Speaker: Quentin Bennett, Underwater Photographer Date: Tuesday, 4 March 2025 Time: 6:00 PM (doors open at 5:30 PM) Location: National Aquarium of New Zealand, 546 Marine Parade, Napier
Places are limited to 80 people. Please arrive early to secure your spot.
Photo provided by Quentin Bennett
As part of Seaweek 2025, we invite you to an exciting lecture by Quentin Bennett, an experienced underwater photographer and keen observer of marine life. Quentin has spent years diving and photographing marine ecosystems across the globe. His work captures the beauty and diversity of marine animals, from majestic humpback whales to the intricate forms of corals, both in New Zealand waters and beyond.
Photo provided by Quentin Bennett
Quentin brings a unique perspective as an observer, sharing his experiences and stunning underwater imagery to showcase the wonders of marine life. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain insights into the marine world through the lens of an expert photographer and passionate explorer.
Speaker: DrBill Fry, Principal Scientist, GNS Science, and National Tsunami Model, Director
Date: Thursday, 13 February, 6.00 pm (Door open from 5.30 pm)
Venue: National Aquarium of New Zealand, 546 Marine Parade, Napier
Places are limited to 80 people. Please arrive early to secure your spot.
Admission: Gold coin donation
Physics is revolutionising our understanding of earthquake and tsunami risk in New Zealand and around the globe. For the first time, we are now able to develop realistic models of our biggest earthquakes, including complex interactions of systems of faults and their role in the distribution of land inundation when tsunamis are generated. By analysing these models, we open the door for a wealth of advances that will make us a more resilient and safer Aotearoa. In this talk, Dr Bill Fry will explore how we got here and where we are going, including clear paths toward achieving such fanciful topics as “natural hazard digital twins”, “multi-hazard early warning” and tsunami forecasting with Artificial Intelligence.
Dr Bill Fry is an internationally respected seismo-tectonophysicist and natural hazards scientist, whose primary focus is earthquakes and tsunamis. His research has had a fundamental impact on our understanding of these natural hazards, and also, importantly, on how New Zealand communities prepare for, manage and respond when they occur.
This is an excellent opportunity to hear from a leading expert about scientific research into a topic of direct relevance to Hawke’s Bay.
Speaker: Jinice Bautista-Lack, Doctor of Audiology
Date: Thursday, 5 December starting at 5:45 pm
Venue: Hawke’s Bay Holt Planetarium (Chambers Street, Te Awa, Napier 4110)
A sociable evening with nibbles and drinks before and after the talk. Limited space – please register on Eventfinda. Members: Free Non-members: $15 cash at the door, or join the Society through to 31 March 2026 for just $30.
Jinice will discuss the changes in the human brain that accompany hearing loss, as well as the positive outcomes of managing hearing loss through amplification. She will also present statistics on hearing loss in New Zealand, with a focus on one of the country’s most common causes: excessive noise.
Jinice has been practising as a clinical audiologist since 2013, with nine years of experience in New Zealand. She holds a Master’s in Clinical Audiology from the University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines and a Doctor of Audiology Degree from Salus University in the USA. Jinice is a full member of the New Zealand Audiological Society, where she volunteers as a Certificate of Clinical Competence Support Person and serves as an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) examiner. She currently works at Specsavers, where she continues to apply her expertise in audiology.
Venue: Greenmeadows East Hall (83 Tait Drive, Taradale)
Admission: Gold coin donation
Presentation slides are available upon request; please contact the secretary of the branch
Civilization is facing “peak everything”—from energy to resources—and climate change is just one symptom of these broader challenges. Here in New Zealand, we are not immune to the effects of these global threats. These issues stem from biophysical realities we’ve long ignored, now manifesting as planetary boundaries we are reaching. These limits to growth were first brought to our attention in the 1970s.
We often take energy for granted, without realizing just how much our modern lives are dominated by fossil fuels. In this talk, Mike Joy will introduce the concept of “energy slaves” and explore how we must adapt to living without them. He will also explain the crucial concept of Energy Returned on Energy Invested (EROI), which is in decline—a development with serious implications for humanity. Mike will discuss the complexities of achieving net zero, the transition away from fossil fuels, and how energy density impacts this shift, while exploring the possibilities for New Zealand’s energy transition.
Photo offered by Mike Joy
Mike Joy is a prominent environmental advocate in New Zealand, known for his outspoken efforts to protect the environment. He has received numerous awards, including the Ecology in Action Award from the New Zealand Ecological Society, the Old Blue Award from Forest & Bird, and was named 2009 Environmental New Zealander of the Year by North & South magazine.
In addition to being recognized as Manawatu Evening Standard’s 2012 Person of the Year, Mike received the Tertiary Education Union NZ Award of Excellence for Academic Freedom and Public Education in 2013. He was also honored with the Charles Fleming Award for Environmental Achievement from the Royal Society of New Zealand that same year. In 2015, he was the recipient of the inaugural Morgan Foundation River Voice Award, and in 2017, he received the inaugural NZ Universities Critic and Conscience Award.
Speakers:Professor Parry Guilford and Associate Professor Karyn Paringatai, Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka | University of Otago
Date: Tuesday, October 22, 6:00 pm
Venue: Napier Sailing Club, 63 West Quay, Ahuriri, Napier
Admission: Gold coin donation
This event, hosted by the Royal Society Te Apārangi in collaboration with the Prime Minister’s Science Prizes Secretariat and the Hawke’s Bay Branch, will present a unique opportunity to delve into a groundbreaking achievement in stomach cancer genetics.
In May of this year, Professor Parry Guilford and Associate Professor Karyn Paringatai received the Prime Minister’s Science Prize in recognition of their innovative partnership with the McLeod whānau, community members, cancer geneticists from the University of Otago, and clinicians from Tauranga Hospital. Their work led to the identification of a life-threatening genetic mutation in the CDH1 gene, responsible for premature deaths from stomach cancer within the McLeod whānau. Through their research, they developed a genetic test that allows whānau members to assess their cancer risk and take preventive measures. This breakthrough has also been crucial for other families in New Zealand and around the world, helping them to detect similar CDH1 gene mutations and take life-saving actions. As a result, hundreds of lives in Aotearoa New Zealand and thousands worldwide have been saved. This inspiring story of scientific collaboration and community impact continues to make a significant difference.
Professor Parry Guilford (left) and Associate Professor Karyn Paringatai (right)
The event will not be a traditional lecture but rather an engaging interview and discussion. Professor Parry Guilford and Associate Professor Karyn Paringatai will talk about their research and its far-reaching implications. This interactive format will provide an in-depth look at their work and the profound effects it has had on families and communities. The event is open to everyone, and booking is recommended to secure your spot at this insightful discussion.
The 2024 Hochstetter Lecturer is David Barrell of GNS Science. This talk will delve into the dynamic relationship between Aotearoa New Zealand’s land and sea, exploring the ongoing battle between tectonic forces that raise the land and the ocean waves that relentlessly erode it. With a focus on Zealandia’s geological, tectonic, and landscape evolution, David will provide a ‘whole system’ perspective on how these powerful natural forces have shaped our diverse coastline over millennia and will continue to do so in the future, particularly in light of climate change.
David Barrell is a highly respected scientist at GNS Science, with extensive experience in studying the geological and tectonic processes of Aotearoa New Zealand. As the 2024 Hochstetter Lecturer, he brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep passion for understanding the complexities of our landscape. Through his research and years of rigorous observations, David has contributed significantly to the scientific community’s understanding of Zealandia’s evolution. His lecture promises to be both thought-provoking and enlightening, offering valuable insights into the forces that have shaped, and continue to shape, our environment.
Join us in celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Hawke’s Bay Branch of the Royal Society of New Zealand. We are excited to commemorate this milestone with a series of special events:
Friday, September 13, 2024:
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Casual “Meet and Mingle”
Venue: East Pier, 50 Nelson Quay, Ahuriri, Napier
Cash bar and food available for order
Saturday, September 14, 2024:
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM: House of Science Expo (free to the public)
Venue: Small Exhibition Hall, Napier War Memorial Conference Centre, Marine Parade
For primary and intermediate students, their teachers and whanau. Meet the staff involved in the local Branch; activities from several kits (including rocket science) for the students; meet our guest scientist from Rocket Lab.
1:30 PM – 3:30 PM: Short Science Talks and Panel Discussion (free to the public)
Venue: Education Room, MTG Hawke’s Bay (1 Tennyson Street, Napier)
Featuring local scientists discussing their work, a presentation on the history of the Society, and an exhibition of some of the Society’s artefacts held at MTG.
Guest Speakers:
Rachel Haydon, General Manager, National Aquarium of New Zealand
Bruce Ngataierua, Director, Hawke’s Bay Holt Planetarium
James Simmonds, Co-Founder, Webfox
Moon Chen, Phd Student Researcher, The New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research Limited
Join us for a fascinating lecture by Louise Beer as she delves into her artistic practice and discusses the philosophical and biological impacts of light pollution. Drawing from her British Council Connections Through Culture project, “Earth, a Cosmic Spectacle,” Louise will share insights from her collaboration with Dr. Ian Griffin from Tūhura Otago Museum. This event promises to blend art and science in an extraordinary way.
Supported by Royal Society Te Apārangi, the Hawke’s Bay Branch, and the British Council New Zealand and the Pacific, this lecture will highlight how Louise’s experience under varying night skies informs her work, examining our symbolic visual connection to the cosmos amidst increasing light pollution.
Image source: Louise Beer
Louise Beer is an artist and curator from Aotearoa New Zealand, currently working between London, Margate, and Aotearoa. Her multidisciplinary approach, which includes installation, moving image, photography, writing, participatory works, and sound, explores humanity’s evolving understanding of Earth’s environments and the cosmos. Sponsored by the British Council, this event will highlight how her experience under varying night skies informs her work, examining our symbolic visual connection to the cosmos amidst increasing light pollution.
Speaker:Dr Dave Rogers, Scientist at Plant and Food Research
Date: Thursday, 25 July 2024, 6pm
Venue: Pacific Surf Club (26 Marine Parade, Bluff Hill, Napier )
Admission: Gold coin donation
Join us for an engaging lecture with Dr. Dave Rogers, a seasoned entomologist, as he shares captivating stories from his transformative journey in New Zealand’s apple industry. Dr. Rogers will take us from the silent, sterile apple orchards of the 1980s, dominated by broad-spectrum nerve poisons, to today’s vibrant ecosystems teeming with life. His pioneering work has been pivotal in making apple production more sustainable and eco-friendly, leading to higher quality apples while fostering healthier orchard environments. This talk will showcase how research and innovation have revolutionized fruit production, making it more sustainable and impactful.
Our speaker, Dr. Dave Rogers, is a senior scientist at Plant and Food Research, specializing in apple pest management within the Temperate Fruit Crops Entomology team in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand. With a rich history of international work on fruit flies and other developmental projects, Dr. Rogers brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. Notably, he served as the technical manager for a five-year MFAT-funded project in Vietnam, aimed at developing safe vegetable production systems for local farmers. This comprehensive project included agronomy, plant protection, postharvest and food safety, as well as marketing and branding. Dr. Rogers’ extensive expertise in pest management and the broader horticultural sector promises to offer invaluable insights. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from a leading expert in the field and gain a deeper understanding of the advancements in sustainable horticulture.
Hawke’s Bay Branch of the Royal Society’s 2024 AGM will be held at 5.30pm on Tuesday, 25 June, at Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, Dalton Street, Napier
This year is particularly special as we celebrate our 150th anniversary, and we are eager to share this milestone with you.Your participation is invaluable, and we look forward to hearing your insights and contributions during the meeting.
All members are welcome, and encouraged, to attend. An invitation and Agenda will be sent to all members prior to the meeting.
