Axford Fellowships patron dies

Axford Fellowships patron dies

The Board of the Ian Axford (New Zealand) Fellowships in Public Policy express their sympathies to the family of the Fellowships’ patron, Sir Ian Axford, who passed away on Saturday. Sir Ian was a renowned New Zealand space scientist who was chosen as the patron of the Axford Fellowships exchange programme in recognition of his international achievements, shortly after being named New Zealander of The Year in 1995.

The Ian Axford (New Zealand) Fellowships in Public Policy programme was established by the New Zealand Government to reciprocate the Commonwealth Fund of New York’s international Harkness Fellowships programme, by providing for outstanding mid-career American professionals to conduct policy research while hosted at a relevant New Zealand government organisation in Wellington. The Fellowships were launched on 4th July 1995 by then Prime Minister Jim Bolger, who announced the programme as “another sign of substantial progress in building a strong relationship between the United States and New Zealand.”

Now Chair of the Ian Axford (New Zealand) Fellowships in Public Policy Board, Mr Bolger pays tribute to Sir Ian’s achievements and patronage of the Fellowships programme:

“Ian Axford would say that his success in challenging areas of research was because he stood on the shoulders of those who preceded him. Ian Axford was a great New Zealander and his outstanding research is a beacon for others to follow. But Ian was much more than a scientist, he had a bigger vision, one of encouraging others to see that by working together we produced a better world. Ian’s passing now requires others to step forward to carry on his work. We at the Axford Fellowships mourn the loss of a wonderful friend.”

Since the first Ian Axford Fellowship in 1997, there have been a total of 37 Fellows, including the five current Fellows based at the Ministries of Social Development; Research, Science and Technology; Agriculture and Forestry; Pacific Island Affairs; and Customs New Zealand. Published policy reports on topics ranging from fisheries management to restorative justice, Mäori education strategy and methamphetamine control are available from the Fulbright New Zealand website: www.fulbright.org.nz

ENDS