Royal Society Te Apārangi

Royal Society Te Apārangi

Formation	1867 (1867)
Type	Independent Statutory Organisation
Headquarters	Wellington
Membership	387 Fellows
President	Richard Bedford[1]
Slogan	A New Zealand enriched by fostering science, technology and the humanities
Website	http://www.royalsociety.org.nz

The Royal Society Te Apārangi (in full, Royal Society of New Zealand Te Apārangi) is an independent government body in New Zealand providing funding and policy advice in the fields of sciences and the humanities.

History

The Society was founded in 1867 by Sir George Grey^[2] as the New Zealand Institute as an apex organisation in science, with the Auckland Institute, the Wellington Philosophical Society, the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury, and the Otago Institute as constituents. Publishing transactions and proceedings was its main initial function.^[3]

In 1933, its name was changed to Royal Society of New Zealand, in reference to the Royal Society of London,^[2][4] a move requiring royal assent and a subsequent Act of Parliament.^[5] In 2010, the organisation's remit was expanded to include the social sciences and the humanities.^[6]

In 2007, Te Apārangi (Māori for "group of experts") was added to its name, and in 2017, its sesquicentenary, this was shortened to Royal Society Te Apārangi. Its legal name, as defined in legislation, remains Royal Society of New Zealand.^[7]

Goals

Constituted under the Royal Society of New Zealand Act 1997 (amended in 2012), the Society exists to:

1. Foster in the New Zealand community a culture that supports science and technology, including (without limitation): (i) The promotion of public awareness, knowledge, and understanding of science and technology; and (ii) The advancement of science and technology education,
2. Encourage, promote, and recognise excellence in science and technology,
3. Provide an infrastructure and other support for the professional needs and development of scientists and technologists,
4. Provide expert advice on important public issues to the Government and the community,
5. Do all other lawful things which the Council considers conducive to the advancement and promotion of science and technology in New Zealand.

It is a federation of 49 scientific and technological organisations and several affiliate organisations, and also has individual members.

Activities

The Society's activities include:

• Science funding – as a non-political funding distribution agency for government funding, particularly in science research and science education
• Publishing – peer-reviewed journals such as NZ Journal of Botany and NZ Journal of Zoology
• Meetings and seminars – most local branches and constituent scientific and technological organisations run seminar series of some description; the Society promotes these and coordinates touring international lecturers
• Awards and medals – including:
  • Rutherford Medal (formerly the Gold Medal) – awarded annually for exceptional contributions to the advancement and promotion of public awareness, knowledge and understanding in addition to eminent research or technological practice by a person or group in any field of science, mathematics, social science, or technology
  • Pickering Medal – awarded annually to recognise people who have made outstanding contributions to New Zealand society and culture in science, mathematics, social science, and technology. Silver and Bronze medals are also awarded
  • Fleming Award – awarded triennially to recognise protection of New Zealand's environment^[8]
  • Hector Medal – awarded annually for outstanding work in chemical, physical or mathematical and information sciences by a researcher in New Zealand
• Science education – promotes quality science education and plays a role in setting the national science curriculum

The Society also administers the Prime Minister's Science Prizes.^[9]

The New Zealand Association of Scientists works in similar fields, but is constituted as an independent non-profit incorporated society and registered charity,^[10][11] rather than being constituted by an Act of Parliament. The Foundation for Research, Science and Technology works in similar fields, but as a crown entity is not independent from politics.

Statement on climate change

On 10 July 2008, the Society released a statement on climate change that said, in summary:

The globe is warming because of increasing greenhouse gas emissions. Measurements show that greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere are well above levels seen for many thousands of years. Further global climate changes are predicted, with impacts expected to become more costly as time progresses. Reducing future impacts of climate change will require substantial reductions of greenhouse gas emissions.^[12]

Fellows

The Academy Council of the Society from time to time elects as a Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand any person who in its opinion "has achieved distinction in research or the advancement of science or technology." The number of Fellows is limited to such number as is agreed from time to time between the Academy Council and the Council of the Society. A Fellow is entitled to use, in connection with his or her name, either the letters FRSNZ, which stand for Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand, or such other letters or title as is agreed from time to time between the Academy Council and the Council.^[13]

Constituent organisations

The Society has relatively few direct members, with most memberships arising through constituent organisations. These constituent organisations are:

Regional Constituent Organisations

Regional Constituent Organisations ('branches') are geographical constituents and include:^[14]

• Auckland Museum Institute (formerly the 'Auckland Institute'^[15])
• Hawkes Bay Branch of the Royal Society of New Zealand
• Nelson Science Society^[16]
• Otago Institute for the Arts and Sciences^[17]
• Royal Society of New Zealand Canterbury Branch
• Royal Society of New Zealand Manawatu Branch Incorporated (formerly the 'Manawatu Philosophical Society'^[18])
• Royal Society of New Zealand Rotorua Branch
• Royal Society of New Zealand Wellington Branch (formerly the 'Wellington Philosophical Society'^[19])
• The Waikato Branch of the Royal Society of New Zealand
• Wanaka Branch of the Royal Society of New Zealand

References

External links

• Home page
• Royal Society of New Zealand Act 1997