Farewell to Royal Society Te Apārangi President Wendy Larner | Pōmārie

It is with great sadness that we farewell Professor Wendy Larner as President of Royal Society Te Apārangi at the end of June. Her extraordinary contribution to the Society over the past three years has been significant. Although she will no longer be the President, her association with Te Apārangi will no doubt continue. See photos from her farewell event.  

This week we have also said goodbye to Associate Professor Siouxsie Wiles who has been on the Council for the past six years. We are immensely proud of her for her contribution to the COVID crisis response which is ongoing, and to communicating science to a wider audience. This has been the basis of her appointment as New Zealander of the Year.  Dr Moana Theodore and Associate Professor Melinda Webber are both completing their time on the Council after three years. Both have contributed enormously to a more diverse academy and greater understanding of Māori research excellence and its value to the academy. All of these amazing wāhine have had a profound impact on the life of the Society. Their legacy will be ongoing and lasting, especially given their input into the Strategic Plan.

And a farewell from myself as Chief Executive. My appointment as Governor-General designate has meant my last day at Te Apārangi will be Friday, 16 July 2021. I leave with the knowledge that the Society is in good heart and with a vision and purpose to achieve great things. My time at the Society has been most rewarding in that I have seen the potential and passion of so many in science based research. My thanks go especially to the wonderful staff of the Society, to the Council who have demonstrated true leadership and to the wider networks of the Society, who are actively involved in promoting and using knowledge that will contribute to living in a better world.

Professor Dame Cynthia Kiro DNZM