We believe that the research conducted by southern hemisphere scientists is some of the best in the world but is underrepresented on the global stage. The Sci21 project will entertain, inform and inspire interest in the science of tomorrow by producing a series of high-impact professionally filmed webcasts from leading scientists in fields such as human health and nutrition, climate change, the natural environment, urbanisation and natural disasters. Topics will reflect New Zealand's National Science Challenges as well as other areas we feel are critical to our world in the coming century. Content will focus on our top-flight New Zealand scientists, but they will be joined by experts from around the southern hemisphere and globally in order to add international perspective.