Welcome
Kia ora koutou,
Welcome to the latest edition of our digital magazine, Te Pū Ao – I’m so pleased to share some of our recent work with you.
I am incredibly proud of how our people have responded to what has been another unusual and challenging year. They have been both resilient and adaptable, and I’m thankful for their ongoing commitment to delivering science for a Cleaner, Safer and more Prosperous Aotearoa New Zealand.
As you read on, you’ll find stories about the diverse work that GNS Science is doing to address some of the biggest challenges and opportunities facing Aotearoa – including climate science, clean energy innovation, and building resilience to natural forces at work.
None of this would be possible without the support of our valued partners and collaborators – so thank you.
On behalf of all of us at GNS Science, we hope you have a restful and festive end to your 2021. We look forward to working with you next year.
Noho ora mai,
Ian Simpson
GNS Science Chief Executive
December, 2021
OUR CLIMATE FUTURE
Environment and Climate
GNS climate research on world stage
Climate science took centre stage at the COP26 summit last month, as world leaders came together to reaffirm their commitment to combatting climate change and keeping global temperature rise of 1.5°C within reach.
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Environment and Climate
Summer of science in Antarctica
GNS Science is starting a super season in Antarctica this summer! Check out some of the cool work our experts are doing.
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Environment and Climate
New methods in authenticating bioplastics
A recent study by GNS scientists, in collaboration with Scion and the Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Science (Hangzhou, China), revealed that 50 per cent of in-market bioplastics don’t meet their eco-friendly claims.
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Our green hydrogen story
More now than ever, the world needs clean energy – and GNS Science believes that green hydrogen could play a crucial role in Aotearoa New Zealand reaching its aims of zero net emissions by 2050.
As the Energy CRI, we’re well placed to combine all our expertise towards building not just a high-tech solution, but an entire industry to support it. Our people are excited, and as we say in this new video, we’re keen to get our stakeholders excited too.
INNOVATING ENERGY
Energy Futures
GNS geothermal capabilities unique in world
The GNS Science experimental geochemistry lab at our Wairakei campus was already one of the best in the business, but it is now unique in the world.
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Energy Futures
Hapū partnership valuable for all at Ohaki
Two years ago, GNS started working with a local land trust at Ohaki to better understand the sustainability of their land to establish an eco-friendly papakāinga (housing settlement) in degraded geothermal environments.
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Energy Futures
Planning for an electric future
New Zealand’s network of deep ocean tsunami sensors demonstrated its value during the series of earthquakes and tsunamis off East Cape and at Raoul Island in early March.
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Kids ask, our experts answer!
This year we brought back our Ask an Expert series, but this time it was Kiwi kids asking the questions!
Check out these videos featuring tamariki asking our GNS Science experts their burning questions about tsunamis. And keep an eye out for the rest of our series, with videos answering earthquake, landslide and volcano questions – coming to the GNS Science YouTube channel soon.
Why are tsunamis so dangerous?
What is a tsunami? Is it just a big wave?
How can you tell a tsunami is coming?
How do earthquakes cause tsunamis?
RESILIENT AOTEAROA
Natural Hazards & Risks
Pulse checking the Hikurangi
Recording the heartbeat of the Hikurangi margin became easier this year when scientists installed instruments across southern Hawke’s Bay, Tararua and Wairarapa to better understand earthquakes there.
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Natural Hazards & Risks
Three years of the NGMC
Powered by GeoNet and GNS Science experts, we’re celebrating the third birthday of our National Geohazards Monitoring Centre / Te Puna Mōrearea i te Rū (NGMC). The centre provides around-the-clock monitoring of the four main geohazards in Aotearoa New Zealand – earthquakes, tsunami, volcanoes, and landslides.
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The rise and fall of urban groundwater
Groundwater is a precious resource.
It accounts for around a third of Aotearoa New Zealand’s water usage – used for drinking water, irrigation and agriculture, as well as feeding our rivers and streams. But it can also be a hazard, especially in low-lying coastal areas where it interacts with the sea. As sea levels rise, it will affect groundwater – but what will happen, and what can we do about it?
In this new video, GNS Science Geophysicist Simon Cox tells us why we need to understand the natural systems at work under our feet.
LESSONS FROM THE LAND
LAND AND MARINE GEOSCIENCE
Mapping our urban foundations
A new set of geological maps for some of Aotearoa New Zealand’s fastest-growing regions will help decision-makers plan for the future.
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LAND AND MARINE GEOSCIENCE
Celebrating Te Kura Taumata o Panguru
Back in October, we were thrilled to see Te Kura Taumata o Panguru win the Excellence in Engaging category of the 2021 Prime Minister’s Education Excellence Award.
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LAND AND MARINE GEOSCIENCE
Where water flows underground
Te Whakaheke o Te Wai is a world-leading research programme that is building a better understanding Aotearoa New Zealand's largest freshwater resource.
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Science working for New Zealand
The eight members of Science New Zealand proudly work individually and collectively alongside the rest of government to create a more prosperous, sustainable and innovative New Zealand.