2 Sep 2025

How the world's measurement body wants to upsize

From Nine To Noon, 9:35 am on 2 September 2025
Image of Annette Koo

Photo: Supplied

Much of modern life relies on the shared language of measurement - but how to get more countries using that language is a challenge for the global body about to be headed for the first time by a woman - and a Kiwi.


Annette Koo has been chief metrologist for New Zealand's Measurement Standards Laboratory since 2021, after starting there as a research scientist in 2008. From next week, she'll head the BIPM - the Paris-based International Bureau of Weights and Measures that was created 150 years ago. It's the home for the International System of Units - or SI - and UTC, the primary time standard around the world.

The organisation has 64 member states, another 36 are associates. A focus for the BIPM is getting the remaining nations - some of which are in the Pacific - to take part in its activities. Annette joins Kathryn to talk about this further and the benefits it could bring.