Board Chair’s report - Annual Report 2023

12 April, 2024

Hēmi Rolleston

Board Chair

Tēna koutou katoa

It is my absolute privilege to provide you with my second Chair's report. I continue to be amazed as I look across the breadth of mahi undertaken by the Institute and am inspired by the researchers leading the way united in a common goal.

Like all years there has been change.

We farewelled from our directorship team two people who have been vital to the Institute's success over the past six years. Professor Geoff Willmott has led the Commercialisation and Industry Engagement area and Professor Paul Kruger has helmed the Outreach and Education portfolio. Both Geoff and Paul played significant roles in the Institute's successful rebid in 2020. We also welcome two new Deputy Directors - Associate Professor Anna Garden who steps into the Outreach and Education portfolio, and Associate Professor Natalie Plank who will lead the Commercialisation and Industry portfolio. We also established a new position - Strategic Manager Māori, and welcomed Kirsty Doyle to this role.

We created a new Institute Affiliate status that recognises outreach partnerships, research collaborations and other contributions that complement and strengthen our activities and welcomed Dr Dave Warren from University of Otago as our very first Institute Affiliate.

We continue to support and foster our Discovery Scholarship cohort, with connections and ongoing mentoring and skill development, connecting them internationally. Our outreach and education continued to reach into key communities this year, with our AMN10 science activities delivered to over 320 school students over four days in Rotorua in February, and Dave Warren's work with Northland schools over the year, and more.

Like always our scientists have been busy doing what they do best, developing new materials to convert CO₂, finding low energy alternative computing options, weaving Mātauranga Māori with contemporary science and tackling Kauri dieback.

I would like to once again thank the Board and the leadership team for their unwavering commitment to the kaupapa of the MacDiarmid Institute and our partners and stakeholders for your continued support.

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