TI-NZ concerned over possible Marsden Fund conflicts of Interest

Transparency International New Zealand (TI-NZ) considers that decisions on Government sourced funding for research should be subject to clear and specific guidelines to eliminate any possible or perceived conflicts of interest.

TI-NZ is particularly concerned over the adequacy of the processes used to avoid conflicts of interest in this year’s allocation of research grants from the Marsden Fund.

TI-NZ is of the view that any Board Member of the Marsden Fund, or its advisory panels, who applies for funding, should resign. If the funding application is successful that person should not be eligible for reappointment until they have finished receiving or using monies from the Marsden Fund.

Transparency International understands that conflict of interest issues can be complex. This complexity can be compounded in small societies with limited numbers of people qualified to serve on advisory panels and selection committees requiring specialist knowledge.

Membership of such committees and panels could be broadened to bring in wider international experience. The Marsden Fund already makes use of foreign experts and may have to do so more often in the future if New Zealand has too few disinterested individuals with appropriate expertise for each area of research funding.

The State Services Commission has extensive guidelines on identifying and avoiding potential conflicts of interest in similar situations to that of the Marsden Fund. These guidelines should be used by the Marsden Fund and all similar organisations in New Zealand drawing on public funds for research purposes.

A perceived conflict of interest can be as damaging to the reputation of an organization, and erode public trust, as much as an actual conflict of interest.

Gerald McGhie
Deputy Chairperson
TINZ