The New Zealand Ecological Society (NZES) is watching current events in the United States of America unfold with sadness and grave concern. We have seen the media coverage showing violence directed towards African-Americans, all too often with fatal consequences. We have heard numerous stories of racism directed at non-white scientists, for example having their presence on public lands questioned merely based on the colour of their skin. These are our friends, colleagues, and fellow human beings, and we stand with other scientific societies from America and around the world in condemning racism and discrimination.
Our own country, Aotearoa New Zealand, is not free from racism and discrimination, and the NZES is working hard to help redress this. As a scientific society, our diversity statement encapsulates our support and promotion of diverse views and people in science, ecology, and in the wider community. We will continue to work to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and promote mātauranga Māori. Of course, these are but the first steps of a journey towards a more inclusive and diverse NZES and society as-a-whole, and we invite all to do whatever they can to help achieve this.
The NZES Council