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New Zealand in a Global Science and Technology Revolution | Sir Peter Gluckmann

  • Writer: Lian Soh
    Lian Soh
  • Jul 19
  • 2 min read

Updated: Jul 26

The New Zealand Institute of International Affairs (NZIIA) is proud to host its first-ever event in Rotorua.


Renowned scientist and policy advisor Sir Peter Gluckman will lead the kōrero, addressing what Aotearoa New Zealand must do to keep pace with rapid advances in science and technology. His talk will reflect on the challenges and opportunities posed by global disruption—from economic uncertainty and climate change to technological leaps and shifting geopolitics.

Sir Peter Gluckman speaking at an event in 2020 – New Zealand scientist and policy advisor, founder of Koi Tū: The Centre for Informed Futures.
Sir Peter Gluckman, at the 2020 Order of New Zealand dinner, at Government House, Wellington, on 5 March 2020. Source: Wikimedia Commons. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license.

The evening will open with a welcome from Rotorua’s Mayor, Her Worship Tania Tapsell. The conversation will be facilitated by Dr Hamish McDougall, Executive Director of NZIIA, with closing acknowledgements delivered by Dr Sanjeev Raikar.


About Sir Peter Gluckman


Sir Peter Gluckman is one of Aotearoa’s most influential voices in science and science policy. A trained paediatrician and biomedical researcher, he has authored hundreds of papers and books spanning developmental biology, neuroscience, and evolutionary medicine. As New Zealand’s first Chief Science Advisor to the Prime Minister, Sir Peter helped shape national science policy during a pivotal decade.


He is currently President of the International Science Council and Managing Trustee of Koi Tū: The Centre for Informed Futures, which he founded in 2020. Through this work—and influential publications such as the Looking Ahead: Science Education for the Twenty-First Century report—Sir Peter continues to advocate for evidence-informed decision-making in education, policy, and beyond.


When: Wednesday, 20 August 2025, 5:30pm – 6:45pm

Where: Rotorua Public Library, 1127 Haupapa Street, Rotorua


With Thanks | Ngā Mihi Nui Ngā mihi nui to Hamish and the team at NZIIA for allowing us to share this event with our kaiako readers.


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© 2025 Lian Soh and Vicki Alderson-Wallace

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