Hendy’s not just a talking head. He worked with the Government and other scientists, to find ways to track, predict and monitor Covid-19 in New Zealand. In short, he was applying the skills he had as an educator and physicist to try to help. As a physicist, Hendy’s involvement in Covid-19 and climate change may seem slightly unusual. But he explained, “It comes back to your responsibility as a scientist. I ve been an advocate of scientists asking themselves, ‘if not me, who?’ ” That applies to everyone. This morning’s New Year honours list recognises him and many other Kiwis who have offered what they could to get us out of sticky situations.