Sir Peter Gluckman presented two lectures on 31 July 2013 entitled “Science, innovation and economic prosperity”.

The first lecture at Lindisfarne College in Hastings was for educationists and students. The second at the Eastern Institute of Technology was for our members, community and business leaders and the general public. These were excellent presentations for a passionate champion of science and objective data for policy development.

Sir Peter outlined a number of the roles he has and why he feels so strongly about increasing research and innovation in New Zealand. Comparing New Zealand to other countries, he finds marked gaps in research policy and culture and in economic performance. Through various initiatives, he believes we can make a difference, in particular if we support and invest in our young researchers and innovators.

Sir Peter Gluckman, KNZM FRSNZ FMedSci FRS, is Chief Science Advisor to the Prime Minister.

After training as a physician specialising in paediatrics, Sir Peter has spent the greater part of his professional life in scientific research. He founded the world-class Liggins Institute and is a globally renowned thinker in the field of endocrinology, with a particular focus on foetal and child growth.

He has received numerous awards from scientific societies and academies. In 2001 he was awarded New Zealand’s highest scientific honour, the Rutherford Medal, and is the only New Zealander elected to be a Foreign Member of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences. In 2011, Sir Peter was awarded the inaugural Callaghan Medal for outstanding contribution to science communication, in particular for raising public awareness of the value of science to human progress.

Sir Peter’s visit to Hawke’s Bay was made possible through the support of the Royal Society of New Zealand and Massey University.