Dr. Luke Harrington is significantly advancing our understanding of climate change impacts and adaptations. Most communities do not experience climate change via shifts in the mean climate. It’s more recognised in increasingly intense and frequent weather events, like Cyclone Gabrielle. Dr. Harrington’s work in the field of ‘extreme event attribution’ seeks to quantify whether climate…
Dr. Kiri Joy Wallace is passionate about biodiversity, forest ecosystems, urban ecology, ecological restoration, and reconnecting people and nature. Dr. Wallace is behind the success of multi-city, multi-million dollar projects to revitalise degraded urban forests and reverse the decline of native biodiversity, like the People, Cities and Nature programme led out of the University of…
Kati’s investigations into drought and pest populations will help future-proof our primary industries. New Zealand’s pasture-based agriculture system makes us one of the most competitive producers of food and fibre worldwide. Critical to this success is the relationship between ryegrass and fungal endophytes which deter insect pests such as root aphid, African black beetle, grass…
Dr Swati Jivanji is unlocking genetic secrets to help improve the health and performance of valued livestock. White face markings are considered a dominant genetic trait in Hereford cattle and a clear sign of Hereford parentage. However, Swati showed that epistasis – the influence of other genes – could break the rule, producing dappled faces…
The AgResearch Cattle Urine Sensor Team has developed a device to inform strategies for reducing nitrogen leaching from cow urine patches. Nitrogen loss from livestock urine is a major environmental concern in New Zealand, and frequently subject to regulation. Dr Paul Shorten (an expert in modelling biological processes) and Dr Brendon Welten (who researches nutrient…
Founder of the Outreach and Education team for Pūtahi Manawa and Manaaki Manawa, Dr. Anuj Bhargava is committed to bringing equity to our medical workforce. A multi-award-winning educator, Dr. Bhargava’s current role is the latest in a long and distinguished career. Maaori and Pacific people are over-represented in cardiac admissions, morbidity and mortality but under-represented…
Pāpāmoa College science and chemistry teacher Lian Soh weaves Maatauranga Māori with modern educational concepts, in an inclusive, culturally-responsive approach to science. By infusing Maatauranga Māori into their teaching, Lian fosters a unique educational approach that empowers students to think critically while respecting and preserving Māori culture, knowledge and connection with the environment. Lian Soh…
Hilary Johnson’s efforts are boosting student achievement and the reputation of horticulture as a career. Katikati College had offered horticulture for many years but it had become known as a ‘drop-out’ subject, with poor engagement, poor student and staff retention and very low achievement. Meanwhile demand for skilled horticulture workers was growing. Hilary Johnson A…
NIWA’s Māori Environmental Research team, Te Kūwaha o Taihoro Nukurangi, helps Māori communities access the latest scientific tools to manage natural resources while respecting their unique knowledge systems. Te Kūwaha has worked collaboratively with iwi, hapu and councils to incorporate mātauranga into a number of catchment restoration programmes including strategies for the Waipa Catchment, Lake…
Waikato Regional Council’s State of Environment 2022 Team, led by Thomas Wilding, has produced a vital reference for future management of the region’s air, land and water. The State of Environment Report 2022 collects, analyses and interprets over two decades of environmental data, integrating information from over 25 peer-reviewed publications by Waikato Regional Council scientists…