Hector Medal

The Hector Medal, formerly known as the Hector Memorial Medal,[1] is a science award given by the Royal Society Te Apārangi in memory of Sir James Hector to researchers working in New Zealand. It is awarded annually in rotation for different sciences – currently there are three: chemical sciences; physical sciences; mathematical and information sciences. It is given to a researcher who "has undertaken work of great scientific or technological merit and has made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of the particular branch of science."[2] It was previously rotated through more fields of science – in 1918 they were: botany, chemistry, ethnology, geology, physics (including mathematics and astronomy), zoology (including animal physiology).[1] For a few years it was awarded biennially – it was not awarded in 2000, 2002 or 2004.[3]

In 1991 it was overtaken by the Rutherford Medal as the highest award given by the Royal Society of New Zealand.[4]

The obverse of the medal bears the head of James Hector and the reverse a Māori snaring a huia.[5][6] The last confirmed sighting of a living huia predates the award of the medal by three years.[7]

  1. ^ a b "Hector Memorial Research Fund". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 50. 1918. Retrieved 9 March 2013.
  2. ^ "Hector Medal". Royal Society Te Apārangi. Retrieved 9 March 2013.
  3. ^ "Background of the Medal". Royal Society Te Apārangi. Retrieved 9 March 2013.
  4. ^ "Rutherford Medal « Medals & Awards « Funds, Medals & Competitions « Royal Society of New Zealand". Royalsociety.org.nz. 20 June 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  5. ^ "Papers Past — Press — 20 December 1912 — NEWS OF THE DAY". Paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 20 December 1912. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  6. ^ "Design « Hector Medal « Medals & Awards « Funds, Medals & Competitions « Royal Society of New Zealand". Royalsociety.org.nz. 20 June 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  7. ^ Barrie, Heather; Robertson, Hugh (2005). The Field Guide to the Birds of New Zealand (Revised ed.). Viking. ISBN 978-0-14-302040-0.