Hamilton has missed out on hosting the International Biology Olympiad (IBO) after what appears to be confusion and delaying tactics on the part of the Ministry of Education.
Hamilton News reported last month that the city was likely to miss out on a $2.7 million injection into the local economy after the New Zealand International Biology Olympiad made a call to withdraw its hosting of the IBO in the city in July 2014.
Chairperson Dr Angela Sharples said the NZIBO had to withdraw after Minister of Education Hekia Parata indicated the Government was not able to underwrite the cost of the event.
The Indonesian government has since agreed to host the event in Bali in 2014.
Dr Sharples says she had been trying since mid-January to engage Hekia Parata's office for support in accessing appropriate funding channels, having gained an earlier indication of support from previous education minister Anne Tolley.
A statement from Hekia Parata's office, made through Hamilton West MP Tim Macindoe earlier this week, stated "the Minister's office has no record of the NZIBO organisers making contact in January or February 2012. In March 2012, the organisers were advised to contact Ministry of Education, but I understand they did not do so".
However, Hamilton News has obtained a paper trail suggesting otherwise. A letter, signed by Hekia Parata, acknowledges receipt of Dr Sharples' email of February 21, 2012. In addition, emails from Dr Sharples to the Ministry date back to at least April 2011. She also sent briefing papers to the minister - "at her request" - on March 21, 2012.
"She didn't advise us to go to the Ministry of Education - her office was still dealing with us and requesting more information," said Dr Sharples.
Organisers continued to experience "road blocks" to sources of funding and, in May, asked the Government to underwrite the cost of the event. They received confirmation at the end of July that the Government was not in a position to do that.
"There has been a huge amount of frustration around this," Dr Sharples said. "I feel like we've let down the international community."
She said she was "really disappointed" at not being able to host the olympiad.
"The Government talks all the time about supporting science education, but we actually want to see some action."
Hamilton Labour List MP Sue Moroney said, "This is yet another short-sighted example of how this Government is not backing Hamilton or our science community.
"Our regional economy will continue to stagnate unless the Government is prepared to back innovation and encourage events that will stimulate local growth."
NZIBO executive committee member and senior lecturer in biology at Waikato University, Dr Alison Campbell is pleased the Indonesian government has come to the rescue.
"It's impressive that their government is 100 per cent behind it."
She says the implication was that significant funding from the Indonesian government was going into hosting the event.
"It shows very strong commitment to supporting talented young scientists."
Dr Campbell says New Zealand's failure to host the 2014 Olympiad comes as National's Steven Joyce - whose ministerial portfolios include Economic Development, Science and Innovation, and Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment - is in Washington DC and San Francisco to raise the profile of New Zealand science, trade and education sectors.
Mr Joyce is leading a science delegation to attend the New Zealand-United States Joint Commission on Science and Technology Co-operation this week. The objective is to promote bilateral scientific collaboration with the US at a policy and research level.
"What better opportunity to promote tertiary education in this country than to get international visitors here?" Dr Campbell says.
She says this prestigious event would have brought about 250 student competitors and 200 leading biology educators and academics from 60 countries to New Zealand.
At some point New Zealand will have to host an olympiad, though the next opportunity may not be until 2020.
"It's an expectation that your country will be a host if you compete in the IBO," says Dr Campbell.
She is pleased the IBO movement had allowed New Zealand to continue to compete; it was within its rights to disallow New Zealand since it was no longer hosting the 2014 olympiad.
Dr Campbell says New Zealand needs a champion for science education.
"We need another Sir Paul Callaghan", but added there didn't appear to be anyone on the horizon.
Hamilton and Waikato Tourism chief executive Kiri Goulter is disappointed the event won't go ahead in Hamilton. "Events attracting international participants bring new money into our economy and help to positively profile our region."
THE PROGRAMME
The NZIBO programme consists of a national entrance exam - the first step in the programme.
Those who make it through the exam participate in a 10-month electronic tutorial programme hosted by Waikato University's Faculty of Science and Engineering. After that, students sit another exam. The 15 to 20 students with the highest marks are chosen for an eight-day practical training camp. At the camp the students sit another exam and the top four scorers are selected to represent New Zealand at the International Biology Olympiad.
The students who represent New Zealand at an international olympiad receive funding from the Talented School Student Travel Award programme, administered by the Royal Society.
The NZIBO itself does not receive any government funding. Instead, NZIBO chairperson Dr Angela Sharples works to secure private sponsors to fund the programme each year.
Dr Sharples surveys NZIBO alumni every 18 months to find out what they are studying or what field they are working in, and where. She says many former NZIBO students study medicine.