The Universit y of Auckl and Alumni magazine | Autumn 2010

EYES ON AVATAR Alumnus Mark Sagar recreates the human face

Helen Clark honoured Tackling Auckland’s waterfront In this issue

Ingenio – The University of Auckland Letters to the Editor 4 alumni magazine 5

Autumn 2010 ISSN 1176-211X University news

Editors: Judy Wilford, Tess Redgrave, Helen Borne Helen Clark 5 Editorial advice and proof reading: Brilliance affirmed 7 Bill Williams Art direction/production: Brigid Cottrell Design: Vanda Tong Photography: Godfrey Boehnke, Kathryn Features Robinson Making faces for movies 8 Advertising manager: Don Wilson Proof reading: Danelle Clayton, Pauline Curtis Taking Issue 10 Insights from Māori 12 Editorial contact details Ingenio Learning science 16 Communications and Marketing The University of Auckland Crime and prosecution 18 Private Bag 92019 Auckland 1142, New Zealand Distinguished Alumni Awards 20 Level 10, Fisher Building 10 18 Waterloo Quadrant, Auckland The busiest musician 24 Telephone: +64 9 373 7599 ext 84149 Facsimile: +64 9 373 7047 Email: [email protected] www.auckland.ac.nz/ingenio Regular sections

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Copyright Articles reflect personal opinions and are not those of The University of Auckland. No parts of this publication may be reproduced without prior consent of The University of Auckland. All rights reserved. ©The University of Auckland 2010 38 Cover photo Alumnus Mark Sagar by Dean Carruthers

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22 | The University of Auckland From the Vice-Chancellor

Funding for quality

Over the last 18 months we have lived with wealthier overseas universities, particularly in can regularly send out raiding parties to the consequences of the global financial Australia, the United States and Asia. Just last capture our best and brightest. crisis and, in contrast to some universities, year for example, the University of Adelaide So the challenge for taxpayers is to weigh we have come through it pretty well. But offered all-expenses paid trips to New Zealand up where funds allocated to tertiary education this experience has demonstrated that New students, hoping to convince them to study should actually go. Students and their families Zealand has to make some difficult choices. there. The Australian National University not only want access to universities but they One of the most important choices is how we advertised for professors from New Zealand, also want to know that the universities they invest in our university system. offering to take not only the professors attend will deliver a quality education. For the first time in recent years, we are themselves, but also their entire research Although our Leading the Way facing the rationing of access to a university groups. And our Economics Department lost philanthropic campaign is progressing well, education. The government, on behalf of the six staff in just that one year – all of them to it will produce only a fraction of the income taxpayer, is no longer prepared to financially foreign universities. For many, the offers are necessary to defend ourselves from the rapidly support every student who wishes to attend too attractive to turn down. escalating international competition for talent. university for however long he or she wishes While international experience is an We must ensure New Zealanders are clear to attend. But further difficult decisions will important part of any education, we need to about what they want from their university be required if we are to maintain the quality ensure that New Zealand universities attract system. Access is important, but if it comes at of our universities, of the education we offer and retain their share of the most talented the cost of reduced quality that will not be in and the research we undertake. In particular, staff and students. However, the current the interests of this country. we will have to ask ourselves about the balance of investment in the tertiary system appropriate balance between investment makes that extremely difficult, and we are at in the actual institutions that teach and risk of creating a system that is cheap but of research, and in the students themselves. declining quality. In terms of the total government funding It is important to remember that investment for tertiary education as a proportion of in a university education delivers a private GDP we are above the OECD average. as well as a public return. Recent Ministry Stuart McCutcheon However, we have an unusual distribution of Education statistics show that university of that expenditure. Across the OECD, an graduates have an average 20 percent higher average 18 percent of the total amount salary than non-graduates. In Australia, it each country invests in tertiary education has been estimated that having a university goes to support students and 82 percent to degree leads to higher lifetime earnings of funding institutions such as universities and about $1.5 million, and a similar figure is polytechnics. But in New Zealand, 42 percent likely to apply here. What do you think? Respond to this editorial of the taxpayer investment supports students Australian research has also shown that by emailing the editor: while only 58 percent supports the institutions. universities generate a 14-20 percent return [email protected] The net result of this funding pattern, on the public investment in them. Yet despite which has been evolving over the last two these benefits, and despite its high overall decades, is a highly efficient, value-for-money level of investment in tertiary education, New university system which is now under-funded Zealand invests in its universities at a rate and under threat. well below the OECD average - a rate just 60 Increasingly, our best and brightest – percent that of Australia and 40 percent that students and staff – are being lured away by of the US. Little wonder that those countries

Ingenio Autumn 2010 | 3 Letters to the Editor

Christianity, because he does not consider Challenging Dawkins it worthy of serious engagement. But in that Professor Lynn Ferguson Professor Richard Dawkins is a passionate case, how is he different from those who replies: man, committed to defending the science of pillory biological history? The University biological evolution against its detractors. of Auckland must provide a culture of In response to Neil Pryor’s letter I am pleased The Greatest Show on Earth is part of that academic integrity, which entails accurate to hear that he is supportive of my work. defence. Biological evolution provides a representation of empirical data, and of I wish to answer the questions as to unifying framework of the life sciences with perspectives with which one might disagree. whether I believe that chemical residues overwhelming evidential support. I and Dawkins, no less than his Creationist have the potential to cause cancer. Of course fellow Christians in the biological sciences opponents, fails this test. they can. It is essential that when permitted unreservedly support the promotion of A fully referenced copy of this letter pesticides are used, these are in the amounts evolutionary science. We also urge all is available on request to: g.finlay@ and times indicated by the scientific evidence. Christians to be receptive to, and informed auckland.ac.nz However, residues of pesticides are not by, biblical scholarship. Genesis was never Dr Graeme Finlay, from the Department the only possible cancer cause, nor even intended to be a sourcebook of scientific data. of Molecular Medicine, was invited to write considered to be a major one (if at all). But histories other than evolutionary history this response to Professor Richard Dawkins’ My comments drew attention to the fact are also important for forming us as people. visit to the University in March. See how that some pathogens, especially fungal Another Dawkins’ project is to preach an alumni responded to the controversial pathogens, may themselves produce potential exclusively materialistic world-view. In The scientist’s lecture on pages 26 – 27. carcinogens. Indeed, aflatoxin B1 is one God Delusion he savaged the historical of the most potent carcinogens known, records of the Christian faith. He stated that and is produced by a fungus growing on the biblical accounts of the life of Christ were The odd one out stored nuts and grains. Even washing will selected randomly from a large variety of It was heartening to read (Ingenio Spring not remove the toxin, which penetrates into available “gospels”. However, the non-biblical 2009) of the cancer research being the tissues. Furthermore, in the absence of “gospels” were remote from Jesus’ Hebrew undertaken at The University of Auckland. exogenous pesticides, the plant will attempt context, lacked historical referent, and were It was also refreshing to find that Lynn to stop the infection by producing its own products of the world-denying, dualistic, Ferguson is making an effort to discover ways endogenous pesticides. These are more likely individualistic Greco-Roman religious scene. we can avoid getting cancer, even though in to be dangerous than those that are known, Dawkins stated that the gospels were her words she sees herself as “the odd one regulated and controlled. severely corrupted by accumulated copyists’ out”. “Odd” because she is looking for ways to And if there is, indeed, a good source of errors. He seems unaware that the rich prevent us getting cancer. funding to study these issues in the New resource of Gospel manuscripts has allowed What a sad comment on the general Zealand situation, I would be very pleased to textual critics to reconstruct almost the entire attitude of the medical profession and its have my attention drawn to it. original Gospel texts to a high degree of associated research fraternity, who apparently Professor Lynnette Ferguson confidence. Textual criticism is a rigorous require us to get cancer before they attempt Head of Nutrition, science, analogous to phylogenetic analysis to offer us any assistance. Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences of DNA sequences. Indeed if Dawkins was However, does her dismissal of organic MSc (Hons), D Phil (Oxon), DSc right all classical history could, potentially, be food mean that she discounts the possibility Reg. Nutritionist (NZ) written off as unreliable. that chemical residues in the food we eat Dawkins states that Jesus’ command to can have any influence on the occurrence of “love your neighbour” applied only to loving cancerous growths in our bodies? And if so, fellow Jews, and that Jesus acquired this is the rejection of this possibility in any way narrow perspective from the ancient Hebrew influenced by the sources of funding for some Scriptures. Dawkins’ assertion is false. Jesus research at The University of Auckland. Send your thoughts to: defined “love for neighbour” by the parable of Neil Pryor Tess Redgrave the Good Samaritan, who showed compassion (Dip Arch 1963) Editor for someone from an alien, traditionally Ingenio detested, community. Jesus taught his Communications and Marketing disciples to love their enemies. And the Private Bag 92019 Hebrew Scriptures taught that “the foreigners Auckland 1142 residing among you must be treated as your New Zealand native-born. Love them as yourself.” Care for By email: [email protected] the foreigner, widow and orphan was central By fax: +64 9 373 7047 to ancient Hebrew faith. Preference will be given to letters that Perhaps Dawkins takes the mantle address the content of the magazine. of a “history-denier”, systematically The editor reserves the right to edit letters misrepresenting the formative history of for style and content.

4 | The University of Auckland NEWS

Illustrious graduate honoured

It was a moment for the University of the Order of New Zealand by the Auckland in 1968, the first in her family to to savour: one of its most “illustrious Governor-General and fellow alumnus Anand attend university. She studied history and graduates” receiving an honorary Doctor of Satyanand (LLB 1971’ Honorary LLD 2006). politics and began her political career by Laws degree at a ceremony in the building Yet that event did not seem to have dimmed signing up as a member of the Labour Party’s she had opened in 2004. the pride she felt in being honoured by her Princes Street branch. “It is a particular honour to receive alma mater. “What a year it was to arrive on a this doctorate in law given that I had the “It is a significant honour to be recognised university campus,” she remembered. responsibility for passing so many of them,” in this way by one’s own university,” Helen “Around the western world university alumna the Rt Hon Helen Clark (BA 1971, told the gathering. “I spent 14 years very campuses were erupting with protest against MA with first class honours 1974) told a directly associated with the University as a government, against wars and against gathering of family, friends, colleagues student and as a lecturer. Beyond that I kept university administrations in many places. and University staff at the Fale Pasifika an association with the University throughout In our own country there was involvement on 17 February. my political career, occasionally as guest in the Vietnam War which many of us The former Prime Minister of New lecturer and as attender of countless were concerned about as well as the odd Zealand was back home from New York official events, and of course through my Springbok Rugby Tour. on a few days’ leave from her current post husband Peter who has been a member of “As well, enlightened [University] staff as Administrator of the United Nations the academic staff here for close to three took it upon themselves to organise an Development Programme. Earlier in the day decades.” alternative university in 1968 in the crypt she had been invested with a Membership Helen enrolled at The University of of St Paul’s Church in Symonds Street and

Ingenio Autumn 2010 | 5 NEWS

there they exposed us to speakers who were Helen Clark stood for Piako in the general able to range far beyond the boundaries of election of 1975 and modestly increased the conventional lectures.” Labour vote even though it was a National I look back on those Helen went on to major in Political Studies stronghold and there was a national swing years of studying and and was taught by “dedicated people” such against Labour elsewhere. When she stood as Bob Chapman, Ruth Butterworth, Barry again in 1981, it was in the Labour heartland then teaching as among Gustafon and Graham Bush. “And I was of Mount Albert, and the voters sent her the happiest of my life. aware of other towering intellects on campus: to a seat in the New Zealand House of There could not have Sidney Musgrove, Keith Sinclair, Nicholas Representatives. The rest is history. Helen rose Tarling and so many others.” up through Labour Party ranks to lead the been a better preparation Her masters thesis was entitled “Political party for some 15 years, nine of them as New for what was to follow: attitudes of the New Zealand countryside”. Zealand’s first elected woman Prime Minister, During her research she investigated and she held on to her seat in Mount Albert a very tough political voting patterns in rural electorates, looking until retiring from politics in 2008. career which required at Federated Farmers and other political “I do see politics as an honourable tremendous self-discipline institutions of rural life. In 1973 she was profession, though perhaps more in the breach appointed to a junior lectureship in Political than the observance, and as one the best and rigour. Studies and then in 1976 she won a and brightest of each generation should be government postgraduate scholarship to encouraged to enter as a form of public service. a change in the culture, particularly explore her interest in a doctoral dissertation, “A university education was for me a in research. The matching of research but eventually she chose the political life over transformational experience, and a major performance with funding has increased the academic one. motivation for me in public life was to strive the emphasis on graduate research and the “I look back on those years of studying and to make that experience available to everyone completion of dissertations and theses; and then teaching as among the happiest of my with potential to benefit from it. Opportunity the increased importance of the publication life,” said Helen at the honorary doctorate denied because of the cost of access is a of research and the generation of external ceremony. “There could not have been a tragedy for the individual and the country, research income has had a major impact on better preparation for what was to follow: and I also think it’s fundamentally at odds academic aspirations.” a very tough political career which required with the egalitarian value system we share.” After defeat in the 2008 election Helen tremendous self-discipline and rigour.” During her eulogy for Helen at the degree stood down from leadership of the Labour She recalled how an academic background ceremony, Public Orator Professor Vivienne Party and in April 2009 she became the led her to apply “rather more rigour to policy Grey referred to the inaugural Chapman Administrator of the United Nations papers and correspondence than officials Lecture in 2000 at which Helen spoke of Development Programme. She is the first the need for educated and skilled people to woman to lead the organisation and is also enhance the prosperity of New Zealand and chair of the United Nations Development of the role that universities have to play in Group, a committee consisting of the producing them. heads of all UN funds, programmes and “She acknowledged that role in her support departments working on development issues. for the Knowledge Wave conferences at The University of Auckland in 2001 and 2003, You can read more about Helen’s work and her government gave it formal substance with the UN at: www.undp.org/about/helen-clark.shtml in creating the ‘Partnerships for Excellence’ that were designed to promote co-operation between universities and business and industry. These partnerships helped establish Services streamlined the University’s Business School, the Centre The University of Auckland Clinics have for Plastics Innovation and Technology, the been launched at Tamaki Campus with Institute of Innovation for Biotechnology, benefits for the local community as well as the Institute for Health Innovation, and university teaching and research. the National Research Centre for Growth Services range from hearing and tinnitus and Development. Starpath was another clinics to eye examinations and vision Partnership, designed to improve access to Portrait of Helen Clark while a lecturer at the assessments, speech language therapy, tertiary education for New Zealanders from University, ca 1978. Photo courtesy the Chapman, counselling, cardiac rehabilitation and all walks of life. R.M. (Robert McDonald) papers, 1933-2005. MSS high-performance support for athletes. “Her government promoted excellence & Archives 2006/2, item 298. Special Collections, The clinics, which previously operated in teaching when it established the Tertiary University of Auckland Library. as separate entities within their academic Teaching Excellence Awards in 2002 and departments, are now managed as a were generally used to. My loathing of the excellence in research when it introduced single entity with shared services such as non sequitur, the misplaced apostrophe and Performance Based Research Funding in reception and booking. split infinitive led to a lot of red ink over the 2003. It also lifted the burden of interest For further information about the years and not just on student assignments, as from the large loans that students now incur. services and how to access them, see, the United Nations Development Programme The University of Auckland has benefited www.clinics.auckland.ac.nz will tell you.” from these innovations; they have stimulated

6 | The University of Auckland NEWS

Brilliance affirmed Professor Richard Faull from the Department of Anatomy with Radiology has been named Supreme Winner at the 2010 World Class New Zealand Awards. These awards are presented annually by Kea New Zealand and Trade and Enterprise New Zealand to recognise outstanding individuals who have made major contributions to this country’s success on the world stage. Richard is an internationally recognised expert on neurodegenerative disorders, perhaps best known for research showing that the adult brain contains stem cells. This groundbreaking work countered the long-held belief that adults have a finite supply of brain cells that cannot be replaced, and offers hope to people with neurodegenerative disease or brain injury. Leading thinker Jewel of India of New Zealand and a Distinguished Fellow Emeritus Professor John Butcher from the of the Institution of Professional Engineers Department of Mathematics has been named Professor Debes Bhattacharyya (pictured New Zealand, he established and leads the a Fellow of the Society for Industrial and above) from the Department of Mechanical University’s Centre for Advanced Composite Applied Mathematics (SIAM). Engineering has been awarded the Hind Materials. He is one of 34 matheticians world-wide to Rattan (Jewel of India) for his significant Debes is only the second New Zealander receive this distinction in 2010 for their key professional contributions and, in a separate to receive a Hind Rattan, which are presented contributions to applied mathematics and event, has received the Glory of Bengal for annually in New Delhi by the NRI Welfare computational science. John’s Fellowship was outstanding contributions by a person of Society of India at an elaborate ceremony for developing the foundations of the modern Bengali origin. attended by Government ministers. theory of Runge-Kutta methods. Born in Calcutta, Debes relocated to The Glory of Bengal, awarded in Doha, The Fellows will be recognised in July during Western Australia and then to Auckland, Qatar, is given to about 12 Bengalis living the 2010 SIAM Annual Meeting in Pittsburgh, where he joined the University staff in around the world. Pennsylvania. 1980. Now a member of the Royal Society Alumni

PHOTO: DEAN CARRUTHERS An eye on the prize Oscar-winning alumnus Mark Sagar, who has hit the headlines for his work in several high-profile movies, speaks with Danelle Clayton.

eta Digital’s Mark Sagar has The technical Academy Awards were held say Mark was a unique researcher because a passion for recreating the in Beverly Hills in February, a few weeks he had both outstanding artistic and Whuman face, whether on a screen before the glitzy televised Oscars ceremony. mathematical abilities. or on a sketchpad. “It’s not nearly as glamorous as the main Mark was born in Kenya to an artist It has taken him from a Mechanical awards, but it was the most glamorous thing mother and systems analyst father. His Engineering PhD to key technical roles in I’ve been to,” Mark says, grinning widely. mother taught him from an early age about films like Avatar and King Kong. Earlier this Mark completed a Bachelor of Science, the fundamentals of drawing faces. Before his year, his contributions to the motion picture and a PhD in Engineering at The University PhD, he spent three years travelling the world industry were recognised with an Academy of Auckland. His research, completed in the sketching portraits, eventually returning to Award. late 1990s, was a landmark study in how Auckland to study. Mark was one of four awarded a Scientific to develop an anatomically correct virtual “He came into a group that was pioneering and Engineering Oscar for a lighting stage eye and realistic models of biomechanically- mathematical modelling of biological and facial rendering system, used to create simulated anatomy. It was one of the first functions, and he added an extra layer by realistic digital characters in Spiderman 2. examples of how believable human features thinking about how we could do it in the most It essentially helps computers make digital could be created on a screen by combining visually realistic way, so it made sense to characters look real on the big screen, and computer graphics with mathematics and clinicians,” Peter Hunter says. was later used in Superman Returns, The human physiology. “You couldn’t do this research unless you Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Avatar. “Combining computer graphics with were an artist,” says Gordon Mallinson. “It The technique meant the subtle qualities something organic, the eyeball, was a fantastic is almost like he had full use of both the left of the skin, such as colour, texture, shine and place to start. The eye is the visible part of the and right hemispheres of the brain, which is translucency, could be digitally reproduced in brain. It’s the main interface with the world and quite rare.” an entirely convincing way. Based on research the most challenging part of the face to make Mark’s virtual eye was made for a surgery by Paul Debevec, a professor at the University believable in a digital form,” Mark says. robot being developed by Peter’s brother, of Southern California, the lighting stage His supervisors, Professor Gordon Professor Ian Hunter, at the Massachusetts illuminates an actor’s face from 500 different Mallinson, Head of Mechanical Engineering, Institute of Technology (MIT) in Boston. After angles, telling a computer how to light a and Professor Peter Hunter, Director of the completing his thesis, Mark relocated to the digital version of the actor in any conditions. Auckland Bioengineering Institute (ABI), States to join Ian’s lab.

8 | The University of Auckland X FO

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“I’d been making eyeballs but I was opportunity to work on Peter Jackson’s King people get when a very alien creature comes definitely interested in extending this Kong. On this film he was able to push the across in a natural way. They think ‘how to faces. It was a natural progression, boundaries of motion capture techniques did that get past that part of my brain?’ influenced by my portrait work. My goal was much further in an effort to give a gorilla And in Avatar it’s not just the faces in the to make a completely photorealistic digital highly believable expressions and emotions. film; they’ve meticulously created an entire actor that people wouldn’t suspect isn’t real. “It wasn’t a speaking part, so capturing visual world – every blade of grass, the wind I really wanted to push it as far as we could the subtleties in the eyes and emotions was through the trees, the light bouncing off go,” he says. critical to how that character came across,” leaves – it’s incredible.” Mark ended up in an MIT spin-out Mark says. Mark insists though that we are still at the company, set up in Hollywood to realise “What I love about film is you get tip of the iceberg. His goal remains to capture the potential of their anatomically-based crazy problems like how to convert human a sense of consciousness in his characters graphical animations to the film industry. expressions into gorilla expressions. No-one that is completely indistinguishable from a One of their first projects was a digital has ever had to solve that before. But if you real human. animation of actor Jim Carrey’s face, pulling get it wrong, people know straight away.” “At some point in the future we should complicated expressions. It never made A few years later the technology took have a decent enough computational model it to the big screen, but it was viewed by another huge leap forward when Mark and to create the external manifestation of “everyone” in Hollywood, creating a buzz. his Weta colleagues started collaborating consciousness. It’s so cool to explore because The company went on to make short films, with James Cameron on Avatar. The it taps into what it means to be alive; people demonstrating the scope of what was possibility of working with Cameron pushed just know when something is alive or not. now being achieved in digital animation, the team to make the motion capture system “The problem with film though is it’s including a film called Young at Heart, work in real-time. a passive medium, and we could take which portrayed a young actress as a very “He wanted to capture actor’s faces this so much further, into new forms convincing 80-year-old woman. during a scene using helmet cameras, and of entertainment, human computer And then the dot-com crash came. It convert that information instantly into digital interactions, and into the medical fields, wiped out the production company; however alien characters,” Mark says. helping surgeons with simulated patients; Mark was able to move on to LA-based Sony “The great thing about working with James the possibilities are endless.” Imageworks, where the Academy Award Cameron is he knows when something can be To get there Mark hopes we can create winning lighting techniques were used in his achieved that’s never been done before. He more synergies between different fields, first blockbuster film, Spiderman 2. understands that as long as the resources are from psychology and human behaviour to It was also where he returned to his main put to one of his visions, it can be done.” biomedical engineering and the arts, with passion of recreating facial expression. Mark says the blue-skinned alien a common goal in mind. He continued working on motion capture characters in Avatar are so believable “There are so many technologies that techniques, which essentially record an because a great deal of effort and attention haven’t yet been applied to creating virtual actor’s movements and expressions to create went into the eyes. Every subtle contour of the humans, and with places like Weta and a computer-generated character. eyelid and movement of the eyeball had to be ABI, we have the creative excellence in New In 2004 he relocated to New Zealand, just right. Zealand to do it really well.” where he joined Weta and was given the “The success with Avatar is the shock

Ingenio Autumn 2010 | 9 TAKING ISSUE A master plan for Auckland’s waterfront –what should it entail? We asked members of our staff and alumni community.

“Auckland’s citizens charged with profit, not public obligations. waterfront and environs. And yet the history This has amounted to a farrago of introverted of Auckland’s waterfront is littered with have been short-changed shopping malls and office blocks, car examples of environmental neglect, ad hoc through fragmented parks, blank walls and elite residential development, and planning failure. Recent neighbourhoods with all the panache of examples include the tatty collection of shops, development” suburbia. gas stations and fast-food outlets that mark Forget party centrals. Ditto cruise ship Auckland’s waterfront is a metropolitan the Eastern gateway to the city, and the visual terminals and rugby stadia. Monumental asset, not a cash cow. It has the potential barrier created between downtown and the architecture can help, but waterfronts are to be a distinctive cultural and recreational harbour by insensitively designed and located essentially where humans connect with the regional locus, to add to the city’s competitive office and apartment blocks. theatre of the sea. advantage, to reunite citizens with the sea. Under existing governance and property Successful waterfronts emphasise the Its importance is recognised in the super ownership arrangements, responsibility for public realm – ample landscaped and city mandate with the establishment of a the waterfront is shared between a range connected promenades, parks and squares waterfront development agency to provide of agencies and organisations with differing providing the places and spaces for social strategic direction and coherence. There is responsibilities and agendas, including a city interaction and serendipity. They focus on much to suggest, however, that this agency council, a regional council, central government people, not real estate bonanzas. Intensive will perpetuate regional fragmentation agencies, a port company and the private cultural and everyday activities are blended and operate as a single player devoid of sector. The new super city proposals appear to with appropriate commercial and residential democratic accountability. Comprehensive offer limited opportunities for rationalisation activities. Innovative architecture and public planning integrated with broader regional of the governance structure, although art are combined with maritime heritage priorities, sound resourcing, enlightened the planned ‘Waterfront Development and the marine environment. Barriers are governance, and community inclusion Agency’ holds promise provided issues of dissolved through quality design and efficient are essential if Auckland’s waterfront representation and accountability can be public transport. They come about through opportunities are to be realised and satisfactorily resolved. inspired city vision and are reinforced by embellished. Whatever governance arrangements effective governance. They are seen as a long- eventuate for Auckland, it is crucial to balance Elizabeth Aitken Rose term investment, where citizen engagement is the many competing uses of the waterfront Acting Head of the School of Architecture welcomed, where equity and the evolution of in an integrated, equitable and sustainable and Planning an authentic and atmospheric sense of place manner. The prime objectives must be to remain abiding principles. maintain and enhance the environmental Despite an abundance of plans over “Do we really want a and aesthetic quality of the waterfront, while maximising access to, and use of, the many decades aspiring to these factors, ‘grand gesture’ for our Auckland’s citizens have been short-changed waterfront by the people of Auckland. Visual through fragmented development – often an waterfront?” sight-lines, open spaces and physical access to impulsive response to a transitory sporting the water must be maintained and enhanced, There are few things more important for event. Commercial objectives are more often and more sustainable transport options such Auckland in planning and environmental favoured over public imperatives, urban as pedestrian and cycle-paths, water transport terms than good management of its design guidance is ignored, and parcels of and light-rail provided for. Imaginative living the public realm have passed into private options such as residential marinas and ownership. The public and quasi-public house-boat precincts should be considered. agencies responsible for the governance The “tank farm” redevelopment provides and development of Auckland’s waterfront are constantly restructured and frequently

10 | The University of Auckland a unique opportunity to provide for these place-in-the-world. A priority should be that Despite the ubiquitous nature of the matters in that area. it speaks more clearly to Mäori aspirations internet and the relative convenience of world From time to time there are suggestions for – both to honour heritage and give tangata aviation New Zealand can still celebrate its some “grand gesture” intended to imprint an whenua a firmer symbolic place in the city. maritime characteristics. We field a huge international identity on the city. There are Car parks and roads have no place at the proportion of competitive sailors; we are successful precedents for this – “Christ the waterfront. Indeed, if ferries not four-lanes amongst the most travelled populations; most Redeemer” in Rio; the Golden Gate in San had been a priority, we would have a very of us live within 100 kilometres of the sea. We Francisco; the Opera House in Sydney. These different city today! The waterfront needs to are a maritime people. were achieved with bold vision, sufficient be pre-eminently a walking place. It needs Recently an eminent professor from the funding and a determination to see the to encourage people to linger. Spending University of Delft proclaimed Auckland as project through to fruition. Sadly these are time within such precincts promotes not just one of a few great port-cities, one where characteristics we seldom display with major sociability; it invariably leads to spending maritime commerce and urban development public projects. money. Pedestrian-friendly design is good for comfortably co-exist. It was a timely reminder So even if we could agree on the what - and the economy. of one of this country’s great strengths and an fund the how - do we really want a “grand As Kiwis we go to the beach to slow down important identification for Auckland. gesture” for our waterfront? Nature has and reflect on who we are. Our waterfront Much has been said about Auckland’s created one of the most beautiful harbours should allow this. It is our downtown coast. CBD waterfront and its comparison with in the world, and despite a legacy of design To craft a place that is rich in symbols and Wellington’s water edge. Just as Wellington mediocrity and planning compromise, remembrance of who we are, and a place has developed a water-frontage of which it Auckland is still a beautiful city – small, but where walking is the norm, is to restore a can justly be proud, so Auckland must seize well-formed. Let nature’s work be our icon. human scale to this precious meeting of land the opportunity to build its port-city image. and sea. Interestingly Wellington’s waterfront David Grinlinton, improvements were not the product of the Associate Professor of Law Robin Kearns, Council of the day. Rather it was recognition Professor of Geography of its potential that activated a small number “A priority should be School of Environment of Wellingtonians led by Sir Michael Fowler that it speaks more who interrupted a progression towards “A city centre needs commercial uses for vacated port land and clearly to Maori people to keep it alive buildings. As a consequence councillors were aspirations” replaced by another set of representatives 24/7.” who put in place the first parts of the Auckland has become the city it is because waterfront we see today. Sir Michael Fowler’s New Zealand is a maritime nation. Our history of the waterfront. The edge between land mayoralty resulted. records voyages by our Mäori forefathers, and sea along the Waitemata has been, The soon to be elected Auckland Council whose astonishing feats of over generations, where kaimoana has must create the vision for Auckland’s CBD navigation and seamanship been gathered, commerce established and waterfront and direct its Waterfront Agency to are evident. newcomers welcomed. Until the age of implement that vision. Places for the port, active Later voyages of discovery affordable air travel, it was the city’s front door. and passive recreation, commercial, retail and by Tasman and then Cook For too long and in too many ways, this residential occupancy must be combined into recorded New Zealand front door has been locked up and less than an urban place which people wish to use, visit on world maps only 240 inviting. Fences, sheds and cranes are symbols and enjoy. A city centre needs people to keep it years ago, long after all the of security and industry. They have their place alive 24/7. It also needs an economic, wealth- major land masses were but Aucklanders deserve more room to move creating purpose to sustain investment and to involved in world trade. along this zone that helps define our city. refresh its environment. A blend of occupancies New Zealand’s entry into Auckland is, above all, a watery city but assists a city to be of interest to visitors, world trade is as recent one whose history has involved a frequent residents and business. A successful port city as 100 years ago, with turning away from the sea with too many needs this blend. the development of sight-lines now obscured by office towers and Our principal cities’ waterfronts – refrigerated shipping. apartment blocks. Wellington, Auckland and elsewhere – can “Our youthfulness is To plan for the waterfront needs a bold capture the nature of our maritime existence a consequence of our commitment to urban design. Thoughtful and celebrate it for the world to see. remote location in design is the difference between cities being a distant part of the Sir Ron Carter ordinary or extraordinary places. A city world’s oceans. Distinguished Alumnus of The University committed to careful design underlying all of Auckland, Chairman of the Committee aspects of urban development could indeed for Auckland, a not for profit private sector become a super city in experience and not just organisation interested in the enhancement in name. and development of Auckland We only have one waterfront. It warrants careful consideration for its capacity to be a What do you think a waterfront master place of significance and an expression of our plan should entail? Write to us at: Ingenio, Communications and Marketing, Private Bag Box 92019, Auckland Mail Centre, Auckland 1142 Or email: [email protected]

Ingenio Autumn 2010 | 11 RESEARCH New knowledge Maori researchers are bringing a distinctive insight to issues in our society. Prue Scott investigates.

and sedimentology, lectures in the School “She is the one who still runs her family Integrated system for of Environment and researches through the from prison, whereas the men in prison are sustainable solutions Institute of Earth Science and Engineering, with their mates, able to rely on women, Lake Rotoitipaku and the nearby ngāwhā using both systems. including partners, mothers and sisters, to (springs) in the Bay of Plenty on New The goal of the work, he says, is to create a keep the family going at home.” Zealand’s Pacific coast are sacred to Ngāti pathway towards fully restoring the mauri. In the prison system, as Khylee has Tūwharetoa ki Kawerau. “But this is not just about the lake,” says discovered, there is a gender and ethnic But over the years they have become a Dan. “It’s also about ensuring the trustees imbalance that has a negative impact on waste site, polluted through industrial activity. are getting the right information in a way Māori women. Māori women are worse off The mauri (life-force) of the lake, ngāwhā and that makes sense to them and enables them than Māori men, and Māori women are worse off than Pakeha women and Pakeha men. adjacent wāhi tapu (sacred area) has been to make informed decisions for the future of Just one example is the Māori focus units significantly diminished. And the iwi – the their lake, ngāwhā and wāhi tapu.” in prisons, designed to help inmates value tribe – want it restored. Dan’s current work includes a geothermal their culture and understand how it influences Enter earth system scientist Dr Dan project, for which he is creating a Kaitiaki them, while at the same time providing Hikuroa (of Tainui and Te Arawa ancestry Geothermal Development Model (KGDM) support to assist them in changing their and pictured right), who blends mātauranga designed to blend Resource Management Act behaviour. These units have existed since Māori (the body and tradition of Mäori consenting requirements with kaitiakitanga 1997 – but are not yet open to women, as knowledge) and western science to deliver (or guardianship) principles. Khylee points out. a new approach to land, lake and waterway Kaitiakitanga is about caring for the “There are seven focus units for Māori men, rehabilitation, and to sustainably developing environment and handing it on, intact and you don’t actually have to be Māori to be natural resources. and preferably enhanced, to subsequent there. Māori women were the fastest growing “Earth system science is the study of generations, he explains. inmate population over the past five years the Earth system,” explains Dan, “with an The aim is to assess and develop the and yet facilities and programming have not emphasis on observing, understanding and geothermal fields in a way that meets kept up with these changes.” predicting changes involving interactions the needs of everyone from engineers to Khylee says the discrimination faced between land, atmosphere, water, consenting bodies and kaitiaki (guardians). by Mäori women (and imprisoned women ice, biosphere, societies, technologies The model will help identify the most in general) results from governments and economies. Implicit in this is the universally acceptable sustainable options, making decisions for economic rather than understanding that everything is connected, particularly for the surrounding communities. “appropriate” reasons. “If a Māori mother on and therefore Earth system science home detention can’t go to the supermarket, corresponds closely with Te Ao Māori view of is her partner going to stand for that?” the world and is a natural starting point for These are not just New Zealand problems. integration of science and mätauranga.” “You see the same issues between men and Traditionally, different experts would assess women in other societies, from Native North in their areas of proficiency and each would Americans to the Irish.” write a report. “Earth system science says A 2009 sabbatical in Canada saw Khylee, you need to assess each element as part of a who is of Te Roroa/Ngäpuhi and Ngäti whole, otherwise you can’t restore the mauri,” Porou descent, making new international explains Dan. “Everything is connected, so connections across the criminal justice field, you can’t just focus on one aspect, because sharing the New Zealand experience of adjusting that could have ramifications for youth justice and ethnicity through lectures, the entire system.” and seeing how indigenous students are To achieve that integration Dan is using supported into legal studies and careers. a decision-making framework, the Mauri Khylee’s trip has generated articles for Model, created by Dr Kepa Morgan from Finding a way in the legal publications and a chapter on Māori the University’s Department of Civil and concepts in privacy for a new book on privacy Environmental Engineering. justice system law published this year. The Mauri Model starts from the position “When you send a Māori woman to prison, All of this knowledge takes her closer to her that empirical and holistic systems, western you’re effectively damning her whole family,” goal – of influencing Corrections and Justice science and mātauranga Māori are of says Senior Law Lecturer Khylee Quince, policies around the sentencing and treatment equal value; and then you integrate them. whose interest in criminal law has led her to of Māori. Dan, whose PhD from The University of uncover some realities on how Māori women Auckland was in stratigraphy, paleontology fare in the justice system of New Zealand.

12 | The University of Auckland Ingenio Autumn 2010 | 13 RESEARCH

develop a system that will help advance Clear sight through understanding of potential treatments from engineering an engineering point of view. Bioengineering research fellow Jason “For people with keratoconus – a condition Turuwhenua (of Ngāti Porou and Tuhoe where the cornea thins and becomes more descent) was working at a medical software conical – you could simulate the visual company which was having problems with impact of this disease,” says Jason “You could the standard calculations used for lenses to perhaps show a family member what the correct cataracts. patient is seeing, and then demonstrate the To get the best result visually, the lens progression of the defect and how it might be must be of a particular shape, but in some improved by some form of surgery.” instances the lenses produced in accordance Jason calls these uses short-term spinoffs, with current calculations were not optimal. something of advantage that we can do now. Prompted by this, Jason began his But ultimately his work is about modelling research to develop a physically accurate the eye to help correct sight problems computer model of the human eye, based which will become more prevalent as the on mathematical equations. Offering population ages. advantages to Mäori of course – but also to people all over the world - this is a Identity and diversity project with huge potential, as Ngā Pae o te Dr Carla Houkamau (of Ngāti Porou descent) Māramatanga recognised when it agreed in was the first Mäori to do a PhD in Social 2009 to support the research. Psychology at The University of Auckland – Carla is interested in how “This isn’t just about eyes, it’s also about after starting out with a conjoint BA/BCom. we might use our growing engineering, because that’s where solutions “Psychology has always been an area to problems like these will come from,” says diversity to advance and Mäori have found problematic. It’s about Jason, who holds a Master of Science (MSc) individualised thinking and that’s very enhance the New Zealand and PhD from Waikato University. contradictory to the Mäori world view,” economy. she says. Now a lecturer in Management and range of subjects at the Business School. She International Relations in the Business School, has also presented papers at conferences Carla is interested in how people form here and overseas. perceptions of themselves by virtue of their Carla looks at how our ideas about Māori category memberships, with a particular as a group infiltrate and permeate the focus on Māori. environment and how they affect individual “We all belong to categories – male/ Māori in terms of how they conceive of female, Māori/Pakeha, able/disabled, themselves and their own identity, and how old/young, the list is endless. We form this is affected by the way others interact perceptions of ourselves and others based on with them. our categories,” she says. This research has led to discoveries about “In diversity management I look at how the impact of colonisation on Māori women. different groups interact within organisations, Carla’s thesis compared different generations or how different social categories interact, and how they experienced their Māori identity and how we respond to one another.” and the intergenerational themes. At the time Given that New Zealand is becoming more there were no studies that tracked women in and more diverse both within Māori contexts this way. and from the arrival of new immigrants, “I’ve shown how historical events have Carla is interested in how we might use this shaped the context in which individual growing diversity to advance and enhance women were raised, their experiences of the New Zealand economy. being a member of a social group, and how Part of the attraction for Jason is “I look at how managers can help that in turn influences their self perceptions the lure of computer modelling. “If you diverse groups (in terms of ethnicity, age and life trajectories. I have also looked at want to produce a really good, general and nationality, for example) communicate how that influences their children… and method for understanding where light is more effectively. In turn this can help work ultimately, how this affects Māori behaviour going, and ultimately understand how a teams produce more innovative and creative and perceptions.” particular treatment is going to affect what solutions to problems – simply because they This material contributes to effective you see, you need to build well-informed bring a greater range of perspectives and diversity management, which requires a high computer models.” experiences to the table.” level of self-awareness. “It means educating Ultimately, Jason hopes the project will Carla has written extensively on issues people to understand that their perceptions produce something we will be able to see related to diversity, cultural identity, cross- of other groups may be based on stereotypes on a computer screen that can be “poked cultural perspectives in psychology and they hold which are often unfounded.” and prodded” virtually. The idea will be to management and is currently teaching a

14 | The University of Auckland Positive change

“As one of New Zealand’s eight Centres of Research Excellence, our task is to conduct research to bring about positive change,” says Professor Charles Royal, the new head of Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga, New Zealand’s Mäori Centre of Research Excellence, based at The University of Auckland. Charles sees research as a creative activity. It is fundamentally about the creation of new knowledge. And in the case of Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga, the creation of new knowledge is undertaken so as to bring about positive change in the world. Charles who is of Ngāti Raukawa, Marutūahu and Ngā Puhi descent is Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga's first full-time director. At the time of his appointment in November 2009, Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga chair Sir Tipene O’Regan said: “He has standing in so many of the communities we engage with and brings exceptional strengths as a researcher and as a leading creative Māori thinker.” Charles has an impressive record of writing, editing and composing in the creative arts. His research interests lie with the creative potential of mātauranga Māori particularly in relation to the whare tapere (traditional houses of performing arts), the whare wānanga (traditional institutions of higher learning) and indigeneity. As the recently appointed – and first – Professor of Indigenous Development in the Faculty of Arts, he sees indigeneity, an emerging field of study, as increasing in people, and between people and the opportunity to explore distinctive importance beyond so-called “indigenous natural world. approaches to the creation and application communities”. This signals the way ahead and underlies of knowledge, approaches that can be “It is fundamentally about reawakening Charles’ vision for the centre over the next drawn from and inspired by indigenous a sense of kinship between peoples and 12 months. knowledge generally and mātauranga between peoples and the natural world “I hope the year will be distinguished Māori specifically. We are a multi- environments in which they dwell. by an intensified focus upon our research disciplinary centre. Space has been created “Once indigenous people move beyond goals across the real-world needs and for the arts, sciences and humanities, the rightful quests for social justice and opportunities for economic development, interwoven with indigenous knowledge, all cultural revitalisation, they come to the environment, health and social welfare, leading to some kind of positive change. understand that they possess something education and indigenous knowledge. This is a wonderful opportunity and we deeply necessary in the world today. This “This work needs to translate into real have to make good on it.” is the gift of indigeneity itself. Just as the change. We identify problems, needs and Charles says that the centre’s ‘West’, the ‘East’, ‘Islam’, ‘Christianity’ opportunities and develop appropriate relationship with Māori communities is and so on have their gifts for humankind, research projects and programmes. vitally important. so indigenous peoples too have offerings That’s not to say there won’t be blue skies “That involvement is crucial not just to to make.” research, but the focus falls upon how the success of any research project but Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga conducts research contributes to positive change – also in giving the community a sense of Māori-relevant research that leads and not just for Māori but for the world ownership that leads to greater self- ultimately to creating harmonious and at large. empowerment.” mutually enhancing relationships between “We have been given a tremendous

Ingenio Autumn 2010 | 15 RESEARCH Science hands-on

School students are entering the exciting world of scientific discovery, thanks to a unique programme offered at the University’s Liggins Institute. Pauline Curtis investigates LENScience.

Jacquie Bay (centre) works with two Southern Cross Campus Senior School students

eventeen-year-old Leon Forbes from studying topics such as the stomach nationwide, is not all about turning talented Tamaki College is making discoveries contents of banded kokopu and the causes students into scientists. Sabout human health that could be of the spread of sea lettuce in the Manukau The primary goal is to improve scientific published alongside those of career scientists. Harbour, Leon is part of the first student literacy – the ability of New Zealanders to His research, which uses donated tissue intake to complete four years of mentored follow and critically evaluate science. This to examine how the chemical bisphenol A research through LENScience. reflects concern amongst scientists and (BPA) may travel across the placenta and It is hoped that many will carry on to science educators that many people do not affect gene activity, is part of the LENScience postgraduate science, and Leon says the understand the complex scientific issues student-scientist mentor programme. experience has certainly made him reconsider entering everyday life, such as genetic “There’s simply no way a secondary his choice of tertiary study, but according to engineering, assisted reproduction and school could provide the materials and Jacquie the wider LENScience programme, climate change. expertise that Leon is working with. This which includes day programmes at the Liggins A longer-term objective is to improve kind of research is far beyond what could be Institute, residential summer programmes, public health. The Liggins Institute and achieved in the classroom,” says LENScience teacher professional development, Māori and the National Research Centre for Growth Director Jacquie Bay. Pasifika initiatives, scholarships and awards, and Development (NRCGD), the two Alongside his counterparts, who are and a flagship seminar series broadcast organisations that host LENScience, invest

16 | The University of Auckland much of their research effort into ensuring knowledge is developed, and the role of offered to schools free of charge. a healthy start to life and the education science in society – with all other learning Jacquie jumped at the opportunity to programme is a way to share that knowledge. coming from this foundation. lead the development of LENScience and “We do believe that we’re reaching “Students must also be allowed to do has gathered around her a team of highly families and communities through young real science. We wouldn’t expect English experienced teachers and technicians. people and, while it’s a long-term process, students to learn about Shakespeare without With limited resources early on, and the research we are undertaking over the next being allowed to read the works, and we intention to focus on day programmes, few years is looking at the extent to which this can’t expect science students to really grasp small trials were run at each secondary is working,” says Jacquie. the subject without first-hand experience. school year level to determine which If students’ comments are anything to go They must have the opportunity to immerse students would benefit the most. The results by there is cause for optimism. Sosaia Pahulu, themselves in science and really engage with led the team to concentrate in 2007 on a Year 10 student from Tamaki College it,” she says. Year 10 students at low decile schools attending a recent “Healthy Start to Life” day Despite these requirements, however, the and Year 13 students from schools across programme, says she enjoyed learning how programme’s own survey showed that, before the spectrum. More day programmes are to measure her pulse and blood pressure LENScience, most school students had little or now offered to a wider range of students, and how a mother’s diet affects the foetus. no experience of scientific research and had but the same format continues to be Classmate Esther Natua was fascinated never met a scientist. used, combining theory with hands-on to discover how genetic traits can skip a Like school teachers, scientists at the experiments and “meet a scientist” sessions. generation and how our bodies are affected Liggins Institute and NRCGD were concerned Providing teacher professional by the environment. that, without their help, schools may struggle development alongside initiatives for As might be expected, older students like to provide students with the experiences they students has been a core principle from Callum Welch in Year 13 at Westlake Boys’ need to fully understand science. the start, keeping teachers up to date and High School also have an eye on life after In particular as biotechnologies began connected with the science community and school. Of a day programme about the role to enter the curriculum, Professor Sir Peter each other through seminars, workshops, of biotechnology in scientific research he Gluckman, who then led the two research and invitations to research presentations. said: “It’s good to have hands-on experience organisations, wondered how schools would LENScience also made a commitment to of what scientists really do, and see how you keep pace with the complex, rapidly-evolving increase Māori and Pacific representation in can make a living from what you learn. I the science community, for example through didn’t know about the breakthroughs being selection of schools for the day programme made by New Zealand scientists – it shows and inviting Māori and Pacific students to you what’s achievable.” It’s good to have hands- join the mentor initiative. Students say one of the best parts of the Perhaps the earliest indication of the day is the opportunity to meet university on experience of what programme’s success was the deluge of scientists and ask questions about their work scientists really do, and messages from teachers who couldn’t initially and careers, and Jacquie agrees that this is see how you can make take part. “We had some quite upset teachers an extremely valuable experience. email us from schools outside Auckland “Most students have very stereotypical a living from what you complaining that it wasn’t fair and asking ideas about scientists and think they’re part of learn. what we were doing for them,” says Jacquie. an exclusive community,” she says. “They are LENScience has now expanded into surprised to discover that scientists are everyday e-learning with an award-winning interactive people they can relate to. Our research has and expensive field, let alone provide hands- seminar series for senior biology students shown it changes students’ perceptions of who on experience in the basics. As an advocate and special lectures transmitted around the scientists are and what they do.” for public awareness and understanding of country via satellite television or the Kiwi As a science teacher with 20 years’ science, he also believed that scientists had a Advanced Research and Education Network, experience, most recently as Head of Science responsibility to communicate and translate with interactivity via Web 2.0 tools. at Diocesan School for Girls in Auckland, science to the wider population. Jacquie says it has been extremely Jacquie knows that providing this kind of He therefore worked with Dr Bev satisfying to develop an education exposure is beyond the capacity of most France from the Faculty of Education, a programme from scratch based on her schools. former science teacher with an interest in own experience of what schools need. Each She says that science practice and science biotechnology education, and Liggins Institute part of the programme has been carefully education existed in isolation from one other Communications Manager Pandora Carlyon, aligned with the curriculum, showing direct for too long, and that making connections to successfully apply for funding from the links between current research at the Liggins between the two communities is one of Tertiary Education Commission to create Institute and NRCGD and what students are the best ways to support quality secondary partnerships between the University and learning at school. science education. secondary schools. “Everything we do is in partnership with While relationships with scientists might Since that time the programme – the schools, contributing to the learning sound like an optional extra, changes in the christened LENScience – has been further environment within the school by offering school curriculum make them increasingly supported by the Liggins Institute, NCGRD, something from without,” she says. “It important. Jacquie explains that secondary Sir John Logan Campbell Residuary Estate, meets a very real need to allow teachers school science is no longer about rote- Lion Foundation, Ministry of Education, Te and students to make connections with learning facts, figures, and formulae. The Puni Kōkiri, Friedlander Foundation, BioRad, New Zealand science. It’s all about making emphasis is on understanding the nature of and Manzana as well as anonymous donors, science more real.” science - how scientists think, how scientific so that almost all of its initiatives can be

Ingenio Autumn 2010 | 17 ALUMNI Prosecuting to protect and serve

Law alumna Anita Killeen has made her mark prosecuting white collar crime and working to combat animal abuse. She speaks to Judy Wilford

stroll around Anita Killeen’s office is to the bar. From there she moved directly her she had been in Wellington putting in like a journey through her life. And to the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), where she submissions for a bill to go before Parliament A what a whirl of a journey it has been began as a prosecutor and advanced rapidly to change the regulations governing so far. through the intermediate steps to become prosecutions for animal abuse. In just 12 years since she qualified as a chief prosecutor in 2007, leading a team of The question that leaps to mind is this. lawyer, Anita (LLB 1998) has packed in more five prosecutors, appearing as counsel in SFO What drives these two passionate interests? experience and action than many people cases, and instructing and liaising with the White collar crime seems a world away from manage in a lifetime. 22 members of the external SFO Prosecution animal welfare. Commencing her career as a commercial Panel. Her fervent energy needn’t be stated. It For Anita, however, the answer is obvious: litigator with Phillips Fox in Auckland after is a prerequisite for this kind of job. they are closely connected, and both deeply graduating as a Senior Scholar, Anita was Over the last two years, as a board tied to her philosophies of life and the law. then appointed for two years as a Senior member for the Society for the Prevention “When I went to Law School I definitely wanted Judges’ Clerk at the Auckland High Court, of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), Anita has also to be a prosecutor. For most things I do, the a position highly sought-after by the most become a prime mover for reform of animal motivations are to protect the vulnerable and talented young lawyers after their admission welfare law. The day before I spoke with to protect and serve my community.”

18 | The University of Auckland And she has dealt out this protection to the legal world to a combination of hard devastating effect, achieving a conviction work, genuine passion for criminal law, and rate of 100 percent. Every defendant Anita being focused and pro-active about her own Prosecuting to protect has prosecuted has been convicted. professional development, which has included Dealing with white collar crime, she says is prosecuting on secondment at the US “fascinating work. These are challenging and Attorney-General’s Office in Manhatten, and serve highly complex cases which have devastating New York, and at the Crown Prosecution effects on the community. But when people Service in London. Among the objects, icons think of fraud or financial crime they don’t and memorabilia which richly adorn the often see the real victims of the offending. shelves and walls of her office (including a Having done this work for a number of years, fascinating “rogues’ gallery” of defendants I find that’s the hardest part of the job: she has helped prosecute) are certificates in seeing the devastation to people from losing leadership from Harvard Business School in their life savings. the United States and from the Institute of “Being involved with the SPCA is equally Strategic Leadership in New Zealand, as well rewarding, because the victims are vulnerable as a framed outline drawing of a human- and need to be protected.” shaped “target” for FBI training, complete When Anita joined the Board of the SPCA with bullet holes from her time at the FBI firing her first question was “the obvious one that a range in Los Angeles. lawyer would ask: ‘How do we deal with our Richard Ekins from the Faculty of Law, a prosecutions?’” friend and former fellow Judges’ Clerk (along PHOTO: TODD EYRE The answer came as quite a shock: “We with John Ip, also now on the Law Faculty need to be very careful about which cases we staff), describes Anita as “a born prosecutor prosecute because there isn’t much money because she has a massive interest in criminal Those who inspired and encouraged Anita and we can’t take many cases to court.” practice, especially criminal profiling. She’s a as a student were Professor Julie Maxton, “In any other law enforcement context,” person who reads for relaxation about how to former Dean of Law, Professor Rick Bigwood says Anita, “if an organisation is tasked with and Associate Professor Scott Optican. legislation to prosecute offences, it gets the “Rick Bigwood and Julie Maxton lectured resources to effect that work.” with such passion and energy, they really Instead the SPCA, funded through She has dealt out this made learning law a joy. They made donations, was able to prosecute only a limited protection to devastating commercial law topics that seemed terrifying number of cases – with the related dilemma really common-sense and easy to understand. of how to make a choice between, say, saving effect, having achieved “And I took every single class that Scott 100 puppies or prosecuting one offender. a conviction rate of Optican offered. He has a Socratic method Anita’s actions were fast and decisive: 100 percent. of enquiry. He questions students, engages she established the most impressive panel them and makes sure they are questioning of prosecutors that exists in the country - what they learn, and always asking why things comprising top barristers and Queens Counsel understand the criminal mind. are as they are. He’s challenging, engaging, - to give their time and skills free to prosecute “She’s also a nice combination of soft has a tremendous intellect and is very funny.” animal cruelty cases. The result has been a and caring, and tough and determined,” Says Scott: “I think Anita’s the greatest. rise in profile for these types of cases, with at he adds. “This makes her an excellent friend She’s one of my favourite students ever. least one recent serious offender receiving a and colleague, as well as an extremely And the only one in all my years of teaching three-month jail sentence. effective prosecutor.” who has risen so far in prosecuting white “There are a lot of very senior lawyers A significant part of Anita’s professional collar crime. in Auckland who feel just as strongly as I development has been “the mentors who “Anita always went for the more do about animal welfare,” she says “and have willingly guided me and given advice sophisticated high-end cases, involving they are equally concerned about protecting when I needed it. paper trails and big, big business. The work the vulnerable in society. How we protect “You can’t ask for help on a platform of is more complex and takes more time our most vulnerable - animals, children and nothing. You’ve got to be seen as someone than the murders or rapes which get more the elderly - says a lot about how our society who wants to work hard and get ahead. But media coverage. And she is a really tough operates. To have a situation where the SPCA I think this kind of support and friendship prosecutor.” couldn't afford to prosecute people doing happens naturally when you’re working hard As this article went to print we learned the most serious type of offending was simply alongside people who recognise talent, ability of the restructuring at the Serious Fraud not acceptable.” and potential for the future.” Office, with the prosecution work now being The next step she hopes for is a change In return she is delighted to give similar outsourced to law firm Meredith Connell. in the law to strengthen the penalties for guidance to those who are less experienced Anita was not yet in a position to cruelty to animals, which is looking likely to be than she is. She is a mentor for young women confirm her next role but said she was very passed quite soon, thanks to the interest and lawyers through the Auckland Women excited about her future in the law and the assistance of parliamentarians such as Simon Lawyers' Association, teaches both for the opportunities that come with change. Bridges. The change has now been presented Institute of Professional Legal Studies and She will be spending part of the New as a government bill and has gained strong on the Litigation Skills course for the New Zealand winter in Europe studying at the support right across the House. Zealand Law Society, and has tutored at the London School of Economics. Whatever next Anita attributes her rapid advance in Faculty of Law. step Anita takes, her future will be bright.

Ingenio Autumn 2010 | 19 ALUMNI 2010 Distinguished Alumni Awards dinner “We’re proud of your distinction, but we’re in the mood to play,” said the Alumni Orator, Distinguished Professor Brian Boyd, at the DAA Dinner, which was held in the Alumni Marquee on the grounds of Old Government House.

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1. Professor Jane Harding, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), left, with Professor Raewyn Dalziel 2. University of Auckland Society President Judge David Abbott, left, with Thao Nguyen and DAA winner Dr Thanh Nguyen 3. John Roughan, Assistant Editor, New Zealand Herald. 4. Sarah Taylor, left, and Irene Fisher 5. Director of External Relations, John Taylor, left, and DAA winner Michael Parmenter 6. Bachelor of Performing Arts students performed “Lagata”, a selection of traditional and contemporary dance from Aotearoa and the Pacific region. 7. Judge David Abbott and 2009 DAA winner Justice Lowell Goddard 8. University Chancellor Roger France 9. Labour MP Raymond Jianqiang Huo, left, and the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Stuart McCutcheon 10. David Mace of the Freemasons Roskill Foundation, left, and Klaus Heymann, founder and owner of Naxos Global Distribution 11. The Vice-Chancellor, left, greets philanthropic partner Gus Fisher and Michael Fisher 12. More than 500 guests were seated in the Alumni Marquee at the DAA Dinner 13. Distinguished Professor Dame Anne Salmond, guest speaker 14. Nevil Gibson, Editor in Chief, National Business Review 15. The Alumni Orator, Distinguished Professor Brian Boyd 16. DAA winners Judge Andrew Becroft, Michael Parmenter, Emeritus Professor Richard Sibson, Dr Jennifer Plane Te Paa, Dr Thanh Nguyen, Dr Jessie Jacobsen, Judge David Abbott 17. Emeritus Professor Ranginui 10 11 Walker (left) and Pro Vice-Chancellor (Māori) Jim Peters

20 | The University of Auckland Distinguished Alumni Awards dinner “We’re proud of your distinction, but we’re in the mood to play,” said the Alumni Orator, Distinguished Professor Brian Boyd, at the DAA Dinner, which was held in the Alumni Marquee on the grounds of Old Government House.

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1. Professor Jane Harding, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), left, with Professor Raewyn Dalziel 2. University of Auckland Society President Judge David Abbott, left, with Thao Nguyen and DAA winner Dr Thanh Nguyen 3. John Roughan, Assistant Editor, New Zealand Herald. 4. Sarah Taylor, left, and Irene Fisher 5. Director of External Relations, John Taylor, left, and DAA winner Michael Parmenter 6. Bachelor of Performing Arts students performed “Lagata”, a selection of traditional and contemporary dance from Aotearoa and the Pacific region. 7. Judge David Abbott and 2009 DAA winner Justice Lowell Goddard 8. University Chancellor Roger France 9. Labour MP Raymond Jianqiang Huo, left, and the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Stuart McCutcheon 10. David Mace of the Freemasons Roskill Foundation, left, and Klaus Heymann, founder and owner of Naxos Global Distribution 11. The Vice-Chancellor, left, greets philanthropic partner Gus Fisher and Michael Fisher 12. More than 500 guests were seated in the Alumni Marquee at the DAA Dinner 13. Distinguished Professor Dame Anne Salmond, guest speaker 14. Nevil Gibson, Editor in Chief, National Business Review 15. The Alumni Orator, Distinguished Professor Brian Boyd 16. DAA winners Judge Andrew Becroft, Michael Parmenter, Emeritus Professor Richard Sibson, Dr Jennifer Plane Te Paa, Dr Thanh Nguyen, Dr Jessie Jacobsen, Judge David Abbott 17. Emeritus Professor Ranginui Walker (left) and Pro Vice-Chancellor (Māori) Jim Peters

Ingenio Autumn 2010 | 21 ALUMNI

Celebrated Alumni From left: Dr Jessie Jacobsen, Michael Parmenter, Judge Andrew Becroft; Dr Thanh Nguyen, Emeritus Professor Richard (Rick) Sibson, Dr Jennifer Plane Te Paa.

Our 2010 Distinguished Alumni Award winners join an illustrious group who encompass what the University is ultimately about – producing outstanding graduates who will in turn contribute to the greater good. More than 500 people gathered at the DAA Dinner on 5 March to honour our newest DAA recipients and to enjoy their wit and wisdom.

Judge Andrew Becroft the Youth Court reserved for only the most of activity, only a limited amount of BA, LLB(Hons) 1984 serious offenders, heavily reliant upon the which is my own, I want to thank The decision-making of the world-leading Family University of Auckland and the alumni “Mr Vice-Chancellor, I can’t help but Group Conference process. association for this honour. It’s great recall that 38 years ago when you Andrew is a former council member of to have dance recognised in this way.” were a seventh former and prefect the Auckland District Law Society and the at Rongotai College, you gave me, New Zealand Law Society. He is an editor Michael Parmenter is one of New Zealand’s a skinny shy third former, one of my of LexisNexis publication Transport Law. He leading and best-known dancers and first detentions, for the heinous crime is currently the Patron of the New Zealand choreographers with an international career of wearing my hard shoes on the Speak Easy Association Inc.; the Family Help spanning nearly 30 years. grass. It was with a delicious sense of Trust; and the Collaborative for Research on He has studied in New York with Erick irony that just three hours ago I could Youth Health and Development. He chairs the Hawkins and in Japan with Min Tanaka. stand again with my hard shoes on Government’s Independent Advisory Group on He has performed with the Erick Hawkins your grass.” Youth Justice. He is also President of the NZ Dance Company and Stephen Petronio and Tertiary Students Christian Fellowship. Dancers in New York, Compagnie Ljada Judge Andrew Becroft has been Principal Youth in Switzerland, and a variety of companies Court Judge of New Zealand since 2001, and Michael Parmenter throughout Australia and New Zealand. is a strong advocate on youth issues. MNZM, MCPA(Hons) 2008 Michael’s choreography ranges from He is particularly committed to upholding innovative solo works to large-scale opera- the twin emphases of New Zealand’s youth “Dance is a very recent arrival in the house productions, in New Zealand and justice system: community-based diversionary halls of academia. As I stand here as internationally. He directed Michael responses to most youth offending; with a representative of a complex network Parmenter’s Commotion Company from

22 | The University of Auckland 1990-2008 and has choreographed works geologists, ahead of mathematicians and maintenance support to biological and for the Footnote Dance Company and the and physicists, who said ‘We don’t have physical research facilities, campuses and Royal New Zealand Ballet, collaborating with enough data’.” national laboratories. acclaimed New Zealand composers. Thanh visited his home country in 2002, He is the recipient of numerous prestigious Emeritus Professor Richard (Rick) Sibson is and then became sponsor of two scholarships awards and scholarships, and is a renowned recognised internationally for his pioneering for Vietnamese students to study for a teacher and public speaker. He is currently research linking the structure of crustal PhD at The University of Auckland. He is undertaking his doctoral study conjointly at fault zones to the mechanics of shallow Commissioner of The Smithsonian Institution/ The University of Auckland and the University earthquakes. His work on the factors National Portrait Gallery, to which he has of Paris-I (Sorbonne), Paris. governing the depth of seismic activity in made significant donations. deforming continental crust and also on the role of faults as intermittent conduits for fluid Dr Jennifer Plane Te Paa flow are not only of scientific interest but are 2010 Young Alumna of the Year BTheol 1993, MEd(Hons) 1995, also widely utilised by the mineral industry. Dr Jessie Jacobsen PhD Berk. 2001 His distinguished career spans BSc(Hons) 2004, PhD 2008 appointments at Imperial College, London, “All here present are in some way the University of California, Santa Barbara, “I would like to thank those families responsible for nurturing and sustaining and the University of Otago. It is marked by who are affected by Huntington’s the tremendous enduring public good awards and distinctions including elected disease and other neurological and public honour that academic fellowships to the Geological Society of disorders. It is truly inspiring how they endeavour, academic excellence and America, the Royal Society of New Zealand, share with us what they deal with on academic success inevitably bring.” the American Geophysical Union, the a day to day basis. This keeps me very grounded in our research and why we Dr Jennifer Plane Te Paa has been Ahorangi Royal Society, London, and the American do what we do.” or Principal of Te Rau Kahikatea at St John’s Association for the Advancement of Science. His most recent honour was being awarded College, Auckland, since 1995. She is the first Dr Jessie Jacobsen played a major role the 2010 Wollaston Medal, the highest lay, indigenous and single woman ever to be in developing a sheep model for studying award of the Geological Society of London. appointed as head of an Anglican theological Huntington’s disease, for which there is college throughout the Anglican Communion. currently no cure. This work could lead to In 2008 the London Daily Telegraph Dr Nguyen Van Thanh treatment and therapies to provide a better th named her 20 among its 50 most globally BE(Hons) 1971, PhD 1975 future for patients. influential Anglicans, calling her “an Her PhD researching Huntington’s disease influential voice in Anglican liberal circles” “In 1966 New Zealand reached out won her the MacDiarmid Young Scientist for her outspokenness in condemning to me in Vietnam and touched my of the Year Award in 2007 and awards at homophobia, and her claim that the life. It gave me a scholarship to go to two international conferences. In 2008, she obsession of the church with trying to New Zealand to study and I selected worked for eight months as a postdoctoral determine who should be allowed to remain The University of Auckland. In 1975 research fellow in the laboratories of Professor within its fold distracted it from the suffering I left New Zealand. Twenty seven Richard Faull and Professor Russell Snell. of the world. years later ... a knock on my door, In 2007 and 2008 Jessie served on the Jenny has written widely on identity and a representative of the University Huntington’s Disease Association (Auckland) politics, particularly on race and ethnicity appeared. We talked and we talked. committee and in 2008 she was Quizmaster within theological education. She holds New Zealand had made the first move of the Neurological Foundation of New a number of significant positions in again. The first time I thanked you, the Zealand Brain Bee national final in Auckland. international organisations including second time I was honoured.” In December 2008 Jessie was awarded the Inter-Anglican Theological Education the Neurological Foundation of New Zealand Commission, to which she was appointed by Dr Nguyen Van Thanh is founder and Philip Wrightson Postdoctoral Fellowship to the Archbishop of Canterbury. CEO/President of NVT Technologies Inc, study with Professor Marcy MacDonald - part an engineering company spanning many of the team that identified the Huntington’s Emeritus Professor Richard states in the United States, and is a notable disease gene in 1993 - at Massachusetts (Rick) Sibson philanthropist. General Hospital and Harvard Medical BSc(Hons) 1968, MSc Lond. 1970, After studying at The University of School in the United States. Auckland as a Vietnamese recipient of a PhD Lond. 1977 Colombo Plan Scholarship, Thanh moved “One of the scruffy aspects of geology is to the United States to join his family from Video recordings of the Distinguished the need to come to a conclusion from Vietnam. In 1980 he began NVT, working Alumni Awards Dinner and the an imperfect and incomplete data set. from modest beginnings in his garage. NVT Distinguished Alumni Speaker Day That, actually, turns out to be a pretty undertakes projects designed to improve the presentations can be viewed via the useful generic skill. I have been told that sustainability, productivity and environmental Alumni and Friends Website. in World War II the best second guessers acceptability of its clients’ facilities and www.alumni.auckland.ac.nz/uoa/ of the U-boat pack locations were in fact also provides the operational, management

Ingenio Autumn 2010 | 23 STAFF PROFILE Alive in the moment

Associate Professor Uwe Grodd has been called “the busiest musician in town”. Tess Redgrave finds out why.

we Grodd has been, and I think his illustrious career has been so far, as I one reason, one sound!” - and after meeting will always be, one of the most did when we met in his upstairs office at the famous conductor Sergiu Celibidache in “U influential people in my life. School of Music, and his answer is intriguing. master classes was inspired to learn the craft. Not only is he a really great musician, he is “The concert,” he says after thinking about “Celibidache was an ‘Übermensch’, a genius, one of those rare teachers who are really it for a while. “For me the highlight is always one of those personalities that changes lives.” committed to his students and cares about that one hour where the performers and “For me, careers, flute and conducting them holistically. He knows exactly what to audience meet. Music is a time art not a have always run in parallel,” he says now. “It tell them and, more importantly, what not to space art; therefore it is happening only at has been fascinating to do both, but I have tell them before they are ready to hear it. His that moment in time. That is a reality that paid a price for it. When you do both, you warmth, creativity in approach and wonderful can’t be frozen … that’s where I live!” can’t pursue one thing intensely all the time, personality make every lesson inspirational...” Uwe has always lived with music. Born therefore your career starts slowly.” This praise for Associate Professor of Flute, in Germany in 1958, he grew up in Calw, a In 1983, Uwe arrived in New Zealand and Uwe Grodd, comes from Tianyi Lu, one of 20- small town in the Black Forest, and began landed a job in Nelson conducting the Radio odd of his current students at the School of his musical career at age five or six playing Nelson Chamber Orchestra at the Nelson Music. Incidentally Tianyi, an undergraduate the recorder. By the time he was 10 he was School of Music. The next year he got a part- flute and conducting student, is one of three singing with the local choir which, continuing time job teaching flute at The University of finalists in the University’s Graduation Gala a 300-year-old tradition, performed a Bach Auckland and commuted from Nelson, not Concerto Competition on 6 May – an event wanting to leave his conducting job. “There Uwe will run as conductor of the University’s were only ten concerts a year, but it was a Symphony Orchestra. For me the highlight is real orchestra. I also had a choir and a youth If you’ve been to a Graduation Gala orchestra to look after. I did all the repertoire competition, its predecessor the Graduation always that one hour I wanted and made all the mistakes, so it was Concert, or attended any number of classical where the performers and a perfect apprenticeship.” music events at the University, you’ll have audience meet. Music is a In 1990 Uwe moved to Auckland and seen Uwe Grodd in action. Tall and lithe with was appointed to a half-time lectureship in signature longish, wispy graying hair and time art not a space art; flute teaching. Soon after he initiated the a playful smile, he’ll either be standing on therefore it is happening establishment of the University’s annual a rostrum before a choir or orchestra or be only at that moment in Graduation Concert (now the Graduation among the performing musicians. Gala Concerts Competition), with the Uwe is also well-known in the wider New time. That is a reality that inaugural one held in 1994. “It’s an old Zealand and international classical music can’t be frozen … that’s European tradition that the music school community. As well as his full-time job at the where I live! plays a concert at graduation,” he explains. School of Music he is Music Director of both “That’s how Brahms wrote the Academic Auckland Choral – Auckland’s largest choir Cantata every Saturday afternoon. However, Festival Overture which uses the melody of - and the Manukau Symphony Orchestra. while preparing for a performance of the Gaudeamus Igitur which we always sing at He regularly performs in New Zealand Bach B-Minor Mass, his voice broke. the end of the concerts.” and overseas as a solo flautist and guest After that, “there was nothing – just a void” Later the move to a full-time position at conductor and is increasingly renowned for until he heard Debussy’s Syrinx for solo flute Auckland enabled Uwe to pursue what has his research and recordings of late 18th and played in an old Romanesque church “and I become a special passion for shining a light early 19th century classical music. In 2000 found a new voice at 13, which is pretty late on early classical music. He now records this culminated in his receiving first prize at to start an instrument”. as an exclusive artist with Naxos Records the Cannes Classical Awards for the Best Over the next few years Uwe studied International, the world’s largest selling 18th Century Orchestral recording for his the flute intensively, training under concert music label. CD of Symphonies by Johann Baptist Vanhal flautist Mary Jaksch in Ludwigsburg, then – a Mozart contemporary – conducting the Werner Peschke, flautist with the Frankfurt Esterhazy Sinfonia, Hungary. Radio Orchestra, at Mainz University, and But why early music? “Musically, they don’t come much more later Robert Aitken – a famous Canadian “When you look at the Swiss Alps you see special than Grodd,” the New Zealand composer, conductor and flautist (and regular Mont Blanc,” he responds. “But the region Herald’s classical music reviewer, William visitor to The University of Auckland). At itself is impressive as a whole because of all Dart, wrote recently. “The man redefines what the same time he developed an interest in the mountains on either side. The problem we it means to be versatile.” conducting -­ “the ultimate experience of have today with music from the 18th century Yet ask Uwe Grodd what the highlight of bringing a myriad of energies together for is that we only look at three peaks: Mozart,

24 | The University of Auckland Haydn and Beethoven. But they wrote less In the meantime he is stepping out of the For the last year Uwe has been living with than one per cent of all the symphonies that 19th century in July to record New Zealand the Requiem absorbing and understanding were written during their lifetime. Meaning composer Jenny McLeod’s adaptation of the the text and the music. The last three months we are basing our understanding of that Hans Christian Andersen tale The Emperor have been spent working with the Auckland classical period on less than one percent of and the Nightingale with the New Zealand Choral’s 100-plus singers. the material – that’s bugged me!” Symphony Orchestra. “I’ve always performed Now it is all coming together with soprano As well as Vanhal, Uwe has unearthed and commissioned New Zealand music,” he Ileana Otto-Johansen, bass Grant Dickson and recorded previously unheard-of works says, “and I think this piece could be as good and the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra by Austrian composer, piano virtuoso and a as Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf if only the on board. brilliant pupil of Mozart’s, Johan Nepomuk world could hear it. So I’m going to make When the conductor steps onto the Town Hummel (1778-1837), Joseph Martin Kraus sure the world does!” Hall stage (his “favourite acoustic”) in a (1756-1792), a composer who is referred But before that, the world will get a couple of weeks’ time, he’ll have just on 200 to as “the Swedish Mozart” because he chance to hear Uwe’s choral interpretation musicians poised behind him. As he bows spent most of his adult life in Sweden, and of Johannes Brahms’ A German Requiem before the audience and then steps onto the Beethoven’s longstanding friend and pupil when Auckland Choral performs it with the rostrum, he will be exactly where he wants to Ferdinand Ries (1784-1838). Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra on 29 May. be - “alive in the creative moment between “It’s an extraordinary thing when you Early last year Uwe was invited to be the audience and myself”. take an old manuscript off the shelf,” says Music Director of the choir. Despite being “as www.auckland.ac.nz/gradgala Uwe. “You have to take it all apart in order busy as hell” he decided to take it on as an www.aucklandchoral.com to understand it and be able to give it a opportunity to go back to his roots and those www.uwe-grodd.com scholarly edition. You have to modernise the early years as a child when he sang in the script. Then you have to edit it, add all the Black Forest. dynamics and articulations and phrasings The Requiem is also very close to his and so forth. The intense research is where heart both because of his German heritage you’re working the most, and then you play it and “because the text provides a sense of and then you record it.” comfort and a sense of your own well-being Last year Uwe recorded music for flute when you hear it. Rather than being in and piano by Franz Schubert from his own the Catholic tradition of a requiem mass, editions and later this year Naxos will launch it combines one of the greatest romantic previously unheard and unpublished music composer’s musical writing with a text I can as Volume Four of Ferdinand Ries’s nine relate to 100 percent as a human in this piano concertos, which Uwe recorded with world having experienced loss and love. the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. Really it is an all-embracing work.”

Ingenio Autumn 2010 | 25 ALUMNI

Richard Dawkins live – alumni respond

Richard was a very thought-provoking person. It was an honour to experience his mind at work. He enhanced my knowledge enormously. He presented a great deal of well-thought-out factual scientific information. It is up to the individual to discern and interpret this in their own way, what is right for them. I think there is a point where science can meet symbolic philosophies; both are historically relevant and need continuous The fact of your own existence investigation. – Isabel Fish is the most astonishing fact you’ll ever have to confront. Don’t you Excellent compelling speaker; I especially liked the question and answer session, which ever dare say that life is boring, he handled extremely well. His suggestion monotonous or joyless. that evolution needs to be taught to seven Professor Richard Dawkins, world-renowned and eight-year-olds is right on the mark and and controversial Oxford scientist then he gave excellent examples of how the evidence could be presented to students of this age. – Bruce Clarkson

I respect that Professor Dawkins has given up much of his professional and personal time to educate a wide section of the community on the compelling evidence of evolution... at a time where dogmatic faith-based belief systems are strongly influencing education and other policy-making – especially in a country as influential (both economically and socially) as the USA. We run a huge risk of our secular policy-making, based on reason and the scientific method, being supplanted by dogma and ignorance. – Robert B Scott

It was too short for any themes to be developed in a meaningful way. I am glad I had read The Greatest Show on Earth before I went as a lot of the talk was taken from that or his other books. – Anonymous

Excellent explanations with rich detail and touches of humour that also showed the depth of his knowledge made for a clear speech that steadily put a solid argument together. I did think it a shame he read from his speech – which made the delivery a bit less exciting Known in some quarters as “Darwin’s Rottweiler”, Professor than the information. – Anonymous Richard Dawkins ignites strong emotions wherever he speaks. Alumni tickets to his lecture at the University on It was wonderful to see some of his recent 13 March sold out in just two hours, and tickets to the original thinking of content not present in any of his books. Few authors are able to subsequently-organised live screening sold out in less than accomplish such a feat with that much clarity. a week. We invited those alumni who attended to share their All of his arguments are accessible (in terms of understanding) to every person who has views on Dawkins’ lecture and his arguments. Here is the ability to read them; there are no special a selection of feedback received. clubs, lineages, experiences or payments required in order to see the wonder which Richard lays bare. – Angus Blair

26 | The University of Auckland In his latest book, The Greatest Show on Earth, Richard Dawkins refers to Many religious people come to the table the “40-percenters”: with the premise that there is a creator God that fits this definition and with that premise “I shall be using the name ‘history-deniers’ for those people who deny examine the evidence. An atheist comes to the evolution: who believe the world’s age is measured in thousands of years table with the premise that there is no God rather than thousands of millions of years, and who believe humans walked and with that premise examines the evidence. with dinosaurs. They constitute more than 40 percent of the American I however am convinced as a creationist population. The equivalent figure is higher in some countries, lower in others, that if both sides dropped the presumed assumptions and let the evidence speak for but 40 percent is a good average and I shall from time to time refer to the itself and stopped trying to make it fit a theory history-deniers as the ‘40-percenters’.” then we would all have to agree that there is a creative intelligence behind everything. That We asked alumni attendees why they thought 40 percent of the population is why there are so many creationists. favours creationism. – Aaron Geddis

I am sometimes puzzled by the continuing Because pre-science beliefs, myths, and Creator. The example Dawkins used that belief in creationism or intelligent design. prejudices have become intertwined with the a superior being couldn’t have “twiddled Dawkins did offer two hypotheses as to why development of individuals through parents, the knobs” to make sure the forces were human beings have such a strong tendency schools, and religious communities and their “in balance” to allow for the formation of to seek supernatural explanations. I must say leaders. Unfortunately, we have yet to find a our universe is precisely the reason people I didn’t think his suggestions were entirely non-religious way of imparting social ethics believe in a God. – David English adequate. The main underlying problem today and moral values for the survival of our seems to be simply that many people have societies devoid of religious dogma. never had a thorough exposure to science. – Lloyd Evans I think the reason that 40 percent of the The amount of superstition and pseudo- population of the United States believes in science circulating in our local culture is pretty creationism over evolution is simple ignorance. startling. Science teaching in schools deserves Creationism does seem to fit the evidence, Evolution is not well taught, neither in the US a lot more support, along with universities and particularly when you look at the evidence for nor in New Zealand, and greater education other centres of pure scientific research. yourself and compare it in an unbiased way about the overwhelming evidence that – Roger Horrocks against the two competing theories. supports the theory is the best way to combat – Jim Finnigan this ignorance. If it were better understood, 40 percent of whose population? I assume that percentage would be much lower. you are referring to the USA. Because of who The question makes the assumption that colonised America. Millions were religious evolution and creationism are mutually I think another contributing factor is the refugees fleeing persecution in Europe and exclusive. This is probably the common view media’s obsession with presenting so-called elsewhere. When you are hounded you but there is a broader view of “creationism” balanced stories. In an article on evolution tend to hold fast to beliefs no matter how beyond the literal translation, for example, this often means that the opposing theories irrational they are. Add to that the huge (tax expressed in the Bible. There is little profit of evolution and creationism are presented free?) industry that is American televangelism in my view, except for the populists like as equally valid and equally supported by and vested interests are going to make sure Dawkins, in pitting the evidence for the evidence, when in reality they are not. creationism stays alive and well. theory of evolution against a belief in a – Laura Niall – Peter Smith

Editor’s note: In a New Zealand Listener survey of 2006, 33 percent of respondents said they believe that “all changes to and development of our natural world over time are directly due to divine intervention by a god or higher being” and 23 percent said they believe that “the world was created by God in six days as described in the book of Genesis in the Christian Bible”.

Professor Richard Dawkins’ lecture and two exclusive interviews conducted by Distinguished Professor Brian Boyd are available for viewing at the Alumni and Friends Website: Richard Dawkins signs copies of his book www.alumni.auckland.ac.nz/uoa/ The Greatest Show On Earth after his lecture.

Ingenio Autumn 2010 | 27 AlumnI PROFILE Medicinal chemistry pioneer returns

Internationally renowned biochemist and alumnus Cedric Hassall paid the Chemistry Department a return visit in February.

Professor Sir Frederick Gowland Hopkins, who in 1932 wrote: “If chemistry is to provide the help that biology so urgently needs it must approach living organisms not as chemical stores but as seats of chemical events.” Those words made a strong impression on the then young Cedric, who focused his own research primarily on the organic chemistry of molecules of value to medicine. With another Nobel Laureate, Lord Todd, he researched new antibiotics at the University of Cambridge. After he became the first professor of chemistry at the then new University of the West Indies his research included investigations into a local condition known as vomiting sickness. This was shown to be due to a previously unknown amino-acid, hypoglycin, isolated from the ackee fruit of the Blighia sapida and first brought to Jamaica by Captain uring a lecture to enthralled medicinal international chemistry fraternity has spent Bligh. At the University of Swansea, Wales, chemistry students, the remarkably the last two and a half decades of his he continued researching biologically active D youthful and engaging 90-year-old “retirement” advising on science and medical natural compounds before transferring expressed his delight at how far the University research in universities as far-flung as China, to Roche Products Ltd as the Director of had come over the last 70 years. Africa, Malaysia, India and the Middle East. Research in Britain and Coordinator of When Cedric Hassall did his MSc degree in Cedric’s enthusiasm for biochemistry is Chemistry for the parent company Hoffmann the early 1940s the University was still young; as lively as ever. “These are exciting times La-Roche. postgraduates had to head overseas to do for the scientist engaged in research on It was during this phase he designed new PhDs; and molecular biology and bio-organic natural products,” he said, referring to the medicines. In New Zealand, if you have high chemistry were hardly born. remarkable advances in instrumentation blood pressure you may well be treated with After seeing Professor Margaret Brimble’s which now allow the study of macromolecules “Inhibace”, a potent ACE-inhibitor he designed. medicinal chemistry laboratories and touring in processes such as photosynthesis. Cedric and his wife, Dr June Hassall, the Chemistry Department with the Head, He regaled his younger lecture audience now live half the year in Whitianga on the Professor Jim Metson, Cedric described the with stories of the hazards of working in Coromandel Peninsula and the other half laboratories as “a world-class facility doing the laboratories of the late 1940s. “Highly in Westoning, in Bedfordshire, England – research of a very high standard”. flammable solvents were distilled on benches conveniently located between Cambridge, Cedric was a most interesting and next to naked gas lights,” he said. Oxford, Heathrow and London. Cedric is interested visitor to the department, Jim “Cedric’s willingness to engage with the currently completing a popular science book, said. “In addition to his ready engagement younger generation of medicinal chemists provisionally titled Younger When Older, with research students, with the academics, on this special occasion provided them which brings together research relating to and his visits to the major research facilities, with an exceptional role model,” Margaret ageing and the factors that lead to living he was particularly interested in the Brimble said. “It was inspiring to hear him longer and more comfortably. He is a strong undergraduate teaching laboratories. He not only recount his successful career as an believer in the way that our minds influence noted that the health of a department in a educator and an academic with a passion our health, as well as the critical effects of laboratory-based discipline such as Chemistry for his subject (medicinal chemistry) but also diet and exercise. was most apparent in its teaching facilities.” his illustrious career as a successful scientist “I believe it’s very important to accept that A Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) and and entrepreneur.” as human beings our good health and comfort a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry In 1945 Cedric met Cambridge’s first are related to our attitudes and our enjoyment (FRSC), this cosmopolitan member of the professor of biochemistry, Nobel Laureate of the life which we have come to experience.”

28 | The University of Auckland CAMPAIGN

This is the third in a series on the future of the University and the 2012 “Leading the Way” Campaign – where vision, strategic planning and philanthropy meet. Law aims for the top

A key part of the Auckland Law School’s vision for the future is to find better solutions to past – and future – legal issues. Andrea Rudy finds out how it is going to achieve this.

great law school must contribute to the issues of the day,” says “A Professor Paul Rishworth, Dean of the Faculty of Law. Acting on that principle, the faculty has identified commercial, public, international and environmental law as key areas of expertise where it can make a tangible difference to current practice. Faculty research is especially strong in these areas. “Law lies at the heart of most human enterprises, whether it is in setting the rules for markets and commerce, resolving commercial and property disputes, establishing systems of government, or reckoning with global problems such as climate change, terrorism and the movement of peoples,” explains Paul. The Auckland Law School’s aim is to be in the top tier of the world’s law schools and, according to Paul, this is an ambitious but also very realistic vision. In 2006, an international review panel concluded it was a very good law school with national and international standing. It recommended how it can achieve “greatness”, noting that “in public and commercial law the school’s senior staff are world authorities”. The foundation of a great law school rests on its ability to recruit and retain the best academic staff. This requires the support of, and integration with, the wider law community. “There is a vital synergy between legal academia and law practice,” says Paul. Law scholars can look at the bigger picture. They also provide the principled analysis of law that assists policy-makers, lawyers and judges in their day-to-day work. In turn, the interface with the external legal community exposes academics to new and developing legal problems. The profession has been offering increased support in recent years by providing moot judges, specialised course teachings and, not least, funding. Partnering with the law community is crucial if the Auckland Law School is to remain a top-tier school that contributes better solutions to global problems, and also helps New Zealand society.

Ingenio Autumn 2010 | 29 CAMPAIGN

An example of a well-targeted gift is the “it is vitally important for New Zealand $100,000 donated by alumnus Greg Horton law, for the national legal profession, for (LLB Hons/BCom 1993) and his wife Shelley. The Auckland Law our graduates and for the Law School itself When fully subscribed this fund will support School’s aim is to be to ensure that it is, and is seen to be, an student scholarships, faculty fellowships and in the top tier of the internationally recognised law school with a two research centre directorships. world’s law schools and, global vision”. Greg is one of a number of accomplished alumni who, after graduation, went on to according to Paul, this is great success before returning to support an ambitious but also very his university. He worked at leading New realistic vision. Zealand and US firms before becoming a partner in Harmos Horton Lusk Ltd, an With philanthropic support from alumni, Auckland-based specialist law firm that is also the wider law community and friends, the actively supporting commercial law students Auckland Law School is setting its sights on through an annual $10,000 scholarship. becoming a global player. In Paul’s words, Commercial law – anything but static

aw lies at the heart of all human interactions, from family disputes L and international trade to regulating pollution levels, music piracy and everything in between. Our interactions are infinitely various and, according to Professor Peter Watts a self-possessed academic lawyer who happens to be a world expert in several branches of commercial law, there is no mechanical system to address our ever- changing connections. If problems could be resolved by formulae, we wouldn’t need lawyers. Sitting down in his relaxed office where old (first editions of law books and dusty lithographs of bygone judges) meets new (electronic databases and daily e-notices of the latest overseas cases), it is easy to see how tightly intertwined past and future law-making really is. Lying amongst the tidy and not-so-tidy piles of papers, folders and books dotting the floor is the work of a scholar whose contributions to his profession have made him a well-known and frequently consulted expert worldwide. The content of the law is often contentious and even where this is not the case it is easy for a court to reach the wrong result. The fact that judges are not specialists, combined with the pressure of time, make occasional errors inevitable. Counsel arguing a case can also misunderstand the significance of past cases and existing statutory provisions. This is where commercial law academics contribute to the community. They deliver critical commentary on the day-to-day work of the courts and provide analytical strength in the constant demand to provide optimal answers to new questions; not just for judges but for practising lawyers as well. In turn, dialogue with practising lawyers keeps the

30 | The University of Auckland academic community abreast of current by the lower courts misconceived both legal issues in the world of business, often equitable and common law principle. His before disputes arise. research may one day have an impact, What could be considered “There are endless examples,” says Peter. however, because there are already two a complicated and dense One in particular that comes to mind is a other English disputes on the same point. case where a Jamaican footballer travelled Other published work of his has been used topic to someone outside to the UK in search of a club position. With successfully to obtain leave from England’s commercial law is the season about to start and time running highest court, and the current president of thankfully a passion for out, he signed on to a sports agency to find that court recently referred to one of his Peter and other experts. him a placement. Acting as his agent, the articles in his judgment. company secured him a spot on the Dundee Recently he published Directors’ Powers “It’s like a hobby, solving Football Club, and took 10 percent of his and Duties, a detailed treatment of the legal problems; I’m salary as the agreed commission. Shortly division of power between shareholders and endlessly fascinated by afterwards, the club contacted the agency for directors, duties of care and skill, the duty to its help in obtaining the player a work permit. act in the company’s best interests, and the finding rational solutions The agency subsequently did, but charged duty not to profit from position. He is about to to disputes. a premium of £3,000 based on the urgent finalise the manuscript for the latest edition nature of the request. of the Commonwealth’s leading text on the For about a year and a half everything law of agency, Bowstead & Reynolds on went well but then the agency and player Agency, which has been through 19 editions had a falling out. The latter brought a since first being published in 1896. suit for breach of fiduciary duty against It is this type of comprehensive scholarship the agency for helping the club obtain his that provides the basis for new rulings, work permit for a fee. Although the £3,000 guidance to commercial lawyers and an was far less than the 10 percent player essential learning tool for students. commission, the English court took a strong What could be considered a complicated stance on the case because of the potential and dense topic to someone outside for corruption when an agent works for both commercial law is thankfully a passion for sides in a negotiation. Not only was the Peter and other experts. “It’s like a hobby, agency stripped of the £3,000 fee, but it solving legal problems,” he says when lost all the commission. This last step Peter describing his enthusiasm for the field. “I’m sees as an error. endlessly fascinated by finding rational His article on the case for the Law solutions to disputes.” Without this dedication Quarterly Review led to his being consulted and contribution to the discipline, those of us (without fee) by English counsel for the working in almost any other industry might agency, who sought leave to appeal to one day be faced with a less just result in a the House of Lords on the basis of Peter’s legal dispute. reasoning. The case having already been So if law is at the heart of all human through three levels of court, it is perhaps interaction, perhaps it could be said that not surprising that the House did not grant academic law is often at the heart of leave for a fourth hearing. Peter nonetheless commercial disputes. maintains that the line of cases relied upon

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Instant fame Alumna, University PhD candidate and former professional dancer Marianne Schultz (MLitt, 2009) won Best Research (NZ) at this year’s Documentary Edge Festival for her film Dance of the Instant. While researching for her honours degree, Marianne became interested in “The New Dance Group”, a Wellington dance collective active from 1945 to 1947, which she describes as “the first group of people to do modern dance in New Zealand”. The dark, international focus of their work reflected their post-World War Two environment. Marianne approached filmmaker Shirley Horrocks with her research. With her background in documenting art, Shirley was the perfect person to produce and direct New Zealand’s first historical dance documentary. Marianne recreated dances based on archival footage. “The physical reconstruction was a challenge for the dancers,” says Marianne. “They didn’t have much reference for the types of movements I was asking them to do.” Her young dancers found it difficult to recreate the intensity of the original performers, who were “living through a really horrible time”. Dance of The Instant also won Best Short Documentary (NZ) and Best Educational Documentary (NZ) at the Documentary Edge Festival, held in Auckland and Wellington.

Find out about the University's Postgraduate Week, 17-21 May. www.auckland.ac.nz/postgradweek

32 | The University of Auckland ALUMNI

Alumni achievers

Greg Sang (BE 1989) was the project director for the world’s tallest building – the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. The $1.5 billion “vertical city”, officially opened in January this year, is the tallest man-made structure ever, at 828 metres. Greg Sang works for developer Emaar Properties and was responsible for all aspects of the building’s design and construction, overseeing a team of the world’s best engineers. At the official opening by Dubai’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Greg told international media that the Burj has “refuge floors” at 25 to 30-storey intervals that are more fire resistant and have Greg’s next challenge will be an even separate air supplies in case of emergency. taller tower - the Kingdom Tower (over one The tower’s reinforced concrete structure, kilometre tall) planned for Jeddah, Saudi he said, makes it more impact-resistant Arabia. than steel-frame skyscrapers. www.burjkhalifa.ae

Natasha Beckman (MA 1999) is Vanessa Johnson (BA 2000, Grad advised blue-chip clients on the financing currently the manager of London’s Urban Dip Tchg (Primary) 2004) began writing and structuring of major infrastructure Soul Orchestra - a contemporary and her first “chick lit” book in 1996. Now Penguin and acquisition projects. Later, at leading versatile string ensemble with a groovy have just published her first book Lush about UK media law firm, Olswang, she advised twist, incorporating different elements Lydia Kyriacos, who lives in a stylish flat in companies such as Disney and Warner Bros such as percussion, bass, DJ and vocals. Notting Hill Gate, has a successful banker on film production financing. Last year Rachel Natasha has worked in arts management boyfriend, a great job in the West End and won an Emerging Leaders Award at the Sir since graduating. She spent several years at friends who can always be relied on to keep Peter Blake Trust’s Leadership Awards. Auckland Museum working in a number of the party going. But something’s not right. different roles and was the first Visual Arts Alisa Willis, (BMus 2000, BMus and Public Programmes Coordinator for the Rachel Paris (LLB(Hons) BA 2000) (Hons) Music 2001) is the new Associate Auckland Festival in 2007. International work broke new ground in the New Zealand legal Principal Flute with the Auckland Philharmonic includes an internship at the Smithsonian community when she was recently promoted Orchestra. Institution (Washington DC) and working to partner at commercial law firm, Bell Gully. as Visual Arts Officer for the Arts Council, She is the first partner to be appointed in a England. As well as managing Urban Soul Liz Farrell (BMus 2002, part-time capacity at her firm. she is a contract orchestral manager and BMus(HONS)2003), a flautist has started While combining her legal profession with ran the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall a fixed contract with Kiel Philharmonisches motherhood, Rachel also pursues an interest in 2007 and the BBC Electric Proms at the Orchester. in media and film – co-authoring a feature Roundhouse in 2008. film screenplay currently in production with South Pacific Pictures. “The screenplay project Liam Mallett (BMus 2004, BMus Anthony Hoete (BArch 1990) has is a way of leading by example to my younger (Hons) 2005 (HONS)) also a flautist has broken new ground by using one million lego colleagues that they need not be confined started his trial at the Gothenburg Symphony blocks to clad a school façade in the borough to the role of ‘traditional’ lawyer,” she says. Orchestra. of Hillingdon, in west London. Anthony is “We can pursue our passions and contribute the founding partner of UK-based WHAT to the cultural fabric of New Zealand while architecture. He is no stranger to school maintaining office jobs.” If you would like your contemporaries typology, having won a Royal Institute of Rachel began her legal career at Bell Gully to know what you are up to, email the British Architects Award (RIBA) in 1997 for in 2000 after graduating with a conjoint editor: [email protected] his Rooftop Nursery daycare centre in east law and arts degree, coming top of Law London, which included a lurid green playing School and her honours programme. In space. Anthony held design workshops with 2003, she came first at Harvard Law School Hillingdon pupils who were asked to design in the specialist International Finance LLM a 380 x 380mm Lego motif, which was then Programme with her dissertation, cited as stored on a database and incorporated in “influential” by a Wall Street Journal editorial the façade panel. Lego bricks were supplied in December 2007. While at Allen & Overy’s from Denmark. projects group in London (2003-2005), Rachel

Ingenio Autumn 2010 | 33 AlumnI NEWs ALUMNI NEWS

Distinguished Alumni Awards nominations

Among the University’s Distinguished alumni are (from left to right) The Hon. Tuilaepa Malielegaoi, Chris Liddell, Dame Lynley Dodd, Sir Ron Carter, Professor Ngaire Woods

The University of Auckland has bestowed 78 Distinguished Alumni Awards since 1996. With an alumni database of over 132,000 we are asking alumni and staff to put forward suggestions of who else our selection committee should consider for this honour. Either email us a suggestion at alumni.auckland.ac.nz or download and fill out a nomination form by visiting www.alumni.auckland.ac.nz. Nominations close for 2011, on Wednesday 30 June 2010. The awards are presented at the Distinguished Alumni Awards Dinner in March in Auckland.

Young Alumnus/Alumna of the Year Award

The Young Alumnus/Alumna of the Year award was introduced in 2006 to recognise alumni under the age of 35 who have already shown outstanding achievement in their careers. Previous award winners are Dr David Skilling (2006), Mahe Drysdale (2007), John Chen (2008), Toa Fraser (2009) and Dr Jessie Jacobsen (2010).

To norminate someone please visit

www.alumni.auckland.ac.nz to download a form John Chen (2008) Dr Jessie Jacobsen (2010)

Alumni & Friends Events Calendar 2010 (May-November)

Auckland (Graduation Gala Concerto Competition) Thursday 6 May London Thursday 10 June Shanghai (NZ Universities Alumni Reception) monday 14 June Hong Kong Thursday 17 June Beijing Thursday 17 June Wellington Thursday 26 August Auckland (Golden Graduates) Wednesday 8 September New York Monday 13 September Auckland (All Black Alumni Event) Wednesday 29 September Whangarei Wednesday 17 November

Please note informal Alumni & Friends events being run by our Volunteer Alumni Coordinators (VACs) both locally and overseas will be promoted directly to alumni living in their catchment area.

For further information or to ensure you receive an invitation to an event being held in your area please visit www.alumni.auckland.ac.nz/update to update your details.

34 | The University of Auckland aLUMNI NOTICEBOARDSPORT

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

Australia SINGAPORE Brisbane Anne Dumas, [email protected] Allanah Johnston, [email protected] Melbourne Taiwan Taipei Rupert Saint, [email protected] Mago Hsiao, [email protected] Perth Anne Morrell, [email protected] USA Sydney New Hampshire George Barker, [email protected] Rushan Sinnaduray, Regan van Berlo, [email protected] [email protected] New York Canada Rosena Sammi, [email protected] Calgary Philadelphia Allison Hall, [email protected] Nai-Wei Shih, [email protected] China Texas Beijing Jyoti Maisuria, [email protected] Vivian (Yang) Jiao, [email protected] Washington, DC Joy (Fengxin) Ding, [email protected] Ruby Manukia, [email protected] Chengdu San Francisco Hua Xiang, [email protected] Tanja Srebotnjak, [email protected] Hong Kong Raymond Tam, [email protected] New Zealand Shanghai Auckland Vincent Cheung, [email protected] Wayne Huang, [email protected] Europe Wellington Germany Marion Corrden, [email protected] Philipp Schuster, [email protected] UAPA – Pacific Alumni Scandinavia Nuhisifa Williams, [email protected] Duncan Lithgow, [email protected] Pharmacy in New Zealand Belgium Natasha Bell, [email protected] Ken Baker, [email protected] Ken also welcomes contact from alumni in Europe Currently in process of setting up where there is no VAC in their area. • Korea in New Zealand The Host Family scheme enables international Israel • Chinese in New Zealand • Adelaide, Australia students to enjoy kiwi hospitality and to Ofir Goren, [email protected] share their experiences. Now in its fifth year, • Shanghai, China the scheme offers great social occasions for INDONESIA everyone involved. Jakarta We are currently searching We are always on the lookout for new Iman Paryudi, [email protected] for VACS in these regions families to add to our list, as the popularity • Vancouver, Canada of hosting international students for a dinner Japan • Seoul, Korea is increasing. Tokyo • Chandigarh, India This is a great chance for alumni and Simon Hollander, [email protected] • Whangarei, New Zealand staff to become more involved with the • Hamilton, New Zealand University and its students in a very social Malaysia and enjoyable way. Kuala Lumpur Read more on the Alumni and Friends KC Yong, [email protected] website, www.alumni.auckland.ac.nz, under benefits. If you are interested in hosting students If you would like to put yourself forward for any of these positions, please contact Jamie Himiona with your CV at: [email protected] to dinner contact Judith Grey: email [email protected] or telephone: (09) 373-7599, ext. 82309.

Ingenio Autumn 2010 | 35 ALUMNI BOOKS

South-West of Eden “I said many times I would not write autobiography – partly because it might signal, either to my inner self, or to others, a “signing off” as a writer; and partly because I did not want to mark off areas that were fact In brief in my life from those that might yet be invented. Fiction likes to move, Recently published books by Auckland disguised and without a passport, back and forth across that border, and alumni prefers it should be unmarked and without check-points.” Happily, Distinguished Alumnus CK Stead (BA 1954, MA 1955, DLITT Walls to Kick 1982) has changed his mind. In C.K. Stead South-West of Eden: A memoir and Hills to 1932-1956, published by Auckland University Press, he writes of a life “lived Sing From: A by history” – running wild in Cornwall Park, joining the Labour Party aged Comedy with seven, and discovering poetry in a third-form English class. In a virtuoso performance, CK Stead Interruptions, wonderfully illuminates 23 years of his time and his place. published by Note: CK Stead has just won Britain’s Sunday Times short story competition with his story “Last AUP, is a new Season’s man”. His poem “Ischaemia” won first place in the open section at the 2010I nternational poetry collection Hippocratic Prize for Poetry and Medicine. from alumnus and associate professor of drama, Murray Fletchers Edmond (BA 1972, PhD English 1997). “The idea that an old company is superior is nonsense. A business is only Arranged in six acts, “Exposition”, as good as the people that are in it at the time.” “Complication”, “Revelation”, “Peripety”, Who would deny JC Fletcher’s dispassionate assessment of business “Catastrophe” and “Dénouement”, reality? Most of New Zealand’s great business icons of the twentieth it merrily experiments with voice and century have withered, disappeared or been swallowed by other firms. performance, including, in various forms, But a century after James Fletcher began his work in Dunedin in 1909, monologues, dialogues, choruses, songs, Fletcher Building continues to perform as one of New Zealand’s largest scene sets and storyboards. Murray, who and most trusted companies, with a significant international presence. has taught theatre and drama at The Fletchers: A centennial history of Fletcher Building by alumnus Paul University of Auckland for 25 years, is the Goldsmith (BA 1992, MA 1995), published by David Ling to mark 100 editor of the peer-reviewed poetry journal years of Fletchers, tells the story of how Fletchers, in its many manifestations over the decades, has Ka Mate Ka Ora. His poems are included transformed New Zealand’s built environment by constructing such renowned structures as The in Contemporary New Zealand Poets in University of Auckland’s ClockTower and the Museum of New Zealand: Te Papa Tongarewa. Equally, Performance (AUP). the company has helped shape the country’s economic development by creating efficiencies of scale in construction and building materials, and by pioneering many new industries. Rhinehold the Mouse When alumna Di Batchelor (BEd 1999) Beyond contempt was a teenager she kept two pet mice, This book by alumnus Tony Stroobant (PhD Theology 2007) asks why, Henry and Anabel, in the glasshouse despite much progress in Jewish-Christian relations over recent decades, where she propagated plants after school. there is still Christian anti-Jewishness in the everyday life of the church. Why Years later, at Teachers College and does it seem so deep-rooted and difficult to educate against? researching children’s author Dr Seuss, As well as tracing the origins of Christian anti-Jewishness and Di says she found almost every sentence examining some of the negative stereotypes regarding Jews and Judaism, she heard magically translated into a Beyond Contempt: Removing Anti-Jewishness from Christian Worship, Dr Seuss-type rhyming couplet. She used published by the Faith & Order Committee, Methodist Church of New this new-found gift to entertain her young Zealand/Te Haahi Weteriana O Aotearoa, offers practical strategies for nieces with a story and pictures drawn eliminating anti-Jewishness from Christian worship. from her own memory. The result is Tony, who is currently Christian Co-President of the New Zealand Council of Christians and Rhinehold the Mouse, published by Jews and a Methodist minister in Auckland, suggests his book will interest those responsible for Fraser books. leading worship, as well as those concerned for improving interfaith relationships. Sara Hughes This publication is an overview of the work of artist alumna Sara Hughes (BFA 2000, MFA 2002) from the past seven years, containing two essays by German authors, Christoph Tannert and Christina Vegh. Sara’s work has an ongoing concern with “what we see” and “how we see” and she is interested in the structures through which information is communicated, particularly in relation to our media-saturated world that has become mediated and regulated by information flow. If you have published a book in the Her current projects investigate imagery and data relating to patterns last six months, or will do so in the of behaviour and configurations of spectacle and national identity as next, email the editor: portrayed through the use of colour, consumerism and propaganda. Sara Hughes: Feedback [email protected] Runaway is published by Revolver.

36 | The University of Auckland ART

Daniel Waswas (b.1973) I See You Too, 2007, acrylic on canvas

(1912-1963) who in 1941 began handsetting the type and designing linocut covers for the college magazine Manuka. After two years, Donn left Auckland and the Canadian J.D.Charlton Edgar (1903-1976) took over as head of the art department, where he remained until 1965. By 1960, the art department under Edgar’s leadership had gathered enough ballast to present an exhibition of art by past and present students as part of the Auckland Festival. Manuka noted that this occasioned “the first presentation of [Ralph] Hotere’s work to the public and it is a tribute to Mr Edgar’s perception that he gave so much wall space to an hitherto virtually unheard-of painter”. During Edgar’s time at Auckland, the Department of Education revisited its 1949 decision to consign third-year students specialising in art and craft to Dunedin. Several marine-themed paintings from the 1980s in the Epsom collection by Peter Smith (b.1925) are a record of the arrival in 1953 of an important and creative educator Art at Epsom who set up a training course for secondary school art teachers at Auckland Teachers’ College. His intake of students was limited When the Auckland College of Education merged with to graduates from the country’s only two art schools: the Canterbury College School of Art the University in 2004, the University’s art collection was and the Elam School of Fine Arts at Auckland significantly enriched, as Linda Tyler reports. University College. Peter Smith’s students were often only a few years his junior: for example sculptor isual arts are central to the New 1930, by Ivy Copeland. In 1926, 31-year- Arnold Manaaki Wilson (b.1928), who had Zealand education system, and have old Ivy Copeland (1895-1961) became the been Elam’s first Mäori graduate in 1955. Vheld a correspondingly strong position first Elam-trained graduate to be appointed Students of Smith’s who would go on to in teacher education. as a lecturer at the then Auckland Training become influential educators themselves, Teacher training facilities established art College. With her flair for portraiture and include Ted Bracey (1936-2009) and Quentin collections long before universities, using the love of colour, she empowered her students Macfarlane (b.1935). art works they acquired as teaching resources to wield their coloured chalks with confidence. While most of the art works in the Epsom to demonstrate techniques as well as to Fond memories of Miss Copeland have collection date from the latter part of the enhance cultural appreciation and awareness been recorded, with one student quoted in twentieth century, the collection continues in trainee teachers. Consequently, among the the recent history of the College declaiming to develop with acquisitions of works by assets acquired in the merger of the Auckland that “her hints were a revelation… From important graduates, such as expatriate artist College of Education with the University on being unable to draw faces I learned to do Bill Culbert (b.1935). 1 September 2004 were over 280 art works quite passable portraits in pastels, and my In 2005, the School of Pasifika Education produced by staff and students from the blackboard pictures had depth and life.” commissioned a work by the celebrated Papua College’s long history. Despite such appreciative remarks, Ivy New Guinean artist, educator and Elam Rich in ceramics and textiles, the Epsom Copeland left her position after only four years. School of Fine Arts graduate Daniel Waswas collection has brought diversity to the Art teaching lapsed at Auckland until 1940 (b.1973). In this work, Waswas celebrates the University’s art collection, and also distinct when Scottish-born Robert Donn (1878-1968) value of education in fine arts at Auckland, value, with its strong representation of Mäori was transferred north from Dunedin. Trained and the opportunity it has given him for and Pasifika artists, many of whom trained to at the Glasgow School of Art where the arts self-expression. This painting’s theme is the be teachers at ACE. and crafts movement reigned, with integration integration of mind, body and spirit; and in it Conveniently, delving into the Epsom of design and craft with fine art, Donn the artist has attempted to depict bringing an collection leads to encounters with signposts encouraged the decorative arts at the college, inner world into the outer world of concrete marking the history of art education in including mural decoration, bookbinding, reality. His aim, appropriately enough, was Auckland. The earliest work in the collection needlework, pottery and metalwork. One to illustrate pictorially the Latin origins of the is a watercolour of a street in Rouen, dated of his second-year students was Bob Lowry word “education”, meaning to lead out.

Ingenio Autumn 2010 | 37 STUDENT LIFE Hopenhagen or Flopenhagen? Jenny Chu is a fifth-year BE/LLB student at The University of Auckland. She is an Environmental Officer with the University’s Environmental Programme and was one of 12 members of the NZ Youth Delegation to Copenhagen last December. She writes of that experience here.

went to Copenhagen hoping that a fair, With respect to the outcomes of the ambitious and legally binding international conference, namely the Copenhagen treaty on climate change issues would be Accord produced on the last day, it reflected produced. The NZYD was formed last year progress in a number of areas such as the with the main objectives of supporting Copenhagen Green Climate Fund that positive decision-making by the government provides aid for developing countries to delegations as well as presenting the New face the impacts of severe climate change, Zealand Government with the New Zealand and guidance on improvements to the clean Youth Policy Document. Our accredited development mechanism and deforestation observer status gained us entry passes, policy. However, the accord was non-binding allowing us inside the Bella Centre, where and the emission-cutting targets in the the official negotiations were held. This accord were weak and unclear, which poses means that we were allowed to observe the challenges for the upcoming negotiations to negotiations, except those that took place lift this agreement to a stronger legal treaty. behind closed doors. While it is easy to believe that the failure Before and during the conference, our to achieve a treaty in Copenhagen would delegation mainly worked on projects in three sap momentum for moving forward, a lot teams: communications, policy and actions. is happening to build on the actions of The policy team was responsible for individual nations in spite of the lack of a producing the New Zealand Youth Policy legally binding international agreement. I he United Nations Climate Change Document through engagement with local was delighted by New Zealand’s initiative on Conference in Copenhagen last youth around the country, as well as for leading a Global Research Alliance with 28 TDecember was billed as the world’s understanding what was going on each day other states to reduce the emission intensity best chance to achieve the next major in different paths of negotiation, explaining of agriculture. With the agriculture sector breakthrough since signing the Kyoto Protocol it back to our group, and deciding where contributing to a third of global greenhouse in 1997. we could use our energy to affect what was gas emissions and half of our country’s Apart from the government officials, there going on at the daily meetings with the emission, I believe this is an area where were thousands of NGO observer delegates government delegation. New Zealand has a huge potential to make at the conference. The record numbers of The actions team took care of the logistics a substantial difference on a global scale. 45,000 registrations (despite the fact that for our major campaigns. This meant With the next UN climate change talks the venue could only hold 15,000 people presenting messages from youth on a in Mexico approaching this November, it at one time) and attendance by 120 heads 10 metre by six-metre Team New Zealand should be noted the Copenhagen talk was of state and government raised the climate spinnaker donated by the Sir Peter Blake just the end of the beginning, as pointed discussions to a new level. Trust and in letters to our Prime Minister, out by Mexico’s chief delegate Fernando Official UN statistics show intensive as well as collaborating with international Tudela. “We do not want to get ensnared in negotiations were conducted over 1,000 youth delegations on the organisation of the legal stuff so that we will be prevented official, informal and group meetings. the Conference of Youth, a capacity-building from moving. What we want is to achieve Observers discussed climate change in more and strategy-planning forum. This was held a sensible global mobilisation… If a legally than 400 meetings, and media attended before the UN Climate Change Conference binding treaty is possible and helps, we over 300 press conferences. There were for more than 1000 youth delegates from all are all for it. But it’s not a pre-condition for over 200 side events and 220 exhibitions over the world. moving in the right direction.” presenting the latest views on topics from The communications team was in charge At the end of the day, whether or not the building a resilient community to evaluating of writing press releases, interacting with Copenhagen talks be judged as Hopenhagen the effectiveness of the clean development New Zealand and international media, and or Flopenhagen, we are the ones that have mechanism and various technical, marketing making speeches as well as producing a daily the power to take local actions that shape the and financial solutions, not to mention electronic newsletter during the conference, future of our community now. “green” products promotion by corporates which briefly summarised NZYD’s stance on from diverse sectors. the negotiations from that day, highlights of Along with the other 11 members of the the negotiation scenes and how youth back New Zealand Youth Delegation (NZYD) I home could influence the policy.

38 | The University of Auckland SPORT Sporting chances

Sport on campus is advancing into a bright new era, says alumnus Tim Brightwell, the University’s first Sports Manager.

he University of Auckland has a great don’t we know these names? And what do stronger competitions. sporting history, one that rivals any we do to support sport for all students of I am also helping develop an overall Tother university in the country. the University, from the top athletes to the strategy that will pull together the different Top-level athletes from across all codes club players and to those who play sport in strands of sport at the University – the have chosen to further their academic careers a way that gives great pleasure, as a social support structures, the awards ceremonies, by studying here. These illustrious performers competition with friends. all the facilities – so that they can work range from top sailors (Russell Coutts and The answer is that we are starting to! together along the one path that will see Tom Schnackenberg), the greatest cyclist in Sport at the University is on a resurgence, sport become more prominent and more New Zealand history (Sarah Ulmer), a top thanks to the hard work and support of a accessible on campus. international rower (Mahe Drysdale), and two number of different groups. In 2009 we This strategy and these actions are all of the greatest rugby captains (John Graham hosted the first University-sponsored sports driven by recognition of the role that sports and Sir Wilson Whineray) to some of the tournament where five teams competed for can play at the University. most talented young sportsmen and women the Wilson Whineray Trophy. In partnership Involvement in sports isn’t just about in the country, who will be competing at the with the Auckland University Rugby Football maintaining fitness, but also about building Commonwealth Games later this year. Club, the University named Matthew Mattich friendships and bonds that come through We have clubs bearing the University as the first recipient of the John Drake people competing together trying to achieve name, such as the Auckland University Rugby Memorial Scholarship. a common goal. It’s about creating high Football Club, that consistently compete at We've also started to put in place the - achieving, well rounded students who the highest level of regional and national structures to allow us to provide support can apply the same focus to sporting and club competition in their chosen codes. and openings for students who want to academic endeavours. We also have some of the best research pursue sporting opportunities as well as their facilities, along with researchers who are academic goals. Tim graduated from The University of making discoveries, in areas such as Sport As part of the new “Campus Life” initiatives Auckland with a BCom in 2008. As a and Exercise Science, which help to give our I was appointed Sports Manager, the first student he was sports officer for the athletes and teams a competitive advantage to hold that role at the University. One of Auckland University Students’ Association. in world competition. my tasks is to oversee the five interfaculty So why don’t we hear more about these tournaments – twenty20 cricket, basketball, highlights and achievements, along with netball, soccer and rugby - that students can those of the hundreds of club-level players participate in. Another is to work with local who compete in their chosen sports? Why and national sporting bodies to develop

Ingenio Autumn 2010 | 39 40 | The University of Auckland