The NZ Government announced it will not stay-on for the build of the world’s largest radio telescope

SKA will consist of thousands of receiving dishes in South Africa and 130 000 antennas, over 65km of remote WA – it is a very big deal indeed in astronomy with prospects of transforming knowledge of the universe.

But this does not convince the Kiwis who have had enough

“New Zealand originally joined this phase to support and develop our software industry through engaging with one the world’s largest science projects.  As a result of our participation, several of New Zealand’s universities and ICT companies have significantly developed their capability in dealing with ‘big data’, and these advances are already being applied to pursuing other commercial opportunities,” the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment stated yesterday.