AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL

MEDIA RELEASE

29 November 2006

Professor Peter Gluckman receives Auckland City’s top honour

Internationally distinguished scientist Professor Peter Gluckman is the latest recipient of Auckland City’s Distinguished Citizen Award.

Auckland City Mayor Dick Hubbard says Professor Gluckman is an extraordinary Kiwi who

has taken New Zealand medical research to the world stage.

“Peter’s intellect and achievements mean that for a long time now he could have settled anywhere in the world. Yet he remains passionately committed to promoting Auckland as a centre of intellectual excellence. “

Professor Gluckman’s research focuses on the treatment of brain injuries and the lifelong health effects of receiving poor nourishment in the womb.

Following nine years as Dean of the Faculty of Medical and Health Science at the University of Auckland, he became the foundation director of the University’s Liggins Institute in 2001.The institute is a world-class medical research unit with a team of internationally renowned scientists focused on researching health in pregnancy, infancy and childhood. He currently holds the position of Professor of Paediatric and Perinatal Biology at the university.

Professor Gluckman’s research has received unique international recognition. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society, the Commonwealth’s most elite scientific organisation, and the only New Zealander elected to the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies of Science (USA) and the Academy of Medical Science (UK).

He was made a companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 1997 for services to medicine, and tonight Auckland City will recognise the outstanding and unique contribution Professor Gluckman has made to our city and country.

Sir Hugh Kawharu received this award last year.

Ends

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