The former chief executive of the Royal Society of New Zealand has this morning become a Companion of the Order of Merit.
Dr Diane McCarthy says she wants young women to know that science isn't just for the boys.
"There's this kind of perception that there are not a lot of careers for women in science," she told Newshub.
"If you set your mind to it and you set your goals, you can achieve."
Dr McCarthy now sits on the board of the Cawthron Institute, and also co-established the New Zealand Women in Leadership Programme.
She spent seven years as chief executive of the Royal Society of New Zealand, among her decades of work on science and business.
"Science has the potential to contribute hugely to our health and wellbeing, our economic development, the whole lot."
Newshub.
