Richard Easther: Auckland University physics professor on the potential impact of the Government's proposed changes to the science sector

Best of Business · Jan 25, 2025 · 9m · transcript

The Government's proposed changes to the science sector have raised a few eyebrows among the nation's scientific community.

The Government aims to merge seven Crown Research Institutes into three public research organisations - and creating another focused on AI.

It's also closing Callaghan Innovation, impacting about 355 staff.

Auckland University professor Richard Easther says this is a significant upheaval - and it raises plenty of questions.

"The challenge here, I think, is that they want to bring out major changes in the way these organisations are structured. But that's going to cost…