After visiting Australia, the HFSP tour through Oceania continued with an official visit to New Zealand, one of the HFSP country members. This mission aimed to stretch relationships with New Zealand scientific institutions to engage international cooperation and participation in HFSP research programs.
Pavel Kabat, the HFSP Secretary General, met with the Prime Minister's Chief Science, the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment, the Marsden Fund Council, and the Health Research Council of New Zealand. The HRC is a Crown agency of the New Zealand Government. It manages the government's investment in health research for the public good. HRC identifies and funds research that can lead to new medicines, breakthroughs, and cures and improve the health and well-being of all New Zealanders. The HFSP visit to New Zealand also included a meeting with the Royal Society Te Aparangi.
"Scientists and research institutions throughout New Zealand have played, and continue to play, an important role in the success of HFSP research. New Zealand’s representatives bring a depth of experience and expertise to HFSP regarding developing organizational sensibilities and policies that reflect diversity and inclusion. As a country, New Zealand officially and actively engages with Māori people, their contributions, and communities. This is true generally of branches of government and education, and true specifically of science-related entities" - said Pavel Kabat, HFSP Secretary General, when presenting the New Zealand footprint in HFSP programs - " HFSP appreciates the contributions of its New Zealand representatives and scientists and is looking forward to implementing commonly agreed Shared Values because we believe becoming truly globally inclusive across all aspects of our organisation is important for HFSP’s future" - he states.
Research support for scientists at New Zealand institutions through HFSP programs goes back to the beginning of the Program in 1990. Since then, HFSP has maintained a high level of engagement with New Zealand's scientific community and research institutions.
New Zealand has been a member of HFSP for almost 20 years. The country integrated the HFSP board of members in 2006. Since then, nearly 60 researchers have been awarded within the HFSP Research Grants and Fellowships programs.