Royal Society Hochstetter Lecture
Wednesday 27 August 7:30 pm. Holt Planetarium, Chambers St, Napier

Chris Bromley is a senior geothermal researcher and geophysical consultant at GNS Science, with 35 years of international experience, including resource assessments, geophysical exploration, and environmental studies of geothermal fields and mineral deposits in 8 countries.

Chris is currently the Co-Editor-in-Chief of Geothermics, Chairman of the IEA Geothermal Implementing Agreement, a member of the IPGT Induced Seismicity Working Group, and heads international geothermal environmental-effects research.

New Zealand’s renewable geothermal resources

Renewable energy will be crucial for the long-term future of all mankind. In New Zealand, we are relatively fortunate, in that renewable geothermal energy is already a major contributor (18%) to base-load electricity supply and industrial direct heat demand. Decades of well-focussed applied research has given us a global technological advantage in developing and utilising all types of geothermal resources, through cost-effective and environmentally benign strategies.

Gazing into the crystal ball, what additional future use could we make of our geothermal resources? Should we attempt to develop say 3 GW(e) of surplus cheap geothermal power in the hopes of exporting it to Australia by cable or fully electrifying our transport sector, or  should we develop say 10 GW(th) of hot water resources to establish large district heating schemes and attract more energy intensive industry?

To address these questions we need to be confident that our geothermal resource use will be sustainable, and utilisation won’t cause unwanted adverse environmental effects, or detract from our significant geothermal tourism assets. This requires better calibrated simulation modelling of long-term reservoir behaviour, adaptive management to facilitate flexible injection and production strategies, and more-advanced monitoring of reservoir behaviour in order to inform the adaptive decision-making process.

Boreholes provide data for 3D models of reservoir properties, and a means of directly monitoring various parameters of interest (eg. pressure, temperature, fluid chemistry). Geophysics monitoring and exploration (eg. gravity, resistivity, micro-earthquake activity, seismic velocity tomography, and ground deformation) offer more indirect information on resources. Integrated interpretation with geochemistry and hydrothermal alteration processes is the key to better conceptual understanding, improved simulation models of reservoir behaviour, and more astute reservoir management.

Download a pdf of Abstracts here>

More about Chris Bromley

Chris Bromley was a lead author of the geothermal chapter of the IPCC renewable energy report (SRREN), a reviewer of EGS projects for the US-DOE, and keynote/invited speaker at 14 international meetings.

In New Zealand, he peer reviews operational management of several geothermal fields and provides technical advice to regulators. He has published 88 refereed papers, 103 others, and 184 consulting reports; he has presented at 73 conferences, and convened five international workshops on induced seismicity, sustainability, global geothermal potential, geothermal innovation and environmental mitigation.

For information about Ferdinand Hochstetter, see the Geoscience Society of New Zealand site.

The demise of New Zealand’s freshwaters: politics and science

The 140th AGM of the Hawke’s Bay Branch of the Royal Society of New Zealand was held at 7.00 PM, 26 June at the Holt Planetarium, Chambers St, Napier.

The meeting was chaired by Jeff Reid, the Immediate Past President as President Dan Bloomer (among others) was unable to be present.

Minutes of the 139th AGM had previously been circulated to members. These were unanimously accepted as a true record.

The President’s report was read and approved. It included special thanks to the Secretary and Treasurer and to Lloyd Beech who retired from Council during the year. The Branch offered many high quality lectures during the year, and has continued to develop links with others groups such as IPENZ and the Astronomy Society, and with the National Aquarium, Holt Planetarium and their respective staff. During the year, Council reinforced its mission to encourage the community to cherish science, technology and culture. We have determined a particular role with school students and have explored a number of initiatives to encourage them in following science and technology careers. The full President’s Report was sent to all Branch members.

The Treasurer’s report showed the Branch to be in good financial health. The accounts had been independently reviewed, previously circulated to members and were accepted as accurately indicating the financial position of the Branch.

The following were elected unopposed  to serve the Branch for the 2014-5 year:

• President:                            Dan Bloomer
• Vice President:                   Lynne Trafford
• Council Members:            Carol Larson, Garth Eyles, Ian Maxwell
• One vacancy remains.
• Remaining on Council, having served for one year of their two year term:
• Council Members:          Michael Broadbent, Jennifer Hartley, Antony Steiner
• The Immediate Past President, Jeff Reid, remains a member of Council.

A new Accounts Reviewer remains to be appointed.

Annual Subscriptions remain at $20

The meeting closed at 7:20pm to be followed by a presentation by Elf Eldridge, Victoria University

7:30 PM, Thursday 26 June, Holt Planetarium, Chambers St, Napier

Elf Eldridge, Victoria University of Wellington

The Hawke’s Bay branch, in collaboration with Victoria University of Wellington, hosted a visit to Hawke’s Bay by Elf Eldridge, a Senior Tutor at the School of Engineering and Computer Science at Victoria University.

Elf is currently doing a PhD with the MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, where he is using a device called the qNano, produced by a Christchurch-based company, to look at the characteristics of tiny invisible particles that can be found everywhere in nature (similar to viruses and bacteria). In his role at Victoria, Elf’s time is split between visiting schools and working with students and teachers to encourage more students to consider engineering and computer science as a career, and supporting currently enrolled students with their studies.

Elf’s talk gave a broad introduction to the field of nanotechnology, what it is, why it’s important and how a number of New Zealand researchers are leading their field in (literally!) understanding the tiny. He discussed his own research around the detection of nanoparticles in a variety of different media and how that relates to environmental and health concerns. Elf also tackled some of the bigger questions that commonly haunt the area, including “What about Grey Goo?” and “Why are New Zealand taxpayers funding research into this field?”. Finally, Elf provided a glimpse into some of the pressing issues around being a science PhD student in New Zealand, and relate how institutes like MacDiarmid are attempting to address these and to make New Zealand a place where talent wants to live.

The Branch thanks Elf and Victoria University for his presentation, and also for his three days spent exciting students in local schools and promoting science and technology careers.

7:30 PM Wednesday 11 June 2014 – MTG Century Theatre, 9 Herschell Street, Napier

About 150 people braved a wet night to attend this lecture by Ngahuia Te Awekotuku, Professor of Māori Research and Development, University of Waikato. An additional aspect was provided by MTG Napier opening for people to see exhibits. In particular, a selection of chisels of various ages were on display, along with a Goldie portrait that clearly illustrated the depth of scarring created by ta moko.

After almost dying out in the 20th century, moko is now worn by many young Māori as a symbol of identity and ethnic pride. The Marsden-funded research team looked at the history and technology of moko – searching through old manuscripts and artefacts held by institutions across the world.

Community participation was an essential part of documenting the modern moko revival. The research team interviewed moko wearers and artists and examined the cultural and spiritual issues surrounding moko wearing, including the controversy sometimes apparent in modern life.

They also examined the exploitation of moko in popular culture around the world by figures such as rock singers and football players.

Ngahuia Te Awekotuku works at the University of Waikato researching ritual, heritage and gender issues. She is of Te Arawa, Waikato and Tuhoe descent and has worked for many years in the heritage and creative sectors as a curator, governor and advocate.

Her book Mau Moko: The World of Māori Tattoo was the winner of the inaugural Ngā Kupu Ora Māori book of the decade.

Flier available here>

This lecture was part of the Royal Society of New Zealand’s 10 x 10 Lecture series, celebrating 20 years of Marsden Fund research.

7 pm Tuesday, June 10th at the Holt Planetarium, Chambers Street, Napier

Many thanks to the Hawke’s Bay Astronomical Society for this lecture by Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell.

Dame (Susan) Jocelyn Bell Burnell, DBE, FRS, FRAS is a Northern Irish astrophysicist. As a postgraduate student, she discovered the first radio pulsars while studying and advised by her thesis supervisor Antony Hewish, for which Hewish shared the Nobel Prize in Physics with Martin Ryle.

Bell Burnell was President of the Royal Astronomical Society from 2002 to 2004, president of the Institute of Physics from October 2008 until October 2010, and was interim president in early 2011. In 1999 she was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to Astronomy and promoted to Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 2007.

In February 2013 she was assessed as one of the 100 most powerful women in the United Kingdom by Woman’s Hour on BBC Radio 4. In February 2014 she was made President of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, the first woman to hold that office. She is currently Visiting Professor of Astrophysics in the University of Oxford and a Fellow of Mansfield College.

7:30pm, Tuesday 6th May, National Aquarium of NZ, Marine Parade, NAPIER

The “Blue Books” have been updated. The first one covers Hawke’s Bay.

In the 1980s, the Meteorological Service produced a series of popular books that described and detailed the climates of each region throughout New Zealand. The books can still be found, well-thumbed, in libraries, offices and council premises up and down the country. These popular reference books were last updated in the 1980’s. For many years they have been the standard guide to patterns of rainfall, temperature, sunshine, etc. for each region in New Zealand, including Chatham Islands.

People use the summaries to learn more about the climate where they live or where they’d like to live. They use them to make judgements about locating commercial operations or farms. Councils use them to inform staff and others about the local climate, and to promote their region.

The summaries give the ‘big picture’ about a region. They help people work out what sort of detailed information they need – which they can then find in NIWA’s vast online database of climate information,” says Dr Andrew Tait.

This presentation was presented by Dr Andrew Tait, principal scientist at NIWA, specialising in climate applications.

Andrew’s current projects include National and Regional Climate Maps, Climate change and urban impacts, Adaptation to climate variability and change, and Assessment of crop and tree species growing potential using climate, soil and topographic information

This presentation was supported by NIWA and the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council

More information here>

Associate Professor Johan Potgieter, Massey University
Thursday 3 April 2014 7:30PM
Hawke’s Bay Planetarium, Chambers St, Napier

Additive manufacturing begins with computer model files which are transferred to an additive manufacturing system for building. This enables rapid prototyping as there is no need for molds or dyes. This allows design flexibility as design changes can be made at greatly reduced cost.

A wide and increasing range of additive manufacturing technologies are becoming available, covering a range of scales and materials.

Associate Professor Johan Potgieter completed a PhD in the areas of Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics and Advanced Manufacturing from the University of Natal South Africa in 2003.

He is an Associate Professor of Mechatronics and Robotics in the School of Engineering and Advanced Technology at Massey University (Auckland).

His current research interests are mainly in areas of Additive Manufacturing and advanced mechatronics/robotics with applications in medicine and automotive related areas.

Johan has been an avid user of additive manufacturing since the mid-90s and is passionate about the potential it offers for innovation and how it allows small businesses to much more easily reach the world market. He has a well established reputation for his work in educational robotics and has been inducted into the World Robotics Education and Competition (REC) Foundation Hall of Fame for his work in developing world champion educational robotics teams from New Zealand. He is currently conducting consulting research with HIEFF Engine and Chrysler in Detroit.

In this lecture Johan coverered developments in rapid prototyping and technologies for additive manufacturing. These developments will have a significant influence on the New Zealand Manufacturing landscape, providing new opportunities for SME in New Zealand and abroad.

On behalf of GNS Science, NIWA, Eastern Institute of Technology and Hawke’s Bay Regional Council

EIT Lecture Theatre 1, Taradale
Tuesday 8th April, 7pm – doors open from 6.30pm

Alan Orpin (NIWA) and Mike Page (GNS Science) will deliver research based presentations on Tutira.

LAKE TUTIRA: Recorder of Environmental Change

LAKE TUTIRA: Template for Past Erosion

Over the last 25 years Lake Tutira and its catchment have been the focus of research into various aspects of environmental change. Beginning with Cyclone Bola and concerns about sustainable land use of such erosion-prone hill country, the research expanded to focus on construction of the erosion history of the catchment and the associated sediment record preserved in the lake since it was formed by a giant landslide ~7,000 years ago.

Mike and Alan will outline this research and discuss how the erosion and sediment record has been used to interpret the climatic, tectonic, volcanic and vegetation history, and what this can tell us about how this landscape will respond to future environmental change…

If you have an interest in Tutira, Erosion, Climatology, Volcanism, Plate Tectonics, Storms and Sediment – How Lake Tutira Works – you will find the evening very informative.

Admission is free but PLEASE REGISTER YOUR ATTENDANCE with HBRC on 8359200.

Directions to the Lecture Theatre will be marked from entrance into EIT

MTG Century Theatre Public Lecture

Napier born senior research scientist at the Smithsonian to speak on deep-sea exploration in New Zealand at the MTG Century Theatre

David L Pawson, Senior Research Scientist at the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution in the USA presented a public lecture: Deep-Sea Exploration in the New Zealand Region 1865-1965 at the MTG Century Theatre on Sunday 23 March at 5pm.

Drawing upon his knowledge of New Zealand deep-sea research, including his personal experiences in the late 1950s and early 1960s, Dr Pawson told of accounts from expeditions large and small, some of them involving Hawke’s Bay.

“Exploration of the deep sea,” says Dr Pawson, “is always exciting, often funny, and sometimes dangerous – especially in the New Zealand region!”

David attended St. Joseph’s and Marist primary schools in Napier and St. John’s High School in Hastings. During the early years of his life, Dr. Pawson spent a lot of time fishing and swimming on the Napier beach, and there he developed an interest in marine life. 

After gaining a B.Sc., M.Sc., and Ph.D. in Zoology from Victoria University he joined the Victoria University deep-sea research team in the 1950’s, a time when exciting pioneering deep-sea research was being undertaken under the leadership of Professor L.R. Richardson. 

He has a lifelong interest in New Zealand marine biology, and he has maintained research programmes in New Zealand for many years.  In 1964 he was invited to join the Smithsonian Institution as a Research Curator. He has conducted research on echinoderms (sea stars, sea urchins and their relatives) in many parts of the world, especially the deep sea, and in the vicinity of isolated oceanic islands. 

His research has taken him to Ascension and Galapagos Islands, the Caribbean, the southern oceans and Antarctica, and he has made more than 200 dives in manned submersibles. Other research interests include the US Fish Commission Steamer Albatross (1883-1921) and her scientific crew, and the life and times of his eminent predecessor, Smithsonian scientist Austin H. Clark (1880-1954).

Sunday 23 March 2013 at 5pm
Entry by donation
No pre-bookings, arrive early to avoid disappointment