Prime Minister's Science Prizes
The Prime Minister's Science Prizes are awarded yearly by the Prime Minister of New Zealand. They were first awarded in 2009 in order to raise the profile and prestige of science among New Zealanders. The 2019 awards were presented in early 2020.
Awards
The Prime Minister's Science Prize
Awarded to an individual or a team, the prize recognises a scientific discovery or achievement that has a significant economic, health, social or environmental impact on New Zealand or internationally in the past five years. The total prize is NZD 500,000.Prizewinners
- 2019: Antarctic sea rise research by scientists at Victoria University, Niwa and GNS Science
- 2018: STRmix team of 16 software developers from Institute of Environmental Science and Research.
- 2017: Plant & Food Research Psa response team.
- 2016: The Dunedin Study led by Richie Poulton.
- 2015: Bone and Joint Research Group, led by Mark Bolland, Andrew Grey and Ian Reid.
- 2014: He Kainga Oranga/Housing and Health Research Programme led by Professor Philippa Howden-Chapman.
- 2013: John Boys and Grant Covic at the University of Auckland.
- 2012: Paul Moughan and Harjinder Singh at Massey University.
- 2011: NIWA – Otago University Chemical and Physical Oceanography team led by Philip Boyd.
- 2010: Magnetic Resonance Innovation team led by Paul Callaghan.
- 2009: Bob Buckley and Jeff Tallon of Industrial Research Ltd.
The Prime Minister's MacDiarmid Emerging Scientist Prize
Prizewinners
- 2019: Miro Erkintalo from University of Auckland
- 2018: Peng Du from the University of Auckland.
- 2017: Carla Meledandri from the University of Otago.
- 2016: Brendon Bradley at the University of Canterbury.
- 2015: Alex Taylor at the University of Auckland.
- 2014: Karl Iremonger at the University of Otago.
- 2013: Benjamin O’Brien of StretchSense Ltd.
- 2012: James Russell at the University of Auckland.
- 2011: Rob McKay at Victoria University of Wellington.
- 2010: Donna Rose Addis at the University of Auckland.
- 2009: John Watt at Victoria University of Wellington.
The Prime Minister's Science Teacher Prize
Prizewinners
- 2019: Michelle Dalrymple from Cashmere High School
- 2017: Sarah Johns from Nelson College for Girls.
- 2016: Diana Christenson from Koraunui School, Lower Hutt.
- 2015: Tania Lineham, Head of Science at James Hargest College, Invercargill.
- 2014: Terry Burrell, Learning Area Leader of Science at Onslow College, Wellington.
- 2013: Fenella Colyer of Manurewa High School in Auckland.
- 2012: Peter Stewart, Papatoetoe High School, Auckland.
- 2011: Angela Sharples, Rotorua Boys’ High School.
- 2010: Steve Martin from Howick College in Auckland.
- 2009: Paul Lowe at Morrinsville College in Waikato.
The Prime Minister's Future Scientist Prize
Prizewinners
- 2019: Thomas James from Burnside High School
- 2018: Finnegan Messerli from Onslow College, Wellington.
- 2017: Jonathan Chan, Auckland Grammar School.
- 2016: Catherine Pot from Onslow College, Wellington.
- 2015: Georgia Lala from Diocesan School for Girls, Auckland.
- 2014: Tim Logan from Darfield High School, Canterbury.
- 2013: Thomas Morgan at Marlborough Boys’ College in Blenheim.
- 2012: Hannah Ng, St Cuthbert’s College, Auckland.
- 2011: Nuan-Ting Huang, Diocesan School for Girls, Auckland.
- 2010: Bailey Lovett at James Hargest College, Invercargill.
- 2009: Stanley Roache, Onslow College, Wellington.
The Prime Minister's Science Communication Prize
Prizewinners
- 2019: Rangi Matamua, University of Waikato
- 2018: James Renwick, Victoria University of Wellington
- 2017: Damian Christie, SciFilms.
- 2016: Rebecca Priestley from Victoria University of Wellington.
- 2015: Ian Griffin at the Otago Museum.
- 2014: Michelle Dickinson, 'Nanogirl', at the University of Auckland.
- 2013: Siouxsie Wiles, University of Auckland.
- 2012: Shaun Hendy, Victoria University of Wellington and Industrial Research Ltd.
- 2011: Mark Quigley, University of Canterbury.
- 2010: Cornel de Ronde at GNS Science.
- 2009: Elizabeth Connor, Wellington.