Marsden Fund goes even more woke
In September I looked at the proportion of Marsden Fund grants that go towards actual science over time. The summary was:
| 2008 | 2017 | 2023 | |
| Science | 88% | 80% | 72% |
| Humanities | 8% | 11% | 13% |
| Maori | 3% | 5% | 8% |
| Identity | 1% | 2% | 5% |
| Political | 0% | 3% | 2% |
We now have 2024 grants, and the big winner is of course anything to do with Maori.
| 2008 | 2017 | 2023 | 2024 | |
| Science | 88% | 80% | 72% | 73% |
| Humanities | 8% | 11% | 13% | 7% |
| Maori | 3% | 5% | 8% | 17% |
| Identity | 1% | 2% | 5% | 3% |
| Political | 0% | 3% | 2% | 1% |
Some examples include:
- We all aspire for a future that is fair, just and sustainable. And in Aotearoa, this future should be based on the foundational document, Te Tiriti o Waitangi. But how do we transition to a decolonised nation that respects and upholds collective Indigenous rights?
- This study will be the first to systematically study how mōteatea (traditional chants or laments) can be used as either alternative modes of therapy, or to compliment existing clinical approaches. This is a move toward centring the promotion of wellbeing as opposed to the treatment of illness.
- This study will use wānanga, workshops, and interviews to reveal the importance traditional clothing making has in transmitting knowledge, preserving traditions, and fostering connection.
- This research will develop a new model of Aotearoa New Zealand’s economy, challenging assumptions around safe depletion. It will do this by combining concepts from Te Ao Māori and contemporary economic methods.
- This research project will investigate current and historical relationships between Māori people and government tax, with the aim of proposing new, Te Tiriti-affirming tax systems.
I can only imagine what a Te Tiriti-affirming tax system looks like! And thanks to taxpayers we will find out.