The University of Auckland Alumni magazine | Spring 2011

Anchored In Singapore Alumna Christine Tan is one of Asia’s best known faces A FINE VINTAGE AUCKLAND’S CULTURAL CAPITAL In this issue

Ingenio – The University of Auckland Letters to the Editor 4 alumni magazine 6 News 5 Spring 2011 ISSN 1176-211X Features Editor: Tess Redgrave Asian anchor 6 Contributing editor: Helen Borne Building to give 8 Art Direction/Production: Brigid Cottrell Design: Brigid Cottrell and Laura Dueker Bookman 10 Photography: Godfrey Boehnke Opinion 13 Illustration page 20: Anna Crichton 10 Advertising manager: Don Wilson Goldie vineyard 14 Proof reading: Bill Williams, Treena Brown Girl bullying 18

Editorial contact details Science of food 19 Ingenio Communications and Marketing Auckland’s cultural capital 20 The University of Auckland Engineering crime 22 Private Bag 92019 Auckland 1142, New Zealand Earthquake impact 23 Level 10, Fisher Building 18 Waterloo Quadrant, Auckland Law peacekeeper 24 14 Telephone: +64 9 373 7599 ext 84149 Facsimile: +64 9 373 7047 Nepalese pilgrimage 26 Email: [email protected] www.auckland.ac.nz/ingenio

How alumni keep in touch Regular sections To ensure that you continue to receive Ingenio, and to subscribe to @auckland, Advancement news 30 the University’s email newsletter for alumni and friends, please update your details at: Alumni achievers 31 www.alumni.auckland.ac.nz/update 26 Alumni Relations Office Alumni photo gallery 28 The University of Auckland 19A Princes Street, Private Bag 92019 Alumni news and Noticeboard 32 Auckland 1142, New Zealand Careers 34 Telephone: +64 9 923 4653 Email: [email protected] Sport 36 www.alumni.auckland.ac.nz Books 37 Copyright Articles reflect personal opinions and are not Art 38 those of The University of Auckland. No parts Student life 39 of this publication may be reproduced without prior consent of The University of Auckland. All rights reserved. ©The University of Auckland 2011 Ingenio website Check out our website www.ingenio- Cover photo magazine.com Alumna Christine Tan by Dean Carruthers If you’re as happy to read Ingenio online as in print, we’ll stop sending you the magazine and instead you’ll receive an Ingenio is printed on email each time the website is refreshed 100% recycled, elemental with the latest Ingenio content. chlorine-free paper, using soy-based ink. You can search articles, browse by topic, view videos and leave comments on the Ingenio website. The first 10 readers to leave a comment on the Spring 2011 Ingenio website will receive a free University of Auckland KeepCup.

2 | The University of Auckland From the Vice-Chancellor

Students Jason Luxford and Mayleen Vete with the Vice-Chancellor Creating top students The occasional protest and occupation the Tasman for their first degree. our students (and staff). We are, as a result, notwithstanding, one of the great joys of The University of Auckland has a well- seeing the advent of a whole new range of working in a university is the opportunity deserved reputation for academic excellence, concerts, inter-faculty sports and other events. to interact with wonderful students. And but is often not thought so much of as a All of these integrate students into the life of wonderful they indeed are – bright, committed fun place to be (though students who are the University, creating a lifelong allegiance to their studies and to the University, actually here do see it very much in those to the faculty and the University, as well as interested in the world around them, socially terms). Much of our effort at present is helping to balance academic achievement and environmentally aware and typically therefore devoted to ensuring that we with the fun of sport, recreation and an active involved in a vast array of extracurricular create an environment that is attractive social life. activities. Few things give us more pleasure to excellent students. One example is our There is no doubt that the great universities than the experience we had a few weeks ago investment of over $50 million in a new of the world enjoy very strong alumni support. at Spring Graduation of watching 2000 of 442-bed hall of residence, University Hall, It is also clear that the more stimulating, our recent students come across the stage, adjacent to the Elam site. Although it will engaged and enjoyable the undergraduate in the presence of proud family and friends, not be completed until early 2012, it is experience, the more powerful is the future to receive their well-earned degrees and already well oversubscribed. The provision attachment and loyalty of alumni to their diplomas. of quality catered accommodation is very alma mater. Judging from the upsurge of Top students are vitally important to the important in helping students make the campus life and activities I see occurring here success of any university. They are exciting to sometimes challenging transition from home on a daily basis, this University has a wealth teach, more often go on to graduate school, and secondary school to independent living of support in the making. and become successful alumni in later life, and study. That transition is also assisted by often retaining strong connections to their a variety of mentoring and learning support alma mater. With the highest entry standards programmes to help get new students away in the country coupled with strong demand to a flying start academically. for the limited places we are able to offer, we To assist our students financially, we have seem assured of excellent students, and our continued to attract generous support from early indications of interest for 2012 back donors for a range of scholarships – the that up. However, our position cannot be John Drake Memorial Scholarship, featured Stuart McCutcheon taken for granted and we must work hard to later in this issue, being one example. And ensure that we maintain an environment that that example connects to another major is accessible and attractive to all students development, the creation of a “Campus What do you think? Respond to this of ability. This is particularly so as we see Life” directorate whose role is to provide an editorial by emailing the editor: increasing numbers of top students crossing outstanding extracurricular experience for [email protected]

Ingenio Spring 2011 | 3 Letters

Letters and news

Nina, who is on a Rhodes Scholarship Happiness to Oxford University studying for a DPhil I read Ross McDonald’s article on “Measuring in International Relations, was the second National Happiness” (Autumn 2011 Ingenio, swimmer and on the “sunrise shift” for the page 28) with some intrepidation. 35-kilometre swim. “I dived in the water just Ross makes the assertion that the before 7am,” she says, “and was able to Bhutanese Government’s concept of GNH is watch the sun come up as I swam. It was “far from being a flippant idealism” and uses really exciting knowing that every stroke took the illustration of four friends, “an elephant, a us closer to France.” monkey, a rabbit and a peacock…[standing] She and her fellow team-mates began together to pick fruit from a large spreading planning the swim from Dover to Calais at tree…the scene is harmonious and happy.” Easter. “We swam every week in the pool at In fact, recent times in Bhutan have been least three to four times then swam outdoors anything but harmonious and happy with in lakes near Oxford and the sea. I spent a the Buddhist theocracy forcibly expelling week up in Wales swimming in a lake fed tens of thousands of ethnic Nepali citizens, by Mt Snowdon which was freezing and so forcing them to leave their land and end up in perfect training.” refugee camps, mostly in Nepal. So far they have raised almost £10,000 The Nepali government has lobbied the for victims of acid violence – a brutal from Bhutanese government for many years to of domestic violence. Says Nina: “It costs see if the refugees can be repatriated, but between £500 and £700 for full care and to no avail. The Bhutanese Government has English Channel surgery for someone affected by severe remained steadfast and unrepentant in the acid burns.” face of international pressure to respect the swimmer Support Nina’s swim at: www.justgiving. human rights of this significant Bhutanese com/Nina-Hall Alumna Nina Hall ( BA (Hons) 2007, MA minority group. 2009) was part of a six-women, Rhodes Ross’s assertions in the light of this Scholars, relay team that has just swum the historical reality crumble into nothing English Channel raising funds for the Pakistan more than a “flippant idealism”, to use his Acid Survivors Foundation. own words. And to answer his question – “would you The honour of a Fellowship recognises his rather your children be in a GNP world or “unique and valuable contribution to the a GNH world?” - I would rather my children University”. live in a country where GNP is understood Associate Judge Abbott has been a for what it is, simply economic growth, and longstanding member of the Society which the Golden Rule is enshrined in both our grew out of the original Alumni Association legislation and personal lives. formed to provide advocacy and support for David Senn BE(Mech) 1992 the University and its alumni. He was elected its President in 2003. Declaration of interest: David was an Under his stewardship, the Society engineer working with Nepalese farmers has financially supported many causes in the then Kingdom of Nepal from 1999 and Associate Judge Abbott has actively to 2003. He employed several Bhutanese encouraged Society members to support the refugees on construction projects. University on legislative issues, notably the University Fellowship for Education Amendment Bill in 2008. As well as donating huge amounts of time to the Society, Society president he has contributed financially to the Faculty of Associate Judge David Abbott, a Law. He gained an LLB (Hons) from Auckland prominent alumnus of the Auckland Law in 1970 and was admitted to the Bar in 1971. School and President of The University of In 2005 he was appointed an Associate Judge Auckland Society, has been made a Fellow of the High Court at Auckland. of the University .

4 | The University of Auckland NEWS

emphasis on international exchanges and Planning urban living collaborations, our postgraduate programmes Our top teachers Despite our rural economy, about 85 percent in urban design and urban planning can be University of Auckland staff scooped four of of New Zealanders live in cities and towns. the key to a dynamic urban-centred career in the 12 National Tertiary Teaching Excellence Indeed, as of 2009, for the first time in human New Zealand or abroad. Awards for 2011 with Professor Mike Walker history over half the world’s population lives For more information visit: www.creative. (Science) also named the Prime Minister’s in cities. Sustainability is increasingly being auckland.ac.nz Supreme Awardee. shaped by urbanisation. This global movement Mike (far right) who teaches in the School from the rural to the urban environment of Biological Sciences, won a sustained underpins the School of Architecture and Architecture and women excellence in teaching award in the Kaupapa Planning’s suite of postgraduate programmes What happens to New Zealand’s women Māori category. Dr Ross McDonald (Business focused on urban planning and design. architects after they graduate? This and Economics), Professor Robin Kearns, The School recognises the need to provide is the central question behind a new (Science) and Rena Heap (Education), were all planning graduates with strategic knowledge website, Architecture + Women www. winners in the general category. and skills in order to confront the increasingly architecturewomen.org.nz. Co-founded by University staff have won awards every challenging urban context. University of Auckland architecture alumna year since their inception in 2002 and this is The School offers a range of well-respected Sarah Treadwell, who heads the School the second time a staff member has won the masters and doctoral programmes focusing of Architecture and Planning, the website Supreme Award. Mike Walker is renowned as on the urban environment - from rebuilding wants to capture the who, when, where, and an outstanding teacher, researcher and quiet cities struck by natural disasters to addressing how of this country’s women architecture champion of equity initiatives. issues of international urban sustainability, graduates. The information will become part diverse urban populations and regional of a Architecture + Women exhibition in 2013, development. Our postgraduates acquire a a show that will mark the 80th anniversary of range of urban design and planning skills NZ’s first female architect graduate, and 120 essential for accredited professional careers. years of this country’s suffrage movement. The University of Auckland is uniquely placed in its ability to offer a forward-looking, innovative curriculum that draws on the School’s disciplinary strengths: planning, urban design and architecture. With a strong Pictured left: Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor John Morrow.

Plan for Tomorrow

The School of Architecture and Planning offers ten postgraduate programmes in Architecture, Planning and Urban Design. Extend your expertise and develop your practice. Find out more: www.creative.auckland.ac.nz Alumni

Among the media that flew into New Zealand for the Rugby World Cup was alumna Christine Tan. Nicholas Reid caught up with her while she was in town.

own at The Cloud on Auckland’s teachers. Great mentors. I was always Kong, Japan, Korea, New Zealand. “We travel Queen’s Wharf it is a cold, windy, engaged with people. Sociology is all about across the board, but increasingly we go a lot September afternoon but that doesn’t people and so is my job today. I stumbled to Hong Kong and China. In many ways China deter the immacutely-dressed Christine Tan, into journalism almost by accident. There has become the focal point in many of my fresh from the tropical heat of Singapore. was no planning involved. I just wanted to interviews. Many companies are finding ways “I’m back in a city I love,” she says without get a degree, go back home and get a job. to crack the China market.” hesitation. Her excitement is palpable. A I’ve always gone with the flow. Maybe that’s Christine is very clear about the difference financial journalist, she is in Auckland with what New Zealand taught me – to go with between the two shows she anchors. The daily her cameraman and producer to interview the flow.” Worldwide Exchange is a data-driven business leading names in New Zealand business Before she’d even finished her degree, news show. “It’s about the information that’s for Singapore-based CNBC’s Managing Christine was offered a job with the just come up on markets,” she says. “It aims Asia television programme. While here, Singapore Broadcasting Corporation. She to give viewers instant data for them to make she’s soaking up Rugby World Cup fever hasn’t looked back since. She now anchors investment decisions immediately.” – she’s a fervent All Black supporter – and and presents the weekly Managing Asia By contrast the weekly Managing Asia, in is rediscovering some of her old haunts show, CNBC Asia’s longest-running feature. which Christine interviews leading CEOs, is from four years studying at The University Together with presenters in Europe and the more about personal insight. “CEOs like to of Auckland. In fact one of the Chinese United States, she also co-hosts the daily watch other CEOs to find out how they’re Singaporean’s first ports of call after a day of Worldwide Exchange. Every week, CNBC running their businesses.” back-to-back interviews will be Portofino’s on is distributed to more than 70 million She describes Managing Asia as “sitting Ponsonby Road for “some great pasta”. households across Asia and to over 390 down with a CEO, asking him questions “I had an AMAZING four years here,” million households worldwide. and getting insights on how he manages his Christine says of her time studying at the Christine’s reports and interviews are a company and his strategy on how to compete University, doing first a BA in Sociology and regular source of information for business and conquer markets. We try not to interview English literature (1991), and then an MA in communities across South-East Asia. In the CEOs of companies that are struggling or on Sociology (1994). last ten years she’s travelled to Thailand, the verge of bankruptcy. We study their history. “Great diversity of teachers and great Malaysia, Indonesia, China, Taiwan, Hong We choose companies that have really made

6 | The University of Auckland speaks of the teamwork involved in any award. Much is contributed by a production crew that builds up networks, cultivates CEOs, gains exclusives and works out the logistics of shooting a show. She notes “the importance of having a good producer and cameramen who go all out to produce a show that is watchable and interesting. The team constantly pushes us in terms of how we can do things better.” In the past, she has criticised interviewees who have been groomed wrongly by their public relations handlers. “I’m not trying to knock PR. Their job is to train their CEOs. That’s a given. Some are so well-trained that when they sit in the chair they know how to roll with the punches, they know what topics to follow, they know the length of the interview, how to be themselves and just tell it like it is. What I don’t like are interviewees who are trained to give the corporate spiel and see the interview as a way to promote their companies in language you can find in corporate brochures. That simply means I have to put in more effort in digging the answers out.” This is the second time her show has come to New Zealand. Four years ago they did a series on New Zealand CEOs and companies of their choice, including Weta (“we got an inside view even though some doors were shut”), Fisher & Paykel, Fonterra and Tony Hambrook of Alloy Yachts. a mark and are well-respected. They’ve turned advice, she replies: “I don’t give advice. She praises innovation in New Zealand themselves around, made a difference, or The policy of CNBC is that nobody in the industry, seeing New Zealand entrepreneurs come up with a niche product that’s taken the newsroom is allowed to give advice. Our job as highly innovative even if sometimes “slow world by storm. We like those sorts of stories.” is to be facilitators in business information, in trying to penetrate new markets”. At the same time, Christine does ask CEOs but not consultants.” In an age when there Sounds a little like a young student from the hard questions, especially about their are so many media platforms of high-speed Singapore adjusting to life in New Zealand? mistakes and misjudgements as they built up information, she sees a big part of her work It was “an adjustment,” she says, “in a their businesses. “I’m not there to have them as “trying to make sense of all the clutter good way” . “Singapore is very rigid. It’s not squirming in their seats. I’m not attempting to that’s coming in”. She does, however, offer as flexible as New Zealand. My time at the crucify them. But I am seeking honest answers. the opinion that the Asian financial crisis of University gave me a lot of room to explore, Does he sleep well at night because he’s a few years back taught Asian entrepreneurs find myself, find my own interests. I learnt worried about oil prices? - that kind of thing.” here that if I went to a Sociology tutorial I You do not have to be in Christine She praises innovation could give an answer that would be accepted Tan’s company for long to notice her in New Zealand industry, and discussed. But in Singapore if I gave an professionalism and dedication to her work. answer, I would probably be told it was not the She always studies carefully thick dossiers seeing New Zealand right answer. I found that in Singapore, things of pre-interview research that are compiled for entrepreneurs as highly were very black and white in those days. her. She formulates her questions, sometimes innovative even if “Having said that, I’m told the education sitting up all night to get them just right. systems have improved a lot since then. But “My CEOs are CEOs who have very little sometimes “slow in trying certainly, there’s an openness here, to accept time. I don’t want to have them looking at me to penetrate new markets. differences. That has always been part of and thinking that I don’t know their company. what I love about New Zealand. A lot of When I sit in that chair and the camera rolls I caution about accruing unsustainable debt. teachers taught me how to analyse things, know this CEO thoroughly. I know how many Reminded of the many media awards to see the world as it really is and to ask children he’s got, how old he is, where he’s she has received - Silver World Medal for ‘What if?’ and ‘ Why not?’ I don’t think that’s been to, who he works with. I know more or Best Anchor at the 2009 New York Festivals something I would have got if I had studied less what he is going to say. If I do my work Television Programming and Promotion in Singapore.” the CEO is more willing to talk to me because Awards, Best Current Affairs Presenter he knows he is not wasting his time.” award at the 2008 Asian Television Awards, Asked if viewers have ever assumed they to name just two - she’s reluctant to single can approach her personally for financial out any one as the most meaningful. She

Ingenio Spring 2011 | 7 Advancement

Building to give

A passion for science and education, and for doing rather than talking, is behind the decision by alumni Benjamin Preston (left) and Mark Todd to sponsor a senior lectureship in the fast developing field of climate risk management. Louise Callan tells their story.

en Preston (BA/BCom 1995) and Mark firm. Student fees had just been introduced amazement, they called him back. He had Todd ( BSc 1994) have known each and he could only afford to attend university been the only commerce student they had other since childhood. They grew up part time. The job had one advantage: seen who had read the paper, or who had an in the 1970s in Mt Wellington and went he discovered he didn’t want to be an opinion. At the end of his degree he worked to the same primary school before their accountant. “I think I took quite a hard line, for them for a year before deciding to move paths diverged. Ben went on to De La Salle just doing as many papers as I could that to Australia. College and Mark to Penrose High. They advanced my knowledge, that was the big Mark was also offered a job on graduating met up again in mathematics lectures at thing, and not worrying too much whether it –at a meteorology school in Wellington – but The University of Auckland. Neither had a would result in a job. Of my 21 Arts papers, decided not to take it. Instead his summer particular career ambition, but they knew 18 were mathematics papers; I wasn’t holidays extended to Australia, travelling what they didn’t want to do. allowed to take any more. I read pure maths, coast to coast, and then on to Indonesia. Mark was not interested in practical finance and economic history.” Back in New Zealand he did odd jobs for subjects when he was younger; he loved They both graduated into the depressed a couple of years, painting and decoration learning for its own sake. “It’s why I started economy of the mid-1990s. Of the hundred- before joining forces with his brother, a boat studying mathematics. I don’t think I had a odd commerce students graduating in 1995, builder by trade, doing renovations and particular talent for it that would’ve taken Ben remembers being one of only a handful property building contracts. “And then one me to the next level and postgraduate study, going straight into a job. He had won a day we were sitting at smoko on this terrible but I just love maths. I love abstract thought scholarship sponsored by the investment job in this dusty old room we were renovating in general, which is why I liked philosophy as bank, Barclays de Zoete Wedd, despite a and I said, ‘This is ridiculous!’ So I rang up well. These are basic tools of critical thought.” somewhat unusual interview. “I remember four banks, three of them said ‘no’ and one He left University with a BSc in Mathematics the guy asked me to expound on the virtues said they’d lend us the money and we did our and has since completed a second major in of the privatisation of health, and I just first development – a couple of townhouses in philosophy part time. let him have it.” He laughs. “I walked out Mt Wellington, not many blocks from where Ben, the eldest of six children, had gone thinking, ‘Well, that’s $5000 I’ll never see, we were born. I think we made $17 an hour directly from school to work in an accounting but at least my dignity’s intact.’” To his all up.” But it was a beginning and over the

8 | The University of Auckland next ten years the brothers constructed an global financial markets that had just been viewpoint, and its applications in commerce $8 million portfolio of long-term residential “walloped”. They invested with a long-term and industry. For those who automatically properties. view, to build property and hold on to it, to presume it is aimed at assessing global In Sydney, Ben had joined Macquarie ultimately create an endowment. warming, it is not, although they point Bank and went on to work for them in Mark calls it “a very traditional approach out that a better understanding of the Johannesburg, London and most recently to property. It also gives me a bit more atmosphere can only help our understanding Houston where he currently heads motivation, to build a company and do of climate change. Macquarie’s Credit Analytics team. Along the something positive with it.” The concept of contributing is central to way, in the course of his work, he has become It has been a productive two years the Ockham Foundation and is a philosophy what he himself calls a bit of a weather nerd. with three projects completed: ten new they both believe in. “I take the view that life “I think if you’ve got a nice house with a 20- townhouses in Onehunga, a 25-unit is very long and these are things that you can foot pole on top with an anemometer then apartment in Kingsland opposite Eden Park do, and we can enjoy while we are young,” the term applies.” He is in good company: stadium, and 12 new townhouses in their old Ben says. “We can choose to contribute now some of the leading scientists and thinkers home suburb. They already have the land for because we can.” of the last 200 years have had meteorology “I’m not interested in working this hard among their long list of skills and interests. I’m not interested in just to make more money,” Mark adds. “I’m In 2009 Mark and Ben, who’d remained not really motivated that way. What does in contact, established Ockham, a residential working this hard just to motivate me is what’s wrong with the world. development and investment business. make more money. But you can only complain so much and then Soon after they also set up a charitable at a certain point you have to do something. trust, The Ockham Foundation, dedicated to their next project, a block of 80 apartments in This is like action. And that’s one thing that supporting scientific education and rational Grey Lynn called The Turing Buildings. I’ve always felt, even when I didn’t know what thought. Both strong believers in this, they This year Ben and Mark felt ready to take I was going to do, that I would contribute to wanted to find ways to encourage people the first step in their goal of supporting society eventually.” to embrace science more and, as they put science in education. Ben is the initial Professor Grant Guilford, Dean of Science, it, to bring science out of the closet. “The donor, giving US$225,000 to establish The is warm in his appreciation of the Ockham whole modern world and everyone’s lifestyle Ockham Foundation Senior Lectureship in gift and its potential. “Ben and Mark are are underpinned by amazing scientific Climate Risk Management at The University an inspiring team. As two dynamic and knowledge,” says Mark, “and yet the majority of Auckland. The incumbent’s initial task entrepreneurial individuals with a strong of people don’t remotely appreciate the will be to develop an honours programme commitment to open-mindedness and intimate role science is playing in their lives.” that will equip students with an in-depth objectivity and a deep understanding of They decided they needed to create understanding of how weather and climate the importance of contributing to their wealth to put towards their goal. “Both of information is generated over a range of community, they epitomise exactly the type of us wanted to do something rather than time scales. The objective is to design an leader we set out to develop at the University. just talk about it,” adds Ben. “I suppose the operational meteorological course that really “Imagine what a country we could be if model in mind was to create something like targets mathematics and physics majors and the leadership values of Mark and Ben were Dilworth [School],” Ben explains, “although gives them a route to a fulfilling career that to replace the all-too-common ‘I’m owed a we are starting 200 years too late so we is very cross-disciplinary – it stretches across living’ attitude of others. We are very grateful cannot buy property at ten cents an acre, or everything in the modern world, from super- for their support of the faculty and their however much it was worth. But you’ve got computing to farming. The postgraduate interest in climate risk management.” to start somewhere.” The year 2008 provided programme is a study of atmospheric science, them with that opportunity – property and the management of risk from a scientific www.ockham.co.nz/of/

Research is good for business

There is more than teaching at the great academic institution you already know, in particular when it comes to research and transferring knowledge to businesses and governments to achieve their goals. UniServices is the research and development company of The University of Auckland and the largest company of its kind in Australasia. We connect clients with the great minds of The University providing world-class scientifi c, industrial, medical, and education solutions. Start something big. Contact Rosanne Ellis, National Business Development Manager +64 9 923 7882 ALUMNI

A rare bookman The inimitable Iain Sharp is one of New Zealand’s top book reviewers, writers and an entertaining raconteur to boot. He spins a yarn (or two) with Nicholas Reid.

lumnus Iain Sharp laughs. Traces of a contributed to more specialised publications. It has also helped him in his frequent Scots accent in his voice have led to Respected as a poet and a live reader of appearances as MC at literary awards a question about how long exactly he his own poetry, he has had five collections ceremonies, and moderator of discussions has been in New Zealand. He explains that published, one in collaboration with his at literary festivals. “It was through poetry he came to New Zealand in 1961, at the age partner Joy MacKenzie. But he is very readings at Auckland’s Globe Hotel in the of seven, and has lived here ever since. His modest about his poetry. He declares 1980s that I gradually overcame my early last visit to his native Glasgow was over 30 “months can pass without my thinking about fear of public speaking. Nowadays I find it years ago. “I’m a New Zealander, and more poetry at all. Then there are days when I easier to talk to crowded rooms than one-to- specifically an Aucklander” he says, although can’t think of anything else. Nowadays I’m one to somebody I’ve not met before.” he does concede that he “can’t help being far more often a poetry reader than I am a Apart from the poetry, the journalism and more interested in Scotland than in Skaraborg writer or performer.” the public appearances, Iain works for much or Scottsdale, Arizona.” Typically, he tells a self-deprecating story of every week as a librarian in the Auckland Known as a high-profile literary journalist about once being mistakenly publicised as Central City Library’s Special Collections. This and interviewer, Iain has had a varied writing a stand-up comic rather than as a poet. is the repository of rare and valuable books and editing career. He currently edits the He died the death in front of a raucous and manuscripts that used to be called the Rare Books Room. It is much consulted by I do recall beginning an interview with the researchers. historian Jamie Belich by apologising for a review After qualifying as a librarian, Iain left the profession for a while to pursue literary where I’d suggested that James Cowan’s ‘boy’s own’ interests. When he returned, he says, “I version of the New Zealand Wars was a better read had to re-train because I was completely ignorant about the computerised systems than his own meticulously-researched history. that had taken over the library world during my absence.” He’s comfortable with those book pages of Metro magazine. For over ten audience who were expecting mother-in-law systems now and confirmed in his love of old years he compiled the book pages of the jokes. This, he says, is the memory that now and rare books. Sunday Star-Times and he was deputy editor saves him from stage fright. He reflects that Both the literary career and the of the short-lived New Zealand Outlook. nothing could be worse than that particular librarianship were heavily influenced by Before that he edited fiction for the literary humiliating performance “and so far, nothing his studies at The University of Auckland, journal Landfall, and he has frequently has been”. where he graduated BA in 1974, MA with

10 | The University of Auckland first class honours in 1975 and completed his PhD in 1985. He majored throughout in English literature. His doctorate, leading directly into the love of old books, was a critical modern-spelling edition of a Jacobean play, Middleton and Rowley’s Wit at Several Weapons. His supervisor was the formidable bibliographer and expert in early British drama Mac Jackson. “I remember him fondly for his generosity, kindness and terrific sense of humour, as well as his exemplary scholarship”, says Iain. But he also recalls an English Department filled with astute critics, many of whom were literary figures in their own right. They included Sydney Musgrove, Allen Curnow, M K Joseph, J C Reid, C K Stead, Kendrick Smithyman and others. “As well as studying New Zealand literature, I got to know it personally,” he says. Nor can he help noting that some of his most memorable student experiences were in areas that he did not pursue as a career. He recalls the Mathematics lecturer Chris Asked how he has found time to write needless to say, I gained fresh respect for King as having “a delightfully warm and these books in a busy working life, he Belich as a researcher when I came enthusiastic personality as a teacher” in the chuckles and describes himself as a part-time to write the Waikato War section of my few papers of Maths that Iain undertook. worker at two jobs. But he does admit that Heaphy book.” And he nominates as his favourite lecturer writing Heaphy often caused him to stay at Iain can remember dire and “the peerlessly polished philosopher Gavin his word-processor throughout the night. uncommunicative interviews with the Ardley, a dapper little man who taught the It is hard to talk to Iain without enjoying novelists Ian McEwan and David Guterson, tricky thought of Aristotle and Kant with his steady flow of literary anecdotes. Among and an excruciating occasion when the wonderful lucidity”. much else, he is an entertaining raconteur. Canadian satirist Mordecai Richler walked When he speaks of his major books, Iain While he has a reputation as a gentle man out on an interview well before it was over. is as modest as he is about his poetry. Real with a keen wit, he can, as a reviewer, be But it’s more in his nature to recall fondly the Gold, published in 2007, is a handsome unsparing when he comes across books he half day he spent with Barry Crump in Opotiki catalogue, with commentary, of some of the regards as bogus, cliché-filled or otherwise in 1987, finding the blokey yarn-spinner in Auckland Central City Library’s treasures. Iain remarks: “There’s such wonderful stuff in Special Collections that people had been ...on that occasion I had the chance to enter briefly itching to do a full-colour book on the subject into Crump’s extraordinary world, with angora goats since the library opened in 1887. It was largely through the fund-raising brilliance of jumping through the windows of his riverside shack my old friend Theresa Graham, who was the and so forth. library’s heritage floor manager at the time, that the project finally got off the ground.” badly written. This leads to an obvious a good talkative mood throughout. “Usually For his book Heaphy, he gives much question. As a frequent interviewer of I just get to meet authors in cafés or hotel credit to Sam Elworthy, director of Auckland authors, has he ever had the embarrassing lobbies”, he says, “but on that occasion I University Press, who enthusiastically experience of interviewing somebody whose had the chance to enter briefly into Crump’s supported the project. Sharp’s interest in work he has reviewed unflatteringly? extraordinary world, with angora goats the nineteenth century artist, explorer and “That sort of clash has happened to me jumping through the windows of his riverside adventurer Charles Heaphy was piqued less often than you might think,” he says. “I’ve shack and so forth.” partly by the art and the discovery that generally been able to avoid doing interviews It’s more in Iain Sharp’s nature to list his Heaphy seemed to have known so many when I’ve thought they might go badly favourite New Zealand authors (Bill Manhire, significant nineteenth century figures; but because of previous comments I’ve made. I Fiona Farrell, Martin Edmond and the mainly by the fact that nobody before do recall beginning an interview historian Russell Stone) than to dwell on the had written a full account of Heaphy’s with the historian Jamie Belich by apologising downside of interviewing others. His positive, explorations. Heaphy was a critical for a review where I’d suggested that James professional approach to his work is what success and a finalist in the 2009 NZ Post Cowan’s ‘boy’s own’ version of the New has kept him so much in demand as speaker, Book Awards. Zealand Wars was a better read than his writer, editor, interviewer, and of course, rare Currently, Iain Sharp is working with Chris own meticulously-researched history. I don’t books librarian. Saines, the director of Auckland Art Gallery, think Jamie would have remembered my silly on a book about the gallery’s new building, comment if I hadn’t prompted him.…and, its architecture and history.

Ingenio Spring 2011 | 11 Set the direction.

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Legislating for privacy

he blood running through the veins In addition, many businesses have become although statistics show that failure to give of twenty-first century commerce complacent as to their level of compliance individuals their information constitutes the Tincreasingly consists of information with the Privacy Act and related laws such single largest source of complaint to the about individuals. This personal information as those prohibiting spam (unsolicited Commissioner and to the Tribunal. To simplify is expanding at an exponential rate and is the electronic mail). There is a need for complete procedures in future the Commissioner very lifeblood for companies such as Google transparency as to how information is to will have the power to make binding and social networking giant Facebook. Many be used and who it is to be shared with (for determinations which organisations would of these companies are based outside New instance in the wording of privacy policies have to abide by (with the right to appeal Zealand and individuals here and globally on websites). to the Tribunal thereby shifting the burden are making use of the “cloud” for their The recently completed Review of the from the individual onto the organisation information processing needs. However these Privacy Act by the Law Commission is withholding the file). trends present a challenge to privacy laws therefore timely. The Commission’s final Two other recommendations are of and regulators world-wide as they struggle report makes several recommendations. interest. First, the exception that currently to keep abreast of rapid technological and Amongst the most significant is the heralded exists for individuals collecting personal social changes in how personal information is shift in the way the Privacy Act is enforced. information for their “personal, family and managed. Currently, this is largely complaints-driven with household purposes” will be removed where New Zealand’s 1993 Privacy Act is written individuals able to lay complaints with the the information is offensive to a person of Set the direction. in technology-neutral terms, is principles- Privacy Commissioner and on to a specialist ordinary sensibilities. This will close a loophole based and has thus far stood up relatively well tribunal which has significant powers which currently permits individuals to post, to these challenges. Indeed earlier this year including the power to award monetary say, naked photographs of their former At JBWere, we give you access an independent panel of European experts compensation. This is to be retained but, in partner on a social network. Secondly, the recommended that this country’s laws be future, be supplemented by the ability of the Commissioner is to be given the ability to to the best minds in the business. certified as providing an “adequate” level of Commissioner to serve compliance notices conduct privacy audits of organisations. Whilst protection for personal information, thereby on organisations, with fines to back them this may be a burden for some companies Our team of specialist advisers will enabling information relating to European up should compliance not be forthcoming. it also provides an opportunity for business Union citizens to be exported to New Zealand This will be especially useful where systemic graduates (especially auditors) and a reason help you grow, manage and protect – a not inconsiderable achievement given the failures are evident in an organisation (such to be well-acquainted with the requirements of importance of outsourcing and service-based as when Google last year used information the Privacy Act. your wealth for generations to come. businesses to our economy. gathered from individuals’ Gmail accounts to Senior Lecturer Gehan Gunasekara On the other hand development of “Web create its new Buzz application). researches and teaches information privacy 2.0” has meant that previously vertical Another recommendation relates to the law at The University of Auckland Business relationships in the collection and processing ability of individuals to access their files, School and was a member of the academic of personal information have been to a large whether these are held by the Government reference committee for the Review of extent replaced by horizontal ones where or by commercial enterprises. The Privacy Privacy by the Law Commission. individuals process one another’s information. Act gives individuals the right to access these Discover the JBWere difference. Visit jbwere.co.nz Auckland 0800 555 555 | Wellington 0800 555 554 | Christchurch 0800 555 553 Ingenio AutumnSpring 2011 2010 | 13 ALUMNI

A fine vintage

Thanks to the foresight of one of New Zealand’s pioneering winemakers, the University now owns a small but perfectly formed vineyard on Waiheke Island. Tess Redgrave reports.

n a cold, dark evening at the Jeanette would be at the forefront of New and designing the structure for the Fergusson University last winter esteemed New Zealand’s burgeoning wine industry. container wharf, Kim gave up engineering Zealand winemaker Kim Goldwater After graduating from the University with a to pursue a long-held passion for advertising was obviously moved as he stood before a BE in Civil Engineering in 1961, Kim worked photography. He set up a studio at Brown’s small gathering of staff, extended Goldwater briefly in the Structural Design Department Mill where renowned photographer Robin family and friends. He and his wife Jeanette of Auckland City Council and then weighed Morrison later joined him. had just signed a deal that would see their anchor and left New Zealand with Jeanette At the same time, keen to continue their iconic Waiheke vineyard and winemaking and one young child (one was born a year Spanish lifestyle in New Zealand, Kim and operation become a new centre for the later in London and one, two years later in Jeanette tried to persuade local vintners to University’s Wine Science programme, Madrid) “in search of fame and fortune … produce European-style table wines. enabling students and researchers to be and,” he jokes, “found neither”. “No one was very interested so we decided immersed in a commercial winemaking Through a fellow University graduate we’d try and make our own,” remembers Kim. environment. he got a job with Harris & Sutherland, an “I knew New Zealand lay geographically in “The University of Auckland is on the cusp engineering consultancy in Victoria Street, the same latitudes as all of the wine-growing of creating one of the greatest schools of London who were world authorities on pre- regions of the Northern Hemisphere so there wine teaching in the world,” Kim told stressed concrete design and construction. was no reason why we couldn’t grow good the gathering. After three years there Kim upped sticks wine here. And I had a hunch that Waiheke “All you have to do now is support your again and moved his growing family to Spain Island would be a good place because I’d company by buying 'Goldie' wines and in where he spent two years working as a civil sailed around there so much. Often it’d doing so you’ll ensure future students have a engineer designing bridges for Spain’s first be raining in Auckland and fine on the working winery to study in.” motorway system from Burgos to Santander. Island. The Weather Office had quite good Ironically the event was held in the office of It was in Spain that Kim and Jeanette temperature and rainfall records and from External Relations on Princes Street – home of began drinking wine on a daily basis as they those I deduced that the Island’s summer Auckland’s first Jewish Synagogue and where, soaked up the Spanish lifestyle. “The Spanish rainfall was a lot less than Auckland’s and 61 years ago, Kim made his first speech at his cannot eat without bread in one hand and temperatures were higher.” Bar Mitzvah. “I have a lot of memories of this wine in the other. Wine was as much a part The couple bought a gently sloping seaside lovely building,” he said adding wryly, “most of the meal as the meat and potatoes.” property in Putiki Bay and began sailing of them not good”. After several years back in New Zealand back and forth at weekends on their 32-foot When Kim was a young Engineering initially working for Sir Ron Carter and later Townson sloop to prepare the soil and plant student at the University in the late 1950s he the Auckland Harbour Board as resident the first two acres of grapes. probably had no inkling that one day he and engineer for the construction of a new wharf “We jumped in the water and swam like

14 | The University of Auckland crazy,” remembers Jeanette of those Franc features in the newly released book would be the perfect size for their wine early days. 1001 wines you must try before you die: A science programme. No one else had tried to grow European global guide to the finest wines. “Our hope is that this will become the wine grapes on the island at the time and “I can’t think of any experience that premium wine education facility in the whole all they had to go on initially was California would’ve been greater,” says Kim reflecting of the Southern Hemisphere.” writer A.J. Winker’s book General Viticulture on his career as a pioneering vintner. “This is an unprecedented and extremely and Kim’s meticulous research methodology. In 2009 the Goldwater family sold their generous donation that will benefit both the This included plotting heat summation curves world-famous brand which had grown to University and the wine industry,” says Vice- to determine how well his grapes would ripen include quite large operations in Hawke’s Bay Chancellor, Professor Stuart McCutcheon. compared with those in Bordeaux. and Marlborough, to a US wine investor. At “We believe that winemakers will benefit In 1982 family and friends helped harvest the same time the family, which has strong from the supply of high quality graduates the first Goldwater Cabernet Sauvignon from ties to the University – three generations have as well as the University’s ongoing research Our hope is that this will become the premium wine education facility in the whole of the Southern Hemisphere. which they made two 300-litre puncheons studied (and taught) here, with the fourth on everything from native wine yeasts to the of wine. The next year Kim and Jeanette generation now in his first year at the Faculty aroma profiles of New Zealand wines.” moved to the Island and Kim became a of Engineering – were looking to the future. The University has acquired the Goldwater fulltime vintner using his scientific training Having retained their original Waiheke property, partly through a commercial and understanding of organic chemistry to Vineyard, and with the University in mind, transaction, and partly through the $4 million help with his winemaking. In 1985 Goldwater their daughter Gretchen and her husband philanthropic gift. The total land area being Estate branding started and Merlot was Ken Christie set up a small commercial wine transferred is 13.9 hectares. This includes introduced to the Cabernet Sauvignon blend. company called Goldie Wines. winery buildings, a café and function room, The rest is history. Goldwater wine has “We wanted to preserve the vineyard’s two residences and seven hectares of vine in since been sold in 26 countries around history and do something that would work for Cabernet Sauvigon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, the world, won dozens of medals and the the local community,” says Kim. “We thought Syrah, Chardonnay and Viognier. These are Bordeaux-style 2004 Goldie Cabernet Merlot about the University and felt the vineyard bottled in the premium Goldie, and more

Ingenio Spring 2011 | 15 ALUMNI

accessibly-priced, Island brands, producing a continue to work there several days a week wine education and research.” total of about 2000 to 3000 cases per year. for the remainder of their studies. They will Ask him what needs researching and The vineyard and winery will operate two be exposed to everything from vineyard and he’s quick to reply: “Rootstock development parallel streams. An established team will winemaking operations to interacting with the to meet specific New Zealand situations. continue to produce wines commercially under public in the tasting room. Because of our relatively high rainfall our the “Goldie” and “Island” brands while Wine “We are expanding the curriculum for the vineyards are generally too vigorous. A Science students will keep producing their course and anticipate that the number of devigorating rootstock which delivers late own wines for teaching purposes under the students will double to around 30. The scale budburst and early ripening would be a University’s Ingenio label. Students will of the estate is perfect for teaching purposes definite advantage.” also work as interns in the commercial and its proximity to the city, the historic value But there’s no chance he’ll be back hands- operation, and have access to the fruit and of the winery and the natural beauty of the on in the vineyard. He has nearly completed data for research. site all will be major drawcards for local and his memoir and has a couple of novels waiting “The new arrangement means that we will international students.” in the wings. “ I’ve got a list of the things the be hardwired into the industry and able to For Kim Goldwater, the overall quality length of my arm that I want do to. fine-tune our teaching to what the industry of New Zealand wine is now better than “Now we can feel happy that the estate needs,” explains Wine Science Director, anywhere else in the world, “and that’s we’ve created is going to be looked after by Randy Weaver. because our winemakers are properly the University, and we can move on to do “Teaching for the first half of our year- trained,” he says. other things.” long diploma in wine science will be onsite “That’s why it’s my quiet dream that this at the Waiheke estate and students will vineyard becomes an important centre for www.goldiewines.co.nz

Goldie Wines is proud to give alumni of The University of Auckland a special offer on the first selection of wines available from the Goldie Vineyard on Waiheke Island. Being University owned and operated, all orders assist the sustainability of the operations for the benefit of the University and its community. We value your support. " Island Chardonnay 2011- only 150 cases available* A fresh and lively wine with a delightful texture and a long refreshing Price per Case (12) No. of Cases Total finish. Save 20% on the RRP of $24 per bottle. $228.00 (inc GST)

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DELIVERY DETAILS PAYMENT DETAILS Name Visa Mastercard Street Suburb Card No. City/Town Expiry Phone Cardholder's Name Delivery instructions SEND ORDER TO Email Email: [email protected] Signature** Phone: +64 9 923 5913 Fax: +64 9 372 6847 Post: The Goldie Room, 18 Causeway Road, Tick to be advised of future opportunities from Goldie Wines Waiheke Island 1081, New Zealand Form becomes a tax invoice when paid in full. Orders will be processed by Black-Storm Ltd. Offer available until 18 November 2011. All orders processed 21-25 November, 2011. www.goldiewines.co.nz Delivery applicable to NZ addresses only. ** By completing the order form you confirm you are 18 years or older. Tax Invoice - GST No. 104-066-992 RESEARCH The science of food Do you understand the science behind your cooking? What makes the browning reaction happen for instance and what’s going on when a steak turns out as tough as old boots?”

Simon Gault, Carl Maunder Bryony James

hese were some of many questions it was clear from the audience questions that to the obesity epidemic must be highly- Price per Case (12) No. of Cases Total answered when materials engineer people had a thirst for knowledge.” Questions integrated, involving major social changes $228.00 (inc GST) T Dr Bryony James, an expert in food ranged from whether carbohydrates really that will be complex and long-term. microstructure, and top Auckland chefs Simon are addictive, to how to gain weight, and It ended with a talk by Professor Sir Peter Gault and Carl Maunder got together for the whether there are differences between Gluckman from the Liggins Institute, also the Price per Case (12) No. of Cases Total 2011 Vice-Chancellor’s Lectures. common sources of dietary fibre. Professor Prime Minister’s Chief Science Adviser. He $228.00 (inc GST) With a diverse range of speakers and Lynn Ferguson, Head of Nutrition, who had spoke about the effect of nutrition in early lectures debunking popular myths about food earlier explained the health effects of popular life on long-term health, and how health Price per Case (12) No. of Cases Total and health, it’s not surprising that every ticket diets that restrict carbohydrate intake, policy should better take this knowledge into $240.00 (inc GST) for the 2011 series was snapped up. The offered expert advice or referred people to account to help reduce the number of people lectures, held from July to August, were filmed appropriate sources of information. developing obesity or a chronic illness in and are available at www.foodandhealth. A real crowd-pleaser was a demonstration later life. Price per Case (12) No. of Cases Total auckland.ac.nz of the science that’s making its mark in “Overall, the lecture series was an excellent $342.00 (inc GST) “The series tackled some of the common top kitchens around the world by Simon opportunity to share the knowledge of the myths and misconceptions about the links Gault, owner of Euro, one of Auckland’s top Food and Health Programme with the wider Price per Case (12) No. of Cases Total between food and health, and provided the restaurants, and his head chef Carl Maunder. public,” Kathryn says. The programme, $342.00 (inc GST) latest information and insights from scientists, The chefs prepared a fine dining menu in the established in 2010, brings together more public health specialists, chefs, and an lecture theatre, with scientific commentary than 150 top researchers from across the engineer,” says Kathryn Murray, Manager of by Bryony James. Audience members were university with expertise ranging from food the University’s Food and Health Programme, invited to try the food, and “the expressions science and process engineering to nutrition, which organised the series. “The lectures on their faces showed how good it was”, says health and business. It aims to improve dealt with everything from obesity to the Kathryn. “They even snuck behind the chef’s people’s health, work with New Zealand dietary role of carbohydrates, and the backs to get more. companies to help enhance innovation and links between nutrition in the womb and “One of the exciting parts about the growth in the food and beverage industry, lifelong health. lecture was finding out not only about cutting- undertake fundamental research, and provide “People know that good food and good edge developments but what’s going on highly-trained graduates to the sector. health are integrally linked, but so much of when I cook.” the information in the public domain is flawed The series began with a lecture on obesity www.foodandhealth.auckland.ac.nz or misleading. These free lectures were an – recognised as one of the most serious opportunity to begin addressing the problem, public health issues of our time – by Professor Pauline Curtis and their popularity shows that there is a real Mike Gibney from University College Dublin. need for good information and advice.” A past president of The Nutrition Society (UK), “At the carbohydrates lecture for instance, Professor Gibney explained that solutions

Ingenio Spring 2011 | 17 RESEARCH

ou expect it to come from girls on interviews with girls who had experienced exercises emotional pressure.” the opposite side of the peer group bullying or who had witnessed bullying. Ro’s research identified two distinct types perhaps, or at the hard edge but “I was trying to get a picture of the bullying of friendship bullying: group bullying and you don’t think your friends will bully you,” that happens among girls but looking at it triadic group bullying. Group bullying is says Dr Ro Lange. from the point of view of friendships, not when “the group” decides to ostracise one Ro, who is a school counsellor at an bullying from their enemies,” she says. of their members. “She has done something Auckland High School, has completed a Bullying occurred in the majority of to perhaps offend the group or for whatever doctoral thesis with the Faculty of Education, friendship groups but girls often failed to reason one day she is in, one day she is out.” which has uncovered some startling facts recognise or name it as bullying because the Triadic group bullying is a “three’s a about “friendship bullying”. behaviour came from their friends, says Ro. crowd scenario”. Ro explains this is where She has discovered teenage girls are just One of those surveyed said: “She is my there are best friends in a pair and a third as likely to be bullied by their friends as they friend. I told her I don’t like it but she told person befriends the duo. “There is this are by their so-called enemies. Part of the me ‘she was only joking’ so the fact that I am awful tug of war, and that could go on for reason why the bullying happens, Ro believes, feeling hurt, there must be something wrong months sometimes. It just devastates the is due to developmental changes. with me?.” people involved.” According to Ro’s research, bullying is “The other thing is what happens if you say Her study found that even if you weren’t common among friendship groups. Forty-four to your friends ‘I feel bullied by you.’ What the one being bullied it did have an impact percent of girls surveyed believed they had do you do then? Do you go off? Do you find on others in the friendship group. “The been bullied by friends. More than 85 percent yourself without friends? I had one girl whose majority of observers and helpers were said they had experienced at least one type of friends had not spoken to her, except to call found to experience negative effects from bullying such as being ignored or excluded. her names, for six weeks. They just pushed witnessing bullying, while victims experienced Ro’s research findings are based on a her out. significant loss and grief concerns,” she says. study of Year 10 females aged about 14. The “They (girls) don’t in fact bully as much as “The observers felt internal conflict because study had three parts: small focus groups, boys according to some experts but if they they could tell someone in their group an anonymous survey of 1300 students from do choose to bully, it’s a kind of bullying was being bullied or someone was being six Auckland state high schools, and in-depth that uses the relationship as a weapon and deliberately excluded and it would be

18 | The University of Auckland angry with the other person, or it was stuff to Friends outside the situation often provided do with friends or boys,” she says. good support: “They said ‘they would listen But when interviewed one-on-one the to me. They wouldn’t try to take over but they students were more self-reflective. They said would make me feel more confident about the bullying happened because “we change,” myself.’ It’s important to have other friends which, Ro says, fits with the fact that the you can go to for affirmations so you are not developmental changes going on dependent on a very small peer group.” are enormous. Ro says friendship bullying amongst friends “There are psycho-social changes and the is complex. Schools should not assume that teens are learning to define themselves. In their students recognise the indirect forms those early teen years it is almost as though of bullying because it could masquerade as

They (girls) don’t in fact bully as much as boys according to some experts but if they do choose to bully, it’s a kind of bullying that uses the relationship as a weapon and exercises emotional pressure.

your identity is the peer group. You just want mocking or teasing, which are sometimes to be like everyone else and then there is a accepted as part of a school’s culture when gradual separating out, not a rejection of they are in fact extremely hurtful. the peer group but a sense that you are an “It is important that teachers and individual. It becomes more about my friend counsellors are aware, not just amongst as a person and their personal qualities, not girls but with boys too, that where there is a just someone to do stuff with,” she says. power imbalance, where someone is feeling “One girl said ‘when we were children our powerless or being mocked or teased, it can friends were people to do things with, we be a form of bullying,” she says. played games, we’d have a fight and come Ro has presented her findings to back to school the next day and all would be postgraduate students from the Faculty of forgotten but now it is about how can she do Education and to fellow counsellors and something like that?’” teachers at several schools and has more “So it is a completely different kind of talks in the pipeline. relating to other individuals that they Her doctoral research was supervised by are learning and they have to practise Associate Professor Robyn Dixon from the somewhere and they are going to get it University’s School of Nursing and Senior wrong sometimes. This is a new and complex Lecturer Margaret Agee from the Faculty of someone who was a friend of theirs, possibly relationship that teenagers are working on Education’s School of Counselling, Human not a close friend, but a friend all the same. learning to manage and there are power Services and Social Work. What do you do then? Do you speak out and imbalances that happen.” Dr Agee says Ro’s research is important get bullied yourself? Do you feel sad for your Ro says power imbalances amongst because it reveals the complexities of girls’ friend? Do you provide covert support? It teenage girls can happen really quickly. friendship dynamics and the bullying that leads to considerable internal conflict, a sense “The person who is quick with a smart answer occurs within that context. of guilt and sometimes shame,” says Ro. is going to score points very fast and the “It raises awareness of a form of bullying Ro says girls’ friendship problems are one quiet introspective person may get caught on that is often trivialised, yet can have of the main issues school counsellors deal the back foot.” significant effects on the girls involved, with and as a result are often trivialised. Her study also sought to discover what including those who witness it,” says Dr Agee. Girls’ “friendship issues” have become girls themselves had found helpful in reducing Ro’s research provides valuable something of a “cliché,” as “there is a sort of or preventing friendship bullying. There was understandings that can inform the work of acceptance this was just how girls behaved,” “no magic wand solution” but talking to their counsellors, teachers and others who work she says. mother or to a friend outside the situation with girls in our high schools. Ro says her findings suggest that the or getting involved with sport or another “Her research highlights the importance developmental changes in girls, which create activity helped. of taking girls’ friendship bullying seriously, increased friendship conflict, may also “Mothers had been through it and were recognising the complex roles of all parties in contribute to increased levels of bullying as able to stand back and give not so much these situations, supporting girls in dealing girls learn to manage more highly-developed advice but a bit of a distant perspective.” with the damaging effects of such bullying, friendships. “It also indicates that satisfactory Other things the students said helped were and helping them develop constructive resolution of bullying is important for girls’ personally expressive things such as putting ways of dealing with the dynamics in their developmental well-being.” music on, dancing or going to a movie with friendship groups,” says Dr Agee. When students were asked in the survey other friends or playing sport “flat out”. why they thought the bullying happened they Things that gave them a strong sense of tended to put it onto the bully. “The bully is themselves, she says.

Ingenio Spring 2011 | 19 What do you think? Write to us at: Ingenio, Private Bag 92019 Auckland 1142. Email: [email protected]

20 | The University of Auckland What is Auckland’s contribution to arts and culture in New Zealand? Helen Borne asked some prominent University staff and alumni for their views.

Auckland is the cultural I dislike the term Is Auckland, our country’s capital of New Zealand “cultural capital of New economic powerhouse, for one very obvious and Zealand”. It implies a also our cultural capital? simple reason – most of lamely provincialising It would be if the majority us live here. One man’s comparison with of us (who do not live in meat is another man’s Wellington. Couldn’t Auckland) regarded it poison, so the old adage we just not do atavistic as such – but we don’t; goes, and in the vast cultural supermarket turf-scratching? In the case of Wellington if it lay at the centre or heart of our cultural otherwise known as Auckland there’s a cut of City Council’s involuntarily Bourdieuian life, set cultural agendas and provided arts beef for all of us. For too many generations we deployment of the term “cultural capital”, it leadership and brokerage for the rest of tugged our ruffian forelocks and bowed our had behind it a history of mandarin support the country – but it doesn’t; if it was the venal and empty heads to the political capital, for “the arts and culture” dating back to home base for most of the nation’s cultural a tiny city that as time goes on diverges more senior diplomats and bureaucrats such institutions– but it isn’t; if Auckland’s cultural and more from ours in almost every way – as the Cornish family. The mandarin class institutions and events were supported and most particularly in numbers and level of in Wellington probably sandbagged the attended, on a per capita basis, at a level cultural complacency. For Auckland culture to presence there of the National Symphony comparable to Wellington’s – but they survive, being famously less state supported Orchestra and other cultural institutions aren't. True, the capital is far more compact per capita, it must involve large numbers associated with traditional metropolitan and its amenities more concentrated, more of people. Put on an event in Auckland and concepts of capital city culture. Auckland, conveniently located and reachable than a vital, ever-changing, multi-faceted, energetic kulcha... good box office proves it a success. Put it on too, has its generous patrons of “the arts in Auckland, and it enjoys somewhat less in Wellington and if ten people come it has and culture”, mostly associated with similarly of an outdoors, recreational lifestyle and the same review. This year literally thousands traditional institutions. more of an intemperate climate from which flocked to our literary festivals, hundreds But do we any longer believe in such immersion in the activities and events of high queued for the opening night shindig at the metropolitanising concepts of culture? Let culture offers a welcome respite, a distraction, Art Gallery. We are shoulder to shoulder alone the anachronistic definitions of culture compensation. at the Lantern Festival, Pasifika and the Big they enshrine? The newly refurbished and Whether or not Auckland is the “cultural Day and Gay Out(s). We cram the Civic for extended Auckland Art Gallery is a fine capital” of New Zealand, however, it is the Film Festival, theatre enjoys a youthful thing to be sure, but so is Fresh Gallery out culturally and socially the most dynamic city in renaissance, kapa haka, whaikorero, rap at Otara, what’s more the latter operates New Zealand and a young Asia-Pacific capital and poetry performances proliferate and within a congenial and highly responsive - a meeting and mixing place of Pākehā, most of the nation’s film and television is strategic relationship with its community Pacific and Asian world views with its rich produced here. rate-payers, and generates a phenomenal promise of converging, merging and divergent This argument is of course in very bad range of responses to the question, “What’s thinking and practice for future developments taste and quintessentially Auckland in the contemporary?” in the arts and new modes of expression. worst sense – brute law of the jungle, the Yes, the Auckland Writers and Readers It is as essential that tikanga Maori is part power of numbers, crude mathematics. Festival, but also yes at last a city that can of this dynamic, in grounding such cultural But it’s true that there are enough of us to at times almost begin to feel crowded. Yes developments in New Zealand, as it is for the create a critical mass from which emerges a the plethora of cheap noodle bars, yes the All Blacks to perform the haka at rugby test vital, ever-changing, multi-faceted, energetic NRL supporters that tear up the motorway to matches. In that respect, it is Wellington - kulcha blessed with a spirit of generosity Mt Smart Stadium, yes the cultural diversity through agencies such as Te Puni Kōkiki, the and largesse. Perhaps the most curious of family picnickers by the lake at Western Waitangi Tribunal, Te Papa Tongarewa, the compliment the Auckland Writers and Springs, yes the fresh hot samosas on Maori Language Commission, Toi Aotearoa Readers Festival ever received was from shopping weekends at Sandringham, yes the and Te Waka Toi that connect with marae a prominent Wellington author, one of at Newton fish-market, yes the Ponsonby Social the length of New Zealand - that is the least 50 invited New Zealand writers. “This Club screening the Japan vs. ABs game with “cultural” broker. is fantastic,” he said, wreathed in smiles, DJs Pauly Who? & TDK. “It doesn’t feel like New Zealand.” How Auckland’s getting big enough to feel like a Professor Jonathan Mane-Wheoki (Ngāpuhi/Te extraordinary, and how very defining. city, and should be grown-up enough to stop Aupouri/Ngāti Kuri) is Head of Elam School of worrying about its cultural NCEA grade. Fine Arts. He is an art, architectural and cultural historian and curator, and is a pioneer in the Stephanie Johnson completed a post-graduate development of contemporary Māori and Pacific diploma at The University of Auckland in 1982 Ian Wedde graduated from the University in art and art history. Jonathan has served on a and established and taught the Masters in 1968. He is New Zealand’s poet laureate and wide range of national and international bodies Creative Writing course 2004-2006. She is a also teaches a graduate course in Art Writing and and is currently Governor of the Arts Foundation prize-winning author and is currently acting Curatorial Practice in the University's Art History of New Zealand. Artistic Director of the Auckland Writers and Department, and an undergraduate course in Readers Festival. Writing Selves in the English Department.

Ingenio Spring 2011 | 21 RISING STAR Engineering crime

Ben Sanders is New Zealand’s hot new crime writer. Kate Pitcher meets him on campus.

he sky above was gunmetal, a slight just sort of sit on the bus and idly let stuff tick vague idea of where I am heading and try to breeze was beginning to murmur, over naturally and develop. I find it’s best to manoeuvre myself so I get there in the end. and the leaves of the huge Oaks that let things cook.” I guess it’s a risky approach to take as there dot the green were beginning to click with As a schoolboy, Ben read Lee Child and is a chance that everything isn’t going to tie rain…During summertime, the gardens that Michael Connelly which sparked his passion up but I think it’s kind of exciting. It’s exciting surround the central fountain are stunning, and interest in crime writing and made him for the author as well as the reader.” and with a blue sky present, it’s the sort of think: “Whhhoarr maybe I could write one As a result of studying at the University, image you’d want on a postcard. By winter, of these.” Ben believes the experience of being present however, things are generally a little more When it came to choosing what to study in the central city has contributed to his craft, subdued and unappealing. And dead bodies at University, Ben was torn between his love as “regular exposure to something unfamiliar, don’t contribute much towards a positive of writing and his aptitude for science. His different people and different settings and atmosphere.” high school careers adviser suggested he things” is a rich environment for a writer. Murder, Albert Park, another rainy day pursue Engineering at niversity level and that So far, the formula is working. Both The in Auckland, and a character that lives in writing be an ongoing hobby. So far, Ben is Fallen and By All Means have had good a leaky home, the scene is set and student happy with that duality and, even with two reviews. The Fallen was number one on the Ben Sanders is the mastermind. He penned novels published, feels very much a young New Zealand Bestsellers list for five weeks The Fallen, published by HarperCollins, in his Engineering student as opposed to an author and Ben has been long-listed for the Ngaio first year of study toward a Civil Engineering because study makes up the bulk of his day. Marsh Award for Best Crime Novel. He has degree at The University of Auckland. His He sets aside an hour each night to write also spoken at the Writers Lounge, a regular second novel By Any Means, which has as a way to relax after University. He believes winter event at the Auckland Art Gallery. “It just come out, continues Detective Sean it creates a good balance between the was a neat experience. I have never done a Devereaux's journey - investigating crime rigidity of engineering and he finds it’s speaking event before.” on the mean streets of New Zealand’s amusing that the two disciplines present an If there is one lesson Ben has learnt largest city. unlikely marriage. from his writing, it is “the virtue of finishing Now in his fourth year, the 21-year-old “With my writing I don't take an something and getting it done”. As an credits his long bus rides to University from engineering approach at all, I don't plan accomplished author and soon to be the family home in Torbay on the North Shore anything. In an engineering field you will University graduate he certainly knows how as a period of creative gestation necessary to run into trouble straight away with that to finish what he’s started. put pen to paper. “I find my best ideas come approach.” Ben has tried writing outlines when I'm not really trying to think about it. I but they never seem to work, “so I have a

22 | The University of Auckland RESEARCH Earthquake impact

The Christchurch earthquake has brought the University’s research and expertise in high-performance computing into the limelight.

BeSTGRID allows extensive data sharing The Centre for e-Research has also Power to computing and data processing via a coordinated just been selected to host the National When the earthquake hit Christchurch data fabric that spans the country. e-Science Infrastructure (NeSI), to be built in February emergency response teams In the days following the Christchurch over the next four years. NeSI supports around the country quickly called up earthquake, eResearch handled more than the Government’s priorities for research large sets of data and images from the 660GB of data storage and distribution and economic growth and it has invested New Zealand Defence Force’s Geospatial across New Zealand, with the help of $27.4 million in the project. “NeSI will Intelligence Organisation and New Zealand BeSTGRID and KAREN (Kiwi Advanced greatly enhance the centre’s work in using Aerial Mapping to make informed decisions Research and Education Network). KAREN advanced information technology and about how to help. is a super-fast private internet dedicated high-performance computing for research,” This rapid access to large amounts to the New Zealand research and says Mark. of vital information was made possible education sector. NeSI brings together new and existing by The University of Auckland’s Centre “We’ve moved past radio communication supercomputer hubs at The University for e-Research. Established in 2009, the and a paper map,” says Mark. “Disaster of Auckland, Canterbury University, the centre’s high-performance computing response now requires and generates University of Otago, NIWA, AgResearch capability and data storage, as well as massive amounts of data with hundreds of and Landcare Research. It will use KAREN expert staff, are transforming the work of gigabytes streaming daily.” to connect researchers throughout the New Zealand scientists. A world away from using e-Research country to its national data and computing “High-performance computing and its to help a devastated city, the University’s infrastructure. related infrastructure have become an Auckland’s Cancer Society Research The NeSI project is an important and indispensable part of modern science,” Centre is creating new drugs with the same much-needed infrastructure investment for says Director of the Centre, Professor Mark technology. A computer technique called science in New Zealand, says Mark. “New Disaster response now requires and generates massive amounts of data with hundreds of gigabytes streaming daily.

Gahegan. “Researchers regularly face virtual screening can rapidly scan hundreds Zealand relies on scientific research to complex computational challenges in their of thousands of chemical compounds support its fundamental industries, work and e-Research works closely with to find one that might block the action and research institutions around the them to tackle these challenges. Computer of certain proteins implicated in a country require this step-change in scientists and the research community are specific cancer. computational ability.” now deeply engaged – it’s not just about Instead of taking weeks, virtual screening www.eresearch.auckland.ac.nz providing the hardware.” does the sleuthing job in a day. The Centre for e-Research connects The extra computing resources also researchers to BeSTGRID (Broadband- enable researchers to make detailed Enabled Science and Technology GRID), investigations of the interactions between which is led by The University of Auckland drugs and targeted proteins, without and includes all New Zealand universities the use of a more traditional biological and some Crown Research Institutes. “wet lab”. Tess Redgrave

IngenioIngenio Spring 2011 | 23 staff profile Law lecturer to frontline peacekeeper Few academics gladly trade the relative security and comfort of their calling for hazardous assignments in the most impoverished and conflict-torn countries on the planet.

avid Grinlinton, an associate professor and these reports did make a difference,” contributed to tilling crops, fetching water in the Law School and a University of says David. “For example, we helped avert and other basic tasks so their families could Auckland alumnus (LLB(Hons) 1994), a developing food crisis in one area by survive. “New Zealand children have so much has done so twice in the last four years for six prompting the World Food Programme to yet they don’t seem as cheerful.” months at a time. provide essential items. Shortages of food While not at risk of roadside explosives or In 2006-7 he served with the New Zealand and water can lead to conflict between other similar threats as in Afghanistan, David Provincial Reconstruction Team in Bamiyan neighbours, and even the hijacking of trucks faced other perils in Timor-Leste. Foremost Province, Afghanistan. In May this year he carrying supplies.” was the state of the roads on which he returned from a posting as a United Nations Negotiating and preserving calm in travelled every day. These were often little Military Liaison Officer in Timor-Leste which fraught circumstances added up to a tangible more than narrow tracks, clinging to the sides started the previous October. contribution by David and his team behind of steep ravines and liable to vanish in heavy On both occasions he took unpaid leave the scenes. Equally satisfying on a smaller rain. Local drivers’ disregard for road rules from the University to embrace challenges scale was their work with a Franciscan was another threat to well-being along with that proved as taxing as they were eye- orphanage which they “adopted” in their mosquitoes carrying malaria and dengue opening and fulfilling. His service as a Naval limited spare time. They undertook minor fever, and occasional salt-water crocodiles. Reservist qualified him for these essentially repairs while also fundraising and David was fortunate to have his wife Keiko peacekeeping roles, requiring military expertise supplying food, kitchenware, writing with him for some of his deployment. She was and Kiwi know-how in equal measure. materials and activity books for the 12 engaged in a human rights legal project with In Timor-Leste David was based in the children and four Sisters. the UN Development Programme. capital Dili, part of a four-person team which Colonisation by the Portuguese, forcible On top of his daily (and often nightly) covered the Dili Province in the north of the annexation by Indonesia in 1975, and nearly chores he and other UN peacekeepers helped island nation. They spent many sweltering 25 years of violent unrest, which directly and mentor the Timorese military. Periodically days out in the field talking to village chiefs, indirectly claimed over 100,000 lives, have there were diplomatic, UN and military community leaders, NGOs and government left Timor-Leste (population 1.2 million) an events to attend. One day he had a chance agencies. There they gathered information unenviable legacy. It is one of the poorest meeting with the country’s President, José on the state of food, water, medical support, countries globally, its GDP ranked 173rd out Ramos-Horta, in a Dili café. roads and infrastructure, education, of 181 countries. Demanding as his stints in Afghanistan policing and security, aimed at maintaining Notwithstanding widespread poverty, and Timor-Leste were, David found the law and order. malnutrition and living conditions experience a refreshing and rewarding break Their comprehensive reports were fed back unimaginable in New Zealand, David found from career routine. to government decision-makers in Dili and the children “always cheerful wherever “Engaging in something important and the UN in New York for action. “Our presence we went”. Some were orphaned, and all contributing to a country rebuilding in a post- conflict situation was very rewarding. There was also the personal satisfaction of stepping outside of your comfort zone and facing new challenges.” David returned to his academic duties feeling “revitalised, enthused and more motivated”. His Land Law and Natural Resources Law classes, “a couple of books to write”, and his duties as International Sub-Dean in the Law School have kept him grounded and at full stretch. He admits, though, that if a chance to put his experience and training at the disposal of a troubled country again presents itself he won’t be slow to grasp it.

Bill Williams

24 | The University of Auckland Join a Graduate School of Enterprise programme or Short Course

Take that step in your development and become a powerful decision-maker

Few academics gladly trade the relative security and comfort of their calling for hazardous At The University of Auckland Business School Master of Business Administration (MBA) assignments in the most impoverished and conflict-torn countries on the planet. we believe strongly that executive business Pathway 1 education involves both professional and personal For senior level executives with an average of 15 years’ work development. experience. Engagement in our graduate programmes provides an extraordinary learning opportunity for every individual as Master of Business Administration (MBA) a decision maker and leader. Pathway 2 For those in senior management positions and follows a Whether you are self-employed, building a new Postgraduate Diploma in Business. business, managing in a small to medium-sized Master of Management (MMgt) enterprise, employed in a large corporate, employed For those in or aspiring to senior line management positions. in not-for-profit agencies or in the public sector our programmes will help you think at a more advanced Postgraduate Diploma in Business (PGDipBus) level and demand the type of performance that will For those in, or aspiring to senior management positions or benefit you throughout your career. self employment. Options within this programme are Business Administration and (subject to numbers) Mäori Development and Health Management.

A life changing event Michael Robert, General Manager, TruDesign Plastics Michael says The University of Auckland’s executive MBA was a “life- changing event”. “It’s a growth opportunity, and if you want to improve yourself in your business life it’s something you need to do.” He also gained friends for life from his cohort, which he says was a diverse mix of people. “You get to know these guys and by the end everybody’s helping each other to actually get through this.” The University of Auckland And Michael, who coped just fine with the reading and writing required, says he has learned “a hell of a lot about business; got a Business School is also great grounding”. home to Short Courses, He learned about aspects he wouldn’t have comprehended years providing professionals with before – from accountancy to HR, supply chain management, opportunities to upskill, economics and internal finance, rounded off with management refresh, reskill and acquire “coaching”. critical business thinking. “It’s all been incredibly valuable. It really pushes you to think outside the norm. It opens your eyes.”

Private Bag 92019, Auckland Email: [email protected] 12 Grafton Road, Auckland Websites: www.gse.auckland.ac.nz Freephone: 0800-227 337 www.mba.auckland.ac.nz Fax: 09-373 7063 www.shortcourses.ac.nz ALUMNI

PHOTOS BY COLIN WILSON Pilgrimage to the Himalayas Every year alumnus Ian Bissett leaves the comforts of his job at the University and journeys to a remote corner of Nepal. Megan Fowlie tracks him down on the eve of his 2011 departure.

hat has been rumoured for many and poverty, with little infrastructure and an Medical and Health Sciences, chair of the months will soon be confirmed HIV/AIDs hotspot. It is also at least a ten- International Nepal Fellowship in New Won national airwaves. The medics hour bus ride to the nearest operating room. Zealand and on the International Board for are coming! But boasting one road in, when it is not the International Nepal Fellowship. He has Generation Xs merely need to imagine monsoon season, means that at least the been on this annual three-week pilgrimage the four -wheel drive vehicles of the 1970s international mobile surgical team including leading surgical camps for the last seven TV sitcom M.A.S.H navigating makeshift University academic and alumnus Ian Bissett years. For him it is like going home but it roads and mountainous terrain. Only this is (BSc 1976, MBChB 1979, MD 2002) can is only possible because of very supportive Achham, Far Western region of Nepal, and skip the expense of the chopper ride this colleagues in the University and the the year is 2011. time around. Instead the group, comprising Colorectal Unit at Auckland Hospital. Set in the mountainous Himalayas, three surgeons, two anaesthetists, general His long association and love for this Achham is one of the more remote districts practitioners, an ultra-sonographer, one or country and the work harks back to his elective to Gorkha, Central Nepal in his final year of medicine at Auckland in 1978. It was I’ve experienced a lot of brave people an experience which put him on a path. “Back who, while suffering huge amounts, just then, one of the things that struck me was how much you could do as a surgeon in that continue with their every day life. setting, how many conditions were curable with surgery and how not being able to do in one of the remotest countries on the globe. two nurses, an interpreter, and the ten Nepali surgery would hamper what you were able It is home to one quarter of a million people, camp programme staff, plan to arrive by to do.” one of the poorest districts suffering from one Land Rover late November. So, just shy of a decade later, he returned of the highest maternal and child mortality Ian Bissett is Associate Professor in Surgery to Nepal as a fully qualified surgeon with a rates in South Asia, severely affected by war at The University of Auckland’s Faculty of young family in tow to take up a position at

26 | The University of Auckland One year a man walked five days to have a kidney stone removal by open surgery and then walked five days home. the Government Western Region Hospital “The worst time is the first day. People experienced a lot brave people who, while in Pokhara. There was an endless supply of often arrive and start queuing the night suffering huge amounts, just continue work: meaning people suffering and a very before. We might get 500-600 people arrive with their everyday life; and they’re very finite workforce to do it. on day one, then between 800 to 1400 over committed professional people on minimal “I was on call every second or third night the next ten days. They get triaged and we incomes. I’ve experienced the importance as well as working during the day for many operate on 100 to 150 of them: hernias, of community and relationships very much years.” He says this while incredulous of the gallstones, kidney stones – a whole array so. The richness of the people of Nepal capacity for endurance of the Nepali staff he of general and broad surgical conditions. compared with the [spiritual] poverty of the worked alongside. “I had to take Tuesdays off, In the last days we generally do the minor people in New Zealand in these areas is I could not keep going. But for the people of procedures so that the people who have had quite marked. Nepal there was an internal rhythm, an ebb more major surgeries are getting ready to go “It is always a great privilege to be able to and flow, which eased the burden of work so home and by the time we leave everyone has go back. We are not stopping any time soon.” one didn’t completely collapse into leisure been discharged. Generally each year it’s a time as we would here.” different village.” Ian held that position for 11 years working Ian explains that Nepal has gone with a very wide range of general surgical forward and backwards since his first visit. conditions and training young doctors. “It was The Government of Nepal has been in a privilege to be there for a length of time; to disarray for the last four years. Presently have people come relatively junior and leave the interim government requiring Maoists as competent surgeons.” and conservatives to agree lacks significant In 1998 he returned to Auckland cohesion for action; for eight years prior, civil conducting two years of research into rectal war. So building infrastructure of any kind cancer with Professors Graham Hill and Brian including health is very slow. Parry followed by two years of colorectal On the other hand, the health of the postgraduate training. He is now head of country has improved markedly. “If we look the Colorectal Surgery Unit at Auckland back on what it was like 30 or 40 years City Hospital with annual breaks to go to ago things have changed hugely and that Nepal. When he returns to the Himalayas is demonstrated in the change in their he is welcomed as part of the senior Nepali life expectancy. When we arrived the life medical fraternity having trained and expectancy was about 50 years old, slightly assisted many doctors practising in the more for men than women. It is now up to 65 Western regions. for men and 69 for women. A lot of that has to And now Achham, even for the seasoned do with improvement in maternal death rates.” travelling surgeon, is “way out in the wops”. The caste system still operates in rural After flying as westward as possible, the areas and the cultural position of women two-day drive over rough terrain will be a is very low. There is no sense of equality challenge. His medical team will bring every as we might imagine it – so perhaps the piece of equipment needed for a surgical most fundamental changes in health of environment and on arrival will set up in Nepali people has come about through the the local hospital, then hunker down for two education of women. weeks of long days and cold showers. Not surprisingly, literacy and community But the real determination of remoteness health for women has become a strong is the number of days prospective patients area of focus for the International Nepal walk – “one day is absolutely normal, walking Foundation. for three days is quite common. One year a “It takes a long time to make a change man walked five days to have a kidney stone but it is possible because the change agents removal by open surgery and then walked are the women – even though they are five days home. downtrodden. And that has been really the “Actually, it is important that we have the only way to make a change in a village. If you camps very remote otherwise people come get the women, then you get the children, from Kathmandu and Pokhara, where there then you get the next generation. Why? is already a surgical service, because we do Maybe because they have got so much to their treatment for less than a dollar.” gain from it? They can see how things could By the time the team arrives it will be be much better, how they and their children the beginning of the Northern winter, can benefit from it.” at an altitude of between 5000-8000 Ian struggles to contemplate what his feet, and starting to turn cold. The radio life might have been like without Nepal. announcements go out and people come. “Clearly I take a different view of life – I’ve

Ingenio Spring 2011 | 27 ALUMNI Events from 2011

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4 5 6

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1. Sydney alumni were fascinated by Professor Richard Professor Michael Davies, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Faull’s presentation on the human brain, “the most complex Stuart McCutcheon, and the University’s UK Director of and marvellous organ in the human body”, on 18 May. Fundraising, Christine Buccella. 5. Rotorua Boys’ High 2. New Zealand High Commissioner His Excellency David School prefects Himesh Gosai, Ngarangi Haerewa and Pine was among the guests at the Alumni and Friends Tai Stephens (deputy head boy) enjoyed getting a taste of Reception in Kuala Lumpur on 29 May. He is seen here with University of Auckland life at the Tauranga event on 6 July. the MC and Volunteer Alumni Co-ordinator, Ir K C Yong. 6. Guest speaker Professor Margaret Brimble (centre) with 3. Alumni Dr Beng Cheah and Cheng Fai Kwan with alumna Dr Vivienne Cooper MNZM and the Vice-Chancellor Business School senior tutor Charles Chow at the Singapore at Hamilton on 20 July. 7. Guest speaker Professor Brad Alumni and Friends Reception. A highlight of the event was Jackson with guests at the Wellington event on 17 August. the performance from The University Of Auckland Chamber Professor Jackson spoke about the leadership challenges Choir, combined with the Anglo-Chinese Junior College that have faced New Zealand in recent times – earthquakes, Choir and the Anglo-Chinese Junior College Alumni Choir. a mine disaster, a Super City and a Rugby World Cup. 4. Sir Doug Myers (left) was among a number of well-known 8. The Vice-Chancellor (centre, back) and the Director of expat Kiwis at the London Alumni and Friends Reception in External Relations, John Taylor (far left, back) with the London on 14 June. With him are the Dean of Engineering, newest Golden Graduates, those who graduated in 1961.

28 | The University of Auckland 9 10 11

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15 16

9. Professor Annie Goldson with Sir Bruce Slane at the University’s Food and Health Programme, a major trans- Golden Graduates Luncheon on 7 September. Professor disciplinary research and teaching programme. Professor Goldson’s address provided insights into the world of Iain Martin, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Strategic Engagement) documentary film-making and included a clip from her new seen here on the right, was speaker at the San Francisco film, Brother Number One. 10. Associate Professor Cliff reception. 13. Alumna Pooja Chitgopeker-Kumar and Tasman- Jones and Dame Jocelyn Fish, who were at the Vikram Kumar with Mathematics Professor Bill Barton in same table at the Golden Graduates luncheon having not San Francisco 14. Alumni Relations Manager Amanda seen each other since school days at Hamilton High School Lyne with alumni at the San Francisco event 15. Deputy 11. Alumni Relations and Advancement staff joined with Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Jane Harding, a a team of senior University researchers for a combined Paediatrician specialising in newborn intensive care (far programme of events in Edmonton, Vancouver, Seattle, right), with alumni and friends in Seattle. Professor Harding Palo Alto and San Francisco in September. Professor was speaker at the Vancouver reception. 16. US Friends of Debes Bhattacharyya, from the Department of Mechanical The University of Auckland Directors Quentin Hills and Sue Engineering (second from left), with alumni at the Seattle Service with the Vice-Chancellor reception. 12. The Dean of Science, Professor Grant Guilford (second from left) spoke at the Seattle event about the golden graduates photoS by bojana stojadinovic

Ingenio Spring 2011 | 29 ADVANCEMENT NEWS

In brief Generosity supports research and by an endowment of $75,000 and with a learning value of $3,750, was awarded to Katherine Professorial chairs and research projects have Chi Wai Yip and will be awarded annually to had strong support through recent major gifts an ex-pupil of Baradene in her second year of to the University. an LLB or LLB (Hons) degree. The Chapman Tripp Chair in Corporate and Commercial Law will be established through a pledge for substantial funding over five years from leading law firm Chapman Tripp; and a pledge from the Fletcher Building Employee Education Trust for $2 million, with $1 million from the Plowman family, will support The Fletcher Building Chair in Leadership at the Business School. New Zealand’s firstS pinal Cord Injury Research Unit, based in the University’s Centre for Brain Research, has been made Law scholar Katherine Chi Wai Yip with the Dean of possible through a $500,000 donation from Law, Dr Andrew Stockley the CatWalk Spinal Cord Injury Trust; a $500,000 pledge from Ness Paykel will go to Donor recognition book to be further research at the Liggins Institute; and a launched $5.5 million pledge from an anonymous donor New Development A magnificently produced book (one copy will boost research through the establishment only) to record and honour exceptional of the Marijana Kumerich Chair in Leukaemia Director generosity to the University will be unveiled and Lymphoma Research. at the 2011 Chancellor’s Dinner, to be held passion for “Brand NZ” and the draw on 3 November. of a new challenge brought Champak Redeveloped Leigh marine campus The book recognises in perpetuity Mehta back to New Zealand in celebrated A More than 100 donors, supporters, locals individuals and organisations who are July to take up the role of The University of inducted into one of three societies within the Auckland’s Director of Development, based at and University staff gathered at the Marine Chancellor’s Circle: the Sir Maurice O’Rorke External Relations and Development. Science Laboratory at Leigh, north of Society, whose members have made total After working for Fonterra for eight years, Auckland, at the end of June to celebrate the contributions to the University of more than the last 2½ years as Regional Manager Asia- formal opening of the redeveloped campus $5 million; the Sir George Fowlds Society, Pacific for one of its joint ventures, he built a and the Edith Winstone Blackwell Centre. whose members’ total contributions are comprehensive knowledge of global market The centre is the new interpretive interface between $1 million and $5 million; and the environments, experience which he believes between the marine reserve, the University Sir Douglas Robb Society, whose members will be valuable in his new position. and its marine research, and the public. have given a total of between $100,000 and He isn’t new to the tertiary education The development of the Leigh marine $1 million. sector, having worked as a consultant to The campus and the interpretive centre is The dinner will be a formal celebration University of Auckland’s Business School on an ongoing project and more interactive for all those donors who have made a major a strategic review in 2002/03 and, in the technology and classroom facilities are contribution in the past year as well as those late 1990s, as a lecturer in Physiology and needed. who are being inducted to the Chancellor’s Pharmacology at the Central Institute of Circle or moved through the Societies. Technology, Wellington. His teaching experience at CIT led him to Successful China and Hong Kong the role of Education Officer in the NZ Army visit in December 1998, based first at Linton Alumni and friends receptions in Shanghai, and then at Waiouru. He was “tapped on Beijing and Hong Kong were hosted by the the shoulder” to deploy to East Timor in late Business School on behalf of the NZ Asia 2000, an opportunity he would have liked to Institute from 5–9 September. All three take up – “it’s what you train for” – but which events ran over time with attendees relishing didn’t eventuate because he had already the opportunity for networking amongst committed to doing his MBA. themselves. “As philanthropy in mainland Following his expat years in the US and China is in its nascent stages, we wanted the then Asia with Fonterra, he is happy to be Dean of Science, Professor Grant Guilford opportunity to engage with a smaller group of back in his home country, “helping to secure and Rt Hon Lockwood Smith. alumni in preparation for the University-wide funding to enable the development that is Erica Pabst Scholarship launched alumni functions in 2012,” said Development needed for New Zealand to grow its next A new scholarship for a student studying at Director Champak Mehta. generation of researchers, innovators and the Auckland Law School was launched in July entrepreneurs”. at Baradene College. The scholarship, funded

30 | The University of Auckland alumni

Alumni achievers Br Clive Beaumont (BA 1961, MA HONS and manufactures hardware and software and film reviewer, published historian, poet 1962) is a former lecturer at the Pacific for testing the mechanical properties of soils and academic, has now added another Islanders' Educational Resource Centre, and rocks. This technology is important in string to his bow: a book blog called Reid’s now editor of a new dictionary of the geotechnical and earthquake engineering Reader which he says offers “Something new, nuiean language. and so is a key element of infrastructure something old and something thoughtful development. Bruce is also a joint author of to readers and browsers each week”. Giselle Byrnes (PhD History 1995) five books on geotechnical engineering and reidsreader.blogspot.com/ has been appointed pro vice-chancellor of one on geology for civil engineers. law, education, business and arts at Charles Julian Smith (Bcom 1997, DIPcom Darwin University in Australia’s Northern Ian Narev (LLB (Hons) 1991, BA 1999) and Rahul Sharma (Bcom 2008, Territory. Professor Byrnes, a historian, is 1991) is the new chief executive of the Bcom (HONS) 2009, Mcom 2010) are currently pro vice-chancellor (postgraduate) Commonwealth Bank of Australia replacing Director and Brand Strategist respectively at the University of Waikato where she also Ralph Norris. In 2005 he became head of at BRR, an award-winning brand, design holds the posts of professor of history and McKinsey’s operations in New Zealand and and digital agency (www.brrltd.com). After director of the Public History Research Unit. in 2007 he moved to Australia as group head graduating, Julian started his own sport of strategy for the Commonwealth Bank. He marketing company before taking on the role Tony Faulds ( BE 1985) who has tribal was appointed the Commonwealth’s group of Marketing Director at Orca. Rahul joined links with Ngati Awa, Te Arawa and Tainui executive of business and private banking – a BRR following graduation and now specialises oversaw the building of a $1 billion steel division with 4000 staff that generates A $1 in developing brand and marketing strategies plant in Siberia which opened earlier this billion in profit – in 2009. for export businesses and sports brands. year. The plant at Yekaterinburg involved Together Julian and Rahul have brought about 2,000 people mainly Russians but also Dr Paul Ockelford (BSc 1971, MBChB their skills to a range of brands, including people from the US (Tony had been operating 1974) is a Clinical Associate Professor, in Steinlager Pure, Earthwise, Yoobee and Te a steelmaking plant in Pittsboro, Indiana), the University’s Department of Molecular Puni Kokiri (Ministry of Māori Development). Turkey, Germany, England, Croatia, Spain Medicine, and has particular expertise in and Italy. haemostasis and thrombosis. He is Director CLAUDIA WYSS (BHB 1996, MBChB 1999) of the Adult Haemophilia Centre at Auckland has launched a new online entertainment Andrew Kania (BA 1996, MA (First City Hospital. hub, EntertainMe (entertainme.co.nz), to Class Hons) 1999) has just published The promote events and entertainment around Routledge Companion to Philosophy and Music SARAH PERKIN (BA/BCOM 2009, New Zealand. Claudia is Managing Director – the first-ever reference work devoted to the BCOM(HONS) 2010) is the Manager, New for EntertainMe and a Director at Cranleigh, philosophy of music. It is a volume of 56 state- Zealand Sales and Marketing at Sentient a merchant bank and corporate advisory firm. of-the-art essays on a wide range of topics at Software. She was recently awarded the Claudia started her career as a medical doctor the intersection of philosophy and music. Maxnet Hi-Tech Young Achiever Award at in Auckland before completing an MBA at the 2011 New Zealand Hi-Tech Awards. Harvard Business School. She then became a Bruce Menzies (BE 1962, ME 1963, DSc These recognise the excellence of leading consultant manager at McKinsey & Company 1991 Science) is founder and president companies and people involved in the New in the US and the UK and, on returning to of Global Digital Systems Ltd (GDS) in the Zealand hi-tech sector. New Zealand in 2007, led a number of large UK which earlier this year received the most healthcare improvement projects. prestigious corporate award in the UK – the Nicholas Reid (BA 1973, MA 1975, Queen's Award for Enterprise in the category MTheol 2000, PhD History 2004), a Email your achievements to the editor: of International Trade. GDS designs, develops contributor to Ingenio, well-known book [email protected]

Ingenio Spring 2011 | 31 ALUMNI NEWS

Alumni and Friends event calendar highlights November 2011

November 10 Society Highwic Tour and Morning Tea Highwic, Newmarket November 16 Christchurch Alumni and Friends reception Hintons – Restaurant, Café & Function Venue December 8 Society Christmas function and AGM Old Government House

February to June, 2012

March 2 Whangarei Alumni and Friends Reception Forum North March 8 Auckland Live! 2012 The Maidment Theatre March 9 Distinguished Alumni Awards Dinner (Auckland) Marquee, OGH Lawn May 5 Graduation Concerto Gala (Auckland) Town Hall May 15 London Alumni and Friends Reception TBC June 2 MBChB Reunion* Medical School, Grafton Campus

* Years celebrating reunions are the first MBChB class in 1974, and alumni recognising their 35th, 30th, 25th, 20th, 15th and 10th anniversaries (1977, 1982, 1987, 1992, 1997 and 2002). 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 update your details. Please note that informal Alumni and Friends events being run by our Volunteer Alumni Co-ordinators (VACs), both locally and overseas, will be promoted directly to alumni living in the catchment area. 2012 Distinguished AUCKLAND LIVE! 2012 Alumni Award Auckland Live! 2012 is coming....don’t miss this inspirational showcase of six of The University of Auckland’s highest achieving graduates. winners announced! Mark your diary now: 6–9pm, Thursday 8 March 2012 – Tickets available January 2012. Auckland Live! 2012 is your chance to get up close and personal with the winners of next year’s Distinguished Alumni Awards. At this exclusive event you will hear aspirations, inspiration, and information, and gain a candid insight into how they turned their University of Auckland qualifications into outstanding careers, nationally and internationally. With award-winning achievement in the fields of astrophysics, Hollywood digital visual effects, fine art, international popular music, green mining, and Maori leadership, this lineup will not only leave you inspired, but with some practical insight on how to maximise your own potential. Professor Charles Alcock Dr Privahini Bradoo (Young – Science Alumna of the Year Award) – Medicine and Science Don’t miss out – places will be limited. For more information contact Liz Atkinson, Event Coordinator, direct dial (09) 923 5622 or email [email protected]

Primary School, Northcote Intermediate and History Westlake Boys Highschool.” He now lives in Takapuna and is a life member of the History graduate David Verran (BA 1973, Don McGlashan – Arts Emeritus Professor North Shore Historical Society, and a former Ranginui Walker – MA 1974) was giving one of his regular talks president. Education and Arts on Auckland’s North Shore history “from the 1790s to the 1960s , 45 minutes, no notes” when he was approached by publishers Random House. As a result David’s The North Shore: An Illustrated History was published last year and sold out within three months; it has just been re-printed. For David, who is a librarian at Auckland Dr Mark Sagar – Dame Robin White City Libraries, the book represents 18 years Engineering – National Institute of reading and research. “I’ve always been of Creative Arts and interested in history and in the history of Industries (NICAI) the area where I grew up,” he says. David is To purchase your tickets to the DAA dinner North Shore-born and bred. “I was born in the online please visit: www.alumni.auckland.ac.nz. Devonport nursing home, went to Birkenhead

32 | The University of Auckland aLUMNI NOTICEBSPOARDORT

Auckland Writers International alumni network If you live in or near any of the areas below and would like to be involved with local alumni, we and Readers Festival, encourage you to make contact with your Volunteer Alumni Co-ordinator (VAC). If you would like to consider being a VAC for your area, then please contact Jamie Himiona at [email protected] 8-13 May 2012 for further information.

The University of Auckland is Australia Malaysia proud to be a Gold Sydney 1 Kuala Lumpur Sponsor of the George Barker, [email protected] KC Yong, [email protected] Auckland Writers Sydney 2 and Readers Angela Burrill, [email protected] SINGAPORE Festival for the next Singapore two years. Canada Anne Dumas, [email protected] Further details of special offers for Alumni Calgary and Friends to attend festival events (including Allison Hall, [email protected] SOUTH AMERICA a stakeholder briefing on the Festival’s South America programme) will be announced in our China Carlos Tirado, [email protected] @auckland newsletter in April next year. Beijing 1 If you’d like to be added to the email Vivian (Yang) Jiao, [email protected] Taiwan distribution list please update your contact Taipei details at www.alumni.auckland.ac.nz. Beijing 2 Mago Hsiao, [email protected] Joy (Fengxin) Ding, [email protected] Chengdu USA Join the Society Hua Xiang, [email protected] New Hampshire Rushan Sinnaduray, If you live in Hong Kong [email protected] Auckland we Jeffrey Pong, [email protected] encourage you to Shanghai New York join The University Vincent Cheung, [email protected] Rosena Sammi, [email protected] of Auckland Philadelphia Society. This is a Europe Nai-Wei Shih, [email protected] diverse network Germany San Francisco of interesting Philipp Schuster, [email protected] and accomplished Alumni and Friends, who Tanja Srebotnjak, are invited to special events and receive Scandinavia [email protected] Duncan Lithgow, [email protected] additional benefits and opportunities based Texas on their interests. Annual membership is $50. Belgium Jyoti Maisuria, [email protected] “By joining the Society, the benefits of Ken Baker, [email protected] Washington, DC attending New Zealand’s leading university Ken also welcomes contact from alumni in Europe last well beyond graduation,” says Dan Bidois, without a coordinator in their area. Ruby Manukia, [email protected] former President of Auckland University INDONESIA Students’ Association (AUSA). New Zealand See www.society.auckland.ac.nz Jakarta Chinese Alumni in Auckland Join the Society by 30 November 2011 and Iman Paryudi, [email protected] Rachel Yang, [email protected] go in the draw to win one of two copies of Our Game. See our Alumni Books, page 39. Israel Pharmacy in New Zealand Israel Ofir Goren, [email protected] Natasha Bell, [email protected] Ingenio website Japan UAPA – Pacific Alumni www.ingenio-magazine.com Walter Fraser, [email protected] Tokyo Simon Hollander, [email protected]

If you are interested in becoming a VAC in an area not currently active, or you wish to represent a particular affinity group of alumni within the Auckland area please contact Jamie Himiona at [email protected].

Ingenio Spring 2011 | 33 Career development Motivation High motivation is a key ingredient in a successful career. So how do we keep up our motivation? How do we avoid getting into a rut – and staying there? What are some of the practical things we can and should do if we’re serious about success? Compiled by Helen Borne

in terms of what you are doing job or career- Personality traits wise and also your working environment, for Dr. Giles Burch (AFBPsS example, are you over-worked? and is the MNZPsS MAPS) is a Sydney- culture toxic? Perhaps you need to change it! based Registered Psychologist However, if you are content in your work, but working as an organisational find it difficult to maintain motivation, what consultant, academic and are the options? clinician, specialising in “Research highlights the effectiveness personality/psychopathology - performance/ of goal-setting in motivating people, and productivity linkages in the workplace. A is based on the rationale that it focuses a former staff member at The University of person’s attention to identifying, working Auckland Business School, he continues to towards and achieving objectives. There facilitate sessions on the Executive MBA on are a number of goal-setting techniques, personal development. from the simple to-do list, through to the setting of SMART (specific, measureable, “There is little doubt that motivation plays attainable, relevant, timely) goals and the a role in career success. Perhaps the starting GROW (goal, reality, options, way forward) point when considering what determines process. Another evidence-based technique individual motivation is personality. is that of activity scheduling, which can be Research has found that personality traits helpful if motivation is particularly low. This of extraversion and conscientiousness are involves scheduling activities into the day associated with higher levels of motivation, that will provide a sense of pleasure and/ while neuroticism is associated with lower or achievement. The rationale behind this is motivation. If you are someone who is that the less motivated one is, the less they extraverted and conscientious you generally engage in things which, in turn, feeds back won’t require much help with maintaining into the low motivation, thereby creating a motivation; however, if you are someone of vicious cycle! neurotic character, then this is more likely to “Finally, research reminds us of the be a challenge. importance of regular exercise, a healthy diet “So how can motivation be enhanced? In For a useful resource providing workbooks for a and sufficient rest in sustaining motivation range of issues that may impact motivation, go to: the first instance, consider whether you are and energy!” www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/resources/consumers.cfm actually working in a context you enjoy, both

bring about the results you want so there is a realistic goal will motivate you and help you Active involvement a reason to try; and finally, you need to have to persist even when times are hard. Professor Susan Geertshuis is the energy to invest the effort required. Tip 3. Energised to - Look after yourself, you the Director of the Centre for “This sounds like a tall order and bearing are no good to anyone if you are drained and Continuing Education (CCE) in mind that you need all three types of exhausted. Keep those energy levels high and and Professor of Lifelong motivation, not just one, you might wonder seek roles that you are passionate about. Learning. Her research how we ever get around to doing anything, “Good luck, and remember, nobody is interests are in influence, but the following tips might help: going to care more about you than you do! If learning and behaviour in organisations. For you want to succeed, you need to own your more information see: www.cce.auckland.ac.nz Tip 1. Can do - Keep your confidence and own future and manage it with great care. It skills up, make sure your skills match your is your most precious resource!” “An active involvement in your future job requirements and your career ambitions. career might be as close as you can get to There is nothing that helps so much as manufacturing your own good luck but how knowing what you are doing and doing it do you do it? Of interest: well! This means never stop learning and “Sharon Parker suggests that active Professor Geertshuis, at CCE and Dr Helena refreshing your knowledge - hopefully with us involvement depends on having three types of Cooper-Thomas, at the Department of here at the University! motivation: can do, reason to and energised Psychology, have recently helped over 100 to. This means that to manage your career adults using motivational techniques that Tip 2. Reason to - Invest your energies wisely and do well in your role you need to have determine active involvement. As a result of and make sure that you believe in what you skills and confidence and feel you can do only one short session well over 90 percent are doing. This means you need to analyse well; you need to believe that your actions will of the participants said they were equipped situations and your own talents well. Having to take more initiative in the future.

34 | The University of Auckland able to achieve success by others standards HOT JOBS – new monthly Define success but never your own. jobs bulletin from NZ’s leading Debbie Schultz is a Career employers Consultant for Career Tips to build motivation if you feel Analysts, which provides stuck in a rut Hot Jobs is produced through Track Me Back, which is an online community mainly for Kiwis career development expertise “To get out of a career rut, we need to who are currently offshore but are planning and tools to The University reframe and think carefully about what to return and would like to hear about job of Auckland. For more inspires, motivates or gets us excited! information visit www.careeranalysts.co.nz opportunities from leading employers in New • Shift your focus from where you feel stuck, Zealand. You can find out more and subscribe What gets you out of bed on Monday to what “gets you going”. Consider looking at http://trackmeback.co.nz. morning? Defining what really at your current and past roles. When have motivates you. you felt the most satisfied and successful? “Career motivation is when what we do is • Write a list of positive things you would so closely aligned to what we’re good at and do or start if you felt completely fearless! It linked to our values that we just know we are is powerful to know what you want, even if on the right path. Everyone is motivated by you experience anxiety. different things and we all need to determine Are you interested in discussing career related topics • Build a list of strategies to eliminate what for ourselves what success means to us. with other alumni? To start or join a discussion through might be holding you back. Think about “Are you motivated to make a difference, the alumni and friends group at LinkedIn, go to: what’s worked for you in the past. to create something unique, or to have www.alumni.auckland.ac.nz/uoa/social-media balance? Don’t rely on what your family, • Motivate yourself by thinking of the cost of friends or co-workers define as success. staying stuck in a rut. How are you going Ultimately it’s up to you to decide and define to feel about yourself if you are still in this what success means. Unless you define situation in another two years’ time?” clearly what path you are on, you may be

Ingenio Spring 2011 | 35 SPORT

Panel discussion (from left): John Gallagher, Sean Fitzpatrick, Scotty Stevenson (moderator, Sky TV), Warwick Taylor, Sir Brian Lochore. 1987 All Blacks honour rugby scholar Sam Viskovich, an intending BCom/BA student, could hardly have imagined a more exalted setting for being named as the next John Drake Memorial Scholar.

he announcement was made towards rugby and academically while showing the and sometimes quaint memories of a long- the end of the reunion dinner held for potential to emulate John Drake’s attitude vanished amateur era. There were heartfelt Tthe 1987 All Blacks in Auckland on 11 and success both on and off the rugby field. expressions of support for the 2011 All Blacks October. It was their first get-together since Sam Viskovich amply demonstrates these in their quest for the Webb Ellis Cup. they won the inaugural Rugby World Cup. qualities. He is Sports Captain and Deputy Veteran rugby commentator Keith Quinn ably The 800 guests stretched the Ellerslie Event Head Boy at Westlake Boys High School as compered proceedings and a revealing panel Centre to capacity. Such prominent figures well as captaining the first fifteen. discussion involved key members of as Sir Peter Leitch, Bryan Williams (NZRU He is also involved in acting and debating. the 1987 side: Sir Brian Lochore (coach), President), Martin Snedden (2011 RWC Last year he scored highly in the Cambridge Sean Fitzpatrick, John Gallagher and CEO), Precious McKenzie (former weightlifting International Examinations and he will be Warwick Taylor. champion), Gavin Hastings (former Scotland sitting NZQA scholarship exams in history, A University-produced video, 12 minutes and Lions captain) and Jake White (coach of economics and statistics. long, featured three current All Blacks, the victorious Springboks at the 2007 RWC) For his BCom he will do a double major in Graham Henry and others giving their also graced the occasion. Economics and International Business while recollections of 1987. Some $165,000 was raised for the Drake for his BA he will major in Psychology. His As for the semi-final against Australia, Sir Scholarship from net ticket proceeds plus an career ambition is to be a future business Brian had sage advice for the All Blacks: “We auction for a “weekend escape” to Taupo, leader in New Zealand. have to cut down their space. We have to be signed rugby jerseys, memorabilia and round Presenting the scholarship the Vice- incredibly physical. Boy, we’re going to have of golf with Gavin Hastings at Muirfield. Chancellor, Professor Stuart McCutcheon, to be on the job on Sunday!” The highest successful bid was the $15,000 noted that four of the 1987 All Blacks which Sir Peter Leitch paid for the privilege of — Grant Fox, Sean Fitzpatrick, David Kirk joining the 1987 heroes on-stage for a team and the late John Drake — were from the photograph, a popular gesture greeted with University Club along with Jerome Kaino, thunderous applause. John Afoa and Graham Henry from this The scholarship, established in 2009 and year’s team. “We are hopeful that this worth $5000 a year, supports an outstanding scholarship, which stresses the importance of all-rounder who intends to study at the maintaining the balance between study and University and also play for the Auckland sport, will produce more All Blacks in University Rugby Football Club. due course.” John Drake, who died in 2008 aged 49, was The lively and often boisterous dinner, held an Auckland graduate and a redoubtable in the anxious week before the semi-finals prop forward in the World Cup-winning team. of the 2011 tournament, was replete with The scholarship in his memory is awarded amusing anecdotes, warm tributes to John to a school leaver who has excelled both in Drake (whose family were present in force)

36 | The University of Auckland aLUMNI BOOKS Books

The Settler’s Plot Zealand between 1858 and 1860. In early Scott shows that all of Thompson's work, from Europeans arrive on a beach and push 1859 the pair went by foot, horseback and his acclaimed histories to his voluminous inland. They take the land and transform canoe deep into the North Island’s volcanic political writings to his little-noticed poetry, it. They make themselves at home; they zone. Hochstetter kept a dramatic account was inspired by the same passionate and dream of other places. And the stories they of all he saw including the Pink and idiosyncratic vision of the world. Although write take shape in settings – the beach, the White Terraces. Thompson's thought was a response to the farm, the bush, the suburb – that become His collaboration with Haast proved very great events of the twentieth century, The imaginary versions of actual places. Taking fruitful and, on Hochstetter’s endorsement, Crisis of Theory: E.P. Thompson, The New left a new approach to the cultural history of this his friend was appointed leader of an arduous and postwar British politics argues that it is country, alumnus Alex Calder’s ( BA 1977, MA expedition to the West Coast in 1860. Travels more relevant than ever in the age of the 1980, PhD 1988) The Settler’s Plot, published of Hochstetter and Haast in New Zealand War on Terror, extraordinary rendition, and by Auckland University Press, is a study 1858–1860, published by Nikau Press, draws capitalist globalisation. of the relationship between literature and on previously unpublished material from place in New Zealand. Through fascinating New Zealand and European archives, and unpredictable readings of some of our including sketches drawn for Hochstetter greatest literature from Maning and Guthrie- by Charles Heaphy. In brief Smith to Mansfield, Sargeson, Curnow Our Game and Frame, Alex investigates the often Published by New Zealand Geographic, Triumphs of Change: Architecture contradictory meanings that Pakeha have Our Game celebrates the grassroots of our Reconsidered by alumnus Russell found in our most familiar settings. national game — rugby played by weekend Walden ( BArch 1962, MArch 1965) warriors and embryonic All Blacks, far from published by Peter Lange, seeks a Briefcase new prescription for readdressing After an argument with his wife, Verity, Jason the steely glare of stadium lights. This is architecture as an expression of human Button threw a stapler which struck her on the the origin of the sport in New Zealand, the font of future McCaws, junior Jonahs, mini need. . face. Is he guilty of violent assault? Or was it Diary of a bereaved mother by just a matter of bad luck? Meads’, and its greatest legacy. As much as alumna Ann Kit Suet-Chin (BA 1980) Briefcase, the first book of poetry by it is a sport of the people, rugby is a sport tells her personal journey of losing her Judge, alumnus and poet John Adams (LLB of the landscape. Taking in these themes, New Zealand Geographic photographer baby boy after 55 days of life. 1970 Law, MCW 2010 Creative Writing), First Edition, by alumnus Richard published by AUP, is a melange of poems – Arno Gasteiger has captured the sport, the heart and soul of New Zealand, and the Parker ( LLB Hons 1993, MPhil Law in traditional and experimental forms – and 1995), explores society’s obsession with landscape in which it is played. Coupled with other texts: affidavits, police reports, a sudoku flawed celebrities and politicians and an enlightening, humourous commentary by puzzle, court transcripts, a menu, wills and our fascination and delight with their alumnus, writer and rugby enthusiast Peter commentaries, presented as a briefcase of problems. See www.richparker.com Malcouronne (BA 1995) Our Game is an lost documents. Life’s X-Factor: The Missing Link in honest, heartfelt and at times irreverent District Court and Family Court judge at Materialism’s Science of the Living vision of the game as it is known by all Auckland by day, John Adams has a Masters World by alumnus Professor Neil Broom New Zealanders. in Creative Writing from the University and (PhD 1972 Metallurgical and Materials is a poet by night. The first draft of Briefcase The crisis of theory Engineering) asks big questions like was written during his masters year in 2009. This book by alumnus Scott Hamilton (BA Why have living things evolved? Why Travels of Hochstetter and Haast 1998, MA 2009, PhD Sociology 2009) tells do they grow, reproduce and heal? Why this striving to survive? Does the University alumnus Sacha Nolden (DipPerfArts the story of the political and intellectual material world point to a transcendent 1998, BA 2001, BA Hons 2002, MA 2003, adventures of E. P. Thompson, one of Britain's dimension? PhD 2007) with Mike Johnston tracks the foremost twentieth-century thinkers (and the travels of Dr Ferdinand Hochstetter and University's Robb Lecturer in 1988). Drawing his countryman Julius Haast in early New on extraordinary new unpublished documents,

Ingenio Spring 2011 | 37 ART Tradition made anew

For the fortieth anniversary of the Pacific Islands Forum, The University of Auckland’s Fale Pasifika was used to host a lecture by John Key.

he focal point for the Centre for Pacific for paving of the malae, entitling her work tendrils of line. Like the metopes and triglyphs Studies, this fale is so impressive it could Accidental and Deliberate Voyages in the of a classical frieze where intense figurative Teasily upstage a small country’s prime South Pacific. She based her pattern of activity in one panel was flanked by abstract minister. Its interior is vast, with a cavernous arrows on a map featured in a book on patterning, this series of window paintings roof structure distinguished by afa or sennit Polynesian navigation edited by Jack Golson. follow a busy tracery of black line drawing (coconut coir) cord lashings worked by A complicated representation of the myriad with a pause to contemplate bright red paint Tongan artist Filipe Tohi. His striking diamond of journeys taken across the Pacific, this blossoms. Made in 2004, the same year that and chequerboard patterns cover the steel work creates a visual parallel to a student the artist was named an Arts Laureate, it’s plates and bolts of modern architecture navigating a pathway through academia. John Pule’s largest work to date, and brings while paying tribute to traditional As Refiti writes, “The aim is not to define the together the main ideas of his practice. construction methods. journey. Neither the starting nor the finishing Central to his work is the significance of the In early meetings with Albert Refiti who points are stated. What are described are sea to those who come from the Pacific: “I look led the design project for the new building, the currents and channels, forming and upon the sea with great love and admiration. Filipe Tohi was the artist who visualised deforming, reflecting options and choices, to I admire the beauty of the moon looking at the malae, or assembly area outside the be made and undertaken by the individual.” the moon in the sea. The way clouds conjure fale, as an ocean. Taking their inspiration Complementing the paving in vertical up the day so the night can shower the sky from the images generated by new format are the black, white and red glass with stars. It tells me who I am. Where I come imaging technologies such as computerised paintings by Niuean artist and poet John from”, he writes. topographical maps, the artists sought Puhiatau Pule. These run the length of the Poet T.S. Eliot once wrote that the past innovation in tradition. They also wanted to façade of the Centre for Pacific Studies is altered by the present as much as the blend cultural references, and to combine building and divide it into seven parts, like the present is directed by the past. The works of an aerial view with a Japanese aesthetic of days of creation. Allowing light to enter the contemporary Pasifika artists living in New space and simplicity derived from temple interior through their large white expanses, Zealand which are incorporated into the garden design. By so doing, they hoped these are windows for wondering about design of the Centre for Pacific Studies look to create a space for meditation and rather than seeing through. They function back as well as forward. They respect the introspection – an oasis in the busy life of the like story boards, rich with allusive detail presence of the past while opening up the campus. Just as looking up into the rafters of fish, phantoms and oceanic phenomena. ocean of possibilities when traditions are of the fale could be likened to gazing at a Horizontal lines form banded compositions made anew. Polynesian stick chart of another world, so the derived from hiapo (the Niuean barkcloth paving at the visitor’s feet could provide a painting traditionally done by women) in way to navigate through to the future. four of the paintings, while others have free- Linda Tyler, Director of the University’s Tania Euruatua Short created the design floating imagery loosely held together by Centre for NZ Art Research and Discovery

38 | The University of Auckland STUDENT LIFE

I am, who I am “Ben and I were driving in the car one day when I said, ’I dare you to wear a T-shirt with I am Ben written on it and wear it for a whole year', and Ben dared me back."

he school boy challenge that began accounting this semester and there have “The challenge is about creating a really inauspiciously that day in 2008 has been a couple of times where I’ve applied good experience; it’s not just about wearing a Tbecome bigger than both of these what I’m learning to the challenge. And I’ve shirt but becoming a part of a family and University students. So big, it is what is learnt how to talk to people and approach a community.” now known around the globe as the I am charities and businesses about things.” Dan can't quite believe that what started Challenge. Dan nods in agreement. “I’ll be in one as a joke has turned into something so big. “After about two weeks we found that of my Marketing papers learning about So far, he estimates that there are up to things were getting a bit tough and we how to conduct research, and I’ll be thinking 150 people who have worn an “I am” shirt. had no idea why we were doing this stupid 'how I can apply that knowledge to the I am “It is a youth empowerment tool. The t-shirt thing,” laughs Dan. So through fundraising Challenge?’”. represents I am, who I am and because of events at school and as fresh undergrads The T-shirt wearing challenge is embraced that, I can make a difference.” at The University of Auckland, Ben and Dan by youth from 14 different countries raising The boys are quick to point out the decided to wear the same T-shirt every day money for a range of causes. Kuwait has 20 challenge is not all warm and fuzzy. It can for a year and raise money for charity. First people participating in the I am Challenge. be tiresome to hear “Is your name really up they raised $5000 for World Vision and Due to occupation and war in the country’s Ben?” as often happens or to walk around 30 friends joined the challenge. In 2009 the history, it is heavily polluted; therefore, the with everyone knowing your name, which can group raised more money that went towards Kuwaiti team aims for an environmental be a bit disconcerting at times. But nothing building a water tank for a community in focus to its fundraising. Money raised from compares with coming across a fellow I am Tanzania. At that point, 30 additional wearing the T-shirts will be used to plant trees challenger walking down the street. people jumped on board and there was no around Kuwait. “I saw someone wearing an I am T-shirt,” going back. “Youth in Thailand are focusing on the says Ben, “and I had no idea who they were. As self-professed “small fries” at the issue of shark finning, so they are wearing And it was kind of an awesome feeling.” University, they do their studies in tandem T-shirts for that and run autonomously with a www.iamchallenge.org/index.html with wearing the same T-shirt every day and link back to us,” says Dan. galvanising others to do the same. Dan is It was the February earthquake in Kate Pitcher studying a conjoint Arts/Commerce degree Christchurch that made Ben and Dan think and Ben is studying toward a conjoint about keeping their fundraising closer to Engineering/Commerce degree. Alongside home. As a result, Dan spoke at the “Ted X - this they fundraise, market, order stock and Reimagination of Christchurch” conference in develop the website for the challenge. May this year. The I am Challenge now has a For Ben, working on the challenge directly dedicated core team of five members leading relates to his chosen papers. “I’m doing the challenge in the devastated city.

Ingenio Spring 2011 | 39 Associate Professor Anne Mackay with Miriam Bissett, who is studying towards a PhD in Ancient History, and Lawrence Xu, who is studying towards a Masters in Ancient History.

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