What do a great pie and a career in science have in common? Paleontologist Julia Clarke, that’s what.

As part of the U.S. Embassy Speaker Program, Professor Julia Clarke - one of the world’s top experts on bird evolution and vertebrate paleontology - visited Aotearoa New Zealand to connect with local scientists, students, and conservationists. Julia is a professor at The University of Texas at Austin, has led expeditions on multiple continents, and her work has been featured in Nature, National Geographic, and Science Friday.

In this episode, Mike chats with Julia about the evolutionary mysteries of flightless birds like the kiwi and moa, what fossils tell us about resilience, and how science diplomacy builds bridges. 

And yes, Mike drops the pie question as an analogy:

 Science, laughs, and a side of pastry, served fresh from the US Embassy NZ.

In this episode, Dr. Todd Belt, Director of the Political Management Program at The George Washington University, discusses the key challenges and opportunities in modern political campaigns. From the rise of misinformation to navigating the 2024 U.S. election, Dr. Belt offers insights into the evolving political landscape, the skills future leaders need, and his reflections on New Zealand’s political system. Perfect for anyone interested in politics, media, and leadership in a rapidly changing world.

In this episode, Mike from the US Embassy sits down with AI experts Jessica Zosa Forde and James Pavur to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence, policy, and ethics. They dive into topics such as AI's role in preserving indigenous languages, the ethical challenges of large language models, and the importance of data sovereignty for indigenous communities. Their insights from their recent visit to New Zealand offer a unique perspective on the future of AI and its global impact.

While in Aotearoa, New Zealand, for the Opportunity Rover replica and "Goodnight Oppy" movie tour, Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Dr. Vandi Verma, a leading space roboticist and chief engineer, sits down with Muna Shikaki from the American Film Showcase. In this episode, Dr. Verma shares her thrilling experiences driving the Opportunity Rover on Mars, the importance of inspiring the next generation of space explorers, and how advancements in rover technology are shaping the future of Mars missions. She also offers insights for young Kiwis looking to break into space tech and highlights the value of teamwork in large-scale space exploration projects.

Mike from the Embassy the privilege of sitting down with John Gastil, Distinguished Professor at Penn State and a leading expert on deliberative democracy. In this insightful episode, Gastil discusses his talk "Democracy 2.0," which he presented at the University of Auckland's symposium on "Reinvigorating and Reinventing Democracy for the 21st Century." Tune in as John explores innovative ways to strengthen democracy and deliberative politics, the concept of mini-publics, social media's impact on democracy, the rise of AI and its effects on democratic systems, and highlights from his book "Hope for Democracy." Don’t miss this engaging conversation!

🚀 Tune in to "From Classroom to Cosmos: High School Student Interviews NASA's Brian Drouin"! We celebrate 150 years of U.S. – NZ scientific collaboration as Brian Drouin, Senior Research Scientist at NASA JPL, shared his journey and insights into space careers at Onslow College in Wellington. Discover how the Polar Radiant Energy in the Far InfraRed Experiment (PREFIRE) project is shedding light on the Arctic climate and the successful launch by New Zealand’s Rocket Lab. 🌌

Onslow College student Kyle Solomon had the stellar opportunity to interview Brian for this exclusive podcast episode.

More about PREFIRE: https://www.rocketlabusa.com/missions/missions-launched/ready-aim-prefire/

#ScienceCollaboration #USNZ150Years 🇺🇸🇳🇿

Join us for a riveting episode as Mike from the U.S. Embassy sits down with Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper, former NASA astronaut and US Navy captain, during her visit to Wellington in February 2024. From thrilling spacewalks to the lighter side of life in space, including haircuts and pies, Heidemarie shares insights from her stellar career and pioneering efforts in STEM and underwater salvage. This concise chat offers a unique glimpse into the life of an astronaut, blending significant achievements with delightful anecdotes. Don't miss this journey from ocean depths to outer space!

Photos from Heide's visit.

Deputy Chief of Mission, Kevin Covert, had a conversation with Political/Economic Officer, Nathan Carter, on why the U.S. is a great option for Kiwi entrepreneurs to look to for business opportunities. Covert and Carter briefly touch on the E-1 and E-2 Visas for business (and give examples of successful applicants), and the SelectUSA Investment Summit - what it is, and how Kiwi businesses can be involved.

What are E-1 and E-2 visas?

Treaty Trader (E-1) and Treaty Investor (E-2) visas are for citizens of countries with which the United States maintains treaties of commerce and navigation, including New Zealand.

To find out if your business qualifies, what you need to apply, and how to apply, visit our overview page here.

Visit the Mission website to understand what the SelectUSA Summit is, and hear from two New Zealanders who traveled as part of U.S. Ambassador Brown’s delegation to SelectUSA Summit 2019.

Did you know...

• In 2018 U.S. companies invested NZ$7.4 billion in New Zealand;

Listen to Covert & Carter below....

Transcript.

In 2019, the Embassy was proud to support Miramar Creative’s Creative Futures conference – the two-day event offered insights into new technologies and demonstrated their application to creativity, business and our future daily lives.

One of the U.S. speakers at Creative Futures was Mark Ordesky - Partner & Producer, Court Five. Mark Ordesky is an American film and television producer and former Hollywood studio executive.

He’s probably best known for executive producing the Oscar-winning The Lord of the Rings trilogy – during which Mark spent the better part of five years in New Zealand supporting his friend Peter Jackson’s historic vision. But Mark was already no stranger to championing New Zealand filmmakers, having acquired US distribution rights to Once Were Warriors at the 1994 Cannes Film Festival.

(pictured: DCM Kevin with Mark Ordesky (Partner & Producer, Court Five). Photo credit: U.S. Department of State.)

Currently, Mark co-runs his independent production company, Court Five, with fellow New Line veteran Jane Fleming – fashioning independent film and TV content for Hollywood studios and broadcasters, as well as global streamers like Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon. 

Mike C from the Embassy caught up with Mark while he was in Wellington at the Creative Futures conference...

Transcript.

"Hello everybody and welcome back to another podcast from the U.S. Embassy. My name is Ted Danowitz and I am based at our Consulate in Auckland where I cover the U.S. - New Zealand space policy. Outside of my day job I am also NASA aficionado and space camp alum which is why I'm especially glad to welcome with us today Doctor Anna Fisher, NASA astronaut, who is in New Zealand to share her experience working with NASA, going into space, and promoting women into stem fields, so welcome Doctor Fisher."

Transcript.