New award honours Fleur Templeton’s legacy in science communication
The Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake (NHC) and the Science Communicators Association of New Zealand (SCANZ) have launched the Fleur Templeton Memorial Award, honouring the late science communicator’s legacy and celebrating excellence in communicating natural hazard risk and resilience.
The NHC sponsored $10,000 award is part of its broader resilience programme, which funds science, modelling, and capability-building that supports New Zealand’s resilience to natural hazards.
The grant will support the recipient’s professional development in science communication - for example, through training, creative content creation, or collaborations that help natural hazard science reach a wider audience.
A portion of the sponsorship will also go toward ensuring the recipient can attend the SCANZ Conference in Christchurch in June 2026.
Fleur worked in NHC’s Research team as a science communicator and was an active, long-time member of SCANZ, where she mentored and inspired many in the field. She passed away from cancer in 2024.
“We knew Fleur for her kindness, generosity, and her commitment to helping New Zealanders understand natural hazards,” says NHC’s Head of Research, Dr Natalie Balfour, who was Fleur’s manager.
“She had an incredible ability to translate complex science into plain language, helping people make better-informed decisions about the risks they face.
The NHC Resilience Team.
“This award is a way to honour Fleur’s legacy and inspire others to follow in her footsteps.”
SCANZ President Kati Doehring hopes to see a wide range of applicants that reflect Fleur’s diverse career.
“We encourage anyone with a passion and proven track record in communicating natural hazards to apply. The award is open to people at any stage of their career and from any field - from journalism to research, government, or industry.”
Natalie says, “This award reflects the lasting impact Fleur had on our team, our organisation, and her chosen field of science communication.
“Fleur was always helping great people and great science to shine, and she’ll continue to do that through this award.”
How to apply
The award is open for applications until 31 January 2026. The winner will be announced by the end of February and will be chosen by a panel consisting of members of NHC, SCANZ, and Fleur’s family.
Apply for the Fleur Templeton Memorial Award(external link) - SCANZ website