The University of Auckland Alumni magazine | Spring 2012

SUMMER SHAKESPEARE TURNS 50 AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARADISE WINNING SHORT STORY EDITORIAL

In this issue The power of philanthropy

Ingenio – The University of Auckland Letters to the Editor 4-5 series of functions at home and abroad, the value of philanthropy. alumni magazine 10 together with excellent speakers, (often our Fifthly, we have seen a gradual and growing News 6-9 leading researchers) have largely blunted those appreciation among our alumni, many of whom Spring 2012 early suspicions. had become totally disengaged, of the fact ISSN 1176-211X Features At the same time, having visited the that even small annual donations can, when Universities of Oxford, Cambridge, Virginia, aggregated, make the world of difference, Editor: Tess Redgrave Summer Shakespeare 10 Melbourne and Sydney, we were planning particularly in providing scholarship funding to Contributing editors: Helen Borne, Judy Wilford and building our Development infrastructure support talented students who would otherwise Ahuahu dig 12 Design: Justin Marshall and Laura Dueker for the University’s first major pan-University be unable to afford a University education. Advertising manager: Don Wilson Whale woman 14 fundraising campaign, “Leading the Way”. This Between 2008 and 2011, the number of Proofreading: Rose Yukich has just concluded, having raised over $202.9 alumni donating to one of the University’s Born activist 16 14 million (against an initial goal of annual appeals grew by 75 percent. Editorial contact details $100 million!) largely for specific chairs, As Vice-Chancellor Professor Stuart Ingenio Winning short story 18 Communications and Marketing fellowships and scholarships. McCutcheon has noted, the campaign has The University of Auckland Taking Issue 20 What were the key outcomes from the transformed the University’s, and its alumni’s Private Bag 92019 campaign? understanding of, and approach to, the power Auckland 1142, New Zealand Poetic justice 22 Firstly, we confirmed the vital importance of of philanthropy. Simply put, the government Level 10, Fisher Building doing very thorough homework with potential cannot provide what has been described as 18 Waterloo Quadrant, Auckland Manliness 23 Telephone: +64 9 373 7599 ext 84149 donors beforehand. We discovered that being “dream money”, which has become so vital in Facsimile: +64 9 373 7047 Urban storyliner 24 125 years old, and being (then) 51st in the attracting and retaining top level researchers Email: [email protected] 20 world, were of secondary importance to the and teachers in the current arms race for www.auckland.ac.nz/ingenio Pacific storyteller 26 University being less self-serving and more academic talent. Audited by www.abc.org.nz outward-looking and motivated to make a In conclusion, the campaign has been One of the challenges in any university is to difference to the health, the economic and hugely beneficial in informing and motivating How alumni keep in touch Regular sections To ensure that you continue to receive Ingenio, resolve the archetypal tension between alumni social wellbeing of our nation, and of humanity more alumni to take a more proactive interest and to subscribe to @auckland, Alumni achievers 28 relations and development – in simplified terms, generally. in their alma mater, especially older age the University’s email newsletter for alumni and between friend-raising and fundraising. Both are Secondly, we confirmed the importance groups who supported themselves through the friends, please update your details at: Photo gallery 30 at opposite ends of a continuum, from the more of appropriate investment by respective University without the current impost of having www.alumni.auckland.ac.nz/update altruistic alumni engagement for its own sake to Vice- Chancellors in providing excellent to take large student loans. I have no doubt Alumni Relations Office Alumni News 32 The University of Auckland the more utilitarian use of the alumni database infrastructural support for the campaign that the increase in “giving back” to student 19A Princes Street, Private Bag 92019 Alumni Noticeboard 33 26 to support the University’s financial needs. committee, deans and research champions support scholarships we have seen during Auckland 1142, New Zealand Given that common challenge, we were very Telephone: +64 9 923 4653 Development 33 fortunate, here at Auckland, to combine both Email: [email protected] Why are you having this function, you are the alumni and the development functions www.alumni.auckland.ac.nz Books 34 when we moved into the former synagogue only after our money? Copyright Art 37 which became University House in 2003. Articles reflect personal opinions and are not Our early focus was on reconnecting with across the University from development the campaign is motivated by a desire to give those of The University of Auckland. No parts of Sport 38 alumni both at home and abroad, not only managers, researchers and writers to as many talented students as possible the this publication may be reproduced without prior by mounting a comprehensive functions communications, event management, and web opportunity to gain a university degree without consent of The University of Auckland. Student life 39 All rights reserved. programme, but chiefly through this biannual and database experts. the long-term millstone of a huge student loan. ©The University of Auckland 2012 Ingenio magazine which now goes out to Thirdly, we discovered that a fundraising Long may that sentiment and support continue! more than 100,000 alumni, largely in print campaign could be very transformative in Finally, may I acknowledge the great Cover photo but also to a small but growing percentage, terms of highlighting the practical outcomes support I have received from the respective From Outdoor Shakespeare's Julius Caesar electronically. of top-level research. We now know far more Vice-Chancellors, deans, senior management (1974) Back: Adrian Kierknander (Casca) One issue that had to be worked through about who our research superstars are, and and especially our Alumni Relations and and front Dr Robert Leek (Julius Caesar) Ingenio website carefully was how to integrate an extensive what they are achieving for good, across so Development team during my very stimulating alumni re-engagement programme with many different fields. We also have a better Check out our website www.ingenio-magazine.com decade at the University. the University’s ever present and growing understanding of their vital importance to New If you’re as happy to read Ingenio online as in philanthropic needs – meat and drink in the Zealand’s future economic and social success print, we’ll stop sending you the magazine and John Taylor, who has been Director of Alumni US but not so in New Zealand, Australia and than that afforded by our often more publicly instead you’ll receive an email each time the Relations and Development at The University the UK. acclaimed sporting and other celebrities. website is refreshed with the latest Ingenio content. of Auckland since 2003, and has directed the Reactions to that re-engagement programme Fourthly, we witnessed the magic which You can search articles, browse by topic, view “Leading the Way” fundraising campaign, varied from “Why are you having this function, results when a potential donor meets a top videos and leave comments on the Ingenio website. retires at the end of this year after a career you are only after our money?” (in New researcher and becomes intrinsically involved which has also included the headmasterships Zealand) to “What is the value proposition?” in sponsoring vital research – which in turn of Kings College, Auckland (1988-2002) and Ingenio is printed on 100% recycled, elemental chlorine-free paper, (in the more fundraising-focused US). However, has made the University’s academics and Rathkeale College, Masterton (1979-1987). using soy-based ink. during the last decade, our largely biennial researchers far more aware and appreciative of

2 | The University of Auckland Ingenio Spring 2012 | 3 Letters LETTERS

Response from Susan St John, Co-Director of the Retirement Policy and Research Centre, after the external exams are complete. part-time Associate Professor in the Economics Department, University of Auckland With monotonous regularity they Note the comment [in the response that rehash what is already known. So the are reminded of the perils of relying on from McAuley High School] “We also comment was as much as anything self- professional sport as a career (not an issue do not spend our extremely busy days deprecating. for the girls). They are three of the four ‘handwringing and writing endless reports’ My message, clearly missed, is that poor Head Prefects and when they leave to go as stated by Susan St John, although we educational achievement is one of the to university they do degrees in medicine, do support her point that the negative symptoms of child poverty. We know enough engineering, commerce, law and the arts. effects of poverty are both varied and to act now, especially in the first years of Through our GATEWAY programme we even many in our society”. life when New Zealand does really badly got seven apprenticeships in 2011 and they arruthers C in supporting young families. A low income are harder to get than entrance to university.

ean I was not referring to these very talented D child with good food/good health/good To meet the challenge of getting more and hardworking alumni at all, but to students into health-related careers we

Photo: stimulation will have a well-developed brain the Children’s Commission, the Families Letters by five, but this takes resources and huge have started a Health Science Academy to Commission, the Pediatrics Society, the support. encourage our Pasifika and Māori students Salvation Army, the Child Poverty Action Of course we should celebrate success, to do extra science at school so as to remove Group (CPAG), the NZ Institute of Economic Response to our last Taking Issue in the Autumn 2012 Ingenio: “Educational underachievement and it was heartening to hear of that, a lack of science as a barrier to taking Research, Manuka Henare’s report on among Mäori, Pasifika and low income groups is one of the greatest challenges to New Zealand’s but Māori and PI are unfortunately still on degree courses in medicine, nursing, Māori child health for Every Child Counts, disproportionately represented in statistics physiotherapy and other health-related fields. future: What are we doing about it?” See www.ingenio-magazine.com medical journal articles, church groups of social distress. Health outcomes are really Now the Health Science Academy is in its reports, the Welfare Working Group, the worrying. In the case of South Auckland we second year over 40 Pasifika and Māori Ministry of Social Development reports, the rewarding work we do every day. Whilst she is improvements could still be made would have are also very conscious of the degree of students are making giant steps towards Staff of McAuley High Expert Group on Child Poverty (announced quick to criticise other initiatives, we would point been far more useful in advancing the cause of transience in the school system, largely due careers in these areas. One has even been the day I was asked to write this piece), the School wrote: out that comments about magic bullets as in success for Māori and Pasifika students. to difficulties in housing. Anything that can selected by the Royal Society as one of 21 Māori select committee on child health, the students from all over New Zealand to attend As alumni of the University of Auckland who – “just do these few ‘simple things’ and all will We believe fervently that it is a multitude of be done to alleviate social distress should Ministerial enquiry into child health — to a week-long science symposium in Dunedin. work in education we were deeply disturbed be well” are unhelpful at best. We are not part interconnected factors that contribute to our make the task of the educators easier. quickly type a few that come to mind. Textbooks are given to them and laptops by the three opinion pieces in the Taking Issue of the Starpath initiative, and yet the evidence- success and rigorous self-review of such that Saying so should not be taken to devalue the As part of the child advocacy sector, are about to be issued. Extra classes are run section of the Autumn Ingenio publication. based practice of which she speaks is deeply enables us to continue to have our students marvellous efforts already being made by CPAG is forever expected to produce yet outside of normal school hours and specialists We all currently work at McAuley High embedded in our school culture. We can’t achieve at the highest possible levels. We would many dedicated teachers. more research/ make yet more submissions. brought in for seminars on exam techniques School, a decile 1 Catholic girls’ school in imagine how the schools involved in the project also certainly acknowledge the excellent support Susan St John Academics are often involved in contracts and study skills. To visit a Level 2 physics class Otahuhu. Eighty-eight percent of our students must feel to be criticised for not having these of our parent community and our motivated being taught with 18 Pasifika girls in it shows identify as Pasifika and a further five percent purportedly “simple and effective” strategies and hard-working students whose efforts and how successful the academy concept has are Māori. Last year our NCEA results were already in place. Surely working with the schools achievements are devalued by the airing of been already. a minimum of 21 percent above national roll- to support ongoing improvement would be a such ill-informed viewpoints. G I Laurenson, Principal, Otahuhu College writes It is ironic, however, to read the article on based pass rates at all three levels of NCEA. key element of any such project. Our strongly held view is that articles such As the Principal of one of the largest Decile the situation before putting pen to paper. As page 35 of Ingenio and to see a photograph Our Pasifika students were a minimum of 32 We would also point out that Dame Anne’s as these do little to inform the debate around 1 schools in the country, Otahuhu College, a graduate of The University of Auckland with of our Dux from 2011 as a recipient of one of percent above national Pasifika achievement own use of “evidence” is somewhat selective Māori and Pasifika achievement inN ew and with the greatest number of Pasifika an Arts degree I was dismayed and upset two “First in Family” scholarships. rates, and at least five percent above the – the Annual Report for 2011 for the Starpath Zealand, and respectfully suggest that their students, I was extremely disturbed to read with the false assumptions and generalities in Maybe we are getting some things right for achievement rates for European students, again initiative talks only of increases in each of the publication diminishes those of us working in the article in Ingenio written by Uesifili the column. the “children of the poor”. at all three levels of NCEA. Furthermore 100 five schools participating, but gives no measure the sector. The irony is that such opinions, which Unasa. It is one thing to write an article to I can assure you the children of the poor Perhaps a journey from the “Ivory Towers” percent of our 2011 cohort left with Level 1, of how large these were beyond the comments are not evidence-based, should be written by generate discussion but something else to are being taught at Otahuhu College. Yes to the depths of South Auckland to see the 97.5 percent left with Level 2 and 71.2 percent that there has been “some success in matching staff of a university that prides write an opinion piece without making any they dance at Polyfest and play in the 1st XV reality might be in order. left with Level 3. national pass rates”, and that “the effects are itself on being New Zealand’s pre-eminent effort whatsoever to discover the realities of but they are mentored all year long and leave Our Pasifika and non-Pasifika staff alike variable across schools and time, but show research institution. G I Laurenson (BA 1975) take exception to Uesifili Unasa’s claim that consistent improvement at NCEA Levels 1 the children of the poor are not taught and and 2”. The report also states that one school Louise Addison BA 1997, BSc 1998, that we do not celebrate the Pacific-ness of had parent participation rise from 15 percent DipTchg, PGDipEd 2010 our students. We certainly “want to” and work to 85 percent. Our rudimentary analysis John Bower BA 1993, GradDipTchg extremely hard to continue to develop our showed that, in the five Phase 1S tarpath Tim Gasson BTheol 1999, GradDipTchg 2006 understanding of “how to” do so. Our results schools and across the three levels of NCEA, Bridget Houghton BPE 2004 speak for themselves, and we see no evidence there was improvement from 2009 to 2010 Bronwyn Houliston MA 2007, in our daily work of the “institutionalised second in nine of these 15 roll-based pass rates. GradDipTchg 2010 rate status reserved for ambitious poor Pasifika Unfortunately this has not been sustained, Salome Ioane MEd(Hons) 2009 kids” of which the author talks. We also do not with the data in 2011 showing a decrease Makerita Loto BA 2006, BSc 2010, spend our extremely busy days “handwringing in 10 of the 15 pass rates, six of these to GradDipTchg 2012 “The benefi t to participants and writing endless reports” as stated by Susan below the pass rates achieved in 2009. We Moyeen McCoy MA(Hons) 1983, DipTessol is a real link back to their St John, although we do support her point that suggest this is further evidence that there is Angela McLaughlin BA 1981, DipTchg ? everyday work.” the negative effects of poverty are both varied no magic bullet in education. That said, it is Christine Plank MEd(Hons) 2010 and many in our society. They are, of course, not wonderful that improvements in achievement Miles Sengers MSc(Hons) 1998, - Mark Skridulaitis, Telecom an excuse for students not to achieve. are occurring in some areas of these schools. DipTchg 2000 Dame Anne Salmond’s claim that success We feel an article focusing on these successes, Victoria Sullivan BA,1998, DipTchg, PGDipEd for Māori and Pasifika students “is not rocket whilst acknowledging both the hard work Alicia Tapu Tauiliili BA, 2002, Dip Tchg (sec) 2004 science” demeans the extremely challenging but done by all concerned, and the areas in which Rachel Williams BSc 1999, DipTchg 2000 www.exec.auckland.ac.nz

4 | The University of Auckland Spectacular end to Campaign Campus campaign was set.” Each year the Chancellor also inducts new members into one of three societies in the redevelopment Chancellor’s Circle, in recognition of their sustained support of the University. The new members of the Sir Maurice O’Rorke Society, with total contributions of more than $5 million, were Cure Kids, which has funded more than 100 years after 40 child health-focused research projects at the University and the Cure Kids Chair in Child we began our first Research; and the Freemasons, who established the Freemasons Chair in Geriatric Medicine in university project, 1986 and continue to partner with the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences to address the an extension to Knox Photo: Bruse JarvisPhoto: health concerns of the elderly. College at Otago, we Five new members were inducted into the Sir Sir John Graham, Vice-Chancellor Professor Stuart McCutcheon, Campaign patron Jenny Gibbs, Campaign Committee George Fowlds Society – Buckley Systems, the Chairman, Geoff Ricketts, Director of External Relations and Development John Taylor, Chancellor Roger France are still facilitating Glavish Family Trust, Fisher & Paykel Appliances, The Kelliher Charitable Trust and the New the education of Zealand Leadership Institute. They have made very spring at Graduation Week, the great “You have changed the face of philanthropy New Zealanders, total contributions of between $1 million and marquee rises over the long lawn beside in New Zealand. You have told the community $5 million. Old Government House. This October, that you believe this institution is something delivering, for the E The 12 inductees to the Sir Douglas Robb illuminated with hundreds of tiny blue and white special, something worthy of your investment. Society have contributed between $100,000 University of Auckland: lights, it also became the venue for a special But most of all, you have made it possible for our and $1 million to the University: Auckland Heart dinner for 300 guests hosted by the Chancellor, extraordinary people to do extraordinary things; Group Charitable Trust, Baxter Healthcare, The Roger France. and there is no greater gift that you can give a > Grafton Medical CatWalk Spinal Cord Injury Trust, Conservation The annual Chancellor’s Dinner recognises University like ours.” The University is currently undergoing a major The School of Environment, Institute of Earth International, The Japan Foundation, The School Campus and thanks those donors who have given Chancellor Roger France spoke of the redevelopment of its facilities. Science and Engineering, National eScience John Drake Memorial Scholarship Trust, substantial gifts to the University over the importance of having a university that is The $240 million redevelopment of its Grafton Infrastructure, Department of Psychology and refurbishment John Templeton Foundation, The Kate Edger previous 12 months. This year, however, there internationally competitive and of the desire to medical training facility is now all but complete School of Chemical Sciences will move into a Educational Charitable Trust, Leukaemia and was an additional reason to celebrate: the contribute nationally, which was at the heart of and was lauded at the recent New Zealand new purpose-built Science Centre tower joining Faculty of Science Blood Cancer New Zealand, Minter Ellison Rudd > final total of the L“ eading the Way” Campaign the “Leading the Way” Campaign. Institute of Architects Awards. colleagues from Physics, Mathematics, Statistics Watts, PwC and Tonkin & Taylor. (Building 303) – $202.9 million gifted to the University and “A continuously well-educated and well- “In the architectural equivalent of open- and Computer Science accommodated in The entertainment for the evening was foundations that support it by 3000 donors. trained population is essential for our social and heart surgery, vertical and silo-stacked buildings in the same complex and increasing refurbishment provided by students from the University’s This sum, more than twice the original target of economic wellbeing. Education plays a key role teaching spaces have been unclogged to the opportunities for cross-disciplinary National Institute of Creative Arts and Industries and new science $100 million set in 2006, makes it one of the in providing individuals with the knowledge, provide horizontal and transparent modern collaboration. – soprano Milla Dickens with pianist Den Sky most ambitious and successful philanthropic skills and competencies needed to participate education learning environments,” read the The Faculty of Engineering is undergoing undergraduate Lucas, tenor Taunoa Filimoehola and baritone campaigns undertaken in New Zealand. In effectively in society and in the economy. It also citation. redevelopment working with architects Kalauni Pouvalu accompanied by pianist Juan laboratories thanking all donors, Vice-Chancellor Professor contributes to the expansion of scientific and “The architects [Jasmax] thoroughgoing Jasmax to create high-tech laboratories, a new Kim, and The Jazz Trio. Stuart McCutcheon underlined the significance cultural knowledge. This was the background commitment to sustainable design is evident engineering research facility and the expansion in the building’s planning, operation and of the existing buildings on the City Campus. of the achievement. against which the University’s fundraising Louise Callan material selection.” “This is part of a ten-year campus renewal Traditional divisions between departments plan valued in excess of $1billion that is bringing have been replaced with theme-based research our facilities up to the highest possible standard,” while open-plan, multi-disciplinary teaching and says Vice-Chancellor, Professor McCutcheon. research spaces have been created, radically “It demonstrates our commitment to science transforming the way more than 4,000 students and engineering, and reflects the importance of and 1,500 staff go about their work. science and innovation to New Zealand.” Design work has also begun for the The University is also going through “due redevelopment of the Engineering and Science process” for its proposed purchase of the 5.2ha faculties, which will both be the subject of major former Lion Breweries site in Newmarket. If building renewal programmes. successful, the University will use the site for The Faculty of Science is the highest-ranked long-term development of a mixed use campus, and largest in New Zealand, and its research with space for purpose-built teaching and activity, staff and student numbers are forecast research facilities, student accommodation, to grow substantially over the next ten years. business development and other facilities. The $200 million redevelopment, led by the For more information on the “Proposed University’s Property Services and architectural Newmarket Campus” see: firm Architectus, will give 38,000m2 of new or www.auckland.ac.nz/newmarket refurbished space to accommodate most of this growth and bring together scientific disciplines previously dispersed across the campus. NEWS NEWS

In May this year, Sir Ralph received the both here and internationally,” says Lee Beattie, New Council member inaugural CIO Lifetime Contribution Award for head of Urban Planning and deputy head of Bill Williams: Evolve Former CEO his significant contribution to the information the School of Architecture and Planning. July 20 1947 - August 26 2012 The University’s commercial partners are leading in research, and Managing technology sector. He is an Honorary Fellow of The Auckland Council recently released It is with considerable commercialisation technology, and education. Director of the the New Zealand Computer Society (HFNZCS), its spatial plan, the Auckland Plan, as a sadness that we have company, “It illustrates the role of UniServices as a Commonwealth an Ambassador of the Australian Indigenous strategy for managing urban growth that put together this issue UniServices is business friendly and well networked company Bank of Australia Education Foundation, and is also a former involves limiting urban sprawl and seeking to of Ingenio. The first producing its own embedded in New Zealand Inc.,” says Claudia (CBA) Sir Ralph Chairman of the Business Round Table. accommodate the majority of Auckland’s future without the much- new quarterly Vidal, UniServices General Manager, Business Norris has joined He was knighted in 2009 and named growth (between 60 to 70 percent) within an valued input of Senior publication Evolve. Operations. “It is an inclusive publication for the University Outstanding Māori Business Leader for 2010. urban growth boundary. Communications Evolve is a window our wide variety of audiences in New Zealand Council. “This will mean greater density in the Adviser Bill Williams into some of the and overseas, and across many industry Sir Ralph has Planning urban existing and emerging centres, potentially who died on 26 exciting advances sectors and governments.” been appointed using multi-storey, multi-unit housing forms, August, after a UniServices and its www.uniservices.co.nz/aboutus/evolve.aspx by the Minister for Tertiary Education for a How do we make urban intensification happen in the right way? And if we're going so the city is facing big issues in terms of brief illness, just a few months short of his period of four years to August 2016, and will how it balances intensification and the right retirement. replace Mr Alec Hawke who did not seek re- to give up our traditional quarter acre section lifestyles, what are the trade-offs for living in housing technologies,” says Lee. “The Masters Bill, who had worked at the University for Top ranked appointment. of Urban Planning students will gain the skills terraced or high rise housing? 25 years, played a key role in each issue of The University of Auckland has once more excellence and the results are testimony His career started at ASB as a computer and knowledge required to address these, and Growing cities like Auckland are facing these Ingenio. He contributed story ideas, produced been ranked as the top university in New to the quality and commitment of staff, and programmer, then he became its CIO, CEO other complex issues being faced by our ever sorts of questions, and are the reason the beautifully written features, was always a Zealand in the latest 2012-13 Times Higher a reflection of the University’s and managing director. Following his time increasingly urbanised world.” willing sounding board, and above all was with ASB, he went on to become CEO and University’s School of Architecture and Planning Education World University Rankings. research strength. is moving the planning discipline's focus the magazine’s subeditor and proofreader It was placed 161st in the world, an “Without a doubt universities provide Managing Director of Air New Zealand before extraordinaire. Very few mistakes passed joining CBA in 2005. towards urban planning with a new taught improvement from its 173rd ranking a rich source of innovation and skilled Masters of urban planning degree. unnoticed on Bill’s watch. last year, and is the only New Zealand graduates to industry and to our wider Commenting on Sir Ralph’s appointment, Bill was a University treasure and the University’s Chancellor, Roger France, “With 85 percent of New Zealanders university to feature in the top 200, and society. The University of Auckland is New already living within the urban environment formidable “walking encyclopedia”. Staff to be among the top eight universities Zealand’s largest research organisation says “the leadership, depth and breadth of across the University sought him out with their experience, and wealth of knowledge Sir Ralph (our cities and towns), and the global trend of in Oceania. and our diverse research supports our population movement from the rural to the questions, and on the rare occasions when he Two other rankings this year have placed innovation economy.” will bring to the Council and the University will didn’t have an immediate answer, he made it be invaluable.” urban environment, the new degree is relevant the University at the top in New Zealand. Times Higher Education’s methodology his business to find out. The University of Auckland was the only uses 13 performance indicators across Generous with his time, thoughtful, kind, New Zealand tertiary institution to be five broad categories: teaching; citations; acutely intelligent and in his own quiet way ranked in the top 100 of the QS World research; international outlook and witty and irreverent, Bill is deeply missed by University Rankings when it was placed industry income. all who’ve worked on this issue of Ingenio, 83rd in the world. It recently also became Other New Zealand universities ranked by his colleagues here in Communications the first New Zealand university to enter under the Times Higher Education World and the many staff members he has worked the top 200 of the Shanghai Jiao Tong University Rankings system are: Otago with across the University. You can read a full Academic Rankings of World Universities. 226-250; Victoria 251-275; Canterbury obituary on Bill written by former registrar Vice-Chancellor, Professor Stuart 301-350; Waikato 301-350; and Massey Want to take a leading Warwick Nicoll in University News Issue 15, McCutcheon says: “The University’s 351-400. 13 September 2012 or at www. http://www. strategic focus is on achieving a level of auckland.ac.nz/uoa/home/for/the-media/tm- role in shaping our publications/tm-uninews urban future? A new urban focused Master of Urban Planning will provide you with the knowledge and skills required for an increasingly complex and diverse urban world. C.K. STEAD’S LATEST BOOK

Urban Planners play a key role in shaping New Zealand’s urban futures —economically, environmentally, socially and culturally. This professionally accredited practice degree will examine:

• Urban sustainability • Social and cultural matters • Urban design • Infrastructure design • Urban economics • Policy formulation and implementation AvAiLABLE in ALL gOOD School8 | ofThe ArchitectureUniversity of Auckland and Planning www.creative.auckland.ac.nz BOOK STOrES nOw 0800 61 62 63 | [email protected] ALUMNI

see Shakespeare will get fewer and fewer over brilliant flashes of colour from the costumes of Shakespeare aims for today. the years, and people need to cut their teeth on Ngila Dickson [who did the costumes also for For both Michael and Lisa, King Lear is something big. Lord of the Rings]. among the most modern of Shakespeare’s “My son will probably get to the end of “I hear throbbing drums and searing horns plays, retaining an intense and disturbing high school and unless he asks for it, he fighting the constant presence of a wind that relevance to the present day. won’t be given any Shakespeare. That’s just howls and I hear Michael’s voice soaring above “This is a play of disintegration,” says crazy. People just don’t see it. Nobody can the storm, pounding the heavens with a rage.” Lisa. “There is almost nobody left at the end. afford to put it on any longer. I’m saying that Among other big names involved will be Everybody is destroyed or changed irrevocably. this [Shakespearean theatre] is an absolute Gareth Farr, who has agreed to create the “What I think about when I think about King goldmine of spiritual uplifting.” He laughs. “I’m music; Ian Mune, who is to play Gloucester; Lear – because, I guess, of the world that I not religious, just saying it in a human way. But and Michael Noonan, (the first manager of the live in – is that it speaks to the environmental it’s really important we have this in our lives. University Bookshop and director of Richard collapse that all of us are living through We can’t afford to just let it go away.” II for Summer Shakespeare in 1969) who now as a species, where our hubris and our Emeritus Professor Mac Jackson, textual will take a cameo role as “the old man”. The mindlessness and our greed and our capacity adviser for the production, sees King Lear as designer is to be Jessica Verryt (following in to just take and take and not in any way give the footsteps of her father John), assisted by – has resulted in a situation where the systems We want to make well-known sculptors Greer Twiss and Michael that support us are collapsing. I wanted to Parekowhai. Says Michael Hurst: “This will be think of the play as a metaphor for that. If I Summer Shakespeare a gift of a learning opportunity” – right in the could put global warming on the stage and the spirit of Summer Shakespeare. loss of fish, the loss of species, the loss ofM aui one of those events “Before there were drama and music schools dolphins, the lack of food, all of that. there were always people who worked with the “If I could put that on the stage for King Lear

arruthers on the calendar that C younger actors and artists,” adds Lisa. “That’s I would feel I had done my job right.” ean D people really want to how you learned to do the craft of acting, Judy Wilford Photo: Photo: go to... painting, dancing.” And that’s what Summer Michael Neill (King Lear) and Michael Hurst (the Fool) one of the world’s greatest dramas. As an actual play, he says, he ranks Hamlet higher, “What a world. What a play,” says Lisa Harrow, acclaimed international Shakespearean actress, “but as a dramatic poem Lear is one of the who is to direct King Lear next year for the University’s 50th Outdoor Summer Shakespeare. greatest works ever written…. Shakespeare has taken such extravagant risks, pushing the form of drama to its outer limits.” Mac once saw an interview with actor Sam Neill (former partner of Lisa Harrow) who was asked if he would ever play a classic role like Nothing will come of nothing King Lear. Said Sam: “I couldn’t do it, but my brother nd what a grand event this will be, accepted by others, the brutality with which being of Summer Shakespeare, because it had could.” bringing together a wealth of creative honesty, integrity and decency are silenced – been flickering in and out of existence – And in this production, Sam’s brother will. Atalent – designers, actors, musicians, and the utter lack of a happy ending. a sputtering flame. For Emeritus Professor Michael Neill (described technicians – reuniting some of the many “That is the challenge of the play. Is “When I first came to Auckland it had been by Lisa as “a sort-of brother-in-law”) King Lear theatrical people who have made their start in Shakespeare telling it as it really is, or is he absolutely the thing you went to – it was will be the first role he has played since the Outdoor Summer Shakespeare and later made offering us a vision of how life would be if outdoors, the productions were varied and they 1970s. He conceived the desire to play the part their mark in a much wider world. we remove grace, forgiveness, compassion, were amazing. a few years ago when he found himself “called New Zealand-born Lisa Harrow played understanding and love – above all love – from “My first outing withS hakespeare was by the voice of King Lear: The key to Lear is that Ophelia in the first-everS ummer Shakespeare the choices we make as a species?” directing one in 1987: Measure for Measure, he is an old man. The key to the part is that it’s production of Hamlet in 1963, and left This production, to be performed at the then King Lear. I know friends and colleagues all about voice.” soon after for the London Royal Academy University in March 2013, will be a homage who came through Summer Shakespeare; the “I’ve never done Lear before,” he adds with of Dramatic Arts. Invited to join the Royal to Professor Sidney (Mus) Musgrove, a much- list is quite impressive. a smile. “I’ve never been old enough before” Shakespeare Company, she later played such respected and long-remembered teacher in the “So we formed the trust and have been (which echoes what Mac Jackson refers to as roles as Olivia in Twelfth Night (with Judi Department of English and the driving force looking to overhaul the system: to make “a green room paradox” – that by the time Dench), Desdemona in Othello, Portia in The behind Outdoor Summer Shakespeare. It will sure it’s robust and can work in what is now an actor is mature enough to play Lear he no Merchant of Venice and Juliet (to John Hurt’s celebrate the 50-year history of the event, and a very different environment. We’re really longer has the huge stamina it requires). Romeo), as well as collecting numerous film and provide a base of support for the work of the pushing to create a support structure that It was at Michael’s suggestion that King TV credits. Summer Shakespeare Charitable Trust, formed has some financial basis, to ensure that the Lear became the chosen play for the 50th King Lear was the firstS hakespeare play in to build a platform for future development. productions are run well and are reported on anniversary. The production, though not which Lisa played a major role. Chair of the Trust is prominent New Zealand well. Patronage is important because we are yet planned in detail, is already vivid in “I was a 16-year-old schoolgirl at Auckland actor and director Michael Hurst, who is playing a charitable trust and that gives a whole tax Lisa’s mind. Girls’ Grammar,” she told Judy Wilford, the Fool in King Lear and assisting Lisa as co- incentive so we’ve taken all the next steps “I Imagine a dark world, where brooding conversing with her on skype and email from director. and are gaining some really strong support sculptures form iconic images that can be her home in Vermont. “I remember sitting “Three years ago,” says Michael, “Professor out there. used… to express the strong themes of the on my back steps at home pondering the Tom Bishop from the Department of English “We want to make Summer Shakespeare play: heraldic symbols, a throne transformed enormous agony of the play, the appalling acts asked if I would be interested in some kind of one of those events on the calendar that people into a hovel, the twisted, dead trees on the of cruelty so easily entered into by some and organisation to ensure the existence and well- really want to go to, because opportunities to blasted heath, gibbets, and a dark world lit by Photo: From the Tempest 1981, Directed by Simon Phillips. Dr Robert Leek played Prospero.

10 | The University of Auckland Ingenio Spring 2012 | 11 RESEARCH

number of benefits both within and beyond quite quickly that the island’s slightly warmer So much artefact material has already the University. One of the aims is to revitalise than the mainland, it’s frost-free and has been unearthed from the project that the New Zealand archaeology by offering an fertile soil, so you can get your gardens going department has for the first time created exciting local opportunity for undergraduate out there,” says Louise. a volunteer programme to help deal with and graduate students to get hooked on A sub-discipline of anthropology, the the large volumes. “Undergrad students, the country’s pre-European past, and to practice of archaeology is concerned at its who haven’t necessarily participated in the The whole country is a rich archaeological record … if you want to understand how humans came to impact upon the environment from Day One. You can’t do that anywhere else in the world.

experience the multi-faceted nature of a most basic level with the “stuff” past humans field school, spend time in the lab learning modern dig and be exposed to the latest have left behind or discarded. Finds from to identify artefacts and do some basic research methods and technologies. “But this year’s field school include the bones of processing of samples,” explains Rebecca. academic archaeology aside, we also want sea lions and whales indented by butchering “They are really competent and learn quickly. to run a long-term project that will serve to implements, fire debris, razor sharp obsidian If they then go on the field school, they have reinvigorate the cultural heritage that Ahuhau blades, thousands of leftover basalt flakes that experience behind them.” connects us to,” says Simon. “It’s a fantastic from adze-making, and signs of posthole With the department consolidating its island, and this is a wonderful opportunity for construction. But archaeologists do a lot more research direction around Ahuahu, the annual The University of Auckland to give back to than collect individual artefacts. Using a laser field schools will all take place on the island the community through the results of our theodolite, each excavated site occupies the from now on. Whilst enjoying an outdoor research work.” field team in the intensive recording of the adventure and the thrill of discovery, students University anthropologists have embarked on a major dig that promises to revitalise Ahuahu’s attractions include its immediate context, of all objects found and will build on the data that has been collected accessibility, its compact nature and — most their proximity to one another. The data is the previous year becoming part of the New Zealand archaeology and uncover new clues to our past. Rose Yukich investigates. importantly — the fact that development on then computer rendered into a 3-D visual larger collaborative scientific project.D uring the island has been minimal compared to the model. This information-dense image provides the ten years ahead, it will be impossible to intensive land use on the mainland where a glimpse into what people might have excavate the whole island, or make sense very few undisturbed early sites exist. As a been doing on that particular spot, but of all that is unearthed, but a concentrated result the archaeological remains from 800 as more sites are investigated a bigger research endeavour by a large number of years of occupation are richly varied and well picture emerges. skilled individuals on one place promises to An archaeological preserved. Since the 1850s when Ahuahu first “We are really looking at everything,” illuminate key aspects of our past. passed into European ownership, low impact explains Dr Rebecca Phillipps, a teaching “People say to us all the time ‘There farming has been the major commercial fellow from the Anthropology Department and can’t be anything to find here. What are you activity. It is thought to have been first settled convenor of this year’s field school together working in New Zealand for?’ ” comments island paradise around the same time as the mainland, with PhD student Alex Jorgensen. “We are Alex. “It’s not true. The whole country is a rich possibly as early as the mid-14th century. At interested in the human interaction with archaeological record. We are the last major 16 square kilometres the island was able to the environment on the island, how people temperate land mass to be settled, so we are two week field school on the island last interests. Contributing to the collaborative support either a seasonal or semi-permanent gardened, how they used the landscape for unique if you want to understand how humans Great Mercury summer. Annual field schools around the venture are members of Ngāti Hei whose Island Māori population, as evidenced by numerous subsistence, how they accessed stone material came to impact upon the environment from Red Mercury (Ahuahu) country have been an integral part of the cultural links to Ahuahu stretch back hundreds pā sites and hāngi pits. Given its crucial sources and how their trade networks might Day One. You can’t do that anywhere else in Island (Whakau) department’s programme for over 20 years, of years, along with input from the island’s location for seafarers, Ahuahu is mentioned have operated. We want to understand the the world.” but this year’s dig at Ahuahu opened a new owner Sir Michael Fay, whose support in the canoe traditions of a number of iwi. settlement patterns on the island and how the You can read the field school blog at: Kawhitu or Green Island chapter for The University of Auckland in its and enthusiasm has enabled the project to Stanley Island Auckland Museum’s Curator of Archaeology nature of people’s engagement with the wider www.digdiaries.ac.nz/fieldschool/ Korapuki Island research relationship with the island, and also get underway. Louise Furey elaborates: region changed over time.” with other stakeholders passionate about its “It’s a meeting of minds,” says Head of “It’s a very exposed coast and even nearby The surprising mobility of people, for special history. Department Professor Simon Holdaway, Mercury Bay is not safe in a strong easterly example, becomes evident by taking a closer The University’s connection to the island who is co-leading the project with Professor wind. It is most dangerous in a strong nor- look at the origins of the tool-making materials Ohinau Island began in 1955 when Jack Golson, then Thegn Niels Ladefoged. “We are bringing easterly. The island’s harbour is the place they carried with them on their travels to and a senior lecturer in prehistory, embarked together different aspects that represent all where everyone has always run to for shelter. from the island. Back in the University’s lab, on a field trip to Ahuahu and kick started our interests in the island in a 21st century If you think of the sea as a super highway — a portable x-ray fluorescence machine is used archaeology as an academic discipline in New way incorporating cultural and scientific Māori are going backwards and forwards up to identify a rock’s geo-chemical signature, Zealand. More recently, Emeritus Professor strands. Modern archaeology is now a multi- ot far from the white sandy beaches and down the coast in ocean-going waka the enabling Rebecca and Alex’s students to learn Geoff Irwin sailed out there in his own boat disciplinary endeavour. All the archaeologists of Coromandel’s eastern coastline whole time. In rough weather, Ahuahu’s the that up to 50 percent of the obsidian found during the 1980s to conduct further research. in the department are part of the project. lies Ahuahu, also known as Great place they headed for as did the European during the latest dig came from Mayor Island, N Building on this legacy, the Anthropology It is a big deal getting teams of people into scows plying the coast in the mid to late located 70 kilometres south of Ahuahu, with Mercury Island. A popular boating and fishing Department has joined forces with Auckland the field, collecting sufficient observations to destination, the island’s landscape holds vital 19th century.” the remainder harvested from along the coast Museum to work on a comprehensive 10 year analyse the range of processes that add to clues to the nature of New Zealand’s earliest Another tradition highlighted by several iwi at Cook’s Beach, Hahei and Whangamata. research plan for the island with the ultimate our understanding of the past. You can’t human settlements — for those willing to dig is the island’s reputation as the source of the Also, quarried at Ōpito eight kilometres aim of developing a heritage protection do it anymore by single scholars trying to deep enough. Sixteen budding archaeologists kumara, reflected in a terrain which features away on the mainland was Tahanga basalt, programme. The project embraces a variety run entire projects. ” guided by their lecturers literally dug into that significant structural remnants of large scale a fine-grained stone prized by Māori for adze of people with complementary skills and The collaboration over Ahuahu will yield a garden systems. “Māori would have realised From second left: Alex Jorgensen and Rebecca Phillips poring past during the Anthropology Department’s making throughout the northern North Island. over material from the summer dig with students

12 | The University of Auckland IngenioIngenio Autumn Spring 2012 | | 1313 RESEARCH

It’s unacceptable [New Zealand is] watching the Maui’s dolphin decline and that we have this rate of ship strike of Bryde’s whales. It’s noted at an international level…

animals, with some areas being placed … It’s good – the science is becoming useful.” conduct in the region. “We want to see best off limits. Much of her time is also spent studying practice in the South Pacific and thankfully “I think we came to some happy medium … humpback whales as part of the South Pacific the Pacific Islands have really embraced they’re still able to run viable businesses that Whale Research Consortium and Southern that.” are extremely successful, and my work has Ocean Research Partnership. She would like to see a greater managed to influence improving conditions Oceania’s humpbacks are one of only commitment to conservation in New Zealand, for the dolphins.” The research was the first of two populations that are still endangered. though. “Tourism is our second biggest earner its kind in the world, and has been used as a Elsewhere, the species is recovering well now. People come to New Zealand because model for tourism elsewhere. and, while our population is showing of our natural beauty … and one of the very Rochelle describes herself as an accidental signs of improvement, it’s on a much big draw cards is our cetaceans.” academic: “I’ve always just said yes to slower trajectory. But finding money for the research, even opportunities and this is where it’s led me.” Rochelle took part in work that challenged work that produces real solutions, is extremely After studying behavioural ecology at Massey conventional thinking, showing that the difficult – it’s not the funding magnet that University – the result of a lifelong interest in whales behave differently from their cousins people assume. Rochelle typically patches animals – she left to work and travel overseas in the Northern hemisphere where most of together small grants from many sources, with no intention of returning to academia. the research had been done. donating her own time and even air points for Having spent a lot of time on boats Like the northerners, they tend to return research trips. She describes her work as “a growing up at Papamoa, she ended up to breed in the same place they were born, Telethon – thank you for your kind donation”. working on a ship that surveyed the marine meaning that whales around Tonga, for How New Zealand addresses its environment in the Persian Gulf. She took part instance, are genetically distinct from those challenges is also critical: “We’re so strong in in the dolphin work, and was encouraged to in New Caledonia. But a significant number conservation, we’re so big at the International return to study. also hop between breeding sites, reflecting Whaling Commission about not killing whales Though she might not say so herself, the easily-travelled geography of the South [that] it’s unacceptable we’re watching the Rochelle had the same attributes she now Pacific, which is dotted with islands, atolls Maui’s dolphin decline, that we have this rate looks for in her students: “Someone who’s and reefs. of ship strike of Bryde’s whales. It’s noted at engaging, bright, proactive, can get on with a A picture is also emerging that the whales an international level, and we risk tarnishing Dr Rochelle Constantine’s studies of some of the world’s most endangered whales and dolphins community, drive a boat, back a trailer, and travel south-east on their annual migration the image we like to maintain if we do come home safely – that’s a rare person.” to Antarctica to feed. Oceania’s whales may nothing to protect them.” are critical to finding practical solutions for their conservation. She talks to Pauline Curtis. That combination of skills and life therefore end up in the “no-man’s land” of the experience were exactly what Professor Scott Bellingshausen Sea. Baker, who became her supervisor and later While little research has been done there, a collaborator, wanted in a student working it’s known to be less productive than other with dolphins in the Bay of Islands. It was Antarctic regions, and the poor nutritional A rare breed that work which hooked her in, but after environment may be one reason for the answering the questions that interested her, whales’ slow recovery. ’m an eternal optimist – you have to be in Rochelle’s optimism is called upon not how people view the environment and their she moved on to other challenges. Rochelle hopes to satellite tag whales to this field,” says marine mammal scientist only in her day-to-day research, but in its impacts on it. As a scientist her role is to In recent years the endangered Bryde’s test this hypothesis, but she doesn’t take it IDr Rochelle Constantine with a warm application. Many species she studies are provide the best possible information for whales in the Hauraki Gulf have been a lightly and is waiting on technical advances laugh. Rochelle studies the behaviour of close to extinction. She was part of recent decision makers. focus. Her research group has shown that to ensure they get the best information whales and dolphins (cetaceans), and while work, for instance, showing there are just 55 “I’m a firm believer that the science is what ship strike is the likely cause of death for possible. it might sound like a dream job, it’s by no adult and juvenile Maui's dolphins left in New it is. We hand it out, we make sure that it’s most Bryde’s whales found dead in the Gulf, Work like this will eventually help decision means easy. Zealand – the only place in the world they interpreted well and used honestly … but that and the whales are highly vulnerable because makers learn how best to protect the whales, The animals can be enigmatic, and are found. point is where we stop. We’re not advocates.” they spend much of their time in the top few but Rochelle argues that in the meantime a building a picture of their activities can take The fate of many cetaceans is tangled It’s an effective approach. Her metres of the water. precautionary approach should be taken. years. “These are not bugs in boxes,” she up – sometimes quite literally – with fishing, postgraduate research with dolphin watch Like many New Zealand animals, the “We have to be very careful that we don’t says. “You don’t lift your lid and your bugs are shipping, tourism and other human activities, and dolphin swim operators in the Bay whales are unusual by world standards – in add extra pressure to the animals … they’re still in your box.” and there may be no simple solutions. But of Islands led to changes in the rules for this case a supposedly “offshore” species that on an energetic knife edge. They mostly One species her group studies, the Gray’s learning how the animals behave, and are tourist vessels. It showed that over time the lives inshore here year round. The next steps don’t feed once they leave Antarctica, and beaked whale, is only seen when near death affected by us, offers the best chance of bottlenose dolphins were avoiding boats will be to learn why the whales are in the Gulf so – certainly for mums who have gestated and about to wash up on shore. Another, finding the right balance. and swimmers more, interacting less, and and how they use it. and need to feed their calf and maintain their the humpback whale, travels thousands of “I like seeing the results,” Rochelle says, getting out of the way more quickly. It was Rochelle is working with the Hauraki own body condition – any added stress has kilometres across vast ocean spaces, and when asked where she finds her passion. “I mostly risk-taking juveniles who played with Forum, Ports of Auckland, shipping potential consequences.” identifying individuals – a critical step in the like seeing that things might change … [that] swimmers, while adult dolphins waited off to companies, Department of Conservation, Human threats, like fishing gear that research – relies on the flick of a uniquely- the results are going to have a tangible effect the side. and other interest groups to come up with entangles whales or tourist activity that drives marked tail or sidling close enough for a for these animals’ welfare.” The work led to restrictions on how long solutions like slower vessel speeds or altered them away, are amongst the only factors Photo: Chris Photo: Marshall genetic sample. She wants her work to lead to changes operators can spend with the dolphins and shipping lanes. “We’re at that discussion we can control. Rochelle was involved, for to legislation, how an industry is run, or where swimmers are placed in relation to the point where the science is informing decisions instance, in developing a whale watch code of

14 | The University of Auckland Ingenio Spring 2012 | 15 STAFF PROFILE

Jane says her activism “comes partly out introducing Rogernomics I got involved driven regulation biting hard. Governments of my understanding of the world as an because of the collisions that made with the around the world, including free market intellectual, and partly out of my values”. Treaty of Waitangi. That work then took on evangelists in the United States and Britain, Her father, a public servant, helped mould a life of its own and extended into another responded with massive bail-outs, the kind of those values. “He'd been a working class kid domain from the early 90s when globalisation state intervention repudiated by neoliberal who was largely self-educated and ended issues came into it.” doctrine. But Jane worries New Zealand will up head of a government department. He Campaigning against titans like the World always encouraged me to question and think Trade Organisation and deflecting virulent independently, and to argue.” personal attacks by opponents takes a I don't care what Jane was born in Sydney in 1955, where particular mettle. How does she keep doing they think, but they her father was posted as travel commissioner, it? “There’s something Noam Chomsky once and her family moved several times before said: ‘You have to be able to look yourself in need to think. settling in Tawa when Jane was at secondary the eye in the mirror in the morning.’” school. “When you move around a lot as a She takes seriously the watchdog/ be dangerously constrained in its responses kid you learn to be pretty independent and interpreter role of a public intellectual, and to the next meltdown by a straitjacket of a survivor.” resents the growing focus on tangible and financial laws and international agreements, Her father died in 1986, a point in New bankable, rather than public good, outcomes such as the Reserve Bank Act, the Fiscal Zealand history when public servant-bashing from academic research – the performance- Responsibility Act, and the TPPA. “They lock was du jour. “He was very distressed about based research funding and KPI's of modern in the paradigm of neoliberalism and make the restructuring," Jane recalls. “I'm pleased academic life. it extremely difficult to change even when it's he didn't see what happened subsequently.” “I'm getting more crotchety in my later manifestly failing.” Jane is still close to her mother, who is now years. Some might say I've been crotchety This is the focus of her as-yet-unnamed 95. “Most of my time not working I spend all along.” sequel to The New Zealand Experiment, to taking my mum out on excursions in her There have been victories. One of her be published next year by Bridget Williams wheely bin.” A few years back, she bought a proudest: helping defeat the OECD's Books. Fieldwork for the book, written with BMW convertible because the wheelchair fits proposed multilateral agreement on the help of a $336,000 Marsden Grant, took Photo: Laura Dueker Photo: it (and, OK, she's always wanted one). investment, dubbed by some “a bill of rights Jane to Iceland, Mongolia and the Australian After gaining a law degree at Victoria for transnational companies”. state of Victoria, places strongly influenced by Professor Jane Kelsey is about to take her decades-long campaign against neoliberalism to a University, Jane did a postgraduate law Over the years, she has recognised New Zealand's neoliberal model. new level with a sequel to her seminal book, The New Zealand Experiment. Nicola Shepheard degree at Oxford followed by a postgraduate the same neoliberal agenda dressed up “Iceland academics had predicted what criminology degree at Cambridge. “It was an in different benign-sounding clothes. Its was going to happen. I asked them ‘what discovers what drives this long-time University staff member and world-renowned activist. important time intellectually: there were a lot latest regalia: the Trans-Pacific Partnership work had you done on the alternatives that of legal issues at Cambridge, a lot of political Agreement (TPPA), a trade deal under you need to put in place [to the neoliberal economy, which I hadn’t formally studied at negotiation between the United States, New regime]’. They said ‘none’. There was a void Vic; a lot of race theory. I became much Zealand and seven other countries, which in terms of how to move forward.” more out there in terms of political activism Jane says will have huge ramifications. She hopes her book will help fill that void A very public intellectual after England.” “Number one, because it's the US [driving here. “Our role as public intellectuals is to The basic insight of political economy, she it], and number two, because it will impose be articulating alternatives. We need to explains, is: “you have to understand law in even more external rules and constraints anticipate how and where the meltdown 've just been battling the Herald,” says to action, and became required reading advocacy. (When we meet, Jane has just terms of power dynamics, including cycles of on what future governments can do than might arrive and create a constituency for Jane when we meet. She'd just shot off a for a generation of social justice-minded returned from Geneva, where she held capitalism.” in existing agreements. Labour’s leaders pursuing those alternatives.” Iletter taking the Auckland daily to task New Zealanders. three days of back-to-back workshops for Back home, she got a lecturing job at the haven’t grasped that it will prevent them She’s encouraged by signs of a budding over a legal inaccuracy in its editorial on From the early 1990s, she broadened her officials from developing countries involved University in 1979 and bought a house in Mt from implementing some of their policies, for constituency: more diverse voices in business the mooted mandatory plain packaging of critique to globalisation, arguing that bodies in negotiating trade deals, warning of legal Wellington for $28,500, where she still lives. example, in relation to privatisations, ACC, journalism, communities mobilising around cigarettes. Her eyes glint behind her glasses; such as the World Trade Organisation, fishhooks and hidden costs.) (Among other extensions, she has constructed financial regulation of speculative capital issues such as mining, public health, schools you can almost feel the steeliness of her grip and the free trade agreements it enforces, Jane crosses disciplines and platforms, a “haven": a 9m by 7m book-lined office.) flows.” In a newspaper opinion piece, she and poverty. And she recognises progressive on the details. Earlier this year, she wrote a advance a neoliberal free market agenda teaching law, policy and international She became active in Waitangi protests argued a leaked chapter from the secret values in her students: “they just don’t research report teasing out international legal that benefits corporates at the expense of economic regulation at the University’s Law and racism issues, bringing her expertise agreement amounted to a “charter of know how to articulate them or what to do issues that could frustrate New Zealand's social justice and the environment. For the School where she is also Associate Dean to the legal dimensions. “My first research rights for investors”, empowering overseas with them.” policy goal to become smokefree by 2025. past 15 years, Jane has been part of a loose (Research). She’s equally at home in a Herald project here was with the Black Power, investors, including multinationals, to seek She's a popular and exacting teacher – a One assumes the professor knows what she's group of like-minded academics and analysts comment piece as in a law journal or on analysing interactions with police and compensation if government regulation recent first-year class was 98.5 percent talking about. in NGOs and think-tanks around the an international convention podium. This the courts. – such as plain tobacco packaging – positive in its course evaluation, thanking her A spry 57-year-old with close-cropped grey world who form different configurations nimbleness is one of her greatest assets. “Whilst it was hostile and difficult, substantially affects the value and profitability with a speech and bouquet. “Students find my hair and a wit shading from wry to caustic, for different projects. Says American Lori Wallach, a fellow activist especially under Muldoon, the University was of their investment. Expect to hear more on lectures challenging, and maybe a little bit Jane has made it her life's work to expose the Today, her work has three strands: public lawyer who has worked with her on various much more conducive to people exercising this in December, when New Zealand will scary,” she says. “I try to stimulate them to bite in the driest of legal treatises. Her 1995 education, such as her tobacco control work campaigns: “Among a stellar group of political freedom, the conscience and critic host the next round of negotiations. engage with the issue. I don't care what they bestseller, The New Zealand Experiment: and opinion pieces in local media; technical committed, smart people around the world role of academics, than it is for young Beyond the TPPA, Jane sees a greater think, but they need to think.” A world model for structural adjustment?, evidence, such as the evidence she recently fighting to expose the ‘trade’ agreements that academics now. Expectations and pressures imminent threat for New Zealand: a second embodied her punchy pointiness. A crackling produced for the Waitangi Tribunal on the implement the corporate-led globalisation on academics today make it much more global financial meltdown, heading our way, critique of the social toll of so-called risks of foreign investors taking legal action attack on our basic rights, Jane Kelsey stands difficult to take the risks of doing those sorts she predicts, “within the next five years”. Rogernomics, the neoliberal economic over any unsettled Treaty of Waitangi claims out because she has both extraordinary of things and still end up getting to the top,” With many other prominent commentators, reforms unleashed in the 1980s, it combined relating to water following asset sales of analytical and technical capacity ... and is a she says. she argues the 2008 Global Financial meticulous legal-political analysis with a call hydropower generators; and international remarkably effective campaigner.” “When Labour was elected and started Crisis was the reality of decades of market-

16 | The University of Auckland Ingenio Spring 2012 | 17 ALUMNI Somewhere By Allan Drew

Dad pulls into the lane for international because she is holding pegs between her teeth. no way to be sure. departures and mumbles “bloody-rip off” as “Your mother didn’t like it here,” he said, Mum calls “Jonnie!” again, but this time it he takes the parking card from the machine. “too hot.” sounds different, a screech. I run back to the In the short-stay zone he parks away from the “I know,” I said, “she told me.” house on tip-toes to keep the soft parts of my feet other cars. Dad had been looking at the machines, but from sizzling. Mum says, “Don’t you leave me like As I pull my bag off the ute’s tray, my bare turned to face me. “When?” that, don’t you leave me and go out there again, forearm brushes the baked steel and it burns like When Dad was away she would call Nana and don’t you do that Jonnie,” and she’s angry and an oven door. He walks into the terminal with me, talk for hours. She’d be on the phone when I’d go squeezes me too tight and she sits me down. but sees the crowds and says, “Actually, I won’t outside after breakfast, and when I came back She looks at the hole in my shirt and puts a stay.” We shake hands. for shade and cordial and morning tea she’d still finger through it and tickles my skin. Then her There are gaps in the fence for a kid to crawl be talking to her. Dad would get angry when the eyebrows and eyes and mouth frown all at once through. It’s just me. Mum’s inside. Shane’s at phone bills arrived. One time he screwed it up together, and she hugs me, and I can’t see school. I’ll go to that school in a few weeks. I and threw it at her face. Another time he set it on because my head is over her shoulder but I think bought some marbles with my pocket money fire with his cigarette and mum had to put it out she is crying. I say, “Don’t cry mum, I promise I because Shane says that’s what they do at in the sink. won’t do it again.” playtime. I’ve been practising in the dirt next to “Once, a long time ago,” I said. Dad’s new caravan was small, smaller than his the rubbish cans where the grass won’t grow. Dad turned back to the machines. “Look at ute. The kitchen was the size of a tea-towel. “It’s Dad’s gone on one of his trips to the mine. The that,” he said, “have you ever seen anything like good enough for an old bugger,” he’d said. We Photo: Lydia Arnold Lydia Photo: Short Story Competition night before he left mum and dad yelled at each that?” He was tilting his head at a dozer the size were sitting under the canvas awning drinking other and I sat behind the toy-box in my room. of a six-storey building. I nodded, then shook my beer. winner and runner-up announced I look through the gap in the fence. I squeeze head. “The outback is no place for a woman,” “We could go to the pub,” he said, thinking through. My knees get dusty and red and my he said, and dug his hands into his pockets and about dinner. t-shirt snags on a nail. It leaves a small hole. grabbed at the lining. In the sky, a dry cloud “Sounds good.” A small lizard leapt from the Out there, summer and winter are different withered, worn to a wisp by the grinding blue. The fluttering shade and ripped up a curtain of dust From the Judges’ Corner: Somewhere and Something hues of the same burn. In the middle of a sun would never set. It would just scribe a fierce on its way to an orange boulder. It sat and looked reddened nothing, Dad showed me the mine and endless circle at the summit of the sky. at me with one bulging eye, inhaling the afternoon here were a heartening 173 entries in the We're awarding second prize to another About the winner where he used to work. It was still there, gouging I turn my head when I hear Mum’s call. She’s and exhaling the evening. inaugural Ingenio Short Story Competition story by Tony O’Brien, “There's Always out the earth laced with precious rust. looking out over the fence. She can’t see me. She Dad took a lump of iron ore from his pocket – a fantastic range of stories. We enjoyed Something”. Nodding to a Raymond Carver Winning author and former staff member Flies stuck to my face like beads of sweat. “Look calls me again –“Jonnie!” – and when the word and rolled it around in his fingers. The grey-red T Allan Drew got his BSc from The University of at those,” Dad said, pointing at the machines, reaches me she seems so close and I feel I’ve rock was worn smooth. He balanced it on his the diverse voices, craft and narratives on offer story, “There's Always Something” it has a and note that the university's wider writing Carveresque tension between the possibilities Auckland in the 1990s in molecular biology, steel beasts, out of scale with the rest of the world. hardly gone anywhere. But then I feel my feet knee. and worked for 15 years in medical research community is clearly in vibrant good health. of communication closed off and opened up. “Crazy,” I said, and I shook the flies off like a throbbing from the hot and sharp bark and it’s “Will you come over again?” he asked. and medical publishing before returning to horse. Apart from the men and the flies, the only After reading the pile of anonymised We appreciated its flashes of fresh vividness like I have come too far to go back. I pull a marble “Could do,” I said. university to study English. He gained his living things were the tufts of spinifex that had from my pocket and throw it at the air. It falls in a stories we had received, we compiled our and hints of tension or threat. “I don’t want it to be another ten years.” Graduate and Postgraduate Diplomas in Arts creaked from the earth, dreaming their grassy patch of sand not far away and makes no sound “Okay.” shortlists and discussed how these diverged Finally, first prize goes to Allan Drew’s at Massey University, and chose to return dreams of rain. and doesn’t roll. “I can pay for your airfares. Got to spend this and overlapped. We were judging stories, not “Somewhere”, an ambitious story that to The University of Auckland when he was writers – and it was with surprise (and delight) Through the fence there is more dust and more We were back in the ute, driving away from money on something anyway.” He pointed with tugs at the heart. Showing a nice use of accepted into the Masters of Creative Writing that we later discovered that a few stories by red below the white and blue. There are neck-high the mine. his thumb over his shoulder at the caravan, like counterpointing, “Somewhere” resonated (MWC) programme. In the last couple of years the same authors had been competing against stumps of black. I can feel a pin-prick of heat “Enough for another 80 years,” its wheels were cast from gold and the trailer strongly with us. And while the story is he has had fiction and poetry published in each other all along. A few entries in particular through the hole in my t-shirt. The ground is flat Dad said. from platinum. I looked back to the orange rock. successful at a textual level, with fine several literary journals. His MCW project is stood out: and I can see right to its edge. At the edge there “What is?” The lizard was gone. Through scrunched eyes I sentences, it also throws out sub-textual in short fiction, and looks at howN ew Zealand We’d like to highly commend Allan Drew’s is no colour at all, and the sky moves like waves in “Iron ore. Just bloody think of it.” The ute’s searched for clouds in the yellow-threaded denim hints that enhance its power. An excellent, men deal with being the way they are. clever and funny “Every-day Easy®”, in which the bathtub. air-conditioning was thudding, matching its of the sky. evocative read. Allan says: "I am really happy to have a simple instructional manual becomes … There was a huge hole in the earth. Metal percussion to the pattern of ruts in the relentless “Mum?” I say, once she’s stopped crying. She Congratulations to the winners. won this competition. Getting this kind of something more. We also commend “Ash and giants ate away at the wound. “Do you remember highway. “Bloody hell, that first timeI got paid,” reaches for her dress and slides it over her head. It Distinguished Professor Brian Boyd, Charlotte appreciation gives me confidence to continue Embers” by Tony O’Brien – a strong, focused the old house?” Dad asked. “Sort of,” I said. he said. “It was cash back then, ten-dollar bills. sits stiff like a tent over her body. Grimshaw and Professor Witi Ihimaera writing and keep on learning. The MCW story with emotional heft and poise – and Paul Outside the fence, the sun had etched its patterns That first pay dayI had a brown paper bag full “Come on, let’s go have a drink,” she says. We programme has been fantastic and I have been in the smoked ground. Out there were snakes, of money. Full of money. The smell of it, Jon, the walk inside and I think of that marble sitting out Left’s “Friday Pickup”, which unfolds a pleasing really lucky to have had such support from my surprise for the reader exceptionally well. Mum had told me. I had wanted to hunt them. I smell, you know?” Yes, I knew the smell, smoky there in its dent of sand, and of my sandals I left classmates and advisers this year." had spent weekends sitting on the lawn imagining and deep. “I took it back to your mother and leaning against that stump. That marble will be squirming coils of life in the scaled dirt. said ‘Look at this’ and threw the bag in the air. hot like a coin on asphalt. The soles of my sandals Want to read more? I take off my sandals and rest them in the The money fluttered all over the caravan.”H e might melt. shade of a small stump. I climb, digging my toes laughed. “You won’t remember the caravan, you The airport is air-conditioned, but my shirt All five stories commended by the judges can be read online at www.ingenio-magazine.com Special thanks to our judges, generous sponsors and into holes in the bark. At the top I stand up. I feel were only just born.” I had seen it in photos. It still feels damp under my backpack. The guy Anna Hodge from AUP for her invaluable contribution to the selection process as well as to Emily Perkins for offering a two-hour personalised coaching like a giant. I think of snakes and lizards, dinosaurs looked like a portable stove. says to me, “Everyone goin’ somewhere, right session with Allan. Inspired to give it a go? The Short Story competition will run again in 2013. Watch out for details in the Autumn issue of Ingenio. and dragons. “Incredible,” I said. mate?” Through the vast sheets of the windows Nothing moves except the sky at the edge. I Mum had told me that story too. She’d said it I can see a dense shimmer rising off the turn and look back at the house. Mum is hanging took her half an hour to pick up the notes, after tarmac. “Yes,” I say. clothes on the line without her dress on. Her Dad had gone to the pub with a dirty red fistful. undies are white and her bra is pale green. I She’d always worried that there was more money, END squint and I can see her mouth looks funny somewhere, that she hadn’t found, but there was

18 | The University of Auckland Ingenio Spring 2012 | 19 Tackling suicide

Suicide rates in New Zealand are among the highest in the developed world. Helen Borne asks: “What can we do to bring these rates down?”

Suicide is preventable need to develop a critical mass of prevention specialists; and we must invest in physician education in depression recognition and treatment. Finally, we must frame suicide prevention positively. We need to capture public and professional confidence that suicide is preventable. We must focus on suicide prevention, not suicide.

Annette Beautrais New Zealand’s suicide rates top the English- Senior Research Fellow speaking world and have been a longstanding Department of Surgery source of national embarrassment. Public G Luke Larkin, Professor of passivity, unfounded fatalism, unfunded Emergency Medicine research, and uninformed public policy on this University of Auckland. issue continue to cost our country both lives and money. Connection is vital To arrest high suicide rates, we must first For all peoples hurt is challenge our misperception that suicide hurt, and pain is pain. cannot be prevented. It can. The false Yet finding appropriate allegation that there is no point in investing in ways to cope with this suicide prevention because “suicidal people are hurt and pain may be intent on killing themselves and will always find the difference. Culture a way to do it” ignores the facts: evidence matters. Culturally shows that people who survive suicide attempts distinct approaches are generally relieved to have done so. will address the It is these factors, amongst others, which are available to people who come to hospital Moreover, the vast majority of people with Teaching healthy thinking For free, professional disproportionate killing our youth. after attempted suicide – about 1800 people suicidal ideation do not die by suicide. Comparing suicide impact suicide is having upon our Pacific Our traditional Pacific values can at times a year in Auckland – and improving support and confidential Additionally, research into means restriction, rates between countries peoples in Aotearoa New Zealand, particularly be diluted by Western ideals. This affects for people recently discharged from a and research into treatments for depression, is difficult as there are helpline counselling amongst our Pacific youth. some of our New Zealand-born Pacific youth psychiatric hospital. drug, and alcohol abuse further substantiate different national rules There are cultural nuances which cannot be who may have difficulties in balancing the Outside the health system, reducing access the claim that suicide prevention strategies about how suicides are services please contact explained solely within a Western framework. Pacific value of communalism and the modern to the means of committing suicide can help. save lives. decided. New Zealand Evidence suggests that in the absence of stresses of individualism in this country. Our For example, now that new cars in Europe are Lifeline Aotearoa: A second myth is that “We must talk about suicide rates are not legally required to be fitted with a catalytic research that comprehensively examines the youth need to see the beauty of our traditional suicide”. Not only is this refrain simplistic and among the highest converter, deaths from carbon monoxide interface between diversity characteristics and Pacific concepts. They need to be taught (09) 5222 999 within Auckland contrary to evidence-based best practice, the in the developed poisoning have markedly reduced. New suicide, the field of suicidology and mental respectfully the concept of self-control rather 0800 543 354 outside Auckland reiteration of sad stories has generated a view world; that dubious Zealand has no similar laws, nor does it have health in general will continue to focus on than feeling controlled by those in authority, of suicide prevention, which is pessimistic, universal approaches, thus neglecting honour belongs to Japan, Hungary, Lithuania laws restricting how much paracetamol can particularly when the lessons involve physical For suicide prevention information fatalistic, and wrong. This belief may have opportunities to save lives by promoting and South Korea. New Zealand ranks about be bought at any one time. Media guidelines discipline. Within most Pacific social and resources please visit: engendered further deaths; it has certainly diversity and culturally relevant and midway in national suicide rates, although around suicide reporting are also important hierarchical structures, when a young person www.spinz.org.nz led to persistent public misperceptions the rate is higher than in Australia, England – there is no “conspiracy of silence” about effective approaches. expresses anger towards an elder, it is a sign about suicide. and Wales. However, this does not mean that suicide, but reporting the methods by which From a Pacific perspective our communities of disrespect and a breach of cultural conduct Suicide prevention is a complex, immensely need to openly talk about suicide. It is nothing can be done to further reduce rates in individuals kill themselves leads to copycat that can potentially harm the relationship. challenging issue. It requires expert leadership, considered by most a taboo topic, and sadly New Zealand. deaths. A strategy that has not been studied Nurturing and taking care of relationships informed policymakers, an educated workforce this has been to the detriment of our Pacific First, suicides happen more often in poor much is teaching “healthy thinking skills” to – teu le va is key for most Pacific peoples. and an evidence-based, cohesive strategy that youth. By destigmatising the issue we remove communities, so making political choices that students in schools, which could include A phone call to a stranger? That is not us. is regularly reinvigorated as new research any barriers that prevent our Pacific youth and minimise unemployment and reduce poverty problem solving skills, mindfulness and simple Connection is vital. findings emerge; we must establish an expert families from seeking help. We as Pacific help lower suicide rates. cognitive behavioural techniques. advisory panel to lead this strategic communities need to confront the tough issues Dr Jemaima Tiatia Second, there are strategies directed at Simon Hatcher development. like sexual orientation, acculturative stress, Research Fellow, Centre for Pacific Studies specific targets which help. These include Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry, What do you think? Write to us at: Ingenio, We need increased, sustained funding for intergenerational conflict, harsh physical University of Auckland improving the detection and management of Department of Psychological Medicine Private Bag 92019 Auckland 1142. research and programme development; we discipline, sexual abuse, identity, and bullying. depression in primary care, improving the help University of Auckland Email: [email protected]

20 | The University of Auckland IngIngenioenio Autumn Spring 2012 | | 2121 alumni OPINION Poetic justice “And what if the language were of poetry, my friend, would law turn to its arms and seek to be buried there forevermore?”

Starting a new a career late in life has been a revelation for John. He now sees himself as a lawyer, and a writer. He has a book of short stories ready to go and a play in the wings. He’s happily taken a pay cut to divide his month between law work and writing and study. He has completed a graduate diploma Vir and virtus in English at his alma mater, and is now doing a postgraduate diploma studying a paper on Joseph Conrad and Herman Melville. Next Shortly after arriving in New Zealand last year Professor Jean-Jacques Courtine was browsing year he will be a visiting fellow in, significantly, English at Cambridge University studying in one of Auckland’s public libraries when he came across a brochure which stopped his eyes. literary tropes in judicial discourse. “I’m going to be looking at a number of judgments perhaps back to 100 years ago and some recent ones, and I’ll see what similes t was about men and masculine anxieties, advancement of equality between the sexes. And here we were, on a very cold and foggy and metaphors are embedded in the text,” and it said: “Sometimes in the cycle of But what the history of manliness morning, in the suburbs of Lyon, by the he says. “The subtitle is: ‘What does the Law living, loving and just plain surviving, we teaches us in the first place is that the sideline of a rugby field where tall black Photos leftPhotos & right: Arnold Lydia I imagine it is doing?’ I’ll be looking at the way it men can lose ourselves.” I had just published masculine condition does not, in spite of all shadows ran, jumped, pushed and grunted in populates its discourse with images.” a History of Manliness to question precisely appearances, belong to a state of nature, and the mist. A big man came over to us. We had magine opening an Auckland District Court any talent in the area of writing.” He pauses and smiles. “Yes, inevitably the widely spread idea that there is an that it is culturally fabricated, and historically nothing better to offer than large smiles and Judge’s briefcase. What might With family encouragement, John enrolled in they’ll stain it.” ongoing crisis in the kingdom of males in the changing. What Simone de Beauvoir once naive questions. He gently answered them, you find? Joan Rosier Jones’s “The nuts and bolts of writing” I As a writer John sees himself as a work in West. So, I became instantly curious: has New famously said about the “second sex” applies took his time. And … Oh, yes: I almost forgot. Notes of evidence in a case of domestic run by the University’s then Continuing progress. “I’ve just turned 65,” he points out. Zealand been spared, or contaminated? And, to the “first” as well: “You are not born a man, His name was Wilson Whineray. violence perhaps? A police constable’s Education arm. “I imagine I will have an active career writing as a former French rugby player who had you become one.” Masculinity is learned and statement (sworn); a victim impact statement; “Joan pushed me to be real about what I until,” another long pause and then a quiet arrived in Auckland with the same fervour rough draft notes for a speech to the Law wanted to with my writing,” he reflects. “We had smile: … “until I’m 85 maybe.” as that of a pilgrim setting foot for the first Society’s Annual Dinner; copies of several wills; to share stuff we’d written. It gave me some War may be over, but the ghosts of ancient time on the Promised Land, I could only sudoku puzzles, and even some poems. courage I suppose. What really advances you as Tess Redgrave incredulously ask myself: might there really All this and more appears in alumnus Judge a writer is developing your critical faculty.” warriors still cast their long shadows over the be male trouble in All Blacks territory? John Adams (LLB 1970, MCW 2010) Briefcase After two more Continuing Education courses Well, after a few months of investigation, history of manliness. – a book of eclectic poetry which explores and a correspondence course through Massey I am afraid I have neither good nor bad the languages of the law through a fictitious University, John started to believe in himself as news, and nothing really out of the ordinary transmitted, and virility has its genealogy, domestic violence case. a writer. When, against all his expectations, he to report. In New Zealand, as well as in which goes way back to what the Romans Jean-Jacques Courtine is Professor in “Briefcase is a daring debut that marries was accepted into The University of Auckland’s many places in the Western world, there called vir and virtus – the male strength and European Studies at The University of law and poetry,” said literary judges when it Masters of Creative Writing, he decided to give is this general feeling of a weakening of courage of warriors: This is why most men Auckland, Professor Emeritus at the won Best First Book at the New Zealand Post the full-time course a go staggering his leave the masculine condition, and at the same and boys like war stories, though war has University of California (Santa Barbara) Book Awards in July. through the year so he could be on campus time a noisy celebration of big muscles and fortunately ceased to be the integral part and and Sorbonne (Paris III). He works on the Just as art imitates life so John’s life, at 65, on Tuesdays. sporting prowess. Here, as elsewhere, you ultimate challenge of masculine experience cultural history of the body. Among his is a daring combination of law and poetry. “It was an amazing year,” he recalls. would find the widely spread and extremely that it used to be in our part of the world. books: Histoire du corps, XVI-XXème siècle A keen reader whose mother gave him Encouraged to write on a daily basis he found repetitive idea that men of yesteryear were War may be over, but the ghosts of ancient (History of the Body, XVI-XXth C, 3 vol., Charles Dickens’ Pickwick Papers as a 12-year- himself imagining the case of Jason and Verity stronger and braver than their contemporary warriors still cast their long shadows over 2005-6); Histoire du visage, XVI-XVIIIème old, John has always been fascinated by the Button. On Valentine’s Day the imaginary couple descendants. Here, as in many places, the the history of manliness. And it brings to siècle (History of the Face, XVI-XVIIIth C, fabric of language. But after doing Stage One got into a fight and Jason threw a stapler across masculine bodies and minds have suffered my mind an old remembrance, which might 3rd ed., 2007); Histoire de la virilité, de English at university, he became focused on the room hitting his wife Verity in the face. in the course of the 20th century from the not be entirely foreign to my being in this l’Antiquité au XXIme siècle (History of a law career working hard as a District and “I’ve presided over many domestic violence terrible damages of war, the scourges of country today and having tackled the history Manliness, from Antiquity to the XXIth C., Family Court Judge for 17 years. cases in the criminal and family court and like unemployment and economic depression, and of manliness as an academic topic. It was in 3 vol., 2011). His work is translated into “Then as I moved through my 50s and many there was a real issue of doubt about this the erosion of conformity and bureaucracy 1963, and I was 17. The All Blacks played 16 languages. approached 60, I started thinking about the case,” says John. “It’s got a narrative element to it in mass urban society. Here, probably faster a game in France, on their way back to the things I wanted to do in my life in addition to so the poems and short narrative pieces vaguely and less reluctantly than in many other antipodes. My friend Robert and I were on law,” says John sitting relaxed in the comfort of revolve around the incident and I play with court places, men have accepted renouncing some a mission for our highschool newspaper: to his Herne Bay villa on a quiet Friday afternoon. processes … I have a cross-examination for of their privileges and participated in the get an interview with the team’s captain. “I decided I wanted to explore whether I had example!”

22 | The University of Auckland Ingenio Spring 2012 | 23 alumni

lot of viewers. It was a good intrigue story that spaceships and was less about relationships he Shortland Street is part of NZ culture and kept people guessing.” would be more interested.” zeitgeist and that is very exciting, says Kirsty. She loves all the characters but admits In the future Kirsty hopes to be still writing “It’s funny because you speak to lots of to having a soft spot for Shortland Street for television, as well as writing and making people who say they never watch it, and stalwarts Rachel McKenna and Chris Warner, her own TV dramas and writing film scripts. then they ask, ‘what is happening with Chris and Brooke Freeman because she is a bit of “It can be a very hard industry. What is and Rachel?’” chameleon and has a bad streak. great about Shortland Street is as a writer you Vaneesa Bellew “It’s always fun to have characters that are can have full-time employment,” says Kirsty. morally able to do bad stuff, says Kirsty. “I am very fortunate because I enjoy it so “You get very attached to all of the much that it doesn’t really feel like a job. It characters, even the villains. Your job is to get does seem a bit wrong sometimes to have so It’s always fun to have characters that are morally able to do bad stuff.

into their heads and understand them so you much fun and enjoy your job so much but that can motivate them in different stories.” is another reason why I value it.”

arshall Kirsty watches every episode without fail. It is also a great time to be involved in NZ M “It’s important to watch it because you get television because it’s booming. “The whole hris C to see how the stories play out and if they culture cringe thing that we used to have

Photo: Photo: worked. If it doesn’t quite work, it’s good to back in the day is completely gone and New think, ‘okay what can we do differently Zealanders are very happy to watch local next time?’” programmes, to embrace them, and to enjoy She hasn’t yet managed to get her husband them. Outrageous Fortune did a lot to help While most people can rattle off the names of their favourite actors, it’s the writers’ Rob to watch an episode. “I think if it had with that but I think Shortland Street has also.” A typical story liners morning at Shortland Street names on the rolling credits that catch Kirsty McKenzie’s eye. Dream storyline

he University of Auckland arts alumna enjoyed it so much.” put it out there,” says Kirsty. (BA 1997, MA (Hons) 1999) is living her A writing job on the second series of Being “A lot of our ideas do come from real life,” Tdream as a writer on Shortland Street – Eve followed and from there she was offered a she adds. “Truth does seem stranger than Inspire New Zealand’s longest running television soap. script editor’s position on Shortland Street and fiction sometimes.S ometimes we will write “When I first started hereI was aware of all soon moved into dialogue writing, and then stories based on these real life stories and we the writers’ names – they were a bit like rock into storyline writing and editing. will get feedback saying ‘that is ridiculous that stars to me.” It’s a decade on since her first writing would never happen.’” tomorrow’s Kirsty was working towards a PhD in gig and she has helped pen NZ television Dramatic storylines are Kirsty’s favourite English Literature looking at film adaptations programmes such as Mercy Peak, The to write but on the whole if the story is of Jane Austen’s works when after “a spur of Pretender, and the Go Show. interesting, engaging and entertaining she will minds today the moment decision “ she entered a writer’s But Shortland Street, produced by South generally enjoy writing it. audition for a new television series called Love Pacific Pictures at itsH enderson base in west Shortland Street has a medical advisor, Become a teacher with a Bites based on the film Hopeless. Auckland, is Kirsty’s staple. Ingenio follows who works with the writers two days a week, Graduate Diploma in Teaching “I wrote this little audition script without her to the writer’s room off a long hallway, ensuring the medical elements of the storylines much idea about what I was doing, ” she its walls plastered with giant photographs of are authentic and suggesting interesting Early Childhood Education, Primary, Secondary remembers. As a result she was asked to come past and present characters. The storylining medical cases they can incorporate into on board. “I kind of freaked out so I went to magic happens around a large square table. their stories. “Our poor nurse can get quite the University library and got all these books This is where ideas are dissected, criticised and frustrated sometimes because we tend to be out on screen writing and read them all.” discussed. a little bit fanciful on medical things, and she Abandoning her PhD, Kirsty worked on “An idea is always worth pitching because needs to pull us back into reality.” Love Bites and took a semester screenwriting even if it’s not the one we go with, it might Kirsty’s favourite Shortland Street episodes course at the University. “I had always wanted spark an idea from somebody else and then include a 90-minute special to celebrate the to work in television and film butI think when that leads onto something else, which will lead soap’s 20th anniversary and the serial killer I did those papers it just crystallised and to an exciting story so you can’t have too many storyline involving nurse Joey Henderson. “It solidified, andI was like I have to do it. I just inhibitions or censor yourself. You’ve just got to was a successful storyline which attracted a Apply now for 2013 0800 61 62 65

24 | The University of Auckland www.education.auckland.ac.nz alumni

A quick-firing storyteller Dean CarruthersPhoto:

Toeolesulusulu Damon Salsea (BA 1994, MA 1996) grew up in a family of storytellers.

e recalls one of his Samoan father’s international Ernest Scott prize for his book Damon has a strong connection to his favourite tales: “My father went to a Racial Crossings: Race, Intermarriage, and father’s villages in Samoa: those of his Hparent/teacher evening at Glen Innes the Victorian British Empire which came out grandfather, Neiafu and Faleupo, and that Primary School, which was a pretty hard-bitten of his doctoral thesis. Published by Oxford of his grandmother, Satapuala, from where school back then. We kids had pinned up University Press, it is described in the citation as his title Toeolesulusulu derives. As part of his on the wall what we wanted to be when we “a landmark contribution to the scholarship on commitment to the village, he is researching grew up. race and racial boundaries within modern the history behind land taken for an airport “Apparently I had written I wanted to be a imperial regimes”. during World War II. “The understanding was university lecturer,” laughs Damon. “Racial Crossings is a story about how that it would come back to us but it hasn’t. He can’t remember that but his father, who race becomes the way that you can preserve There’s a big airport there now and a country was then a factory worker at Fisher & Paykel in inequality as you speak of equality,” says booming on tourist dollars. Partly we want an East Tamaki, may have known something his Damon. “My book tries to re-conceive what acknowledgement that this shouldn’t have son didn’t. Today Damon is Associate Professor race means. Scientific racial theories mattered happened to us.” Race was one of the ways we were integrated into large societies – empires. We were brought in without being equal despite professing equality. of PacificS tudies at The University of Auckland much less than historians have said. Hardly One of his next book projects is a history of and teaches PacificS tudies and History. anyone reads scientists’ work, just as hardly Samoa but in a way that is attentive to how “My father wanted me to be an engineer anyone reads (or understands) the work Samoans tell their own histories. and I think my mother wanted me to be a of geneticists today. Racism has its own “It’s a history from the ‘bottom up’ and lawyer, which is probably very typical for first rationality, and doesn’t need lab work for a project that makes sense to me,” he says. generation university families,” he says. Despite sustenance. Race became ubiquitous through “Most Samoan histories focus on the chiefs, but his parents’ wishes, he was immediately drawn more popular forms: back then things like in the time I’ve spent in the archives, so many to Samoan role model, author and historian the bible, law, celebrations of empire, English of the stories I find moving and engaging are Albert Wendt. During his first-year course with history, and penny pamphlets. Through these not necessarily about the chiefs. If you want Wendt, Damon began to realise “how much people came to see the world in racial terms. a surefire way to get 60-year-old, or older, history matters”. By the 20th century race was on both sides Samoans to talk about their childhoods you ask Damon went on to complete his MA and of the divide. There’s the racists and the anti- them about watching old-style Westerns! These was the first person of PacificI sland descent to racists, and both can only talk using the terms are the kinds of stories I mean, the ones that become a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University. of race. we tell ourselves.” After that he taught at the University of “I think historians help us understand our Read Damon Salesa’s “My story” on the Michigan from 2002-2011, returning to his own geneaologies. How did we become who University website at: www.auckland.ac.nz/ current position at his alma mater this year. we are? “Race was one of the ways we were uoa/home/for/the-media/ourstories/damon- He has recently joined the ranks of historians integrated into large societies – empires. We salesa such as Dame Anne Salmond, Jamie Belich were brought in without being equal despite Tess Redgrave and Keith Sinclair winning the prestigious professing equality. “

26 | The University of Auckland

Acer Iconia W510 NZ AD Ingenio v3.indd 1 17/10/2012 12:45:44 PM alumni alumni

Distinguished alumnus Mike Rann suffered injuries and had to take significant ravaged city where there are many home (BA 1974, MA 1976) has been asked to amounts of time away from playing, due to owners with small jobs big contractors don’t Alumni achievers become Australia's next High Commissioner pain,” he says. “My aim in taking this course want to touch and a massive shortage of to the United Kingdom. Mike was elected is eventually to return to New Zealand to skilled tradespeople. “I don’t mind doing the to the Australian Parliament in 1985 and develop a clinical practice in the field of small jobs that people want done to make life led Labor in South Australia for a record Performing Arts Medicine. comfortable, like doors unstuck or shelves put Be enabled 17 years. Born in Britain, he has close up,” she says. connections in British politics, business and Dan Bidois (BA/BCom 2006, BCom Ruth has had no formal training (though “I’m sleeping so much better” and “I wish Bay dreaming of climbing the corporate with science, educational and arts institutions. Hons and former AUSA President) she’s built a Sunburst dinghy). She’s never I’d done this sooner” are just some of the ladder in the big smoke. At university Hannah Through his work with the UK based The has been appointed as a policy consultant in had to advertise either, picking up work by accolades alumna Hannah McQueen (BCom worked as a waitress and debt collector and Climate Group, he has developed a good the Private Sector Development Division of word-of-mouth. One of her regular clients 2001; MTAX 2001) hears from cautions students today: “Don’t relationship with the governments of Wales the Organisation for Economic Cooperation is the Women’s Refuge homes around people who seek her expert just accept you’re going to have a and Scotland. and Development (OECD), based in Paris. He Christchurch; she says the women living in financial advice. Since she student loan. Base your decision says once this contract finishes in late 2013, those are often threatened by men and find started her financial consultancy (what to study) on what lifestyle you Roderick Fry (BCom 1992) runs, with he will return home and hopes long-term to it reassuring to have an older woman fixing business Enable Me five years want and work backwards from his French wife Laurence Varga, a Paris be an economic leader, either in business or problems around the homes. At times she ago, Hannah’s expertise has there,” she says. And though this showroom-cum-workshop called Moaroom, a government. even gets to put her counseling skills (part of been in hot demand. She has might sound brutal to an arts or galerie d’art Neo-Zelandais, which represents her BA) to good use over a cuppa. presented on TVNZ’s show Save science student she counters with: Bridgid Hawley (BA/BCom 2007) has a small range of New Zealand designers A mother of five children and grandmother Our Homes, and instigated and “Passion doesn’t pay a mortgage. recently been appointed Kea Director for and artists the couple believe deserve a of nine, Ruth is a keen kayaker in her spare helped create a complex formula “There doesn’t seem to be a UK and Europe and is responsible for the larger showing in Europe. Roderick is also time and also runs home maintenance night on how best to structure debt, connection between how much day-to-day operation and growth of Kea UK. designing his own pieces, notably a table classes for women. alongside Faculty of Science student debt a young person incurs, Bridgid has been successfully supporting called Pi – one of the Moaroom’s biggest Contact Ruth at: [email protected] Senior Lecturer, Dr Jamie Sneddon. Most and whether they are going to be able to sellers. Inspired by wooden structures used New Zealand’s trade development in China recently, she has penned The Perfect Balance pay it back or have the lifestyle they want,” to support flying buttresses and key arches in for the past four years. As the foundation – how to get ahead financially and still have a she stresses. “No one seems to be coaching medieval construction, Roderick designed the manager of the New Zealand Government’s life. This is a far cry from the self-proclaimed students about that”. serpentine table with reused timber pieces Beachhead Programme in Beijing, she works shopper, who grew up in semi-rural Hawke’s from old farm buildings. alongside top New Zealand exporters as they For more see: www.moaroom.com establish a business presence in the China marketplace. She is bilingual in written and Dr Dickson Fung (BHB 2006, MBChB spoken Mandarin Chinese and English, and 2010) is doing an MSc in Performing Arts comes from a multicultural background Medicine at University College London (Vietnamese/English/New Zealander). (BSc 1984, MSc 1985) (UCL). This is an innovative new course Leonid Frants designed to provide clinicians with specialised lives with his family in New York, where he established OneMarketData software company knowledge of Performing Arts Medicine. Alumna Ruth Brown (BA 1979, in 2005. He has recently established three scholarships within The University of Auckland’s Dickson is a trained doctor and recently MA 1982) was 56 when she started her Computer Science Department to honour some of the early members of the department and completed a Bachelor of Music in Violin own building and renovating business in specifically its founder John Butcher whose “academic brilliance and wonderful personality were Performance at the Universities of Auckland Christchurch, Ruth’s Reliable Renovations. key to creating a unique educational atmosphere”. Two of Leonid’s scholarships respectively and Canterbury. "As a music student with More than 24 years on she’s still working in support a masters, honours, or PhD level student. Another scholarship funds a student during a medical background, I have encountered the trade and has no plans to retire. Now their final year of undergraduate study. numerous promising performers who have her skills are sorely needed in the earthquake

www.gsm.auckland.ac.nz28 | The University of Auckland www.mba.auckland.ac.nz Ingenio Autumn 2012 | 29 ALUMNI Events from 2012

01 02 03 04 05 06

07 08 09 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17

One and two: University alumni and friends enjoyed a Engagement and Dean of National Institute of Creative Arts and Wellington alumni and friends eager to learn how the University his presentation on the concept of darkness in modern astronomy presentation from Distinguished Professor Richard Faull (photo two, Industries (NICAI)) on the future of our urban cities. turns research into business from the guest speaker, Uniservices’ Dr and cosmology at the alumni reception in Boston on 6 September. left) at the home of the Royal Society in London on 21 May. Seven and eight: Speakers Professor Charles McGhee (photo Peter Lee (photo ten). Eleven: Alumni and friends at the Wellington Fifteen: Alumni and friends at the Boston alumni reception. Three and four: The Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences seven) and PhD researcher Stacey D’Mello (photo eight) captivated alumni reception on 15 August. Sixteen: The Uo8 capella octet delighted the guests gathered hosted a much-anticipated reunion over Queen’s Birthday weekend the audience of donors, staff and friends with tales from their Twelve: Alumni of both Epsom Girls Grammar School and The at the Golden Graduates Luncheon at the Pullman Hotel in for its first-ever graduates from 1974; and the classes of 1982 and personal journeys to success at the Celebration of Giving event University of Auckland posed with fellow alumna and Administrator Auckland on 7 September with their entertaining and light- ‘87, ‘92 and ’97, and 2002, all celebrating significant anniversaries hosted by the Vice Chancellor on 20 June. Professor McGee spoke of the United Nations Development Programme, The Rt. Hon. hearted choral music. Seventeen: Golden graduates from 1962 of their graduation, 30 years, 25, 20, 15 and 10 respectively. of how a $2000 scholarship in his early student days transformed a Helen Clark (second from right), at the New York alumni reception were photographed with the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Stuart Five and six: Over 100 Christchurch alumni and friends "dissolute" Glaswegian youngster into a passionate researcher. on Tuesday 4 September. Thirteen: Alumni and friends at the New McCutcheon (back row, fifth from right) andD irector of Alumni attended a popular and very timely presentation on 19 June Nine: Labour list MP Jacinda Ardern (left), Professor Jenny Dixon York alumni reception. Relations and Development, John Taylor (back row, fourth from left). from Professor Jenny Dixon, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Strategic (centre) and Wellington Central MP Grant Robertson (right) joined Fourteen: Professor Charles Alcock explored the “invisible” with

30 | The University of Auckland Ingenio Spring 2012 | 31 ALUMNI NEWS aLUMNI NOTICEBOARD

Society Estrella concert, Alumni and Friends event calendar highlights 18 November International alumni network Estrella is a unique combination of four November 2012 to May 2013 If you live in or near any of the areas below and would like to be involved with local alumni, we pianists, at two pianos. Somi Kim, Gemma encourage you to make contact with your Volunteer Alumni Co-ordinator (VAC). If you would like to Lee, Judy Lee and Cindy Tsiao are currently consider being a VAC for your area, then please contact Jamie Himiona, at [email protected] Month Location/Event Venue studying at The University of Auckland and for further information. have recently returned from a six-week tour N ovember 18 Auckland/Estrella Quartet (two pianos, eight hands) Concert S chool of Music in the UK. The University of Auckland Society Australia Malaysia December 11 Auckland/Society AGM and Christmas Reception Old Government House have sponsored a specially commissioned Melbourne K uala Lumpur February 28 Auckland Live! University of Auckland work by Gareth Farr which Estrella Craig Vickery, [email protected] KC Yong, [email protected] March 1 Auckland/Distinguished Alumni Awards Dinner Alumni Marquee, OGH lawn incorporated into their UK performances. Sydney 1 March 20 Hamilton Alumni & Friends Reception (Maadi Cup) Lake Karapiro (TBC) SINGAPORE Invitations to the November concert will be George Barker, [email protected] May 6 Vancouver Alumni and Friends Reception TBC Singapore posted mid-October. This is a Society member Sydney 2 May 7 Seattle Alumni and Friends Reception TBC Anne Dumas, [email protected] invitation-only event. To learn more about Angela Burrill, [email protected] May 2, 6, 8, 10 Auckland/Autumn Graduation (dates TBC) Aotea Centre SOUTH AMERICA Estrella see: www.estrella.co.nz C anADA May 9 Auckland/Graduation Concerto Gala Competition (date TBC) Town Hall South America Calgary Carlos Tirado, [email protected] May 19 Kuala Lumpur Alumni and Friends Reception TBC Allison Hall, [email protected] May 20 Singapore Alumni and Friends Reception TBC Tanaiw Cahin Taipei AUSA Outdoor Beijing 1 For more information or to ensure you receive an invitation to an event being held in your area please visit www.alumni.auckland.ac.nz/update to Mago Hsiao, [email protected] Vivian (Yang) Jiao, [email protected] update your details. Please note that informal Alumni and Friends events being run by our Volunteer Alumni Co-ordinators (VACs), both locally and Summer Shakespeare Beijing 2 USA overseas, or by University staff, will be promoted directly to alumni living in the catchment area. Joy (Fengxin) Ding, [email protected] New Hampshire The Old Arts Quad will come to life in March Rushan Sinnaduray, [email protected] Chengdu 2013, with the 50th Anniversary of Summer Hua Xiang, [email protected] New York Shakespeare and the celebratory production Rosena Sammi, [email protected] Hong Kong King Lear, featuring notable University alumni Jeffrey Pong, [email protected] Philadelphia Celebrating success 2013 University Nai-Wei Shih, [email protected] and staff (see our cover story page 10 -11) Shanghai Bookings through the Maidment Theatre at Vincent Cheung, [email protected] San Francisco of Auckland Distinguished Alumni www.maidment.auckland.ac.nz or Booking line Tanja Srebotnjak [email protected] Europe +64 9 308 2383. Alumni discount of $22 each. Texas Award winners announced Germany Jyoti Maisuria, [email protected] Philipp Schuster, [email protected] Washington, DC All awardees have confirmed their attendance at Auckland Live! and the Distinguished Alumni Scandinavia D r Jilly Evans Norman Godden Auckland University Campus Tours Ruby Manukia, [email protected] Awards Dinner in February/March 2013. Duncan Lithgow, [email protected] The Society has formed a sub-committee to re- New Zealand They are: Belgium establish Campus Tours of the University. Ken Baker, [email protected] Chinese Alumni in Auckland Rachel Yang, [email protected] Dr Jilly Evans, Science There are a diverse range of historic buildings Ken also welcomes contact from alumni in Europe (Scientist who founded a new life sciences start-up called Inception Sciences in San Diego); on campus ranging from the former glory of without a coordinator in their area. MLST (Master of Speech Language Therapy) Alumni Club Norman Godden, Business with an Arts degree Old Government House to the Old Tuck Shop INDONESIA Marion Van Nierop, [email protected] (Sheffield’sM anaging Director for many years and the driving force in establishing the Energy (now the Falè ). What better way to bring UAPA – Pacific Alumni these wonderful buildings to life than to hear Jakarta Education Giving Programme which sponsors a chair in Energy Economics at the Business School); Iman Paryudi, [email protected] Walter Fraser, [email protected] tales of their past lives. Kim Goldwater, Engineering Pharmacy in New Zealand If you have any stories that might be of Israel Kim Goldwater Honourable James McLay (Entrepreneurial wine maker); Natasha Bell, [email protected] interest, or you know someone else who has, Ofir Goren, [email protected] Honourable James McLay, Law please contact [email protected]. (Barrister, NZ permanent representative to the United Nations, New York); Janap Tooky Andrew Patterson, NICAI Simon Hollander, [email protected] (Leading New Zealand architect, Patterson Associates). THE UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND REUNIONS2013 Young Alumnus of the Year RECONNECT CELEBRATE REMEMBER Simon Denny, NICAI, (artist with an international reputation, based in Germany). Andrew Patterson Simon Denny Reconnecting, celebrating & remembering To purchase your tickets to the Awards Dinner on Friday 1 March 2013 online please visit Reunions are a great way to celebrate and remember Upcoming reunions: www.alumni.auckland.ac.nz your time at The University of Auckland while reconnecting and networking with other alumni. Grafton Hall Reunion – 30 years on Reunions also provide an opportunity to visit campus Saturday 24 November 2012 Want to stay connected with each and see all the developments that have taken place Law Reunion – Class of 1988 other and your University online? since you were a student. Alumni Relations and Thursday 21 March 2013 Development are here to help you and your reunion Like our Facebook Fan Page at University of Auckland Announcing Auckland Live! 28 February 2013 committee organise a successful reunion. If you are MBChB Reunion – Classes of Alumni and Friends www.facebook.com interesting in organising a reunion talk to us first by ’78, ’83, ’88, ’93, ’98, ‘03 The popular Auckland Live! showcase is back on 28 February 2013, bringing you an exciting up close and personal experience with six of New emailing [email protected]. Friday 1 & Saturday 2 June 2013 Join our Auckland University Alumni and Friends LinkedIn group at www.linkedin.com Zealand’s most successful University of Auckland alumni. Don’t miss this candid, entertaining evening with the winners of the 2013 Distinguished Law Reunion – Class of 1983 Date TBC Alumni Awards - six high achieving and internationally successful alumni in the fields of business, creative arts, wine making, law, science, and architecture, all hosted by Qantas Media Award winner and alumnus Finlay Macdonald. This year Auckland Live! was a sell-out, so mark 28 February For more information or to register for any of these see www.alumni.auckland.ac.nz/reunions-2013 in your diary now, and visit www.alumni.auckland.ac.nz in December 2012 for early bird ticket sales.

32 | The University of Auckland Ingenio Spring 2012 | 33 DEVELOPMENT NEWS Alumnibooks

Auckland’s Remarkable Urban Forest New Zealand Love Poems published by In Brief This book by alumnus Mike Wilcox (BSc, 1964) Random House. From Janet Frame to JC describes the treescape of Auckland City from Sturm, Michele Leggott, Sam Hunt and James In New Zealand’s London, published by Transformative Arts trees found in the parks, reserves, campuses K Baxter, all our poets both great and small Auckland University Press, alumna and and historic homesteads of the city to public write about love in its many forms. current lecturer in the Department of History native bush reserves; native revegetation [But you...] Dr Felicity Barnes (BA 1986, DipMgt 1986, could really lead the way with creative he Chartwell Trust has recently gifted enhanced and used to affect change, drive projects undertaken by community groups; But you PhD History 2009) explores the relationship thinking. It’s exciting to have been involved the University $50,000 and pledged a innovation, solve problems and improve lives. exotic woodlands; Auckland’s street trees; love I between a colony and its metropolis from from the very beginning and I’m looking Tfurther $150,000 towards a programme With widespread interest both within trees of suburban home gardens; and knew by Wakefield to the Wombles. By focusing forward to developments in the project next to deepen understanding of diverse creative and outside the University, a new creative Auckland’s notable trees. There are chapters heart. on particular themes – from agricultural processes and the transformative capacity of thinking board has been formed and will year and beyond.” on tree health, forest climbers, weeds and marketing to expatriate writers – Felicity Wystan Curnow the arts. This is in addition to a $10,000 gift be tasked with progressing the project utilisation and management of the urban develops a larger story about the construction the University received from the Chartwell and raising additional funds to support it. forest. A particular feature is the guide to the of colonial and national identities. Trust in 2011, when it was the recipient of the Professor Jenny Dixon, Dean of the National Photo. Geoff Ricketts (Chair of the University of public parks and reserves and their trees in Trouble in mind Arts Foundation Award for patronage. Institute of Creative Arts and Industries and Auckland Foundation), Sue Gardiner (Trustee of each of the Local Board areas. The book has Alumna Jenni Ogden (MSc, 1981, PhD, 1984, In Dancing with Difference: Culturally Rob Gardiner and daughter Sue from the newly appointed Deputy Vice-Chancellor the Chartwell Trust), Rob Gardiner (Chair of the been published by the Auckland Botanical DipClinPsy, 1985) transports the reader into Diverse Dances in Education, published by Chartwell Trust have been meeting with staff Strategic Engagement, will chair the Board Chartwell Trust and Patron of the Creative Thinking Society as part of its 75th Jubilee celebrations. Board), Amy Malcolm (Development Manager), the world of some of her most memorable sensepublishers.com, alumna Linda Ashley from across the University to consider ways and is enthusiastic about the project’s Jenny Dixon (Deputy Vice Chancellor Strategic Mike is President of the Auckland Botanical neurological patients as she explores with (PhD Music 2011) engages with both practice we can challenge our communities to explore momentum. “I think this is very timely for Engagement) and John Taylor (Director of Alumni Society and is presently an Honorary Research compassion, insight and vivid description the and theory and a nexus model, as she looks Relations and Development). the arts-led creative process, how it may be New Zealand. The University of Auckland Associate at the Auckland Museum. human side of brain damage. These are tales at approaches to teaching about culturally of patients who, as the result of stroke, brain different dances. Even though some practical From Manoa to a Ponsonby garden tumour, car crash, or neurological disease, suggestions for teaching are presented, the main concern is to motivate further thinking In Hawai‘i Emeritus Professor of English, begin thinking and behaving strangely, and and research into teaching about dancing Albert Wendt watches the changing shadows with their loved ones’ support embark on with cultural difference. INNOVT A IVE TINNITUS STUDY positions as well as equipment and that tinnitus is caused by a much more of the Ko‘olau mountains from his verandah; the long journey to recovery, acceptance of related expenses. distributed network within the brain considers the nature of mauli, the seat of life; disability and sometimes, death. Trouble In In The Map of Meaning: A Guide to An innovative multi-modal treatment The study builds on previous work at that can be influenced by a number of walks protected in his partner’s perfumed Mind: Stories from a neuropsychologist’s Sustaining our Humanity in the World programme for tinnitus will be trialled by the Centre for Brain Research on how to senses,” says Grant. slipstream to work; and writes to fellow poet casebook, published by Oxford University of Work by Greenleaf publishing, alumna researchers from the University’s Centre for prime the brain to be more responsive to Hone Tuwhare from the excesses of Las Press, will be enjoyed by readers who want Marjolein Lips-Wiersma (PhD Management Brain Research in a study made possible by a rehabilitation for stroke or lazy eye. It is a Vegas. In the second half of this book, we to learn more about brain disorders and the and Employment Relations 2000) joins Lani donation from Link Research and Grants. multi-disciplinary project involving experts in move to the garden in Ponsonby with 40 vivid doctors who care for those who suffer. Morris to talk about meaningful work and The treatment programme will use audiology, medicine, behavioural medicine, ‘garden’ poems that are the triumph of the life, and to explore the Holistic Development neuromodulators to “prime” people’s brains pharmacology, vision science, and sport and collection. Here joints need replacing, poets Risk to be more responsive to training that Model. While the research was done on work exercise science. grow older, tsunami destroy and friends Recently divorced New Zealand lawyer Sam may reduce their perception of tinnitus – a and organisations, it speaks to the whole person. “We’re trying to provide the means for the slip away, but a spirit of renewal and Nola returns to London, where he spent two sensation of noise in the ears that has no auditory system to ignore tinnitus,” explains humour pervades. years in his early twenties. It is late 2002, external cause. Into the River by alumnus Ted Dawe (BA lead researcher Dr Grant Searchfield, Head and on both sides of the Atlantic the case for “This research is very important, not only for 1974), published by Mangakino University of Audiology. “When people experience military intervention in Iraq is being made – or understanding tinnitus but understanding the dear heart Press is the prequel to the author’s first novel tinnitus they become attuned to hearing it in fabricated. Emeritus Professor of English and brain itself,” says Matteo de Nora on behalf of “Love — that complicated, delicious, Thunder Road (2004).It tells the story of Te preference to other auditory stimuli – it’s a alumnus CK Stead (BA 1954, MA 1955, Lit Td Link Research and Grants. pleasurable, necessary feeling — ties us Arepa Santos who is dragged into the river by magnet for attention. To break the cycle they 1982) brings his deft prose and poetic eye for Link Research and Grants has a long- to another human, to a mother, father, a giant eel. The boy who struggles to the bank need to be trained to attend to other things.” detail to bear on his main character Sam, who term interest in supporting tinnitus research son, daughter, sibling, lover or friend. Love is not the same as the one who plunged in, The trial will use people’s sense of vision is re-adjusting the bearings on his life as he worldwide, and is a strong advocate for New can also tie us to a place, an experience, moments earlier. He has brushed against the and touch to achieve this. “In the past it gets to know a daughter (half French ) from a Zealand research. Its gift will cover the cost an object. We love and we are loved: spirit world, and there is a price to be paid; was assumed that tinnitus was primarily an Kim Wise and Dr Grant Searchfield, part of the long ago affair and walks into a lucrative role of the project, including several research unexpectedly, gloriously, painfully, deeply.” an utu to be exacted. auditory phenomenon, but it has become clear tinnitus research team. in London’s banking sector. Risk is published So writes alumna Paula Green (BA 1992, For copies email [email protected] MA May 1995, PhD Italian 2005) in her by Maclehose Press. introduction, as editor, to dear heart: 150

34 | The University of Auckland Ingenio Spring 2012 | 35 HISTORY ART 500-year-old book Benevolent by-product Don Binney 1940-2012 War by the Athenian Thucydides. It is among be attributed to Narcissus Luttrell (1657- seen together in Old exhibition at Fisher Gallery in Pakuranga in the oldest books in the Library and was 1732), a Member of the House of Commons, Government House 1989, Don outlined his fall from grace in his donated by the Newhook family who have parliamentary diarist and book collector. during June and July picturesque prose: “By 1980 New Zealand’s several alumni among its members, some of More research is required, however, into the 2012. At the opening cheque book pocket-cultural revolution was whom belong to the Classical Association, inscription at the foot of the page, which reads of the exhibition, the in full howl: bourgeois regionalist realism and which fosters interest in Ancient Greece and “Godefridus Montens” [or “Monteus B”]. 72 year old artist such 1960s remnants were up against the Rome in the local community. The French Calvinist Henri Estienne (1528- spoke passionately wall. In gnomic non-communication, my long- The story of the ancient tome’s journey to 98) was one of the most distinguished scholar- about his inspiration: standing Wellington dealer [Peter McLeavey] the University began when alumna Marjory printers in the history of printing. There is a “You must approach dropped me. More than once my work was Newhook (née Anderson BA 1941, MA 1942) description of the contents of his 1564 edition the landscape or the publicly indicted for its anti-international was in London in the post-war years. On the of Thucydides, and the later edition of 1588, in bush with reverence. insularity.” Don had become the most public day before she left London in November Catalogus translationum et commentariorum: To my mind, loyalty to victim of shifts in ideologies that dethroned 1948, she went looking for the translation of Mediaeval and Renaissance Latin translations New Zealand doesn’t the nationalism of the 1960s. Pliny’s Letter by the Reverend Melmoth, which and commentaries, Volume 8 (2003) pp. 144- consist in conforming she found in a small, downstairs bookshop 52, which is available online in the General to conventional in Whitehall, near Westminster. She was Library. The contents begin with his dedication expectations, but in “The by-product offered the Thucydides by the shop owner as to the German scholar Joachim Camerarius acquiescing to beings an extra, and bought it for two guineas. The (1500-1574) and his address to the readers, like the forest god of Don’s love book was not in pristine condition after four both in Latin (Stephanus emphasises the Tāne. They tell me rare and valuable book printed in of the land is a hundred years, but it was brought back to amount of sweat that has gone into the work: what to do and what 1564 by the renowned scholar-printer New Zealand, where it has since been lovingly maximis meis sudoribus). This is followed by not to do.” Henri Estienne (known as Stephanus) legacy of hundreds A restored by the Newhook family. the ancient testimonia on Thucydides and his As a student has been donated to the University General Markings on the title page shed some light Greek text, with the comments of the ancient at Elam, Don of spectacular Library’s Special Collections. on two possible previous owners of the book. scholiasts in the margins. (DipFineArts, 1963) The volume is the 1564 edition of the eight Initial research by Special Collections suggests had made Design paintings of birds books of the Histories of the Peloponnesian the monogram stamp and “1695” date can his major, and swooping over trained as a teacher after completing his stylised hills and diploma in 1962. After he had spent a coasts." few years in the art department of Mt While disappointed, he was undeterred Roskill Grammar, and continued to steadfastly examine Postgraduate the popular success the environment, shifting his medium to of his paintings lithography to complement his crayon drawing enabled him to skills. He was rewarded by an OBE for services Study at Elam sked to describe the relationship of become a full-time artist. Critics carped about to the arts in 1995. Speaking at the opening his art to his work at the seminar that the way his birds seemed to dominate their of his 2012 exhibition, he explained that he inaugurated his 24-year teaching environment. He explained that the effect was had no alternative but to use art as a medium Elam offers a range of postgraduate study options to support your creative A governed by how he had learned to look: “As to communicate with the rest of us about the career at the Elam School of Fine Arts in path towards a successful career in the arts. 1974, Don Binney characterised his painting an ornithologist you learn how to identify a things he cared about: “I would like it finally to Our studios operate from a distinct interdisciplinary perspective where you as a “benevolent by-product of my way of life”. bird from the fleeting glimpse …. You pick up be clear that why I paint is that I am holding are supervised by professionally active, internationally recognised artists Reactions in the room were disapproving. the nuance of body shape and the specificity on to my faiths, my own creeds, my own deep of body movement ... if there is a distortion of loyalties and interests. This is the reason I across a range of arts fields. NICAI AD Recalling the incident three years later in an article in a special issue of Art New Zealand proximity then it is literally the legacy of 35 continue to do what I do.” At the highest level, the creative practice option within the PhD gives you the devoted to artists and the environment, Don years of looking through binoculars.” The University of Auckland’s holdings of opportunity to integrate your creative work with rigorous scholarly analysis wrote: “Some students didn’t like that at all, Don’s name became synonymous with bird works by Don Binney amassed from 1974 and research. thinking it was easy, flippant and lazy to talk paintings, but the descriptor soon became to 1998 while he was on the staff of Elam about one’s work that way”. His point was derogatory. In an interview with Sheridan is the largest of any public collection in Postgraduate Diploma in Fine Arts (PGDipFA) that he had been an amateur ornithologist Keith in Art New Zealand in August 1983, he New Zealand. Amongst these are his most Master of Fine Arts (MFA) and environmentalist for a lot longer than he lamented: “You know I’m probably one of the significant paintings such as Kereru over Doctor of Fine Arts (DocFA) had been painting. best-known New Zealand artists … but I think Wainamu Te Henga 1965, Kawaupaku Te Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) The by-product of Don’s love of the land is a lot of people have only a superficial insight Henga 1967 and Arts-Commerce Kaka 1984. a legacy of hundreds of spectacular paintings into what I’m doing. And they can therefore Auckland University Press published Damian of birds swooping over stylised hills and write me off – ‘Ah, Binney – yeah, he cleaned Skinner’s book, Don Binney Ngā Manu/Ngā coasts. Some of his most iconic works are up a few birds in the early sixties, and he’s still Motu – Birds/Islands in 2003. www.creative.auckland.ac.nz/elam owned by The University of Auckland where doing the same thing now.’ Sort of over and [email protected] he studied and later taught, and these were out.” For the catalogue to his retrospective Linda Tyler 0800 61 62 65 36 | The University of Auckland Glen Snow Plotting Gesture 2011, acrylic and oil on canvas, dimensions variable. Photo Darren Glass. IngenioIngenio Spring 2012 | 37 SPORT student life Staying in the game

ow do we keep “Kiwi kids” interested place, both from an administrative and an in sport at a tertiary level? This is operational perspective, with the view that Hsomething the University is trying as the teams grow in capacity and capability, to answer and has partnered with Sport NZ the results will come. Auckland Council, Auckland Regional Sports “Ideally, the strength of university sport Trust, College Sport and technology provider will increase and we’ll see university teams All Teams, to run a three-year project called and clubs winning regional competitions,” “Sport Beyond Schools.” says Louis Rattray, Director for Sport and The objective is “to improve the sport and Recreation at the University. recreation pathways for students from school “Ultimately, it’s about creating an to The University of Auckland and in doing so engaging environment for the students so increase participation in sport and recreation that they continue to be involved in sport by 16-20 year olds”, says Nikki Henderson, after they leave secondary school, and have

the University’s Sport Development Manager an even stronger connection to the University nold and a former Physical Education teacher at after they graduate.” ydia Ar Rutherford College. L “We’re going to track students when they Chris Marshall Note taken... Photo: first join up with a club or sports programme and monitor their involvement during their degree,” explains Nikki. “We’re hoping that If you haven’t heard of Notable, it is just a matter of time before you do. Notable was launched we’ll be able to pinpoint when they are no in July this year by fourth year University of Auckland software engineering students Jordan longer registered, whether that’s in their second or third year, and hopefully get some Thoms (left) and Hengjie Wang. arshall

M insight as to why they stopped and what we hris

C can do to keep them involved.” An important part of this is ensuring that Photo: Photo: he internet note taking application created Hengjie, “is the ability to take notes next to your Adam Blake from the eLearning Group at the the sports clubs have the right structures in by the duo was ignited by internships lecture slides so you don’t lose the context of Centre for Academic Development. “Notable Tthe pair did earlier this year as part of what you’re actually writing”. is very simple to understand and easy to use, their degree at the heart of Silicon Valley in Not only is Notable a note taking tool, but powerful. By enabling students to access San Francisco. Notable currently has 450 it allows students to share their own notes, course materials online and add their own notes users from various faculties. Fellow student comments and questions with each other in real directly alongside each page, whether during a With a sales total in Alliv Samson (pictured right), who graduated time, and live during lectures. lecture or off campus, it encourages students to excess of $4 650 000, with her BA in Film & Television, Media Studies With the average class size at the University take more ownership of their learning”. The Les Notable recently qualified for the University’s numerous artist record and Political Studies from the University last being 120 strong (Engineering and Law can year, is responsible for the creative design and go up to 1000), Hengjie and Jordan’s aim was $100,000.00 Spark Entrepreneurship and prices set and a sales- marketing of Notable. The team from Cecil to develop a way of breaking down barriers Challenge, so the business partners are now by-volume figure of collaborated with Hengjie and Jordan to enable between students in classes of this size. concentrating on their business plan and over 90%, The Les and Cecil to be synchronised to Notable so students Jordan is excited to note that people from getting ready to pitch to investors. MiLLy Milly Paris Collection can load their lecture notes onto other universities around New Zealand and See: www.notable.ac/about is the most successful the programme. Australia are signing up. And notable has The problem Notable aims to solve, says been lauded by University lecturers such as Kate Pitcher Paris auction in the field of art, antiques and collectibles CoLLeC- in New Zealand history.

Tion Entries are now invited for our next auction of artandobject.co.nz Important Paintings and Contemporary Art to be held on November 27th. jasmax ad?

Contact Ben Plumbly, Director of Art [email protected] 021 222 8183

Image: Les Paris in his Wellington 38 | The University of Auckland Law office with works by Rick Killeen Ingenio Spring 2012 | 39 and Gordon Walters “I chose postgraduate study at The University of Auckland to provide inspiration for my career.”

Hear Natasha’s story at: www.makeyourmark.ac.nz