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Universities are significant producers of research in New Zealand

The majority of research in the tertiary education sector takes place within universities. In 2002, universities were significant producers of research in New Zealand. According to the 2002 Statistics New Zealand Research and Development Survey, universities carried out $435 million of research and development in 2002. This represented 31 percent of the total New Zealand investment in research and development.

Information from the annual reports of the universities showed that in 2002 a total of 16,686 university publications and other research outputs were reported, an increase of 13 percent from 1997.

The Ministry of Research, Science and Technology, National Bibliometric Report 1997 to 2001, notes that the tertiary education sector is responsible for the largest share of the total research output of the country. The report states that in 2001, 47 percent of indexed scientific papers produced in New Zealand were produced by university researchers. This is consistent with the figure for 1997 (51 percent). By including all research outputs, not just scientific papers, the proportion of output from universities increases.

Two-thirds of university research expenditure is on pure basic and strategic research

The type of research conducted within the university sector is more directed towards pure basic and strategic research. In 2002, more than two-thirds of university research expenditure was spent in the pure basic and strategic areas, compared with 53 percent for government and 21 percent for business.

The 2002 Statistics New Zealand Research and Development Survey noted that, in terms of research expenditure, around half of the pure basic research and about 40 percent of the strategic research in New Zealand in 2002 was undertaken by universities ¹.

Figure 43: Types of research being undertaken by universities, 2002

Source: Statistics New Zealand, Research and Development Survey 2002

Māori research is an emerging area

Māori research is a unique area of research in New Zealand. Māori research includes research undertaken by Māori, research about Māori knowledge and tradition and research for the purposes of advancing Māori social and economic development. While some very significant research has been undertaken in this area, the development of Māori research has been hampered by the diversion of experienced researchers to a range of other activities, such as management, mentoring and advice to government.

The potential for growth in Māori research is signalled by the establishment of such initiatives as the National Institute of Research Excellence for Māori Development and Advancement - Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga. The establishment of the Institute, along with other initiatives, should help to develop critical capacity in Māori research.

¹ See Technical and Data Definitions for further explanation of these terms (↑)

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• Table of Contents

• The Baseline Picture

• Cross Strategy Indicators

• Raise foundation skills

• Skills for our knowledge society

• Strengthen research and knowledge creation

• Te rautaki mātauranga Māori

• Pacific people’s development and success

• Capability and quality

• Technical and Data Definitions