Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit
For services to geodesy:
Graeme Blick has dedicated 55 years to improving the science of geodesy in New Zealand and has been New Zealand’s Chief Geodesist since 2009 and is a member of the Rotary Club of Plimmerton, as is his wife Christine.
Graeme held various positions with Geological Survey (now GNS Science) from 1969 to 1995, including as Photogrammetrist and Geodetic Surveyor. He has been a member of the National Institute of Surveyors and Spatial for more than 40 years and a member of the International Association of Geodesy for 25 years.
He has represented New Zealand at the United Nations Global Geospatial Information Management Committee of Experts since 2013 and has co-chaired the geodetic working groups. He was key in the establishment of the United Nations Global Geodetic Centre of Excellence, which aims to strengthen and advance global geodetic cooperation and coordination. As a member of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research for 25 years, he has been involved in surveys of Mount Erebus’ summit and monitoring changes in the earth’s crust.
He developed Land and Information New Zealand’s (LINZ) mapping and nautical charting programme in Antarctica, in operation since the 1990s. He developed a semi-dynamic datum for New Zealand in 1998 and was instrumental in establishing LINZ’s partnership in GeoNet in 2001. Mr Blick helped establish the Southern Positioning augmentation Network in 2022, aimed at improving the accuracy and reliability of satellite-based positioning systems in New Zealand and Australia.
Congratulations Past District Governor Graeme - another wonderful Rotarian and generally good human being!