Kitchen Chemistry in New Zealand

I was invited to speak at a conference in New Zealand in July this year, and of course I took the opportunity. On the way there, and back, I stopped off in Hong Kong again. The first visit was for some more Kitchen Chemistry, but I also had a chance to meet up with our university partners. Once I arrived in New Zealand I was able to work my way to the conference giving talks, and meeting university partners. I gave a plenary lecture and a couple of workshops at the conference, and then stopped off in Hong Kong on the way back to lend a hand with clearing.

My first stop on this trip was in Hong Kong. I had three “hats” to wear this time. I spent some time doing Kitchen Chemistry at schools, as usual. At Harrow School I performed the show four times in one day. I think the whole school must have seen it. A second “hat” was to represent the university while visiting our partner institutions in the region. With my third “hat” I was able to visit some of the agents that advise applicants when they are applying to universities overseas (like UEA). In all three cases I was ably assisted by Charlotte, a colleague from the International Office. I say “ably assisted” although I think in the last two cases I was more like the assistant.

On my final day I also had the chance to ascend “The Peak”. As luck would have it the iconic tram is currently out of service. It’s undergoing a major overhaul, so I had to catch a bus up there. I was fortunate – the skies were clear, until I had finished looking around, when the heavens opened!

After a week in Hong Kong I was off to New Zealand. I landed in Auckland and had it not been for the severe jet-lag I would have been able to spend even more of the day sight-seeing.

The next day I travelled to Palmerston North, which is probably best described as a small rural town, despite Massey University being based there. I was pleasantly surprised that so many people turned out on a dark winter’s evening to come to the local library to listen to me talk about the periodic table. Afterwards I was royally entertained by the local section of the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Chemical Institute.

Early next morning I was on my way again. Next stop Wellington. Here I had an appointment with the Head of the International Office, and was scheduled to do another two periodic table talks. The first to school pupils who were busy with a practical competition. Instead of being able to have lunch an relax, they were forced to listen to me for an hour. Once again I had a nice surprise as a large group came to my second talk of the day, in the early evening. Once again the local chemists looked after me and I had a very pleasant evening.

The next day I was on my way again, this time to Christchurch, where I was due to give a talk on “Light Powered Therapeutics” at the university. Once again I was looked after extremely well, and had the chance to take a tour of Christchurch, what my host referred to as “disaster tourism”. Although much of the damage is no longer apparent, there are still some buildings which are fenced off and some open spaces which have replaced a collapsed structure. I also saw the “cardboard cathedral”: an amazing structure built of large cardboard tubes..

Another day, another city, but this time my final destination: Dunedin, where the BioliveChemEd2019 teachers’ conference was taking place. On the first day I was able to take in some of the sights: Signal Hill overlooking the city, and the albatross colony. The next day, after I visited the university, both the chemistry department and the International Office. I did a Kitchen Chemistry show at one of the local schools.

Once that was done it was on to the conference. It was really lovely to be able to mix with a crowd of enthusiastic teachers and go to other workshops,as well as have the opportunity to give my own. Of course, I was also one of the plenary speakers. I also enjoyed the rich Maori culture that was included and celebrated. At the end of the conference I was presented with a Toki: a piece of New Zealand greenstone that had been especially fashioned for me. On my last day I was taken to a little stream and it received a Maori blessing – and I can testify that, like a kilt, nothing is worn under that “grass skirt”.

Having finished my fun and games in New Zealand it was back to Hong Kong. This time for the serious business of recruiting students. In addition to advising students at fairs run by a variety of organisations, I also helped out at an event we run for students who are planning to come to the UEA: the pre-depature briefing.

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Although it was hard work and all the travel and time zones can be very tiring, I had a great time, and met lot of lovely people along the way. You never know – I may get back to New Zealand again next year. Watch this space!