Summary of Royal Society Te Apārangi Council meeting – 11 December 2025
At the start of the Council meeting, Justine Daw was acknowledged as the incoming Chief Executive (starting on Monday, 5 January 2026). She attended the meeting as an observer. The meeting was preceded by a pōhiri to welcome Justine into the Society.
Summary of the meeting
Risk assessment: The Council received and discussed an updated risk assessment report, which included higher assessments of risks in a number of areas as a result of announcements made in October by the Minister, regarding changes to the science system. The increased risk areas included financial sustainability and workforce.
Financial reporting: The Council received the Financial Report for the 4-month period ending 31 October 2025. The Council also received the Audit Report for the year ended 30 June 2025 and noted that the 2024-25 Financial Statements for the year had been published on the Charities Services website and were also being published on the Society’s website.
Business Plan Half-Year Review 2025-2026: The Council received and discussed the half-year update on progress against the Business Plan objectives for 2025-26.
Thorndon site development paper: The Council discussed a paper on options for the future use of the Society’s Thorndon site (beyond the main building – Te Whare Apārangi). Council noted it was important for any decision on future use to align with the Society’s 20-year long-term strategy, and requested further information for the February 2026 Council meeting.
ECR Board Observer programme: The Council approved a programme, to commence in 2026, for Early Career Researchers to obtain governance experience through an observer role on Council (one ECR per year). The ECR observer would be supported outside of the Council meetings by completing a brief online governance course. Further information on expressions of interest for the programme will be shared with the ECR Forum Committee early in 2026.