Stuart Henrys

Stuart joined GNS in 1994, having built significant geophysics knowledge and capability working in the USA, Antarctica and New Zealand. Stuart says, “Aotearoa New Zealand is a fantastic natural laboratory for discovering and exploring earth processes”, thanks to the location of our continent, Te Riu-a-Māui Zealandia, straddling a major tectonic plate boundary and gateway to the Southern Ocean and Antarctica. 

In his current role, Stuart coordinates national and international geoscience research initiatives, many of which are delivered in partnership with New Zealand government agencies and CRIs, universities, and iwi/Māori. He helps guide the work of scientists and researchers, whose primary focus is on generating new ideas and knowledge, which underpins all of GNS’ Earth Science disciplines and Themes.

As foundational science, Land and Marine Geoscience integrates across the science system and the team collaborates and delivers critical, underpinning research. Stuart’s key areas of input and influence is in understanding the processes that shape Te Riu-a-Māui Zealandia with his team making important contributions to enable more reliable forecasts of natural hazards and increasing New Zealanders resilience. Stuart and his team also play a critical role in helping New Zealand move towards a low carbon future, with strategic outputs focused on managing natural resources sustainably and adapting to a changing climate.

As a natural collaborator, Stuart leads and contributes to many local and international initiatives which benefit Aotearoa New Zealand, including Chair of GeoDiscoveryNZ, which coordinates our membership in global scientific drilling in partnership with the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) and the International Continental Drilling Program (ICDP).