Speech at Royal Society of New Zealand Honours Dinner and Presentation of the Rutherford Medal 2009

Thank you for inviting me here tonight to present the Rutherford Medal.

When you are a country the size of New Zealand you have to rely on brains rather than brawn to compete in the global economy. Our future depends on maximising our science to build on our strengths.

The Prime Minister has said more than once that science needs to be at the heart of our policies. He recognises, as does everyone in this room, the wisdom of atomic physicist William Pollard's observation: "Those who initiate change will have a better opportunity to manage the change that is inevitable."

That change is with us. It is revolutionary in scale and scope. Information technology and communications have transformed the world we live in. Education is unlocking the human potential of nations. Massive economic developments, particularly in Asia, have created huge new challenges - and opportunities.

More than ever we turn to our scientists to be in the vanguard of transforming New Zealand into the vigorous 21st century economy that is essential to our future.

We have been very successful in growing our agricultural sector through greater productivity, new products and adding value to what we grow. Alongside this we have burgeoning biotechnology and high-tech industries. To paraphrase a past winner, Sir Paul Callaghan, we have gone from fibre to film - from meat to molecular biology.

Every week, I see exciting technologies in development driven by innovators who are not afraid to push the boundaries of science and business.  

Tonight we celebrate these scientists. The Rutherford Medal recognises the recipient's lifetime of contribution to research in New Zealand. It also acts as an inspiration for those who follow.

I am pleased to announce that, from this year, the Government is contributing prize money of $100,000 to the winner of the Rutherford Medal. This will help raise the importance and prestige of the Rutherford Medal, and better reward those New Zealanders who have made outstanding scientific contributions.

Tonight I am honoured to announce that the winner of the 2009 Rutherford Medal is Professor Peter John Hunter.

Professor Hunter is well known globally for pioneering a new approach to modelling the human body. His innovation uses simulations across all biological levels, from individual genes to entire organs. He initiated and led the development of the computational code which the virtual human model is based upon, and made this available for academic research around the world.

His leadership of the Bioengineering Institute and his promotion of engineering and biomedical science have been outstanding. He has been at the forefront of developing a world-class capability in bioengineering.

I suspect we have only seen the tip of the iceberg of the impact this sector will have on New Zealand's health and prosperity.

Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to welcome on to the stage the 2009 Rutherford Medal winner: Professor Hunter.