Fiona Curran-Cournane

Kia ora – when I was growing up in Ireland, I used to love watching David Attenborough on the tv and all his interactions and commentary on the natural world. It was no surprise when I undertook an honours degree in marine science over on the west coast of Ireland at the University College of Galway. After its completion I moved out to New Zealand in 2007 to undertake a PhD, in collaboration with AgResearch (Mosgiel) and Lincoln University, investigating the effects of livestock grazing on soil physical quality and subsequent phosphorus and sediment losses in surface runoff.

When completed, and in 2011, I secured a role as a land and soil scientist at Auckland Council in the research and evaluation unit where I remained till 2020. Amongst other things, I was involved in helping to build the scientific evidence base on the cumulative and irreversible effects of Auckland’s development pressures on ‘elite and prime land’. The evidence was incorporated into policy formulation and decision-making where I acted as an expert witness for multiple hearings. In 2020, I was left speechless after receiving the NZSSS Grange Medal in recognition of using evidence to help raise the visibility and importance of this finite resource. The same year I began a new career chapter at the Ministry for the Environmental as a principal scientist, where I continue to work at the science-policy interface, contributing to strengthening the evidence base and systems thinking in the development of policy. I also serve as an associate editor for the Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand.

My favourite kind of day involves being out on the Hauraki Gulf and Islands being completely surrounded by and exploring nature, and belly laughing with my kids on the sea biscuit.