UNIVERSITY OF OTAGO OCTOBER 2019 ISSUE 49

INSIDE: Kendall Flutey: Young New Zealander of the Year

PLUS: The monster myth Problems in public health International accolades for online MBA CONTENTS CONTENTS

In this ıssue Kidney eDNA and the Online Moving Regulars collaborations monster myth mastery forward Research is contributing to a better Professor Neil Gemmell reveals what he Otago’s online MBA is rated among The UMove community outreach VICE-CHANCELLOR’S COMMENT understanding of kidney disease and its and his international team of scientists the best in the world. programme is benefiting physio 4 Internationalisation at Otago impacts. found in Loch Ness. students and participants alike.

OPINION 26 Professor Sir David Skegg discusses the problems facing public health in New Zealand

6 14 20 28 INBRIEF 34 Academic and research highlights

UNINEWS 40 University news, appointments, achievements

HOCKEN LEGACY On the A scholar’s At home in the Avant-garde 44 “Dear Sir ... ” money life Webster Chair archaeology

Otago alumna Kendall Flutey is on a Professor Atholl Anderson has spent World-leading virologist Professor Cutting-edge technology is 150TH CELEBRATIONS mission to prepare Kiwi kids for their his five-decade career researching and Miguel Quiñones-Mateu is the new revolutionising what archaeology financial futures. writing about our distant past. holder of the Webster Family Chair can tell us about the past. 46 Photos from events celebrating the University’s sesquicentennial in Viral Pathogenesis.

BOOKS 49 Recent publications from Otago University Press and University alumni

10 16 23 31 ALUMNI NEWS 50 Reunions, events, fundraising initiatives

ADDENDUM 54 Otago’s Glassblowing Unit

2 3 VICE-CHANCELLOR’S COMMENT VICE-CHANCELLOR’S COMMENT

University of Otago Magazine currently enrol large numbers of So why does our approach differ A magazine for alumni and I am a firm believer that international students and at least one from the others and why is this an friends of the University New Zealand university has reached approach that other universities are now Issue 49 travel broadens the mind. a figure comparable to the target set considering worth emulating? OCTOBER 2019 in Australia. In most cases, where Recently, a number of questions ISSN-1175-8147 In the course of my adult universities in this part of the world have have been asked about the high Editor: Karen Hogg attracted large numbers of international proportions of international students Design: WorkshopD life, I have been privileged students, there is a heavy reliance on one at many Australasian universities, both Writers: Ian Dougherty to visit many countries country, usually China. by the media and by the universities Claire Grant There are a number of important themselves. The questions typically focus Karen Hogg reasons why universities want to attract on the quality of student experience Cheryl Norrie around the world. I have Amie Richardson more international students. First (both educational and more broadly) Professor Sir David Skegg also had the pleasure of and foremost, leading universities are and the institutional risk of being so Kim Thomas committed to recruiting the best and financially reliant on international Mark Wright hosting a large number the brightest students (and staff) no students, especially when that reliance in Photographers: Sharron Bennett matter where they were born. Second, concentrated on students from just one Alan Dove of international visitors universities value the diversity that or two countries. Neil Macbeth Luke Pilkinton-Ching to New Zealand. international communities foster; The rationale for our approach is Graham Warman they celebrate not only the cultural clear. One of the most important aspects Printing: Ovato Print NZ richness that internationalisation of our special character at Otago is Circulation: Development and achieves, but also the breadth of ideas our residential nature. Each year, over Alumni Relations Office IN MY EXPERIENCE, when people that come from bringing people with 20,000 students come here not only to I know that Otago’s commitment to from different parts of the globe spend different perspectives together. Finally, learn, but also to live. In our view, every providing an outstanding experience for Front cover: Kendall Flutey time together, they quickly understand international students are part of the student who attends Otago, whether both international and domestic students Photo: Graham Warman that their similarities far outweigh their financial life-blood of New Zealand and they are from South Auckland or is working. Both groups of students otago.ac.nz/otagomagazine differences; this new understanding Australian universities. Given the current South-East Asia, should have the same report similarly high levels of satisfaction increases tolerance and acceptance and funding environment in both countries, opportunities for success while they are with their course and wider university decreases prejudice, bigotry and hatred. we would not survive without them. here. We know that in order to succeed experience. Here at the University of Otago, Against this backdrop, Otago has many international students will quite Since I have been Vice-Chancellor, Email: [email protected] we are lucky to have a remarkably a long-standing policy regarding rightly require different or additional I have supervised postgraduate students • To update/change delivery address international community. We have international student recruitment. Rather educational and pastoral support. By from England, Ireland, China, Taiwan, • To read the magazine and other alumni staff and students from more than 100 than a target, we have a cap. At present, capping our overall numbers, we know Iran, Japan, Switzerland, Denmark, communications electronically different countries who work and study our Council-approved cap is 15 per cent. that we can provide the support required Germany and the United States • To receive just one ”household” printed in Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, In other words, international students for each international student to reach alongside my kiwi students who have copy of the magazine Auckland and Invercargill. cannot make up more than 15 per cent his or her highest potential. come from throughout New Zealand. Phone: +64 3 479 4516 The number and mix of international of our total student enrolment. Within In addition to what is best for our I know that the educational experience students in New Zealand and Australia that 15 per cent cap, no more than 25 per international students, our cap also of both my international and domestic is a hot topic at the moment. Many of the cent of the international students can be reflects what we know is best for our students has been enhanced by what Editorial contact details top-ranked Australian universities have University of Otago Magazine drawn from any one country. domestic students. It is important to us each has brought to the table. Their view Communications Office set a target of 40 per cent international At present, American students make that our domestic students’ experiences of the world, and mine, is now richer External Engagement students; some have already reached this up the largest proportion of international are enriched by the international and more tolerant. Clearly, travel really PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand target and are continuing to recruit. In students at Otago, followed by students students in our community and does broaden the mind. Phone 64 3 479 8679 New Zealand, many of our universities Email [email protected] from China, Malaysia, India and the that the domestic students have the Web otago.ac.nz/otagomagazine UK. Within this mix there are students opportunity to demonstrate the kind from every continent except Antarctica of manaakitanga that New Zealand is Copyright You are welcome to reproduce material from currently studying at Otago. so famous for. We think we have the the Otago Magazine after gaining permission proportions about right – rather than from the editor. All reproduced material must be appropriately acknowledged. creating ethnically- or culturally- segregated student communities, all of Vice-Chancellor The Otago Magazine is published by the University our students become part of the same Professor Harlene Hayne of Otago’s External vibrant fabric of life at Otago. Engagement Division. The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the University.

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PROFESSOR ROB WALKER: “I am in the very lucky position of being able to do basic translational Kidney science research, but also having a very active clinical research collaborations programme.”

Kidney research at Otago is contributing towards a better understanding of kidney disease and its impacts, with the prospect of more effective prevention and treatment. Photo: Alan Dove

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RENOWNED KIDNEY SPECIALIST are multiple potential causes for kidney breakthrough by an international group of “Lithium is a mood-stabilising drug that “I am in the very lucky position – what Professor Rob Walker says that the disease – and no specific cure. researchers and clinicians, including from is incredibly effective for people who have you call a clinician-scientist – of being important role of the kidneys in health is “We can substantially slow down the the University of Otago. bipolar disorders, but the most common able to do basic translational science commonly underestimated. progression of chronic kidney disease – and The six-year project, led from the United side effect is to reduce the kidneys’ ability research, but also having a very active Walker recalls how he graduated from the sooner we identify kidney damage the Kingdom, also involved researchers from to concentrate urine. A less common but clinical research programme. the Otago Medical School and became quicker preventative measures can be in Canada, the United States, Hong Kong and important downside of long-term lithium “From a clinical point of view, there IN interested in nephrology (the branch of place. However, once you have got kidney three people from the Dunedin School of therapy is that it does cause slowly- are a number of studies going on. One medicine that deals with the physiology damage, at present there is no treatment Medicine: Walker, Associate Professor progressive kidney damage.” of them has been looking at dialysis and diseases of the kidneys) while working that makes it reversible and allows the John Leader and senior research fellow Walker says that the Otago research – on outcomes in the older age group. The in Christchurch with his mentor, fellow kidney to regenerate. Dr Jenny Bedford. rats treated with long-term lithium and New Zealand population is getting older NEW ZEALANDERS ARE AT Otago graduate and eminent nephrologist, “We can stop a number of disease “This collaborative project started off kidney biopsies of patients who had been and the number of people reaching end- RISK OF KIDNEY DISEASE the late Dr Ross Bailey. processes so they don’t progress and then from cell cultures and progressed right on long-term lithium therapy – showed that stage kidney failure, where we need to “The underlying physiology and we can treat kidney failure with dialysis through to animal studies and human lithium-inhibited GSK3 was also associated consider dialysis, is increasing. functioning of the kidneys always had me or with a kidney transplant, which is the studies,” Walker says. with loss of podocytes, development of “However, dialysis is not an fascinated. They have multiple roles that a preferred option if it’s suitable, because you The researchers noted that the enzyme albuminuria and progressive kidney damage. intervention that is simple and easy. It lot of people don’t recognise,” Walker says. are replacing kidney function with kidney glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) in “By understanding how the podocytes has a big impact on the individual and “Most people equate kidneys with function.” podocyte cells is critically important for maintain their normal cellular function their family, and it becomes a trade-off making urine – and that’s about it. But they About one in three New Zealanders are their function. The enzyme exists in two and then what happens if they get injured between survival versus quality of life. basically maintain and regulate the whole at risk of kidney disease, one in seven have “isoforms”, with either able to compensate we can start to develop more specific “So, what we were interested in finding IN body’s internal balance, they control blood evidence of chronic kidney disease (about for the loss of the other. therapy that focuses on those changes,” out was what are the things that are pressure and they have a very close working half of whom don’t know about it) and They found that the genetic loss of Walker says. important to this older age group when relationship with the heart. So, there is a lot about one in 1,500 end up on dialysis. It is both GSK3 isoforms in mice caused death “Unfortunately, a lot of our drugs are they are making decisions around of interactive physiology here: it’s not just not only an obvious risk factor for kidney in young mice associated with massive fairly broad in their actions – they have dialysis and then, once they start dialysis, HAVE EVIDENCE OF one organ – it’s the total impact of kidneys failure, but also for cardiovascular disease albuminuria and renal failure; if GSK3 was good effects and bad effects – so the more how those things change, particularly CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE on all other systems. and death. knocked out in mature animals, it also we can target our interventions to specific focusing on their quality of life and the “And when you start to get kidney Walker says kidney damage is silent and caused kidney disease. changes, then that certainly helps. impact of dialysis on that quality of life.” impairment and kidney damage, the impact only detected by testing the urine for blood They then studied fruit flies and found “Also, there are still a lot of things we Another significant project is of that again affects the whole individual.” and albuminuria (an essential protein that the genetic loss of GSK3 in their don’t understand about the progression of investigating the disproportionately high Walker says that getting to know people called albumin, which properly belongs primitive version of podocyte cells, which chronic kidney disease, yet we know that rates of chronic kidney disease among over a long period of time and working in the blood, getting into the urine), and are called nephrocytes, had similar effects once we have got kidney injury, people Pacific people, in the Pacific Islands and IN with them to manage their chronic kidney by blood tests measuring a reduction in on young and mature fruit flies, which will slowly progress to kidney failure and in New Zealand. disease has also been important to him. the glomerular filtration rate (the rate at showed that GSK3 is likely to have been obviously we want to stop that process.” Walker is jointly supervising research “As I say to my students, once someone which kidneys filter blood). Elevated blood preserved across evolution as a key The researchers say that one avenue on the prevalence of chronic kidney has got kidney damage and they are on my pressure is also an important marker. cellular regulator. for future research is the possibility of disease in Samoan people resident in books, they are on my books for life. So, I get He says that even small increases in They next looked at the inhibition of specifically inhibiting one isoform of GSK3, Samoa and New Zealand, and associated to know them exceptionally well as a person, albuminuria, reductions in filtration rates GSK3 activity through drugs, because but not the other, to produce the potentially risk factors for both groups. and their family. I have looked after many and elevated blood pressure increase the there is interest in using drugs to inhibit beneficial effects of GSK3 inhibition With more than 250 peer-reviewed people I have known for more than 30 years.” risk of kidney failure, heart attack or death. or regulate the activity of GSK3 in the case without the unwanted side effects. publications, Walker has established a Walker, who is the Director of the A key cell that prevents albuminuria and of diseases such as diabetes, Alzheimer’s Meanwhile, the researchers say that, while national and international reputation ARE ULTIMATELY University’s Kidney in Health and Disease preserves kidney function is the glomerular disease, bipolar disorders, cardiovascular drugs such as lithium that inhibit GSK3 can as a kidney researcher and clinician ON DIALYSIS Research Network, emphasises that there podocyte and has been the focus of a disease and some cancers. They pointed out cause some podocyte injury, the beneficial during his 30 years at Otago. He is that lithium carbonate is the best known of effects of lithium therapy in controlling also intimately involved in several the GSK3 inhibitors and is widely used in mood disorders far outweighs the risks of international nephrology organisations. clinical practice to treat individuals with possible long-term kidney damage. bipolar disorders. The research team has reported its IAN DOUGHERTY “We can substantially slow down the progression Walker explains that this part of the findings in the Nature Communications of chronic kidney disease... However, once you research arose from his long-standing journal. Otago collaboration – going back to the In addition to the ongoing Otago have got kidney damage, at present there is no early 1990s on the effects of lithium on research on the role of lithium in chronic treatment that makes it reversible and allows the kidneys – with Leader and Bedford, kidney disease, Walker is involved in who were interested in how the kidneys several other major research projects. the kidney to regenerate.” transport water and maintain balance.

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On the money

University of Otago alumna Kendall Flutey is on a mission to help prepare every Kiwi kid for the KENDALL FLUTEY: “I’m really grateful that Otago financial world ahead. A lofty goal? Definitely. supported my academic growth But this New Zealand entrepreneur might just through allowing me the flexibility to do things a little differently, have what it takes. and remain excited and engaged in learning that I was genuinely passionate about.” IT MAY COME AS A SURPRISE that “I could never have fathomed this to tech entrepreneur Kendall Flutey – the be my life today and would say most of 28-year-old recently named Young New my high school teachers would agree,” Zealander of the Year who is responsible for says Flutey. helping more than 100,000 New Zealand “I didn’t have the hallmarks of and Australian kids become financially someone who might go on to do savvy through her innovative online something like I have. I feel extremely financial education platform Banqer – once privileged to be able to set my own struggled to choose a career. course and contribute to the world “I was so jealous as my friends would exactly how I want to. This isn’t say they wanted to be builders, doctors or something I take for granted and sports stars,” says Flutey. “When adults I’m thankful to everyone who has asked me that question or the teacher contributed to this being my reality.” wanted us to make a poster about what we At the heart of the self-proclaimed wanted to be it left me feeling there was “reformed accountant’s” mission is to something wrong with me.” ensure every Kiwi kid understands the But the panic Flutey felt determining rules and expectations of the financial her course of study during her late teens world that lies ahead. transformed into the realisation that there “Financial capability is tied to an wasn’t yet a name for what she wanted to be individual’s financial well-being and – or not one she knew. Tech entrepreneurs these behaviours develop very early in were few and far between in Christchurch, our lives. If we can play an intentional the city where she grew up. Fewer still were and positive role in a child’s financial Mäori and women. education I believe we’ll see a reduction

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in the likelihood of individuals being an early partnership with Kiwibank, the “The exciting thing excited and engaged in learning that I was financially misled, an increase in financial goal posts shifted overnight. genuinely passionate about.” opportunity and at a scale that corresponds “Success is a moving target and I never is that money is Being named as one of New Zealand’s to thriving societies. This would lead to really feel as though we’ve fully reached interwoven with most influential people at the tender age greater national economic performance and that target. I guess that’s what keeps us of 28 may seem a heavy cross to bear – and that, in turn, pays dividends to New Zealand. pushing,” says Flutey. other stresses and peaking too early was never on Flutey’s “The exciting thing is that money is “We’re an impact-driven business, so pressures in society. agenda. But she promises there is still interwoven with other stresses and pressures hold profit alongside purpose. Inherently, more to come. in society. By improving a child’s financial our goals focus on the business succeeding By improving a child’s “It’s quite difficult to articulate how capability we alter their financial trajectory through both of these lenses. I truly financial capability we special winning Young New Zealander that will protect them from various other believe there is an opportunity in business of the Year was for me – it’s almost unfortunate life outcomes. I’m excited to derive outcomes that are greater than alter their financial unfathomable. By no means was it ever by the prospect of an entire generation of simply shareholder dividends and we use trajectory which an end point I was aiming for, but an wealthy Kiwis – and I use the word ‘wealthy’ Banqer as a vehicle to prove this.” incredibly humbling by-product of my to represent more than just money.” Flutey’s strong altruistic values come will protect them journey so far. And while the goal seems a lofty one, the from a lifetime of influences. Raised by from various other “I don’t think I’ll ever feel satiated from early success of Banqer, the business she a solo mother in her formative years, unfortunate life the sense that we’ve done what we were founded and leads as CEO, suggests it’s Flutey and her sister learnt the value of meant to; the problem we’re trying to solve closer than you’d think. In less than four money from an early age. But when her outcomes.” is just too complex. It’s more a matter of years, the app – which teaches primary stepfather Richard, also an Otago alumnus, the scale of the impact we can have. and intermediate students fundamental came into her life, he “opened her eyes” “When you create your own businesses financial concepts – is being used by more to another world, introducing her to the you’re somewhat charged with creating than 100,000 kids around New Zealand world of personal finance and the ability and Master of Entrepreneurship from your own future too – you don’t have the and Australia. to control her own finances. From him she Otago, credits her university experiences luxury of a clear career progression by Launched in 2015, Banqer transforms also learnt the value of education – in all as vital steps towards Banqer. But as just turning up to work. Right now my classrooms into a virtual economy where forms – and fondly remembers stealing important as the degrees she gained is the future’s very much so tied up with where teachers set up a currency and facilitate books from his bookshelf and staying up love of learning that developed – and the we want to take Banqer, but what I do know real-life situations over the course of the to ask him questions when he got home relationship she formed at Otago with is that there’s always more to learn and school year to enable students to learn late at night. She is still learning about her fiancé Simon Brown, whom she met in her different ways to grow. There are also other about saving and growing money, debt, whakapapa and whänau (her father was first year of study. problems in the world aside from financial interest, tax, KiwiSaver and insurance. The Ngäi Tahu) – which she describes as an “My university experience was able to illiteracy, and I just hope I continue to programme aligns with the New Zealand “incredible journey”. be flexible and supportive,” she says. “In invest my time and energy into solving real curriculum and has been translated into te “Being a woman in tech and, in fact, a hindsight, I can see now that I had to problems the world is facing.” reo Mäori for Kura Kaupapa Mäori schools. relatively young Mäori woman in tech be responsible for bringing exactly Next up will be a version for secondary is different, yes, but it’s something I’m what I wanted to be to life and that my AMIE RICHARDSON schools and Flutey says the business is also extremely proud of. I know that I’ve faced broad interests were the perfect blend of assessing new markets overseas. challenges others haven’t, but I have it a experiences to land me here. Like Flutey herself, the project heck of a lot easier than those who walked “But, even more so, my Otago education developed unexpectedly. It started life as before me in similar shoes. All going to helped ignite a love of learning that I hold a programme for 25 kids, designed to help plan, if I do my part, those who come after onto today. Prior to studying at Otago I felt

Photos: Graham Warman her 12-year-old brother’s teacher – Micah me won’t face as many challenges either. like I engaged in learning because I had Hocquard – bring to life a classroom We’re lucky to have solid role models in to, not because I wanted to. But during economy project he had launched in te ao Mäori, and I take a lot from them and my studies at Otago I was able to learn the school. The programme relied on how they interact with the business world. broadly, at my own pace and on my own printed spreadsheets that Flutey, who had “My culture, my identity and my terms. As a result, the academic path I recently upskilled in coding and computer understanding of what I can offer the world took was atypical, but I was able to extend development, working alongside talented will continue to be an evolving piece for myself rather than needing to follow the web developer and former Otago student me. But what I am sure of is how important norm, or a prescribed timetable. I’m really Ben Wigley, turned into a series of online different perspectives in business are and grateful that Otago supported my academic tools. From there, the team took Banqer to what a treasure embracing that is.” growth through allowing me the flexibility a start-up weekend and, after establishing Flutey, who has a BCom, DipGrad to do things a little differently, and remain

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OTAGO GENETICIST Professor Neil weeks sampling the water of the loch – around However, they did find a lot of eel DNA. When Professor Neil Gemmell Gemmell’s expedition to Scotland last year to the edges, through the middle and down “It appears eels are very plentiful in Loch announced he would use cutting- search for the legendary Loch Ness “monster” to depths of more than 200 metres. They Ness. I think a plausible explanation for what edge eDNA analysis to search captured the attention of global media. This collected some 250 samples from Loch Ness some people are seeing in the loch is a large eel.” eDNA media frenzy was repeated again last month and also a number from surrounding lochs This is not a new theory. Gemmell says for the Loch Ness “monster”, the when Gemmell went back to Scotland to that were used as a control. that as early as 1933 researchers proposed announce the findings. In what was one of the biggest freshwater that a giant eel might be the “monster”; divers world took notice. He has now He and an international team of scientists eDNA studies undertaken anywhere, the have claimed seeing eels as thick as their legs; released his findings... had hoped that by collecting and analysing collected DNA was then sequenced and and video footage taken in 2006-7 shows and the eDNA (environmental DNA) from the loch, analysed, a process that took many months. a torpedo-like shape swimming along the they might be able to finally prove or disprove And they found a lot. surface of the loch. the monster myth (see Otago Magazine issue “There are literally thousands of different “I’ve seen the original video and it does look 47, October 2018). species present in Loch Ness. Most of them like it could be a large fish, maybe an eel, up eDNA is a wonder of modern science, using are so small you can hardly see them, but to 12 or 13 feet. The record for a European eel monster the detritus of life to identify everything that there are a few that are larger,” he says. is about six feet [1.8 metres] so we are talking lives in a particular area – its biodiversity. Among them they found minnows, salmon, about something that is at least twice the size of “Whenever a creature moves through its sticklebacks, lamprey and trout. They also the longest European eels that we know of, and environment it leaves behind tiny fragments of found traces of DNA from seals and a host of maybe even bigger.” myth DNA – from skin, scales, feathers, fur, faeces other mammals, many land-based, such as As a geneticist, Gemmell studies mutations. and urine,” says Gemmell. “This eDNA can be deer, squirrels and badgers. And, just as mutations in humans result in captured, sequenced and then used to identify But did they find Nessie? natural height variations within populations, the creature by comparing the sequence “One of the more outrageous ideas has been he says it is plausible that if the mean size obtained to large databases of known genetic that there might be a Jurassic-age reptile, or of an eel is three or four feet, occasionally sequences from hundreds of thousands of population of them, in the loch – we didn’t find a mutation could result in some that are different organisms.” It is accurate, efficient, any evidence of a creature even remotely related significantly larger. non-invasive and far less time-consuming to that.” They were also unable to find evidence “This would be unusual, but not impossible. than traditional monitoring methods. to support theories that a giant catfish, giant It is something we could explore in a follow- Last year Gemmell and his team spent two sturgeon or a shark might inhabit Loch Ness. up project: we could try to look for more evidence in the eel DNA from our samples to see if there is a sequence variation in known growth genes to suggest these creatures might be unusually large.” THE Gemmell says while monster enthusiasts LOCH NESS may be disappointed with the findings, he is MONSTER? pleased with what the project has achieved. “We have documented the diversity of Loch Ness to a new level of detail and our methodology captured most of what we already knew was there – so we know it is accurate. However, we haven’t found anything mind-bogglingly unexpected. “I was always sceptical we would find anything monstrous, but if we could prove there are giant eels in the loch, that would be the ‘a-ha’ moment I think.” That said, Gemmell has made it obvious from the start that the monster myth was always “the bait on a very large science hook”. “Perhaps the most lasting legacy of this PROFESSOR NEIL GEMMELL: adventure will be that millions of people now “Perhaps the most lasting legacy of know about the power of eDNA to understand, this adventure will be that millions monitor and protect our environment.” of people now know about the power Gemmell hopes his recent foray to Loch of eDNA to understand, monitor Ness may inspire others to explore the world and protect our environment.” in this new way.

Photo: Alan Dove KAREN HOGG

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After her own early academic ambitions University of Otago alumnus were cut short by family circumstances, Professor Atholl Anderson has spent a she encouraged the pursuit of careers in her children by moving them from lifetime researching and writing about the local school to the new Dunedin North Intermediate school to improve the distant past, in particular, Mäori their education options, incurring her neighbours’ disapproval for doing so. and Pacific peoples. In a different way, Anderson says palaeontologist Roy Chapman Andrews, whose tales of fossil hunting in the Gobi Desert, “replete with scorpions in his OVER A CAREER spanning more publisher Bridget Williams and developed boots and hordes of galloping Mongolian than five decades, Atholl Anderson has alongside co-authors Aroha Harris and bandits”, was a formative influence, been many things – student, researcher, Judith Binney, the “big book” is the likely contributing to his “later desire for secondary school teacher, professor, award- centrepiece of the project, with other adventures in the past”. winning writer – none of which he uses to versions, including more accessible books Once decided on his career, Anderson describe himself. for school pupils, in the works. was quick to take action. In 1970, he joined “I’m a scholar. I do scholarly things and I Born in 1943 in Hawera (South the University of Otago’s Anthropology try to do them well,” he says. Taranaki), his grandmother’s home, it was Department to begin an MA in Archaeology. “That includes field and laboratory a year before Anderson met his father – a “I was lucky to go to Otago in 1970 when research, writing and giving lectures Scottish engineering officer in the British the department was building rapidly from time to time. This work subscribes Merchant Navy. When his father returned and had young, vigorous and ambitious in nature and method to the notion of from the war, the family moved to Lower staff, most of them around my age. This scholarship by systematic analysis of Hutt and then to Dunedin’s Pine Hill – an was also, coincidentally, the time when propositions about the past.” area soon packed with state houses and the ‘new archaeology’ was replacing older The winner of various awards and young families. approaches to the discipline around the distinctions, including the Prime Minister’s “It was the height of the baby boom and world. It involved a methodology more Award for Literary Achievement in Non- the place was crawling with kids, which was suited to the sciences than the humanities Fiction and a Companion of the New wonderful. I suppose it was a fairly poor with systems theory, quantitative Zealand Order of Merit for services to area, but if it was we never noticed,” says approaches, and an emphasis on economic Archaeology and Anthropology, Anderson Anderson. and ecological models. has directed numerous archaeological “I was always a great reader and the “The University of Otago had – and excavations and published prolifically library van came to Pine Hill every few I believe still has – a commitment to throughout his career. He has made a weeks. My earliest memory is of Mum scientific method in the broad sense and to significant contribution to the ancient past trying to persuade me not to take out The excellence in teaching and research which, of the Pacific and Indian Ocean islands Pilgrim’s Progress when I was four, which in my experience, exceeds that of many and to tribal history in southern New only confirmed that it was worth getting. I other universities internationally in which Zealand, with books such as The Welcome of could read fairly well by then, but of course I have worked. I was lucky, and I think Strangers (1998) and Ngäi Tahu: A Migration the allegory, at least, was beyond me.” Otago graduates in general are lucky, to History, edited with Te Maire Tau (2008). From Dunedin to Nelson for his high have been taught there and to do research He is an Emeritus Professor at the school years, Anderson initially completed a in its encouraging and satisfying academic Australian National University, Adjunct BA and MA(Hons) at Canterbury University, ambience. Professor of History at the University of but remained uncertain about his choice of “Coming from a background in the ‘new Canterbury and Honorary Professor of career. In fact, he was in his mid-20s when geography’ and with longstanding interests Anthropology at the University of Otago. he finally decided on archaeology after a in biology, I found this quite congenial and He also recently received an Honorary stint of secondary-school teaching. But went on to apply some ideas from these Doctor of Laws degree from Otago. His that choice may have been, at least partially, areas to interpreting the contents of Mäori Professor Atholl Anderson receives most recent work, Tangata Whenua: An influenced much earlier. middens in Palliser Bay that I excavated for an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree Illustrated History, published in 2014, has His mother was of Ngäi Tahu descent, my MA thesis.” from Otago Chancellor Dr Royden been described as a “groundbreaking from a Southland family that went back That study won him a Commonwealth Somerville QC. history” and a remarkable contribution to the mixed-race settlement on Whenua Scholarship to Cambridge University in to the knowledge of the Mäori world. Hou (Codfish Island) in the 1820s, and the UK, where he was involved in a British

Photo: Sharron Bennett A collaboration, initially envisaged by was a driving force in his early schooling. Academy project on the prehistoric origins

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of agriculture. Shortly after he arrived at claim. This was personally very satisfying, Cambridge, his supervisor died and was but also a career highlight as it kindled an “From 1987 onward Anderson stands beside Hine Kete not replaced for several years, so he was interest in Mäori history and ethnography I spent a good deal on Whenua Hou, Foveaux Strait, a left free to organise his own research on which I have pursued ever since.” north Scandinavian economic prehistory – In 1993, Anderson moved from one of time working on commemoration of the Ngai Tahu spending time in the northern forests professorship at the University of Otago wives of Pakeha sealers, including and mountains. to another at the Australian National evidence for the his ancestor Wharetutu, On returning to New Zealand, Anderson University. There, he developed an extensive Ngai Tahu claim... spent a year at Auckland University before and long-running project on the human taking a job at Otago. Over the next 15 colonisation of oceanic islands, stretching it kindled an interest years, alongside his teaching duties in the across the Pacific and Indian oceans growing Anthropology Department, he from the Galapagos and Juan Fernandez in Maori history and began his work on the earliest people in islands in the east, to Madagascar and New Zealand – moa-hunting groups. This the Seychelles in the west – a project ethnography which project brought him not only professional he continues to work on. The research I have pursued recognition, being published as Prodigious embraces themes of seafaring, migration, Birds (1989), the first comprehensive colonisation behaviour and ecological ever since.” account of the topic, but also re-connected change – areas that have been integral to his him with his Ngäi Tahu roots. work from the beginning of his career. “Neither my mother nor we kids were Despite the extensive list of publications, brought up in contact with Mäori relatives, accolades and achievements in his name, most of them rather distant, but gradually, in Anderson remains exceptionally humble. their irresistible way, they gathered us, and “We stand on the shoulders of our “The new directions we took are only especially me, into the Mäori fold,” he says. intellectual predecessors, as do those who achievements if other scholars, especially “From 1987 onward I spent a good deal of come after us in veritable whakapapa of of younger generations, continue to take time working on evidence for the Ngäi Tahu knowledge,” says Anderson. notice of them and treat them seriously, however critically. “My early work on optimal foraging theory and economic competition, then on re-thinking the chronology and strategies of human occupation in New Zealand and Polynesia, and advocating more stringent approaches to archaeological radiocarbon dating, on developing a very broad vision of island colonisation pitched at oceanic and larger scales of analysis, and testing it by extensive fieldwork, and of bringing an ethnohistorical approach to Mäori traditions and history, would be amongst those. “But only briefly.” A scholar to the end, Anderson muses that he feels much younger than his age of 76, but acknowledges that either the will or the means to continue his various research projects is likely to fade sooner rather than later. “But I’m still keen on sailing and I have fieldwork to do in Rakiura, amongst other

Photos: supplied things. “Above all, I have my wife Rosanne, our Anderson finds an early waisted children and mokopuna, and many friends axe on the Yaeyama Islands, Japan. to enjoy.”

AMIE RICHARDSON

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Fresh from further outstanding international rankings this year, Otago’s online MBA is set to launch into China in 2020.

OTAGO INTRODUCED the first Master Programmes and leader of the MBA want our MBA but can’t come here to get it, of Business Administration degree in New programme, Ian Lafferty, explains that they we have to take it to them,” Lafferty adds. Zealand in 1977. The on-campus course take up to 25 full-time students and up Lafferty explains that the online MBA was based on the prestigious graduate to 20 part-time students each year: about entry requirements and content are the same programme for business executives 1,000 students have graduated since 1977. as for the tried and tested on-campus MBA: first awarded at Harvard University in “We trade off our reputation and we have a the difference is in the content delivery. the United States and then adopted by long list of prominent individuals who have Students from throughout New Zealand countries around the world. graduated with an Otago MBA, which helps and around the world attend live lectures, Other New Zealand institutions with our rankings,” Gauld says. High-profile take part in interactive discussions, and followed Otago in introducing their own graduates include billionaire businessman join in breakout sessions of small groups Photo: Graham Warman MBA degrees, but the Otago qualification and philanthropist Graeme Hart, to whom in the same fashion as their on-campus survives as the only internationally-ranked the University awarded an Honorary Doctor counterparts, but via advanced e-learning DIRECTOR OF EXECUTIVE MBA in New Zealand. of Commerce degree in 2017. technology. PROGRAMMES IAN LAFFERTY: Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Commerce) and Fittingly, Otago also introduced This centres on Zoom video-conferencing, “The variety of backgrounds Dean of the Otago Business School Professor New Zealand’s first and, so far, only online which Lafferty describes as “Skype on is immense and that’s one of Robin Gauld says the school’s flagship MBA in 2015. steroids”. PhD students provide IT support. the biggest advantages of the programme has focused on running a “It is costly and often very difficult, and “It is not unique, but highly unusual. We programme, because it gives boutique high-quality programme, with for many people impossible, to take a year do all the teaching real-time online and the huge learning and networking small cohorts of students who receive or so out of work and move to Dunedin to students get a good level of interaction with opportunities for everybody.” intensive teaching and supervision. do a full-time MBA,” Gauld says. one another and with the teaching staff,” The University’s Director of Executive “So, we decided that if quality candidates Gauld says. This sharply contrasts with

20 21 FEATURE PROFILE

online courses in which individuals study Middle East. “The running joke in our published by the British education and by themselves. cohort was where in the world is Alpha? careers advice company, Quacquarelli Lafferty says that the online programme I think I dialled into lectures from more Symonds. QS gave the Otago online MBA is delivered from 7pm to 10pm New Zealand than 18 countries over the two years. An the top score of 100 for class experience. At time, two nights a week, to suit New Zealand effective time-zones app was essential.” “It is a phenomenal achievement,” Gauld and many overseas students. “The variety of backgrounds is immense,” says, “and something the University of He says that there are about 200 online Lafferty observes, “and that’s one of the Otago is really proud of. We think it speaks students this year, mostly Kiwis, including biggest advantages of the programme, to the quality of the programme and the those living overseas who “like to buy the because it gives huge learning and way we deliver it. And it is terrific for the home Otago brand”. networking opportunities for everybody.” staff. They are an outstanding group who Whereas the full-time on-campus course Auckland-based Bette Chen, who give unparalleled attention to every student takes about 16 months to complete, the completed the course last year, agrees. “The and detail. It is great for them to know they online MBA is a part-time two-and-a-half- value my classmates brought to the course are teaching on and running one of the in the year programme during which students was enormous: we not only discussed world’s top-ranked online MBAs.” “We spent the next three-and-a-half years juggle work with study and personal lives. business cases on paper, we discussed live While Otago provides the online MBA building up the lab, working on different HIV “The online students tend to be older, business cases from our work, and we were programme directly to individual students projects before I opened my own lab at the they have considerably more work able to apply what we learned immediately around the world, it is taking a different Webster Cleveland Clinic.” experience to draw upon, they are wanting to our work.” Chen now works as a tech approach regarding China, partnering with Although he had planned to return to to upskill and take some professional company product manager. Beacon Education, which works with a Venezuela, the uncertain political situation development as much as higher education, The online MBA has quickly established number of higher education institutions to following the election of Hugo Chavez in 1999 and they are largely in full-time its place in the world as one of the best: provide online education into China. Chair led him to stay longer in the US. It proved to employment,” Gauld explains. rated by the London-based CEO Magazine Lafferty explains that the University be a wise decision. The overseas-based Kiwi students in its global MBA rankings as the fourth was approached by Beacon to provide the Quiñones-Mateu spent six years at the who completed the course this year best online MBA in 2017 and third in content and teaching programme in China Cleveland Clinic, working on HIV and other include Alpha Kennedy, who works as an 2018 and 2019; and coming in at 13th this on Beacon’s online platform, with Beacon After years investigating the HIV virus, Professor viruses such as SARS-CoV and influenza, international consultant in Africa and the year in the QS World University Rankings providing the recruitment, marketing, Miguel Quiñones-Mateu is now turning his before moving into the private sector. delivery and local support. “Eric and I had developed a new cloning Gauld, who has a PhD in public attention to emergent viruses that have the potential system which was licensed to a company in Ohio. So I moved to the industry to direct an administration from the University to cause significant problems in New Zealand. HIV programme over the next five years.” of Hong Kong, says that “China is an A return to Case Western Reserve enormous domestic market and, to University followed and during that time he Otago’s online MBA function in China, you need someone who GROWING UP IN VENEZUELA, Professor long after graduating Quiñones-Mateu was developed a new HIV genotyping method to knows that market well and that is where was rated 3rd in Miguel Quiñones-Mateu had always wanted employed by Venezuela’s equivalent of the US quantify drug resistance. Beacon Education comes in. In China, London-based CEO to be a professional baseball player – or maybe National Institutes of Health (NIH), working “That was licensed and is now being used putting an ad on the back of a bus might Magazine’s 2018 and a vet if that did not work out. on HIV, but it soon became apparent that if he in the clinical setting, both in the US and not work as well as it does in Auckland.” Today, though, he finds himself a world- wanted to further his career he needed a PhD. Uganda. I’m really proud of that assay because 2019 global rankings; Gauld says that Beacon, for its part, liked leading virologist, holding the Webster Family Securing a scholarship, in 1993 he headed we are really helping patients with it.” and 13th in the latest the nature of Otago’s real-time interactive Chair in Viral Pathogenesis, endowed by off to Madrid to work under Esteban After his daughter Isabel graduated from teaching, which it thinks is particularly QS World University the globally-acknowledged influenza expert Domingo, one of the fathers of the viral the University of Michigan in 2018 he and his suited to the Chinese market. Professor Robert Webster, an Otago graduate, quasispecies concept. Rankings, achieving wife Leonor Hernandez, a paediatric dentist, The online MBA programme is being and his wife Marjorie Webster through the Venezuelan scientists had recently began looking for new opportunities. a top score of 100 for offered in China next year and will be Leading Thinkers Initiative. completed the first ever isolation of HIV and When the Webster Chair came up class experience. delivered from 7pm China time (11pm Quiñones-Mateu’s father took a pragmatic Quiñones-Mateu tells the story of how, when Quiñones-Mateu applied and they fell in love New Zealand time), featuring lecturers approach with his son, encouraging him to he flew to Madrid, he took vials of virus with Dunedin on their first visit. in China and Dunedin. get university qualifications while he chased samples with him – in the cabin. “I always wanted to work in a small college Meanwhile, Gauld and Lafferty are his baseball dreams. However, unable to “Can you imagine trying to do that today?” town environment – and nothing matches averse to the online degree resting on its immediately secure a place in vet school he After completing his PhD he headed to the University of Otago and Dunedin: this is just laurels: they are coveting the top two CEO decided studying biology would be a good US to do a postdoc at Case Western Reserve plain beautiful. We have been here for five Magazine global rankings currently held by interim step. University in Cleveland, Ohio, working with months and it cannot be better.” two Swiss-based online MBA programmes. “My idea was to switch from biology to go to then Assistant Professor Eric Arts who had One of the things that excites Quiñones- vet school, but then I fell in love with science been given an empty lab to develop. Mateu about his new role is the opportunity IAN DOUGHERTY and biology,” he says with a simple shrug of “That was the best time of my scientific life. to branch out. the shoulders. We had to set up the lab from scratch and try “When I first started working in HIV it Even baseball began to take a backseat. Not to decide what we were going to do next. was a big thing. The amount of knowledge

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HIV HIDE AND SEEK

An NIH grant, secured recently by Professor Miguel Quiñones- Mateu in collaboration with Dr Nicaise Ndembi from the Institute of Human Virology in Nigeria, will allow them to investigate a puzzling HIV phenomenon. “People that are taking antiretroviral drugs don’t always respond for some reason. It is almost like the virus is resistant to those drugs, yet when you look at the virus there are no mutations in the usual regions that could interfere with those drugs. “This five-year grant will allow PROFESSOR MIGUEL us to look at different regions of QUIÑONES-MATEU: the HIV genome that you don’t “I like the idea of taking the typically look at, to see why these question in the field, going to the patients are failing to respond lab and finding something that we to treatment. This is extremely can apply to solve a problem.” important in highly affected

Photo: Graham Warman countries in sub-Saharan Africa.” There are less than 4,000 people infected with HIV in New Zealand so the scope to do HIV/ accumulated in the 1990s and early 2000s the virology field here and tackle research that “It has a case fatality ratio of anything from Other exciting projects are brewing in his “That’s what we did with HIV. We AIDS research here is limited. was incredible; we were still developing new is relevant to the country and in areas where 15 to 30 per cent, especially with people in laboratory. A few weeks after arriving at Otago developed the assay which is used and is “Having said that, I’m really drugs; HIV-infected people didn’t have that few are working. their 60s and 70s. So that’s not good.” he learned that hoiho, or yellow-eyed penguins, helping patients right now.” interested in working on HIV in the many options and, unfortunately, many died,” “I have decided to focus on emergent Quiñones-Mateu says the cattle tick that are in danger, dying of a mysterious cause. For Quiñones-Mateu one of the joys Pacific Islands. he says. viruses: viruses that are not here yet, but could transmits the virus is here in New Zealand. Theories range from some sort of infection of the Webster Chair is the opportunity “We have the tools. Everything “Fortunately, now the HIV/AIDS field is not eventually cause problems in this country.” “Fortunately we don’t have the virus, but to toxins, however Quiñones-Mateu decided to work with Professors Webster and that we are using in Africa, the what it used to be. Pretty much everything To that end he is focusing on a few it could be just a matter of time. All it would to use his background in metagenomics to Arts on a new method to develop US, or in Europe right now we can that could be done has been done. There is no arboviruses, in particular severe fever with take is a couple of tick-infested birds flying study the potential cause for this unusually influenza vaccines. try and use in the Pacific Islands virus that is known better than HIV right now. thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) here from Asia. high mortality. The aim is to create a library of as well. That is something I would We have over 35 individual clinical drugs that that was discovered in China in 2009. “Currently there is no direct therapy nor Using both oral and fecal samples from influenza vaccines so that each year, love to do.” are really safe and patients are doing really “It is transmitted by cattle ticks and has a vaccine against it. So I decided to work on around a hundred yellow-eyed penguins they when a new one has to be produced, well – at least in developed countries.” been spreading since it was discovered. It this novel virus, not only because it is very have begun examining their microbiome, they can go to the library and grab the Every time he tried to branch out in the started in China and has now moved to South interesting from the virological point of view, mycobiome and virome to see if any viral, components they need. US he found two things happened: either Korea, Japan and, more recently, Vietnam too. but to be prepared just in case it comes here.” bacterial and/or fungal infection could be one “It will expedite the development more opportunities would come along or of the reasons why the birds are dying. and production of the vaccine.” In people would just push him back towards “My research, right from day one, has been fact, it will not only help with vaccine HIV. Ironically, he and a colleague from what I would call applied or translational production, but also help them Nigeria have just received a five-year grant “There is no virus that is known better than HIV investigation. I have nothing against basic understand more about virus evolution from the NIH to do further HIV work, but research. It’s great because it gives us the tools and its pathogenesis. with a focus on Africa where it is still a huge right now. We have over 35 individual clinical to do what we do. But I like the idea of taking “It is a real honour to work with problem [see sidebar]. drugs that are really safe and patients are doing the question in the field, going to the lab and Professor Webster and to hold a title When Quiñones-Mateu came to finding something that we can apply to solve a that is associated with his name.” New Zealand his desire was to help grow really well – at least in developed countries.” problem,” he says. MARK WRIGHT

24 25 OPINION OPINION

health are tied up with commercial interests assuring the public that “many of the Law and our politicians have shown a remarkable Commission’s recommendations have already reluctance to challenge those interests. Let me been implemented”. give two examples. Survey evidence shows that the majority Health of In 2010 the Law Commission published of New Zealanders are in favour of the a landmark report on the regulatory measures proposed by the Law Commission. framework for the sale and supply of liquor. It is puzzling why a government with a prime Sir Geoffrey Palmer and his colleagues commitment to well-being could shrink from reviewed the enormous harm that excessive dealing with one of the most obvious and the people alcohol consumption inflicts on families, remediable challenges to the well-being of its communities and health in this country. citizens. After analysing the evidence and consulting Preventing suicides is a key aim of this widely, they recommended a range of actions government and experts at the University of that would minimise the damage. These Otago, Christchurch estimate that alcohol is Respected epidemiologist Professor Sir David included increasing the price of cheap alcohol, a significant factor in causing about a third of regulating promotions that encourage all completed suicides. So, having established Skegg cites weak leadership and a lack of consumption, restoring the purchase age to an Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction, 20 years and cutting back the hours licensed why did the government set aside its firm political will as fundamental problems for premises are open. In response, the National- recommendation about alcohol regulation? public health in New Zealand. led government introduced an Alcohol A second example of insufficient action Reform Bill, but this failed to address most of relates to our epidemic of obesity. About what the Law Commission had described as two-thirds of adults and one-third of the “key elements” of their proposals. children are now either overweight or obese. RECENT ATTACKS on PHARMAC, New cent of their cancer deaths could be prevented While that bill was being debated, Labour The Ministry of Health estimates that Zealand’s agency for purchasing medicines, by attention to known causal factors, such Party members of the select committee wrote obesity has already overtaken smoking as have implied that failure to fund expensive as cigarette smoking, dietary influences, a minority report in which they expressed a cause of health loss, with cardiovascular new drugs can explain our unenviable risk of overweight or obesity, certain infections, sun “major reservations about the bill’s failure disease and type 2 diabetes being the most dying from cancer. Each year, nearly 800 New exposure and alcohol. Dealing with such to address key issues”. They lambasted the prominent consequences. The proportion of Zealanders die from cancer who would not challenges requires collective action, which is government for merely tinkering with the New Zealanders who are obese has trebled PROFESSOR SIR DAVID SKEGG: die if the Australian mortality rates applied the essence of public health. situation, because “so much of the evidence since the late 1970s. Despite the tendency “Politicians and their officials will here. Research suggests, however, that the Public health is the science and art of and so many of the recommendations of some people to blame and stigmatise give more priority to health when main reasons for this difference are delays in preventing disease, prolonging life and have been ignored”. Yet now that we have a the individuals involved, this is not due to an informed public demands this...” diagnosis and commencement of standard promoting health through organised efforts Labour-led government, Cabinet ministers a sudden decline in moral fibre or self- treatment such as surgery or radiotherapy. of society. Unfortunately, New Zealand’s have rejected calls for legislative action, control. It must reflect changes in our social Photo: Alan Dove About a hundred of the avoidable deaths from performance in this is even less adequate than environment and lifestyle, which impact bowel cancer each year reflect the fact that we its treatment services. That was dramatically particularly on those who are genetically failed to introduce a screening programme illustrated by the massive epidemic of predisposed. at the same time as Australia, the United Campylobacter infection in Havelock North, “Public health is the Many other nations are facing a similar review from the University of Otago, In a book published earlier this year, Kingdom and several other countries. where 40 per cent of all residents were struck science and art of problem. Among 35 OECD countries, Wellington provides encouraging evidence The Health of the People (Bridget Williams Health services in New Zealand are down by a serious bacterial illness due to however, only the United States had a higher of reductions in purchasing and intake. A Books), I tried to dissect reasons for the chronically underfunded. This means contamination of drinking water with sheep preventing disease, prevalence of obesity in men, while New so-called sugar tax can achieve more than just weakness of our public health function and that patients miss out on treatments that faeces. A government inquiry pointed to prolonging life and Zealand women came third after the United a decline in purchasing. The Department of to recommend possible solutions. Politicians could increase their well-being, but also widespread systemic failure among water States and Mexico. What is disappointing Health in England reports that its sugar levy and their officials will give more priority to that hospitals have to care for people with suppliers, but also to “a complete failure of promoting health is the lack of a concerted programme to has already led to half of all drinks in its scope health when an informed public demands advanced disease that could have been avoided. leadership and stewardship” by the Ministry through organised improve the situation, even though our health being reformulated to avoid the levy – the this – as is beginning to happen in relation The Australians have calculated that their of Health. leaders know they are facing a huge burden equivalent of removing 45 million kilograms to environmental degradation and climate screening programme for colorectal cancer Lack of leadership is undoubtedly one of efforts of society. of diabetes and other problems. There is no of sugar each year. change. New Zealand universities, including will ultimately save billions of dollars of the chief reasons for the frailty of our efforts Unfortunately, simple solution, and a multipronged approach Whereas a Conservative government in Otago, have public health experts who are heath-care expenditure, as well as protecting to prevent disease and promote health. While to promoting sound nutrition and physical Britain saw the case for such a measure, New committed to producing sound evidence thousands of people from the misery of there are capable individuals in the ministry, New Zealand’s activity is required. Zealand politicians of both major parties have and raising awareness. This gives me hope incurable cancer and premature death. there is no critical mass of public health performance in this One important risk factor is a high continually run for cover. It must be music to for the future. Controlling cancer and most other diseases experts. Neither has New Zealand followed consumption of sugary drinks. International the ears of food manufacturers and retailers, depends not only on the treatment of people the example of other countries by setting up a is even less adequate studies have identified several different to hear ministers talking vaguely about SIR DAVID SKEGG after they become ill, but also on public health dedicated agency for public health. than its treatment strategies that can reduce such consumption. consultation and voluntary codes – strategies Emeritus Professor programmes to prevent illness. A recent A more fundamental problem is a lack of Over 30 countries have introduced some that public health professionals know to be Department of Preventive and Social Medicine Australian study estimated that about 40 per political will. Many of the factors that damage services.” sort of tax on sugary drinks and a systematic ineffectual.

26 27 STUDENT LIFE STUDENT LIFE

The UMove community outreach programme provides valuable hands-on experience for physiotherapy students and is making a real difference to participants’ everyday lives.

IT’S MID-AFTERNOON. There’s a buzz Students usually work in pairs, with about the second-floor gym in the School each pair assigned one of the four people of Physiotherapy building as a group of attending the one-hour session – all students get equipment ready. supervised by qualified staff. More recently, But it’s not for their own use. These peer learning has been added by getting students are getting valuable early third-year students to help second-years exposure to clinical practice with hands- who are fresh out of their introductory year on teaching, while also providing an of health sciences. important community outreach via “Students love it because a lot of the UMove – a programme started in 2013 health professional courses only see patients under the guidance of the school’s Dean, further along the track in their training, Professor Leigh Hale, and former neuro- whereas our students start at the beginning rehabilitation lecturer Dr Cath Smith. of their second year,” says Hale. “In neuro-rehab you are teaching UMove has now been extended beyond students how to rehabilitate just neurological conditions to include Moving forward and support people affected by a a range of long-term conditions such neurological condition like stroke, as osteoarthritis, chronic pain, obesity, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson’s or asthma and diabetes. Often people have multiple sclerosis,” explains Hale. several issues or co-morbidities, meaning “Physio is traditionally taught using they are not only recovering from stroke, lectures and practical labs where students but they might have an arthritic knee and a learn the techniques of physiotherapy. painful shoulder that also need to be taken Students can practise massage or spinal into account when exercising. mobilisations on each other, but it’s hard for students to mimic someone who has had STUDENT PERSPECTIVES a stroke and pretend to practise working with each other. Unless they know or had There is plenty of enthusiasm for UMove experience with someone with a neuro from the students involved, such as third- condition, it is difficult to teach techniques year student Shontal Norton. for something they don’t understand.” “When I was in second year it was really, Hale says they were also aware many in really good because it is the first contact the community needed more rehabilitation you get with patients, so it’s really nice to and exercise to maintain their health and get straight in and hands on,” she says. wellness. “Because you see them once a week for “For the community, UMove is a place three weeks in a row you get to know them where they can be confident the people quite well – what their strengths are and Photos: Alan Dove Alan Photos: Facing top: Second-year student delivering the exercises know what to do how far you can push them and what they Brooke Clark works with Bob Russell. given their conditions. But it also means need. You chat with them and find out Facing bottom: Doreen Gilligan and students can work with people with real life about their lives. Creating a good rapport physio student Tim Lovett. conditions and hear their stories.” with patients is really satisfying.”

28 29 STUDENT LIFE FEATURE

Fellow third-year student Brianna PARTICIPANT “I’m not using a walking stick as much at O’Donoghue says when she began as a PERSPECTIVES home and I’m getting around much better.” second-year UMove provided a nice low- Getting to see patients make progress stress environment to get used to being Since UMove began there have been the in this way has brought a shift in focus for around patients. remarkable success stories, such as someone many students says Hale. “You’ve got information from other who’d had a mini-stroke going on to run a “The New Zealand public are exposed people about what they’ve done with the marathon, but for most it is about everyday to physiotherapy in terms of sports and patient, so you have that to fall back on and challenges. ACC-type injuries because that’s what gets you’ve got supervision as well. It was a good Bob Russell, who had a severe stroke in funded. But, in fact, physiotherapy works way to get used to handling patients and 2011, has been coming to UMove for the last in the DHBs, in all the wards and intensive getting used to treatment techniques.” four years. His mobility has been hit hard, care units, and works with people with Second-year student Brooke Clark has but he can now walk about 20 metres with long-term conditions, so UMove has been had her turn being thrown in the deep end a stick and he is determined to one day do great to show this is another area in which this year, but has found the mentoring they without it – with the help of his students. they can also work.” get from third-years really helpful. “They push me along and there’s a bit MARK WRIGHT “Obviously I had never done it before – I of competition where I compete against didn’t know what was happening. Brianna myself to walk a bit further. was my third-year and she was really good. “The students are all pretty good. Some It was really helpful watching her interact have different ideas, which is helpful, with the patients because then I got an idea because you get different things to do. of what I was supposed to do.” Some of it hurts, some of it doesn’t,” Bob For her part, Brianna confesses to being adds with a grin. a bit mean to Brooke. “I could tell they Working with families is also an were in exactly the same position as we important component and Bob’s wife were in second year – super scared to even Bridgitte is full of praise for UMove. touch the patients. I made her do treatment “Without this place I don’t know where we techniques and things, but that’s how I like would be. It’s amazing. Everyone’s so gentle to learn.” and it wouldn’t matter if he only walks one As an aside, some participants have even step or 25 steps it’s just the same – they’re been known to offer tutors a bit of advice really encouraging and really good.” on which students are doing well and which Doreen and Charlie Gilligan are ones might need a bit of extra help. more recent arrivals, having started Tim Lovett, a third-year student, says at UMove this year. he has enjoyed learning to develop a Charlie is dealing with connection with patients. the challenges of macular “They are comfortable coming here. They degeneration while know what you’re here to do and they even Doreen is looking to improve her mobility Avant-garde guide us through it at the start,” he says. “Interacting with someone as a patient is a and balance. lot different than talking to just someone on “I was very bad on the street. They give you a lot of trust right my balance when I first away just because you are wearing the shirt.” arrived and they put me archaeology The whole experience has also widened on the sponges between the his understanding of how physiotherapy parallel bars and that helped can be used. considerably. Over a period of The application of cutting-edge technology “There are lots of neurological conditions weeks I got better.” is revolutionising what archaeology can I’d never heard of. It’s cool to learn about This improvement has translated into them and see how much we can help.” making everyday life easier for Doreen. tell us about the past.

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PROFESSOR RICHARD WALTER and explains. “Bulk bone meta-barcoding involves determine the incubation stage at which eggs Dr Karen Greig (Archaeology) share an taking all the little fragments of bones that were taken from nests, the contents consumed interest in past interactions between people, have no diagnostic characteristics that we and the shells discarded. This, together animals and their environment. Applying can see, grinding them up to a fine powder with similar information from moa bones the latest scientific techniques in pursuit and applying molecular genetic methods to at the same sites, will indicate whether the of this interest, they are helping to take identify what animals were present.” taking of eggs and killing of birds occurred archaeology into the 21st century. Further fresh information derives from concurrently and was a seasonal activity. “We have a range of different projects the application of scientific techniques – “Also, the male moa, not the female, sat PROFESSOR RICHARD WALTER using emerging technologies that are not to moa bones, but to moa eggshells. on the egg, so we want to know the sex of and DR KAREN GREIG: producing answers to questions that have These include shells Walter and his late the moa bone in sites, using ancient DNA. “We have a range of different been intractable using traditional methods,” colleague, Chris Jacomb, sourced from Taking the eggs and killing the incubating projects using emerging Greig says, “but also raise the potential a large stone-lined oven at the Wairau males at the same time would be an easy way technologies that are producing to ask new questions that we haven’t even Bar in Marlborough, one of the oldest of sending the birds extinct.” answers to questions that have thought of yet.” archaeological sites in New Zealand, dating They have similarly been applying been intractable using traditional She says that, in New Zealand, one back to around 1300. scientific techniques to cockle shells found methods, but also raise the of the big questions is understanding Walter and Greig explain that radiocarbon in the Wairau Bar oven, to shed further light potential to ask new questions that the interactions between early Mā ori dating and ancient DNA analysis of on seasonal harvesting patterns. we haven’t even thought of yet.” communities and their ecosystems, the eggshell provides evidence that this “It’s extraordinary,” Walter says, “but

including the question of moa extinction. represents a single event: a massive cockles lay down a microscopic layer of Photos: Alan Dove Walter and Greig say that the flightless community feast. shell on every tide which varies in thickness birds, which were by far the most important “That is really interesting for according to the season. If you cut the land-based animal resource, were hunted to understanding human behaviour and the shell in half and put it under a scanning extinction relatively rapidly: within about 100 process of moa extinction,” Greig says. electron microscope, you can count the tidal, dating back to the 1400s. “The distribution of dogs is intimately Washington DC, which has assisted with the years of Polynesians settling in New Zealand. “Other projects using moa eggshell and moa monthly and seasonal layers. Walter explains that growth rings form tied to human expansions,” Greig says, “and work on micro-structure of moa eggshell; But, although the timing and general nature bones provide different insights into the “We therefore not only know how old the within these ear bones – similar to growth results suggest there were at least three and Curtin University in Perth, which has of the activities that led to the loss of moa have processes of moa hunting and extinction.” cockles were when they went into the oven, rings in trees – which enable scientists to different dispersal events, in addition to the contributed with ancient DNA bulk bone been broadly understood using traditional One project is using stable isotope but we can also match up the lines on the determine the age of the fish and its growth introduction of dingoes to Australia.” meta-barcoding. research tools, little was previously known of analysis, which measures variations in the cockles to know what time of year they rates. “This type of environmental information Walter and Greig emphasise that these the process itself: how the birds were hunted, atomic makeup of various chemical elements were collected. Using isotopic analysis of the ear bones at we are getting through ancient DNA, are mutually beneficial collaborations, with how this influenced their viability and how in moa eggshell and bones. Walter explains “We know that this oven was probably dug any point in the snapper’s life cycle, the rings through chemical analysis and through each partner bringing different expertise their decline over time affected the people that this tells them from what sort of between December and February and, if can also provide such information as from using scanning electron microscopes is and interest to the research, and obtaining who had come to rely on them. environment the remains in the oven came people were eating the cockles in December, which breeding ground in the Hauraki Gulf giving us so much insight into human different outcomes. Some of the new information comes from and, therefore, how far away the moa were that means they were hunting moa and the snapper came, with each breeding ground interactions with fauna and environments,” They cite the example of the research on the application of bulk bone meta-barcoding. hunted and the eggs collected. gathering eggs at that time too.” giving different environmental signals. Walter summarises. snapper, with archaeologists at Otago (along By applying this and also ancient DNA “If we can get sites that are from different Some of the new techniques have been “We can say that the whole snapper The various projects are being undertaken with a consultant archaeologist in Auckland) technology to midden remains from early sites, time periods, we may also be able to look at applied to major excavations such as one in population in the gulf has radically changed by a research unit within the Archaeology providing the historical context to the ear they have been able to build more in-depth how hunting ranges changed through time. which Walter and Greig have been intimately since 1400,” Walter says. “As the snapper Programme at Otago, Southern Pacific bones ending up in the middens. Scientists pictures of the variety of targeted species. Were people first hunting in the immediate involved at Kahukura in the southern were impacted by fishing, different breeding Archaeological Research (SPAR), which in the Chemistry Department at Otago are “When we identify bones using vicinity, then going further and further afield?” Catlins, from where tens of thousands of grounds were affected, so it appears that carries out research in archaeology and expert in isotopic analysis and are interested conventional methods, we look at different He says that, by examining the micro- bits and pieces of shell and bone have been by 1600 there were fewer breeding grounds heritage management throughout New in information about the environment dating distinguishing characteristics on the bones structure of the eggshells using scanning recovered from the rapidly eroding site. than existed in 1400 and today only a few of Zealand and the tropical Pacific. It back 600 years. And a fisheries scientist at that help us to identify what they are,” Walter electron microscopy, their team can also Using high-end scientific techniques has these remain.” comprises co-founder and co-director Auckland University of Technology who is also enabled the archaeologists to measure He says that there is a lot more Walter, co-director Greig, and a core team of providing contemporary ear bone samples is the impact of 600 years of Mā ori fishing on information that can be extracted from research assistants and associates. interested in getting base-line information “This type of environmental information snapper in the Hauraki Gulf. isotopic analysis of the ear bones, including Walter and Greig are also quick to from which to evaluate the current state of we are getting through ancient DNA, through They have again employed stable isotope changes in water temperature in the gulf acknowledge their many specialist the snapper fishery. analysis, this time of tiny snapper otoliths over the past 600 years. collaborators within the wider University The diverse research projects have so far chemical analysis and through using scanning (commonly known as ear bones) recovered Greig has also used ancient DNA analysis of Otago community – notably in Anatomy, been the subjects of various international electron microscopes is giving us so much from middens and radiocarbon dated, in her investigations into the interactions Chemistry, Geography and Zoology – and conference talks and journal articles. insight into human interactions with which enables them to tell a story about between people and dogs during the elsewhere in New Zealand. the individual snapper and the state of the introduction and dispersal of dogs through They point to international collaborators IAN DOUGHERTY fauna and environments.” snapper fishery when the fish were caught, the Pacific and in New Zealand. too, such as the Smithsonian Museum in

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Shutting down tinnitus Deep sheep

The use of deep brain stimulation to switch off tinnitus prevalent in those in noisy occupations and is becoming more Facial recognition technology for animals – and for people the head of a sheep crush, linked to a computer. – a chronic ringing in the ears – could also provide valuable common in young people due to increased headphone use. – is not new, but two University of Otago researchers are Szymanski says that the technology is potentially applicable insights into other neurological and neuropsychiatric “The mechanisms are complicated and there is no effective hoping to go one leap further and develop software to to other farmed animals, such as cattle, deer and pigs. conditions such as chronic pain, obesity and addiction. treatment.” identify an animal’s parents. He adds that it is even possible that the software could All share similar abnormalities in the brain network They aim to identify the neurons involved in different parts of Dr Lech Szymanski (Computer Science) and Dr Michael Lee also be used to help with monitoring of genetic diversity in associated with reward, so Professor John Reynolds (Anatomy) the brain and how they interconnect – knowledge which could be (Mathematics and Statistics) have received funding from the conservation species breeding programmes. and Associate Professor Yiwen Zheng (Pharmacology and used in tackling other conditions involving similar mechanisms. government’s Science and Technological Innovation Challenge Toxicology) are part of a Health Research Council-funded to see if they can use facial image analysis to enable the cost- collaboration to understand more. effective assigning of parentage to livestock, beginning with “My expertise area is neuromodulation – modulating brain sheep. circuits – and Professor Dirk de Ridder, the Neurological Szymanski explains that he will use what is known as “deep Foundation Professor of Neurosurgery, has extensive knowledge learning”, which is a machine learning technique that teaches and ability to transfer this into patients,” explains Reynolds. computers to learn from being given lots of examples of “Tinnitus appears to be an abnormality in brain circuitry something. after something goes wrong with the ears. The brain tries to Working with Beef + Lamb New Zealand Genetics, he will feed compensate for the loss of input and creates the tinnitus sound. a computer many correct matches of facial images of parents “We want to fool the brain into thinking that the tinnitus and their offspring, and then try to develop a model that will frequency is not helpful and to shut it down, while the other work it out for itself. frequencies around it are good and to amplify them.” PROFESSOR JOHN REYNOLDS AND ASSOCIATE Lee says that accurate kinship information is important for Zheng, an expert in tinnitus, says it is probably under-reported. PROFESSOR YIWEN ZHENG: “We want to fool the brain into genetic improvement and increased profitability; and facial DR MICHAEL LEE AND DR LECH SZYMANSKI: “Chronic tinnitus affects 10 to 15 per cent of adults and thinking that the tinnitus frequency is not helpful...” imaging to identify parents would be a valuable tool for farmers They aim to use facial image analysis to enable the cost- the percentage doubles for people over 60.” It is also more to use, to complement existing technologies such as DNA testing. effective assigning of parentage to livestock. He envisages something as simple as an automatic camera at

Targeting tuberculosis Seed bank ‘time bombs’ Tuberculosis claimed the lives of 1.6 million people in 2017. in combination with other tuberculosis drugs. The new drug To make matters worse, all of the current antimicrobial is showing good activity against a range of drug-susceptible Research on marram grass control has shown the futility of She adds that seeds recovered from different depths at treatments for tuberculosis show signs of resistance – and and drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains and, spray-and-walk-away. Mason Bay showed no signs of becoming less viable with age. some are totally resistant. importantly, works in synergy with existing tuberculosis Associate Professor Mike Hilton (Geography) explains that he Hilton says that the research has major implications for Any new development to fight the disease would therefore be treatment in animal models. noticed marram grass regrowth at Doughboy Bay on Stewart dune restoration programmes in New Zealand and overseas, huge, but a different approach to drug development is needed “It’s exciting to be involved in research that potentially could Island/Rakiura four years after Department of Conservation potentially prolonging them for years to decades of expense to create new, more targeted tuberculosis treatments specific be a game-changer for one of the leading infectious causes of spraying. and hard work in dealing with the tiny time bombs. to humans. human death worldwide,” she says. That prompted a joint research project with Associate The findings have been published in the Journal of Coastal Microbiology PhD student Zoe Williams has been collaborating Professor Janice Lord (Botany), Dr Teresa Konlechner Conservation. with researchers in China to screen new compounds that have (Melbourne University) and postgraduate students Kathryn the potential to be developed into drugs that kill the tuberculosis- McLachlan and Daniel Lim, which has revealed an insidious, causing bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. previously unknown feature of the exotic invader. Williams was one of four Otago students to be awarded a Hilton says that investigations of the age, viability and depth national Freemasons university scholarship last year, hers of marram grass seeds buried each year by the build-up of being a postgraduate scholarship. Working in Professor Greg sand in dunes at St Kilda in Dunedin and Mason Bay on Stewart Cook’s Microbiology and Immunology lab, Williams has been Island have revealed that they can form large, persistent, long- documenting the underlying mechanisms that make one lived seed banks. particularly promising drug candidate compound (TB47) Lord explains that the seeds lie dormant in the dark, cold effective against tuberculosis disease. sand until later uncovered as the dunes erode. “Traditionally, drug development has been based on the She says that seeds buried four metres deep at Mason Bay fact that the drug works, without necessarily understanding PHD STUDENT ZOE WILLIAMS: “It’s exciting to be involved in and at St Kilda – where they were estimated to be at least 21 ASSOCIATE PROFESSORS JANICE LORD AND MIKE HILTON: what is happening and why. We now need to understand those research that potentially could be a game-changer for one of years old – quickly germinated in the laboratory when exposed Their findings have major implications for dune restoration mechanisms to get a treatment to market,” Williams explains. the leading infectious causes of human death worldwide.” to light, warmth and moisture: typically, what happens when programmes in New Zealand and overseas. She has been testing TB47 under different conditions and they are a few centimetres from the surface.

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Legal barriers Disorder in the courtroom

Significant barriers to accessing legal representation in offered, as well as facilitators and barriers to providing them,” A Marsden-funded project led by Otago Vice-Chancellor just verdict. Although our initial approach will involve cases that civil disputes in New Zealand have been highlighted by the Toy-Cronin says. “We are starting with pro bono and then and Psychology Professor Harlene Hayne seeks better hinge on memory, the techniques we develop will be applicable University of Otago Legal Issues Centre. looking at forms of low-cost service provision.” ways for jurors to reach just verdicts based on the across the range of evidence that juries often consider.” A pilot study by the centre’s director, Dr Bridgette Toy- She says that they have surveyed and interviewed members evidence presented to them. Building on their prior work with lawyers and judges in Cronin, and researcher Kayla Stewart, set out to map the of the legal profession and are now analysing the results. In criminal trials, evidence is typically presented by the New Zealand, the researchers are hopeful their findings will availability of free and low-cost legal services. prosecution and the defence, with witnesses cross-examined have immediate practical relevance to the judicial system. Toy-Cronin explains that the study arose from her Otago PhD by the opposing side. Although a judge ensures the rules research on people representing themselves in civil courts. of evidence are followed, it is up to the jurors to determine She notes that many people cannot afford to pay a lawyer whether the defendant is guilty. However, jurors receive no several hundred dollars an hour and need to access free and special training and are often confronted with complex and low-cost services, but civil legal aid is restricted, community highly technical information central to their verdict. law centres mainly offer advice, and people are often left The court has developed tools to help juries in their with the choice of either abandoning their case or task, three of which will be assessed in this project: judicial representing themselves. directions, expert evidence and question trails. “We were hoping to create an online, interactive map that With expertise in memory and memory development, our people could use to identify what free and low-cost services focus is on trials in which the primary evidence involves were available, but we found that it was so limited that it was memory, Hayne says. not worth mapping.” “In many cases there is limited physical evidence for a crime and Following that project, the team, which now includes jurors must rely on a witness’ account. Sometimes that account LOUISA CHOE and DR BRIDGETTE TOY-CRONIN: researcher Louisa Choe, is looking at how lawyers contribute to might be about an event that took place decades earlier which The research team from left: ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR RACHEL They are looking at how lawyers contribute to making justice making justice more accessible, or why they are unable to do so. raises interesting questions about remembering and forgetting. ZAJAC, JUDGE MICHAEL CROSBIE, PROFESSOR HARLENE “This means examining the ways in which lawyers offer free more accessible, or why they are unable to do so. “Our goal is to develop better processes to help juries evaluate HAYNE, DR JULIEN GROSS and DR WEIWEI ZHANG. and low-cost services, the extent to which these services are the evidence before them and of using that evidence to reach a

Better medication for alcoholics Anorexia’s biological links

A study by the University of Otago, Christchurch has shown The study suggests inadequate and poor targeting of University of Otago, Christchurch researchers played a in part why recovery is such a struggle.” New Zealanders with alcohol use disorders often miss out treatments for alcohol use disorder in New Zealand and gives key role in research showing a biological predisposition to Kennedy hopes that these fundamental genetic insights on specialist medication that targets their addiction. evidence to those involved in prescribing on how to make anorexia nervosa that affects the function of the brain as will point to better ways of preventing the disorder, and better Lead researcher Dr Ben Beaglehole says his team studied improvements in this area. well as the metabolic system. medications that target the underlying biology. “Nobody chooses data on the prescription of drugs to 5,000 New Zealanders Beaglehole says when patients have signs of both alcoholism Anorexia Nervosa Genetics Initiative (ANGI) researchers to succumb to this awful disease, and we need these kinds of new diagnosed with alcohol addiction by specialist mental health and depression, clinicians should focus on the alcohol disorder. sampled the DNA of almost 17,000 patients and compared this insights to help people survive and move on with their lives.” and addiction services in 2014. They found 12.7 per cent of “If people stop drinking, mood and anxiety are likely to improve.” with over 55,000 control cases recruited from 17 countries. these patients had been prescribed antidepressants and 5.6 The international team included Otago’s Dr Jenny Jordan and percent the antipsychotic drug quetiapine, but only 2.1 per cent Professor Martin Kennedy. were given disulfiram and 0.7 per cent naltrexone, two drugs They found eight genetic variants significantly associated developed specifically to treat those with alcohol abuse. with anorexia nervosa, indicating the origins of the disorder to Of those with both alcohol use disorder and depression, 27.4 be both metabolic and psychological. The findings showed that per cent were prescribed antidepressants and 11.2 per cent the genetic bases of anorexia overlap with traits associated quetiapine, but only two per cent were given disulfiram and 0.2 with the ability to metabolise fats and sugars, and body mass per cent naltrexone. index; that they influence physical activity; and that they also Beaglehole says antidepressants and quetiapine, while useful overlap with other psychiatric disorders. for anxiety and depression, don’t produce significant benefits Jordan says current treatments for anorexia nervosa are for patients with alcohol use disorder, even in the presence of primarily psychological therapies to help patients regain co-morbid depression and anxiety. However, disulfiram and weight and re-establish normal eating. naltrexone specifically target alcohol addiction. Disulfiram DR BEN BEAGLEHOLE: He says antidepressants and quetiapine, “The ANGI findings give us a new way of looking at this disease. induces the serious negative effects of a hangover immediately while useful for anxiety and depression, don’t produce significant For example, many people diet, but only a few develop anorexia DR JENNY JORDAN and PROFESSOR MARTIN KENNEDY: after the patient drinks any alcohol. Naltrexone works more benefits for patients with alcohol use disorder. nervosa. The findings that there are genetic differences relating “The findings give us a new way of looking at this disease.” slowly, reducing the desire to consume alcohol. to metabolism helps make sense of that. It may also help explain

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Over-tourism: or not? Assessing disability in Maori

Queenstown features in an international study of how much Otago trio are also separately analysing the Queenstown data The first national survey focusing exclusively on disability is too much when it comes to tourism. for publication. in Maori is being conducted by University of Otago, University of Otago researchers, Dr Julia Albrecht, Dr Susan The Tourism Department at Otago became a member of Wellington researchers, in a three-year $1.2 million HRC- Houge Mackenzie and Hannah Parsons (Tourism), comprise the World Tourism Forum Lucerne earlier this year. Albrecht funded project. one of 15 groups of tourism researchers participating in a notes that only one university tourism department per country The Te Ao Marama project is led by research fellow global comparative case study of “over-tourism”, each one is invited to join. “It says that we are very well-respected Bernadette Jones and senior research fellow Dr Tristram looking at a popular tourism destination. internationally as a tourism department,” she says. Ingham, both from the Department of Medicine. Albrecht explains that the aim of the study – by the Jones says disability affects around 32 per cent of Maori, Swiss-based tourism network, World Tourism Forum Lucerne – compared to 24 per cent of New Zealanders generally, but is to come up with a set of useful indicators to measure even this figure may underestimate its true prevalence. “The over-tourism and detect early warning signs. way we report the prevalence and impacts of disability is BERNADETTE JONES AND DR TRISTRAM INGHAM: “The idea is to test drive all of the potential indicators done from a western biomedical perspective that doesn’t “The way we report the prevalence and impacts of disability incorporate indigenous Maori perspectives.” and see which ones are particularly suited to assessing and is done from a western biomedical perspective that doesn’t predicting over-tourism,” Albrecht says. “The challenge is to Ingham notes that the standard disability questions incorporate indigenous Maori perspectives.” know when you need to kick in with certain tourism and visitor currently used nationally (the Washington Group Set) only management interventions.” consider one aspect of disability (difficulty functioning) and, Houge Mackenzie cites quality-of-life survey results, new therefore, do not fully recognise the socio-cultural context in government well-being indicators and the frequency of which disablement occurs. seeing the world, but if Maori do not assimilate the identity of negative community sentiment towards tourism in the media The project is beginning with a series of hui with Tangata having a disability, for instance, then they are at risk of missing as potential examples of social indicators of over-tourism. DR JULIA ALBRECHT AND DR SUSAN HOUGE MACKENZIE: Whaikaha (Maori with a disability) to help researchers develop out on all those supports and services that go along with The Otago researchers have reported their Queenstown “The challenge is to know when you need to kick in with certain culturally-appropriate questions for a national survey examining having that label,” Jones says. findings to the forum, which will combine them with the tourism and visitor management interventions.” both the prevalence of disability in Maori and its impacts on Their findings will be widely disseminated so the inequities information from the other international participants. The their health, well-being, social inclusion and finances. Maori face in the health and disability sectors can be mitigated “Te ao Maori has different insights and different ways of and policy interventions developed.

Legal faculty Effective giving How do we ensure that an individual who has an enduring also be an important resource for the New Zealand Law power of attorney over another person’s welfare or property, Commission’s recently announced review of this area of civil New Zealand is ranked the third most generous country in unaware or did not believe that donations would achieve more promotes the other person’s – and not their own – best law, to commence next year. the world (behind Indonesia and Australia), but why are we per dollar in developing countries. interests? The book is published by the global law book company, not more effective as donors? This is something that three Knowles adds that, interestingly, a significant number of This is one question posed in a major publication, with Thomson Reuters, and was launched at seven full-day Otago researchers have been keen to discover. people who do place a high weight on effectiveness and do substantial University of Otago involvement, on the legal conferences around the country during September, Professor Stephen Knowles and Dr Murat Genc (Economics) believe that a donation will be more effective overseas, still position of people who lack the mental capacity to make at which contributors spoke on their areas of expertise. and Dr Trudy Sullivan (Preventive and Social Medicine) have prefer to donate to a local charity. decisions for themselves. been researching “effective altruists”. Mental Capacity Law in New Zealand has been edited Knowles says that the “effective altruism movement” argues by Professor John Dawson (Law) and a former student, that people wanting to do the most good should donate to Wellington lawyer Iris Reuvecamp. They and current or former charities fighting poverty in poor countries overseas yet, staff and students – Alison Douglass, Grant Gillett, Mark paradoxically, most people living in wealthy countries prefer to Henaghan, Brent Hyslop, Kimberley Lawrence, Nicola Peart donate to charities helping people in need in their own country. and Jeanne Snelling – have written most of the contents. In New Zealand, for example, less than 10 per cent of Four contributors are graduates of the specialist Masters charitable donations go to international development charities of Bioethics and Health Law degree – jointly run by the such as World Vision and Oxfam. Bioethics Centre and Faculty of Law – and five have taught Knowles explains that his team conducted a “discrete choice in that programme. experiment” via an online survey, which showed that nearly Dawson says that the main legislation covering mental a half of the participants placed more weight on where the capacity is more than 30 years old and this first comprehensive PROFESSOR JOHN DAWSON: The book examines the legal money is spent than on the need of the recipient or on the DR TRUDY SULLIVAN, PROFESSOR STEPHEN KNOWLES AND law treatise on the subject in New Zealand is timely. position of people who lack the mental capacity to make effectiveness of the donation: preferring to support a charity DR MURAT GENC: Responses to their survey revealed an emphasis He says that the book is aimed at judges, lawyers, law decisions for themselves. such as the Salvation Army helping people in New Zealand. on where money is spent rather than the need of the recipient. students, health professionals and other carers, and will And he says that nearly a half of the people surveyed were

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Top performances University and Victoria University 2019 Otago Excellence in Teaching Awards recipients, from left: Dr Anne-Marie Jackson of Wellington to become the Cancer The University of Otago has again – Kaupapa Maori Teaching Award; Dr David McMorran; Nicola Beatson; and Associate Society Research Collaboration (CSRC), Professor Ben Schonthal. topped the Tertiary Education which has been awarded a $2 million Commission’s annual Education grant by the Cancer Society. They are Performance Indicators that measure the Cancer and Chronic Conditions the educational performance of (C3) Research Group, the Health students at New Zealand’s universities. Promotion and Policy Research Unit, Otago ranked a clear first for the smokefree research group ASPIRE overall student course completion, 2025, and the Social and Behavioural qualification completion and first-year Research Unit. retention. In the progression from sub- degree to degree-level study measure – an area in which Otago has minimal Kakahu welcomed to UOW activity – the University ranked fourth. An authentic Maori kakahu (cloak) Otago’s focus on excellence was designed for the University of Otago, reaffirmed in the latest Performance Wellington (UOW) was two years in the Based Research Fund (PBRF) Quality making, but was born five years before Evaluation, the results of which that in her imagination and heart, Dean were released earlier this year. The and Head of School Professor Sunny assessment reveals a 30 per cent Collings told those at its dedication and increase in the number of A-rated Dr Susan Wardell (Social naming ceremony in August. staff at the University, along with International rankings University of Otago Chancellor Dr Royden Somerville QC lays a stone to mark the opening Anthropology) has received the OUSA It was a huge honour and very strong increases across the other of the new Faculty of Dentistry building. The University of Otago ranked 176th Supervisor of the Year Award and Dr humbling to be receiving the cloak research grades. in the latest QS World University Charlotte King (Anatomy) the new from master weaver Kohai Grace and rankings. This again places Otago in Supervisor of the Year Award. her iwi Ngati Toa Rangatira, she said. Funding successes the top one per cent of universities “The kakahu will be a constant visual internationally, as one of New reminder of the increasing importance Otago dominated the Health Research Dental facility opened Economic impact Cancer collaboration Zealand’s top two universities and of te ao Maori in our daily work, and Council (HRC) funding round, securing The Faculty of Dentistry’s new 8,000m2 The University of Otago’s 2018 as one of Australasia’s top 10. QS Four cancer research groups within of the privilege and obligations in our more than $40 million of the total clinical services building was officially Economic Impact Report, released also released its world rankings the University have joined with Massey collective efforts as staff and students.” $81 million awarded. Otago’s funding opened in June. Described as one of in May, shows that the University for online MBA (Master of Business comprised one grant of almost the “highest-tech” dental facilities contributed more than $1 billion for Administration) degrees, placing the $5 million to support a five-year in the world, it houses hospital-level the year to the Dunedin economy and Otago online MBA 13th in the world, up programme aiming to close smoking patient-treatment services including estimates the total flow-on economic from 34th last year (see pages 20–22). disparities, particularly for Maori and surgical facilities, specialty and impact of the University nationally at Pacific people. teaching clinics, a primary care unit just over $2 billion. A further 30 grants averaging just (urgent care and tooth extractions), The report estimates $1.163 billion Teaching awards over $1 million each were awarded for radiography, paediatric dentistry and in direct expenditure by the University 2019 Otago Excellence in Teaching projects ranging from climate change orthodontics. The building is equipped (including expenditure by students Awards have been presented to Dr and its impact on people’s health with 214 new patient chairs – 61 more and staff) across all campus locations Anne-Marie Jackson – Kaupapa Maori through to using DNA to help predict than previously – and state-of-the-art in 2018, driven by $1.044 billion in Teaching Award (School of Physical who may suffer heart failure. Funding technology throughout. Dunedin. Education, Sport and Exercise was secured by researchers from the The University has budgeted $130 It is estimates that the University Sciences); Dr David McMorran University’s Dunedin, Christchurch and million for the new clinical services directly and indirectly supported 16,265 (Chemistry); Nicola Beatson Wellington campuses. building, the new 1,800m2 atrium jobs in Dunedin, with a further 892 in (Accountancy and Finance); and linking it to the existing Walsh Building, Christchurch and 830 in Wellington. Associate Professor Ben Schonthal and the refurbishment of the Walsh (Religion). Building that is now underway. UOW Rautaki Hononga Maori (Maori Strategic Framework project manager) Toa Waaka and master weaver Kohai Grace place the kakahu around the shoulders of the Dean and Head of School, Professor Sunny Collings.

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The kakahu was named Te Iti DSD: Dr Peter Rodd Hurly OStJ, for The BEATS (Built Environment and Conscience of Society Award from the Professors Sally Brooker Kahurangi (The Most Treasured) by services to the New Zealand Defence Active Transport to School) research Gama Foundation. (Chemistry), Greg Cook (Microbiology those who were present, as an act of Force and aviation medicine. team, led by Associate Professor Professor Murray Thomson and Immunology), Neil Gemmell tikanga Maori. Sandra Mandic (School of Physical (Dentistry) has been awarded the (Anatomy), Philippa Howden- The kakahu is woven from muka (flax Emeritus professors Education, Sport and Exercise Division of Health Sciences’ Chaffer Chapman (Public Health, UOW), fibre) with a taniko border honouring Sciences), has been awarded the 2019 Medal for distinguished performance Robert Patman (Politics), Jacinta the relationship between UOW and The University Council has awarded Research Group Award. in health research. Ruru (Law) and Hamish Spencer mana whenua tribal authorities Ngati the status of emeritus professor to The Rowheath Trust Award and Seven Otago researchers have (Zoology) have been appointed to Toa, Te Ati Awa and Ngati Raukawa. the following academics: Professor Carl Smith Medal, which recognise secured Emerging Research First the University’s newly-announced Feathers from kiwi, kereru, toroa, Judith Bennett (History, School outstanding research by early career Grants: Dr Julie Bennett, Dr Fiona Sesquicentennial Distinguished Chairs. pukeko, tuı, pheasant and kea adorn of Arts); Professor William Harris staff, have been awarded to Dr Karl Graham and Dr Ayesha Verrall, (all The 2020 University of Otago arts the top. It will be worn at ceremonial (Politics, School of Social Sciences); Iremonger (Department of Physiology). University of Otago Wellington); Dr fellows are: Bridget Reweti, Frances occasions. Professor Richard Morgan (School of Six rising research stars have Janice Chew-Harris and Dr Gabriella Hodgkins Fellow; Dr John Newton, Geography); Professor Vernon Squire also received Early Career Awards Lindberg (University of Otago, Robert Burns Fellow; Kristie Queen’s Birthday Honours (Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic); for Distinction in Research: Dr Anna Christchurch); Dr Prasath Jayaaran Mortimer, Caroline Plummer Fellow Professor Kwok Wing-Lai (College of director of the Cancer and Chronic Garden (Chemistry); Dr Tim Hore (School of Physiotherapy); Dr Trudy in Community Dance; Elena de Roo, Staff and alumni recognised in the Education). Conditions (C3) research group. (Anatomy); Dr Carolina Loch (Oral Sullivan (Dunedin School of Medicine). Creative NZ University of Otago Queen’s Birthday Honours included: Professor Mike Morgan has been Sciences, Sir John Walsh Research College of Education Children’s Writer DNZM: Dr Susan Nicola Bagshaw Honorary degrees appointed Dean of the Faculty of Institute); Dr Erin Macaulay in Residence; Kenneth Young, CNZM, for services to youth health. Dentistry. Professor Morgan, who is (Pathology); Dr Mei Peng (Food Mozart Fellow. The University has conferred Honorary currently head of the Dental School at Science); Dr John Shaver (Religion, Behavioural economist Associate KNZM: Mr Roger Leighton Hall CNZM, Doctor of Laws degrees on the the University of Melbourne, will begin School of Social Sciences). Professor Nathan Berg has been QSO, for services to theatre. following worthy recipients: renowned his new role early next year. Dean of the University of appointed to the Dunedin City Council CNZM: Mrs Elizabeth Jane Prichard archaeologist Professor Atholl Professor Sonja Tiernan has been Otago, Christchurch, Professor Chair of Entrepreneurship. QSO, for services to women. Anderson; former New Zealand Prime appointed to the Eamon Cleary Chair in David Murdoch has been made a ONZM: Dr Christine Mary Roke, for Minister Sir Bill English; international Irish Studies following the retirement Fellow of the American Academy Obituaries services to sexual and reproductive gender justice campaigner Brigid of the inaugural holder of the chair, of Microbiology, recognising his health; Dr Lynn Christine Sadler, for Inder; the Honourable Justice Forrest Professor Peter Kuch. achievements as an expert and world Emeritus Professor Alan Horsman services to maternal and perinatal Miller; businessman Sir Julian Smith; Professor Richie Poulton leader in respiratory infections. died in July, aged 100. Professor health. and Otago’s first female medical (Department of Psychology), below, Genetics Otago Director Associate Horsman was the inaugural Donald MNZM: Ms Claire Elizabeth graduate of Pacific descent Papalii Dr has been awarded the University’s Professor Julia Horsfield has been Collie Professor of English from 1957 Aitken, for services to rehabilitative Viopapa Annandale-Atherton. 2019 Distinguished Research Medal awarded a Fulbright New Zealand Professor Frank Frizelle (University until his retirement in 1984. He received programmes; Mrs Margaret Gwenneth Esteemed publisher Bridget which recognises outstanding scholarly Scholarship. of Otago, Christchurch), above, has an Honorary Doctor of Literature Cook, for services to the community; Williams received an Honorary Doctor achievement. Professor Poulton Professor Miguel Quiñones-Mateu been awarded the Colin McRae Medal degree from the University in 1994. Dr Fiona May Cram, for services of Literature degree. is director of the internationally- has been appointed to the Webster by the Royal Australasian College of Associate Professor John Birch to Maori health and education; Mrs regarded Dunedin Multidisciplinary Family Chair in Viral Pathogenesis (see Surgeons. who retired in November 2018 after 28 Rachael Kathleen Dean, for services Appointments and Health and Development Study. pages 23–25), following the retirement Dr Damian Scarf (Psychology) years in the University’s Department of to governance and the community; Ms of Professor Andrew Mercer who held received the National Animal Ethics Food Science. Allison Muriel Dobbie, for services to achievements the position from 2005. Advisory Committee’s inaugural Ms Kaye Saunders who gave 30 Professor Craig Roger has been Aotearoa New Zealand 3Rs Research library and information management Professor Diana Sarfati, above years’ service to the University, joining awarded the Beverly Chair in Physics. Award. and the arts; Dr Briar Elizabeth right, has been appointed as the the Department of Computer Science Neurosurgeon Professor Dirk de Professor Keith Gordon (Chemistry) Roycroft Gordon, for services to the interim National Director of Cancer in 1989 as departmental secretary. Ridder received the Dean’s Medal at has been named the 2019 Royal Society law and the State; Mr Evan Trevor Control, a position created as part of Mr Jon Wolken, who had been a the annual Dunedin School of Medicine of Chemistry Australian Lecturer. Smith, for services to the community. the government’s newly-announced member of the University’s Media and Southern District Health Board’s The University of Otago mental health Production Unit for six years. QSM: Mrs Joanna Margaret Beetham, New Zealand Cancer Action Plan. Health Research Excellence Awards. and wellbeing initiative Silverline was for services to the community and the Professor Sarfati is currently head of Professor Andrew Geddes the joint winner of the Youth Health For more Otago news: arts; Mr Mervyn John Cranefield, for the Department of Public Health at the (Law) received the 2019 Critic and Volunteer Team Award at the Minister otago.ac.nz/news services to Scouting and the community. University of Otago, Wellington, and of Health Volunteer Awards.

42 43 HOCKEN LEGACY HOCKEN LEGACY

Many of Otago’s first students were only available to those above 16 years of already employed – particularly as teachers age and, as his son would not yet be 16, – and wished to be able to continue to work would he not be allowed to “compete”? as they studied. A. G. Allan, of Green A Kaihiku teacher enquired on behalf Dear Sir... Island, wrote that if classes were to be held of his pupil – “a son of Mr Hay” – who in the evenings “have the goodness to “has a very fair knowledge of geometry, enrol me as a student in logic and moral but as he has just commenced the study philosophy. If they are not carried out after of Latin his intention, at present, is to school hours I shall not be able to attend”. take the classes of mathematics and Committed to his vocation, Allen further philosophy before those of Latin and Letters requesting information about the explained that he had been “contemplating Greek; by that means he will be enabled fledgling University of Otago provide an insight the compilation of a handbook of logic for to prepare himself for the latter classes the use of schools on a graduated system during the vacations in summer”. That into the cross-section of colonial society who the same as Smiths First Latin Book”. young man, Peter Hay, became a first- sought the advantages of higher education. High School of Otago teacher James class student and a noted engineer. Pope was more ambitious in his “petition” Some who had studied overseas also to the University. While expressing an expressed an interest in Otago. G. W. “earnest desire” to become a graduate of Jordan, of Wellington, who was a graduate The University of Otago’s founders The responses (now archived in the the University, he explained that it would of Oxford’s Magdalen College, asked under believed that a university education Hocken Collections) were widely varied be impossible for him to attend lectures what conditions “ad eundem” degrees in should be available to any capable and came from around New Zealand. as his “professional occupations take up the University of Otago could be conferred person who wanted it. They also Typical responses included those from the greater part of his time and simply on members or graduates of the English believed that this education Alexander McLeod, of Inch Clutha, who the whole of his energies”. Offering universities. And a Mr Tomlinson, who should be practical, “suited to asked which textbooks would be required; testimonials from colleagues to show had completed one year at Trinity College, the circumstances of the colony” if classes in English, Latin, Greek and that “his attainments are varied and of the Dublin, wondered how that might shorten and meeting the needs of those mathematics would be held daily; and highest order”, he suggested that he could his time at Otago; was it possible to obtain who would, in the future, play a would a matriculation examination pass the examinations for the BA degree a degree at Otago without actual residence; prominent role in its affairs. With be offered. William Hutchison, from without any preparation. His petition how many examinations per year would classes due to commence in July Wanganui, requested information about further suggested that, even if it were it be necessary to attend; and would a 1871, newspaper advertisements where students may live and would possible for him to attend lectures, it would declaration upon oath as having passed placed in the preceding months recommendations of their character be be “very improper for him to do so under the Dublin examinations be considered urged “intending students and required. Also from Wanganui, Alexander the circumstances as he would inevitably sufficient? persons desirous of obtaining Williamson asked about board and be brought into direct competition in the A particularly significant letter signed additional information” about the lodgings, scholarships, prizes “and any lecture room with some of those who had by 149 women was sent to the Chancellor new university to communicate with other particulars”. Williamson was a been his pupils a short time before in the and Council of the University in August the secretary, Mr John Hislop. young schoolteacher at the time and was to schoolroom”. 1871. “We the signed ladies of Otago become Otago’s first graduate, awarded a William H. Hosking, of Ross, enquired hasten to bring under your consideration Bachelor of Arts in 1874. about the proposed BA and MB degrees. the desirability of opening the doors of “Does or will any bye-law [sic] exist for your university for the admission of ladies the purpose of admitting to the above to the classes. On all sides it is admitted examinations legally qualified medical that the standard of education for women practitioners who have been in active should be raised and this, in no way, can practice in New Zealand for a number of be more effectively furthered than by years (say 8)? I believe that if such act of affording to them the participation in grace be exercised many good men would be the many privileges which well appointed induced to present themselves for the above universities are calculated to bestow.” degrees, especially if not required to desert Their petition was successful. Although their practices for any great length of time.” no women enrolled in 1871, at least four Other potential students were very (possibly more) applied for admission young. A father, explaining his decision not in 1872. to send his son Charles back to the High KAREN HOGG Records of Registry and Central Administration, Images: Inward letters, University 1871. of Otago o Häkena, University of Otago. AG-180-27/02. Hocken Collections, Uare Taoka School, referred to advertisements in the Witness. He asked why scholarships were

44 45 EVENTS EVENTS

Professor Sir David Skegg.

A special Academic Procession and Convocation Ceremony were held on Saturday, 1 June.

Photos: Sharron Bennett The ceremony was an historic event last held to mark the University’s centenary. Fireworks and music, fun and formality marked the University of Otago 150th celebrations over Queen’s Birthday weekend.

Pacific Island’s Centre manager Tofilau Nina Kirifi-Alai.

Braving the rain, members of the University community marched Vice-Chancellor Professor Harlene Hayne. from the Dental School to the Dunedin Town Hall.

University of Otago Chancellor Dr Royden Somerville QC, Governor-General Former New Zealand Prime Minister Sir Her Excellency the Rt Hon. Dame Patsy Reddy, Vice-Chancellor Professor Bill English addressed dinner attendees. Harlene Hayne.

More than 400 people packed the Dunedin Town Hall for the 150th Anniversary Dinner.

The Governor-General Her Excellency Honorary Doctor of Laws degrees were presented to four outstanding alumni: the Rt Hon. Dame Patsy Reddy From right: Brigid Inder, Sir Bill English, Papalii Dr Viopapa Annandale-Atherton addresses the crowd. and Professor Atholl Anderson.

46 47 EVENTS BOOKS

Every morning, so far, I’m alive A memoir Wendy Parkins MAY 2019 Imagine living in a world where shaking a stranger’s confront a question once posed by Virginia Woolf: hand, catching a taxi or touching a door handle are “How is one to live in such a world?” fraught with fear and dread... A former English professor, Wendy Parkins honestly This memoir charts the author’s breakdown explores what it means to belong and feel at home. after migrating from New Zealand to England: Describing the gradual process of recovery, she shows what begins as homesickness and career burn-out that returning to health can be about rediscovering develops into depression, contamination phobia and how we came to be who we are, without becoming OCD. Increasingly alienated from all the things that trapped by our narratives of origin. Like coming home, previously gave her life meaning and purpose – family, recovery is never quite what we expect it to be, however work, nature, literature – the author is forced to much we long for it.

PEAT The 150th Gala Concert Orchestra and Choir were joined by the 2019 Capping Sextet, and vocalists Anna Leese, Rebecca Ryan, Lynn Jenner Kawiti Waetford and Joel Amosa. The concert raised more than $14,000 for EXPINKT™ breast cancer exercise rehabilitation charity. JULY 2019

This intriguing “story” features a motorway and a poet. art collector and philanthropist. Researching his The motorway is the Käpiti Expressway built within work and life becomes Lynn Jenner’s refuge from the The Cameron Shield rugby match between Knox and Selwyn Colleges one kilometre of the author’s home between 2013 and pile-driving and concrete, and her hope is he will offer was played on Monday, 3 June. Selwyn won the shield 38–17. 2017. What is its character? Who will be the winners some ways of thinking that will help her understand and losers from its construction? What will be its contemporary events. impact on the environment? This is an unconventional text, that builds – layer upon The poet is Charles Brasch, who is also an editor, layer – into an intelligent, fearless and compelling work.

For further information: Otago University Press otago.ac.nz/press [email protected]

A large congregation and massed choir attended the 150th celebratory church service on Sunday, 2 June.

Books by Sport, Education and Corporatisation: Spaces Routledge Handbook of Indigenous Wellbeing, of Connection, Contestation and Creativity, edited by Christopher Fleming and Matthew by Geoffrey Kohe, and Holly Collison, Oxon: Manning, Routledge (London), April 2019. Routledge, 2019. Otago The Road Map to Fertility: A Comprehensive New Zealand Constitution: An Analysis in Guide to Fertility for Men and Women, by alumni Terms of Principles, by Bruce Harris, Thomson David Greening, Rockpool Publishing, October Reuters, December 2018. 2018. Make It the Same: Poetry in the Age of Global Ngaio Marsh: A Companion to the Mystery Media, by Jacob Edmond, Columbia University Fiction, by Bruce Harding, McFarland & Co. Press, June 2019. (North Carolina, USA), June 2019. Under Two Flags: The New Zealand Salvation Te Folauga – The Journey, edited by Faumuina Alumni: if you have recently Army’s Response to the First World War, Faafetai Sopoaga, October 2019. published a book please email edited by Kingsley Sampson, Flag Publications The Gold Ball held in August was a glittering [email protected] (Wellington), March 2019. town-and-gown success.

48 49 ALUMNI NEWS GIVING FORM

Yes, I would like to support the University of Otago and its ongoing programmes. Your gift can be directed to any one of the following areas:

❏ EXPINKT™ cancer rehabilitation programme through exercise Marine Studies: Otago University ❏ Music, Theatre and Performing Arts facility ❏ Marine Studies replacement research vessel replacement Debating Society ❏ Lecturer in Chaplaincy Studies research Established in 1878, the ❏ Otago University Debating Society Together catamaran Otago University Debating ❏ Otago University Rowing Club Society (OUDS) is Otago’s ❏ Social Impact Studio – student-driven change through we can make a difference... For the past oldest society and, in 2018, volunteering and leadership 30 years Otago was named Otago’s Society ❏ Other let’s start today. has operated a of the Year. It enjoys national research vessel to and international success at all Amount of gift enable staff and students levels of debating and adjudicating, and ❏ $50 ❏ $100 ❏ $250 ❏ $500 ❏ $1,000 to take part in scientifically significant encourages students to develop oral communication, research expeditions. However, as To mark its sesquicentenary, the University has critical-thinking and teamwork skills that will be or my choice is $ research challenges and teaching needs important in their future careers and day-to-day lives. selected a number of special fundraising projects, grow, the University hopes to replace its showcasing a diversity of initiatives across campus ageing RV Polaris II with a new vessel – for Our goal is to raise an endowment fund of $1 million Payment options measuring the changing ocean, climate to allow OUDS to continue to foster a culture of that offer benefits to our students, our local 1. Make a one-off donation or set up a monthly donation using our secure and ecosystems at the source, and debating excellence at Otago. giving page at alumni.otago.ac.nz/donate/150thfundraisingprojects community and our wider society. We would be very training the next generation to conserve grateful for your help in supporting these worthy its heritage and its future. Your support 2. Charge my credit card: ❏ Visa ❏ Mastercard projects – every dollar raised counts. will help us replace our ageing wooden vessel and contribute to the annual Otago University Rowing Club Card number: operating costs of a new vessel. The Otago University Rowing Expiry date: EXPINKT™ cancer Music, Theatre and Club was formed in 1929 and its teams successfully Cardholder’s name: rehabilitation Performing Arts facility compete nationally and Signature: programme Otago is committed to the performing internationally against the Lecturer in world’s top universities. Otago 3. Pay by cheque: The EXPINKT™ arts and has begun work on a $28 million Chaplaincy rowing alumni include numerous ❏ I enclose a cheque payable to “The University Foundation Trust” Gym is a project to construct new and refurbish New Zealand representatives, unique private existing buildings to create a state-of- Studies the-art Music, Theatre and Performing Olympic and world champion rowers. ❏ I would like information about including a gift to the University of Otago gym for cancer With growing Arts facility with multi-use recording and Our goal is to raise an endowment fund of $1 million in my will or living trust. survivors of all ages awareness of performance spaces available for use by to support a full-time club manager and coach. to come together, take mental health, ❏ I have already included a gift to the University of Otago in my will or students and the local community. Contributions to this project will enable our student comfort and rehabilitate from primary alarming suicide living trust and would like to notify the Bequest Manager. rowers to compete, travel and grow as athletes and clinical treatment. Clients are given Support for this new facility will bring rates, stress and as people. Club boats, facilities and awards may be individualised supervised training for many benefits: it will enable better bullying in schools and in For residents in the UK: named in recognition of your support. six to 12 months before “graduating” to teaching and student experiences; the workplace, chaplains are playing an please visit goldengiving.com/wall/otagouniversitytrust or email group classes. Significant improvements provide local, national and international increasingly important role in providing Chapel & York at [email protected] in fitness, muscular strength and quality opportunities in performance; and pastoral care and support to people of all of life have been observed. Currently enhance the University’s reputation faiths faced with such challenges. For residents in the USA who wish to make a tax deductible 120 EXPINKT™ members attend the in providing donation: please visit Alumniuoa.com or email Mr John Crowe, Otago is already the only university Social Impact Studio gym each week, some twice a week. leading music, [email protected] in New Zealand offering advanced Your support will ensure this valuable performance The Social Impact Studio is professional programmes in chaplaincy programme continues to be of service to and studio about student-driven change For residents in New Zealand and rest of the world, (via distance learning). Our goal is to now please send this form and your donation to: our community for the next three years. production through volunteering and raise an endowment fund of $2 million to programmes leadership. It will be a hub Development and Alumni Relations Office support a lecturer position in Chaplaincy with purpose- for social impact through University of Otago Studies, the first in a New Zealand PO Box 56 built recording creativity and innovation – a university dedicated to training chaplains Dunedin 9054 studios. place where Otago students, and enhancing their professional practice. New Zealand staff, faculty and community work together to design and implement projects that benefit our society and environment. Name:

Become part of our future story by supporting our Address: key student-led social action projects and helping to maximise Otago’s positive student-led engagement. Email:

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT 50 51 ALUMNI NEWS ALUMNI NEWS

Reunions &events

2019 EVENTS 2019 REUNIONS

Wanaka: 15 October English Honours class of 1973: Labour Weekend, Dunedin SYDNEY May 7. From left: William McVeagh, Emily Bowden, Ali Choukry, SYDNEY May 7. From left: John Deaker, Kerry Horne, Chris Horne, Elspeth Deaker. Ken Fullerton. Queenstown: 16 October University College, 50th anniversary: 22 - 24 November, Dunedin San Francisco: 30 October Dental class of 1969: 15 - 19 December, Dunedin Washington DC: 2 November Dental class of 1966: TBC, Dunedin Boston: 4 November

Toronto: 5 November otago.ac.nz/alumni/news/events Vancouver: 7 November

EDINBURGH 25 June. Lord Provost’s Office.

AUCKLAND 3 May. Lani Alo and Antoinette Tuipe’a. INVERCARGILL 14 June. From left: Konrad Richter, John Ward, Sue Ward, Margaret Dynes, Bernie McCone, Ken Bowie. OXFORD 2 July. Merton College. LONDON 28 June. House of Commons.

FIJI 2 April. Dr Jioji Malani. MELBOURNE 9 May. A special event celebrating Otago students, staff and alumni who have held some of the world’s most prestigious scholarships was held on 30 May. “All Rhodes Lead From Otago” was hosted by the Graduate Research School and brought together recipients of the most significant international scholarships.

LEFT: Mrs Dorothy Meyer and Emeritus Professor NAPIER 23 May. Lisa Pohatu and Chelsea Sir Alan Mark. Cunningham-McLean.

52 53 ADDENDUM ADDENDUM

ESTABLISHED IN 1954, the Glassblowing Unit sits within the Division of Sciences and employs two experienced scientific glassblowers – Otago’s Anne Ryan and Greg Kerr (who works part-time). A third glassblower, John Wells, has a workshop in the Department of Chemistry. Glassblowing Their work ranges from simple 10-minute jobs to the highly complex and it is truly hands-on. Using mainly Unit borosilicate glass – preferable because it is more forgiving – they heat, manipulate and fire (anneal) this into items that are used throughout Otago’s research laboratories. At a time in which hand-crafted, custom-designed Borosilicate glass has a working products are often considered luxury, the University’s temperature of 1,260 degrees Celsius, Glassblowing Unit continues to provide bespoke at which point it begins to behave like a liquid. Anne Ryan explains that it is University of Otago scientific solutions for Otago scientists and students. better suited for their work because of glassblowers Greg Kerr and its transparency, resistance to thermal Anne Ryan. shock, and its potential to be formed into complex structures, repaired and modified. Their tools of trade include LPG and pressurised industrial oxygen to achieve the necessary high temperatures, heating allows holes to be picked out and and copper spirals to demonstrate how new specialised glass working lamps and pre-prepared sections to be fused on. The learning is transmitted through electrical crossfires fixed to lathes. Once heated, finished glass items are then flame- and pulses between neurons. the glass is carefully pulled, bent and oven-annealed to reduce strain. “For custom-made glassware we need to shaped, with air delicately blown to Each job is different. Routinely-made understand the special requirements of the change diameters and thicknesses. Multi- scientific glassware includes jointed round customer, their budget, time constraints layered items are formed in sections and and baffled flasks, Leibig condensers, Gooch and the availability of materials,” she constructed from the inside out. Intense crucibles, electrochemical cells, separating explains. “Some trial and error is also funnels, sintered columns, diffusion cells, involved, working out how to achieve a cynobacteria flasks and filtration sets. The particular seal or shape, the order of the glassblowers also design and manufacture construction and how to manage the things one-off items on request and have an archive that might go wrong! But it is always a of sketches to draw upon. pleasure to do this sort of work, especially “Researchers often come to us with when it involves some artistic licence.” an idea: it may be something that they In addition to manufacturing scientific have used elsewhere and they would like glassware, the Glassblowing Unit also offers recreated or modified, or they might need a a repair service and stocks a comprehensive solution for a specific purpose,” says Ryan. range of standard ready-made laboratory These can be as simple as a circular glass glassware as well. disc etched with channels on which human KAREN HOGG tissue can be placed in an incubator, to the creation of a pair of glass pyramidal neurons commissioned by Dr Blake Porter from the Department of Psychology. These

Photos: Sharron Bennett intricate models incorporated LED lights

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