Celebrating 100 years of science

One hundred years of scientific achievements have changed our everyday lives

A century ago, the first publicly-funded science organization was set up, and called the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. In the ensuing decades scientists measured, monitored and recorded stunning insights into New Zealand’s natural environment. Today, at Earth Sciences NZ, the methods may have changed but we still measure, monitor, and make incredible insights. The following stories showcase some of our standout advances.

163947 Nat Beatus GNS Science

From pioneer to visionary

The world’s longest continuously operating radiocarbon facility

An Argo float is dropped into the ocean off RV Kaharoa – it will measure temperature and salinity in the water column. Earth Sciences NZ

Collecting oceans of data

How drifting floats contribute to better weather forecasting

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Longest record of pH measurements

The invaluable record of ocean acidification

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High quality Haku on the menu

Twenty years of research leads to new aquaculture industry

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Living with natural hazards

GeoNet keeps constant track of our volatile land

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Tracking the air we breathe

Baring Head: 50 years of measuring CO₂

NGMC

24/7 natural hazard monitoring

Centre transforms how science supports New Zealanders

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The shape of water

How a national framework supports river science and management

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It’s all up in the air

Measuring atmospheric change from the Southern Hemisphere

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A landmark treaty

The Montreal Protocol and how it protects the ozone layer

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Finding Zealandia

Redrawing Earth’s map defines new continent

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Speed matters

Supercomputers crucial to stretching the boundaries of science

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Maintaining the momentum

Founding a global partnership for weather and climate modelling

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The birth of GeoNet Rapid

Changing the speed of earthquake science

017 Flows

Modelling the ups and downs

Tailor made: A national scale river flow forecasting model

025 IonBeam

From Rutherford to today

The atomic legacy of New Zealand’s particle accelerator

023 Wairakei

The birth of earth energy

From wet steam to a superhot and sustainable future 

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Cornerstone of resilience

Revised National Seismic Hazard Model for safer communities

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Rapid, reliable and resilient

DART network provides early detection of tsunami

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Time travellers boost research

160 years of the New Zealand Fossil Record File

024 Hydrogen

NZ’s first green hydrogen lab

Where ideas guide progress and innovation for the future

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Supporting effective fisheries

Effective fisheries management depends on scientific analysis

019 Monitoring

Out in all weathers

Environmental monitoring stations keep on recording

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Unlocking subduction zone secrets

New Zealand at the forefront of science into slow slip events

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Protection from pests and diseases

How science monitors marine and freshwater invasive species

SNZ Web card

Celebrating 100 years of science

Learn more about how science is making a real difference for New Zealand.

Go to Science New Zealand website