The University of News for Staff Vol 44 / Issue 09 / NOVEMBER 2014

ALL IN THE FAMILY ■■PAGE 5

INSIDE

FROM HUNTERVILLE Getting old DIRTY POLITICS Helen Whitehead has been the University’s Life expectancy worldwide has almost doubled The litany of behaviour exposed by Nicky Manager of Marketing for the past three years. over the past century mainly due to medical Hager’s book Dirty Politics and the debate She has worked for former advertising guru and public health advances and represents one surrounding it was only made possible due and Mayor of , Bob Harvey; as of the greatest achievements of modern times. to the failure of our politicians to moderate marketing manager for More magazine with An ageing population increases the prevalence our modern communications, says Geghan Lindsay Dawson; been general manager of of older adults with chronic disease and Gunasekara. “The ease with which personal operations for ACP magazines with a staff of functional impairment along with escalating information such as e-mails have been bandied 75, and prior to her current role was working healthcare costs. University researchers explore about represent a new and dangerous trend in at Auckland Regional Council. Helen tells the the healthcare consequences and possible New Zealand politics,” he cautions. News her story. solutions.

■■PAGE 6 ■■PAGE 9 ■■PAGE 12 Snapshot Contents

ASPIRE What’s New ...... 3 In brief ...... 4 Save the 14th of April 2015 in your diary now! The overall theme for the ASPIRE 2015 Professional cover story ...... 5 Staff conference is: “Make a difference”. Themes Spring Graduation. within the conference programme are aligned to the University’s Leadership Framework and Did you know? ...... 7 linked to how individuals can make a difference The University has a thriving cricket club. to: yourself; your team/workgroup; the University; your family/whanau; your community/New what’s on campus? ...... 7 Zealand - how you can contribute by one good Ocean rower; Telling compelling stories; Popular thing. More information on keynote speakers music. and the programme will be released as they are research ...... 8 confirmed. See www.uoaaspire.org.nz It is just over four-and-a-half years since the University launched its Thematic Research THE TIMES THEY ARE A CHANGING Initiatives (TRIs). How are they doing?

Iconic poet and musician Bob Dylan has been What am I discovering? ...... 9 named Inaugural Creativef the University of Interventions to improve the care of older people. Auckland’s Creative Thinking Research Fund. The announcement was made at an event for in the spotlight ...... 9 alumni and invited guests in New York hosted by from the collection ...... 10 Saatchi & Saatchi Worldwide CEO and Honorary Professor of Innovation and Creativity at the WHAT’S COMING OUT ...... 11 University, Kevin Roberts. The New York event launched an international fundraising initiative Maramatanga ...... 12 for the interdisciplinary fund, which will be open Keeping legal infrastructure up to date in the to University researchers and international Blogosphere. collaborators. Further details to be announced. COVER PHOTO: Left to right are Tristan Ware, NICAI ON SHOW David Ware, Hayley Ware, Penny Brothers and Margaret Brothers. See story page 5. NICAI struts its stuff this month with a smorgasbord of student shows encompassing architecture, visual art and dance. First up is Action, a showcase of choreography and performance by dance studies students, from 31 October-1 November, on at the Maidment Theatre. Then from 8-9 November, “Studio 14”, on at Newmarket Campus will feature final-year Master of Architecture (Professional) students’ designs. The Elam Graduate Show ends the month with over 120 final-year Fine Arts students showcasing their talents during 29-30 November. www.auckland.ac.nz/creative

Pinned down

Prompted by a map he’d seen somewhere else, EDITOR: Tess Redgrave Old Government House Staff Common Room PHOTOGRAPHY: Godfrey Boehnke, Tess Manager Tim Biggs put a world map up in Redgrave the OGH café area encouraging passers by DESIGN: Sonia Tenreiro to pin down where they were born. Tim, who PRODUCTION: The University of Auckland himself was born in the Falklands but grew up in Ontario, Canada, may have underestimated Published by: the response. At last count there were more The University of Auckland than 600 pins on the map and an adjacent, Communications, large one of New Zealand. “People like to be Fisher Building, 18 Waterloo Quadrant, involved,” says Tim of the map’s attraction. If Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142 you haven’t done so, head to OGH. www.auckland.ac.nz/universitynews

2 The University of Auckland News for Staff What’s New

DANCE IN TWO WORLDS hONOURED NZERS

The University this week bestowed honorary doctorates on three prominent New Zealanders: Rt Hon. Sir Peter Blanchard, Sir Graeme Douglas and Sir David Levene. All three received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree at a ceremony on 29 October.

Rt Hon Sir Peter Blanchard is one of the most distinguished judges in New Zealand’s history. A Distinguished Alumnus of this university, he was appointed to the Court of Appeal in 1996, made a member of the Privy Council in 1998 and appointed to the New Zealand Supreme Court upon its creation in January 2004. He was awarded the Distinguished Companion of the New Masters dance students can now simultaneously the culmination of five years of negotiations and Zealand Order of Merit (DCNZM) in 2005 study dance at both the University of Auckland partnerships led by Associate Professor Ralph for his services to the judiciary, which was and the Beijing Dance Academy as a result of a Buck, Associate Professor Nicholas Rowe and Dr redesignated KNZM in 2009. new agreement between the two institutions. Rose Martin from the University. Beijing Dance Students enrolling in the dual masters degree Academy is one of the world’s largest, oldest and Sir Graeme Douglas has had a will complete a two-year Masters in Dance most prestigious tertiary dance institutions and remarkable career in pharmaceuticals and Education at the Beijing Dance Academy, and a this agreement is the first time they have forged in 2012 was named a Laureate in the New one year Masters in Community Dance at the a postgraduate research degree partnership with Zealand Business Hall of Fame. Through University of Auckland. anyone in the world. the Neurological Foundation, his Douglas This agreement places the University of “This agreement is a highlight of our year and Charitable Trust has supported brain research Auckland at the forefront of tertiary dance marks Dance Studies and NICAI’s commitment at the University’s Centre for Brain Research, studies in Asia, consolidating its reputation to internationalisation of our postgraduate most recently through a gift for a Senior for research and curriculum development in degrees,” said Professor Brand. Neurosurgical Research Fellow, and pledged community dance. Applications for places in the new degree are a significant donation to the new Chair of In front of 50 of the world’s leading dance now open. The first group of students from China Neurosurgery. educators, Professor Diane Brand, Dean of will commence the Master of Community Dance NICAI and President Gao Lei, of the Beijing at the University of Auckland in July 2016. Sir David Levene is an astute and talented Dance Academy ratified the agreement. It is business leader and has become one of Auckland City’s leading philanthropists, with a particular focus on giving support to medicine Middle East peace On LAW AGENDA and education, to the significant benefit of the University. He was a founding sponsor of the November is a busy month for the Law School University of Auckland Business History Project with high profile visitors and events on the menu. and has been a long time and substantial Top of the list, the School’s Human Rights donor to Liggins Institute. Centre is hosting Professor Richard Falk (pictured), who has recently completed a six- Currently the University has 49 living year term as Special Rapporteur on Occupied honorary graduates, among them the Rt Hon Palestine for the UN Human Rights Council. He , the Rt Hon Dame Sian Elias, will talk about Prospects for Peace in the Middle Maurice Gee, Sir Anand Satyanand, Elizabeth East at the AMRF Auditorium at the Medical Smither, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Dame Catherine School on 6 November. www.law.auckland.ac.nz/ Tizard and Sir Miles Warren. Most have been falk made Doctors of Engineering and Laws. Professor Satvinder JJuss, from King’s College in London, will present the 2014 Annual Human for Human Rights, Law, Policy and Practice. See more on this story, plus photos on the Rights Lecture at the Faculty’s Stone Lecture See: www.law.auckland.ac.nz/juss. Staff Intranet News. Theatre at 9 Eden Crescent on 5 November. He will explore the significance in the United And then on Friday 14 November the Auckland Kingdom of the right to life in article 2 on the Law School is hosting a major conference on the European Convention on Human Rights during first ten years of the New Zealand Supreme Court. his lecture, organised by the New Zealand Centre

NOVEMBER 2014 | UNINEWS 3 What’s New In BRIEF

NEW STARPATH DIRECTOR ACADEMIC INTEGRITY live Professor Cindy Kiro (Ngā puhi, Ngā ti Hine) who is currently Professor of Māori Development and Professional Practise and lead Education at Victoria University and Head educator on the course, decided to study why of School for Te Kura Māori (TKM) has students cheat after he was surprised by the been appointed to the role of Te Tumu and number who admitted doing it, despite believing Starpath Director at the University’s Faculty that it’s wrong. of Education. Through the Te Tumu role Cindy “As an educational psychologist interested in will lead Te Puna Wānanga’s commitment students’ intellectual and ethical development, to being a centre of Māori and indigenous this incongruity between belief and behaviour is educational excellence and she will be of great concern to me,” he says. tasked with embedding the work of Starpath This concern inspired Dr Stephens to develop more strongly in Te Puna Wānanga and the the Achieving with Integrity project shortly after faculty, and creating a sustainable future for completing his PhD. studies ten years ago. The Starpath. project offers both school-wide and classroom- When the University’s second MOOC goes based programmes for promoting academic Top geographer live on 10 November academic values and integrity in secondary schools. Professor Robin Kearns was recently named behaviour will be under the spotlight. As he sees it, universities are “voluntary Distinguished New Zealand Geographer So far nearly 5,000 people have enrolled in associations, so students coming in have an of the year in this year’s New Zealand the four week MOOC titled “Academic Integrity: obligation to understand and honour the Geographical Society Awards. His work Values, Skills, Action.” Designed primarily for values and rules of the university to which they focuses on socio-cultural geography and university students, the MOOC aims to help voluntarily have joined. explores the links between culture, health students understand the meaning of academic “And the University has an obligation to and place. Specific areas of study in Robin’s integrity and to develop the values and skills educate students about these values and rules work include the capacity of urban design needed to avoid academic dishonesty as well as to prepare them with the skills needed to promote physical activity and social Dr Jason Stephens, a senior lecturer in the to be responsible community members and cohesion; the “downstream’”consequences of Faculty of Education’s School of Learning, successful learners.” deinstitutionalisation of mental health care; and the transformation of clinic and hospital spaces and their connection to health care FORMER ELAM HEAD DIES consumption.

Jonathan was one of New Zealand’s leading Calling adult art historians and a highly-regarded teacher. He smartphone owners was appointed to the Elam School of Fine Arts as Adult smartphone owners from across New Head of School in 2009 and remained in that role Zealand are invited to take part in a five-week until 2012. From 2013 he held a part-time position nutrition labelling study underway at the as Head of Art and Visual Culture at Te Papa National Institute for Health Innovation. The Tongarewa, the Museum of New Zealand. Starlight trial will use smartphone technology Jonathan championed national art history and to deliver the study intervention and record purposefully created a space for Māori and Pacific participant information, so there will be no art. This work was globally ground-breaking and need to attend clinic appointments. with University of Auckland colleagues Associate Lead researcher Professor Cliona Ni Professor Deidre Brown (Architecture and Planning) Mhurchu says, “Poor diets and obesity are and Dr Ngarino Ellis (Art History) he continued leading risk factors for ill-health in New to extend it through his 2013 Marsden-funded Zealand. Nutrition labels inform consumers research project ‘Toi Te Mana: a history of about the composition of foods and can indigenous art,’ which sought to establish a new support healthier choices, but many Māori art history. people find current nutrition labels hard to In the 2014 Queen’s Birthday Honours Jonathan understand.” Professor Jonathan Ngarimu Mane-Wheoki was appointed to Companion to the New Zealand “New front-of-pack labels deliver simple, ‘at- CNZM, BA, DipFA(Hons), HonDLitt Cant., MA Order of Merit (CNZM) for services to the arts. In a-glance’ nutrition information to buyers. Our Courtauld Inst., ATCL (Ngāpuhi/Te Aupouri/ September he was appointed Companion of the aim is to see if these labels have an effect Ngāti Kuri), academic and curator: born 1943; Auckland War Memorial Museum for his services to on the healthiness of foods bought by New died October 10, 2014. museums. At the latter event he delivered a moving Zealand shoppers,” she says. Former head of Elam and Professor of Fine Arts speech about the important role that museums and Volunteers can also contact Dr Katya Volkova Jonathan Mane-Wheoki died on Friday, October universities, and the people who work within them, with any questions about on the study, on 10, 2014 lay in state at the University’s Waipapa have in the shaping of identity. (09) 923 4742. Marae before his Requiem Mass at the Holy Trinity Read more on the Staff Intranet News. Cathedral in Parnell on Saturday, 18 October.

4 The University of Auckland News for Staff Cover Story

SPRING GRADUATION

Some 2,076 graduands received a total of 2,113 They have a house in, Remuera, and this is their qualifications in person at four ceremonies fourth daughter to graduate from Auckland. during Spring Graduation on 30 September. Virginia majored in Pacific Studies and minored These included 126 doctorates. A further 1,050 in Anthropology and found her studies opened graduands had 1,072 qualifications conferred her eyes to her culture.“I never realised the true in absentia. Read our Graduation stories: extent of the knowledge and talent our ancestors possessed as Pacific navigators. All in the family “Another thing that has been embedded in Hayley Ware may be only 22-years-old but she my mind is to think of the islands in the Pacific has been attending the University of Auckland not as small nations isolated by vast ocean but since she was a toddler, and her links to the as countries with rich history and culture whoare University go back more than sixty years. connected by this and their knowledge of the Hayley graduated with a Bachelor of THE MALPAS FAMILY seas the yare cloaked in.” Mechanical Engineering (Hons) at Spring Nicky Malpas has every reason to feel Graduation and among family members comfortable graduating from University of celebrating the occasion was her grandmother Auckland – his parents have spent a combined Margaret Brothers, a Golden Graduate (MSc 30 years on campus. Botany 1948) and member of the Federation of Professor Simon Malpas who works for Graduate Women, who met Hayley’s grandfather both the Department of Physiology and the while they were students at the University in the University’s Auckland Bioengineering Institute 1940s. and Dr Phillipa Malpas who is a senior lecturer in Hayley’s grandfather Professor Nick Brothers psychological medicine at the School of Medicine, went on to be a Professor of Geology at the are naturally proud of their son’s graduation. University for many years while Margaret worked Nicky graduatedwith a Bachelor of Science as a cataloguer in the library of what was then majoring in Statistics, bringing the Titirangi the School of Medicine. family’s time on campus to a combined 34 years The next generation carried on the tradition, so far. Nicky is continuing his studies at Auckland A HELPING HAND with Hayley’s mother, Professor Penny Brothers, with a post-graduate Diploma in Science this Focal dystonia of the hand, also known as also a University of Auckland graduate (MSc year and a Masters in Science next year. “It’s “musician’s cramp”, has been the subject of Chemistry 1979), on the current academic staff wonderful to be here celebrating his graduation almost a decade of study for pianist Rae de of the School of Chemistry, as is Hayley’s father together,” says Phillipa. Lisle. The Senior Lecturer and Head of Piano at Dr David Ware who is a senior tutor in the Nicky’s interest in statistics is around market the School of Music undertook the research for School. behaviour and modelling bio-patterns in bio- the PhD she received at Spring Graduation. “This was a great day for us,” says Penny. research fields, and he hopes to study this further A neurological disease that causes involuntary “With all the family connections and the for his masters next year. muscle contractions, focal dystonia is estimated next generation graduating it’s a very proud to affect one in a hundred professional musicians occasion, even if Hayley is following her uncle or approximately 10,000 performers worldwide. into Engineering and not her mum and dad into The disorder is believed to result from Chemistry!”Hayley’s uncle Pete Brothers was repetition of specific tasks and usually occurs in Professor of Engineering and Dean of the Faculty musicians of a high level, who have intensively of Engineering from 1999 to 2008 (now CEO at practiced their instruments over a number of Manukau Institute of Technology) and Hayley’s years. Rae investigated whether it was possible brother Tristan is also following in his uncle’s to recover from focal dystonia through retraining footsteps – Tristan is in his second year of study at the instrument. The study, conducted with the in mechanical engineering. guidance of renowned sports physician Dr Ben Hayley and Tristan are both currently working Speedy, clearly showed, with scientific method, in the University’s multi-user laser facility, the that retraining a person’s neural pathways Photon Factory where she is an expert in the can improve the symptoms of the devastating design and manufacture of microfluidic chips. condition in musicians. The Factory is directed by Associate Professor Royals Rae, a celebrated pianist, herself suffered from Cather Simpson. This year Spring Graduation had a touch of an overuse injury. It was while searching for her Cover photo from left: Tristan Ware, Dave royalty to it. Tongan Princess Hon. Lupeolo own answers to what ailed her that she learnt Ware, Haylely Ware, Penny Brothers and Halaevalu Moheofo Virginia Rose Tuita, 28, about other musicians’ injuries, and became Margaret Brothers. David and Penny are graduated with a BA in Pacific Studies and intrigued with focal dystonia. Her research wearing Graduation gowns from Stanford. Anthropology. She was watched by Mum and showed that it was possible to improve the Dad Lord Tuita and JH.H.H Princess Salote symptoms following a case study of six musicians. Pilolevu Tuita (older sister of King of Tonga). afflicted with focal dystonia.

NOVEMBER 2014 | UNINEWS 5 My Story STAFF QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

But yes I think I got lonely as a child and when I How do you believe you change people’s went to Wanganui Girls College as a boarder I lives? loved the company. By telling people what an amazing place the University is, students then come here and go on What was your first job ever? to do amazing things such as ground breaking Cooking for the shearing gang. My parents research. would take me out of school to help. There’d We get people thinking about the University. So it’s be breakfast, morning tea which was scones, about the message we send and the medium(s) we sandwiches and pikelets and lunch was usually a use to get the message out. roast every day. It was challenging but I must have enjoyed it. What have you achieved that you are My first advertising job was as a research and pleased about? information officer with Bob Harvey’s firm We are creating some very exciting visuals with MacHarmanAyer. JWT at the moment. Though I can’t talk about that. My team has done a series of history videos Who was your most inspiring teacher? (see University history on the main website) which At highschool Miss Gerdwood, my History I think are amazing and a bit different; we have teacher. I loved her. She was young, inspiring. She also created UniQuest which is an interactive, would bring music into the classroom. In the sixth online game for school-leavers about study which HELEN WHITEHEAD form she got us to read an Italian romance novel is innovative and fresh; and I’ve just completed Helen Whitehead has been the University’s because it related to the period in history she the history timeline down the Newmarket wall. Manager of Marketing for the past three years. was teaching us. She just did different things. She This tells the story of the history of the University It is her role to recruit students and promote was lively. Interested. and what we have planned for the Newmarket the University brand across a number of When I was at university Steve Bridges was very campus. Hopefully it will excite people about the mediums, working closely with the University’s inspiring as our marketing lecturer. prospect of having the University in Newmarket. new advertising partner JWT. Helen has a Business Studies degree majoring How and when did you decide what your What do you enjoy when you’re not in marketing from Massey University. She has career would be? working? worked for former advertising guru and Mayor I went to Massey to study economics but I took I go tramping with my friend Fiona Howard who of Waitakere City, Bob Harvey; as marketing a marketing paper and loved the creativity. The is a Senior Tutor, Doctoral Programme of Clinical manager for More magazine with Lindsay way it was sold to us was that we were meeting Psychology. We go tramping just about every Dawson; been general manager of operations for people’s needs but doing it in a creative way. year with our husbands in Otago and Fiordland. ACP magazines with a staff of 75, and, prior Marketing is around meeting needs. Finding out I just love being out in the big, wide open spaces. to her current role, was working at Auckland what people want and then creating products or We’ve done rugged tramps like Gillespie Pass in Regional Council as marketing manager and services that they want. Wanaka, camping out etc. This year we’re doing during the amalgamation period, as acting the short circuit on Stewart Island. communications and marketing manager. In just one sentence describe the purpose I always walk or cycle with friends and I’m of your present position? planning a lovely cycling holiday during the Cherry Tell us about your childhood? To give the University the best possible face out Blossom season in Japan next year. I love to cook I was born in Wellington but my first memories in the community so we are recruiting the best for friends….that’s my stress release I think. I are of Otaki where my parents were sharemilkers. students. always have a stack of books by my bed and try to When I was six my father brought a farm up at read a chapter a night. I’ve just finished Gone Girl. Hunterville (inland from State Highway One, north What do you love about the job? of Marton and Fielding) and we lived miles from That we change people’s lives. anywhere on a small farm of about 690 acres. I The Crucibles Lake above went to a tiny school at a place called Otari. It had the Wilkin Valley, a detour 50 kids intwo classrooms and I had five kids in my on the Gillespie Pass track. class all through primary school. Some of the kids People are, left to right, Kevin Whitehead, Helen south of the school rode their horses each day. Whitehead, Fiona Howard and Ray Mitchell. What did you learn as a child? I read. Anything! My mother would go berserk because I read the writing on bread packets. Anything I could get my hands on.. I remember Anne of Green Gables and a series called Gemma. I‘m sure I read the entire school library and then I’d go off and play imaginary games in the bush down by the Turakina river. My younger brother and I fished for eels and swam all summer long. It was a time of huge freedom.

6 The University of Auckland News for Staff DId you know AUCC Collection AUCC Auckland Association Cricket

One of the finest sides in the club’s history: 1960-61 premiers. John Sparling, the club’s cricketer of the century.

... that with 1094 members, the Auckland at the campus but used the Domain as its hopes for the future. For example, the Thompson University Cricket Club is the third biggest practice wicket and club room. Cup for best all-rounder in the senior grades cricket club in New Zealand? The first season was hardly a success. Three has been awarded continuously since 1948, the Founded by University staff, graduates and teams were part of the competition. The first Laurie Schnauer Memorial award (Mr Cricket) students, the club still has a strong affiliation with team came eighth out of eight – a place that is presented to the senior player of the year and the University. In 1908 a deputation consisting of the student magazine Kiwi reported was “well the newest trophy for junior grades is the Richard Professor Segar of the Mathematics Department, and truly earned”. In contrast, the Men’s Premier Walker Cup for the most outstanding junior girl Mr Baume, the local MP, and a University team won the two-day Minor Championship in non-hardball grades. The club’s collections College Council member Mr Mahon, approached grade last season, and will be playing in the are also rich in photographic records of teams the Auckland Cricket Association for recognition Auckland top eight Major Championship grade throughout the years and grades. of the club and its 55 players. Although not in 2014-15. Among the many social and sporting events meeting all the requirements the club was This year 55 junior teams and 26 senior teams included in the 2008 centenary celebrations was established as a “District” and all matriculated are involved in the Auckland Cricket competitions. a President’s XI v Vice-Chancellor’s XI match. students and graduates of any university were Despite the challenges of a season which The bails from that match were kept and now entitled to be members. coincides with exams and the University holidays, form part of the Centennial Bails Trophy for the Professor Dettmann of the Classics the club has a proud tradition of success. highest senior batting partnership of the year. Department was the first Captain and Pennaants are a mark of over 200 competition wicketkeeper. He had recently arrived from grade wins since the club’s first success in 1920. Anyone interested in joining the club as a player, Sydney and was an enthusiastic member of the The club has also won awards and a wide variety volunteer or supporter should check out the club for many years, serving as both inaugural of trophies – a collection that not only recognises website at www.aucc.co.nz or contact Richard president and captain. The club had no grounds its history but is also part of its present and Walker, Club Manager [email protected]

What’s on CAMPUS

Ocean rower Tara Telling compelling POPULAR MUSIC Remington stories with numbers 11- 12 NOVEMBER 7-9.30pm 06 NOVEMBER, 5-6pm 11 NOVEMBER, 4-5pm OGGB 5, Studio One, Kenneth Myers Centre, Epsom Campus, J1 lecture theatre, Gate 3 Owen G Glenn Building 74 Shortland Street

Ocean rower Tara Remington will hold a public Information, no matter how important, cannot Popular Music students completing their final talk about her adventures rowing across the speak for itself. It relies on us to give it a clear year of undergraduate study at the School Pacific Ocean earlier this year. Tara’s 4000 km voice to tell its story. No information is more of Music perform original works while being odyssey raised money for New Zealand girl critical than quantitative data – numbers that assessed. Admission is free Charlotte Cleverley-Bisman who lost her arms reveal what’s happening, how our organizations Contact info: 09 923 9144 and legs to meningitis as a baby in 2004.Tara, a are performing, and opportunities to do better. Contact email: [email protected] Professional Teaching Fellow at the University’s Stephen Few and his consultancy Perceptual Edge Faculty of Education, rowed in a 6m mono-hull are on a mission to help people squeeze real the Spirit of Orlando, with Paralympian Angela value from the mounds of data that surround and Madsen. RSVP: spiritoforlando.eventbrite.co.nz threaten to bury them. www.perceptualedge.com

NOVEMBER MARCH 2014 | UNINEWS 7 Research in focus

United States. Such work, says Brad, means the TRI has “far exceeded” the revenue invested by the University and “shows that providing small amounts of targeted seed funding allows TRIs to invest in projects for which there are otherwise few funding opportunities, with some of the associated projects later achieving external funding”. Te Whare Kura’s membership includes Pakeha staff; but Brad particularly acknowledges the TRI’s achievement in strengthening the University’s own sense of community among Māori and Pacific staff, many of whom were “split across the University and working in disciplinary silos”. By Photo from left: Harvey Perkins, Bill Denny, Brad Coombes acting equally as a research group and a support network, Te Whare Kura provides a range of services for its members, including grant writers, THE TRIs FOUR YEARS ON academic mentors and informal advice. “We are proud of the way our early-career It is just over four-and-a-half years since the imagining” the way quality, affordable houses can staff who were outside safe spaces like Māori and University launched its Thematic Research be designed and built, an international review of Pacific studies are now part of a network that can Initiatives (TRIs). In establishing these cross- “green infrastructure’” research into how trees are sustain their ambition, and link them into project disciplinary research hubs the University has valued in the urban environment, and exploring teams and discussion groups that operate across realised a bold vision to support and facilitate water sustainability through education and the University,” says Brad. innovative, collaborative research and practice performance art. in and beyond the University. Transforming Cities has recently established Biopharma Today, close to 500 staff are engaged in a close relationship with the Australian Housing Biopharma comprises a University community of multidisciplinary research at Transforming Cities: and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) and its around 175, with expertise spanning biological Innovations for Sustainable Futures (hosted by 10 constituent University research centres, and science, chemical science, and medical and NICAI), Te Whare Kura:Indigenous Knowledges, it is engaging with those developing the 11th health sciences. Over the past four years it Peoples and Identities (hosted by the Faculty National Science Challenge, “Building Better has generated 15 projects for UniServices and of Arts) and Biopharma (hosted by the Faculty Homes, Towns and Cities – Ko ngā wā kāinga hei raised$13 million from other funding sources. of Science). Working alongside their University whakamāhorahora”. “When the TRIs were launched in 2009 we peers, as well as with national and international “Our success”, Harvey says, “lies in the had a strong but fragmented drug development researchers, policymakers, practitioners, agencies development of transformational research that programme”, says co-director, Distinguished and industry bodies, members of our TRIs reflects the vital role of the urban in so many Professor Bill Denny. “Today, Biopharma represents undertake new research, share new knowledge facets of life: biophysical, social, cultural, economic a real coming together of different groups with and generate new revenue within and outside their and infrastructural”. different strengths and skills” Bill, as co-director academic disciplines. of the Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, “We are proud of the way our shares the Biopharma directorship with Rod Transforming Cities early-career staff who were Dunbar, Director, Maurice Wilkins Centre. Transforming Cities was established recognising An internationally acclaimed scientist, Bill is that 87 percent of New Zealanders are outside of safe spaces like actively engaged with discipline-specific research urbanised. Today more than 50 percent of the Māori and Pacific studies are – in his case, the development of new cancer world’s population lives in towns and large cities. drugs. But he is quick to endorse the value of “’The urban’ is increasingly the dominant social now part of a network that can capability-building across disciplines. While a and cultural condition globally, with all its inherent sustain their ambition” pending patent limits his ability to share too challenges,” says Director, Professor Harvey much detail, he cites his recent collaboration with Perkins who, like all the TRI directors, is actively Professor of Anaesthesiology Jamie Sleigh, who engaged in research. Te Whare Kura wanted to develop a safer anaesthetic with better Harvey says prior to the establishment of For the 190 staff comprising Te Whare Kura, properties than the options currently used in Transforming Cities, urban research at the building capacity to meet community needs is operating theatres. Thanks to Biopharma, says Bill, University was undertaken by talented people central to the TRI’s goals. a medicinal chemist and an anesthetist combined across a number of fields but often isolated from Co-director, School of Environment Senior Lecturer their expertise to create a drug that has now each other. Today, by harnessing capability across Brad Coombes ,says Te Whare Kura’s achievements been funded by UniServices for translation and seemingly disparate disciplines, the TRI boasts include funding 98 team-based projects and commercialisation. around 100 members in its research community. It assisting members to secure several Marsden This collaboration perhaps epitomises the has funded 21 multidisciplinary research projects and Health Research Council (HRC) grants; and achievements and value of the University’s TRIs. that reflect the scope of “the urban” traversing the establishment of international programmes As Bill says, “Without Biopharma we simply would the housing needs of vulnerable communities, the linking Te Whare Kura postgraduate students and not have got together.” impact of climate change on Pacific migration, “re- early-career academics with key colleagues in the

8 The University of Auckland News for Staff Research In the Spotlight what am i discovering?

Highlighting some of the University’s news EXPLORING AN AGEING WORLD and commentary that have hit the headlines in the past month. information about older people in aged care. In a recent sub-analysis we found that hospitalisations waka in the six months prior to admission RAC are over Senior Research Fellow Dilys Johns three times that found in the six months after (Anthropology) was reported in newspapers admission. This implies that the period just prior and on radio and online by news agencies to admission to aged care is a particularly high around the world about the finding of a risk time for older people living in the community. six-metre piece of ancient waka at Anaweka Another sub-analysis found that 38% of those estuary thought to date back to 1400 discharged from public hospital to the highest AD. Dilys, who specialises in the study level of RAC had died within six months after and conservation of waterlogged “at risk” RAC admission. This led our team to suggest taonga/artefacts was amazed by what that RAC has increasingly become a “de facto she saw when she went to the windswept hospice” for older people at the end of life. In location, saying she had “never seen anything related work, we found that admission from RAC as large and complex come out of a site”. was a factor in avoidable hospitalisation for those with palliative care need and that organisational culture and burn-out were factors in RAC staff Digging into Mars Life expectancy worldwide has almost doubled engagement in palliative care education. School of Environment Senior Lecturer over the past century mainly due to medical in geology Dr Michael Rowe’s research and public health advances and represents comparing Auckland’s volcanic field to one of the greatest achievements of modern “These findings suggest that samples collected on Mars attracted strong times. An ageing population increases the older people are being media interest this month. The volcanic prevalence of older adults with chronic disease approach to searching for water on Mars used and functional impairment along with escalating supported to live with more data from NASA’s Curiosity Rover, currently healthcare costs. Our research collaboration dependency in the community exploring the Red Planet’s Mt Sharp. The between the School of Nursing Palliative Care relative timing of interaction between water Research Group (led by Professor Merryn Gott), as they age than ever before” and magma rising to the Mars surface will Freemason’s Department of Geriatric Medicine help scientists understand when it may have (led by Professor Martin Connolly) and Professor Much of our work is applied to interventions been hospitable toward life. Ngaire Kerse’s group at the School of Population to improve the care of older people. In 2007 health investigate the healthcare consequences we implemented gerontology nurse specialist SEEING FACES of an expanding older population and the outreach to RAC facilities through the Residential How we discern one face from another has interventions needed to improve the care for Aged Care Integration Programme through been the subject of more than ten years’ those with increasing frailty. Waitemata DHB. In a controlled trial we found research for Professor Will Hayward, Head The 2008 OPAL study was the last in a series a lower rate of hospitalisation in the intervention of the School of Psychology. Combined with of 4 resident census’ of all people living in group than controls. We then did a randomised his Inaugural Lecture this month, Professor residential aged care (RAC) facilities in Auckland. controlled trial of an outreach intervention that Hayward featured in the NZ Herald talking This study was initiated by Bonita et al. in 1988 included all three Auckland DHBs and included about the psychology of seeing and how the and repeated in 1993, 1998 and 2008 (>26,000 geriatrician and pharmacist team meetings simplicity of viewing what we see before us participants). Over these two decades we with facility nursing staff and GPs. We found belies the complexity of how the brain creates found that resident mean age and dependency overall no difference in hospitalisations between our visual sense of the world. significantly increased. Moreover, we were intervention and control facilities. However a sub- surprised to find that contrary to predictions that analysis did show a decrease in hospitalisations EBOLA VIRUS aged care beds would increase greatly over time, for those with common cardiac and respiratory Microbiologist Dr Siouxsie Wiles has been in reality there was only a 3% increase in total diseases but an overall increase in the falls rate. in demand by the media for comment and RAC beds despite a 113% increase in the over 85 It is possible that by improving health, residents information on the Ebola virus; from ten population during that same time period. These become more mobile thereby increasing falls risk! things to tell your kids about the virus, in the findings suggest that older people are being Our research mission is to continue to provide Weekend Herald, to managing the virus via supported to live with more dependency in the the evidence needed to provide the best care good preparation on RadioLive, Newstalk ZB community as they age than ever before, and as possible for the increasing population of older and Radio NZ’s Nine to Noon show, and even a consequence are more dependent when they people in the coming years. Australia’s ABC News. do enter RAC facilities (where the model of care has changed little over time). These studies have Dr Michal Boyd, Senior Lecturer, Nursing supported the development of interventions in (See footnotes to this story published in the primary health and RAC to address downstream story on the Staff Intranet News) effects of the “ageing in place” policies. The OPAL study has provided a wealth of

NOVEMBER 2014 | UNINEWS 9 From the Collection ART COLLECTION

Barry BrIckell Since its construction began in 1961 Barry’s The inspiration for this piece was the Twin Driving Creek Railway has become a major Towers catastrophe of 9/11 in 2001. tourist attraction in the Coromandel area. He Engineering forms, and forms that approach worked on its construction often to the detriment an indigenous art practice are at the heart of of his potting; apprentice potters were often Barry Brickell’s Architectural Pot. It teeters over tasked with trying to pull Barry away from the the edge of utilitarian and into the realm of mechanics of train and railway building in order art object employing numerous architectural to reinstate him in his studio. The line which references as it does so. The joined components, now spans 2.7 km was completed in 2004, and one square-based the other circular, stand like was originally used to transport clay and pots to Siamese sentries guarding the entrance to an different parts of the property. The site now also unrealised structure beyond. Their central join includes a wildlife sanctuary, and it is littered gives way to a large hole in the clay reminiscent with ceramics which appear to emerge straight of a rose window and this links the Western from the earth in all their comical grotesquery. architectural tradition to the Muslim one; Architectural Pot is currently on display at the two architectural traditions side-by-side yet Gus Fisher Gallery in the exhibition Gifted, contrasting. Flying buttresses are suggested by curated by art history student Maria-Constanza two wings either side of the towers ending in Labra-Odde until 1 November 2014. Gus Fisher miniature chimney tops. Gallery continues to spotlight ceramics with The exploration and hybridisation of form Clay O’Clock, an array of exhibitions and events has been at the heart of Barry’s practice from showcasing ceramics in Auckland throughout the beginning. His pots have breast-shaped November. bulbs and incised edges, while others feature For more information and details of ‘Clay- spiralling patterns and limb-like appendages. An a-thon’, an organised ceramics tour around emphasis on texture and the earthy palette also Auckland on Saturday 8 November, contact the here enhance the pot’s bulbous figure and gentle gallery at [email protected]. curves. This particular salt glaze forms when the silica in the clay mixes with salt added to the Central Otago was combined with sand from ■■Linda Tyler kiln at the hottest part of the firing process. The local river beds. Local materials encouraged a chemical reaction produces a great richness and greater creative freedom from foreign Anglo- ARTWORK: Barry Brickell, (born 1935), variance of colour and Barry uses it constantly Oriental traditions and in a sense helped achieve Architectural Pot, 2002, Coromandel clay, hand throughout his oeuvre. Like a circus of misfits with an idiosyncratic aesthetic. Barry was active in modelled, salt-glazed and wood-fired. names like columnar peopillics, fatsos, thinsos, encouraging an ‘indigenous pottery culture’, and volutomorphic spiromorphs the pots are believing in a personalised, gestural, Pacific fascinatingly anthropomorphic. aesthetic engaged with the impact of people A renegade in the late 1950s, Barry used groups and their related industries on the land. New Zealand materials for his ceramics when His recognisably coarse aesthetic is a direct most earthenware potters were still importing result of a combined passion for art, conservation them from overseas. Clay dug from the hillside and engineering, being worked out through a of his own Coromandel property as well as from post-colonial awareness.

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10 The University of Auckland News for Staff What’s Coming Out

Relating Indigenous and Does neoliberalism FOUR BOOKS IN ONE YEAR Settler Identities matter? Emeritus Professor of History, Nicholas Tarling In this era of recognition and reconciliation in Neoliberal reforms have seen a radical shift in has published four books this year - all united settler societies indigenous peoples are laying government thinking about social citizenship through his now all but fifty year association claims to tribunals, courts and governments rights around the world. But have they had a with the University. The first reflects his and reclaiming extensive territories and similarly significant impact on public support for expertise in Southeast Asian history developed resource rights, in some cases even political these rights? while an honorary Fellow at the New Zealand sovereignty. But, paradoxically, alongside these This book Policy change, public attitudes and Asia Institute. A second book, published by the practices of decolonisation, settler societies social citizenship Does neoliberalism matter? Institute, discusses the role of Asia and Asians continue the work of colonisation in myriad by Dr Louise Humpage, Senior Lecturer in the First World War. everyday ways. in Sociology, traces public views on social The third book discusses major choral works This book by Avril Bell, Senior Lecturer in citizenship across three decades through of the Western repertory. Auckland and the Sociology, explores this ongoing colonisation attitudinal data from New Zealand, the United university have a strong reputation for choral in indigenous-settler identity politics in Kingdom and Australia. music. This book seeks to revive interest in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the It argues that support for some aspects of some of the large-scale full-evening works and United States. These four are part of the “Post- social citizenship diminished more significantly the big choirs they need. British World” and share colonial orientations under some political regimes than others, and The fourth book is on opera and is based on towards indigenous peoples traceable to their that limited public resistance following the some of the talks he has given on his opera European origins. Relating Indigenous and financial crisis of 2008-2009 further suggests tours, but its larger purpose is to protest at the Settler Identities: Beyond Domination identifies the public “rolled over” and accepted these liberties producers now often take with what a shared settler imaginary that continues neoliberal values. Yet attitudinal variances librettist and composer created. Says Nicholas to constrain indigenous possibilities while it across different policy areas challenge the of his research: “Writing on Cambodia required fails to deliver the redemption and unified idea of an omnipotent neoliberalism, providing travel to foreign archives, but the other books nationhood settler peoples crave. Against food for thought for academics, students and owe almost everything to the General and this colonising imaginary this book argues for advocates wishing to galvanise support for Music Libraries at the University, which have the need for a new relational imaginary that social citizenship in the 21st century. improved so much over the past half-century, recognises the autonomy of indigenous ways of and their ever-helpful staff.” being, living and knowing.

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NOVEMBER 2014 | UNINEWS 11 Maramatanga

WEAK LAWS, DIRTY TRICKS

Failure to update legal infrastructure at called “new media” such as blogs are concerned. In addition, a recent High Court ruling in the heart of dirty tricks campaign argues Gehan Currently, news media such as the mainstream course of the Dotcom saga inexplicably found that Gunasekara press, radio and television are exempted from personal information gathered by a respected “A buck short and a day late” is how a friend the definition of those who must comply with journalist whilst researching a book about Dotcom describes New Zealand’s attitude to providing the Privacy Act as long as they are news media was not a “news activity” as only articles, not first-world services and infra-structure. This has conducting “news activities” such as articles books, were covered by the exemption. In today’s been seen to apply to telecommunications, and or programmes concerning both news and multi-media environment such distinctions are public transport, amongst other things. The observations on current affairs and disseminating certainly questionable. They also place an undue same tendency can be seen when it comes to these to the public. “chill” on journalistic activities and subvert the keeping the legal infra-structure up to date and intent behind the exemption. relevant in the fast changing global environment. The Law Commission’s approach to the The governments we have elected to modernise “The blogosphere represents issues underlying these problems has been to our laws and to make sure they address current the modern equivalent of the recommend that, in future, the news media problems have arguably neglected their basic exclusion from the Privacy Act be limited to responsibilities in this area. Wild West” media that are subject to a code of ethics that The litany of behaviour exposed by Nicky deals expressly with privacy, and to a complaints Hager’s book Dirty Politics and the debate The exemption has been widely interpreted procedure administered by a new independent surrounding it was only made possible due to to include even segments of the public (such as a body. This would see bloggers subject to similar the failure of our politicians in this regard. The newsletter to members of a society or profession) standards – such as accuracy, distinguishing fact blogosphere represents the modern equivalent of and to paparazzi-type exposés of individuals, their from opinion, good taste and decency – as are the Wild West and the ease with which personal wealth and personal lives, as long as the stories existing mainstream media. Legislation including information such as e-mails hasbeen bandied are either in the public interest or published in the Privacy Act urgently needs updating in light about represents a new and dangerous trend in the capacity of news (as opposed to say a paid of developments such as cloud computing, social New Zealand politics. Free speech is not absolute advertisement). These boundaries have been networking and blogs. We now see the result of and does not entitle one to shout “fire” in a tested by recent revelations concerning the this neglect: the corrosive trends exposed in the crowded theatre for instance. Libel and privacy Whale Oil blog and the activities of others. For fallout from Dirty Politics made inevitable by a laws have long exercised control over unfettered instance, Mr Slater has complained to the Privacy weak and outdated legal framework. free speech but these laws require constant Commissioner regarding the use of personal updating. information taken from his website whilst he ■■Geghan Gunasekara is an Associate Professor In 2011 and again in 2013 the Law himself is facing an action brought by the Director in commercial law at the University of Auckland Commission, an independent and respected of Human Rights Proceedings alleging the blog Business School and advised the Law Commission in body charged with advising the Government breached the privacy of businessman Matt its review of the Privacy Act. on necessary legal reforms, made detailed Blomfield whose information he obtained. Slater is recommendations as far as privacy and the so- of course invoking the news-media exemption.