The Government of New Zealand introduced The Prime Minister’s Science Prizes in 2009 as a way of raising the profile and prestige of science among New Zealanders,  and internationally.

 

There are five prizes in total with a combined value of $975,000 NZ Dollars.

 

 

 

Te Puiaki Pūtaiao Matua a Te Pirimia The Prime Minister’s Science Prize

This prize is for an outstanding scientist, or team ,which have delivered a transformative scientific advance with significant and demonstrable economic, health, social or environmental benefits in New Zealand and/or internationally.

Te Puiaki Kaipūtaiao Maea The Prime Minister’s MacDiarmid Emerging Scientist Prize

This prize is to recognise and support an emerging early-career scientist who has demonstrated research excellence and made a significant and recent contribution to their scientific field, with potential to generate economic, health, social and environmental benefits for New Zealand.

Te Puiaki Whakapā Pūtaiao The Prime Minister’s Science Communication Prize

This prize is to acknowledge individuals who can demonstrate passion and aptitude for communicating complex scientific or technological information and engaging a diverse range of audiences to inform public debate on issues that matter for New Zealand.

Te Puiaki Kaiwhakaako Pūtaiao The Prime Minister’s Science Teacher Prize

The prize is for an outstanding and inspirational teacher of science, mathematics, and/or technology in a primary, intermediate or secondary school, or of pūtaiao, hangarau, or pāngarau in a kura kaupapa Māori.

Te Puiaki Kaipūtaiao Ānamata The Prime Minister’s Future Scientist Prize

This prize is for an outstanding senior secondary school student who have achieved excellence through a project related to STEM subjects.

 

Supported by the New Zealand Government with funding from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.