Issue 4 | June 2026

It’s been three months since I stepped into the CEO role at ESNZ, and the more I learn about the people and capabilities, the more inspired I am by the remarkable breadth of science in service to communities we provide, not only here in New Zealand, but across the Pacific.  

In March, I had the invaluable opportunity to accompany the New Zealand Prime Minister and the Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology on a short tour of Samoa and Tonga. What stood out to me most was the warmth of the welcome, the depth of trust that already exists from enduring relationships, and the shared commitment to practical cooperation between our organisations that supports Pacific priorities and aspirations. We were generously hosted and it was obvious that ESNZ does so much science of relevance to the Pacific. 

I left the visit keen to keep learning from our partners across the region and to better understand where our science can make the greatest difference. Bringing together expertise in weather, water, climate, hazards, energy and geoscience gives us a powerful platform—but our role is not to lead from afar. It is to listen well, work alongside Pacific organisations, and shape our capability around the needs, ambitions and development goals identified by Pacific communities themselves. 

I see enormous opportunity ahead to deepen these partnerships and ensure our science contributes in ways that are useful, trusted and enduring. I’m excited by what more we will able to do with the team coming together from ESNZ and MetService to build on our partnerships in the Pacific.