To acknowledge achievements across the whole of the science community, the Royal Society is proud to announce the 2009 Science Honours. This prestigious event will comprise a gala banquet and the presentation of science awards to eminent New Zealand scientists and technologists. The evening will also celebrate the Royal Society’s annual presentation of the Rutherford Medal to honour the foremost New Zealand scientist of 2009. The recipients of the Rutherford, Pickering, Thomson and Liley medals will also be announced on the night.
The 2009 Science Honours will be held in the Princes Ballroom, Hyatt Regency Hotel, Auckland on Wednesday 18 November 2009. The dinner will commence at 7.00pm, preceded by drinks from 6.15pm.
Award Winners
Rutherford Medal
The country’s highest science and technology award, the Rutherford Medal , was awarded to internationally renowned biomedical engineer Professor Peter Hunter , FRS, FRSNZ, of The University of Auckland for his revolutionary approach to modelling the human body. Read more…
Pickering Medal
The top award for achievement in technology, the Pickering Medal , was awarded to Professor Kenneth McNatty FRSNZ from Victoria University of Wellington for his contribution to the field of reproductive biology, with products having been commercialised from his work. Read more…
Thomson Medal
The Thomson Medal was awarded to Dr Richard Garland , managing director of New Zealand Pharmaceuticals Ltd, for his outstanding leadership in the development and application of science and technology to New Zealand business development. Read more…
Hutton Medal
The Hutton Medal for earth sciences was awarded to Professor Colin Wilson FRSNZ from Victoria University of Wellington for his outstanding work on volcanism. Professor Wilson’s research aims to better understand volcanic activity so adequate warnings of eruptions can be given. Read more…
Te Rangi Hiroa Medal
This year’s Te Rangi Hiroa Medal for excellence in social sciences was awarded to Professor Ian Pool FRSNZ of the University of Waikato for his demographic research on Māori fertility and family formation, the theory of age-structural transition, the measurement of mortality and morbidity, and the relationship between population and development. Read more…
Hector Medal
Professor Peter Steel FRSNZ from the University of Canterbury was honoured with the Hector Medal for the advancement of chemical sciences, for his world renowned work in the field of metallosupramolecular chemistry leading to potential applications in medicine and nanotechnology. Read more…
RJ Scott Medal
The RJ Scott Medal for engineering sciences and technology was awarded to Paul Harris of Industrial Research Limited in Lower Hutt for his significant contributions to the development and application of electronic devices in New Zealand. Read more…
The Science Honours Dinner is organised by the Royal Society of New Zealand, whose prime purpose is to promote excellence in science and technology.
Other Medals & Awards
- Gold Crest Awards
To encourage innovation and creativity in problem solving. - Liley Medal
To recognise research that has made an outstanding contribution to health and medical sciences. - McKenzie Award
For education research. - NZ Mathematical Society Research Award
To recognise excellence in mathematical research. - Easterfield Medal
In recognition of quality and originality in research in chemistry. - Three Rs Award
For excellence in the humane use of animals in research, teaching and testing. - Roger Slack Award
In recognition of an outstanding contribution to the study of plant biology by a young scientist.
