'A better start' selected as national science challenge
Thu 09 May 2013
'A better start', improving the potential of young New Zealanders to have a healthy and successful life, has been selected as one of ten National ...
'A better start', improving the potential of young New Zealanders to have a healthy and successful life, has been selected as one of ten National Science Challenges. Minister of Science and Innovation Steven Joyce said, “The Challenges are designed to take a more strategic approach to our science investment by targeting a series of goals which, if they are achieved, would have a major and enduring benefit for New Zealand."
A Better Start will focus on "research to improve the potential of young New Zealanders (up to 25 years) to have a healthy and successful life, including themes on:
- developmental epigenetics, gestation and maternal health
- behaviour, social processes, mental health, adolescent transition (eg how early temperament shapes life outcomes, science of neurodevelopment, and role of parenting on development)
- education and living in the digital world (eg early childhood education and development, teaching children in a digital age)"
The (public) Cabinet paper states, "The Challenges will have a significant impact on the future development and allocation of science funding, providing strong investment direction and driving alignment of science and technology spending to national goals. The role of the Challenges in reshaping the system will be reflected in the upcoming National Statement of Science Investment (to be considered by Cabinet in June 2013)." The government announced a $73.5 million boost (in addition to $60 million previously allocated) over four years to fund the Challenges, as part of Budget 2013.
However the funding has been questioned by child welfare campaigners who highlight the lack of action to address what is already known about issues affecting children and young people. It was highlighted that approximately 270,000 New Zealand children continue to live beneath the poverty line. In an interview on the Radio Live Morning Report, Mana Party MP Hone Harawira stated, "Let's not forget about the children going hungry, let's feed the kids now". Auckland University Associate Professor Susan St John also voiced her concern that the funding announcement was a delaying tatic, saying "Setting up more studies to prove what we know already, doesn't seem like a particularly good use of money".
The New Zealand Family Violence Clearinghouse recently released two issues papers on the impacts of exposure to intimate partner violence on children and young people including effects on health, education, social and economic wellbeing as well as the quality of parenting they receive.
Budget 2013: National Science Challenges announced, Scoop, 01.05.2013