Some of New Zealand's most brilliant minds have been honoured in the first annual Prime Minister's Science Prizes, the country's most prestigious and valuable science awards.

Prime Minister John Key today announced the prizes, which have total prize money of $1 million, at the Stardome Observatory and Planetarium in Auckland.

Mr Key says, "Our scientists are doing high quality research in many areas but too often their achievements receive little public acclaim. Today's prizes follow up on a Budget promise last year to raise the profile and prestige of science in New Zealand".

The top award, the Prime Minister's Science Prize, goes to a research team from Industrial Research Limited (IRL) for its world-leading development of high temperature superconducting (HTS) technology.

HTS is a rapidly emerging field that enables the transmission of electricity without resistance or loss of energy.  This allows the manufacture of lighter, smaller, more efficient and more environmentally friendly components and machines.

"IRL's work is an outstanding example of how science can lead to major economic benefits, with HTS estimated to be worth about $80 million a year to the country.

"We see science and innovation as key to lifting our economic performance, and we are determined to increase the profile and effectiveness of New Zealand science."

Other prizes were awarded to the country's top science teacher, a young scientist embarking on scientific study, an emerging scientist at PhD level and a science communicator.

"These prizes help to give science the prestige it deserves. We want to see more young people embark on scientific careers and make a vital contribution to New Zealand's prosperity."

The full list of winners is:

• Dr Jeff Tallon and Dr Bob Buckley, IRL - The Prime Minister's Science Prize. Drs Tallon and Buckley receive $100,000 with a further $400,000 going to IRL.

• Stanley Roach, 18, formerly of Onslow College and now studying at the University of Auckland - The Prime Minister's 2009 Future Scientist Prize. Stanley receives $50,000

• Dr Paul Lowe, Morrinsville College, Morrinsville - The Prime Minister's 2009 Science Teacher Prize. Paul receives $50,000 and his school receives $100,000

• John Watt, Victoria University of Wellington - The Prime Minister's 2009 MacDiarmid Emerging Scientist. John receives $150,000

• Elizabeth Connor, Wellington - The Prime Minister's 2009 Science Media Communications Prize. Elizabeth receives $150,000.

These prizes are for 2009. Future prize winners will be announced in November each year, starting in November 2010.

For more information go to www.pmscienceprizes.org.nz

The New Zealand Security Intelligence Service's Director, Dr Warren Tucker, has been reappointed for a further two-year term, Prime Minister John Key announced today.

Mr Key says Dr Tucker's reappointment will provide leadership continuity for the NZSIS.

"Dr Tucker is a career intelligence officer, and his professionalism is highly respected and regarded by the intelligence and security communities both at home and abroad.

"I am delighted Dr Tucker has agreed to remain in office for a further term. He has redesigned the structure of the NZSIS to improve the ways in which it conducts its business, and has continued to improve its protective security function."

Dr Tucker's reappointment will be effective from 1 November.

Prime Minister John Key, together with Agriculture Minister David Carter, today launched a Government-funded centre for agricultural greenhouse gas research, a key part of New Zealand's efforts to find practical ways to curb emissions from agriculture.

Mr Key says the Government's Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre, headquartered in Palmerston North, will link with both national and international partners to lead the way on research into agricultural emissions.

"Feeding the world's growing population, while keeping a lid on emissions to fight climate change, is one of the defining challenges of the early 21^st century. New Zealand is well-placed to meet that challenge head-on."

Mr Key says the Government will invest $5 million a year over 10 years in the centre, with funding coming from the Primary Growth Partnership.

In addition to funding the centre, the first meeting of the New Zealand-led Global Research Alliance, which now comprises more than 20 countries, will be held in New Zealand during April.

"Agriculture is our biggest export earner but it also generates nearly half of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions, so we have everything to gain by putting the might of our agricultural research industry at the forefront of this international initiative," says Mr Key.

"New Zealand is acknowledged world-wide as a leader in agricultural science. Through the centre and the Global Research Alliance, we have the opportunity to pool our expertise with both developed and developing countries in order to find the most credible solutions to this pressing global issue."

"Ultimately, the centre is a key part of this Government's commitment to innovation. It will play a major role in meeting our international obligations and supporting Kiwi farmers and growers to reduce emissions through significant funding of research and innovation programmes."

The Prime Minister provides updates on a recent SAS undertaking in Afghanistan (during which the members of the unit engaged in a firefight with insurgents) and the progress of Cabinet on issues surrounding the mining of parts of the conservation estate. He notes that the Minister of Finance will release a major infrastructure document later this week, that the Minister of Labour will shortly release a discussion document on personal grievance procedures, that Hon Wayne Mapp will later this week release the CRI Task Force report, that Hon Gerry Brownlee will on Thursday speak at the commissioning of the Maori oil field, and that Hon Paula Bennett has today released an announcement of an increase in benefits and pensions from 01 April. He goes on to discuss his schedule for the week and takes questions from the media on topics ranging from the SAS to ministerial credit card spending, the Chile earthquake/tsunami, New Zealand's tsunami warning, and the relationship between the public and the Police.