Some early scientific visitors to New Zealand: public lecture by AUT’s newest honorary doctor
Ever wondered who named the Dieffenbachia or why the Haast Pass is so called?
The answers to these and many more questions will be revealed at a public lecture given by Dr Gary J Tee, Auckland
University of Technology’s most recent Honorary Doctorate recipient.
Accompanying Captain Cook on his 1769-1770 voyage, Banks and Solander were the first scientific visitors to New Zealand.
They recorded, described and collected much of what they saw of this country’s unique flora and fauna.
On their return to England the news created great interest in scientific circles. The prospect of recording and
collecting as yet undiscovered specimens encouraged many eminent scientists to follow on subsequent voyages to New
Zealand.
Charles Darwin was one of the many who visited, some of whom came for brief visits while others worked here for extended
periods.
Others who visited included Johann & Georg Forster, Ivan Simonov, James
Clark Ross, Baron von Huegel, Allan Cunningham, Paul
Edmond de Strzelecki, Ernst Dieffenbach, Joseph Dalton Hooker, Thomas
Henry Huxley, James Dwight Dana, Ferdinand von Hochstetter, Julius
Haast and Franz Reuleaux.
Dr Garry J Tee was awarded an honorary doctorate at AUT’s spring graduation ceremony on 17 October. He is a research
fellow at the University of Auckland’s Department of Mathematics. His research areas include numerical analysis and the
history of science.
All media are welcome to attend this public lecture in lecture theatre WS101, Science and Engineering Faculty, AUT
Wellesley Street campus on Tuesday 11 November at 12pm.