The Pickering Medal is awarded annually by the Royal Society Te Apārangi to a person or team "who, while in New Zealand, has through design, development or invention performed innovative work the results of which have been significant in their influence and recognition both nationally and internationally, or which have led to significant commercial success".
The award is named for Sir William (Bill) Pickering. The front of the medal features the head of Bill Pickering, with the words technology, innovation, excellence inscribed round the edge, while the obverse features the Royal Society coat of arms.[1][2] Up until 2012, the medal was accompanied by a prize of $15,000.[3]
Recipients
Year
Recipient
2023
AgResearch's Low Methane Sheep Breeding Team, for "for breeding sheep which emit less methane, and for determining the potential reduction of methane emissions if these sheep can be farmed throughout Aotearoa New Zealand". Key contributors Suzanne Rowe, John McEwan, Peter Janssen and Graeme Atwood.[4]
2022
Professor Rodney Badcock, Robinson Research Institute, Victoria University of Wellington for "developing superconducting technologies that are enabling electrical machines at the leading edge of current engineering practice, such as electric aircrafts [sic] and high-speed trains".[5]
2021
Professor Keith Cameron and Professor Hong Di of Lincoln University for "inventing new technology to treat dairy farm effluent to recycle water and reduce phosphate and E. coli leaching into water."[6]
2020
Rocket Lab's research and development team, led by Peter Beck, for "technical breakthroughs that have allowed Rocket Lab to become the world’s leading dedicated small launch provider for small satellites. These innovations include unique motor designs, 3D printing for manufacture and carbon-composite construction."[7]
2019
Professor Cather Simpson from the University of Auckland "for pioneering research and commercialisation of innovative photonic technologies addressing challenges with a New Zealand focus and global impact."[8]
2018
AgResearch AR37 Novel Endophyte Team "for developing and supporting the AR37 endophyte in agriculture, which is estimated to contribute NZ$3.6 billion to the New Zealand economy through the life of the patent."[9]
2017
Stephen Henry "for the development and commercialisation of a surface-modification technology, called Kode Technology, with potential for therapeutic use including fighting cancer, reducing surgical infections and healing wounds."[10]
2016
Iain Anderson "for the development and commercialisation of electroactive polymer technology that can mimic the action of muscles."[11]
2015
Margaret Hyland "for her pioneering work into the reduction of fluoride emissions produced by aluminium smelters worldwide" (first female recipient of the medal).[12]
2014
Simon Malpas "for his development and commercialisation of implantable wireless sensors that can monitor physiological processes such as heart activity or lung function in the body"[13]
2013
Harold Marshall "for his research-based acoustical designs that have had a profound effect on the design of performance spaces for music, worldwide"[14]
2012
David Williams "for his contribution to the development of biomedical and gas sensors, which have been commercialised"[15]
2011
David Ryan "for developing technology which is at the heart of optimisation software used worldwide for solving complex logistics problems, such as airline scheduling"[16]
2010
Frank Griffin "for his contribution to work in developing diagnostics tests for detecting two major bacterial diseases of New Zealand deer, and a vaccine for the prevention of Yersiniosis in deer"[17]
2009
Ken McNatty "for his contribution to the field of reproductive biology, with products having been commercialised from his work"[18]
2008
Ross Ihaka "for his software package “R” that has revolutionised the practice of statistics with its unique open-source, extensible model"[19]
2007
John McKinnon, a wool chemist whose technological advancements have been adopted worldwide[20]
