Nuclear medicine
Nuclear medicine had developed in a piecemeal fashion in Auckland and it became necessary that the different independent units into a totally integrated electronics service with a Nuclear medicine Physician to guide it. When he returned to Auckland in 1972, Hurley was appointed as head of the department of Nuclear Medicine. He was instrumental in its staffing and development and the advancement of its academic reputation. In 1981 he was awarded the Johns Hopkins Nuclear Medicine Distinguished Alumnus award.