Board Chair’s report - Annual Report 2025

17 May, 2026

Hēmi Rolleston

Board Chair

It is my pleasure to present my fourth Chair's report. I continue to be inspired by the passion and calibre of everyone involved with the Institute, and by the outstanding research advancing our shared goals.

In September we welcomed Professor Sally Brooker to the Board as our Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka University of Otago representative. Professor Lucy Johnston also joined the Board in September, as the new representative from Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha University of Canterbury. We said goodbye to Professor Margaret Hyland following her retirement from Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington. Margaret's contribution has been significant over more than two years, not just in what was achieved, but in the care, judgement and continuity she has brought to the Board's work over this time.

We also farewelled Professor Richard Blaikie, who was the Institute's first Deputy Director from 2002 until 2007, and then Director from 2008 until 2011. He has represented Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka University of Otago on the Board since 2017. On behalf of the Board. I salute Richard for his leadership, resilience and dedication to the Institute over more than 23 years.

This year, the Institute's researchers continued to push boundaries, translating science into real-world impact and ensuring our graduates leave with the skills, experience and connections needed to thrive beyond the lab.

I'm especially proud of the Discovery Scholarship programme's success over six years and am as always grateful to co-sponsors Spirax Sarco and GNS Science for supporting these rangatahi as they progress in the sciences.

Finally, this is my last Chair report and closes my time on the Board as at 30 June 2026, having held various roles since 2017 as both a Callaghan Board member and independent Board member and as Chair since November 2021. It has been a huge privilege to serve the Institute and I am humbled by the opportunity. I am extremely proud of the mahi that the Institute has undertaken, and personally for me, the way that mātauranga Māori has been embedded seamlessly into the organisation.

Whilst new challenges are on the horizon, so are new opportunities and I have no doubt the Institute will navigate the next chapter successfully. I invite you to read and celebrate the Institute's achievements in this 2025 annual report.

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