Dr Bodeker said while associated costs of his role had previously been covered by funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a United States government agency, that funding had depleted. He had requested funding of $100,000 a year for four years from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, but last week was told his application had been declined, he said.
MBIE acting manager international science partnerships Simon Rae said ad hoc requests such as Dr Bodeker’s were challenging to address, particularly as dedicated funding to support participation in international science organisations was constrained.
"All requests MBIE receives are carefully considered and there were several factors in MBIE’s decision.
"When considering these factors, funding to support Dr Bodeker’s co-chair role did not stand out as a high enough priority to proceed with an investment by MBIE, or any of the other relevant departments with which we consulted.
"Climate science is a significant priority for New Zealand and government provides considerable investment to support this. Institutions typically supported their scientists to participate in such international science forums, he said.
"MBIE does have limited funding for New Zealand’s membership to international science associations and, on a contestable basis, provides limited funding to support New Zealand delegates to travel to key meetings of such associations.
"MBIE works across government, such as with the Ministry for the Environment, to understand international engagement priorities in this area of research."
MBIE had informed Dr Bodeker the amount he had requested was significantly higher than the funding it provided for science association memberships.
"We have advised that MBIE may be able to assist with some travel funding for the 2017-18 financial year, but he has not yet been in contact with MBIE about this offer."
