2023

Prof Chris Battershill

Prof Chris Battershill is one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s top marine scientists, of both national and international stature. Chris’ achievements and contributions to marine science span biodiscovery, development of anti-cancer drugs, leading international programmes, oil spill responses, and important work with iwi in issues of development and sustainability of ocean resources. 

Chris is internationally recognised for his work on biodiversity and biodiscovery of important medicinal compounds sourced from sponges and seaweeds. One of his career highlights includes the discovery of a rare sponge (Halichondria) off the coast of Kaikōura that led to the creation of the late phase breast cancer drug Halaven®. During his 12 years spent at the Australian Institute of Marine Science he led a large research team in studies on biodiversity and biodiscovery of chemical structures useful in medicine and agriculture. 

Chris was a senior marine ecologist at DoC, a programme leader at NIWA and has published 87 research articles and 23 book chapters. He has also achieved national recognition for his work with the Maritime Response Team on responding to the Rena Oil spill where he he gave over 200 media interviews, spoke at marae up and down the Bay of Plenty, coordinated the response monitoring, and prevented the use large-scale use of dispersants which he knew to be disastrous on marine birds. 

Chris supervises and mentors many post-graduate students while also lecturing in undergraduate. He is passionate about providing opportunity for all students, from securing funding through to countless hours dedicated to guiding them through the research process. He has supervised over 60 post-graduate students in his career, across biotechnology, sponge taxonomy, biodiversity, monitoring, biotechnology, and Mātauranga-informed restoration of Tauranga Harbour. Chris he has been a very positive influence on hundreds of students, all of whom remember him fondly. 

Chris is a longstanding and true supporter of NZMSS and the ideals of communication, support of students, and collegiality.

2022

Dr Kim Currie – chemical oceanography and ocean acidification

Dr Kim Currie has had an outstanding career working in the field of chemical oceanography, ocean acidification (OA) and the uptake of anthropogenic carbon. As part of her PhD under Prof. Keith Hunter, Kim started the “Munida Time Series” in 1998 in the waters of offshore Dunedin. This world renowned timeseries, used to understand oceanic uptake of CO2, has now been running for 22 years (144 voyages) under Kim’s leadership and guidance. This is the only long, marine CO2 time series in the Southern Hemisphere and one of only seven in the world. For this work, Kim was part of the Oceans team that was awarded the Prime Minister’s Science Prize (2011). The Munida time series is now part of the New Zealand State of the Environment report, where is it used to report on quantitative evidence of climate change in the oceans.

In 2015, Kim substantially extended this work by establishing the New Zealand OA Network. Through NZOA-ON, Kim has partnered with communities, iwi, aquaculture industry, DOC, and regional councils to extend OA monitoring to 30 sites around New Zealand.

Kim’s ocean carbon lab is highly regarded internationally and has been involved in many inter-laboratory intercalibration exercises through the global quality assurance network. She serves on a Working Group to ensure on-going international supply and access to certified reference materials for marine carbon measurements.

Kim has been at the forefront of OA research, evidenced from her international leadership roles. She is on the executive council of Global Ocean Acidification Network, the advisory board of the Ocean Acidification – International Coordination Centre, and several working groups. She also contributed to development of UN SDG 14.3 methodology and is the co-chair of the Working Group 1 of the UN Ocean Decade Programme – Ocean Acidification Research for Sustainability.

2021

Prof. Andrew Jeffs – aquaculture, lobster biology, and the biological role of underwater sound

In 2021 the NZMSS award was presented to Professor Andrew Jeffs in recognition of the role that he has played in advancing the knowledge and understanding of marine science in New Zealand. While mostly focused on lobsters and bivalves, his published research covers a plethora of other species, including barnacles, crabs, sea cucumbers, reef fish, sea urchins, and octopus. His research also covers a range of habitats, encompassing open oceans, coastal waters, and freshwater, and has been carried out in numerous countries.

Whilst working for the Department of Conservation in the late 1980s he developed a public awareness campaign for marine conservation, especially marine reserves. Whilst working as Principal Scientist, and then General Manager of Aquaculture and Marine Biotechnology at NIWA (1998-2007) he helped to initiate the Bream Bay Aquaculture Park, which remains the largest aquaculture research facility in New Zealand. As Chief Scientist for Darden Inc. (2007-2012), which is one of the largest private buyers of seafood in the world, he pushed seafood sustainability research, including advancing lobster aquaculture towards commercialisation.

Prof. Jeffs has supervised more than 50 post-graduate students, who now contribute to marine teaching, research, environmental management, and commercial and social enterprises in New Zealand and overseas. As a qualified journalist, Prof Jeffs has in the past worked as a science and environment reporter for the New Zealand Herald, where he reported extensively on marine and environmental science. He continues to work closely with the community on marine matters.

Overall, Prof. Jeffs’ contribution to the discipline of marine science has been broad and continuous throughout his career.

2019

Dr. Barb Hayden – marine biosecurity and the environmental sustainability of aquaculture

In 2019 the NZMSS award was presented to Dr. Barb Hayden for her substantial contribution to marine science in New Zealand over a long and distinguished career that has included setting strategic research directions, leading major research programs, and mentoring emerging researchers.

2018

Prof. Conrad Pilditch – benthic ecology, marine ecosystems, intertidal ecology and deep sea ecosystems

The 2018 NZMSS award was presented to Professor Conrad Pilditch in recognition of his research achievements in marine ecology and the instrumental role he plays in developing the careers of his students.

Prof. Pilditch has worked on a diverse range of topics, traversing intertidal flats to the deep ocean. Collaborating with national and international colleagues, he has 115 peer reviewed publications, and is a respected advisor on environmental issues. As a passionate science communicator, he never tires of talking to the public about scientific issues and promoting marine science throughout New Zealand.

Prof. Pilditch is a well-liked and respected teacher, chief supervisor and mentor. He enthusiastically supports his students in the field, has co-authored at least 20 of his publications in the last three years with students and provides support and encouragement for his students to present at NZMSS conferences.

2017

Dr. Mark Costello – extinction patterns, global biogeography and biodiversity conservation

The 2017 NZMSS award was presented to Dr. Mark Costello in recognition of the instrumental role his research played in providing new insights into patterns of extinction, biogeography of evolution of species on a global scale, and conservation needs in relation to biodiversity.

Dr. Costello has led key global initiatives that brought research data into the public domain for the benefit of science and society. As an internationally respected ecologist, specialising in marine ecosystems, nature conservation, parasites, and invasive species, he was a pioneer in the field of ‘ocean biodiversity informatics’ by leading the establishment of world databases that are now core resources in marine biology.

Dr. Costello has over 150 peer-reviewed publications, held a variety of senior roles in his field of science and has encouraged and supported students as a lecturer and supervisor.

Additionally, Dr. Costello encouraged and supported Dr. Bill Ballantine over the last years of his life to publish his important work, thus contributing to the preservation of Dr. Ballantine’s knowledge.

2016

Dr. Judi Hewitt – marine ecosystem health and ecological scaling

Dr. Hewitt is an internationally-recognised marine ecologist, best known for her significant contribution to the understanding of the role of scale in ecology and using advanced statistics to address challenging ecological questions.

Judi has published more than 130 peer-reviewed journal articles and is an editor for two international journals. Her seminal publication on ecological scaling, published in American Naturalist in 2007, is regarded as one of the most important papers in marine ecology. Another paper, published in Ecology and subsequently cited 112 times, revealed the role of shell debris patches in driving biodiversity in what are frequently viewed as featureless mud plains.

In addition to science leadership roles at NIWA and with the Sustainable Seas National Science Challenge, hosted by NIWA, Dr. Hewitt is a professor of Marine Biology at the University of Helsinki. She is also an excellent communicator and an outstanding role model and mentor for young women in science.

Judi’s reputation and solutions-focused research have led to her being in demand with many regional and national resource management agencies. “She has developed models of ecosystem health for harbours and estuaries and designed impact assessment surveys for deep-sea ecosystems associated with fishing and mining, which demonstrate her ability to translate practical research experience into effective advice,” the judges said.

2015

Dr. Rob Murdoch – oceanography, natural resource, and environmental science

Through his oceanography research, Dr. Murdoch has had a major influence on the extent and direction of marine and natural resource science in New Zealand. He plays a key role in ensuring that New Zealand’s oceanographic research capability is world-class, and provides the sophisticated state-of-the-art platforms New Zealand needs to enhance the benefits of our vast marine environment.

Dr. Murdoch is widely regarded as a guiding hand in forging the careers of many marine scientists and has made many valuable contributions to the science community. Not only within his senior roles at NIWA, but also on numerous advisory boards and panels, including WWF New Zealand and the Antarctic Research Institute.

Dr. Murdoch has been the recipient of numerous awards, including the 2011 Prime Minister’s Science Prize, which was jointly awarded to NIWA and University of Otago colleagues for their work on iron fertilisation as a process for reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. He was also awarded The Royal Society’s Thomson Medal in 2014 for his leadership and contribution to the development of environmental science in New Zealand.

2014

Dr. Keith Probert – benthic ecology, effects of fishing on benthic communities

Dr. Keith Probert is an expert on benthic ecology and has had a long and illustrious career, both as a marine scientist and mentor for future marine scientists in New Zealand. He began his research in 1973 at the New Zealand Oceanographic Institute (now NIWA), but then accepted a role at Otago University. Although originally a staff member at the University’s Portobello Marine Laboratory, he is now based in the Department of Marine Science in Dunedin city.

Keith’s research was foremost in expanding the state of knowledge of benthic communities on New Zealand’s continental shelf and slopes, to encompass process as well as description. His research demonstrating and predicting the likely impact of bottom fishing on seamount benthic communities was world-leading and the first to present a clear argument for deep-sea conservation worldwide. This work was a precursor to a national seamount research programme, which studied the effects of fishing on seamounts and saw New Zealand establish the first seamount-specific fishing closures in the world.

Keith has authored many publications, mostly concerning marine biology and ecology of the New Zealand region from shallow, intertidal to deep-sea environments. He is an excellent communicator, having given many public lectures, taught university extension courses, and written books such as “Seas around New Zealand”. He has been instrumental in developing marine science courses and programmes at Otago University and has supervised, mentored, and shared his extensive knowledge with numerous students, many of which have gone on to be successful marine scientists.