2025: Outstanding scholars awarded Mana Tūānuku Research Leader Fellowships

Top row from left: Chris Carrie, Céline Cattoën-Gilbert, Andrew Erueti, Matthias Fellner. Middle row from left: Joanna Hicks, John Kerr, Ang McGaughran, Matthew McNeil. Bottom row from left: Natalie Netzler, Gerard O'Regan, Rebecca Peer, Suliasi Vunibola.

The Government introduced the Tāwhia te Mana Research Fellowships in 2024 to boost the potential of researchers to deliver excellent, impactful research and to grow as leaders within their fields, their host institutions, and across the wider science, innovation, and technology (SI&T) system in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The aim is to foster and retain future research leaders, strengthen pathways for career development, and advance equity and diversity across the science, innovation, and technology sectors. The Fellowships will support a range of boundary-pushing research activities that build SI&T capability in areas of Government priority, including those that focus on generating economic impact from research

Mana Tūānuku Research Leader Fellowships are for mid-career researchers who have demonstrated 4–12 years of excellent research since completing their PhDs. Each Mana Tūānuku Fellow will be supported with $1,160,000 over 4 years to accelerate their research programme, consolidate and expand their leadership capability, boost their contribution to the sector, and enhance the impact of their work for Aotearoa New Zealand. The Royal Society Te Apārangi will also connect Fellows with opportunities for networking, for sharing knowledge and learnings, and for accessing mentoring opportunities.

This year's cohort will advance knowledge in areas as diverse as combatting infectious disease and antibiotic resistance, building climate resilience through improved flood forecasting, and supporting the country’s transition to a sustainable and secure energy future. Their research has the potential to deliver benefits for health, society, and the environment.

The Chair of the interview panel, Professor Peter Dearden of Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka – University of Otago, said: “Interviewing the shortlisted candidates for this year's Mana Tūānuku Research Leader Fellowships was a powerful reminder of the outstanding research talent we have in Aotearoa New Zealand. The Fellows chosen this year represent the next wave of research leaders who will help shape Aotearoa New Zealand’s future. Their contributions are set to create meaningful impact nationally and globally for years to come.”

The recipients are:

• Dr Chris Carrie, University of Auckland
• Dr Céline Cattoën-Gilbert, Earth Science New Zealand
• Associate Professor Andrew Erueti, University of Auckland 
• Dr Matthias Fellner, University of Otago
• Dr Joanna Hicks, University of Waikato
• Dr John Kerr, University of Otago
• Dr Ang McGaughran, University of Waikato
• Dr Matthew McNeil, University of Otago
• Dr Natalie Netzler, University of Auckland
• Dr Gerard O'Regan, Tūhura Otago Museum
• Dr Rebecca Peer, University of Canterbury
• Dr Suliasi Vunibola, Lincoln University