Tumu Whakarae | Acting Chief Executive Update

Ngā mihi o te wā

How things change in 2 weeks, auē!  We are back in our lockdown bubbles following an extended period of domestic freedom and, as before, we are relying heavily on scientists, research and analysis to navigate a path through the pandemic and to eliminate COVID-19.  Kia kaha.

Science and research has been front and centre in addressing much that New Zealand has faced in the past ten years whether it be the Canterbury and Kaikōura earthquakes, Whakaari White Island eruption and more recently COVID-19.  It is a testament to the many years of investment in science and research to build such capability that we have been able to navigate the COVID pandemic better than the majority of other countries.

It is useful to remind ourselves that such capability is a long time, often a lifetime, in the making as it depends, among other things, on the accumulated knowledge and wisdom of people – our researchers and scholars - and their connections and relationships.  Capability can be much more quickly lost, though, and we need to be mindful of this as we await the opportunity to respond to the anticipated green paper from government on changes to the research, science and innovation system. It is vitally important that we make the most of that opportunity while avoiding unintended consequences of any changes.  The Society looks forward to assisting with that process.

Right now, it is a matter of getting through and out of the lockdown and acknowledging the extraordinary efforts of our scientists and their institutions, our committed health workers who are putting in such long hours, and our highly valued essential workers, and their whānau too, helping Aotearoa New Zealand get through this very challenging time and keeping us safe. Thank you for that.

He rā ki tua better days are coming. He iti te hau marangai, e tū te pāhokahoka after the storm comes a rainbow.

Dr Roger Ridley
Tumu Whakarae | Acting Chief Executive
Royal Society Te Apārangi