The Waikato has long been a vital research and innovation hub

The Kudos Science Trust (Hamilton Science Awards Trust) was established in 2007 to:

  • recognise the achievements of our region’s top scientists;
  • excite young people about science and its career opportunities;
  • and raise the profile of science within our community

The Trust’s annual Kudos Awards remain New Zealand’s only regional science awards, helping to shine a light on the incredible achievements of our region’s world class scientists, their research, discoveries and innovations.

In 2016 the Trust established it’s youth programme – Science Spinners Creative Lab, a major hands-on and interactive science event led by Kudos Award scientists and industry professionals to inspire and engage our young people in the exciting world of science and STEM.

Recogised as the region’s independant science advocate, the Trust works to enable science education, support community science engagement projects, connect industry and partners, and promote our science experts and their world class science achievements.

The Trust Board gathers researchers, teachers and business leaders, who constantly examine the Trust’s work and its relevance to the region.

News and Views

Kudos Awards names finalists for 2023

The Kudos Science Excellence Awards have named their top scientists in eight categories for 2023 in advance of their annual gala event in November…… Read More

KuDos Award for Scion and AgriSea partnership

Accolades for the Scion and AgriSea collaboration continue to roll in, with a Primary Industries Award won at the Kudos Awards this week….. Read More

Top New Zealand Scientists Win Kudos

The best and brightest scientists of the Greater Waikato Region and Bay of Plenty have been recognised at the 15th Kudos Awards Showcase….. Read More

Kudos Science Awards held in Hamilton

Jesse was back last night in his home town to host the  Kudos Science Awards. It’s the country’s only regional science award and celebrates world-class….. Read More

Covid delays inspire a new approach for Kudos Trust

In 2020 Covid19 changed the world we live in. Two years on we are in combat with another foe; misinformation….. Read More

Dementia services must diversify to support our diverse population

A new report commissioned by Alzheimers New Zealand has found dementia rates in our Māori, Pasifika, and Asian communities will more than double by 2050. Dr Etunui Ma’u…. Read More

Bilingual science kits ‘spark curiosity’ in Bay of Plenty primary school pupils

While working as head of science at Tauranga Girls’ College, Chris Duggan noticed a lack of exposure to science at primary school was creating a knowledge gap in the area. She took the matter into…. Read More

2021 Kudos Science Excellence Awards finalists announced

Idealog writes, Finalists for the 2021 Kudos Science Excellence Awards have been announced, showcasing the incredible innovation coming out of the Waikato and Bay of Plenty…. Read More

Students catch the engineering buzz

Claudelands Exhibition Centre is swarming with more than 100 secondary school students. Groups of them cluster around screens or engineering equipment. Most are engrossed as they look, listen and join in the activity. They’re having fun but there’s a serious aspect to this event, the inaugural STEM Hub for year 11-13 students… Read More

Waikato schools get a taste of science

The value of science in everyday life was the key lesson to take away at a free event where school students enjoyed making jelly ice cream, learning CPR and looking at micro-organisms under the microscope…. Read More

Science was the winner

Last week scientists, innovators and researchers came together from across the Waikato, Rotorua and the Bay of Plenty to celebrate science excellence and achievement at the prestigious Kudos Science Excellence Awards… Read More

Kudos Awards finalists announced

The talent and diversity of the 2020 Kudos Science Excellence Awards finalists show the richness of scientific expertise on our doorstep. Twenty incredible finalists are in the running to receive one of eight awards at the gala event in Hamilton next month…. Read More

Time to celebrate our scientists

New Zealand’s world-renowned response to Covid-19 shows what can be achieved by acting on good science, and during the lockdown many New Zealanders have become fans of our country’s science heroes. As nominations for the 2020 Kudos Science Excellence Awards open, science is clearly more relevant than ever before… Read More

Nominations for 2020 Kudos Awards will be opening soon

To keep up to date please go to… Read More

Turning science on its head

Over the past two weeks we’ve been inspiring our Waikato youth in STEM through out Science Spinners Programmes, Code Hub and Creative Lab… Read More

Kudos for Amanda Oakley

Dr. Amanda Oakley, 63, was awarded the University of Waikato Lifetime Achievement Award at the awards ceremony at Claudelands Events Centre, on 5th September… Read More

Winners of the 2019 Kudos Awards Announced

Waikato celebrated the achievements of 19 finalists and announced winners in eight categories at the 13th Annual Kudos Science Excellence Awards at Claudelands last night… Read More

Kudos for Amanda Oakley

Dr. Amanda Oakley, 63, was awarded the University of Waikato Lifetime Achievement Award at the awards ceremony at Claudelands Events Centre, on 5th September… Read More

Science thrives in the Waikato as Kudos Awards names finalists for 2019

This year’s Kudos Awards finalists continue to prove that science thrives in Hamilton and the Waikato. Eighteen finalists have been named in the region’s prestigious science excellence awards… Read More

Region’s prestigious science excellence awards open for nominations

Nominations for the region’s prestigious science excellence awards are now open for 2019. This year, Kudos Awards categories include ICT and a refreshed Agricultural category; Food & Ag Science Award… Read More

Kudos Awards celebrates Waikato’s top scientists

When Dr Philip Elmer began his scientific career in the 1980s, pesticides were the go-to option for treating plant diseases. While many of his contemporaries were focused on discovering new pesticides, Elmer turned to nature for answers… Read More

Region shines a light on our world class scientists

Hamilton and Waikato’s science and innovation sector celebrated the region’s top scientists and their achievements at the 12th annual Kudos Awards last night in Hamilton… Read More

Scientists recognised for controlling plant disease

Two wins for Plant & Food Research at the Kudos Awards – Dr Philip Elmer, a senior scientist in plant pathology and biological control, has been presented with this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award… Read More

Three winners at the KuDos Awards

The “hot” work of Waikato University chemical engineer Dr James Carson has been celebrated at this year’s KuDos awards, held to acknowledge quality science being done in the Waikato region… Read More

The Waikato Story – Waikato’s Kudos Awards

The Kudos Science Trust recognises and supports the Waikato’s rich legacy of science and innovation. The mighty Waikato River, rich in resources and history runs through a booming agricultural landscape, which provides our region’s scientists with…… continue reading

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Our Trustees

Chris Williams, Chairperson. +

Chris has owned and run local advertising and marketing agency, KingSt, for the last 24 years having spent his whole career in the advertising industry.

Although very unscientific, he jumped on the opportunity to sponsor the Kudos Science Trust when it was formed as he recognised that not much would happen in the world without scientists. Also, like everyone else involved, he was very keen to celebrate the achievements of our scientists and their contribution.

Equally, he’d be the first to admit that the advertising world has relied on scientific endeavour to continue growing ever since the invention of the printing press. KingSt has been a big contributor to the local community through their sponsorship of Kudos and Hamilton Arts Festival/Toi ora ki Kirikiriroa. Chris is also Chair of the Hamilton Arts Festival Trust and is on the operating board of the new Waikato Regional Theatre.

Roger Cox +

Roger Cox has been a teacher of science, biology and horticulture at Fairfield College for the past 43 years. During this time, he has seen many students leave the school as fully-independent learners who can cope well with the demands of the ‘real world’. Roger’s passion for education and insights from his front-line role, meeting the challenges faced by a low-decile school, bring a valuable perspective to the Trust’s work.

Dr. Liz Carpenter +

Liz Carpenter is the Principal Scientist at the Dairy Goat Cooperative NZ Ltd (DGC), where she manages research on goat milk nutritional powders and provides training support within the DGC’s Asian markets. She is also a trustee of the Exscite Trust, has been Chief Judge of the NIWA Waikato Science & Technology Fair for the past six years and is an invited member of the ‘immune health’ industry reference group for the High Value Nutrition National Science Challenge.

Hillary Sharp +

Hillary Sharp is a founding member and CEO of ESP Medical, a medical device and pharmaceutical manufacturing company based in Hamilton.

ESP Medical was a finalist of the Kudos Engineering Excellence award in 2020 with the development of an emergency response ventilator. Hillary is most passionate about bringing new medical innovations to life, working with a range of customers from university start-ups to industry-leading surgeons, to develop products that will have a direct impact on people’s quality of life.

With a Bachelor of Social Sciences from the University of Waikato, Hillary is able to leverage a unique understanding of social dynamics and their impact on the healthcare industry.