Our 2011 election manifesto - Labour Party

While bachelor level enrolments over the past decade have grown in business administration
and accountancy, they have dropped or flat-lined in areas such as computer science,
engineering, mathematics and chemistry. That needs to be reversed.
Creating a culture of science and innovation has to start young – the next generation of
Kiwis will have to be smarter and more innovative to compete in a fast-changing and
technologically driven global economy. Our schools need the resources and support to
teach science in a way which excites and engages students. Clear pathways for young
people interested in a career in science need to be further developed. New Zealand has
seen an increase in students wanting to take commerce and law degrees whereas
engineering and science are either flat-lining or declining.
Labour will build on existing programmes to create a long running and
comprehensive awareness campaign to promote science in schools.
Labour will investigate options for creating a Gateway programme for science,
whereby year 12 and 13 students taking science subjects and interested in a further
career can get science based work experience at local CRI‟s and participating private
businesses.
Labour will reform the Voluntary Bonding Scheme to allow teachers in the hardest to
fill science subjects and schools to be eligible for Voluntary Bonding Scheme
payments in their first year of work.
Labour will support science teachers in making science learning exciting and reengaging
and increasing the number of science advisors in schools (primary and
secondary) and making practical links through the science curriculum with science
institutions and R&D companies that undertake scientific research such as the
Liggins Institute.
Labour will target university funding towards engineering, science and design which
are essential for New Zealand‟s economic success.
For science and innovation to succeed it needs support at the highest level to create greater
consensus – to seize and act on key opportunities open to New Zealand and overcome
impediments that inhibit innovation.
Labour will create an Innovation Council that will advise on policy at the highest level
of government and business. It will be chaired by the Prime Minister and bring
together the Ministers for Science, Finance, Economic Development as well as key
industry players and research institutions. It will ensure that opportunities and
priorities are recognised and resources allocated to act on them.
Labour will strengthen the role of the position of Chief Scientist with appropriate
resources within the Government to provide advice to the Prime Minister and
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