Welcome to the December 2012 issue of the Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand. It has been an excellent year for the journal. The successful publishing partnership between the Royal Society of New Zealand and Taylor & Francis, commencing at the beginning of the 2010 publishing year, is now fully reflected in the journal's ISI impact factor which increased again this year. This increase is also due to the journal's dedicated team of editors, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them personally for their tireless efforts in bringing each manuscript through from submission to publication.
This year, the June issue of the journal was privileged to present a special, themed issue to mark the events surrounding the 2012 transit of Venus, guest edited by Rebecca Priestley and the late Sir Paul Callaghan. Bringing a special issue from concept to reality is a significant undertaking for guest editors and I would like to acknowledge their dedication throughout the months preceding its publication.
The journal also owes thanks to its many reviewers whose contributions towards each manuscript often go unacknowledged. On behalf of all the editors, the authors and the publishing team at the Royal Society of New Zealand I would like to offer a heartfelt thanks to all of you.
The success of a journal in a highly competitive publishing environment is partly dependent on its ability to engage with the needs of its audience and the publication of high quality research, of both local and international interest, is important to the journal's survival. I would like to encourage potential authors to submit their very best work to the journal in 2013.
Jill Mellanby
Publications Manager
Royal Society of New Zealand