A social scientist who has spent decades working on the world-famous longitudinal Dunedin Study of human development has been recognised in the Queen's Birthday honours.
Richie Poulton and his team from Otago University Photo: supplied
Richie Poulton has been made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to science and health research.
During his long career, he has been the director of the long-running Dunedin Study - and part-time Chief Science Advisor to the Ministry of Social Development.
In 2014 he featured on Thomson-Reuters' list of the world's most influential scientific minds.
But Professor Poulton said this latest accolade was a career highlight, and he was genuinely shocked to receive it.
"When I opened it, read what was in it, I had to check the envelope that I'd tossed on the table - make sure it was addressed to me.
"So I really was taken by surprise and so, much as it was in my name, it seems to really have recognised the value of science and research, and I'm really proud about that."