Neville Petrie

Neville Petrie began his working career as a teacher with a keen interest in science. He left teaching to take up a role developing education resources for the Nature Discovery shops, and gained a position as Public Operations Manager for Science Alive. He was then appointed the Director of the Oil and Gas Discovery Centre in Brunei where he developed a long term strategic plan for the new centre. After three years, he returned to New Zealand and took on the role of CEO of Science Alive and Science Alive Exhibits Ltd. During this time, extensive planning went into the development of a new science centre for Christchurch, and he was also involved in the development of Science Centres in Cambodia and Penang, Malaysia. After 10 years Neville left Science Alive to set up a small company called Interactive Exhibition Specialists. Since then, he has provided a consultation on the development of a new science centre in Pakistan; is working with a group looking to establish a science centre in Samoa; designed and built a kids area in Te Manawa Museum; and developed a travelling 3D electron scanning microscope photographic exhibition called The Importance of Small. He is now contracted as General Manager of House of Science: Christchurch, helping establish the organization here in Christchurch.