Established in 2007, the Kudos Science Trust has three objectives.

Recognise the achievements of our region’s top scientists;
Excite young people about science and its career opportunities;
Raise the profile of science within our community

The Trust’s annual Kudos Awards remain New Zealand’s only regional science awards, helping to shine a light on the incredible achievements of our region’s world-class scientists, their research, discoveries and innovations.

In 2016 the Trust established its youth programme – Science Spinners Creative Lab, a major hands-on and interactive science event led by Kudos Award scientists and industry professionals to inspire and engage our young people in the exciting world of science and STEM.

Recognised as the region’s independent science advocate, the Trust works to enable science education, support community science engagement projects, connect industry and partners, and promote our science experts and their world-class science achievements.

Chris Williams, Chair

Chris has owned and run a local advertising and marketing agency, KingSt, for the last 24 years. His agency is a big contributor to the local community and has sponsored the awards since its inception, after recognising that not much would happen in the world without scientists. Also, like everyone else involved, he was very keen to celebrate the achievements of our scientists and their contributions.

Chris is also Chair of the Hamilton Arts Festival Trust and is on the operating board of the new Waikato Regional Theatre.

Liz Carpenter

Liz Carpenter is the Principal Scientist at the Dairy Goat Cooperative NZ Ltd (DGC), where she manages research on goat milk nutritional powders and provides training support within the DGC’s Asian markets.

She is also a trustee of the Exscite Trust, has been Chief Judge of the NIWA Waikato Science & Technology Fair for the past six years and is an invited member of the ‘immune health’ industry reference group for the High-Value Nutrition National Science Challenge.

Roger Cox

Roger Cox has been a teacher of science, biology and horticulture at Fairfield College for the past 43 years. During this time, he has seen many students leave the school as fully-independent learners who can cope well with the demands of the ‘real world’.

Roger’s passion for education and insights from his front-line role, meeting the challenges faced by a low-decile school, bring a valuable perspective to the Trust’s work.

Hillary Sharp

Hillary Sharp is a founding member and CEO of ESP Medical, a medical device and pharmaceutical manufacturing company based in Hamilton.

ESP Medical was a finalist of the Kudos Engineering Excellence award in 2020 with the development of an emergency response ventilator. Hillary is most passionate about bringing new medical innovations to life, working with a range of customers from university start-ups to industry-leading surgeons, to develop products that will have a direct impact on people’s quality of life.

News and Views

Kudos Awards names finalists for 2023

The Kudos Science Excellence Awards have named their top scientists in eight categories for 2023 in advance of their annual gala event in November…… Read More

KuDos Award for Scion and AgriSea partnership

Accolades for the Scion and AgriSea collaboration continue to roll in, with a Primary Industries Award won at the Kudos Awards this week….. Read More

Top New Zealand Scientists Win Kudos

The best and brightest scientists of the Greater Waikato Region and Bay of Plenty have been recognised at the 15th Kudos Awards Showcase….. Read More

Kudos Science Awards held in Hamilton

Jesse was back last night in his home town to host the Kudos Science Awards. It’s the country’s only regional science award and celebrates world-class….. Read More

Covid delays inspire a new approach for Kudos Trust

In 2020 Covid19 changed the world we live in. Two years on we are in combat with another foe; misinformation….. Read More

Dementia services must diversify to support our diverse population

A new report commissioned by Alzheimers New Zealand has found dementia rates in our Māori, Pasifika, and Asian communities will more than double by 2050. Dr Etunui Ma’u…. Read More

Bilingual science kits ‘spark curiosity’ in Bay of Plenty primary school pupils

While working as head of science at Tauranga Girls’ College, Chris Duggan noticed a lack of exposure to science at primary school was creating a knowledge gap in the area. She took the matter into…. Read More

2021 Kudos Science Excellence Awards finalists announced

Idealog writes, Finalists for the 2021 Kudos Science Excellence Awards have been announced, showcasing the incredible innovation coming out of the Waikato and Bay of Plenty…. Read More

Students catch the engineering buzz

Claudelands Exhibition Centre is swarming with more than 100 secondary school students. They’re having fun but there’s a serious aspect to this event, the inaugural STEM Hub for year 11-13 students… Read More

Waikato schools get a taste of science

The value of science in everyday life was the key lesson to take away at a free event where school students enjoyed making jelly ice cream, learning CPR and looking at micro-organisms under the microscope…. Read More

Science was the winner

Last week scientists, innovators and researchers came together from across the Waikato, Rotorua and the Bay of Plenty to celebrate science excellence and achievement at the prestigious Kudos Science Excellence Awards… Read More

Kudos Awards finalists announced

The talent and diversity of the 2020 Kudos Science Excellence Awards finalists show the richness of scientific expertise on our doorstep. Twenty incredible finalists are in the running to receive one of eight awards at the gala event in Hamilton next month…. Read More

Time to celebrate our scientists

New Zealand’s world-renowned response to Covid-19 shows what can be achieved by acting on good science, and during the lockdown many New Zealanders have become fans of our country’s science heroes. Read More

Turning science on its head

Over the past two weeks we’ve been inspiring our Waikato youth in STEM through out Science Spinners Programmes, Code Hub and Creative Lab… Read More

Kudos for Amanda Oakley

Dr. Amanda Oakley, 63, was awarded the University of Waikato Lifetime Achievement Award at the awards ceremony at Claudelands Events Centre, on 5th September… Read More

Winners of the 2019 Kudos Awards Announced

Waikato celebrated the achievements of 19 finalists and announced winners in eight categories at the 13th Annual Kudos Science Excellence Awards at Claudelands last night… Read More