the royal society of new zealand Profiling exCellenCe

www.royalsociety.org.nz

Highlights from 2009

Cover image: The full moon, in an image taken by Jean-Luc Dauvergne and called Ciel et Espace, courtesy of the From Earth to the Universe (FETTU) website. 2009 was the International Year of Astronomy and was celebrated all around the world. At the Royal Society of New Zealand, astronomy and the universe was the theme of many of our activities during the year.

© 2010 Royal Society of New Zealand, PO Box 598, 6140, New Zealand ISBN 1-877264-28-8 Profiling Excellence

from the from the president Chief Executive

2009 has been another year of growth and Our vision is to make a unique contribution change for the Royal Society of New Zealand. to research and scholarship through the Most significant was the decision to broaden relationships that we cultivate – with the our scope and opportunities by embracing public, the news media, our young people the Council for the Humanities from 2010, and their teachers, scientists, researchers, a move we are delighted to have taken. government and international academies. These connections lie at the heart of For the first time in New Zealand there will everything we do. be an organisation that promotes excellence in research and scholarship across all Profiling Excellence highlights the broad the disciplines of science, technology, scope of the work undertaken by the the social sciences and the humanities. Royal Society of New Zealand in 2009. At the same time as we are broadening We present some examples of the specific the academic span of our activities, we are connections we have and the benefits that pursuing with no less vigour the issue of flow from these into the advancement and the application of science and particularly celebration of excellent scholarship within the development of new technology to New Zealand. We hope you enjoy reading create added wealth in New Zealand. the stories we have chosen to showcase. Science has been to the fore this year with The work of the Royal Society of the introduction of the Prime Minister’s New Zealand is made possible by the Science Prizes, the appointment of a assistance of government and our Chief Science Advisor and reviews of many supporters, Fellows, Companions, elements of the science system due to past members and dedicated staff to whom Royal Society of New Zealand initiatives. we are sincerely grateful.

Dr Garth Carnaby MNZM FRSNZ Dr Di McCarthy ONZM President Chief Executive

01 Profiling exCellenCe

CeleBrating sCienCe

the 2009 science Honours dinner was held in november to recognise and celebrate the achievements of new Zealand’s top scientists and technologists through the presentation of awards and medals.

02 From left: Hon Dr Wayne Mapp, Minister of Research, Science and Technology, and Professor Peter Hunter, Rutherford Medal winner • Professor Kenneth McNatty, Pickering Medal winner • Dr Richard Garland, Thomson Medal winner

Sustained outstanding achievement Inspirational leadership The Hutton Medal for earth sciences was in science and technology awarded to Professor Colin Wilson FRSNZ The Thomson Medal was awarded to from Victoria University of Wellington The country’s highest science and Dr Richard Garland, managing director of for his outstanding work on volcanism. technology award, the Rutherford Medal, New Zealand Pharmaceuticals Ltd, for his Professor Wilson’s research aims to better was presented to Professor Peter Hunter outstanding leadership in the development understand volcanic activity so adequate FRS FRSNZ by the Minister of Research, and application of science and technology warnings of impending eruptions can be Science and Technology Hon Dr Wayne to New Zealand business development. given. Since viewing these events first- Mapp, together with $100,000 from the He received $15,000 from the Royal hand is not an option, he analyses what’s Government. Society of New Zealand. been left behind, such as pumice and ash. As a biomedical engineer and head of the Dr Garland has built locally owned He describes his work as “a kind of forensic Bioengineering Institute, Professor Hunter New Zealand Pharmaceuticals Ltd into a science applied to sleeping or dead volcanoes has pioneered a new approach to modelling successful and rapidly expanding business, rather than dead people; you might say the human body using simulations that span supplying selected pharmaceuticals to it’s like CSI: Taupo”. biological levels all the way from genes major overseas companies. The RJ Scott Medal for engineering sciences to the whole organ. More medal winners and technology was awarded to Paul Harris Over the past 30 years, he has established of Industrial Research Limited for his The Te Rangi Hiroa Medal in social sciences himself as a leader in the rapidly developing significant contributions to the development was awarded to Professor Ian Pool FRSNZ field of computational physiology – of electronic devices in New Zealand. from the University of Waikato for his a combination of mathematics, computer These have included a novel imaging demographic research. This has focused science, engineering and biology. system for dental applications, on Ma-ori fertility and family formation, a high resolution 3D ultrasonic device Technological excellence the theory of age-structural transitions, for imaging bone structure, and a sonic measurement of mortality and morbidity, The top award for technology, the Pickering hand-held device for wood quality testing. and the relationship between population Medal, was awarded to Professor Kenneth His research has resulted in the formation and development. Professor Pool has made McNatty FRSNZ from Victoria University of three companies manufacturing this outstanding contributions to New Zealand of Wellington for his contribution to the equipment, with substantial economic history through his books about demographic field of reproductive biology. He received benefit for New Zealand. histories of the Ma-ori population from $15,000 from the Royal Society of 1769, and of the family since 1840. New Zealand to further his research. Professor Peter Steel FRSNZ from the His work has led to the discovery of an University of Canterbury was honoured entirely new class of proteins that regulate with the for the advancement ovulation, opening up potential for a range of chemical sciences, for his world renowned of totally new therapeutic and diagnostic work in the field of metallosupramolecular methods for the management of chemistry leading to potential applications reproduction. He has developed a vaccine in medicine and nanotechnology. to increase sheep lambing rates and a hormone preparation for superovulation of livestock.

03 Profiling exCellenCe

aCCent on astronomY

From left: Timaru Boys’ High team, winners of the Background image: Coronal loops. Photo: Freemasons BIG Science Adventures competition, From Earth to the Universe (FETTU) website with Astronomer Royal Martin Lord Rees, President of the Royal Society of London • Professor Robert Kirshner • Katie Henderson • Tina Makereti it is 400 years since galileo turned his handmade telescope to the sky and changed our view of the moon and planets, transforming our understanding of earth’s place in the universe. to mark this event, 2009 was celebrated as the international Year of astronomy.

04 Galileo lectures broadcast World leading astronomer visits This is an annual competition organised in association with the New Zealand Listener The Galileo Lecture Series in 2009 was Professor Robert Kirshner, Clowes magazine, which publishes the two winning the result of a partnership between the Professor of Science at Harvard University, essays, and the International Institute Royal Society of New Zealand and visited New Zealand in November as of Modern Letters at Victoria University . Recorded with the 2009 Royal Society of New Zealand of Wellington. The judge for 2009 was audiences around the country and broadcast Distinguished Speaker and delivered three Rebecca Priestley, writer and science later, the lectures were delivered by lectures. Professor Kirshner is one of the historian and winner of the inaugural New Zealand scientists and covered topics world’s leading astronomers and a popular Royal Society of New Zealand Science ranging from the mystery of the fi rst stars public lecturer. His research resulted in the Book Prize. formed at the beginning of the universe, extraordinary discovery that the expansion through to the building of the world’s of the universe is accelerating under the The fi ction category was won by writer largest radio telescope by 2020. infl uence of a mysterious dark energy. Katie Henderson from Auckland with a piece called Strandings. “The universe Big adventures in science The Royal Society of New Zealand may act in a random, unstable manner Distinguished Speaker has been supported Freemasons BIG Science Adventures when it shuns its own intelligence.” by the David and Genevieve Becroft Trust is a challenging DVD-making competition since its inception in 2002. The non-fi ction category was won by run by the Royal Society of New Zealand lecturer Tina Makereti and offers major prizes for secondary Writing about the universe from the Kapiti Coast for her piece entitled school students. In 2009 entrants were “I live at the edge of the universe, Twitch. “There are some people who asked to look at how our view of ourselves like everybody else.” – can trace their whakapapa back to Maui. and our world has changed in the light I am not one of those people. I don’t claim of astronomical discoveries. Entrants to the 2009 Manhire Prize in to be any expert in these matters, but the Creative Science Writing were invited to The winning fi lm,The Burning Question, little I do know is enough to paint a startling write about the place of human beings in was produced by a Timaru Boys’ High picture of creation – a picture that is the universe. School team, and addressed the question surprisingly in tune with conventional of the possibility of life elsewhere in western ideas about how the universe began.” the universe. The fi lm made compelling viewing. It won the boys a two-week trip to London, Venice, Florence and Rome in July 2009. The team visited Martin Lord Rees, Astronomer Royal, and the Vatican Observatory, as well as Galileo’s observatory in Florence, Pisa, and the Moses project and the Venice Biennale in Venice.

05 Profiling exCellenCe

marsden magiC

the marsden fund is new Zealand’s prestigious research fund covering the physical and life sciences, mathematics, engineering, social sciences and humanities. the royal society of new Zealand administers the marsden fund on behalf of the marsden fund Council.

06 From left: Professor Andy Cockburn, Background image: Graphic showing a cell surface University of Canterbury • Professor Pablo receptor (red and yellow) binding to a tuberculosis Etchegoin (right) with collaborator Dr Eric Le Ru, glycolipid (purple) Victoria University of Wellington • Forager bee

Here are some examples of Marsden- Professor Andy Cockburn from the University Bee-line into memory mechanisms funded research. of Canterbury has published a theory that Honeybees learn rapidly to associate an accurately predicts user performance with Golden pathway to seeing single molecules odour with either punishment or reward but hierarchical structures, neatly encapsulating Professor Alison Mercer and her team from Identifying the molecules that a substance decades of empirical results. The theory the have made two contains is useful in many areas, from demonstrates that performance depends surprising discoveries about this. They have medicine, to the food industry, to art and on the degree to which users can predict found that while two-day old bees can learn archaeology. Raman spectroscopy is the location of items at each level of the to associate an odour with a food reward, widely used for this purpose, and involves hierarchy, how much visual search is they are not yet able to learn to associate using laser light to interact with substances involved, and how users migrate from an odour with punishment. Also, when the and determine their component molecules. search to prediction as they gain experience association with punishment fi rst develops One major drawback is that it is not with the dataset. at around three to four days of age, it can very sensitive. Taking advantage of tuberculosis be blocked by a pheromone from the However, the proximity of tiny nanoscale- queen bee, while leaving the association At any time there are billions of T-cells sized particles of gold and silver can boost of odour with reward unaffected. in human blood seeking out and destroying Raman signals from molecules by many foreign proteins, organisms and pre- Oddly enough, the two types of learning orders of magnitude. Using this technique, cancerous cells. Generally, these processes have been traced to the same structures in Professor Pablo Etchegoin at Victoria work extremely effi ciently but sometimes the brain and there is compelling evidence University of Wellington has shown the T-cells attack healthy tissues, causing that they are formed in the very same cells. experimentally that it is possible to observe autoimmune diseases or, conversely, Professor Mercer is investigating these just one molecule at a time, and to quantify they fail to deal with cancerous tumours. effects further, in work that is of broad the observation. This opens up surface- Identifying chemicals that can modulate scientifi c interest and has potential enhanced Raman spectroscopy as an the immune response is important for the relevance to medicine and psychology. immensely powerful diagnostic tool. development of future therapies and vaccines. Clever way of tracking human settlement Thirty years of research in a single hit The fatty cell wall components from micro- Professor Russell Gray, Associate-Professor Finding fi les or commands on computer organisms are a rich source of chemicals that Alexei Drummond and Dr Simon Greenhill, systems and mobile devices usually can modulate immune responses. A team from The , have involves navigating through hierarchical led by Dr Gavin Painter and Dr Wayne Severn applied techniques for tracing evolution structures of menus and folders. The shape from Industrial Research Ltd has shown that through genetics to the development of and structure of these hierarchies govern a specifi c chemical from the cell wall of the languages. In a paper published in the how long we take, and yet this critical tuberculosis bacterium can, surprisingly, prestigious journal, Science, they have used design issue is normally resolved using both activate and suppress immune responses. this method to show that the settlement of intuition or guesswork. For 30 years Already, the chemical is being used in the the Pacifi c, which originated from Taiwan researchers have been trying to answer the development of a tuberculosis vaccine for cattle 5,200 years ago, proceeded in a series of question of whether hierarchical structures and it has also been applied to asthma research. expansion pulses, followed by settlement should offer many choices through few pauses. They have dated the various phases levels or few choices through many levels. and related the expansions to specifi c technological advances.

07 Profiling Excellence

Rutherford Foundation

From left: Dr Alan Davidson • Dr Nicola Jackson (centre) with Rutherford Foundation trustees Mr Mark Winger and Professor • Naomi White and Julian Peat. Photo: Otago Daily Times • Yvette Perrott

The Rutherford Foundation is a charitable trust established by the Royal Society of New Zealand to support early to mid-career researchers. It provides funding for PhD studentships, postdoctoral fellowships, and other schemes that will encourage science and technology careers.

08 The Rutherford Foundation is aptly named Distinguished Research Fellowship PhD scholarships to Cambridge after Ernest Lord Rutherford who, in 1894, In 2009 the Foundation established Three PhD scholars will be heading was awarded an Exhibition Scholarship a Distinguished Research Fellowship to to Cambridge University in 2010 to travel abroad and conduct research in the value of $250,000 for a New Zealand on scholarships funded jointly with the at the University of Cambridge. mid-career researcher to return to a Cambridge Commonwealth Trust and The work of the Foundation is supported permanent position in New Zealand the Cavendish Laboratory. by the through in science, technology or engineering. Whilst at Cambridge University, Julian Peat the Ministry of Research, Science and The inaugural recipient was Dr Alan will be studying ribonucleic acid (RNA), Technology, the Freemasons Roskill Davidson, a developmental biologist which is the building block of genetic Foundation, the Cambridge Commonwealth working at Harvard Medical School. material. He is particularly interested in Trust and private donors. He will take up this prestigious fellowship working out how RNA acts and interacts The Foundation trustees are Professor in the School of Medical Sciences at with cell components, with a view to using Margaret Brimble (Chair), Dr Garth Carnaby, The University of Auckland where he this information to drive therapeutic Professor Sir , The Right Hon will continue studying the genetics of advances. Sir Don McKinnon and Mr Mark Winger. kidney development and regeneration. Naomi White aims to study the improvement His Excellency, the Hon Sir Anand Postdoctoral research fellowships of social and communication skills in Satyanand, Governor-General of children with autism, using musical During 2009 the Foundation awarded New Zealand, lends his mana to the intervention programmes. She has three postdoctoral research fellowships, Foundation as Vice-Regal Patron. a background in psychology and psycho- one at Cambridge University, UK, pathology with strong musical interests. and funded by the Freemasons Roskill Foundation, and two in New Zealand. Yvette Perrott has an interest in astronomy Dr Nicola Jackson joined a team of and astrophysics and will be hosted by scientists in the Department of Pathology the Cavendish Laboratory at Cambridge. at Cambridge University who are working She has experience in gravitational to understand the ways that pathogens microlensing, a technique used to discover infect their hosts. Nicola is studying planets around distant stars, their sizes and Salmonella enterica, the most common relative distances. In addition to astrophysics, cause of food poisoning and a major public she is interested in relativity and quantum health problem. Nicola’s work will provide physics and has a strong track record important information about the virulence in languages. of Salmonella, and may ultimately lead Background image: to ways in which long-term immunity to Comet McNaught over Gisborne Salmonella re-infection can be established. Photo: John Drummond, Possum Observatory Postdoctoral research fellowships were also awarded to two outstanding emerging researchers in New Zealand. Dr Jennifer Kruger will take up her fellowship in the Bioengineering Unit at The University of Auckland studying pelvic floor musculature. Dr Michelle Greenwood will be studying braided river ecology on a postdoctoral research fellowship at NIWA in Christchurch.

09 Profiling exCellenCe

felloWs’ aCHievements

From left: Professor Sir • Professor Anne Smith • Professor Sir Paul Callaghan Background image: Captain James Cook Photo: Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand fellowship of the royal society of new Zealand is an honour given for distinction in research or in the advancement of science, technology or the humanities and is awarded to new Zealand’s most eminent researchers.

10 Fellows of the Royal Society of New Zealand Research fellowships awarded Professor Sir Paul Callaghan GNZM FRS are eminent researchers who regularly FRSNZ is researching New Zealand’s James Cook Research Fellowships are receive accolades and awards, both nationally contribution to magnetic resonance awarded to researchers who have achieved and internationally. For example in 2009: research. New Zealand is now known national and international recognition in around the world for its leading contribution Professor Anne Smith CNZM FRSNZ, their fi eld. The Fellowships allow them to a particular category of magnetic of the University of Otago, was awarded to concentrate fully on their chosen research resonance involving the measurement the Marion Langer Award by the American for two years. There are six current James of molecular motion. This project will help Orthopsychiatric Association in April, Cook Research Fellows. to maintain our leadership by advancing for her research and advocacy to ensure Professor John Pratt from the Institute research undertaken in New Zealand, that the voices of children are heard. of Criminology at Victoria University and by producing what is hoped to Working both in New Zealand, and in of Wellington is researching the contrasts be the defi nitive research monograph international contexts, Professor Smith has in punishment between New Zealand, on this subject. striven to increase knowledge about children’s England, Australia and the Scandinavian experience in both exceptional and everyday Professor Murray Mitchell FRSNZ from the countries. What New Zealand will gain contexts. Showing due respect for the dignity Liggins Institute at The University of Auckland from this research is an informed of both children and the adults who care is researching the role of feto-placental understanding of the processes and politics for them, Professor Smith has devoted much epigenetics in determining future health. involved in this vital area of governance of her career to making schools and childcare Epigenetic information and regulation are in modern society. It will also provide centres more humane. superimposed on the DNA sequence and are the opportunity to put the punishment heritable. Professor Mitchell aims to evaluate Professor Sir Peter Gluckman KNZM FRS of offenders in New Zealand in an how this regulation affects mechanisms of FRSNZ was appointed by as international perspective. implantation and parturition and whether the fi rst Prime Minister’s Chief Science Associate Professor Martyn Nash from the defects in regulation have a signifi cant Advisor and took up his appointment in Bioengineering Institute at The University impact on vulnerability to diseases in later July. Professor Gluckman is a University of Auckland is researching the biomechanics life. This information may result in new of Auckland Distinguished Professor of of heart arrhythmia and breast cancer approaches for the prevention of diseases Paediatric and Perinatal Biology, and was imaging. The aim is to construct a coupled both in pregnancy and adult life. Director of the Liggins Institute for electro-mechanical model of the human Medical Research and the National Research heart for analysing the drivers that underpin Centre for Growth and Development at ventricular fi brillation. This may lead to The University of Auckland until he took new therapeutic targets to help this condition. up this appointment. He will also develop a software tool based on soft tissue mechanics to align information from medical images of the breast into a common 3D viewing environment to aid clinicians with the detection and diagnosis of breast cancer.

11 Profiling Excellence

Realising the dream

From left: Massey University Vice-Chancellor Hon Steve Maharey with Emma Clucas (Cobham Intermediate) and Nathan Denmead (Waimea College) • Matt Kerr (Kamo Intermediate) • Zoe Woodfield (Palmerston North Intermediate)

Realise the Dream is an annual event which brings together top school students who have produced winning research projects in science and technology competitions around New Zealand.

12 with Rink Tacoma, a previous Realise the Dream winner Background image: Blood cells as seen through the microscope during the “Looking at Blood” lab session at Realise the Dream

A remote-controlled lawn mower, a great Samantha Stevenson (17) from Kerikeri tasting gluten-free ice cream and the power High School won a trip to Beijing at the of peppermint to increase concentration end of the week-long event. Her project were just three of the successful projects investigated the ideal temperature and the that helped students gain places at the amount of food required when transporting 2009 Realise the Dream event. bees. She described Realise the Dream as amazing. “I learned heaps and now I’m really The six-day event gives students with a buzzing about going to Beijing. I’m just passion for science the opportunity to meet so grateful for this fantastic opportunity with like-minded students and participate and the event has truly inspired me to go in an exciting programme of activities. out and delve further into my research.” In December 2009, 29 students spent A project on technical agility for netballers a week in Wellington visiting a range secured Rebecca van Rooyen from of science and technology organisations Morrinsville College a place at Realise including GNS Science, Industrial the Dream. She said the event was really Research Ltd and the Island Bay Marine good because of the combination of science Education Centre. workshops and other activities on presenting, Massey University’s Wellington Campus talking to journalists and writing news organised a full day of workshops for the releases. As part of the programme students students including physiological profiling are expected to do some promotion about (sport and exercise science); blood their experience at Realise the Dream and composition and its importance; and building talk about their research. a robotic car which can be directed by light. During the Realise the Dream week all The participants also went on a geology the students present their research to the field trip, as well as several social activities judges who then choose the winners. including an evening cocktail function Announcements of the overall winners hosted by the New Zealand National are made at a formal celebration dinner Commission for UNESCO. attended by science and technology Mitchell Lowe from Taradale Intermediate leaders and the students in the New Year. School in the Hawke’s Bay said: “The science Other projects that students completed to workshops and the hands-on experiences be selected for the 2009 Realise the Dream provided a really good opportunity to discover included a device to help remove bulls from what course of science I would like to ditches without being a safety threat to the pursue”. Mitchell’s winning project was bull or the farmer; reusing water in washing about how the height of a building affects machines; and a device to alleviate back its stability in an earthquake and he built pain from bad posture. a shaking table to simulate the effects of earthquakes using model buildings. The principal sponsor of this event is Genesis Energy and the support partners are the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO and DairyNZ.

13 Profiling exCellenCe

enCouraging tHe next generation

From left: Vicki Alderson-Wallace, BAYERBoost Scholar • Howick Intermediate students completing a BP Zoo Challenge • Nicole Steele, a Gold CREST award winner Background image: Katikati College students undertaking a koura survey enthusiasm for science starts at a young age. it is important that students are involved with science from the day they start school if they are to develop a lifelong interest. the royal society of new Zealand takes a leadership role in coordinating activities that support effective teaching and learning.

14 Promoting science in schools Team challenge Koura surveys “Primary school is the ideal place to instigate “Our syndicate has used your fantastic “It was great fun and we learnt lots about an overhaul of science education because BP Challenge ideas this year in an koura and the habitat they live in. They are children ask questions randomly about interchange programme. It has been fascinating creatures.” Katikati College how the world works, teachers are fl exible, extremely successful and fi ts in really student. and children can learn literacy and science well with a lot of the key competencies.” Students from Katikati College were literally together.” Liz Longley, 2009 Primary Robyn McDowell and Leonie Young, up to their knees in mud when they were Science Teacher Fellow. Lincoln Primary School. participating in Koura Kraze. Under the Advancing Primary Science is a new The BP Challenge is a fun event between auspices of EMAP (Environmental initiative designed to act as a catalyst teams, challenging them to design and develop Monitoring and Action Project) koura surveys to raise the profi le of science in primary solutions to problems using easily sourced were initiated throughout New Zealand as a schools. materials, such as paper, string and sticky tape. way of determining the health of local streams. The Royal Society of New Zealand It is a very useful learning activity because Practical experience recognises the importance of science of the personal and team skills that it fosters. “I’ve been working on a number of things teaching and learning in primary schools, Creative problem solving including literature searching on totara, but we are concerned that it does not meetings with biometricians in the genetics receive the emphasis that it should. “CREST has opened so many doors for me and tree improvement group, preparations and given me great networking connections. We are working to provide opportunities for fi eld measurements and data sheets. It has exposed me to working with adults for primary teachers to develop confi dence I am really enjoying my research and it’s and improved my leadership skills and in teaching science by promoting the a great experience.” Vicki Alderson-Wallace, organisational skills.” Nicole Steele, importance of primary school science 2009/10 BAYERBoost Scholar. 2009 recipient of a Gold CREST award. to key organisations within the community, Vicki is a second year student at the developing a broad base of interest, and CREST is an international scheme designed University of Otago doing a Bachelor creating opportunities for those supporting to encourage students to be innovative, creative of Science degree. She has been hosted primary science to work together effectively. and to problem-solve at the highest level. by Scion Research to assist in the Pairing teachers with scientists re-measurement of the totara trial at Tapapakanga Regional Park. “I have worked hard and I have learned so much in the last few months. I wish all The BAYERBoost Scholarship scheme teachers could enjoy the experiences I have gives outstanding students practical had this year.” Teacher Fellow Gina Fernandez experience in environmental research from Burnside High School who worked or restoration during their summer break. at the University of Canterbury for a year. The Awarded Teacher Fellowships give teachers the opportunity to work on a signifi cant project over one year with a host organisation to gain an understanding of modern science and technology processes.

15 Profiling exCellenCe

ConneCtions

Science Media Centre fl ourishes Navy trip to Sub-Antarctic Popular science writing award Since launching in July 2008, the Science In January 2009, HMNZS Te Kaha slipped Teacher, blogger, palaeontologist, and Media Centre has assisted the media on her moorings at Bluff Harbour and sailed science historian – these are some of the over 1000 news stories, recommending south for the Sub-Antarctic Islands. day jobs of the writers whose books were experts, highlighting research and rounding This group of six little-known islands, shortlisted in the inaugural Royal Society up comment on breaking news stories from remote from each other and from of New Zealand Science Book Prize in 2009. the country’s best scientists. The Centre New Zealand, is amongst the world’s The winning book was The Awa Book has tackled everything from folic acid wildest places. Sited in the albatross of New Zealand Science, edited by fortifi cation of bread and New Zealand’s latitudes of the roaring forties, they host the Rebecca Priestley, an anthology of writings low rate of immunisation, to the science most diverse collection of seabirds in the about discoveries made by New Zealand of climate change and pig cell transplants. world. Today, these islands are internationally scientists. The judges described the book important nature reserves and visiting is Through hundreds of press releases and 30 as “scientifi c enchantment: a time machine extremely diffi cult and by permit only. press briefi ngs, the Science Media Centre that takes us into the times, the words, has established itself as an indispensible On board HMNZS Te Kaha was a team the minds, the passions and the discoveries resource for journalists covering science, of three students, Brittany Smith-Frank, of New Zealand scientists, and produces environment and health stories. Its website Holly Woulfe and Chloe O’Shea together thrill after thrill of recognition, surprise at www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz is with teacher Margaret O’Donnell from and inspiration”. a valuable tool. Tauranga Girls’ College. This team was The Royal Society of New Zealand one of the two winners from the 2008 In October 2009, the Centre launched established the prize for popular science Freemasons BIG Science Adventures for Sciblogs.co.nz, the largest network of books to celebrate the very best in this their fi lm on the evolution of New Zealand’s science blogs in Australasia and an online genre. The prize is $10,000 for the author biodiversity. The trip down to the Sub- hub for discussion of science-related issues. and $2,500 for the publisher. Antarctic Islands was the incredible prize The Science Media Centre will expand offered by the Royal New Zealand Navy. Professor announced the its international connections in 2010 overall winner during a live video conference The Royal New Zealand Navy has when centres in Canada and Japan join between New Zealand and the UK, at the supported the BIG Science Adventures the science media centre network. Auckland Writers and Readers Festival in competition since its inception in 2004, May 2009. The judges for the award were providing transportation and opportunities Professor Jean Fleming (University of for adventure in remote and beautiful Otago), Associate Professor Harry Ricketts places around New Zealand. (Victoria University of Wellington) and Professor (The University of Auckland).

16 From left: Students on board HMNZS Te Kaha Background image: Campbell Island, Photo: Stephen Jaquiery • 2009 winner of the a remote Sub-Antarctic Island Photo: Science Book Prize, The Awa Book of New Zealand Stephen Jaquiery Science • Virtual Water Emerging Issues paper

Focus on emerging issues We work with our Fellows and Government Ministries to identify emerging issues where policy will benefi t from being informed by research. Using the expertise of our Fellows and members, we are able to contribute knowledgeable and credible scientifi c advice to inform the public debate. In 2009, the Royal Society of New Zealand produced information pieces on ocean acidifi cation and virtual water, and also publicly commented on a major report about geoengineering from the Royal Society of London. The discussions generated by these information pieces continue. The ocean acidifi cation piece resulted in a science policy workshop and the Royal Society joined forces with Forest & Bird to publicise and provide international expert speakers for their showing of a documentary on this issue. The topical nature of these pieces resulted in widespread news media coverage.

17 the royal society of new Zealand 4 Halswell street, thorndon, Po Box 598, Wellington 6140, new Zealand tel: +64 4 472 7421, fax: +64 4 473 1841, www.royalsociety.org.nz Published in february 2010

From Earth to the Universe images used courtesy of International Year of Astronomy (IAU/UNESCO)