Dear John,

General Election 2023
Vote to get Papakura and NZ Back on Track

Key dates for the General Election 2023 are:

Early voting starts on Monday 2 October and Election Day 2023 is 14 October 2023. Voting places are being advertised on the Vote.nz website from 27 September 2023.

Overseas during the Election? You can download voting papers from Vote.nz from 27 September 2023 which you should then complete, upload and return via the Vote.nz website. In some cities, overseas you can vote in person and the details are on the Vote.nz website from 27 September.

National casts doubt on Govt's plan to shake-up science sector

I wrote about the Te Ara Paerangi Future Pathways proposal of the Labour Government back in December 2022.

Dr Ayesha Verrall outlined the three-year makeover in a white paper that planned to create fresh National Research Priorities for our small but fragmented science system.

Labour said its first objective was to overhaul the workforce, including an expansion of research fellowships and applied training schemes, along with another programme aimed at attracting more international talent to New Zealand. To me this means unproductive administration.

The white paper also flagged a need to accelerate innovation in the system; diversify and scale up its impact; close long-standing diversity gaps; embed Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles; and give more support for its poorly paid researchers.

Labour's Budget, included more than $450m for a trio of new cross-institute hubs in Wellington.

These would form a "Wellington Science City" vision to focus on health and pandemic readiness; oceans, climate and hazards; and manufacturing and materials, energy futures and biotech.

As science spokesperson I find the Te Ara Paerangi document "disappointing" and unproductive.

I agree there should be national science priorities and that there are significant advantages in working with the science sector and industry to establish those. I don’t agree we should commit to another $450m in capital investment without fully reviewing the effectiveness of the "Wellington Science City” plans that are proposed.

Labour has not consulted with National and I believe there are better ways to build the science sector and commercialise and scale up start-ups. For example, our already released policies for biotech would relax tight restrictions around gene technology.

This is a policy that will harness biotech to grow New Zealand's economy and help our businesses meet climate commitments without committing budget needlessly and unproductively.

A vibrant tech sector supported but not managed by government, has the potential to provide economic growth in New Zealand with high-paying jobs and high-value exports.

Lack of access to skills and expertise is often raised by tech firms as one of the main barriers to growing New Zealand’s technology and innovation sector. Therefore, part of a National government’s plan would be around incentivising immigration that focusses on attracting highly talented people with the skills, knowledge and expertise Kiwi firms need to grow.

We know it is common for tech start-ups to attract employees with an offer of equity in the company if it succeeds. However, the Startup Advisors Council has identified existing rules – where share options are treated as income when they are exercised and converted into shares, rather than when the shares are sold – as a major concern, so a National government will scrutinize that.

National’s plan for boosting the tech sector:

• Attract top talent with an International Graduates Visa – a three-year open work visa for 500 highly educated people with a Bachelor’s degree or higher, in the first year.
• Attract top talent with Global Growth Tech Visa – residence visa for 250 people with highly specialised skills who have worked at a top global tech company earning at least NZ$400,000pa.
• Attract Top Talent with Digital Nomad Visa – a 12-month visa to attract 250 skilled, highly-mobile people to come to New Zealand while working remotely for an overseas-based company, with the option to apply for a work or residence visa later if they choose to stay.
• Supporting startups – investigate changes to the tax treatment of options issued by startups to their staff to make it easier to attract and retain talent in their early years.
• Minister of Technology – to work with the tech sector to create the right policy and regulatory environment to support more innovation and faster growth.
• End New Zealand’s ban on gene editing and genetic modification to unlock enormous benefits for climate change, agriculture and health science. Advances in gene technology will create export income and will contribute growth in the economy, reduce the cost of living, lift incomes, and help support the public services that New Zealanders deserve.
• Biotech Regulator established - to ensure safe and ethical use of biotechnology. Streamline approvals for trials and use of non-GE/GM biotech in line with other OECD countries.

Making it easier for the tech sector to attract and retain talent and supporting startups to grow, is part of National’s plan to rebuild the economy and to get it working for all New Zealand.

It is also not only about tech. Attracting the best and brightest to New Zealand, whatever their field, has real potential for better services, innovation and growth across the economy.

A strong economy means an end to the cost-of-living crisis, will lower mortgage rates and lead to higher incomes. Healthy income means New Zealand can also afford the quality education, healthcare, Police, justice, infrastructure and other public services we all rely on for our future and our children and grandchildren’s futures.

Remember to Vote Judith Collins for your Member of Parliament in Papakura and Party Vote National.

Thank you for your continued support,
Judith
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