OUR CLIMATE FUTURE

  • GNS climate research on world stage
  • Summer of science in Antarctica
  • New methods in authenticating bioplastics

RESILIENT AOTEAROA

  • Pulse checking the Hikurangi
  • Three years of the NGMC
  • Kids ask, our experts answer!
  • The rise and fall of urban groundwater

Te Pū Ao

Te Pū Ao

A digital magazine from GNS Science


INNOVATING ENERGY

  • Hapū partnership valuable for all at Ohaki
  • GNS geothermal capabilities unique in world
  • Planning for an electric future
  • Our green hydrogen story

LESSONS FROM THE LAND

  • Mapping our urban foundations
  • Celebrating Te Kura Taumata o Panguru
  • Where water flows underground

A digital magazine from GNS Science

ISSUE:

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Simpson Ian | CEO of GNS

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 signature

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.

Yellow tents on the snow field in Antarctica

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

Felix play

What is a tsunami? Is it just a big wave?

Kayley play

How can you tell a tsunami is coming?

Jack play

How do earthquakes cause tsunamis?

Julian play

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

3,800+
smart and passionate people
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6,000+
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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.

3,800+
smart and passionate people
54+
sites accross New Zealand
6,000+
science projects each year
40+
nationally significant databases & collections
sciencenewzealand.org