Nelson Science Stories

Nelson Science Stories

Hosted by Graeme Robertson, Nelson Science Stories shines a light on the discoveries, people, and places that have shaped the region’s rich scientific heritage. From early innovations to modern breakthroughs, each episode uncovers the fascinating stories behind Nelson’s contribution to science in Aotearoa and beyond.

Episodes

Episode 42 - Tricky Situations

September 8, 2026 • 10 mins
Over the years various incidents tested Cawthron’s values and integrity. This episode covers a few of them: requests to edit out uncomfortable findings from reports, refusals to pay for work done and IP appropriation.
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Episode 41 - Dr Paul McNabb pt3

September 1, 2026 • 16 mins
The final in the Paul McNabb series. A remarkable detective story from 2009: dogs dying on Auckland beaches. Cawthron’s world class team found the culprit in a week.
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Episode 40 - Dr Paul McNabb pt2

August 25, 2026 • 9 mins
The second part of an interview with Dr Paul McNabb, in which he describes Cawthron’s efforts to persuade regulators in Europe and the USA to move away from animal testing for shellfish toxins.
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Episode 39 - Dr Paul McNabb pt1

August 18, 2026 • 12 mins
How Dr Paul McNabb led a project which transformed the way in which shellfish were tested, throughout the world, and eventually generated $millions for Cawthron. The first of a three part interview.
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Episode 38 - Chippies

August 11, 2026 • 6 mins
Not everyone retires at 65. For years Cawthron employed a team of “geriatrics”, the oldest retiring when he reached 100. They made an important contribution.
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Episode 37 - Police Interactions

August 4, 2026 • 8 mins
Two stories about Cawthron’s interaction with the NZ Police. In the first, an expensive sonar imaging tool proves itself locating an army Unimog sunk in the Kawarau Gorge successful. In the second, we alert the drug squad to the suspected end use of some of our chemical sales to the public.
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Episode 36 - Leadership

July 28, 2026 • 9 mins
How should a research organisation packed with highly intelligent, creative, innovative people be managed? This is about one person’s approach, which turned out to be quite successful.
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Episode 35 - Dr Patrick Holland pt2

July 21, 2026 • 15 mins
An interview with Pat Holland who, along with colleague Paul McNabb, transformed shellfish safety testing throughout the world.
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Episode 34 - Dr Patrick Holland pt1

July 14, 2026 • 20 mins
An interview with Pat Holland who, along with colleague Paul McNabb, transformed shellfish safety testing throughout the world.
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Episode 33 - Sir Theodore Rigg

June 30, 2026 • 11 mins
Sir Theodore Rigg was Cawthron Institute's longest-serving director, He lead an amazing life, from managing orphanages during the Bolshevik revolution in Russia to transformational research in soil science and applied chemistry. After the death of his first wife he married Dr Kathleen Curtis, the first woman to be elected a Fellow of the NZ Royal Society.
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Episode 32 - Arrival of the Internet

June 9, 2026 • 12 mins
A description of Cawthron's efforts to make good use of the infant internet. It covers website design and also search engine successes before SEO became fashionable, in the days before Google.
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Episode 31 - Joy Oakly Pt2

June 2, 2026 • 8 mins
Continue of an interview with Cawthron’s longest serving employee.
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Episode 30 - Joy Oakly Pt1

May 26, 2026 • 11 mins
An Interview with Microbiologist Joy Oakly, Cawthrons longest serving current employee. She describes the beginnings of the microbiology lab, ending with its involvement in a criminal trial.
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Episode 29 - Dr Lesley Rhodes pt3

May 19, 2026 • 8 mins
The 3rd and final chapter of the interview with Dr Lesley Rhodes focuses on Cawthrons culture collection of microalgae, with over 700 different isolates. This living collection is an extremely valuable resource for medicinal drug discovery, food for fish and shelfish, and education.
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Episode 28 - Dr Lesley Rhodes pt2

May 12, 2026 • 10 mins
Part 2 of the interview with Cawthron Senior Scientist Dr Lesley Rhodes. Topics covered include the origins of NZ's world leading biotoxin monitoring programme, plus thoughts on the future impact of warming oceans.
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Episode 27 - Dr Lesley Rhodes pt1

May 5, 2026 • 15 mins
The first of a three part interview with Senior Scientist Dr Lesley Rhodes. It covers her early days at Cawthron, the impact of the ’93 algae bloom and her efforts to encourage young women in science
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Episode 26 - Staff Tragedy

April 28, 2026 • 9 mins
A young Cawthron technician was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, which did not respond well to treatment. His attendance was limited to stable periods and staff were trained to recognize warning signs. Despite everyone’s strenuous efforts, and to our great distress, he eventually took his own life. A tree was planted in his honor on the Cawthron campus.
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Episode 25 - Sunshine Salaries

April 21, 2026 • 11 mins
A fundamental change to the way salaries were determined was achieved with a smooth transition, thanks to an unusually high level of transparency and staff participation.
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Episode 24 - Funding

April 14, 2026 • 11 mins
The restructuring of the NZ science system in the 90s was critical for Cawthron survival. We became quite successful in gaining research grants, by adapting more quickly and maintaining better connections with research users.
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Episode 23 - Lorraine MacIntosh

April 7, 2026 • 6 mins
Lorraine MacIntosh was a Cawthron lab technician in the 1980s, eventually heading up our commercial testing that kept the institute afloat. Devoted to customers, she later managed 80+ staff and contributed one-third of our revenue. But then she met a Spanish sailor, married and moved to Valencia. She later became America’s Cup correspondent and regular podcaster for Fresh FM.
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