Time to focus on the science

It doesn’t seem unreasonable to suggest there’s a word that begins with F currently on the minds of many concerned with the operation of Crown entity Antarctica New Zealand. Not to mention those in government to whom its leaders must answer.

Yes, it’s focus. Because a series of recent stories on New Zealand’s operations on the frozen continent have raised questions suggesting that focus on the core business of the taxpayer-funded organisation, responsible for New Zealand’s activities supporting science and environmental programmes, has drifted a little. At a time when the information and data unearthed by scientists working there is more crucial than ever to our understanding of complex issues like climate change, that is worrying.

‘‘Science is the currency of Antarctica,’’ retired Canterbury University academic Bryan Storey told Stuff last week. ‘‘There’s never been a more important time to do scientific research in Antarctica.’’

Not that there’s any suggestion our scientists aren’t carrying out research, with four universities running Antarctic programmes, Antarctic scientists employed in Crown research entities, and two major research programmes, as part of a new Antarctic science platform, being set up, with field activities to start in the 2019-20 season. As in other fields of scientific research, the contestable nature of some funding means scientists can often be required to spend a chunk of their time trying to secure or retain funding, which has led to a sense of the Antarctic effort being fragmented.

However, stories about the recent sacking of charismatic AntNZ chief executive Peter Beggs for serious misconduct have focused attention on the organisation, which gets about $20 million a year from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. It doesn’t engage in scientific activities itself, but looks after Scott Base, and facilitates the work of scientists based there.

There was a testy relationship between Beggs, who ‘‘lacked the background in scientific research that’s needed’’, and Antarctic scientists, Storey said. His departure also turned the microscope on the makeup of the AntNZ board, which contains several high-profile business figures, including former Air New Zealand and Icebreaker chief executive Rob Fyfe, and Dame Therese Walsh, known for prominent roles in the staging of the rugby and cricket world cups. It is noticeably short on scientific expertise and, despite Christchurch’s location as the so-called gateway to the ice, contains no members from Canterbury.

A report last week said scientists had been concerned the board was treating Scott Base like something of a resort. That had seen a stream of celebrity and VIP visitors, with questionable connections to the science being carried out there. On Sunday, it was reported that former New Zealand’s Next Top Model host Sara Tetro, who married Fyfe earlier this year, travelled to the ice in 2016, having worked on the ‘‘invited visitors programme’’.

All of which suggests that a major reset, with the focus squarely on scientific efforts in Antarctica and how best to achieve them, is well overdue. A revamped board, and a genuinely science-focused replacement for Beggs, may be just the first steps, if taxpayers are to see our involvement on the ice as money well spent.

‘‘A revamped board, and a genuinely science-focused replacement for [Peter] Beggs, may be just the first steps, if taxpayers are to see our involvement on the ice as money well spent.’’