‍Comment from the President

Kia ora, I hope this message finds you well, as the days get longer and signs of spring are in the air. I have recently been reading through some of the NZIC chemistry prize applications – it is so inspiring to see the talent articulated in these applications (even if that will make deciding on who wins each award harder).

Quite a lot has changed since I wrote my last column for Chemistry in New Zealand. I have now visited all the branches outside of Canterbury and given my president’s talk, as well as the “Creating your Best Career in Chemistry” talk. I really enjoyed meeting NZIC members and hearing your thoughts about the NZIC, including what we do well and what we could be doing better. It was great to see strong student participation and contribution at many branches. I am now collating the feedback and will be working with the Executive team and Council to respond to your various thoughts and ideas about what we could be doing better.

At a national level, changes are occurring that are affecting NZIC members. Examples include the government’s shuffling of funding to favour more “applied” research and the nascent formation of the new Public Research Organisations (PROs). Chemistry being the “central” science is relevant to all of the PROs. Whether it relates to forensic science, environmental science, advanced technology, or the bioeconomy, all the new PROs will need the contribution of chemists. We also continue to wait for the report from the University Advisory Group which seems to be continually delayed.

Looking further afield to the US, the sustained attack on, and devaluing of, the contributions of science, research organisations and universities has been as disturbing as it has been rapid. Who would have thought a year ago, that an anti-vaccine advocate would have been in charge of the National Institute of Health, and the government would be cutting vital research based on words they finds triggering. I believe there are lessons to learn from the USA in terms of how we advocate for, and promote, science (and chemistry) in New Zealand.

What is happening in the USA will have many contributing factors, and I believe one such factor is a lack of understanding of (the value of) science by a majority of the population. Similarly, when the New Zealand government’s shuffling of research funding receives little media coverage, it makes me wonder whether our society truly understands the importance of science and chemistry, particularly blue skies research, in supporting an innovative and productive society and economy.

While it is easy to become disillusioned by the state of science here and overseas, it is more constructive to focus on ways we can improve the situation. Two of the aims of the NZIC are to “promote the science and practice of chemistry” and “raise the status and to advance the interests of the profession of chemistry”. Our branches already do various outreach activities – for example, many are involved in upcoming science fairs in their regions. What I am proposing is that we look at ways to maximise our existing engagements and new opportunities for chemistry outreach to schools and the public. One such opportunity that has arisen this year is collaborating with a University of Otago science communication intern who is working on a pamphlet outlining different chemistry careers, looking at our social media presence, and planning to film some short interviews with chemistry graduates which we can use on our website.

Looking forward to 2026, I would also like to see us jointly celebrate a New Zealand/Aotearoa National Day (or Week) of Chemistry to raise the profile of chemistry and its many contributions to our modern world. With existing events, I would like us to continue to share what we do across branches so we can learn from each other and maximise outcomes while minimising effort.

The NZIC Executive team and Council are interested in getting a better understanding of who our membership is and what you want and need, so in the next month or two you will receive a short survey from us, and I would really appreciate your participation. Also, a big thanks to those of you who took part in the New Zealand Association of Scientists survey. I am hoping we will have some results to share in the next update of Chemistry in New Zealand.

Thank you to all of you for your contributions as members of branch committees and Council, the CiNZ team, everyone who attends and supports our events, and Sam for keeping me on track and her work with initiatives such as the NZIC survey.

He waka eke noa, we are all in this waka/canoe together.

Noho ora mai

‍Michael Edmonds
‍NZIC President