‍Comment from the President

Kia ora and welcome to the second update of Chemistry in New Zealand for 2025.

I started writing these comments during breaks at AMN11, the International Conference on Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology. What a privilege it was to hear from a broad range of researchers, including a Nobel laureate. I particularly enjoyed seeing the many postgraduate students enthusiastically present their work via posters and presentations. The outreach activities which ran alongside the conference, including a panel discussion on women and gender minorities in science, and the Global Women’s Breakfast (hosted jointly with NZIC) were also very enjoyable. It was a little disappointing to see only a handful of men attended these events, as they were open to everyone and were very educational and thought-provoking. I would encourage all NZIC members to attend the 2026 Global Women’s breakfast which will take place on February 10.

The review of the science sector, and the impending review of the university sector, has been regularly occupying my thoughts, which I suspect is the same for many NZIC members. The NZIC Executive is working with the Save Science Coalition to highlight to government the long-term harm some of these changes will have to research in New Zealand, including the firing of employees from different scientific organisations. These changes seem extraordinary when the government has stated “new ideas, knowledge and technology to develop better ways of doing things helps the New Zealand economy grow” https://www.goingforgrowth.govt.nz/ .

The current challenges in the science sector have reinforced how important it is that the wider public understands the value of chemistry (and science in general), not just in innovation but in everyday life – from antibiotics and agriculture to food safety and environmental monitoring. So, I was pleased as I looked over branch activities from previous years to see the variety of outreach activities with schools and public audiences. From chemistry competitions, demos at science fairs, to radio shows and expo demonstrations, our members share their enthusiasm and enjoyment of chemistry encouraging the next generation of chemistry. I believe we need to continue to publicly celebrate chemistry and excite both adults and children about what chemistry can contribute to our society.

I’d like to finish my comments by thanking those who make Chemistry in New Zealand possible – the contributors, the branch editors and the CiNZ editorial team, Catherine and Natalie, for providing such interesting content presented in such a professional and readable format.

He iti te mokoroa, nāna i kati te kahikatea

The grub may be small, but it cuts through the white pine (perseverance and determination will see us succeed even in challenging circumstances).

Noho ora mai

‍Michael Edmonds
‍NZIC President