Council sponsors science and technology award

For the third year running Hutt City Council is sponsoring the science and technology category of the Wellingtonian of the Year Awards.

Mayor Ray Wallace says sponsoring the category is a great way of supporting the growth of science and technology in Lower Hutt and across the region.

“Lower Hutt has a strong community of science and technology businesses and professionals and I want to do all we can to support them and their innovation and creativity,” he says.

There are four candidates in the science and technology category this year and Mayor Ray Wallace is impressed by all of them.

“All the nominees are outstanding achievers in the field of science and technology.”

The candidates are:

Sir Paul Callaghan – one of the most influential scientists in the country. He’s a world leader in nuclear magnetic resonance and nonotechnology – real science that’s having a real impact on the world and New Zealand’s place in it.

Rod Drury – one of New Zealand’s leading technology entrepreneurs, Rod is a member of the New Zealand Hi-Tech Hall of Fame. He’s also CEO and founder of NZX-listed Xero – the online accounting solution for small business.

Professor Swee Tan – a plastic surgeon working at the sharp end of plastic surgery and research. His team’s recent ground-breaking discoveries in the treatment of birthmarks have important implications in the management of cancer and regenerative medicine.

Dr John Watt – the star of TV science show Ever Wondered has been named the top emerging scientist in the Prime Minster’s science awards for his research into reducing vehicle exhaust pollution.