New Zealand scientists first to march in global event

New Zealand scientists will be the first in the world to take part in the Global March for Science tomorrow.

Marches will be held in Auckland, Palmerston North, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and Queenstown.

Social and physical sciences will be represented in the marches, which aim to highlight that science is international, good scientists can be political and there should be greater inclusion in science.

The Wellington march will begin at Civic Square and end at Te Papa.

PSA National Secretary Glenn Barclay will speak at the Wellington march, along with the following speakers:

- Craig Stevens, president NZ Association of Scientists

- Gareth Hughes, Green Party MP

- James Renwick, Professor, Victoria University

- Rhian Salmon, Deep South Challenge

"Wellington is at the centre of New Zealand’s democratic decision making," Mr Barclay says.

"Kiwis care about the quality of the decisions made here, and science plays a central part in that."

Mr Barclay will call on all public sector agencies that employ scientists to honour the principles of scientific integrity - including respecting scientists’ rights to explain and defend their research.

All marches are being held on 22 April 2017

Auckland - 1.30pm, Queen Elizabeth Square

Palmerston North - 11.00am, The Square (meet at Te Awe Awe Quadrant, Plaza side)

Wellington - 11.00am, Civic Square

Christchurch - 10.00am, outside Canterbury Museum

Dunedin - 11.00am, Otago Museum Reserve

Queenstown - check Facebook for details https://www.facebook.com/marchforscienceNZ/

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