Marsden Fund celebrates 25 years

MARSDEN FUND CELEBRATES 25 YEARS EHARA TAKU TOA I TE TOA TAKITAHI, ENGARI TAKU TOA, TAKITINI E SUCCESS IS NOT BY THE WORK OF ONE, BUT BY THE WORK OF MANY

Marsden Fund Te Pūtea Rangahau a Marsden was established by the New Zealand government in 1994. Since then, it has driven world-class research in Aotearoa by supporting and incentivising excellent researchers to work on their best and boldest ideas and to connect internationally. The research supported by the fund is leading to new knowledge and skills with the potential for significant future impact for Aotearoa. On March 25, a celebratory event was held at Te Puia Thermal Reserve in Rotorua, acknowledging the achievements of excellent researchers and affirming ngā matawhānui the vision for the future of the fund.

The evening started with manuhiri guests being formally invited into Te Puia with a pōwhiri by Te Arawa. Past Chair of the Marsden Fund Professor Juliet Gerrard FRSNZ, Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor, acknowledged Simon Upton FRSNZ for starting the fund and successive Ministers of Research, Science and Innovation for their continued support. She also noted the inclusive nature of the fund that sees women and Māori applicants do at least as well as other applicants. Current Chair Professor David Bilkey thanked all those who help the fund operate, especially the assessment panellists who face the daunting task of selecting projects to recommend for funding from a large number of truly excellent proposals. He said that they were required to predict the future in making their recommendations – no easy task! During the evening, a number of recipients of the Marsden Fund shared stories of what receiving a Marsden Fund grant had meant to them.

PROFESSOR LINDA TUHIWAI SMITH FRSNZ