Hawke’s Bay Branch of Royal Society Te Apārangi: 150th Anniversary Celebration

On 14 September 1874, the Hawke’s Bay Philosophical Institute, the forerunner to today’s Hawke’s Bay Branch of Royal Society Te Apārangi, held its first meeting.

Founders of the Institute included prominent Napier citizens William Colenso, William Spencer and Friedrich Sturm. Its first Constitution and Rules stated that the Institute was “founded for the advancement of Science, Literature and Art as well as for the development of the resources of the Colony”.

To mark the 150th anniversary, the branch is holding a series of events culminating in a  Celebratory Dinner, with guest speaker Julia Rotham, of Rocket Lab, and Director of their Mahia Launch Site.

Friday 13 September:

• Casual “Meet and Mingle” from 5:00 to 7:00pm at East Pier, 50 Nelson Quay, Ahuriri, Napier. Cash bar and food is available for order.

Saturday 14 September:

• House of Science Expo from 9:00am to 12:00pm at the Small Exhibition Hall, Napier War Memorial Conference Centre, Marine Parade. This is for primary and intermediate students, their teachers, and whanau.
• Short talks and panel discussion from 1:30 to 3:30pm on the history of the Branch, and local scientists talks about their work at MTG Hawke’s Bay (TBC). 
• 150th Anniversary Celebratory Dinner from 5.30 to 9:00pm at Magdalinos Room, Havelock North Function Centre, 30 Te Mata Road, Havelock North. Guest Speaker: Julia Rotham, Director of Mahia Launch Site, Rocket Lab.

Reserve your place for the Hawke's Bay Royal Society's 150th Anniversary Dinner.