Science New Zealand congratulates prizewinners

Science New Zealand congratulates winners of the inaugural Prime Minister’s Science Prizes

Science New Zealand congratulates the winners of the first-ever Prime Minister’s Science Prizes – the Science Prize, Emerging Scientist’s Prize, Science Teacher’s Prize, the Science Media Communications Prize, and the MacDiarmid Emerging Scientist Prize.

All winners receive substantial cash awards to go with the prestige of the title.

Science New Zealand chief executive Anthony Scott said: “The Prime Minister’s Awards are a wonderful means of elevating the public recognition of science That they come from the Prime Minister acknowledges the value that science delivers to New Zealand at individual level and collectively for our society and economy.

“I am particularly delighted that the Prime Minister’s Science Prize goes to a pair of scientists who, with their team, have demonstrated that economic and societal impact very clearly.

“Dr Jeff Tallon and Dr Bob Buckley, from IRL, made the science breakthrough and have led the work underpinning a high value industry where New Zealand can lead the world. One outcome is HTS110 Ltd, leading an industry already worth about $80M to the country. The global superconductivity industry based on IRL’s intellectual property is expected to be worth hundreds of millions of dollars by 2020.

“It is inspiring, too, to see the quality of the prize winners in the other categories: Elizabeth Connor as Science Communicator; Dr Paul Lowe from Morrinsville College as Science Teacher; 18 year old Stanley Roache, from Wellington’s Onslow College and now at the University of Auckland, as Future Scientist; and John Watt as the MacDiarmid Emerging Scientist.

“This is talent that inspires, and we can all join in applauding their achievement.”

The Prizes
The Prime Minister’s Science Prize is for outstanding science discovery or achievement resulting in significant economic, health, social and/or environmental impact on New Zealand. It comes with $500,000, of which $400,000 supports the on-going work of the recipient.

The Prime Minister’s Science Teaching Prize recognises an outstanding teacher of science. It is worth $150,000 with the recipient receiving $50,000 and their school $100,000.

The Prime Minister’s Science Media Communication Prize enables the recipient to develop their knowledge and capability in science media communication. It offers support of up to $150,000.

The Prime Minister’s Future Scientist Prize is for a secondary school student for their achievements in carrying out a practical and innovative research or technology project. It is a
Scholarship of $50,000 to support the recipient’s tertiary education.

The Prime Minister’s MacDiarmid Emerging Scientist Prize is for an outstanding emerging scientist undertaking research for a PhD or within five years of the date of the award of their PhD. It comes with $150,000, of which $100,000 supports their on-going work.

ENDS