The prime minister’s chief science advisor is calling for more funding for New Zealand’s research and development field – if our industries are to remain competitive in the future.

Sir Peter Gluckman  told a Parliamentary select committee hearing this week that New Zealand’s spending on R&D is far below comparable countries – around half a percent of GDP.

Professor Gluckman says it’s essential that New Zealanders keep innovating, saying we can no longer lay claim to being a “Number 8 Wire” nation.  Professor Gluckman says our farming systems in particular will need to change to fit a different global landscape in the next 20 years.