Knowledge Creation and Research
Quality education that leads to New Zealanders having a much broader range of employment and lifestyle options is a high priority for this Government. Supporting industry and businesses that are able to make a significant contribution to our local and national economies is also very important.
While we cannot stop production companies going off shore the Government is making every effort to ensure that industry and business continue to be key contributors.
For example, the textiles clothing footwear and carpet sectors are currently managing the transition to lower tariffs, and facing challenges of transforming their industries into globally competitive, self-reliant sectors. The Government is encouraging tertiary providers to work with those sectors around skills and training. This minimises the risk of employment loss while providing transferable skills.
The Government considers that all teaching should be informed by an understanding of relevant research so that the learning that takes place is well-grounded and up-to-date. Research is vital to New Zealand’s social and economic development through the formulation of new ideas and knowledge. The tertiary education sector is responsible for producing around two-thirds of New Zealand’s research output. The quality of tertiary research in every discipline and subject area is, therefore, a key concern for Government, the tertiary sector and its stakeholders.
Measures to improve the quality of research include the Performance Based Research Fund (PBRF) and the establishment of Centres of Research Excellence. Among these Centres is the Nga Pae o te Maramatanga (Horizons of Insight) which is focussing on excellent research into Māori development and advancement.
The PBRF is about enhancing research excellence in all academic disciplines. Māori knowledge and development is one of the twelve broad subject areas for which the PBRF assessed the quality of research. It includes research into matauranga Māori and kaupapa Māori.
It was recognised when setting up the PBRF that Māori research should be seen to encompass research into things Māori, and research conducted according to Māori methods of research and subscribing to Māori ways of knowing[1].
It is considered that the definition of research for PBRF purposes is sufficiently broad to recognise the diverse nature of Māori research and approaches.
Research into Māori knowledge takes place throughout the tertiary sector and is not confined to the wānanga. Under the PBRF, seventeen tertiary education organisations, including one of the three wānanga, submitted research portfolios for assessment by the Māori knowledge and development panel. This panel considered research into ahuatanga Māori and tikanga Māori, as well as other Māori knowledge.
The Māori Knowledge and Development assessment panel contained a number of highly respected Māori academics. In terms of quality of research output, the PBRF revealed that research into Māori knowledge is developing well, with an overall quality ranking above that of health and education. The PBRF also seeks to encourage growth in Māori research capability through an increased weighting for research degree completions by Māori students.
It should be recognised that it takes many years to develop a productive/excellent research environment. The wānanga are relatively new institutions with different areas and levels of focus and are growing their research capability. It will take a while for that research capability to be reflected in the quality assessments.