Co-Directors' Report - Annual Report 2024

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Co-Directors' Report - Annual Report 2024

7 June, 2025

Nicola Gaston and Justin Hodgkiss

Co-Directors

Nicola GastonIn 2024 we reached the mid-point of our current funding cycle. Early in the year we examined research outcomes from projects we started in 2021, firstly with a self-review, and then via an expert external review by our International Science Advisory Board (ISAB). In their report, our ISAB congratulated the Institute on "a high level of delivery", and said it was clear that the Institute had "not only built upon and grown all of its goals and milestones, but is a bastion of progressive thinking and stability".

The timescale on which research comes to fruition can be challenging. But over the course of 2024 we have seen challenging milestones being met, and real advancements in knowledge and capability being produced. This evidence then led to the collective determination of new projects - 2025 to 2028 - bringing into the Institute a new cohort of PhD researchers.

The ISAB also told us how impressed they were with the skillset, enthusiasm, and achievements of our graduates - reminding of us of Alan MacDiarmid's frequently quoted statement that "science is people".

Recalling the words of our founding Director, Sir Paul Callaghan - who said "a hundred inspired New Zealand entrepreneurs could turn this country around" - we created a list to celebrate our alumni who are indeed contributing to the deep tech sector here in Aotearoa New Zealand. You'll note it now has well over a hundred alumni listed!

Justin HodgkissWe congratulate all our alumni for the impact they are making and thank them for their generosity in allowing us to showcase their contribution to so many different parts of what is now an effective, efficient and growing deep tech ecosystem.

As then Minister of Research Science and Technology, Hon Judith Collins, said at the launch of the Cleantech Report at our Techweek event at Parliament: "there are many cases of NZ science PhD graduates populating the deep tech sector in this country, running start-ups, and working within wider industry". The Minister also noted "the crucial role NZ science can play in transforming our economy through cleantech and deep tech commercial solutions". Minister for Climate Change, Hon Simon Watts was blunt about the opportunity: "we can lead in this space. We should use the amazing capability in our country and in this room".

Finally - it has been a privilege and an adventure for us to be the Co-Directors of the MacDiarmid Institute over the last six years. We are really proud of everything that the Institute whānau have achieved in that time, and confident that we can embrace change positively in the knowledge that there are many exciting ways to contribute to the deep tech ecosystem in New Zealand.

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