The Government of New Zealand introduced first The Prime Minister’s Science Prizes in 2009, it was to raise the profile and prestige of science among New Zealanders, in Aotearoa and internationally. Find out more about these 5 prizes below.
Te Puiaki Pūtaiao Matua a Te Pirimia The Prime Minister’s Science Prize
An individual or team for a transformative scientific discovery or achievement, which has had a significant economic, health, social and/or environmental impact on New Zealand and/or internationally.
Te Puiaki Kaipūtaiao Maea The Prime Minister’s MacDiarmid Emerging Scientist Prize
An outstanding emerging scientist who has had their PhD or equivalent qualification conferred within the last eight years i.e. (no earlier than 1 January 2016)
Te Puiaki Whakapā Pūtaiao The Prime Minister’s Science Communication Prize
A practising scientist who can demonstrate an interest, passion and aptitude for science communication and public engagement, or to a person who has developed expertise in public engagement, or communication of complex scientific or technological information to the public and/or science and research communities.
Te Puiaki Kaiwhakaako Pūtaiao The Prime Minister’s Science Teacher Prize
A registered teacher kaiako who has been teaching science, mathematics, technology, pūtaiao, hangarau or pāngarau learning areas of the New Zealand curriculum to school-age children in a primary, intermediate or secondary New Zealand registered school or kura kaupapa.
Applications fro the above awards must be in by 1pm, 30 September 2024.
For more information, including about previous winners, see here: https://pmscienceprizes.org.nz.
Note that the Te Puiaki Kaipūtaiao Ānamata The Prime Minister’s Future Scientist Prize 2024 round opens 1 August and closes at 1pm on 31 October. This is awarded to a year 12 or year 13 school tauira student for outstanding achievement in carrying out a practical and innovative science research, maths, technology or engineering project.
