This issue 2 Businessmen honoured 3 Online training 5 New professors

University of news for staff | Vol 41 | Issue 1| 16 February

No stopping melanoma researcher When Stacey D’Mello was a five-year-old Linda D’Mello’s persistence undoubtedly by the University’s Disability Office with the growing up in Bombay (now Mumbai) in India, changed the course of her daughter’s life. Today provision of note-takers during lectures, the use she was diagnosed with Chlorodial Macular Stacey, 24, is in her first year of a PhD in of a photocopier; and special tests and exams Degeneration in both eyes and told she’d Molecular Medicine at the Faculty of Medical where she was allowed extra time and the use of eventually go blind. Twenty years on the young and Health Sciences and is one of four winners the disability room with special computers and scientist is at the forefront of University of doctoral scholarships awarded to University software and a moveable table. research into melanoma. researchers at the end of last year by the Now most of her days are spent in a “The Bombay optometrist told my mother not Auckland Medical Research Foundation. (In total laboratory in the Auckland Cancer Society to bother enrolling me in primary school but $1,760,795 was awarded to eight projects, two Research Centre (ACSRC) where “everything is instead put me in a school for special needs kids postdoctoral fellowships and four doctoral on the bench in front of me and close up”. Her and make sure I had financial provision for the scholarships across the Medical, Engineering doctoral study is looking at glutamate receptors future, ” says Stacey recalling her early and Science faculties.) in human melanoma. prognosis. “Rather than thinking I can’t do something, I “Glutamate is an amino acid used as a “But my mother [ Linda D’Mello, try and figure out how I’m going to do it,” says neuro-transmitter,” she explains. “It sends Administration Assistant at the Business School’s Stacey who has poor long-distance sight and signals from one nerve cell to another in the Graduate School of Enterprise] enrolled me in only partial sight in her right eye. This means she nervous system. A paper in Nature recently primary school anyway. During my first few will never drive a car, can’t see numbers on described a particular sub-unit of the glutamate years she would come in every day after work, buses, can’t see detail on people's faces like a receptors that was found to be mutated in 33 get some poor students to stay back after school smile unless they’re close up; and uses a special percent of melanomas. We’ve got access to cell and write down all the notes. I knew what laptop and software provided by the Royal lines established from tumours from New I’d heard. I just didn’t know what was on the Society for the Blind to zoom text up and down. Zealand melanoma patients so we’re trying to board. Classes in India are big with about 70 During her undergraduate years studying for a see what each patient’s melanoma cell is made to 75 kids.” BSc in Biological Sciences Stacey was supported of, and if these receptors are there. We’re also Continued on page 2

University news is published by Communications and Marketing, Fisher Building,18 Waterloo Quadrant, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142. EMAIL [email protected] www.auckland.ac.nz/universitynews Editor Tess Redgrave Photography Godfrey Boehnke Design AND PRODUCTION The Honorary degrees for business leaders

acknowledge his distinguished contribution to the planning and development of its physical environment as well as its intellectual capacities with the award of an honorary degree”. Owen G Glenn created a successful global business in freight forwarding and is recognised as an international leader in the logistics industry. He helped develop a new business model providing “full service” to customers at both points of origin and destination. His support for the University reflects his strong and enduring interest in higher education and his firm belief that the University has an important role to play in the economic and social development of . To acknowledge his generosity in donating $7.5 million towards establishing a globally competitive and internationally recognised business school the University named the new Owen Glenn and Hugh Fletcher building opened in 2008 after him. The University has bestowed honorary 2008. His insights and business experience Mr Glenn has also financially supported a doctorates on two prominent New Zealand helped the University develop programmes and professorial chair in Marine Science, a PhD business figures, Hugh Fletcher and Owen G facilities needed to maintain its position as a scholarship in the Business School and a chair in Glenn ONZM. leading research-driven institution. He Molecular Cancer. Both received an honorary Doctor of Laws championed such ambitious initiatives as the He regularly visits the University and the degree in recognition of their major contributions new Business School, the Centre for Brain Business School, is a member of the Business to New Zealand and to the University’s well- Research, the expansion of the Grafton (Medical School’s Supporters’ Council and was on the being in recent years. and Health Sciences) Campus, and creation of Business School’s initial advisory board. The Chancellor, Roger France, bestowed the the Institute for Innovation in Biotechnology. The Vice-Chancellor said the University degrees at an early evening ceremony attended Mr Fletcher is a Trustee of The University of honoured Mr Glenn for being an entrepreneur in by 150 at the Maidment Theatre on 1 February. Auckland Foundation which manages and a spectacularly successful manner “but also for Hugh Fletcher is a former CEO of Fletcher distributes philanthropic funds given to the dispensing the rewards of his success on just Challenge Ltd whose time in business was University. causes, on educational enterprises such as ours, remembered as one of innovation. Since In his eulogy the Vice-Chancellor, Professor but ubiquitously too throughout the world in a graduating with a BSc and MCom with Stuart McCutcheon, said Mr Fletcher had way that displays his social conscience”. honours from Auckland he has strongly managed the challenge he set himself in • Currently the University has 52 living supported the University. university governance with the same care and honorary graduates, among them the Rt Hon He served 12 years as a University Council commitment as the challenge of business. The Helen Clark, the Rt Hon Dame Sian Elias, member and was Chancellor from 2004 to University was “extremely pleased to be able to Maurice Gee and Sir Anand Satyanand.

World debaters

A University of Auckland Debating Society (for the top 16 teams) since the 2008 World the University’s Debating Society. team was placed in the top 16 at the World Championships. “At a tournament featuring 400 teams from Universities’ Debating Championships held in The Auckland A team of Stephanie Thompson more than 70 countries, having two teams in the Manila, Philippines earlier last month. and Ben Milsom also reached the octo-finals top 32 spots is an outstanding achievement for After competing in nine rounds of debating, reserved for the top 32 teams. Both debaters Auckland. Auckland C consisting of Max Lin and the Auckland B team of Nupur Upadhyay and were ranked in the Top 50 best speakers at a Todd Livingstone also did incredibly well, keeping Joshua Baxter beat teams from Oxford and Yale tournament involving 800 speakers. in contention for the octo-finals right up until in the octo-final debate to progress through to “These rankings reflect the depth of talent and the end.” the quarter-final. This is the first time an skill possessed by these two highly persuasive Auckland team has reached the quarter-finals individuals,” says Nupur Upadhyay, President of

Continued on from page 1

starting to treat cells in vitro (inside a test tube) being trying to understand acute melanoma for “No one has really characterised the glutamate with drugs that block the glutamate receptor.” over 20 years and the cell lines we’ve grown pathway in melanoma so this is a real chance to “Stacey is a wonderful student,” says Professor from patients’ tumours are a big and unique understand what sustains and keeps signal Bruce Baguley, co director of the ACSRC and one resource for her to work with. molecules growing.” of four supervisors on the PhD project. “We’ve “This is a new area of study for us,” he adds.

2 16 February 2012 From the Vice-Chancellor Alumni Relations and Development

The University’s centralised alumni relations highly-successful “Leading the Way” Fundraising and fundraising division is beginning 2012 Campaign, which began in 2006 and has raised under the new name of Alumni Relations and $170 million to support activities such as Development. research projects, and establishing academic The division was formerly called External chairs, fellowships, and student scholarships. The Relations, then External Relations and campaign will conclude at the end of 2012, with Development, but has donned the new name to planning now underway for the University’s directly reflect its primary activities, explains the on-going development strategy. Director, John Taylor. Also housed within Alumni Relations and Alumni Relations and Development is Development is The University of Auckland responsible for engaging with the University’s Foundation, a registered charitable organisation ever-growing alumni community, which currently that facilitates the partnership between the It is my pleasure to welcome you, along with all numbers 150,000, of which 113,000 are University and its donors. our staff and students back to the University for contactable. Print and electronic publications Alumni Relations and Development is based 2012. I hope that you have had a restful break and alumni and friends events, both within New at University House, 19A Princes St, in what used even if, as in my case, much of it appeared to be Zealand and internationally, form the basis of to be the synagogue for Auckland’s Jewish spent in the rain! the engagement programme. community, and was then a branch of the This will be a significant year for the University On the fundraising side, the division has National Bank until 2003. because we will be undertaking widespread co-ordinated and driven the University’s consultation and discussion on a Strategic Plan for the period 2013-2020. Over the life of the current Plan (2005-2012) we have achieved a Free online IT training takes off great deal, but there is much still to be done if we want to take our place among the world's leading public universities. And whatever we wish Helen’s vision is to see online training meeting to achieve, we will have to do it against the the needs of all staff and postgraduate students background of some of the lowest levels of at the University. Some people may be based funding in the developed world. out of Auckland or might have work schedules We therefore need to engage as many that prevent them from accessing the members of the University community as comprehensive face-to-face workshops CAD possible in discussing how we want to make The offers. “Online training is available 24/7, so you University of Auckland even stronger in teaching, can up-skill at any time; and it’s also right there research and service, and how we can resource when you get stuck, providing just-in-time those activities. The University Council will be training. The hope is that beyond the pilot the considering a pre-consultation draft of the new training will be available to undergraduates Plan at its meeting on 5 March and I anticipate as well. an extended period of discussion and “With CustomGuide, you can test your skills consultation before we return an amended Helen Sosna, IT Literacy Coordinator, is first through an interactive assessment. If you version of the Plan to Council for adoption later pleased with the overwhelmingly positive pass, you can move on; if you don’t you can take in the year. This is a very important process and I response to the release of free online IT the tutorial followed by a post-assessment. Not hope you will all contribute to it. training for staff and postgraduates, which only is it fun, but it gives you a sense of Just one example of the many achievements of started at the beginning of this year. achievement, as well as the opportunity to the University is our new hall of residence, develop your skills so you can get the most Funding from the VC’s Strategic Development University Hall, which has risen in just 18 months out of Microsoft in a way that you hadn’t been Fund in 2011 has enabled her to run a pilot above the Elam site. Blessed by Ngati Whatua able to before.” through the IT Training Programme at the Centre representatives in late January, it will be officially Lynda.com offers over 1,100 courses in 200+ for Academic Development (CAD). The aim of opened by Chancellor Roger France on 16 software applications (Microsoft, Adobe, Apple the pilot, running throughout 2012, is to evaluate February. Accommodating 442 mainly first-year products, and much more). It is recommended two major online IT training websites, students in modern, fully catered facilities, it will for users who are confident watching CustomGuide and Lynda.com, for ongoing use be a key part of our strategy to attract demonstration videos and applying new at the University. outstanding students from throughout New learning directly. “This is a fantastic opportunity to improve a Zealand and around the world. Both CustomGuide and Lynda.com provide wide range of IT skills using Excel, Outlook, I am grateful to Peter Fehl (Property Services), courses at beginner, intermediate and advanced Photoshop, and hundreds of other applications; Brendan Mosely (Campus Life), their staff and levels. there’s something for everyone,” says Helen, contractors who have been able to complete "It’s fun and easy, there’s lots of choice, I can who has worked for the University for six years in this fine building so quickly, and to those who use it anywhere, anytime and at my own place, various roles, and started at CAD in 2009. will support our new students as they make and it’s adding value to my skillset – bonus! I’ve “It is a pilot, therefore we need lots of people the sometimes challenging transition into had some great ‘aha!’ moments … and just to use the training systems and provide feedback university life. so we can build a case to implement online when I thought I knew it all!", adds Trudy Basire training at the University permanently from from the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences. 2013 onwards.” See www.cad.auckland.ac.nz/onlinetraining

The University of Auckland News 3 Eleven new professors

Eleven associate professors have been Professor Tom Brittain Professor Georgy promoted to professor. They are: (School of Biological Gimel’farb Professor Robert Amor Sciences) is a specialist (Department of (Department of in molecular, cellular Computer Science) is a Computer Science) and developmental world-known expert in performs research in biology. His research image processing, construction interests are in physical computer vision, and informatics, developing biochemistry, in statistical pattern and adapting beneficial particular the study of recognition. His main computer science the structure and mode areas of interest include techniques for the of action of metalloproteins and in functional computational binocular stereo, texture architectural, studies which range from fundamental modelling, 3D scene description from image and engineering and construction industries. He theoretical and physico-chemical range data, and medical image analysis for coordinates the International Building Council’s characterisation to investigations of actions in computer-aided diagnostics. Georgy , who was preeminent research community on ”IT for vivo and in cell culture. His latest project looks at educated in the former Soviet Union and came Construction” with a highly respected the role of neuroglobin in protecting neurons to Auckland in 1997, has authored or edited four international conference series. His primary from cell death by apoptosis. books (in English and Russian), including a research interest is in achieving interoperability monograph on image textures and Gibbs between software tools, undertaken in Professor Kendall random fields. collaboration with colleagues at the University’s Clements (School of School of Architecture and Planning and the Civil Biological Sciences) Professor Uwe Grodd and Environmental Engineering Department. works in the area of (School of Music) has ecology, evolution and performed and Professor Toni Ashton behaviour. His main recorded internationally is a health economist in research focus is the for more than 30 years. the School of biology of marine He teaches flute at all Population Health on herbivorous fishes, from levels and is an the Tāmaki Innovation ecological work on accomplished Campus. Her primary feeding rates and diet choice to biochemical and conductor. Professor research interest is in physiological studies on metabolism and the Grodd gained the funding and function of the digestive system. A particular worldwide recognition when he won First Prize at organisation of health interest has been the activities and identity of the Cannes Classical Awards 2000, for the ”Best services from an the diverse microorganisms that inhabit the gut 18th Century Orchestral Recording” conducting economic perspective. Most of her recent of these fishes. Kendall also has a research the Nicolaus Esterhazy Sinfonia from Hungary. research has been on health reform in New interest in the evolution of reef fishes, and has One of his most ambitious projects has been the Zealand over the past two decades. She is also had two Marsden grants to study speciation in recordings of the complete works for piano and interested in the study of comparative health triplefin fishes. orchestra by Beethoven's longstanding friend systems and in the general application of and student, Ferdinand Ries (1784-1838). Professor Anthony economic theory and methods to health sector Endres (Department of practices and performance. Professor Andrew Economics) has Graham Hill developed several Professor James Bade (Department of research (School of European Surgery) is Head of the specialisations: the Languages and South Auckland Clinical history of economic Literatures) specialises School based at thought and policy; in modern German Middlemore Hospital. alternative schools of literature, the German He is also a consultant thought in economics; connection with New general and colorectal competing schools of thought on international Zealand and the Pacific, surgeon at Middlemore. financial integration 1945-2000; capital theory and German cinema. His research interests are in perioperative care and the links between capital formation and His publications include in general surgery, and medical education. entrepreneurship in market economies. He has a number of books on modern German literature He is head of the multidisciplinary Auckland written three books on the development of ideas (Thomas Mann and Theodor Fontane) and the Enhanced Recovery after Surgery research and policies concerned with the international historical connections between New Zealand group. He is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian financial architecture. and German-speaking Europe in the 19th and College of Surgeons and of the American 20th centuries. Professor Bade is Director of the College of Surgeons. University’s Research Centre for Germanic Connections with New Zealand and the Pacific. He is currently President of the Auckland Goethe Society.

4 16 February 2012

Professor Margaret Professor Martyn Research news Hyland (Department of Nash (Department of Engineering Science) Engineering Science) is works in the areas of Associate Director Research funding aluminium reduction Research at the Neurological Foundation – Travel Grants. Up technology and in Auckland to $4,200 to provide assistance to principal surface engineering. Bioengineering investigators or named associates in current Specialising in Institute. His research Project Grants funded by the Neurological environmental and interests include Foundation, or holders of a Foundation materials performance investigating cardiac Scholarship or Fellowship to attend in smelters, she has worked with many of the mechanics and arrhythmogenesis using conferences, meetings or seminars, provided world’s largest aluminium producers and computational modelling and medical imaging the subject matter of the project is directly suppliers. She is the Associate Director of the (eg MRI and arrays of ECGs). He also studies the related to the meeting. More information and Light Metals Research Centre. She is currently structure and mechanical function of a wide an application form can be found at www. leading a Marsden-funded project on the design variety of other tissues and organ systems such neurological.org.nz. Research Office deadline of interfaces in multi-material systems with as the breast, skin, pelvic floor and tongue. 23 February. Contact Lorraine Scott lo.scott@ collaborators from Japan and Australia. She is the auckland.ac.nz first woman to be promoted to Professor in Engineering at the University. Royal Society of New Zealand – NZ/JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme. Provides opportunities for young postdoctoral researchers from New Zealand to conduct, under the guidance of their hosts, co-operative research with leading research groups in Japanese universities and research institutions. The programme aims to help researchers advance their own research, while contributing to the advancement of research in Japan and New Zealand. More information and application form can be found at www. Workshop on biodiversity databases royalsociety.org.nz. Research Office deadline 8 March. Contact Chris Tews c.tews@auckland. Global biodiversity databases have been and strategy on how to significantly advance ac.nz growing in significance over the past ten years. global biodiversity databases in order to provide They host hundreds of millions of records of better services for researchers and policy-makers Genesis Oncology Trust - Professional hundreds of thousands of species and engage and recently hosted an international workshop Development Awards. Up to $3,000 to allow hundreds of scientists in verifying their content titled “Advancing databases for global cancer researchers and cancer-care (for example Global Biodiversity Information biodiversity assessments” at the University, in professionals (including scientists, doctors, Facility, World Register of Marine Species, conjunction with the International Marine nurses, radiotherapists, radiation technologists Global Invasive Species database). However, Conservation Think Tank during the International and social workers) to travel and participate in their use as research and to policy makers has Conservation Biology Congress. scientific meetings or advanced training been limited. Now global efforts are being The workshop focused on invasive and marine programmes that will enhance their made to measure the state and trends in species, areas where the University has professional competence or extend their range biodiversity from species to ecosystem levels. particular strengths and which have major gaps of skills. More information and application forms can be found at www.genesisoncology. The University’s Biodiversity Databases group, in knowledge. Already, a special issue of an org.nz. Research Office deadline 9 March led by Associate Professor Mark Costello, international journal involving 68 authors and 2012. Contact: Kate Harrower c.harrower@ Professor Mick Clout and Shyama Pagad, is one 12 papers is in preparation; and University staff auckland.ac.nz of eight recipients of the University’s have been invited into new collaborations, to International Research Team Development international workshops, and to partner in National Foundation for the Deaf – Awards (IRTDA) which aim to build international research funding proposals. See www. Community Fund. Supports projects and relationships and attract international funding. biodiversity.auckland.ac.nz for more information. activities that have a direct benefit to hearing The group wants to develop a long-term vision impaired and deaf New Zealanders and funds short-term projects, equipment and materials, capacity building, the development of Top alumni speak innovative, imaginative and creative ideas, action-oriented research, acquisition and Don’t miss “Auckland Live! 2012: Mana, The Distinguished Alumni Awards for 2012 dissemination of knowledge and collaboration mettle, and magic” – an exciting showcase will be presented at a black tie dinner on the between groups/individuals. More information of winners of this year’s Distinguished evening of Friday 9 March in the Alumni and an application form can be found at www. Alumni Award Winners, at the Maidment Marquee, on the grounds of Old Government nfd.org.nz. Research Office deadline 24 March. Theatre from 6.30pm – 9pm on Thursday 8 House. For more information and to purchase March 2012. Tickets will be limited! For tickets please visit www.alumni.auckland.ac. tickets and more information see www. nz/uoa/events auckland.ac.nz/live

The University of Auckland News 5 From the collection

the death of both parents from cancer led her to stages of the conception of birth. Through the move to Auckland in search of a fresh start in process of rendering nine times, TOKI reveals the early 1990s. Initially she tried painting, but herself with nine different faces. She is multi- after a visit home to South Korea which was dimensional and able to shift from being cute to bristling with electronic commodities produced feminine, sexual, angelic or evil.” by electronics giant Samsung, she began to see In South Korea where women undergo plastic the potential of new media, particularly digital surgery as casually as they might get their imaging. She completed her Bachelor of Fine fringes trimmed (13 percent of the female Arts in Intermedia at the Elam School of Fine population admit to having had a cosmetic Arts in 2002. A computer-manipulated character procedure compared to 3 percent in the United played by a human actor appeared first in an States), feminine beauty has now become a exhibition at the Moving Image standardised commodity available for purchase. Centre during her final year. The show was titled Barbie dolls are not ludicrous toys but ideals to “Hello TOKI ; )” – the greeting in English of the be emulated. Reacting to this culture of extreme creature with the Korean name given the suffix make over, the artist writes: “This [Birth of TOKI] Deriving her name from the Korean word for a of the emoticon for a wink, using a semi-colon project explores the motivation, driven by mass rabbit, TOKI is the creation of 49-year-old and bracket to represent the human face. Even media and advertising, that propels such a huge Elam graduate Hye Rim Lee. With her huge, in the language of her introduction, TOKI number of women to undertake invasive surgical limpid eyes and tiny mouth, TOKI borrows her was already a hybrid of cultures, human procedures. Magazines and television show the looks from the world of cartoons and and machine. objectification of femininity, commodification of computer gaming, and is herself an animated Taking emoticons into three dimensions was beauty and the manipulation of insecurity about creation. Despite her associations with the basis for the artist’s first dealer gallery show self and status.” Western bunnies, she is less Thumper than in 2003. Smooth TOKI is one of three works that Lee hopes that her work will be read as a Bambi, suggesting not goofiness, but a cutesy were purchased for the University from that radical critique of both that culture and the innocence and vulnerability with her wide exhibition, the others being titled Mesh and norm in the world of computer gaming where open gaze. The impression of sweetness in Patch. Each name refers to the process by which female characters act out male fantasies. TOKI’s expression can be quickly dispelled by the image of TOKI’s face is created and Rather than being a pawn in someone else’s some of her behaviours, or by a cleverly completed, from the grid (Mesh) through to the game, Lee’s avatar TOKI resists stereotyping and subversive accompanying soundtrack. At the perfect plastic finish (Smooth). With a knowing makes up her own rules as she goes along. Gus Fisher Gallery in the exhibition Powder reference to the Quattrocento artist Sandro Room, for example, TOKI appeared in a short Botticelli’s Birth of Venus, Hye Rim Lee titled this animation entitled Lash, blinking to the series, The Birth of Toki: hundreds and Linda Tyler accompaniment of the sound of a whip thousands. cracking each time her lids closed. Writing about this series, the artist reveals Sound is very important to Hye Rim Lee. Her that she wanted the series of prints to announce undergraduate degree at the Ewha Women’s her Frankenstein, drawing on all the implicit University in Seoul was in music, and she associations of genealogy, race, gender and originally trained her soprano voice for an breeding long associated with the notion of

operatic career like her mother’s. A botched birth: “I produced 9 portraits of TOKI’s close-up Hye Rim Lee, Smooth 2003 from Birth of TOKI series tonsillectomy which ruined her vocal chords and face suggesting 9 traits of personality, or 9 PVC on vinyl 1000 x 1000mm

Books

Being Childfree in New Zealand: How couples continued to be associated with motherhood, who choose to not have children are perceived, and a maternal instinct is expected to drive published by Lambert Academic Publishing, is women (in particular) to have children. This book the product of a qualitative study undertaken by shares the perspectives of both women and men Theresea Riley for a masters degree in Social on how family members, friends, and complete Science. It is based on the experiences of ten strangers react to their choice to not have couples living in New Zealand who, by choice, do children. Stereotypes, assumptions, and various not have children. Strong social norms exist for other responses faced by the couples (together couples to have children, and those who express and as individuals) are discussed from a critical, a desire to do otherwise have been disbelieved, feminist perspective. pressured, and stereotyped. Womanhood has

6 16 February 2012 mortality reductions produced by cancer long-term leases; call Andrew or Mandy park and beach and bus stop to Devonport What’s on screening? Why do so many trials report on 09 303 0601 at City Sales or with ferry to town. N/s, no pets. $750 pw. only 20%? 11am-12noon Electrical and [email protected] or log on to Contact [email protected] THURSDAY 16 FEBRUARY Computer Engineering Briefing Rm 257, www.citysales.co.nz/rentals Narrow Neck, Devonport. Modern self- Symposium celebrating the career of Level 2, Bldg 303S, Science Centre. Auckland (Devonport) villa, fully contained, furnished studio with kitchenette, Professor Ted Baker Visit www.medicine.mcgill.ca/ furnished, private garden, available July mezzanine bdrm and bthrm. Opening Protein structural biology: The power of epidemiology/hanley/ 2012 to February 2013 (flexible). Walking onto sunny garden deck. Across the road seeing. 1-5pm Owen G Glenn Bldg, 12 Book launch distance to beaches, shops, and ferry from Narrow Neck beach. On bus route to Grafton Rd. Runs until 17 February. Alison Jones and Kuni Jenkins: Words to city/University. Two-three bdrms, two Devonport ferry. $310 pw incl Broadband Speakers include: Between Us: He Korero - First Maori- lounges, study, central heating, SKY/ and power. Available early March. Email Sir Tom Blundell, University of Pakeha conversations on paper. internet/phone package included. Ideal [email protected] Cambridge; Prof Guy Dodson, University 5-6.30pm Whare Kai, Waipapa Marae. for sabbatical visitor. N/s. $620 pw Need peace and quiet? Board/studio at of York; Dr Mark Banfield, John Innes Guest speakers: Manuka Henare, (neg). Visit http://sabbaticalhomes.com/ the beach away from the busy city in the Centre, UK; Dr Zbyszek Dauter, Director, Mira Szaszy Research Centre; Home_Rent_House_Rental_Auckland_ heart of Orewa, it’s just 1-2 minutes walk Argonne National Laboratory, USA; Dr Anne Salmond, Distinguished Professor, New_Zealand_66761.htm to supermarket, beach, Orewa shops and Catherine Day, University of Otago; Maori Studies; Graeme Aitken, Dean of Contact [email protected] buses. Express bus to city. Explore northern Prof John Fraser, The University of Education. Birkenhead: Four-bdrm house for rent beaches on weekends. Own entrance, Auckland; Dr Colin Groom, Cambridge from July 2012 to January 2013. Cedar shower, toilet and kitchen/dining area, own Crystallographic Data Centre; Prof WEDNESDAY 22 FEBRUARY home amidst kauri trees. Furnished. phone line. One bdrm, 2nd bdrm or office/ Mitchell Guss, University of Sydney; COMPASS seminar Would suit visiting researcher/family. lounge. N/s. 220 pw includes furniture if Prof Rod Hubbard, University of York; Martin Spielauer, Senior Researcher, $600 pw negotiable. Easy access to needed, water and power. Phone Dr Richard Kingston, University of Modelling Division, Statistics Canada: schools, library, shopping, beaches. (09) 424 0668 for appointment to view. Auckland; Prof Rick Lewis, Newcastle Microsimulation and public policy. Near bus lines to CBD and UoA, Parnell. One-bdrm apartment, furnished. University; Prof Michael Parker, 4-5pm Rm 104, Pacific Fale Bldg, 20 10-minute drive to Birkenhead ferry. Quiet. Overlooking native bush. Lock-up University of Melbourne; Dr Emily Wynyard St. Contact [email protected] garage included. Suit mature couple. Parker, University of Canterbury; Prof RSVP to [email protected] Blockhouse Bay coastal. Three-dble No pets, n/s. Available early March to Se Won Suh, Seoul National University, bdrm + study, spacious exposed beams mid- December. $400 pw. Please contact Korea; Dr Tom Terwilliger, Los Alamos SATURDAY 25 FEBRUARY 1960s home in tranquil tree-filled garden [email protected] with sea views. Large living space, alarm, National Laboratory, USA. Exhibition talk dble garage internal access. Walk to aCCOMMODATION REQUIRED Faculty of Medical and Health 1pm Gus Fisher Gallery, 74 Shortland St. beach, shops, primary school, bus stop. Sciences PhD presentations Jonathan Mane-Wheoki, Professor of House-sitter available. Hello! I am $600 pw neg. Contact Peter on (021) 128 4-5pm Seminar Rm, Bldg 501-505, Fine Arts, considers Reuben Paterson’s looking for an opportunity to house-sit for 5324 or [email protected] Grafton Campus. place in Elam School of Fine Arts’ a few months (or more or less– I’m flexible) Central Orewa: Just arrived in New 1) Rashika Karunasinghe, PhD student, whakapapa of contemporary Maori starting ASAP. I currently live in St Heliers Zealand? Make the most of your Dept of Physiology: Hypoxic spreading artists. and am a 29-year-old IT professional depression in the substantia nigra: weekends and live at the beach. 4/5 working in Auckland CBD. I am very clean, Implications for vascular Parkinsonism. MONDAY 27 FEBRUARY bdrms 1/2 offices, 2 bthrms, new tidy and responsible. Happy to share. With carpets and paint throughout. Walk references etc. Contact (021) 034 6258 or 2) Andrew Yee, PhD student, Dept of Open-air movie Physiology: The locus coeruleus, L-DOPA two minutes to beach and parks, shops, [email protected] Kung Fu Panda 2. (PG, contains violence, schools, express city bus or quick and oxidative stress: Implications for 90 mins, 2011) 8.30-10pm John Hood Parkinson’s disease. access to motorway. N/s, no pets. Low Holiday Accommodation Plaza, Owen G Glenn Bldg, 12 Grafton maintenance gardens. $650 pw. includes 3) Daniel Speigal, PhD student, Dept Brand new holiday home now available Rd. water and lawns. Phone (027) 275 8585. of Optometry and Vision Science: Can to rent in a stunning location just steps Cushions or beanbags welcome. Free. Flatmate wanted. Dble room with fitted direct current awake a lazy eye? away from Otama Beach on Coromandel To celebrate the Year of the Dragon the wardrobe available now in Grey Lynn. Queries to [email protected] Peninsula. The design layout makes it the Business School presents its annual free Easy access to Western Springs near Faculty of Science seminar perfect place for two families or several open-air film festival featuring some one end of street and West Lynn shops Assoc-Prof Benoit Liquet, INSERM, Victor couples, especially over Easter (sleeps 8). popular Chinese-themed movies. at the other end. Share with one female Segalen University, Bordeaux 2: On This NZ-born New York architect’s own The car park under the Owen G Glenn owner 40s plus Stanley the cat. Quiet Akaike and likelihood cross-validation holiday home would also make an ideal Bldg is accessible from Grafton Rd at a and peaceful with courtyard and garden. criteria for model selection. 4-5pm writing retreat. For more information flat rate of $6 from 5pm week nights. $200 pw + share expenses. Looking for Electrical and Computer Engineering contact [email protected] mature, tidy, respectful n/s. Phone Judith Briefing Rm 257, Level 2, Bldg 303S, Charming, sunny, fully furnished TUESDAY 28 FEBRUARY on 378 81107 or (021) 934 942. Science Centre. Waiheke cottage, walking distance to Centre for Longitudinal Research Gracious Parnell apartment Visit www.biostatisticien.eu/liquet beaches and near bus stop. Suit couple or seminar overlooking Hobson Bay and the harbour, family of up to 5. $125 a night (minimum Dr Carlos A Camargo, School of available for the months of August and SATURDAY 18 FEBRUARY three nights) or $750 pw. (BYO bed linen Population Health: Vitamin D, infection September. Two very large bdrms, one and towels, no pets). Contact Exhibition talk and allergy. 10.30-11.30am Rm 220, and a half bthrms, enormous lounge, [email protected] or phone 1pm Gus Fisher Gallery, 74 Shortland St. Bldg 730, School of Population Health, dining with separate family room and (09) 849 4457 or (021) 136 1759. In response to Christine Hellyar’s Tāmaki Innovation Campus. kitchen. Parking available, surrounded exhibition about the McGregor RSVP by 20 February to Mandy by lovely grounds. Within easy walking MISCELLANEOUS Museum, Stephanie McKenzie reports Heathcote, [email protected] to Parnell, UoA, CBD or Newmarket. on The University of Auckland’s new Bioengineering research seminar Suit mature family or couple. For further Mature student requires tutor for project looking at its ‘hidden’ cultural Dr Mark Sagar, ABI: The mechanical details and photos please email Classics 350, Philosophical Writing in collections, ranging from antique face. 4-5pm Ground Floor Seminar Rm [email protected] Antiquity, semester 1. Text (021) 264 6189. computers to geological specimens. G010, UniServices House. Mt Eden. One-bdrm flat in villa available Rainey Collins Wright is a small law firm Queries to Open-air movie from 1 June to 28 Sept 2012. Villa has centrally located at L1 Princes Court, 2 [email protected] Bruce Lee - My Brother. 8.30-10pm John been developed into two self-contained Princes Street, Auckland Central. We are Visit Hood Plaza, Owen G Glenn Bldg, 12 flats with a large shared back yard. near the University, with good parking. We www.gusfishergallery.auckland.ac.nz Grafton Rd. Free. Furnished. Would suit a couple or visiting can assist with property transactions, trusts, researcher. $300 pw negotiable. Down wills, administration of estates, enduring MONDAY 20 FEBRUARY WEDNESDAY 29 FEBRUARY the end of a quiet cul-de-sac, a very short powers of attorney and relationship Faculty of Medical and Health Open-air movie walk to Mt Eden train station and a property matters. Please phone our senior Sciences research symposium My Wedding and Other Secrets. 8.30- five-minute bus ride to UoA or 10 minutes solicitor Nichola Christie on 379 5828 to Addictions and families. 10am-4.30pm 10pm Level 0, Owen G Glenn Bldg, 12 into the CBD. Contact discuss your needs, or email Rm 220, Bldg 730, School of Population [email protected] Grafton Rd. Free. [email protected] Health, Tāmaki Innovation Campus. Mt Eden. One-bdrm flat, unfurnished, Visit www.rainey.co.nz Speakers: Jim Orford, Helen Warren, Ian one section on bus to University. Very Travel. I have 12 years experience in MacEwan, Peter Adams, Rachael Butler, Classifieds private, garden outlook. Suit couple, long booking all aspects of personal travel for Michelle Brewerton and the Kina Team. term. Must like cats and dogs. $300 pw. university staff and lecturers. I pride myself Cost $40. Queries ACCOMMODATION AVAILABLE Phone 630-6111 (Katherine or Brendan) in ensuring that your travel plans are sourced at the lowest possible costs and are [email protected] Apartments for rent. Call us for or email [email protected] tailor-made to your requirements. Contact Faculty of Science seminar your rental requirements; we offer city Narrow Neck. Three-bdrm family home. Karen on Prof Jim Hanley, Dept of Epidemiology, apartments furnished/unfurnished, all Furnished, available mid-March. Situated [email protected] or Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, sizes and prices; great rental deals for at end of a quiet cul-de-sac. Close to McGill University: How big are the real 940 0064 (wk) or (021) 188 7781.

For a full list of The University of Auckland events see: www.auckland.ac.nz/uoa/home/events Please email classified ads to [email protected] nine days before publication. Cost $20 (inclGS T). The University of Auckland News 7 Insight: Maramatanga

Embracing urban sustainability and liveability Dr Charlotte Sunde (Research Development Manager), Harvey Perkins and Melanie Milicich

“It is essential that New Zealanders start to support and promote interdisciplinary urban such as continuing population growth, dealing much more actively with urban issues,” research on questions of major socioeconomic residential intensification, climate change, water asserts Professor Harvey Perkins, recently and environmental importance. use, transport efficiency, economic development, appointed Director of Transforming Cities: Harvey has experienced first-hand the recent green infrastructure, and the provision of Innovations for Sustainable Futures earthquakes, witnessing a city and adequate social and recreational services and (formerly Transforming Auckland) and residents undergoing traumatic transformation. facilities,” explains Harvey. Professor of Planning. “Christchurch has highlighted the dynamism of Addressing social inequality is a major natural systems and the fragility and concern if we are to attain the reputation of “the “We need to embrace the ideas of ‘urban vulnerability of our human urban world’s most liveable city”. “Some areas of sustainability and liveability’.” A notion he arrangements.” He has also been heartened by Auckland are well resourced while others are explores as co-author of Place, Identity and the tremendous recovery response of the not. There are social justice issues confronting Everyday Life in a Globalising World. This work authorities and community members. Harvey’s Auckland, including housing affordability and followed a series of jointly published articles with contribution has been to act in an advisory access to services like health and transport.” colleagues at Lincoln University and The capacity to Christchurch City Council staff These are among the many urban challenges University of Auckland critically examining the working on the Central City Plan and to speak at that Transforming Cities: Innovations for ways in which sustainability thinking has been community meetings on aspects of earthquake Sustainable Futures intends to address. This will interpreted and incorporated in urban planning recovery. Those experiences have convinced him build on 18 months of work that University in New Zealand. of the need to create opportunities for researchers have engaged in under the auspices Harvey brings extensive urban research community resilience in the face of rapid social, of Transforming Auckland. One of the key roles expertise and national and international economic and environmental change – “a task of the Director is to galvanise staff from across networks to the directorship of Transforming more easily talked about than implemented”. the University to work together on Cities, one of the University’s three thematic Recent meetings with Auckland Council staff interdisciplinary urban research. Building on research initiatives (TRIs). In addition to his roles in the Sustainability Team underline that internal research capability, Harvey envisages at Auckland, he holds adjunct positions at Auckland is not exempt from the types of further opportunities. “Then if we can link The Lincoln and Canterbury universities in the challenges that confront Christchurch. A general University of Auckland with other research disciplines of human geography and sociology. observation is that there is a disconnection institutions and stakeholders both in New His broad research scope encompasses interests between what we know about the risks Zealand and globally, we can create a network in urban, peri-urban and rural social, economic associated with climate change and natural to address urban sustainability and liveability and environmental change. disasters, and the great difficulty of acting on questions and critical societal needs.” Much of Harvey’s work is interdisciplinary in that knowledge early enough – for a wide variety Researchers interested in the Transforming nature, resulting from collaborations with of political, social and economic reasons. Cities TRI are encouraged to contact Professor sociologists, geographers, landscape architects, “Auckland is a very interesting site for Harvey Perkins ([email protected]) psychologists, planners, ecologists and research into urban issues. It is culturally diverse, directly, and to register online for the Research environmental managers. This is a considerable and is faced by the need to deal with matters College: www.transformingcities.auckland.ac.nz. asset to the Transforming Cities TRI, which aims

8 16 February 2012