Te Rangi Hiroa Medal – to recognise excellence in the social sciences: awarded by the Royal Society of New Zealand awarded to Professor (David) Ian Pool FRSNZ from the University of Waikato.
Citation: Awarded to Professor David Ian Pool FRSNZ for research in the demography of Māori, fertility and family formation, the theory of age structural transition, the measurement of mortality and morbidity, and the relationship between population and development. Description of work: This year’s Te Rangi Hiroa Medal was awarded to Professor Ian Pool FRSNZ from 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. Hamilton-based Professor Pool’s research looks at mapping the histories of New Zealand’s populations from Captain Cook’s time until the present, researching such details as population growth and geographic distribution within New Zealand. Pool has published more than 150 papers, books and monographs. He has authored, co-authored or edited six books including Te Iwi Maori , and The New Zealand Family from 1840: A Demographic History . He has also authored, co-authored or edited 14 refereed monographs. Writing in the journal Population Studies, former Government statistician Len Cook suggested Pool’s work as “likely to remain without peer in New Zealand as a critical reference source for many years”. Professor Pool is a member of IUSSP, a scientific committee that analyses age-structural transitions across the world. The committee was established by the International Union for the Scientific Study of Population and Paris-based organisation (CICRED). Along with other members, Pool edited several books on the topic. His studies play a central role in helping New Zealanders better understand their past and prepare for the future. He was awarded a James Cook Fellowship for 2004-06.
