The Board of the Ian Axford (New Zealand) Fellowships in
Public Policy express their sympathies to the family of the Fellowships'
patron, Sir Ian Axford, who passed away on Saturday.
Sir Ian Axford with 2009 Ian Axford
Fellow in Public Policy, Alixe Bonardi, at the Axford family home
in Napier last year
Sir Ian was a renowned New Zealand space scientist who was chosen as
the patron of the Axford Fellowships exchange programme in recognition
of his international achievements, shortly after being named New Zealander
of The Year in 1995.
The Ian Axford (New Zealand) Fellowships in Public Policy programme was
established by the New Zealand Government to reciprocate the Commonwealth
Fund of New York's international Harkness Fellowships programme, by providing
for outstanding mid-career American professionals to conduct policy research
while hosted at a relevant New Zealand government organisation in Wellington.
The Fellowships were launched on 4th July 1995 by then Prime Minister
Jim Bolger, who announced the programme as "another sign of substantial
progress in building a strong relationship between the United States and
New Zealand."
Now Chair of the Ian Axford (New Zealand) Fellowships in Public Policy
Board, Mr Bolger pays tribute to Sir Ian's achievements and patronage
of the Fellowships programme:
"Ian Axford would say that his success in challenging areas of research
was because he stood on the shoulders of those who preceded him. Ian Axford
was a great New Zealander and his outstanding research is a beacon for
others to follow. But Ian was much more than a scientist, he had a bigger
vision, one of encouraging others to see that by working together we produced
a better world. Ian's passing now requires others to step forward to carry
on his work. We at the Axford Fellowships mourn the loss of a wonderful
friend."
Since the first Ian Axford Fellowship in 1997, there have been a total
of 37 Fellows, including the five current Fellows based at the Ministries
of Social Development; Research, Science and Technology; Agriculture and
Forestry; Pacific Island Affairs; and Customs New Zealand. Published policy
reports on topics ranging from fisheries management to restorative justice,
Māori education strategy and methamphetamine control are available
from the Fulbright New Zealand website: www.fulbright.org.nz
ENDS
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