Dr Ian Stringer, of Palmerston North, ONZM, for services to conservation
Dr Ian Stringer taught invertebrate zoology at Massey University. He contributed to the development of several key courses for the Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Zoology and supervised many postgraduate students. He then joined the Department of Conservation as a scientist specialising in terrestrial invertebrates. His research was largely based in the field, involving heading teams of professionals and volunteers that investigated endangered giant land snails and the iconic and critically endangered Mercury Islands tusked wētā. At the Department of Conservation, he provided conservation advice, surveyed insect communities and chaired groups of experts that evaluated the conservation status of all known terrestrial invertebrates in New Zealand. This, together with all of Dr Stringer’s research, has been published in scientific journals.