Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Simon Upton says high public spending on environmental science reflects Kiwis' priorities.

Newly minted environment commissioner Simon Upton has applauded the Government for not following foreign leaders in their growing rejection of science.

Speaking at the Science New Zealand 25th anniversary conference at Te Papa on Thursday, Upton said many countries that had once been "guarantors of the science tradition" had recently abandoned evidence-based policy.

"We are living in troubled times. Science is becoming repoliticised around the world as research on climate change and other environmental issues falls out of favour with policymakers who seem to have parted company with evidence as the basis for good policy."

WOOLF PHOTOGRAPHY Science and Innovation Minister Megan Woods speaks at the 25th anniversary Science New Zealand conference.

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Upton, a former National MP, said it was essential to keep public science at arm's length from political or commercial interference.

He also congratulated New Zealand on its high spending on environmental research. "According to OECD statistics, NZ spends a far higher percentage of its public-good science envelope on environmentally related research than any other country.

"It's actually 10.8 per cent of the total public research spend. A lot of countries are down around 2, 3 or 4 per cent."

Newly appointed Minister of Research, Science and Innovation Megan Woods also addressed the gathering of scientists, and pledged the Government would increase spending on research and development to 2 per cent of GDP within 10 years.

Private investment would also be encouraged, by introducing a research and development tax credit.