Issue 1, 2016

Cultivating creative capital A true-blue green university Victorious is published by Victoria University of Wellington, Te Whare Wānanga o te Ūpoko o te Ika a Māui, PO Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand. www.victoria.ac.nz From the Editor: Kristina Keogh Editorial team: Elizabeth Beattie, Katherine Vice-Chancellor CULTIVATING Edmond, Samantha Fisher, Stephen Garrett, ultivation of creative capital is one of the things that defines world-class 15–25 Kylie Green, Natalie Hampshire, Amy universities. Creativity infuses all disciplines and is inherent to the research Becoming one C Holmes, Maria Jones, Colin Marshall, Claire process. While creativity perhaps finds its purest expression in the creative arts, the CREATIVE with technology Peacock, Megan Sellars, Kristin Svendsen, same personal quality underpins the deep innovation that drives economies, the Josie Vidal, Deborah Walker, Jolene Williams CAPITAL 17A passion for wearable technology and Chris Wilson. entrepreneurship that establishes new businesses and social endeavours and the fresh has brought success inside and To contact Victorious or to submit a story idea, thinking that characterises effective leaders. Victoria showcases one of its areas of outside the classroom for Victoria’s email [email protected] At Victoria, we place a strong emphasis on a multidisciplinary approach to academic distinctiveness. Anne Niemetz. Photographs (unless otherwise credited): Image creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship. We recognise the importance of being Services, Victoria University of Wellington. open to ideas from outside our area of expertise. Ideas are better connected than Cover image: Anne Niemetz from Victoria’s protected—it is the coming together of new ideas that sparks new possibilities and School of Design, photographed by Mike that is at the heart of innovation. Heydon, Jet Productions. We are developing an entrepreneurial ecosystem at Victoria. Over the past two ISSN 1172-0387 ©Victoria University 2016 years, there has been sustained growth in our research commercialisation pipeline. Disclaimer: The views expressed in Victorious are not Our intellectual-property base is expanding and more ideas are being licensed necessarily those of Victoria University of Wellington. or progressed through start-ups with external investment. Through Viclink, our commercialisation arm, we have secured ten licences of substance, ‘spun out’ Change of address four technology start-ups and eight student start-up companies in the past four Keep your postal and email addresses up to date at [email protected] years alone. We also have an active pipeline of sixty projects being assessed for commercial potential. Contacts Among those technology start-ups is Auramer Bio, a medical-diagnostics company Staying in touch that is commercialising new sensors for monitoring human health. Another is Sign up to our monthly enewsletter, Your EdPotential, which has developed a data analysis tool that helps schools understand A virtual walk on Victoria, to keep in touch with university friends, how their students are performing. meet new people and find out ways you can Our undergraduate students are also doing exciting things in this space. We give the wild side continue to participate in Victoria’s stimulating intellectual and cultural life. them opportunities to engage with others from different disciplines, offer student Three-dimensional scanning has entrepreneurship clubs and run the Victoria Entrepreneur Bootcamp. This venture, now brought Victoria’s animal skeleton [email protected] +64-4-463 6844 five years old, has produced a number of successful companies. collection to life. www.victoria.ac.nz/alumni A notable example is Point Zero—previously known as One Legged Crab—a 6 VictoriaUniversityofWellingtonAlumni company formed in the Bootcamp that has gone on to develop the world’s first customisable, interactive holographic experience that can be used to educate, tell Events 2 Understanding what’s 18 Te science of creativity 30 Who’s in my room? stories and customise products—simply through playing. Point Zero is giving back to Two Victoria academics discuss cultivating Jonathan Gee, VUWSA president, returns We run events around the world—email us at under the ocean the University with its 3D virtual reality technology forming the basis for a research and Professor Lionel Carter’s research creative capital in arts and in science. to his room in Weir House to meet [email protected] to receive invitations. demonstrates a true commitment to current resident Nathan McDonald. www.victoria.ac.nz/events commercialisation project being undertaken by Victoria and the MacDiarmid Institute understanding New Zealand’s oceans. 21 Musical memoir meets for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology. 33 Building for collaboration Gifting Our location in the capital city gives Victoria a clear advantage in the area of rock ‘n’ roll history Victoria’s status as a leading science 4 A true-blue green university An underage exploration of Wellington’s We’re always on the lookout for new ways entrepreneurship. Wellington has an exciting and flourishing innovation sector, which Associate Professor Marjan van den Belt music scene delivered life-changing and research organisation will be alumni can help support students and staff. is well connected to the rest of New Zealand and internationally. Our links with the reflected in the newest building on the Please contact the Development Office if you has been appointed Victoria’s Assistant experiences to a Victoria graduate. wealth of collaboration and networking agencies in the capital city help us to combine Vice-Chancellor (Sustainability). Kelburn campus. are interested in making a donation of funds, resources or your time. resources, skills, knowledge and experience to achieve scale and drive real-world 24 Te ‘cultural diplomacy’ of outcomes for, and from, the work of our staff and students. 36 Four decades of architecture development-offi[email protected] 9 Endowment to enhance travelling exhibitions Emeritus Professor George Baird reflects +64-4-463 5871 Research by Victoria’s Dr Lee Davidson public policy research on his time at Victoria’s School of A significant boost is given for Victoria’s reveals the role of international Architecture. Research and innovation research into New Zealand public policy exhibitions as cultural ambassadors. Victoria’s academic staff are leaders in their and transparency. 39 When statements sound fields of research expertise. If you have a 26 Law interpreted through a project that requires the skills and knowledge Professor Grant Guilford like questions of our staff, contact Professor Kate McGrath, 11 Creating youthful, active citizens Māori love story A new book by Associate Professor Paul Vice-Chancellor A Victoria-led research team explores new Dr Carwyn Jones is collecting stories to Vice-Provost (Research). Warren brings together global research assessment requirements in New Zealand explain Māori law in an accessible way. findings on uptalk. [email protected] secondary schools. +64-4-463 5963 29 Te prison diary of a 12 New home for Karori art 41 Something old, new, gifted, Relocating 117 pieces of art from Victoria’s conscientious objector Stay connected An illicit diary, smuggled out by a prison blue and terracotta @VicUniWgtn Karori campus required nerves of steel A unique collection of more than seventy butcher, shines a light on prison life VictoriaUniversityofWellington for Adam Art Gallery staff. late-Roman antiquities has found a new during World War II. victoriauniversityofwellington home in Victoria’s Classics Museum. VicUniWgtn

Victorious—1 which works to protect submarine fibre- Advancing better optic cables across the globe from natural hazards. “These cables are essential: government in the Pacifc they convey almost all of the world’s internet data, commercial and voice communications, which clearly have enormous social and economic importance. We are totally reliant on this network of cables, so it’s critical to protect them from human-related and natural hazards.” The achievement Lionel is most proud of is finding the path of the Pacific Deep Western Boundary ocean current, and its impact on New Zealand’s submarine landscape. He led a team that discovered that sediment from the Southern Alps is being constantly ‘recycled’; material International eroded from mountains travels down rivers into the ocean and is transported up to 4,500 kilometres by this deep spotlight western boundary current to northern New Zealand. There, it gets caught up Judith Silau, human resources acting director, receives her certificate from Papua New Guinea’s Minister for on Business in the tectonic plate boundary and is Foreign Affairs and Immigration Hon. Rimbink Pato. dragged into the Earth’s crust, where the Officials from Papua New Guinea’s has sparked interest among other Pacific sediment is heated and returned to the Department of Foreign Affairs and nations and it’s hoped it will be extended School surface via volcanic eruptions. Immigration are improving their diplomatic across the region. Last year, Lionel’s contribution to science skills thanks to a programme led by a small School of Government Associate innovationVictoria Business School’s Professorial was recognised with the presentation of team from Victoria Business School. Professor Graham Hassall says the Chairs’ programme has been showcased the 2015 Hutton Medal, which is awarded Fifty-nine Papua New Guinean diplomats programme empowers diplomats, as one of the world’s ‘innovations that annually by the Royal Society of New Zealand have participated in the School’s four-year prepares government officials for hosting inspire’ at an international conference for for outstanding research in earth, plant and Foreign Service Training Programme, which foreign engagements and helps Papua business schools. animal sciences. He was made a fellow of began in 2014. The training modules, held New Guinea have stronger representation Of 299 submissions, the School’s the Royal Society in 2003 and received the in Wellington and Port Moresby, develop on the international stage. programme was one of thirty innovations Marsden Medal for outstanding service to skills in areas such as communications, The programme is run in conjunction presented at the Association to science in 2012. international law and treaties, negotiations with the foreign affairs ministries in Advance Collegiate Schools of Business Understanding “That sort of recognition really comes and trade. The programme’s early success New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. international conference in Miami. down to the remarkable group of people Pro Vice-Chancellor and Dean of I’ve worked with over the years,” says Lionel. Commerce Professor Bob Buckle says the “The problems in environmental science are programme is making a real difference what’s under so large you need all kinds of scientists— in advancing specific research areas and physicists, chemists, biologists and CelebratingVictoria’s Stout Research Centre for Celia issues that are central to New Zealand geoscientists—to get as much knowledge New Zealand Studies has helped honour business and public policy. as possible about how the environment the ocean the legacy of social justice advocate Celia “We have six Chair positions now, and As a self-professed terrible sailor, Professor Lionel Carter works. That’s why Victoria is such a great Lashlie, organising a seminar for the first these allow high-calibre academics to place to conduct this sort of research.” says it’s ironic that he’s spent a large part of his career at sea. anniversary of her death. focus their research, teaching and graduate Never one to sit still, Lionel is now “I’ve spent a total of two and a half years of determined what lay within it. His reports The seminar included reflections on supervision on contemporary and critically turning his attention to finding out how my life bobbing around on the ocean—the were used to establish the EEZ, which Celia’s work and the projects she was important national issues,” he says. New Zealand has responded to recent very thought makes me feel queasy!” he extends 200 nautical miles (370 kilometres) involved in; discussions about current Each Chair is supported by an advisory climate change by examining detailed ice says. “But it’s all for the greater good and out from the shoreline. At 4 million square initiatives with women in prison; youth, group made up of stakeholders from the and sediment deposits from the Ross Ice overall it has been a lot of fun.” kilometres, New Zealand’s EEZ is one of the family and whānau; and affirmations of the business, public and community sectors. Shelf to New Zealand, again “with a little Lionel is a world-renowned ocean largest in the world and accounts for more value of Celia’s work with former prisoners The Chairs support partnering organisations help from my friends”. scientist based at Victoria’s Antarctic than 90 percent of our territory. who shared their redemptive journeys. in undertaking research, implementing “I’ve been always been interested in Research Centre and has specialised in “As a nation, New Zealand is responsible A highlight of the day was a keynote initiatives and collaborating with staff on how stuff works, and I’m lucky to be able geological and oceanic processes. He joined for a huge area,” explains Lionel. “Including speech by Celia’s daughter Rebekah, who critical business and policy issues. to devote my career to studying the most Victoria in 2006 and his many achievements our EEZ and stewardship role under the shared thoughts about her mother’s work “Celia was a phenomenal influence The Chairs are: the BNZ Chair in fundamental, ‘bread and butter’ science,” demonstrate a true commitment to Antarctic Treaty System, we are responsible and the purpose of the day. on New Zealand—this day was an Business in Asia; the Diana Unwin Chair he explains. “I want to know how the planet understanding New Zealand’s oceans. for a territory that literally goes from the The 2015 J.D. Stout Fellow, Kim opportunity to illustrate the many ways in in Restorative Justice; the Chair in Digital we call home functions.” In the early 1970s, Lionel helped map out sub-tropics to the South Pole.” Workman, says the one-day seminar was which she challenged and inspired us.” Government; the Chair in Economics of a chance to explore ideas and encourage the proposed boundary of New Zealand’s Lionel is also a marine advisor for the [email protected] [email protected] Disasters; the Chair in Ethical Leadership; Economic Exclusion Zone (EEZ) and International Cable Protection Committee, +64-4-463 6475 forward thinking. +64-4-463 5305 and the Chair in Public Finance.

2—Victorious Victorious—3 News

LeadingProvost. Theacademics word conjures up some arcane, she has now stopped training. mysterious and unchanging position of authority, A social scientist interested in globalisation, yet the reality is a brand-new role at the centre governance, economic development and social of Victoria University’s academic achievement. policy, Wendy is less sure she’ll still be able to Victoria’s new Provost, Professor Wendy do research. Striving for Larner, is just the University’s second provost “The million dollar question. I have two and says it’s actually a very new and forward- edited collections and an unfinished article looking role for Victoria and other New Zealand sitting on my desk. They will get finished, but a greener universities, although it’s more common in after that I am less clear. What I have been North America. There it’s understood as the ‘chief saying to my academic colleagues is that I will futureVictoria University is continuing to ‘walk academic officer’. do my intellectual work through institution the talk’ in environmental responsibility “I like the notion of chief academic officer. In building. So it’s not that I’m hanging up my through a collaboration agreement with fact, I think I’ve got the best job in the sector. academic credentials but I will be ‘doing’ rather the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Research and education are what all academics than ‘writing’.” Authority (EECA). care most about, and it’s my day job to look after She’s enjoying Wellington and says her The three-year agreement aims to research and education for the whole university.” partner Don had been lobbying for some either save or convert to renewable Wendy joined Victoria in December from time to come back to New Zealand to indulge energy at least 600,000 kilowatt-hours Bristol University in England. A New Zealander, their passion for tramping. She’s also looking of energy—the equivalent of the energy A true-blue she did her first year of university study at forward to finding more about some of used by around fifty average New Zealand Victoria in 1981 before heading to Waikato and Wellington’s quirky corners. “This is a beautiful homes and 2 percent of Victoria’s total Canterbury universities, and to Canada for a city. Simply stunning.” PhD. She also has a second-degree black belt in energy use. [email protected] The collaboration includes the greenVictoria’s status as auniversity champion of the environment Aikido to go with the academic robes, although +64-4-463 5083 identification of energy-saving has been enhanced with the appointment of an opportunities or improvements at the University’s campuses and the drafting internationally respected ecological economist to of a comprehensive energy management lead the University’s sustainability efforts. strategy, with funding for ongoing Associate Professor Marjan van den One award acknowledged Victoria’s monitoring. Belt is joining the University in June success in reducing CO2 from buildings Victoria’s environmental manager as the new Assistant Vice-Chancellor and transportation on campus during At the Victoria’sfront new chief operating lineofficer Mark Wellington is a great place to live, and the Andrew Wilks sees the agreement with (Sustainability), the second person a period of significant growth for Loveard believes in getting to the coalface to University has a top-rate academic offering EECA as an opportunity to expand on to hold the role. Emeritus Professor the University. see how the University ticks—including peeling and reputation. “As we start to work out what a the University’s current energy-saving Charles Daugherty became the The other award was to Vice- potatoes and mopping floors if need be. truly world-leading capital city university is, we initiatives. country’s first Assistant Vice-Chancellor Chancellor Professor Grant Guilford, Mark joined Victoria in November after a will only make it more attractive.” “The University has been involved with (Sustainability) at Victoria in 2014. who won the leadership category for career in the aviation, telecommunications and Mark, married to Tanya, is a keen cyclist, energy efficiency initiatives for some time, Marjan, who hails from the his ongoing work in a range of areas, electricity industries. runner and tramper. With three children but the collaboration with EECA will help Netherlands, is a globally renowned including integrating sustainability into He leads about 500 staff working in studying, he and Tanya have a keen interest us draw on additional resources to bed scholar and adviser on biodiversity the University’s strategic plan, facilitating accommodation, early childhood centres, in tertiary education. Eldest daughter Pippa down a more substantial campus-wide and ecosystem services. Most recently, moves to divest from fossil fuel finance, property and technology, and says is studying at the University of Texas, second approach to energy saving,” says Andrew. Marjan was the director and principal investments, encouraging government getting to grips with the organisation means daughter Emma is at Otago and their son “We’ve reduced campus CO2 emissions ecological economist of Ecological to set more ambitious climate change spending time at the front line. Andrew is at Wellington College. by 12 percent since 2007 through Economics Research New Zealand. targets and establishing the Assistant “I was out on security patrol the night of Mark says sustaining the financial health of targeting areas such as transportation Over the course of her twenty-five- Vice-Chancellor (Sustainability) role. the annual student Toga Party. It was very Victoria is a priority in his role, but students are and energy use in buildings. This strategic year career she has consulted on many Victoria was also a finalist in the informative. I’m off to do a shift with one of the at the centre of everything. partnership with EECA will help us do international projects and moved student excellence category: Victoria hall’s catering teams. I said I’d do a cleaning “We’re not here to make profits for even more to reduce our environmental to New Zealand seven years ago to University Students’ Association one too, and I might regret that.” shareholders. We’re here to create an impact.” become part of innovative sustainability wellbeing and sustainability officer Rory Mark is part of the senior leadership team, academically healthy, research-healthy and Mike Frew, EECA account manager, initiatives taking place here. Lenihan-Ikin was nominated for his work and each member brings complementary skills financially healthy university for the next says the agreement builds on extensive Meanwhile, Victoria has been championing campus initiatives such to ensure Victoria will meet its vision of being generation. energy savings already achieved by the acknowledged as a leader of the as an organic food cooperative, organic one of the great global-civic universities. He says “There’s a really visible connection with the University. tertiary sector in both New Zealand waste collection, a community garden Victoria has a critical role to play in the city. students who we’re serving each day. You don’t Hear why Victoria is a leader in sustainability at and Australia when it comes to and an energy-saving competition. “Wellington needs to reinvent itself. It has get that in an aviation company where you’re a http://bit.ly/1SsSECn lost a lot of corporate head offices and needs to step removed from the passengers in the air.” carbon reduction efforts, winning two Learn more about Victoria’s de-carbonising develop a new future.” [email protected] prestigious Green Gown Awards at a initiatives at http://bit.ly/1QyELCo [email protected] +64-4-463 9988 ceremony in Geelong, Australia last year. Mark says students come to Victoria as +64-4-463 9489

4—Victorious Victorious—5 Research

Cancel the plane tickets and put away the safari hat. You now need just one thing to learn about wildlife—an internet connection.

Three-dimensional (3D) the skeleton’s intricacies,” to teach off campus, and Victoria’s School of Design scanning has been used says Adrian Pike, a technician may not have the right tools gave a helping hand during the to create an online gallery who has led the project. to carry this out effectively. scanning process, lending their of Victoria’s unique animal “Major museums like the Essentially, we wanted to equipment and expertise. skeleton collection, and Smithsonian Institute and make a backup of these Work has now begun to take provide a learning resource London’s Natural History irreplaceable skeletons.” CT (computed tomography) for the public. Museum are already doing The focus then turned to scans of the skeletons and The collection, owned by this with their artefacts. It’s using the digital scans as a print 3D replicas. Victoria’s School of Biological really exciting.” learning and teaching tool. “We have fragile bones, ShakingVictoria Landscape Architecture upNguyen and Michaelcity Cook proposed aspaces announcements are given,” says Alex. Sciences, includes a number Adrian says the earthquakes “It’s useful for animal such as cat vertebra, that students have taken out the top spot network of inner-city parks in central Post-disaster, the parks would then of rare skulls and skeletons in Wellington in 2013 were biology students to be are studied frequently,” says in an international competition for Wellington that could be adapted into return to being social hangout spaces. such as a rhinoceros, a the impetus for creating the able to view the specimens Adrian. “3D printing gives their re-imagining of the idea of urban post-disaster recovery spaces. City These designs were informed by research crocodile and a New Zealand scans. outside the laboratory and us the opportunity to make ‘hangouts’: public spaces aimed at dwellers would all be within 200 metres of into past natural-disaster responses. Hector’s dolphin. “The earthquakes triggered prepare pre-class or revise plastic models that will be building community ties and fostering a park providing access to a safe haven. “We found that once the basic “The gallery is interactive— concern that if another post-class,” says Adrian. “We able to be used more and will social resilience. Aftershock’s collaged timeline suggests psychological needs of Christchurch users can zoom in and out disaster strikes we may need also hope to get the public last longer.” Public hangouts were the focus of hangouts are temporal just as much as residents were met after the 2011 from all angles to get a good and school children View the 3D skulls online at the recent design competition run by they are spatial, and can transform with earthquakes, it was important to have look at enthusiastic about http://bit.ly/1SuHfww using the the Australian Institute of Landscape the changing needs of a community. somewhere where people could meet, biology and other keyword ‘VUWSBS’. Architects in conjunction with the “For example, an open courtyard share stories and offer support to subjects.” [email protected] Festival of Landscape Architecture: may host food trucks during weekends, one another.” +64-4-463 5580 This Public Life. Out of seventy-seven but become the centre of emergency Aftershock takes into account both international entries, the team of fourth- food supply distribution following the straightforward and complex year Victoria landscape architecture a catastrophic earthquake. A small changing needs of community groups, students was awarded first place. amphitheatre for public performances offering innovative ideas for future city Aftershock by Alex Prujean, Katie would become the place where public landscape projects.

Pacifc nationsOrganisers of Victoria’s unite first-ever Pacific on Climate climate speaker Kiribati President change Anote Tong Change Conference say the region needs described as “the greatest moral challenge to weave together and act now to fight the facing humanity”. devastating effects of global warming. Following the conference, Victoria University About 240 scientists, activists, non- signed a memorandum of understanding with governmental organisation representatives, the region’s leading environmental protection artists, business people, community leaders agency, the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional and Pacific Island delegates gathered at Environment Programme (SPREP). the University to discuss the intertwining Leota Kosi Latu, SPREP director general, said, dimensions of climate change. “the conference was a fantastic three days of Kiribati’s President Anote Tong says dialogue, but the time for talking is over. Now is some of the nation’s low-lying islands Discussions traversed law, politics, will cease to exist in thirty years if sea indigenous rights, economics, religion and the time for action.” levels keep rising. arts in the context of what opening keynote Find out more at http://bit.ly/1pZ2bVO

6—Victorious Victorious—7 News New University Council Endowment to enhance public policy research hits the groundthe size of their councils to a maximum running influence, and a high-performing Council is The largest endowment ever received by Victoria University of twelve members. In February, Sir essential to supporting a high-performing Neville was re-elected as Chancellor and university. “I know members of the Council of Wellington will allow academics at the Institute for returning Council member Neil Paviour- have high expectations of themselves and Governance and Policy Studies (IGPS) to build on their Smith was elected Pro-Chancellor. of the University and I am confident those significant research into the state of New Zealand’s public Victoria’s Council membership reflects expectations will be realised.” the demographic that we work in and The Council has several key priorities policy and the transparency of government. serve, says Sir Neville. “We have a diverse for the year ahead. These include: The $7 million donation came from the Gama contributions to causes they are passionate and effective team in place to help ensure • conducting a mid-point review of Foundation, a charitable trust set up by about. “A high profile example is Bill and Victoria achieves its ambitious strategic Victoria’s 2014–19 Strategic Plan, Christchurch philanthropists Grant and Marilyn Melinda Gates and Warren Buffet, who goals, and grows in both size and influence. ensuring that overall university growth Nelson. The IGPS was established in 2012 together set up the Giving Pledge six years “All Council members are determined takes place to support Victoria’s through an earlier $3 million endowment from ago to encourage the world’s wealthiest to support a high-performing university. central mission the Foundation. people to give most of their money away. We have started 2016 with our own house • implementing innovative responses to Based at the School of Government within Gifts such as the Nelsons’ are the New Zealand well in order to allow us to do this.” the mounting competitive pressures Victoria Business School, the Institute is version of that.” A range of stakeholders, including staff, from offshore engaged in ongoing work leading thinking Among its current work, the IGPS publishes students, alumni, friends and supporters • ensuring that the Victoria University of and debate around issues at the heart of the Policy Quarterly, facilitates regular roundtable of Victoria participated in consultation Wellington Foundation—the University’s democratic process. It is a centre of high-quality, discussions on issues such as climate Victoria Chancellor Sir Neville Jordan is to determine a new structure. Elections charitable trust—is resourced to play an independent research into improving governance change and is involved with New Zealand’s excited about the knowledge, skill and were held for the two staff and two increasingly important role in Victoria’s management and decision making in the public contribution to the Open Government mana members of Victoria’s revamped student positions. There was also a public development. sector. It also undertakes public policy research Partnership, an international initiative to bring Council will bring to the University. process for seeking nominations for on important contemporary issues. about more transparency and accountability in The new Council results from external members. Find out more at http://bit.ly/1ZiDhMZ The director of the IGPS, Associate Professor governance. a legislative change that requires Sir Neville says Victoria University is [email protected] Michael Macaulay, says he’s delighted that the “We are very grateful to the Gama universities and wānanga to decrease in a period of growth, in both size and +64-4-463 5196 Institute will be able to enhance its research Foundation,” says Michael. “This endowment is capabilities as a result. a real vote of confidence in our achievements “The fund will enable us to substantially to date, and with the Foundation’s support increase our research capacity, through we can extend our research and achieve our both PhD scholarships and also full-time objectives.” researchers. We have already commissioned Michael says the Institute will be able to NobelAlumnus Peace of 1968Prize and international customarynomination law, to in Juridical Science from Columbia a major survey on public trust, the results of build on its existing research interests in Professor Roger negotiate in good faith to rid the world of University in New York. which were published in April. It will also help areas such as anti-corruption, conflict of Clark, a 2014 these weapons of mass destruction. He has played a significant role in us to completely revamp our communications interest, improving democratic governance Victoria honorary A preliminary hearing on procedural international human rights law—especially and our website, and to work on bigger, more in New Zealand, trading in influence, and trust doctorate issues took place in March concerning in helping to establish the International exciting research projects.” and integrity. recipient, is part the legal bids that have the strongest Criminal Court in The Hague. Liz Gibbs, the chief executive of Philanthropy “We will now also be able to forge further of an international theories for jurisdiction in the Court, Roger has taught at Rutgers New Zealand, says the Gama Foundation’s partnerships with a variety of cross-sectoral legal team those against the United Kingdom, India University-Camden in the United States latest donation to the IGPS is “fantastically agencies to carry out specific research nominated for the and Pakistan. for more than 40 years, where he generous”. projects,” says Michael. “The IGPS already Nobel Peace Prize. Roger says although it will be a hard insisted on the inclusion of a course on “Like a lot of philanthropists, the Nelsons like makes a significant contribution to public The team is representing the Republic case to win, he thought the team “had a the international protection of human to keep a low profile and prefer to keep their policy as well as governance and management, of the Marshall Islands, which was good shot”. rights, an uncommon part of the law giving private. But behind the scenes they’re and with the Gama Foundation’s generosity, we devastated by nuclear testing. Between “This is very much a team effort by a school curriculum in the United States at doing a huge amount.” can do even more.” 1946 and 1958, the United States strong legal group from the Netherlands, the time. Liz says there’s a trend internationally detonated sixty nuclear weapons on the Italy, the United Kingdom and the United In the mid-1980s, he helped shape the [email protected] of philanthropists making significant +64-4-463 5307 islands, the equivalent of 1.7 Hiroshima States, led by Tony de Brum, former discipline of international criminal law bombs detonated daily for a dozen years. foreign minister of the Marshall Islands.” that is now taught at the majority of law The islands have launched three cases Raised in Wanganui, Roger graduated schools across the United States, and in The Hague to hold accountable the nine from Victoria in 1964 with a Bachelor of is the subject of specialty programmes countries in possession of nuclear weapons. Arts and Bachelor of Laws. He added worldwide. The cases being heard allege that the nuclear a Master of Laws in 1967 and Doctor The Nobel Peace Prize Laureates will be powers are in breach of their obligations, of Laws from Victoria in 1997, along announced in October, with a ceremony under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty with a Master of Laws and a Doctorate in Oslo in December.

8—Victorious Victorious—9 UppingA Victoria academic will use a prestigious the“Natural products ante have been used Fulbright scholarship to build the in antibiotics for decades, since the University’s expertise in micro-organisms discovery of penicillin by Alexander for antibiotics. Fleming. They hold huge medical Flicking through a copy of one of potential. chemistry’s top international journals, “I’m interested in looking at the Angewandte Chemie, a picture of a petri potential of micro-organisms, as there are dish caught Dr Rob Keyzers eye. a lot of them and you can grow more as The petri dish contained microbes— you need.” tiny single-cell organisms—gathered Rob will specifically delve into the area from a beach in the United States, and of imaging mass spectrometry (IMS), belonged to Dr Pieter Dorrestein from the where a sample of micro-organisms University of California, San Diego. is cultured and then each interaction “These microbes were being screened between species is individually scanned for the presence of new antibiotics,” says by a mass spectrometer, before being Rob, a senior lecturer in Victoria’s School closely analysed. of Chemical and Physical Sciences. “It’s Rob hopes to learn as much as he can something I’m really interested in and about IMS from Dr Dorrestein and his keen to learn more about.” team, and bring this knowledge back to To do just that, Rob has a Fulbright New Zealand. Scholar Award, which will see him travel “I am looking forward to growing Creating to California in July and study with Victoria’s expertise in this area and Dr Dorrestein for five months. exploring the potential of micro-organisms “My research interests lie in natural that are unique to New Zealand.” youthful, products chemistry—that is, chemical [email protected] compounds produced by nature, like dirt +64-4-463 5117 or the ocean,” Rob says. active

In what is seen as a citizensunique approach globally, New Zealand secondary school students are ‘mucking in’, both inside and outside the classroom, to create real CrackingWhat do the rules set for building houses the structured code the way it was, and what social action. students in the United States just after World War I impact may it have had on the Victoria Faculty of Education senior taking on tasks have to tell us about how to build in New Zealand code? And what may we lecturer Dr Bronwyn Wood is leading a like writing submissions New Zealand today? have lost as we moved away from these team exploring implementation of the on the Greater Wellington A Victoria researcher is looking to the early codes?” 2013 National Certificate of Educational Regional Council’s draft climate change past to see if there are lessons to be Nigel’s experience with the New Zealand Achievement (NCEA) social studies strategy, or lobbying for an increase in the learnt from historic codes. Building Code stretches back nearly thirty assessment requirements for ‘personal refugee quota.” Dr Nigel Isaacs, senior lecturer in years, including helping develop the social action’. Bronwyn says that active forms of Victoria’s School of Architecture, has energy efficiency requirements for The internally assessed Social Studies learning are in vogue. “It’s exciting and a freedom in the been granted a Fulbright Scholar Award New Zealand and Australia. achievement standards—at all three levels great way to encourage students to be assessments. “They don’t to investigate the impact of an American He will spend more than three months of NCEA—require students to take personal involved in society.” want to push students too much so code on the first New Zealand code, in the United States, using archives action on a social issue. This action often But there are differences in how teachers they allow their class to choose their own prepared over ninety years ago. in Maryland, Minnesota and Iowa, begins at NCEA Level 1 with fundraising and and schools individually interpret the social issues and social action. Students we “The first New Zealand national code was while based at the Illinois Sustainable raising awareness, and as students progress achievement standard. As a result, Bronwyn interviewed were really flat if they didn’t engage published in 1924, and was based on the Technology Center at the University of through NCEA they often move to critiquing is looking into the various approaches and with the issue. first United States national code published Illinois. existing policy. what is really happening in the classroom. “The interesting thing is that the just two years earlier,” says Nigel. “The results will contribute to the wider Bronwyn says her research has revealed “If this is compulsory and social action assessment doesn’t measure their social “This link with America is important discussion of the future development of that New Zealand’s inclusion of social should be quite an intrinsic motivation, action but rather their reflection on how and one that has not been previously the New Zealand Building Code,” says action in its curriculum and assessment how does it work for students who aren’t it went. So the social action could fail but identified, especially as many people think Nigel. “It will enhance the understanding holds great potential for building a can-do motivated? students can still pass the assessment. This it was not until the 1931 Napier earthquake of our code and add value to our attitude in youth and developing critical and “While the majority of students are highly is a real strength of the assessment itself. that a building code was created. decisions in the future.” active citizens. engaged, this research has taken a particular Students are quite pleased to say ‘the social “This discovery raised questions about [email protected] “In other countries, students take actions interest in those who are less engaged.” action failed but this is what we learned’.” each code—why was the American code +64-4-463 9745 such as volunteering at a food bank, Dr Wood has been looking at the different [email protected] whereas we have New Zealand Year 13 strategies teachers use to provide guidance and +64-4-463 9611

10—Victorious Victorious—11 News

Te Governor- General visits

InVictoria February, the Governor-General, Lieutenant General The Right Honourable New home for Karori art Sir Jerry Mateparae visited Victoria as part of his nationwide tour to learn about Staff and students weren’t the only ones electricians, engineers, Victoria’s Campus A prime example is Robyn Kahukiwa’s science research and innovation taking needing a new home when Victoria’s Faculty Services and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor large oil painting Tangata Whenua (1986). place at New Zealand universities. of Education moved from Karori to the (Māori). The painting was installed in the von Zedlitz The Governor-General and his staff, Kelburn campus at the start of this year. One of the biggest challenges building foyer in March, and looks over to a together with Vice-Chancellor Professor Adam Art Gallery staff also had to was navigating the transfer of large wall-mounted wood carving, Tara-Ika, that Grant Guilford, took part in a round table relocate 117 pieces of art from the Victoria works up and down stairs and through depicts an ancestor of Te Rangitane people. discussion on the state of Antarctica’s ice University of Wellington Art Collection the complicated architecture of the “Tara-Ika is a strongly masculine piece, sheets and their potential contribution to that previously adorned the walls of the Karori campus. so it’s fitting to put a feminine perspective, rising sea levels. Karori campus. Once the works are safely relocated to Tangata Whenua, nearby so the two can The group also visited Victoria’s School Gallery collection officer Sophie Thorn the Gallery’s new storage facility, Sophie will work in conversation.” of Engineering and Computer Science has been leading the relocation project and set about finding suitable homes for each Sophie says none of the 560 pieces in the An out-of-this-world lecture Victoria alumnus, geophysicist and May to November 2014 as part of Mission: where senior lecturer Dr Taehyun Rhee says the work has required “nerves of steel”. piece. “There are a number of factors to University’s art collection are displayed in astronaut, Dr Alexander Gerst, returned Blue Dot. Dr Gerst and the rest of the presented his team’s research into 4D “Some of the works are incredibly consider to ensure the space is appropriate, offices or teaching rooms. “The collection is to Victoria in early 2016 to share his crew carried out more than 100 scientific entertainment. Postgraduate students valuable and not easy to move. Even with including lighting, wall size, sunlight, always in a public space—they’re there for experience in space. experiments while on the mission. showcased their specialisations and gave experienced handlers and careful planning student activity, surrounding furniture and all students, staff and visitors to enjoy.” Dr Gerst was a member of the Sir Jerry and Grant the opportunity to try it can be a little nerve-wracking.” other artwork. Watch the lecture Dr Gerst gave at Victoria: Find out more information at http://bit.ly/1LCRd24 International Space Station crew from http://bit.ly/1RPkANL 4D technology. The relocations require up to three “We’re also trying to put things into really expert handlers as well as advice from considered places, so we take into account [email protected] professionals, including conservators, the purpose of the space and who uses it.” +64-4-463 5489 Superstar addition to the art collection Celebrate your time A major painting by Wellington artist “This highly absorbing painting draws Pick is a nationally significant artist, at Victoria Séraphine Pick has found a new home on Pick’s interests in popular culture renowned for her figurative style of at Victoria University. Superstar is and the ways in which our identities painting, which often explores subjects Did you know Victoria has an extensive range of merchandise the latest acquisition to the Victoria are formed through the formative such as dreams, fantasies and memory. available for purchase from Vic Books? Tere is everything University of Wellington Art Collection, experiences of youth. In Superstar, Pick The Gallery’s director Christina Barton from t-shirts and hoodies to stationery and gifts. Our which is managed by the Adam Art trawls the internet to find images that says including her work in the University’s Gallery. According to the Gallery’s curator capture scenes of mass entertainment; art collection ensures “an arresting piece collection is great for Graduation, as a gift or a memento to Stephen Cleland, the painting “has a here, she focuses on one young woman at of social commentary by a contemporary share your pride in your time at Victoria. commanding presence”, well suited to a a rock concert who has lost herself to the painter in her prime is now accessible to www.vicbooks.co.nz busy, student environment. music,” he says. the University community”.

12—Victorious Victorious—13 Research Privacy Silicon Welly and the media CULTI-

With cameras on phones and drones, and ever-growing media platforms, anyone’s privacy can be invaded any time. But is it a case of once on the internet, forever available to anyone and everyone? VATING “We are all part of the media now,” says Dr Nicole Moreham from Victoria’s Faculty Wellington’s status as a technology hub directly into that needy market to ensure of Law. “It takes just a minute to record will be enhanced with the opening of the the burgeoning industry flourishes something in a photo or video and put it Wellington ICT Graduate School, in which further.” online. Victoria is playing a key role. The School’s director, Rees Ward, is “We are using media platforms not The School—a partnership between a Victoria graduate who has worked as only to find out about the world, but Victoria, Wellington Institute of Technology a lawyer in London and as a diplomat also to tell our own stories. But the law CREA- (WelTec) and Whitireia New Zealand—is at the New Zealand Consulate-General recognises that sometimes the privacy the result of a government initiative to in Los Angeles, covering the western cost of those activities is too high. So increase the number of information and United States. “That role enabled me just because something has been posted communications technology graduates in to see the key US innovation hubs in online, that doesn’t mean it has to be on New Zealand, and fuel economic growth action,” he says. “For Silicon Valley, there forever, no.” New Zealand-wide. which is the world’s largest innovation Nicole examines the legal and practical In 2016, it will offer Master’s hub, and Los Angeles, which is the aspects of privacy protection in The Law qualifications in four areas: software world’s third largest, it was interesting of Privacy and the Media, which she TIVE development; engineering practice; to see that the education sector was a edited with Sir Mark Warby, specialist professional business analysis; and key pillar in their success. We hope to English media High Court judge. The information technology. emulate that here in Wellington.” book was launched in both London and Professor Mike Wilson, the University’s Rees will be based at the Wellington Wellington earlier this year. Pro Vice-Chancellor of Architecture and Innovation Hub (also known as the Nicole is considered one of the world’s Design, Engineering and Science, says it’s BizDojo) in central Wellington. “This will leading scholars of privacy. She says an exciting opportunity for Victoria. allow me to work alongside leading ICT the new edition of the book responds “Information and communication companies and find out exactly what to the continuing expansion of the law “ CULTIVATING CREATIVE CAPITAL is at the technologies are already an important they’ll be looking for in our graduates,” he of privacy, including the so-called new CAPITALcore of what we do at Victoria. Creative capital part of New Zealand’s productivity, and says. “It’s more than academic success— media on social media platforms. is the capacity of an individual or community Wellington has the highest concentration they want graduates with real-world skills “It is aimed at both practitioners and to imagine; to express new possibilities of web-based and digital companies per and business acumen, too. academics. But internet giants like Google through creative activity. It is the genius capita in the country,” says Mike. “The “My main aim is to build a bridge are increasingly finding themselves behind art, music and writing. It is also the Wellington ICT Graduate School will between our students and the ICT defending privacy cases, so there is likely curiosity and insight that finds new solutions produce industry-ready graduates with industry they’ll be working within.” to be interest from those quarters as to complex issues. It is the entrepreneurship transferable, high-level skills—there’s [email protected] well,” Nicole says. that establishes new businesses. It is about currently a surplus of ICT jobs out there, [email protected] [email protected] inspiration, innovation and leadership.” so we will be able to feed students +64-4-463 5588 +64-4-463 6410 —Vice-Chancellor Professor Grant Guilford

14—Victorious Victorious—15 CULTI- CULTI- VATING VATING CREA- CREA- TIVE TIVE CAPITAL CAPITAL WHERE CREATIVITY

COLLIDESHaving more questions than answers feels just right “The consistent theme is imagination, innovation and for a group focused on creativity, says Professor risk-taking.” Jennifer Windsor. Victoria has a very rich tradition and history of staff BECOMING She chairs the steering group for Cultivating Creative and student creativity, Jennifer says. Capital, one of Victoria’s eight distinctive themes, and “We want to make our capability and contributions more visible and meaningful, nationally and says “uncertainty, flexibility and imagination” has been internationally.” an ideal place for the group to begin its work. ONE WITH Partnership and tangible projects will be central “We think creative solutions rely on asking great to the group’s work. “We’ll be talking broadly across questions, to explore and foster collaboration and Victoria University as well as with Wellington community inspiration—and that’s where we have started.” leaders to understand their needs and how they imagine Jennifer, who is the Pro Vice-Chancellor of the Faculty cultivating creative capital—and then we will get to ImagineTECHNOLOGY clothes that adjust the topic was infectious. control the pace of a 16 mm open source electronics of Humanities and Social Sciences and Faculty of work on new initiatives. to suit changing weather Twelve years on, Anne film projector, and the sound platform—didn’t exist, but Education, says the thirteen Victoria staff on the steering “Victoria has a unique contribution to make in a city conditions. Better still, think of has established a wearable environment around them, this technology has opened group reflect many different aspects of creative capital. rich with creative practice. We are a community of pre- the time you could save with technology course at Victoria, through body movement. up the door for a lot of eminent researchers, educators and practitioners who “We have people with expertise in architecture self-lacing shoes like Marty in which she passes her She has also designed a designers, and the possible can help create new ideas and experiences for students McFly’s from Back to the Future. passion on to her students. wearable technology costume and design, art history, creative writing, education, commercial applications in and staff, and partner in new ways with Wellington That’s not completely Outside of the University, for the renowned World of this field have become clear,” languages and cultures, museum and heritage studies, communities and businesses. unrealistic, according to Anne has used her Wearable Art show—a feat says Anne. music, science history and theatre. For some at the “I think we can make Victoria top of mind for creative Victoria’s Anne Niemetz, knowledge of wearable that some of her students “We already have watches University, cultivating creative capital is launching thinking—we can make it the place of choice to explore programme director of Media technology to collaborate have also gone on to achieve. and items of clothing that can new creative works, for others it is collaboration and and practise creativity in all its forms.” Design at the School of Design. with choreographers on However, she believes monitor our health. I expect experimentation in research and teaching and for others Anne’s passion for wearable multimedia performances. that the future of wearable [email protected] in future wearable technology fostering entrepreneurship. +64-4-463 5340 technology developed In 2014, she and a technology lies with during a stint as a teaching New Zealand choreographer its recently discovered will become so advanced that assistant while completing produced an experimental commercial potential. devices will be near invisible postgraduate studies at a dance performance where “When I first got involved and will act as second skins.” Californian university. Her two dancers were equipped with wearable technology, [email protected] supervisor’s enthusiasm for with body sensors and could Arduino—an easy-to-use +64-4-463 6277

16—Victorious Victorious—17 CULTI- CULTI- VATING VATING CREA- CREA- TIVE TIVE CAPITAL CAPITAL THE SCIENCE OF CREATIVITY Two academics from ostensibly disparate disciplines discuss how their areas of expertise intersect when it comes to cultivating creative capital.

n my latest novel, Dad Art, two characters of course, isn’t the preserve of arty types. mattered in ‘beautiful research’—just n a radio interview with Kim Hill, I found modes of expression. Victoria University people from diverse disciplines—we each Imake a pilgrimage to the display case on Creativity is a human need, not an academic like, he said, beautiful poetry, music and Imyself doing my first—and probably has a history of scientists and poets had different stories, different challenges, the Kelburn campus of Victoria University discipline. And the Creative Capital steering art, adding that ‘if beautiful research last—on-air poetry reading when Kim asked working together—Paul Callaghan and Bill different passions—created an exciting to look at Alan MacDiarmid’s Nobel Prize group, of which I’m a member, has decided was technologically useful, that was the me to read Ashleigh Young’s poem ‘Small Manhire led a project that culminated in the and productive dynamic. At the same medal in the building named after the great one of its chief tasks is to break down the icing on the cake’. This perfect inversion Fry’. The poem is one of seven in my new publication of Are Angels OK? in 2006—but time, I realised we had more similarities scientist. MacDiarmid was, like me (end of silos of university life, to find the pretty of the Government’s mantra on tertiary anthology of Antarctic science, Dispatches it’s not an everyday occurrence. Perhaps it than differences and that creativity was at comparison), a paperboy in Lower Hutt. things wherever they pop up. A university is education should sit as the conscience of from Continent Seven. should be. In my experience, exciting things the core of this. He then became a lab boy in the Chemistry an unparalleled community of knowledge. all our work around creative capital. I chose to include poems in the anthology happen when you work with people from Creativity is, as my colleague Damien Department of Victoria College, sweeping How can we make that imaginative I think of this conscience as having the to give a different perspective on some of outside your own discipline. Wilkins says, a human need. But creative floors and washing dirty glassware. community more connected—within itself qualities of disobedience, recalcitrance the topics—krill, melting icecaps, the Dry In the writing group for the Cultivating expression can too often be hampered by One day, he was asked to prepare some and to the larger world? even, unruliness certainly. This is part Valleys—written about by scientists. While Creative Capital distinctiveness theme, disciplinary and administrative barriers that tetrasulfur tetranitride. Speaking decades I confess that one of the reasons my of our inheritance and our brief as we there’s a pleasing tension between the four people from different parts of the confine us to safe practice and narrow ways later as a Nobel Laureate, MacDiarmid characters think about MacDiarmid is that celebrate and build on both Victoria’s poets’ and scientists’ different approaches University—a fiction writer, a composer, of thinking and being. As we address these remembered those bright orange crystals his priorities challenge a lot of current history as a place where all sorts of to their subject matter, science writing and a theatre director and me, a science barriers and do more to nurture, encourage as the key: ‘It really stems from the fact that thinking about what’s valuable in our imaginative achievements have arisen poetry have much in common. Precision historian—spent many hours in a room and celebrate creativity across the University, I like colour. I like pretty things.’ Perhaps for lives. He ranked money ‘about one in ten and where current staff and students are of language, reliance on metaphor and together, sharing our stories and ideas, I look forward to greater opportunities for many scientists, this statement won’t seem in degree of importance’, and he thought working towards fresh ways of seeing exploration of grand themes through a and talking about the future of the unlikely and fruitful collaborations. strange or disarming. Aesthetic pleasure, that intellectual enjoyment was what and doing. focus on the particular are features of both University. This grouping together of

Professor Damien Wilkins, Dr Rebecca Priestley, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Faculty of Science

[email protected] [email protected] +64-4-463 6808 +64-4-463 5233 ext. 7134

18—Victorious Victorious—19 CULTI- CULTI- VATING VATING CREA- CREA- TIVE TIVE CAPITAL CAPITAL

From left: Pascale Seignolles, attaché for French Language Teaching, Embassy of France; Karl Wilson, president of the New Zealand Society of Translators and Interpreters; Victoria University Vice-Provost (Academic and Equity) Associate Professor Allison Kirkman; Bethany Cheesman and Kesia Kurian. Connecting through translations “They could forgive—that’s an important poetry translations from Spanish and message,” says Bethany Cheesman of Chinese into English. Translations were John Paul College of Rotorua, when judged on accuracy, literary merit and on the reflecting on her and fellow student Kesia choice of the original piece for thematic and Image credit: Storybox Kurian’s translation of Victor Hugo’s poem stylistic complexity. ‘Après la Bataille’. Competition organiser Dr Marco Bethany and Kesia were the overall Sonzogni, Italian programme director in Victoria’s winners of the 2015 Moving Words the School of Languages and Cultures translation competition for New Zealand and former director of the New Zealand creative secondary school students who worked Centre for Literary Translation, says Musical memoir with the theme of peace. the awards aim to celebrate literature, The awards—hosted by Dr Sydney languages and cultures in secondary clout on Shep from Victoria’s Wai-te-Ata Press schools and to recognise excellence. and sponsored by the New Zealand “Through translation we are connecting meets rock ‘n’ roll history show Society of Translators and Interpreters— schools with the University and beyond to As a teen in the 1970s, Nick Bollinger is a story of 1970s New Zealand. Popular Nick says Goneville is far from a From puppetry to opera and interactive attracted high-quality entries of literature the wider community. It’s paramount that yearned to discover more about music doesn’t exist in a vacuum, so I tried conventional history book. “It’s partly theatre, the artistic abilities of some of translated from their original language we fully realise that the first foundation Wellington’s burgeoning music scene. Too to write about the social factors that were memoir, partly musicology and partly social Victoria’s current and former staff and into English. for peace is understanding.” young to get into pubs to watch bands play, shaping the music that was being made in history. It includes my own experiences, ‘Après la Bataille’ describes a scene after students were on display in Wellington during To view a video of the awards night, go to he talked his way into Victoria’s Student that decade.” where I’ve tried to inhabit the teenage the New Zealand Festival earlier this year. a battle when a wounded man tries to shoot http://bit.ly/1SO0fMS Union Building, where he saw and heard The book starts in 1971 when Nick was mind—a guileless 15-year-old who’s a man coming to his aid. The poem was Two former lecturers, poet Vincent [email protected] things that changed his life. 13 and discovering there was more to New discovering this amazing music, which O’Sullivan and composer Ross Harris, translated by Bethany and Kesia from French +64-4-463 6284 Nick is a familiar voice to listeners of Zealand’s culture than the dominant values I hope is quite funny for the reader. As part created a new chamber opera, Brass into English. Other awards acknowledged Radio New Zealand, where he hosts weekly of ‘rugby, racing and beer’. of the writing process, I also interviewed a Poppies, which portrayed Gallipoli from music show The Sampler. Last year he “The university campus circuit was the number of key people from that era, which the perspectives of both the frontline and completed a Master of Creative Writing at first opportunity for New Zealand bands to provides some historical context to what the home front. A lifelong commitment comes to print Victoria’s International Institute of Modern play original music—the pubs just wanted was happening in the music scene. Alumna Jess Feast created an app- Dr Marco Sonzogni was “entranced” the graced me with his friendship, which Letters, specialising in non-fiction. bands to toe the line and play Neil Diamond “I’d been thinking about how to weave based theatre project called The Woman first time he met Nobel Prize-winning poet framed and nourished a deeply scholarly For his Master’s thesis, Nick recalled covers,” explains Nick. “My music-fanatic these elements together—I’d heard a lot Who Forgot—audience members were Seamus Heaney in 1993. Victoria’s Italian and creative engagement. He established his formative experiences in a coming-of- friends and I couldn’t get into pubs because about Victoria’s creative writing course, and immersed in a multimedia experience programme director, Marco has since been the contents of this book and generously age story that describes a period of we were far too young, but we were able to thought that’d be a fantastic way to get the in which they had to piece together studying, annotating and translating into answered my queries in terms of editorial New Zealand history through the lens pass as very fresh-faced first-year students, tools to shape my idea into a book.” fragments of a woman’s life. Italian the poetry of the Irish Nobel Laureate. and interpretative issues.” of rock music. Called Goneville, it is an and so we went to these psychedelic rock And it’s fair to say the project’s been a And in their work The Devil’s Half- Marco’s work culminates this year with Before his death in 2013, Heaney wrote the account of the alternative music scene from shows at Victoria’s union hall. Anyone who rocking success—Goneville was the winner Acre, which combined puppetry and live the publication of Poesie (1966–2013), the preface to Poesie and gifted the previously 1971 through to 1981. was a student at Victoria in the 1970s would of Victoria’s Adam Foundation Prize in music, alumni Hannah Smith and Ralph definitive Italian edition of Heaney’s poetry. unpublished poem, ‘On the Gift of a Fountain “Goneville has two strands: the personal remember these concerts: it was the likes Creative Writing for 2015. Nick is currently in McCubbin-Howell told the story of gold- It’s “a dream come true” says the award- Pen’, as the book’s closing piece. one about me, a naïve adolescent venturing of Split Enz, Dragon, Blerta and Mammal— talks with a publisher, with a view to having rush-era Dunedin. winning editor, translator and poet. Poesie, published by Italian publisher out to explore this fascinating world of seminal bands that were utterly mind- his book on the shelves later this year. “It’s the outcome of a lifelong Mondadori, is scheduled for release in the music, and all the eye-opening things I blowing, playing nothing we’d ever seen or The New Zealand Festival took place in Find more information at http://bit.ly/1Mk4wEH Wellington in February and March. commitment. From about 1996, Seamus middle of this year. saw,” says Nick. “Running parallel to that heard before.”

20—Victorious Victorious—21 CULTI- CULTI- VATING Image credit: Matthew Knight VATING CREA- CREA- TIVE TIVE CAPITAL A novel focus on CAPITAL WAR AND PEACE mathematicians A Jewish rabbi, a South African throat John’s original composition. commitment. I’m so deeply grateful to Danyl McLauchlan rises early every day can be just as sinister and mysterious as singer, a Palestinian-Syrian rap duo and “Together these virtual and live everyone who has been involved in No to write before he heads off to his day job occultists.” a Moroccan soul singer were among the performers create an international Man’s Land for their generosity of spirit as a computational biologist at Victoria He gave the main character his own musicians who came together on World orchestra performing music that leaps and care.” University. His early-morning discipline name as a way to keep himself honest. War I’s battlegrounds as part of an epic musical genres as it does borders, from No Man’s Land premiered at the 2016 has paid off. “Sometimes I feel like novelists make global orchestra. folk to hip-hop to rock and classical,” New Zealand Festival to a sold-out In June this year, Victoria University fools of themselves when they have these Te Kōkī New Zealand School of John says. crowd at Wellington’s Michael Fowler Press will publish his second novel, loosely disguised versions of themselves Music’s (NZSM) Professor John Psathas “My vision was to create an epic world Centre in March. It was also performed Mysterious Mysteries of the Aro Valley, a running around inside their books—they worked with director Jasmine Millet and symphony, bringing together descendants at the Auckland Arts Festival with follow-up to his first novel Unspeakable make themselves brilliant, brave, witty cinematographer Matthew Knight to of opposing forces in World War I and regional shows in Tauranga, Napier, Secrets of the Aro Valley. and attractive.” create No Man’s Land. reuniting them in friendship and musical Whanganui and at WOMAD in New Danyl always wanted to be a writer The character Danyl is none of these They filmed and recorded a global exchange on the sites where their Plymouth. but it wasn’t until his late thirties that he things, and much of the book’s hallmark array of musicians, which was projected forefathers fought a century ago. learned the importance of rewriting. humour is derived from the bumbling [email protected] in both 2D and 3D on large screens and “This project became the vessel +64-4-463 5862 “I learned all the basic storytelling stuff investigations of the main character. accompanied by a live performance of of an enormous amount of love and from working with a friend on a screenplay Although both his books have a local that was never made into a film. Then I Wellington setting, Danyl says it was started to write my first book when shows incidental, playing into the humour of the like The Wire and The Sopranos were doing books. A masterful musical experience all this complex innovative stuff in terms of “It wasn’t important for me to base my storytelling, really paying attention to plot fiction in Aro Valley. It’s just a great comic Being involved in the epic No Man’s Land NZSM, Victoria University and “Every day was a highlight. There was structure on a technical level.” setting for comic novels and no one else project turned into a once in a lifetime New Zealand.” huge variety across the 150 musicians While his first novel was centred was using it, so I thought I might as well opportunity for three Te Kōkī New Zealand Jack spent a year undertaking involved—they are the best in the world around a group of occultists in the Aro take advantage of it.” School of Music (NZSM) Master’s students. pre-production work before leaving at what they do. Everyone brought a new Valley, in Mysterious Mysteries it is a Not content with two careers, Danyl is Jack Hooker, Steffan Paton and Kenyon New Zealand, including a lot of time experience,” says Steffan. group of mathematicians who create also behind the popular political blog The Shankie—who completed their Master communicating with the musicians. Jack was thrilled to bring a huge havoc, setting the protagonist—a flawed Dim-Post, which he calls a hobby. of Musical Arts during the project— “On the road, I did some of the audio group of musicians together to work anti-hero named Danyl—on a series of “It’s what I do instead of watching sport, were given scholarships to work on the tech work.” on the same piece of music. “A musical hilarious adventures. or trainspotting. I try to be accurate and groundbreaking project. The trio travelled Kenyon and Steffan—as well as project on this scale has never been Mathematics is widely seen as a science insightful but I don’t take it too seriously. with John and his production team to typesetting the score—prepared the done before.” and something very practical, says Danyl. “Ironically, the political commentary revisit battlegrounds and other important performers for their roles in the project, “Everything that the musicians needed “But if you look closer at it and learn is more widely read and discussed, but World War I sites in Europe. ensuring that when they arrived to record to do to stand up on that stage and play a little of the philosophy, it is very hopefully the books will have a longer John says all three students rose their piece everything ran smoothly. those notes, we were involved in—in one mysterious. What are mathematical shelf life.” to every challenge presented to them Working on the project was such an way or another,” says Kenyon. objects? Are they real? Are they created [email protected] during the project. “Jack, Kenyon and enjoyable time for the students, that it’s Find more information at or discovered? Cults of mathematicians +64-4-463 6531 Steffan were fantastic ambassadors for hard for them to name just one highlight. http://bit.ly/22BbyZK At Mansfeld’s villa The 2015 Katherine Mansfield Fellow, Anna plans to work on a new brambled and boggy paths of the real Dr Anna Jackson, will be taking up collection of pastoral poetry during world. residence at Menton in France this year her time at the villa, where Katherine “The Menton fellowship will for three months. Mansfield lived and wrote during the provide perspective for thinking about A poet and an associate professor in the latter part of her life. New Zealand in relation to elsewhere, School of English, Film, Theatre, and Media “My second collection of poetry was and for thinking about place both Studies, Anna was eighteen years old last The Pastoral Kitchen, published in metaphorically and very literally.” time she was at Katherine Mansfield’s 2001. I would like to start again with Anna has published seven collections villa as a tourist. “At the time, I could have the pastoral, but I imagine this new of poetry, most recently I, Clodia (2014). sworn I heard someone tapping away on collection taking it into some more [email protected] a typewriter, even though I found out that surprising and darker places, travelling +64-4-463 6840 no one was actually there.” along metaphysical paths as well as the

22—Victorious Victorious—23 CULTI- CULTI- VATING VATING CREA- CREA- TIVE TIVE CAPITAL For the love of Shakespeare CAPITAL This year marks 400 years since “As you can imagine, this all goes very “We always have a strong contingent Shakespeare’s death, and what better wrong, because the gorgeous Princess of cast and crew that are Victoria way to commemorate the famous writer of France and her ladies- lle Beeden. University alumni or current students,” and E The ‘cultural adu than to showcase his work to the public? in-waiting are due to gr says Sally. “The relationship with r’s te The Summer Shakespeare Trust’s thirty- arrive for a visit, as the University dates back to M y fourth production in February this year and it isn’t b 1983. It acknowledges the d e contributed to the worldwide celebrations long before n importance of training ig diplomacy’ s by producing one of the Bard’s early the men e young people in the d r e comedies, Love’s Labours Lost. become t performing arts.” s o

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that,” says producer Sally Thorburn. “It’s a great e and fun for the cast. v o

exhibitions L The annual outdoor theatre event, battle of “The men acting as International exhibitions that tell the understanding and cultural diplomacy.” sponsored by Victoria, was performed the sexes, women and the women story of a culture through the use To find out just how much of an impact at Wellington’s Botanic Garden and the and a debate as men added another of stories and objects always prove the exhibitions made, Lee and her team Wairarapa’s Gladstone Vineyard to more focused on love element to the humour of popular with museum goers keen interviewed museum staff at each venue than 2,500 people. and learning.” the play. When the costume to discover more about a way of life about their experiences working on the Love’s Labours Lost follows a king The show featured designer delivered the chaps’ dresses, different from their own. exhibitions, as well as audience members and his companions who vow to swear off actors ranging in age from the excitement in the room was palpable!” But in-depth research from a about their interpretation of what they’d women and commit to three years twelve to thirty-seven, who were selected Find more information at http://bit.ly/22t92sa Victoria academic has shown these seen. of study. at open auditions. exhibitions are more than just nice “We found out what made a lasting James Durcan’sJames impression of the stingray-inspired pavilion for Ng ā i T ā manuhiri. to look at—they are also top-level impression on people—they tended cultural ambassadors. to connect with objects that had some Dr Lee Davidson, a senior meaning to them personally, the special lecturer in Museum and stories of individuals or exhibits that had Heritage Studies at multi-sensory or emotional components. Victoria’s School of Art “There were a few lessons that emerged History, Classics and for the people who put these sorts of shows Religious Studies, together—there were often challenges has been studying around communication when working two interconnected, internationally and across cultures. A transnational touring common problem was the different ways exhibitions. One each institution wanted to market the same study centred on show—some of the images the offshore Breaking the mould E Tū Ake: Standing institutions wanted to use to engage the By mixing traditional Māori materials together by hand. “It’s special to us that they become Strong, a show about public in advertising, for example, were not with 3D technologies, an East Coast iwi is “Apart from the technologies, involved with the iwi and they’ve really Māori culture that culturally appropriate for the countries the building a unique hub for its community. everything used to build the structure is taken them under their wing.” was produced by exhibitions came from.” Ngāi Tāmanuhiri has teamed up with their own,” says Derek Kawiti, founder of Derek, of Ngāti Hine, Ngāpuhi, Te Papa and which Lee says a symposium held at Victoria Victoria’s School of Architecture in the SITUA and a senior lecturer at the School Tūhoe and Ngāti Porou heritage, toured to Canada, earlier this year provided an opportunity design and construction of a manuhiri of Architecture. works alongside Professor Marc France and Mexico. to share the findings with museum staff, whare—a pavilion for visitors on “There is concern that modern Aurel Schnabel, who specialises in The other examined cultural policy experts and representatives Muriwai Marae. architectural processes fail to reflect architectural technology, and says they the Aztecs: Conquest from the international diplomatic corps. The project is part of a collaborative the culture of indigenous communities. hope to inspire the younger generation and Glory exhibition “We discussed the fact that these research laboratory between Victoria We focus on working closely with the in the iwi. that was shown across exhibitions are a key way for New Zealand and Ngāi Tāmanuhiri, known as SITUA people, to find out what their needs are “Computer modelling software makes Australasia. and other cultures to present themselves (Site of Indigenous Technologies and how we can express them.” the creation of structures like this much “The projects on the world stage—done well they Understanding Alliance). The alliance Master’s student James Durcan easier. We’re hoping to spark their are the first-ever can help advance globalisation and partners with iwi and enables projects designed the whare, incorporating interest in these technologies and make comprehensive studies intercultural understanding, and connect within iwi domains, using both a motif inspired by the local kaitiaki more using iwi knowledge and materials. of international touring people across political, cultural and mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge) (guardian)—a whai (stingray). James “So far, we’ve had strong exhibitions,” explains geographical divides.” and new technologies. won the 2015 New Zealand Institute encouragement and hope to build on Lee. “We wanted to The whare is being constructed of Architects Cadimage Group Design what we’ve done for other iwi or Pacific Find more information at http://bit.ly/1WEuh33 find out how effective using 3D printed tiles made onsite from Award for the project. Island communities.” such exhibitions were in terms [email protected] locally sourced clay using a custom- “We have a group of students based +64-4-463 5929 [email protected] of audience engagement, intercultural built ceramic printer, and then pieced onsite at Muriwai village,” says Derek. [email protected]

24—Victorious Victorious—25 Research Law interpreted through Re-thinking a MāoriThere’s love a love story withstory a twist about a woman of substance, organisedTraditionally, criminality organised criminality was Considering organised criminality in syndicated, relatively visible and geographically this way requires a different view of crime Rongomaiwahine, the principal ancestor of the people of the bound. Today, it is often conducted by transient, fighting beyond traditional surveillance and Māhia Peninsula in the North Island of New Zealand. opportunistic and highly mobile groups that apprehension, which is where John’s expertise co-ordinate activities anonymously through in management science and organisational A young man called Kahungunu—from whom authority. The marriage between these two relatively inaccesible areas of the internet. studies comes in. Hawke’s Bay’s iwi Ngāti Kahungunu takes its ancestors, both from chiefly lines, was not only Professor John Brocklesby, who heads The professor is currently working with name—arrived in the area determined to a decision for the two individuals involved. The Victoria’s School of Management, says that academics and industry stakeholders marry Rongomaiwahine. wider community had both a stake and a say in type of organised criminality is much harder examining inter-agency law enforcement Although she was already married, he set whether the marriage would take place.” to pinpoint. collaboration. Through John’s membership about impressing her and her family, observing Carwyn says a persuasive factor was After previous research with the United of a Europol-based expert advisory panel, how shags dived for pāua and learning to Kahungunu’s ability to provide food for the Kingdom’s Serious Organised Crime Agency, some of this work is channelled through to the do it himself to feed the tribe. Eventually, community. When placed alongside other John knows exactly the sort of challenges European Union’s law enforcement agency that Rongomaiwahine’s husband drowned and she stories, this might reveal key principles and posed by this new era of organised crime. fights serious international crime in Europe. married Kahungunu. mechanisms of gift exchange and Māori forms “This new way of thinking about criminality The group examines criminality processes Dr Carwyn Jones (Ngāti Kahungunu), of contract. and policing is more complex and presents huge and information networks to help police senior lecturer at Victoria’s Faculty of Law, is “Kahungunu’s study of the diving shags challenges for crime-fighting agencies. Take, for organisations identify leverage points to prevent collecting stories like this to explain Māori law may also point to the importance in Māori example, the supply of illegal drugs or human or disrupt less visible criminal activities. in an accessible way. The three-year research law of a close observation of the natural trafficking. Beyond the obvious offenders, this “Global organisations such as Europol are programme, which explores Māori legal world in determining appropriate ways of can engage travel agents, transport operators often constrained in terms of what they can or traditions, is funded by a Marsden Fast Start acting, perhaps in the context of resource and bank, customs and immigration officials, all are allowed to do. For example, national law grant. management. The origins of the two key with varying levels of complicity. enforcement agencies aren’t always keen to Carwyn aims to show there is more to Māori protagonists recounted in this story are also “Likewise, on the policing side, there are share information. But they’re undoubtedly law than the customary rights that may be the basis for the present-day distinct political groups like financial institutions, tax officials, making big steps in the right direction.” recognised by the New Zealand legal system. identities of the iwi Rongomaiwahine and neighbourhood watch and survelliance via Customary law tends to be defined as a body Ngāti Kahungunu and have been relied upon [email protected] social media,” he says. of social rules that have developed through in recent decisions about the allocation of +64-4-463 5136 habitual repetition over time. But, he says, this commercial fishing assets. is only a narrow slice of how law is created. “Knowing Māori law and how it can be Legal principles, reasoning and deliberation applied to resolve disputes, identify rights or are at play in Māori law and it remains relevant establish and maintain durable relationships Designs onAnyone whothe dreams of followingfuture in the “From their first year of study, students to New Zealand public life, Carwyn says. provides lawyers with a whole range of footsteps of Sir Richard Taylor by developing will gain an understanding of algorithms, “Māori stories can be viewed as a body of additional tools. Hopefully, this will enable the cutting-edge imagery for movies, television mathematics and programming skills under case law, in a similar way to a collection of New Zealand state legal system to deal with or the gaming industry can get a step closer the tuition of expert staff who have worked on decisions from the New Zealand courts can Māori law in a more sophisticated way. to achieving their goals through a new films such as The Matrix sequels and Avatar. illustrate a particular form of legal argument “But the primary objective is to help programme offered by Victoria. Furthermore, the School of Design will provide and reasoning. strengthen the confidence of Māori In what’s set to be a first for any university in courses on the artistic and design side of “Even at a very simple level, the story of communities to use our own law to manage a New Zealand or Australia, students at Victoria computer graphics, giving our graduates a Rongomaiwahine and Kahungunu provides much broader range of public interactions,” will be able to major in computer graphics unique edge.” some basic information about law and legal Carwyn says. from the second trimester this year as part of a Neil says the exponential growth of process,” Carwyn says. “For example, the [email protected] Bachelor of Science degree. the entertainment and digital technology story tells us about the site of decision-making +64-4-463 6313 Leading the programme is Professor Neil industries in Wellington means students will Dodgson, who has returned to New Zealand have the chance to work closely with world after twenty years heading the University of renowned organisations including Weta Digital Cambridge Computer Laboratory’s Graphics and games developer Pik Pok. and Interaction Research Group. Neil, who “Victoria prides itself on the strong industry grew up in Taihape, is also a world expert in 3D links it fosters so there’ll be many opportunities television, having pioneered an early version of for our students to complete internships, the technology. work experience and industry projects in film, “A Bachelor of Science in Computer Graphics computer games, television and the web.” will equip students with a fantastic mix of Find more information at http://bit.ly/1UIMv4t engineering, mathematics and design,” Neil says. “It’s the perfect way to combine [email protected] +64-44-463 6922 technology, art and creativity.

26—Victorious Victorious—27 TheyProgress were designed to treat a variety forremitting—were progressive originally used for “Allsu drugsf have erersside effects, and as these of mental health disorders such as something else, like viral infections and drugs are commonly used, we know what schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and leukaemia. these may be and how to monitor them,” autism—but two commonly used “Clozapine and risperidone have always says Anne. “We want to make sure that antipsychotic medications may offer new been targeted to mental illness, but our patients with secondary progressive MS hope to multiple sclerosis (MS) sufferers. studies show they are able to tone down respond well to the drugs and are satisfied A clinical trial is underway to test the immune system in the brain, which is with the level of monitoring required.” clozapine and risperidone in secondary what causes MS, and this anti-inflammatory The study—based at Wellington Regional progressive MS—which affects more than action is promising.” Hospital—has been funded by the Ministry 35 percent of all MS sufferers and causes Anne expects the trial to take two and a of Business, Innovation and Employment significant life-long disability. There is half years. She is working with neurologist Sitting in a prison cell at Wellington’s meth drinkers and alcoholics. The rest they didn’t catch pneumonia. Archie was and supported by the Neurological currently no effective treatment for this Dr David Abernethy from Capital & Coast Mt Crawford Prison in 1941, A.C. (Archie) were pacifists or really serious offenders. walking around in a short-sleeved nylon Foundation of New Zealand and the Great form of the disease. District Health Board, and Associate Barrington scrawled in the margins of “It’s a very different prison population shirt and very thin, ill-fitting pants.” Victoria immunologist Professor Anne Professor Bronwen Connor from the New Zealand Trek Charitable Trust. two religious and history books about his from what we have today.” Archie also noted the generous diet incarceration for maintaining his Christian Otago University Press published prisoners were given during the war. The La Flamme, an investigator on the trial, says University of Auckland. For more information about enrolling in repurposing medications is common for The trial will be randomised, blinded and the trial, contact Liz Goode, trial nurse, at pacifist opposition to New Zealand’s war John’s book, The Prison Diary of A.C. problem was, though, that it was virtually treating MS. placebo controlled, to monitor closely any [email protected] effort during World War II. Barrington: Dissent and Conformity in the same meal every night—a big plate The illicit books—which begin from the Wartime New Zealand, earlier this year. of meat, potatoes and carrots—and he “The majority of agents used to treat potential adverse effects from the drugs as anne.lafl[email protected] first day of his one-year sentence—were In it, he analyses the significance of the describes the monotony of this, as well as the most common form of MS—relapsing well as measure any changes to MS disease. +64-4-463 6093 smuggled out by the prison butcher to information in the diary about prison his own attempts to add variety, smuggling Archie’s family, but after the war they conditions and New Zealand society at vitamin-rich roots from the prison gardens. were forgotten about. the time. “Archie referred to the porridge served More than sixty years later, and “Why was New Zealand intolerant to each morning as disgusting. The urns WhatA team of Victoria researchers lies is using beneath a Arvid Hunze, a senior scientist at Victoria’s surface,” says Joseph. “We tested the after Archie passed away, they were war dissenters? The same behaviour in used to make porridge were also used to sci-fi sounding technique involving hundreds Robinson Research Institute. idea in a laboratory setting and received rediscovered by his family, who typed up the United Kingdom and Australia at the make tea, so the porridge tasted like tea of magnetic sensors to find corrosion in “We’re developing a system to detect very strong and accurate signals.” the notes and passed them to Professor same time would have been ignored. and the tea tasted like porridge.” metal pipelines where the eye can’t see. corrosion without removing the insulation. The group is collaborating with Qi2, John Pratt, director of Victoria’s Institute These are countries that we like to The Barrington family allowed John to One of the biggest issues facing The system sends electromagnetic fields a technology incubator in the United of Criminology in the School of Social and compare ourselves to. edit the diaries because of his interest refineries and industrial plants is keeping through the insulation into the pipe, States that has a patent pending on this Cultural Studies. “The general population was involved in prisons and prison history. The family a clean bill of health—especially for inducing eddy currents, which change in approach, with Joseph and Arvid being John describes the find of a prison with, and supportive of, the war effort, has been involved in the creation of the their pipeline infrastructure. Carrying out the presence of corrosion.” co-inventors, as well as Quest Integrity diary, which gives great insight into prison but those who had different views were book with Archie’s son, John—a former health checks on these parts is difficult Engineer Joseph Bailey is currently Ltd, a local asset integrity management life of the time, as incredibly rare. He not tolerated.” associate professor in Victoria’s Faculty of and time-consuming, over kilometres of building a prototype with more than 200 company that initially approached estimates that Archie, who he describes as The book also explores the difficult and Education—writing the introduction, which potentially corrosion-ridden metal. magnetic sensors. Robinson with the corrosion challenge. a principled and courageous man, wrote challenging prison conditions of the time, describes how he discovered the diary and “Pipeline corrosion is not obviously “Essentially, there is a ring of sensors [email protected] approximately a thousand words a day and especially during the winter that Archie includes memories the Barrington family visible, as the pipes are covered by and magnetic excitation around the +64-4-463 0076 ext. 30076 also included sketches of himself in prison. spent at Mt Crawford Prison. have of Archie’s time in prison. “In the 40s, the prison population “There was no heating and they weren’t insulation. This normally requires removing pipe, which will move along so we get a [email protected] [email protected] the insulation to check underneath,” says very high resolution picture of the whole +64-6-463 0095 ext. 30095 consisted mainly of human derelicts, like given any special clothing—it’s remarkable +64-4-463 5327

28—Victorious Victorious—29 Who’s in my room? In this ongoing series, we ask an outstanding Victoria student to return to their old room at their former hall of residence and share stories with the current resident. First-year Commerce student Nathan McDonald and 2016 The two met in room D-19, where political enthusiast VUWSA president Jonathan Gee discovered not much had Jonathan gave Nathan some pearls of wisdom for his time at changed at Weir House since Jonathan left in 2012. The Victoria, encouraging him “to really make the most of all the walls were the same colour, toast was still everyone’s opportunities” he has. favourite food and the fun and friendly banter between Watch the full story at http://bit.ly/1XJ5sU0 floors was enduring. [email protected] Jonathan Gee What’s it like to be in your old room? really cool. We went through Law School together and still keep It’s really weird to come back. When we came in and walked past in touch. I’m actually now flatting with a friend who I met at Weir the laundry, I remembered that distinctive smell, which reminded House. There is a great community at Weir House, not just within me that I’m back at Weir House. I remember this was one of the hall, but within each floor. the only rooms that’s walls were painted the same colour as the How has the room changed since you lived wardrobe. There were some mismatched rooms on the floor. I was here? happy to get the colour coordination. The room looks kind of similar to what I remember—most things Highlights of staying at Weir House? in here are pretty much the same from when I was here in 2012. I think the highlight for me was being part of such a great university I think the only difference is that the wardrobe door has been community here. I came from an all-boys high school that was painted. But apart from that, it’s like I had never left. structured and sometimes strict, so leaving home I had newfound What advice do you have for Nathan? independence. University is a very liberal, open-minded place so it Just to really make the most of all the opportunities that he has was great to come out of my shell and Weir House was very much here. I really enjoyed my first year in a hall and I got to know a lot of a part of that. people. I think it’s important to know that doesn’t end—when you Did you meet your neighbours? Are you still leave Weir House or when you finish your first year—that university friends? community continues. So make the most of that supportive A lot of people were really social and probably not people who community and make as many friends as you can, because there I would’ve normally been friends with, but my neighbours were are so many of us who are still friends today. Nathan McDonald What are you studying? Was the room what you were expecting? I’m doing a Bachelor of Commerce with a major in Accounting. Not really. I’d seen my older brother’s room at his university It’s lots of number crunching and that’s what I’ve always been hall and that was really cramped. But when I first walked in interested in. So far it’s been pretty good—all the teachers here, I was really stoked there was a sink in my room and lots of have been good at explaining things. There’s a few people on storage space. It’s so nice. my floor taking the same courses as me so we walk to class Thoughts on having the room of someone together, which is nice. who’s gone on to be so well known around Is this your first time out of home? the University? Yes. It’s all new experiences and having to fend for myself, I guess it does make me feel proud to be in a room where which is not what I’m used to. It was a bit nerve-wracking my someone like Jonathan was. Who knows? Maybe his success first week—having to try and find my way around, seeing all will rub off on me and I might go on to great things too. these new faces—but I’ve managed. What do you like to do in your spare time? Why Victoria University? I’m a big fan of computer gaming—I like games like League of I am from Wellington and thought living in Weir House would be Legends and Skyrim. I also like reading. nice because it only takes five minutes to walk to class. Also, I already had a job in Wellington and it was important for me to keep that and keep saving while studying.

30—Victorious Victorious—31 Classrooms alive with Flipping the

classroomLecturers Kevin Sweet and Michael sound of wellbeing Dudding are turning the architecture classroom upside down by doing away with lectures and implementing a different approach to learning. The pair have introduced a ‘flipped classroom’ model to their classes, replacing lectures with short online videos students can watch in their own time. The students also attend two weekly studio sessions where Kevin sets tasks that reinforce the video content. “This move away from one-hour classroom-based lectures allows the students greater flexibility when managing their workloads,” says Kevin. “It’s also beneficial for international students whose first language isn’t English, because they can take as long as they need to process the material.” Championing But Michael says to implement the flipped classroom model—which relies cybersecurity on a series of specifically designed Building for collaboration learning tasks to actively engage students through A state-of-the-art building is taking shape in Kelburn, with the taught content—with large Understanding how singing in the express what classroom singing means to be ready for science research and teaching in 2017. groups of students, the right technology classroom can increase wellbeing is the to them. is required. collaboration Temporarily called the Gateway building, One of Victoria’s primary goals in the Many New Zealand businesses focus of an innovative research project at Te Daphne, who specialises in music The physical studio is modelled on a the facility has been designed in keeping next decade is to enhance research experienced a cyberattack at least once Kōkī New Zealand School of Music (NZSM). therapy, says there is good evidence to technology-enhanced active learning with modern teaching practices and quality, quantity and impact. last year, and the number of security The project, led by NZSM senior lecturer suggest singing is a highly motivating (TEAL) approach. There’s a centralised will reflect Victoria’s status as a leading Associate Professor Allison Kirkman, breaches is rising. Dr Daphne Rickson, is one of six to receive medium that can have a positive impact teaching station equipped with a science and research organisation. Victoria’s Vice-Provost (Academic and A new collaboration agreement funding as part of the Government’s on wellbeing. computer, and eight large monitors—one To encourage interaction and Equity) says the University recognises between Victoria University and local Teaching and Learning Research Initiative. “Our aim is to learn how to maximise for each group of students. collaboration, a double-tiered lecture that the way people learn has changed company Total Risk will help tackle this Daphne and her team will examine the the use of singing for wellbeing and Software designed to enable this type theatre with open areas will allow group significantly in the past decade and there issue by developing training, advice and relationship between singing programmes to inform other schools about the of learning environment—VuePoint- work to be conducted alongside more is now demand for blended learning, protection services in cybersecurity. and wellbeing at a Christchurch school ways singing can support wellbeing, Connect—is installed on the computers traditional teaching. In some cases, which combines online study with face- Total Risk is one of only nine worldwide that has been severely affected by the especially during exceptionally difficult and allows Kevin to mirror his computer lecturers will teach from the middle of the to-face interaction. accredited partners of the Software earthquakes, and encourage learners to circumstances.” screen to the monitors throughout the room, rather than at the front. She says greater use of online research Engineering Institute’s CERT Division at room, or to share one group’s work on the Carnegie Mellon University in the United Science laboratories will be located and digital devices—approximately other seven monitors. States—a world-leading authority on alongside informal areas, allowing students 28,800 devices were used on Victoria’s Kevin also wears a microphone and the security and resilience of computer to move easily between laboratories, lecture campuses in 2015—has created a shift in can be heard clearly through centrally systems and networks. TheEmployers’ top ten skills organisations arewish looking fromlist the start.revealed theatres and break-out spaces. how students want to interact with, and located speakers as he moves around the The relationship with Total Risk means for when hiring university graduates or “Recruiters look for those discipline- There will also be other formal experience, learning. classroom. Victoria will be working with one of the students are revealed in a Victoria Business specific or technical skills, but they also learning areas, undergraduate teaching “They want to be able to read course very few CERT-certified partners globally, School-commissioned survey. want graduates who have the ability to laboratories, collaborative areas and materials anywhere and any time. “This way of teaching creates a and the only one in New Zealand. The nationwide Employability Skills think critically and problem solve. Sound social spaces. The laboratories, like the “But they also want to experiment and collaborative learning environment, “The significance of this collaboration Survey found work ethic was the most communication skills are also highly rest of the building, will be open and discover their own answers and to work in ensuring the students really understand cannot be understated,” says Victoria’s important attribute for employers when desirable so the new recruits can apply light, rather than old-school laboratories groups while discussing their ideas. what they’ve been taught each week. Dean of Engineering, Professor Dale hiring students or graduates. Verbal their technical skills effectively,” he says. hidden in basements. “In terms of physical space, we need Since we implemented it last year, it’s Carnegie. “It gives Victoria the impetus communication skills ranked second, and The Employability Skills Survey is the Science is a high-performing and facilities that are flexible and that proven itself as a successful teaching to push on with a world-leading energy and enthusiasm third. largest survey of its kind in Australasia, rapidly growing area of capability for encourage engagement, interaction, model, which is why we are helping our multidisciplinary cyber programme, and a Pro Vice-Chancellor and Dean of representing 346 organisations in the Victoria—the University is ranked number cross-pollination of ideas and colleagues implement it in their courses CERT-certified one at that, which should Commerce Professor Bob Buckle says private, public and non-profit sectors. one in New Zealand for research quality in collaboration.” as well,” says Kevin. the results suggest employers want eight science subject areas and number prove very attractive for both local and For the full list and summary of results, go to [email protected] [email protected] international students.” graduates who can produce quality work http://bit.ly/211NX7f two in a further three subjects. +64-4-463 6601 +64-4-463 4717

32—Victorious Victorious—33 Alumni Alumni

Victoria’sVictoria continues to host events global across New Zealand and and the world, local enabling current reach staff and students to reconnect with alumni. Always inspired The following give a snapshot of some events held since the last issue of Victorious. Sarah Jane Moon Portrait painter BA Well What kind of work have you been studying in a small city where everything doing since you graduated? is close by. I spent a few years teaching English in Where did you typically hang out, both rural Japan before moving to Australia for on and off campus? two years to work in arts management. I loved the Adam Art Gallery and Following a brief stint in Kuala Lumpur, volunteered there on occasion. Off I arrived in the United Kingdom nine years campus, I would often meet friends at the ago and have forged a career as a portrait Malthouse, which was a regular haunt, painter. and then various wine and jazz bars—we One of the highlights of my career were all trying to be so very grown up! was having a solo show at London’s What was the most useful thing you Mall Galleries that ran alongside the learnt at Victoria? Royal Society of Portrait Painters’ annual I think there are so many life lessons exhibition last year. one learns at that age, but I think Victoria What are some of your favourite bred a certain resilience and confidence memories of Victoria University? in me that has thankfully stuck. Also a More than fifty Indonesia-based alumni gathered to meet at a networking event hosted I have fond memories of arriving at friendliness—it was a real privilege to at the Grand Hyatt Jakarta in October. Rebecca Kitteridge, director of Image supplied Image campus early and pitching up in the be part of such a tight-knit and convivial New Zealand Security Intelligence Service library, forever distracted by the views of community. Also, to not wear heels when and Victoria University alumna, came the clouds (inevitably) rolling in over the walking down The Terrace on a windy and to Victoria’s Hunter Council Chamber in harbour and the colours of sea and sky. wet Wellington day! March to discuss why others may find you I loved the hills too and the intimacy of interesting. Te job that never loses its appeal Judge Peter Boshier Chief Ombudsman LLB(Hons) Well, GCTT USP James Wong, Geoff Massam, Caitlin Jan Akkachayanon takes a selfie with O’Donnell Clarke and Susan Harcourt fellow alumni at a Bangkok event at the What kind of work have you been equally so was the force of student were among those hosted at a New York Grand Hyatt Erawan in October. doing since you graduated? politics, debate and publishing both event in September. My career has all been related to the Salient (Victoria’s student magazine) law but certainly varied. After a period and Caveat (the Faculty of Law student of practice, I was appointed as a District newspaper). My memories of through- Court Judge. In 2004, I became Principal the-night publication layout endure! Family Court Judge and later moved to The old fashioned hotels and pubs the Law Commission. Late last year, I around Wellington gave us plenty of became Chief Ombudsman. choice for relaxing and discussing the What are some of the highlights of world’s affairs over a beer. Recent graduate Mitch Duncan spoke your career to date? What has stayed with you since you about his career in the animation My education at Victoria paved the way left Victoria? industry. Mitch was joined by Weta Digital for some fairly interesting work. Coming You can’t undertake the sort of jobs visual effects supervisor Matt Aitken at in as Principal Family Court Judge when that I have been lucky enough to have March’s Young Alumni event at Te Papa. the Care of Children Act was passed and without a really sound base of good markedly changed so many aspects of knowledge of law and technique. Victoria Sign up for latest alumni news Family Law, was a definite highlight as taught law so very well and still does. Keep up to date with our alumni e-newsletter, delivered monthly to Image supplied Image was the ability to spend so much time in That, combined with some insights and the Pacific educating judges about family maturity that I think student life gave me, your inbox. Your Victoria brings you the violence and youth justice issues. set me up pretty well for what, I would latest in Victoria news, events, deals and What are some of your favourite have to say, has been a wonderful career. opinions. If you don’t already receive memories of Victoria University? it and would like to sign up, email your Of course, the ‘professional’ side of New Zealand High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Sir Lockwood Smith talks with full name to [email protected] with my law degree was very enriching, but alumni at The Royal Society in London in September. ‘subscribe’ in the subject line.

34—Victorious Victorious—35 Victoria’s Auckland premises have growing been a The Faculty ofin Law fwill useuence this technology inpresence Auckland with the launch of two of the hive of activity since opening last year and for five postgraduate courses in Auckland four postgraduate courses. are set to get even busier. this year, which include special topics such Head of the School of Government There are around twenty courses as water law, patent law and law of privacy. Professor Brad Jackson says it is “imperative” available at the downtown Kitchener Street The School of Information Management the School extends its research, education building, ranging from first-year papers to will again offer its professional Master’s and development activities to Auckland. postgraduate courses. programmes. These programmes “Having a base in Auckland better Brand new to the Auckland premises this combine intensive, face-to-face seminars allows us to engage with Auckland public year is the Faculty of Humanities and Social with distance learning technologies for servants, Auckland Council, health boards Sciences, which will run two undergraduate discussion-based, activity-rich learning, and the city’s NGOs (non-governmental Religious Studies courses in Trimester Two. with lecturers splitting their time between organisations). Our presence also allows Lecturer Dr Michael Radich will travel from Wellington and Auckland. Auckland-based students and stakeholders Wellington to teach them. The School of Government at Victoria to benefit from the expertise of Victoria’s However, other faculties are opting for Business School has hosted several Wellington academics and their connections video conferencing technology that links events at the Auckland premises since to government agencies and businesses.” Wellington-run classes to an Auckland they opened. Last month, the School For more information on Auckland courses for Four decades of classroom via a webcam and shared screens. established a more permanent Auckland 2016, go to http://bit.ly/1U2rfw From BA to brewery The office of Emeritus Professor George The School’s first intake of students had four major books published—two Richard Shirtclife architectureBaird speaks volumes about the long in March 1976 consisted of twenty-five in collaboration with colleagues at the Head boy at Tuatara Brewing and distinguished career he has had at “mature” students, says George—a School—has won numerous awards BA Well Victoria’s School of Architecture. His stark contrast to the number of students and been appointed Dean of the Faculty What kind of work have you been really have a ‘love of learning’ at that walls are lost behind an abundance enrolled today. of Architecture on multiple occasions doing since you graduated? stage in my life—that came later. of accolades, and his bookshelves are Although the course structure hasn’t throughout its forty-year history. The On the face of it, my career looks a What was the most useful thing you overflowing with decades of knowledge. changed a lot over the years, George is biggest milestone for him, however, was little disjointed—sponsorship, event learnt at Victoria? Formerly a lecturer in building services pleased that there is now much more becoming an emeritus professor in 2014, management, marketing, business At university you can be, think, act and engineering in Aberdeen, Scotland, room for specialisation. shortly after his retirement. development, strategy, brand strategy speak as you wish (within the bounds of George arrived in Wellington in November “Building Science was the base “It’s not something I won or worked and a few start-ups. And now, running a the law!) and you’ll find a place for you. 1975—lured to New Zealand by the degree then, leading on to a Bachelor towards, it is an assessment by my peers brewery, which is pretty damn magic! All you must do is open your mind to that, School’s founder, Professor Gerd Block, of Architecture. Now students can and I feel honoured by that.” I’ve always been inspired by and embracing it is hugely liberating. who had a bold vision of establishing an choose from a range of different areas to The School of Architecture celebrated entrepreneurial pursuits and What’s some advice you’d like to share architecture school in the capital. specialise in—it’s fantastic.” its fortieth anniversary in March this environments, so building businesses with current Victoria students? “Gerd was an exceptional leader,” says Over the years, the School has been year. Alumni, current staff and students in New Zealand and taking them to the Risk it all! When you’re in your twenties, George. “He set out to differentiate us housed in different locations around attended an academic symposium about world was a natural fit. Also, the roles it’s the very best time in your life to take from the only other architecture school the city. In its early days it was based at global architecture in the 1970s, a cocktail I’ve had along the way have helped me chances that are the fastest ways to build in the country at the time, and luckily the Victoria’s Kelburn campus. As numbers function at The Boatshed on Wellington’s acquire key skills that give me a shot at hugely valuable experiences and success. handful of academic staff he had was an grew, a purpose-built laboratory was waterfront, an alumni celebration doing that. At that stage, if you fail you’ll learn plenty enthusiastic bunch determined to turn constructed in Fairlie Terrace and later involving presentations from staff and Describe your student experience at and lose little.

Gerd’s vision into reality.” the School shifted to its current building alumni and an exhibition that highlighted supplied Image Victoria. Also, approach life with a mindset That original group of staff included in the heart of Wellington’s Cuba Street the School’s rich history. It was a hugely formative and fun time: that asks ‘what if it goes right?’ We’re John Daish, John Gray, Barry Pearce district. [email protected] all new friends, influences, socialising. constantly looking at the downside, but and Dr John Webster—names that are George, who retired in 2014, says his +64-4-463 6231 Despite a learning mindset that’s made advances in humanity have rarely come cemented in the School’s history. career has had many highlights. He has me curious and restless all my life, I didn’t from worrying about the downside.

36—Victorious Victorious—37 PlantingVictoria’s School of Biological the Sciences seedsepiphytic plants—those for thatfuture grow on other researchWellington weather. The Centre will no is partnering with the Wellington City plants, such as mosses. doubt continue to aid researchers for Council to establish an urban field station “These account for as much as 10 percent many years to come.” at Otari-Wilton’s Bush where staff and of total land-based plants and yet very little Kevin Burns, acting head of the School of student research in terrestrial plant research has been done to understand Biological Sciences, says Leonard Cockayne’s ecology can be progressed. their distribution patterns, particularly vision for the reserve was for it to be a The field station will be housed in the in temperate climates. With the range of working laboratory of scientific research on recently refurbished Leonard Cockayne native plants at Otari-Wilton’s Bush, I can New Zealand flora. “We’re thrilled to be able Centre, named after New Zealand’s greatest investigate these distributions on many to carry that mission forward. botanist and a father of modern science in discrete tree hosts and better understand “Victoria already has a well-established New Zealand. the communities of species that form, and strength in plant ecology and having places The Otari reserve includes 100 hectares how they form. like Otari-Wilton’s Bush, just a few minutes of native forest and five hectares of plant “Having access to the Leonard from the campus, has been invaluable in collections and is the only public botanic Cockayne Centre facilities makes supporting field research that underpins this. When statements garden in New Zealand dedicated solely to undertaking research in Otari-Wilton’s “We are delighted to have the chance to native plants. Bush better than ever before. The Centre increase this relationship further and have Amanda Taylor, a PhD student, is one provided me with a space to collate my resources on site to support research.” sound like questions of the students undertaking research at data and conceptualise my ideas, and Many people are interested in language issues, particularly when they involve [email protected] Otari-Wilton’s Bush into the distribution of offered shelter from the unpredictable +64-4-463 6873 things they don’t agree with. Uptalk—the use of rising intonation into a narrative or conversation. Recent the lower working class—it’s almost as that makes statements sound more like research also suggests that the shape of though they know that this is something questions—has become a talking point, the rise found in uptalk can differ from that associated with their group and they want A fat simulation new suit is thetake latest tool toon ‘BMI’“We are working with industry 30 percent of the general adult population, with plenty of disapproving commentary. found in questions, and that listeners are to avoid it.” help healthcare workers better understand providers—in this case Essential 47 percent of Māori adults and 66 percent Now a new book, Uptalk, by Associate sensitive to such differences. Paul said the purpose of uptalk is seen and care for their patients, as Otago and HelpCare—and healthcare professionals, of Pasifika adults are classified as obese. Professor Paul Warren of the School of In New Zealand, research on uptalk in the differently by those using it—the ‘in’ group— Victoria University researchers work with as well as examining care from the “However, our focus is not trying to Linguistics and Applied Language Studies 1990s and 2000s found it in use by Pākehā, than by those hearing it—the ‘out’ group. the healthcare industry to improve support perspective of obese patients in order to change larger patients or engage in weight- brings together a wealth of research Māori and Pacific peoples. One analysis of “The ‘in’ group is using it largely to keep for obese patients. best understand where the issues lie.” loss conversations with them. When these findings on uptalk from around the world. recordings from the 1940s suggests it might the communication channel open, trying Dr Caz Hales, who is a lecturer at One tool the BMI team is using is very large patients come into care—be Uptalk is not only heard in New Zealand have been present in the speech of two to invite the listener into the conversation. Victoria’s Graduate School of Nursing, a simulation suit, purchased by the that hospital, a rest home or even palliative but also in Australia, Britain, Canada, the people born in the late-nineteenth century. “The ‘out’ group perceive it differently. Midwifery and Health, is part of a new Department of Primary Health Care and care—they should feel safe and they should Caribbean, the Falkland Islands, South More recently, uptalk has been studied in Members of this group hear it as initiative called BMI, which in this case General Practice at Otago University, be able to expect the same level of care as Africa and the United States. It is not courtroom interactions. questioning the validity of what the stands for bariatric management Wellington, for research and teaching. any other patient.” limited to English and has been recorded, Paul says that, although there was little speaker is saying and then interpret that innovation, rather than body mass index. “The suit replicates the experience of Caz is working on the project with in a range of other languages including differentiation in the use of uptalk across as showing a lack of security, a lack of Caz says the aim of the BMI initiative is to being physically larger and we’re using it to Lesley Gray from Otago University and German, Greek and Japanese. classes in New Zealand, the situation confidence in what the person is saying, ensure that very large patients receive safe, help healthcare professionals empathise Todd Bishop, who is the chief executive Paul’s book highlights that, while uptalk was different for social stratifications in which reflects badly on the speaker.” appropriate and equitable care. with larger patients. The feedback we’ve of Essential HelpCare, a company that is more likely to be used by young women, Australia. Uptalk has been published by “A major issue for very large patients is the had so far is that it’s a very powerful tool— provides equipment to hospitals and other recent studies show that there are male “The lower working class is using it more Cambridge University Press. need for specialised equipment that actually it shows health professionals just how healthcare providers. and older uptalkers too. than the upper working class, and they fits properly, which is obviously essential to vulnerable this group of people is. Find out more information at http://bit.ly/1U3zvYk Find more information at http://bit.ly/1Rwm7M7 And rather than being used to indicate are using it more than the middle class— ensuring they get the best care and are able “The issue isn’t going away. We have a uncertainty, uptalk has been found to have except for the men. [email protected] to rehabilitate properly,” she says. high obesity rate in New Zealand—about [email protected] +64-4-463 5631 +64-4-463 6142 a positive function of drawing listeners “For the men, there is an avoidance by

38—Victorious Victorious—39 News

A unique collection of more than seventy late-Roman antiquities is a treasured addition to Victoria’s School of Art History, Classics Breathing new life into and Religious Studies and the University’s Classics Museum. The pieces—mainly pottery and glass—were teachingKōhanga reo, Samoan kindergartens resources and Māori and Samoan language learning gifted by Jeremy Commons through the Victoria schools around the country have access readers that had been published non- University Foundation. Jeremy’s late partner, to a rich online audio teaching resource, commercially on tape in the 1980s and well-known artist and potter David Carson- thanks to restoration work by staff of 1990s by the Ministry of Education. Parker, brought them to New Zealand in the Victoria’s Language Learning Centre (LLC). The result is a digital audio-bookshelf 1970s. They were purchased from a dealer in Balint Koller and Edith Paillat (pictured) that gives better access to precious and artefacts at a souk in Syria’s capital, Damascus. were part of the LLC team that released long-underused resources. Dr Mark Masterson from the School of Art free digital recordings of about twenty View the digital collection: http://bit.ly/1OY0U5O History, Classics and Religious Studies says the collection dates from the middle to late Warm Eastern Roman Empire and features a range of artefacts. “The glass pieces are my favourite— welcome some of them are quite dazzling. “It’s touching that something that was so important to David can serve as a lasting for new reminder of him here at Victoria. I’m very happy to be able to remember him in this way and that Membersstudents of the Samoan the collection will be named in his honour.” Jeremy says that as a potter, David was Students’ Association interested in the work of all countries and performed at the periods, and it was an immediate and Welcome Festival in spontaneous feeling of affinity with Roman pottery that prompted him to collect it. February for first-year The process of cataloguing the collection, Victoria students. including photographing and writing descriptions for each of the pieces, is well The vibrant event was filled with underway and Dr Masterson says they will be cultural and musical performances, on display by mid-2016 and will be used as a sports activities, food stalls and the teaching resource in the Classics department. famous halls’ chant-off competition, The David Carson-Parker pieces will join the which was won by Te Puni Village. well-chosen collection of Greek and Roman Vice-Chancellor Professor Grant VUCELIn celebration of New Zealand making Seaweek, the strong a dependencies splash that we have on artefacts at Victoria’s Classics Museum and will Guilford, Deputy Mayor Justin Lester and the Victoria University Coastal Ecology our oceans. be housed in a purpose-built, earthquake-proof Victoria University of Wellington Students’ Laboratory (VUCEL) in Island Bay opened Visitors were able to see marine cabinet in the museum on Level 5 in Old Kirk Association President Jonathan Gee took its doors to the public on Saturday creatures up close and learn about the building. the opportunity to welcome students to 5 March. interesting biology of the marine animals Victoria and to Wellington. This year’s Seaweek theme was Toiora and plants on display. [email protected] te Moana—Toiora te Tangata, Healthy +64-4-463 6909 Watch a short video of the Welcome Festival on See more photos from the day on VUCEL’s Victoria’s Facebook page: http://bit.ly/1Vsimaj Seas—Healthy People. Dr Jeff Shima, the Facebook page: http://on.f.me/1VdAch3 VUCEL director, says the theme highlights

40—Victorious Victorious—41 The Wai-te-ata Press Collection, Victoria University of Wellington REARRANGE THESE to create something no one else has written before

Here they are. Twenty-one consonants and five vowels. What happens if you rearrange them? That’s when they can become more than twenty-six familiar symbols. They can convey ideas, tell stories, describe characters and situations. They can be anything you want them to be. Something that never existed, until you thought of it. The International Institute of Modern Letters at Victoria University of Wellington is where writers play with the alphabet and find their unique voices. Victoria is New Zealand’s globally ranked capital city university. By inspiring and developing art, music and writing, we cultivate creative capital.

For more about world-leading thinking and research at Victoria, go to victoria.ac.nz