It's time to get baking again! Every year the Geoscience Society of New Zealand (GSNZ) recognises 16 March as Hector Day. This is New Zealand’s annual national geosciences day held to honour pioneering Aotearoa New Zealand geoscientist, James Hector. GSNZ like to celebrate by holding an online geoscience-themed baking competition! You can win a year's membership to the GSNZ.

Hector’s dolphin mid leap our of sea.
Rights: Gregory “Slobirdr” Smith, CC BY 2.0

Hector’s dolphin

Hector’s dolphin (Cephalorhynchus hectori) was named after Sir James Hector (1834–1907), founder of the Colonial Museum in Wellington, now the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.

How to enter:

  • Design and bake something tasty that has a geoscience theme.
  • Take a photo of your finished creation and email your photo(s) to events@gsnz.org.nz by Friday 22 March 2024, 11:59pm.

Be sure to include:

  • The baker’s name
  • A geoscientific explanation of the baked item (50 word max.)
  • The baker’s contact details (email address and phone number

Anonymised entries will be judged by the GSNZ National Committee the following week.

Winners will be announced in a GSNZ Newsflash.

Upload your photos and tag us on social media #GSNZGeobake2024 for your chance to win great spot prizes!

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2 cakes made by scientists to explain their scientific findings.
Rights: Louis Schipper

Research cakes

Professor Louis Schipper challenges his students and colleagues to explain their scientific findings via cake. Research cakes are a means of explaining complex science in a pictorial and edible manner, busting the myth that science is routine and boring.

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