Nā Te Tumu Whakarae | Chief Executive update
Kia ora koutou
As Acting Chief Executive, it was my pleasure to be part of the welcome for nine new Companions (CRSNZ) to Te Whare Apārangi this month.
Our Companions – Ngā Takahoa a Te Apārangi – are recognised for outstanding leadership or eminent contributions to promoting and advancing science, technology or the humanities in New Zealand. My sincere congratulations, again, to Peter Barrowclough, Professor Sir Ashley Bloomfield KNZM, Dr Stuart Henrys, Dr Bronwen Kelly MRSNZ, Professor Graham Le Gros CNZM FRSNZ, Dr David Lillis, Dr John McDermott, Dr Te Rita Papesch, and Dr William Rolleston CNZM. You can read more about them.
As we celebrate these new Companions, we also look ahead with excitement to the 2025 Research Honours Aotearoa events – a highlight of the year where we come together to recognise and celebrate excellence across the research, science, and innovation communities. As I write this, I am on my way to the awards event in Christchurch – the first of three, with an Auckland event next week, and the final celebration in Wellington the following week. These events offer an opportunity to share discoveries, honour impact, and be inspired by the breadth of talent shaping the future of our Aotearoa New Zealand.
The Society is very proud of the work we do. In the coming weeks, those who have been successful in the 2025 round of the Marsden Fund will also be announced. The Society has administered this fund since its inception over 30 years ago; however, changes in the sector recently announced by the Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology, Hon Dr Shane Reti, will see a transition whereby MBIE will administer the fund in the future. This is, of course, making it a very challenging time in our offices and you will be aware that all our staff are feeling this announcement very personally. We have appreciated the many messages of support our members and the sector have shared with us – ngā mihi nui. We continue to work hard to deliver on the Society’s objectives and in realising our vision, of an Aotearoa New Zealand guided and inspired by science and research!
Ngā manaakitanga
James Henry
Acting Chief Executive
Royal Society Te Apārangi