Zealand society.
A significant focus on work under his portfolio is how the 4.5 million occupants of New Zealand affect the islands on which we live and the very large area of the South Pacific for which we are responsible.
Paul told us a good deal of effort in the science and technology field goes to understanding and giving solutions to the problems arising in the areas water quality, techtonic plate shift, volcanology.
Given New Zealand’s reliance on the environment these are the important areas of research.
We are presently spending about 1.5 billion per annum on science over a wide area from Crown Research Institutes to Mission Led Natural Science programmes to Callaghan Innovation.
Paul told us innovation is a broad discussion and not just about science. The essential question is how do we do what we do better.
The creative sector is source of innovation and in this regard he pointed to Weta workshop in Wellington. One can also point to sporting innovation as is a case with Emirate Team in New Zealand and their revolutionary approach to power and control systems in the recent America’s Cup.
One of Paul’s other hat is as Minster of Regulatory Reform.
He commented that creating a successful business is hard work and point of regulatory reform is to break down barriers that prevent ideas turning into revenue. Coming up with the idea is easy part but making money out of the idea is the difficult bit.
He commented that New Zealand’s officials have not taken historically a disciplined approach to regulation making which creates problems in the economy and stifles innovation. Look at the current brouhaha over rare Hamburgers as an example. Many regulations are passed as a reaction to a perceived a problem without considering the consequences creating a quite tangled regulatory landscape. He commented that we need to discipline in this regard to enable business to function efficiently.
In closing Paul commented that agriculture is now not the only mainstay of our economy as aquaculture, tourism and education now add the same or similar value to our GDP. Innovation in these area has given great balance to the economy.
Paul commented in response to a question on research and development. That he considers, we, as in New Zealand are where we should be in terms of per capital contributions to R&D on a worldwide basis noting also that there has been a 29% increase in business R&D in New Zealand over last 2 to 3 years.
Thank you to the Honorable Minister for spending time with us.