Fortnightly newsletter for University staff | Volume 39 | Issue 10 | 12 June 2009

Mäori insights in science Key events Antarctic responses Antarctic Research Centre Manager Tamsin Falconer will discuss the intersections between art and science in Antarctica in response to an exhibition by Joyce Campbell, Anne Noble and Connie Samaras, now on at the Gus Fisher Gallery. This will take place at the gallery on Saturday 13 June at 1pm. History of waters Transformations of water have embraced assaults on pagan water deities, the Christianisation of wells and waters, their reformation into a medicalised commodity, and the adoption of water as an icon of modernism. In “Towards a history of waters” Dr Phil Morgan from Keele University in Britain examines water in a particular English landscape, the Lichfield region. This Department of History seminar will Michael Walker at the launch of Te Ara Pütaiao: Mäori Insights in Science. take place in Room 52, History Department, 7 Wynyard Street. For more information, contact The launch of a new publication from Ngā Pae o scientists who have earned international Associate Professor Linda Bryder (l.bryder@ te Māramatanga was also a celebration of Māori reputations. His own discoveries on the .ac.nz). scholarship and an exploration of the unique navigation of birds and other animals have been contributions that Māori can offer to science. extensively published in journals such as Science Franchise law reform In the wharenui at Waipapa Marae, in the and Nature. The world-acclaimed breakthrough presence of staff, students and friends of New by Associate-Professor Shane Wright (Biological At a symposium organised by the Business Zealand’s Māori Centre of Research Excellence – Sciences) in understanding evolution in warmer School and the Governance including such eminent scholars as Emeritus climates was published in The Proceedings of the Centre, local and international experts on Professor Ranginui Walker and Distinguished National Academy of Sciences of the United franchising will present arguments for and Professor Dame – Professor Michael States, and was widely reported in publications against changing the way the sector is Walker, Codirector of Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga such as The Guardian and The Economist. The regulated. Franchising is a proven business and a scientist internationally renowned for his work of Associate Professor Ross Ihaka structure which can provide a place of relative research on animal navigation systems, spoke of (Department of Statistics) – co-convenor of “R”, a safety in uncertain economic times. Many who the recent advances in Māori scholarship and of statistical and graphics software system now find themselves redundant might consider the measures taken to achieve this. used worldwide by Shell, Google, Merck and the buying a franchise. However recent high profile He also spoke of the uniquely rich perspective of Bank of America, and by Cambridge, Oxford and reports of franchise deals going wrong have Māori researchers in New Zealand, partly born of Harvard Universities – was acclaimed in a recent raised the question of whether New Zealand the intimate knowledge of two cultures and ways of 1200-word feature in The New York Times. should follow Australia in adopting specific thinking which leads to a rich dual perception of Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga set a goal of seeing safeguards for those who buy franchises. The scientific and other phenomena and an inclination 500 more Māori either having completed or symposium brings together industry leaders, to explore multiple solutions to complex challenges. successfully advancing PhDs within five years, and public and commercial lawyers and academics On a personal level he told of the connection has exceeded this with time to spare. While this in an interactive format. between his own success as a scientist and the increase covers all disciplines a significant number It will be held on 25 June from 1-5.45pm at fact that as a Māori he brings to his research a of these research degrees are in scientific fields. Lecture Theatre OGGB3 in the Owen G. Glenn uniqueness of approach and a different set of Among scientific investigations being supported Buuilding. The cost is $75. operating assumptions. by Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga is research to For further information contact Tressy Menezes ([email protected]) or phone Michael is just one of a group of Māori story continued on page 2 09 923 2628.

University news is published by Communications and Marketing, Fisher Building In this issue 18 Waterloo Quadrant, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142 email [email protected] www.auckland.ac.nz/universitynews 2 Queen’s Birthday Honours Editor Judy Wilford 3 Postgraduate Information Week Photography Godfrey Boehnke, Kathryn Robinson 5 Mäori portrayal in media Designer Vanda Tong From the Vice-Chancellor Honours for seven staff

The new Government’s first Budget, delivered Seven staff – Professor Māori Studies Department and a pioneer of on 28 May, represents yet another chapter in Peter Thorne, Associate Professor John Henley, bilingual and total immersion education, was a long history of governments failing to take Professor Michael Walker, Emeritus Professor made a Companion of the Queen’s Service Order full advantage of the contribution our George Clark, Kaa Williams, Dr Lorna Dyall and for services to Māori. With her husband universities can make to social and economic Robyn Boswell – were named in the Queen’s Tawhirimatea Williams she founded New Zealand’s development. Birthday Honours. first bilingual school at Ruatoki in the eastern Bay Although it increased the tuition subsidy by Two prominent supporters of the University, of Plenty in 1977. 1.95 percent (the expected rise in the Jenny Gibbs and Gus Fisher, were also honoured. Mrs Williams is Pouako Matua (senior lecturer) Consumer Price Index) and allowed student Professor Peter Thorne was made a Companion at Te Wānanga Takiura o Ngā Kura Kaupapa fees to rise by the same amount, the of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) for Māori, a private Māori tertiary institution that Government simultaneously decided to services to auditory neuroscience through scientific trains teachers for Kura Kaupapa Māori (Māori- withdraw $22 million in tripartite funding from research, discoveries, teaching, and developing language immersion primary schools). 2011. This decision is extremely disappointing services for the deaf and hearing impaired. He Dr Lorna Dyall, Ngäti Maniapoto (Te Kupenga given that the tripartite funding was provided established the Audiology Section at the University Hauora Māori, School of Population Health), by the previous government on the condition (now in the School of Population Health) and received the Queen’s Service Medal for services to that it be used to bring about permanent co-directs the Auditory Neuroscience group in the Māori health. Her research has focused on increases in staff salaries. Its withdrawal will Department of Physiology. improving and developing health services and effectively negate the increases in the tuition His research is into the effects of noise and outcomes for Māori. In particular she has subsidy and student fees, and leave us aging on the inner ear and causes of deafness. He investigated ways of reducing gambling-related vulnerable to poaching of staff by Australian has been a strong advocate for newborn hearing harm to Maori and the health of their children. and other foreign universities. screening, now being implemented throughout Robyn Boswell, Tai Tokerau Gifted Education On the research front, the Government is to New Zealand. Facilitator with TEAM Solutions at the Faculty of be commended for increases, albeit modest, in Dr John Henley, an honorary associate professor Education, received the QSM for services to the Marsden Fund (by $9 million per annum) in the Department of Medicine, became an Officer education. She has facilitated workshops and and in Health Research (by $8 million per of the NZ Order of Merit (ONZM) for services to presented at conferences nationally and annum). There will also be a one-off $16 million medicine. In addition to his major contribution to internationally. She introduced the Future Problem allocation in 2010/11 for the Kiwi Advanced clinical medicine, he has been a stalwart of the Solving International Programme to New Zealand Research and Education Network (KAREN). teaching of medical students at Auckland Hospital and is the National Director of Future Problem However, the Government announced at the for his entire career. Solving New Zealand, a programme that provides same time that it will be doing away with Top An ONZM also went to Professor Michael gifted and talented students with high-level Achiever Doctoral Scholarships, and with the Walker (Biological Sciences) for services to science. thinking, problem-solving and leadership skills. provision that allows French and German Noted for his research into magnetic sense and its Jenny Gibbs, made a Dame Companion for students to study for masters degrees in New use in long-distance navigation by animals, he has services to the arts, has been an important Zealand at domestic fee rates. been a strong advocate for Māori in science benefactor of the University. She has gifted works In a positive development for students, there through support for Māori students and through to its art collection and established a fund for Elam will be a $4 million fund to provide summer service on the boards of two CRIs as well as on the School of Fine Arts for an international artist-in- scholarships for students, with $4 million Council of the Royal Society of NZ. He is also Joint residence programme. She has contributed to the matching funds provided by the universities. Director of Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga, the University Foundation, the Hood Fund and the This was an initiative proposed by The National Institute of Research Excellence for Māori Liggins Institute, and is a patron of the “Leading University of Auckland through our participation in the Prime Minister’s Development and Advancement. the way” fundraising campaign. For more than 25 Employment Summit earlier this year. Emeritus Professor George Clark (Chemistry), years she served on the University Council and was The Budget compares unfavourably with our made a Member of the NZ Order of Merit Pro-Chancellor three times. Australian neighbours who, recognising that (MNZM) for services to biochemistry, has had a Gus Fisher, made an ONZM for services to investment in universities generates a 14-15 career as a bio-inorganic chemist for more than philanthropy, has long been a generous supporter percent return (as discussed in my last column), 40 years. He was a member of the Environmental of the University. The Gallery in Shortland Street have committed well over a billion dollars in Risk Management Authority (ERMA) from 2001 which bears his name is notable for its exhibitions their latest Budget to enhancing their university to 2008, where he served as deputy chair, and of experimental and groundbreaking work. He was sector. Whereas they will continue to grow their has successfully led high-level moves to manage a founding donor of the Hood Fund and funded a level of educational and research achievement, and regulate chemical products, hazardous Postdoctoral Fellowship specialising in it seems that we may be destined to at best substances and new organisms. neurodegenerative diseases and the quest for a stand still, leaving the potential of our Kaa Williams, a Māori language tutor in the cure to Parkinson’s disease. universities to contribute to economic recovery underutilised. This is clearly not the kind of story continues from page 1 future that will allow New Zealand to regain its meet specific needs in water protection and in papers presented by four Māori scientists - Dr place near the top of the OECD. conservation of endangered species, and new James Ätaria, Associate Professor Elizabeth ways of providing better information for McKinley, Professor Michael Walker and Dr Shane management and control of possums as a pest, Wright - as part of the Policy Seminar Series including through increased efficiency of trapping, “Progressing Māori development through using GPS technology. research”, convened by Ngā Pae o te This latest publication by Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga in in November, 2005. Māramatanga, launched last month at the Each of these scientists, write Joseph Te Rito and Waipapa Marae, was Te Ara Pütaiao: Mäori Susan Healy in the introduction, “has carried out Insights in Science, a monograph in the Tihei pioneering work in his or her field and contributed Oreore Series, edited by Dr Joseph Te Rito and Dr to wide Māori enterprise and development”. Susan Healy. For more information about this publication, see The monograph comprises a compilation of the next issue of University News. 2 112 May June | |2009 2009 The stories we seek . . . in brief AUP leads the field Auckland University Press has seven finalist authors of six finalist books – more finalists for the second year running than any other single publisher – in the 2009 Montana New Zealand Book Awards shortlist. The AUP finalists are spread across the Award categories: Get Some by Sonja Yelich (Poetry); The Lakes of Mars by Chris Orsman (Poetry); Heaphy by Iain Sharp (Biography); First Catch Your Weka: A Story of New Zealand Cooking by David Veart (History); Peter Peryer: Photographer by Peter Simpson and Peter Peryer (Illustrative Arts); and Collected Poems 1951–2006 by C K Stead (Reference and Anthology). Auckland University Press also has two finalists in the NZ Society of Authors (NZSA) Best First Book Awards; the winners of which will be announced as part of the Montana NZ Book Awards ceremony: Everything Talks by Sam Sampson (Poetry) and First Catch Your Weka by David Veart (Non-Fiction)

A photograph from the Still exhibition by Geoffrey Habberfield-Short Chinese for staff A highly engaging and exciting exhibition of photographs by five Elam students is on now at the George A course in Chinese language and culture Fraser Gallery and will continue until 20 June. The exhibition, curated by Ariane Craig-Smith and entitled especially designed for staff of the University Still, dances around the relationship between film and the still image, and explores the idea of the stories with little or no knowledge of the language will we seek in a photograph. The five students – Carolin Casey, Mhairi-Clare Fitzpatrick, James Lowe, Geoffrey begin on 6 August. Habberfield-Short and Dane Taylor – present a variety of approaches to photography, digital and physical. The course will continue for ten weekly The exhibition forms part of the Auckland Festival of Photography. sessions on Thursdays from 1-2pm (except on 10 September when there will be a study break). The course co-ordinator is Meiju Wong Postgraduates spread the word ([email protected], ext 87544). The cost is $20, which includes class materials. The second University of Auckland Postgraduate Participants will have the chance to improve Information Week, held this year from 18-22 their knowledge of Chinese culture and society as May, was a popular and engaging event. It gave well as gaining some skills in Chinese language. potential and future postgraduates the chance to check out the postgraduate study and Building makes final research options on offer in all the faculties, and to share in some of the excitement many current The Owen G Glenn Building is a finalist in the postgraduate students feel about their studies. Association of Consulting Engineers New Faculties opened their doors throughout the Zealand’s INNOVATE NZ Awards of Excellence. week, with information sessions, display Beca, the project manager, surveyor and presentations and opportunities to meet staff, structural engineer for the project, is among 35 students and postgraduate advisers. The events finalists countrywide. were well attended by current undergraduate The world-class 82,000 square metre students, as well as graduates both new to and building is described as featuring “a thinking of returning to the University. Zoe Wilson, a PhD student in organic chemistry, spoke boomerang-shaped tower incorporating a at the cocktail party. “The numbers were well up on last year and the full-height atrium, an expansive podium and event is gaining a higher profile,” says Catherine Institute. Current postgraduate students Angus large public square”. Kerins (Events and Projects Manager, Blair (studying a Masters of Commerce in Features include a long bridge spanning the Communications and Marketing). “In the current Management) and Zoe Wilson (studying a PhD in central atrium, massive frameless glass walls economic climate, many see postgraduate study as Organic Chemistry) also spoke. and double-layered facades with the ends of an especially wise and positive move and I think this “Prospective students were really inspired by the building cantilevered up to six metres. The was reflected in the high numbers of visitors. hearing current students talk passionately about 13-level tower and podium includes five levels of Postgraduate study offers the chance to upskill, time their experiences, giving a real sense of what car park, two levels of teaching space for 2,600 to reassess career opportunities and prepare to postgraduate study at the University is like,” says students and five levels for offices and enter the job market in better times, as well as the Catherine. “The purpose of the cocktail function, post-graduate teaching facilities. opportunity to pursue a long-thought-of passion.” and the week as a whole, was not just to give Winners will be announced on 25 July at the A feature of this year’s Postgraduate Information information, but also the chance to create INNOVATE NZ 2009 Awards Dinner to be held Week was a cocktail function, to which a selection networks and give prospective students the at the ACENZ conference in Queenstown. of top prospective students were invited to meet chance to explore their potential and discuss other students and staff. Guest speaker was their study and research interests with our Professor from the Liggins world-class academics.”

The University of Auckland News 3 The power of face-to-face population.” It is true that a relatively small proportion of Māori students have used the careers services up till now. Angela’s solution to that is simple. “Don’t wait for them to come to you, but go out to Māori communities, show your face and present what the University can offer them.” The power of this way, called “kanohi ki te kanohi” (face-to-face), is the key, she believes, to encouraging more Māori school students to study at university. “If you show your face to the Māori community, people will not forget this,” she says. But that doesn’t mean house calls. It means showing her face at well known Māori culture events and festivals, and focusing resources not only on the prospective student alone but on the whole family. “Many Māori students’ decisions are influenced by their whānau, because the whānau supports them when they come to university,” Angela says. To reach prospective PhD students, Careers Services works closely with the Māori and Angela Smith (right) speaks with Sandra Laurence, a student in the Postgraduate Diploma in Business (Mäori Indigenous programme (MAI). This is a Development) nationally-organised network which supports Angela Smith is passionate about her culture. Auckland since 2000, first for External Relations, Māori PhD students or those intending to study She is also a member of a family renowned then later in the Mira Szászy Research Centre, for a PhD, and helps them through the stages of throughout New Zealand for their skills in kapa Business School. During the last four years, in tertiary education. haka. Therefore her vibrant performance in the addition to her job, Angela has studied for a So, finding the “face of Māori tertiary education” traditional Māori performing arts during her Master of Management degree, now completed. is Angela’s main work at the moment. handover ceremony to her new position at the Of her new position, Angela says: “It was time She is looking for Māori role models: Māori University Careers Centre was not entirely for me to find another area with new challenges. graduates with a special emphasis initially on unexpected to her colleagues. And I particularly like the idea of one position careers in the health, law and business areas - The Careers Services team, headed by director focusing on Māori students.” faces and stories to encourage Māori school Marshall Barlow and supported by Tuākana Equity Angela believes that, for many Māori students, students to go to university. Adviser Dennis Ngāwhare, prepared the ceremony the fact that she shares their culture will make “Our role models should impress and inspire,” held late last year to welcome her as the first-ever communication easier. “Not all, but some have a Angela explains. “It’s about relationships, and careers adviser especially for Māori students. reserve that can prevent them from feeling free about seeing themselves in the face on the poster Angela has been working for The University of about using services offered to the general student and imagining the story told could be theirs.” New associate professor Simon Bickerton (Mechanical Engineering) I am very proud of my promotion to associate professor, and would first like to show my appreciation to the large number of staff members and students I have worked with in recent years. Whether in the realms of teaching or research, many of my achievements have been made as the result of team efforts, and I want to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of my friends and colleagues. My academic position provides me with the opportunity to work with a large number of intelligent and enthusiastic minds, young and old. Working with them through the exciting processes of learning and discovery brings me a significant amount of enjoyment. My research focuses on the manufacture and performance of materials, including polymers and fibre-reinforced plastics. I enjoy expanding the boundaries of application of these materials, in fields as diverse as aerospace, marine, automotive, infrastructure and industrial. I split my time between teaching on the City Campus, and research at the Centre for Advanced Composite Materials (CACM) at the Tamaki Campus. A native Aucklander, and a University of Auckland graduate, I completed my doctoral studies at the University of Delaware, USA. On my return, I was fortunate to join the Department of Mechanical Engineering prior to the formation of the CACM, which has allowed me to play a significant role in the development of our research centre. My family and I are enjoying sabbatical leave in 2009, currently in Montreal, Canada, and in Lille, France for the second half of the year. My entire family have always been very supportive of my career, for which I am very grateful. The Bickerton family in Montréal. 4 12 June | 2009 A first for Auckland Viewpoint cover their own issues, researching and analysing areas such as Māori music, iwi radio, Māori use of Long-term planning the internet and Māori magazines. Sue says her work over the past two decades essential shows a positive shift in the way Māori are portrayed The announcement on 14 May of the by “mainstream media” and that news organisations proposal to complete the Western Ring Road are increasingly mindful of their responsibility to with a mixture of surface and underground deliver the news accurately and objectively. tunnel was never going to be anything but However, although the “changes in media controversial. representation are for the better, mainstream In Mount Albert last year the “SH2O media still often fall into blatant stereotyping or tunnel or nothing” placards could be seen negative depiction of Māori. More often, however, dotted along Mount Albert Road. According they present what seems to be a fair coverage of to the New Zealand Transit Authority website issues that Māori are involved in but omit reference after the current period of community to the wider social and historical context within engagement ends in July, NZTA is due to which the issue or event is placed, thereby ignoring prepare a report for its board summarising what might be called a “Maori reality”. She points the feedback received before confirming an to coverage of the so-called terrorist raids in the option for consenting. Ureweras as a key example of this. “The media have a huge role to play in race The 48-kilometre motorway between Sue is also part of a three-year, Health Research relations.” Manukau City in the south and North Shore Council-funded project, “Media, health and With those words, Sue Abel captures the City at Albany in the north will link three state wellbeing in Aotearoa”, which is based in Whariki, essential motivation of her research and teaching highways, the Southwestern Motorway (SH2O), a Māori social science research group at Massey over the past two decades. As The University of the Northwestern Motorway (SH16) and the University. The premise for the project comes out Auckland’s first joint appointment to the Upper Harbour Highway (SH18). of international research which shows that a Department of Māori Studies and the Department The $1.4 billion motorway is the most continual pattern of negative representations of a of Film, Television and Media Studies (FTVMS), expensive road project ever in New Zealand minority group has a detrimental effect on the senior lecturer Sue Abel taught a Semester One and should reduce reliance on the Auckland mental wellbeing of that group. FTVMS paper, “Race, indigeneity and the media” Harbour Bridge and on the Southern Motorway. As the University’s inaugural joint Māori (FTVMS 210 and FTVMS 325) and second-semester In that case maybe we’ll see the long awaited Studies-FTVMS appointment, Sue is delighted that Māori Studies paper, “Māori and the media” clip-on lane on the bridge for bikes! the importance of this area of research and study (MĀORI 271 and MĀORI 370). The new proposal, which is cheaper than the has been recognised. From 2010 these papers will be cross-creditable original tunnel option, will apparently result in “I hope that many University of Auckland between Māori Studies and FTVMS. 365 properties being demolished. It will be students will go on to do research in this very Sue’s interest in the way Māori and indigenous crucial that the transport agencies work under-examined area, and that my own research people are represented in broadcast, print and constructively with the communities to be will provide teaching material for others who work online media dates to her time as a University of affected at each stage or phase of the in this area.” Auckland English masters student in 1989-1990. development between now and 2015 when it Mindful that 1990 marked the sesquicentennial of is due to be completed. According to the the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, Sue decided More volunteers wanted briefing material NZTA is committed to an her thesis would examine television news coverage of A high profile pilot trial is underway for the urban design strategy so that communities that year’s Waitangi Day “celebrations” and events. polypill, a single pill aimed at preventing remain connected and provided with She concluded that the coverage of Waitangi cardiovascular disease, but more participants pedestrian access ways and other facilities. So from TVNZ and TV3 was usually reported from are still needed. we will be watching the final design proposals. what might be called a “Pākehā” perspective, but The trial is part of an international project, led Reports suggest that the bill for the road that the adoption of this perspective was at Tamaki Campus by the Clinical Trials Research will come from the national land transport unintended, unconscious and unacknowledged. Unit. Professor Rod Jackson, of the PILL pilot trial fund of fuel taxes and motor licence fees. But Instead, it was presented as “objective” and steering committee, said the intention was to have time will tell. Road schemes seem to fly in the “truthful”. For these reasons, Sue believed, this a pool of 50 participants for the trial. The team is face of sustainable cities. Yet the lead times coverage had the potential to impact negatively on still recruiting. for these developments are enormous. attitudes towards race relations and biculturalism. “The criteria are quite strict, in that participants Although planned at a time when public Unusually for a masters thesis, Sue’s findings cannot already be on associated medication, but transport was unfashionable, there is a need were published by Auckland University Press in must be able to demonstrate a raised risk of for the road network to be completed and at 1997 as a book, Shaping the News: Waitangi Day cardiovascular disease,” he said. The 12-week trial the same time keep the focus on public on Television. The book remains a seminal text for will assess tolerability of the pill and its effects on transport, cycle ways and pedestrian ways. many undergraduate courses and journalism blood pressure and cholesterol and will test It is important for the long-term strategic training courses in New Zealand. whether patients with increased risk can be planning that the road scheme is completed “I wanted to explore representations of Waitangi identified early and reduce their risk factors with to keep Auckland moving. Day through the lens of justice. I felt the news a single, once a day tablet. Professor Dory Reeves (Planning) wasn’t giving a fair picture of Māori, but I needed Volunteers attend a trial clinic and anyone to identify how that was happening. After all, the interested can self-refer through the website news is presented as objective and credible – I (www.pillproject.org). found that wasn’t entirely accurate,” says Sue, who Internationally, the pill pilot trial is being describes herself as Pākehā but also has conducted in Australia, Brazil, India, the whakapapa links to Nga Ruahinerangi. Netherlands, the UK and USA, and in New When Māori Television was established in 2004, Zealand is funded by the Health Research Council Sue turned her attention to the way Māori media and the Wellcome Trust.

The University of Auckland News 5 Books of joint co-supervision of research students Rich harvest between the two universities. Mujer, historia y “The visit could not have been better timed,” The Spanish Department had six good reasons to said Head of Department, Dr Kathryn Lehman. sociedad celebrate on 6 May. “First it meant Professor Davies could see the Staff and students gathered in the Common calibre of research coming out of the department. Room of the School of European Languages and And second it meant that we were able to ask her Literatures to celebrate the publication of five to give a seminar, which was a great thrill to those books within the last couple of years, representing who attended.” a rich harvest for a department of its modest size. The discussion on co-supervision was very Three of these were the work of staff, while fruitful, added Kathryn. She expects the visit will another was written by a former student, Elena result in valuable future cooperation. Garcia, now teaching in Spain, and the fifth was from another former student, Nicola Gilmour, now teaching in the Spanish Department at Victoria University of Werllington. (Yet another book by a former student, Sarah MacDonald, has just been accepted for publication). The sixth reason to celebrate was simply a fluke of excellent timing, since the function happened to coincide with the visit of eminent scholar, Catherine Davies, Professor of Spanish and Latin American Studies at the University of Nottingham, Left to right are Gwyn Fox, Christine Arkinstall and who was visiting Auckland to discuss the possibility Wendy-Llyn Zaza

This pioneering study by Dr Wendy-Llyn Zaza (European Languages and Literatures) replaces the veil of silence which formerly concealed woman-authored theatre with a comprehensive analysis of the personal and collective voice of 17 contemporary dramatists. The 36 works selected revisit key mythological and historical figures, challenge Francoist historiography, and expose current socio-political concerns. Mujer, historia y sociedad: La dramaturgia española contemporánea de autoría femenina thus contributes to the revision of traditional pillars of Western civilisation and modern Spain; it throws light on dissident writing related to the pre-war, Civil War and post-war periods, and it engages with debate which emerges largely from the difficult reconciliation of desire, reality and representation from the Transition to the turn of the 21st century. It includes a prologue by Itziar Pascual and is published by Kassel (Reichenberger edition). Histories, Cultures and It argues that the emphasis in their work on illuminating insights into women's interpersonal National Identities liberal histories associated with Republican ideals relationships. Moreover, analysis of their works Publishing on cultural and political matters has throws light on the history of Spanish democracy reveals their clever manipulation of power and traditionally been considered the province of men. and its interaction with competing concepts of patronage. When women have participated in fashioning national and cultural identity for over a century. As a difficult form of poetry requiring wit, national and cultural paradigms, they have The book is published by Bucknell University artistry and education, sonnets provided the ideal invariably been cast in masculine histories as Press/Associated University Presses, 2009. framework to display women’s intellectual skills minor players or exceptions. and education, but the nature of the sonnet also This book, Histories, Cultures, and National allowed women to create a subtle subtext of Identities: Women Writing Spain, 1877-1984 by Subtle Subversions criticism of contemporary systems of control. Associate Professor Christine Arkinstall (European Subtle Subversions, by Dr Gwyn Fox (European Subtle Subversions is published in Washington Languages and Literatures) addresses the visions Languages and Literatures) is the first full- DC by Catholic University of America Press, 2008. of history, culture, and national identity in modern length, contextual and analytical study of the Spain articulated by three women: Rosario de sonnets of five seventeenth-century women in Acuña (1851-1923), Ángela Figuera (1902-1984) Spain and Portugal. and Rosa Chacel (1898-1994). Using the sonnets as a basis for inquiry enables

6 12 June | 2009 Art From the collection

during a year she spent in Turin in 1990 studying Italian artists of the 1960s and 1970s who combined baroque space with gestural painting. Millar graduated from Elam with an MFA in 1983 but became disillusioned with the relationship between life and art so went on to run several Auckland cafes. She returned to the University in 1989 to study Italian feminist authors before receiving an Italian Government scholarship to study in Turin. On returning to her West Coast home in Anawhata, she developed her now-familiar approach to painting, and teaches at Elam. Along with Tintoretto, her work has also been Judy Millar, Simon-Peter, 2009, Acrylic and oil on canvas, 800 x 2000mm compared to that of movie director Quentin The University of Auckland Art Collection Tarantino. The accompanying text for a pivotal exhibition at the New Gallery in 2005 stated that: Thousands of renowned (and aspiring) artists, Maddalena, the only circular church in Venice, “If Tarantino makes action movies about action curators, writers, collectors, and anyone else which has existed on the site in various forms since movies, Millar makes action painting about action significantly interested in contemporary art at least 1222. Giraffe-Bottle-Gun, named from painting.” She works in a large, gestural manner recently converged from around the world for the oddly-shaped long-necked canvases leaning that recalls the heroic expressionist paintings of opening of the 53rd Venice Biennale. against the walls surrounding the large looping the 1950s but in lurid colours. More importantly, In addition to the main international exhibition, installation at the heart of the installation, instead of splashing and dribbling, Millar’s Making Worlds, which features 90 artists, there interrupts the spaces between the viewer, the paintings take a more reductive approach, wiping are 77 countries with their own pavilions and 44 architecture and the art. away layers to deconstruct the work, revealing new collateral events from a range of organisations. Simon-Peter was created specifically to help spaces beneath and placing tension on the Included in the collateral exhibition Glasstress is raise funds for New Zealand’s presence at Venice. processes employed. Elam School of Fine Arts graduate Hye Rim Lee, It is named after St Peter, who initially refused to Simon-Peter is the second work of Millar’s to be who appears alongside such international wash Jesus’ feet at the last supper, a scene acquired for the collection after See-See, which was luminaries as Louise Bourgeois and Mona Hatoum. painted in 1547 by Venetian late Renaissance produced in response to one of the University’s This year Creative New Zealand has selected master Tintoretto. It echoes Millar’s enthusiasm Frances Hodgkins paintings for a 2002 staff two artists to represent New Zealand: Francis for Italy’s heritage of palaces, cathedrals and exhibition at the Gus Fisher Gallery, the same year Upritchard and Judy Millar. Millar’s project frescoes, in which painting plays an active role in she won the Wallace Art Award. Giraffe-Bottle-Gun will be installed in Santa Maria the environment. It is an interest that was sparked Andrew Clifford

In addition to topics that have been debated for A Companion to millennia, such as the nature of the beautiful and Aesthetics the sublime, of aesthetic properties and experience, of representation and expression, of Associate Professor Stephen Davies (Philosophy) fiction, of art's value and its place in education and led the editorial team responsible for A citizenship, A Companion to Aesthetics addresses Companion to Aesthetics, published by issues prompted by recent developments in the Wiley-Blackwell. arts and in philosophy. These include a turn toward This reference work, which is directed both to everyday and environmental aesthetics, which are specialists and to students, contains some 185 covered along with entries on the aesthetics of entries, including long overviews of the history of food and drink, humour, comedy, gardens, aesthetics from the Paleolithic to the present, pragmatist aesthetics, mass art, and popular art; discussions of the individual arts, and alphabetical interest in conceptual art, performance art, and entries on leading historical figures and on topics art and technology; and the relevance of empirical in aesthetics and the philosophy of art. study to art's appreciation, with essays on science The latter include, for instance, essays on and art, cognitive science and art, and evolution, authenticity and art, creativity, the definition of art and aesthetics. "art", expression, formalism, genre, horror, Among the entries directed to art's wider interpretation, kitsch, modernism and relations to society and culture are those on art postmodernism, narrative, objectivity and realism history, censorship, pornography, erotic art and in aesthetics, performance, representation, obscenity, morality and art, feminist aesthetics and sentimentality, style, taste, and tragedy. criticism, cultural appropriation, Marxism and art, Though the emphasis is on Western art and museums, psychoanalysis and art, race and philosophy, the volume contains entries on African, aesthetics, and religion and art. Amerindian, Chinese, Indian, Islamic, and Japanese aesthetics, on the concept of rasa, and on universals in art.

The University of Auckland News 7 NZUSS and Planning for Retirement Many staff at The University of crisis in the international members and whether it is Planner, NZ Financial Planning Auckland are members of the investment markets and the global delivering credible results. The Company Ltd, ED, BCom, LLB, NZUSS scheme. The investment economy over the last 18 months. seminars will also highlight other CFPCM performance of the balanced and How will you respond? investment planning issues including Further details of these seminars growth NZUSS funds, as with most In late June the University will be the sorts of steps members can and at the City, Grafton, Epsom and investment plans of this type, have offering a series of one-hour should take to secure their own Tamaki campuses can be found at shown significant drops in value in seminars that will look at the desired lifestyle for retirement. www.auckland.ac.nz/sodu the latest annual report to NZUSS scheme, the role it plays in The seminars will be presented by December 2008. This reflects the delivering retirement benefits to its Jordi Garcia, Director and Financial

Doctoral morning tea and the NZ Governance Centre. Queries 812 8155. What’s on 10-11am iSpace, 4th Floor, Information to Tressy Menezes, phone 923 2628 or House-sitter available. British female Commons. A chance for all doctoral email [email protected] (UoA staff member) available for house- friday 12 june students to mingle, talk and share NICAI’s Pasifika InformationE vening sitting from late June until early August Chamber music assessments common issues. 6.15pm Fale Pasifika, 20 Wynyard St. (available for shorter period if required). 12noon Music Theatre, 6 Symonds St. Department of History seminar For Pacific students interested in Happy to look after pets. Responsible 12noon - Britten Serenade for voice, person, n/s and able to provide references. Dr Philip Morgan, School of History, studying fine arts, dance, music, Please email [email protected] horn and piano. Keele University, UK: Towards a history architecture or planning. Queries and to 12.45pm - Operatic duet/trios. of water: Ritual, medicalised and register phone 0800 61 62 63 or visit 1.15pm - Brahms Zigeunerlieder modernised landscapes in an English www.creative.auckland.ac.nz overseas Accommodation 5.30pm - Sor/Dowland/Guiliani duos for context. 4pm Room 52, History Dept, Greek apartment: Study leave or holiday. voice and guitar. 7 Wynyard St. Queries to Linda Bryder, An Auckland academic’s retreat is available 6.15pm - Guiliani duo for guitar and [email protected] to rent anytime. Located within three hours flute, Brouwer duo for guitar and viola. Classifieds of Athens Airport, Tyros is an ideal base [email protected] ACCOMMODATION AVAILABLE for study leave in Europe. It is well served friday 19 june by buses to Athens. The Tyros apartment Finances: Financial management in Apartment to Let. Spacious one-bdrm fully- is brand new within a classic Peleponnese furnished apartment in the Hyatt Residences saturday 13 june tough times village with its bay and beach-front on level 9. Good sea views, large deck. Rent tavernas. Check out the website Exhibition talk 11am-12.30pm Presentation Rm, includes two memberships to Hyatt Spa 1pm Gus Fisher Gallery, 74 Shortland St. ClockTower. This seminar will assist you www.tyrosapartment.com and gym, heated indoor 25-metre pool, one Email [email protected] Antarctic Research Centre Manager to take control of and better manage carpark, air conditioner, free power and Tamsin Falconer discusses the your financial affairs, particularly in water. $550 pw. Available 29 June. Phone intersections between art and science in the current environment. Enrol via Kevin on 376 5354 (evenings). property for sale PeopleSoft HR Employee Self Service Eden-Epsom. Near Pencarrow Avenue. Antarctica in response to the exhibition Mission Bay house for sale. $520,000. by Joyce Campbell, Anne Noble and (code HRWFI). Queries to ext 89630. Quiet, self-contained flat, 50 square metres, with separate entrance, in historic villa. Fully renovated, warm and sunny, 1960s Connie Samaras. View weatherboard house with bush outlook. www.gusfishergallery.auckland.ac.nz Saturday 20 june Right on bus stop to UoA. Spacious living area, kitchen, hall, walk-in-wardrobe, one Two bdrms + large study, workshop and Workshop dble bdrm, bthrm with shower. Polished garage. Stunning new Fyfe kitchen. Balcony, tuesday 16 june 1pm Gus Fisher Gallery, 74 Shortland St. kauri floors, high ceilings, oriental rugs. deck and low-maintenance garden designed for outdoor living. Five minutes to Dealing with conflict during In advance of their concert, live cinema Available furnished or semi-furnished. Osp. artists Joel Stern and Dirk de Bruyn No smoking or pets. Price includes water. Tamaki Campus,10 minutes to city. Phone postgraduate supervision (021) 883 503. present a workshop on their approach Electricity and phone separate. Available 12-1.30pm, CAD Seminar Rm, 5th floor, mid-June. $290 pw. Also slightly smaller one 76 Symonds St. Please enrol through to live sound and vision using projection of found photography and celluloid. Visit dble-bdrm fully-furnished flat at same locale. MISCELLANEOUS Peoplesoft HR (code DWCON) or call Heat pump, bath. $260 pw. Phone Kate or www.gusfishergallery.auckland.ac.nz Egg donor needed. We need your help! CAD reception, ext 88140. Concert Peter on 630 5776. Grey Lynn house available for short-term We are a married couple in a loving and 7pm Gus Fisher Gallery. Joel Stern secure relationship who, in last 10 years, WEDNESDAY 17 june (Brisbane), Dirk de Bruyn (Melbourne) rental. 30 June - 2 August. Four bdrms (one with ensuite). Fully furnished. Sunny, modern, tried every possible way to have a baby. Maori Staff Advancement Hui and local artists present a concert of central. $250 pw. Contact Our only chance now of becoming parents 8.30am-4.30pm, Waipapa Marae. live, expanded and experimental [email protected] is with the help of an egg donor. Would The Hui is a seminar and workshop cinema, organised by the Floating Hillsborough house to rent. July-Dec you consider being that special person series open to all staff who wish to Cinemas collective. 2009. Spacious family home in quiet cul-de- for us? If you are healthy, 37 or younger, contribute to improving Māori staff sac, with sea views, four bdrms + study, two ideally have completed your own family, recruitment, retention, participation Monday 22 june living spaces and dble garage. On main and be willing to help us, please contact bus route to University and variety of in confidence Juanita or Joanna at Fertility and achievement at The University Women to Watch seminar series of Auckland. Please enrol through schools. Available fully furnished. Suit visiting Associates, phone (09) 925 5982 or email Auckland Graduate Women continue [email protected] Peoplesoft HR (code MSTAH) or call academic and family. Contact (09) 625 their series with a talk by Dr Charmian 6016 or email [email protected] Please quote Happy Baby. CAD reception, ext 88140. O’Connor, Emeritus Professor of Stylish townhouse Epsom. Available New Zealand Red Cross Book Fair Department of Chemistry seminar Chemistry. 5pm Graham Hill Lecture to rent, fully-furnished, 1 July to 15 Dec Grab a bargain! Over 30,000 books to Assoc Prof Kate McGrath, School of Theatre, Level 12, Auckland Hospital. (approx). Three bdrms + study, two bthrms, choose from along with jigsaws, games, Chemical and Physical Sciences, Victoria RSVP to [email protected] by 19 dble garage. 15 minutes by bus or car from magazines, DVDs, CDs and records. University: Biomineralisation: From June. UoA. Ideal for visitors. Small private garden Opening night, Friday 12 June, 3-9pm. $10. proteins to model systems to mimics. with fishpond and herb patch. $600 pw + Sat 13 June and Sun 14 June, 8am-4pm, 3-4pm Rm 407, Bldg 301. Queries to Dr utilities. Phone Mike on (09) 422 0491. free. Alexandra Park Function Centre, Level Cather Simpson, ext 82279 or wednesday 24 june 2, Delightful Lady Lounge. Queries to [email protected] Chamber music assessments Joanne Bishop-Sime, 0800 733 276. accommodation required Tour packages to Asia: Planning a 7.30pm Music Theatre, 6 Symonds St. holiday to Asia? Visit www.exoticholidays. Bach Cantata, counter-tenor, chamber Are you looking for a house-sitter? thursday 18 june Mature person available to care for your co.nz for tour packages. We can customise organ, baroque violins, viola, cello. home and pets. If you’re going on holiday or tailor-make as per your requirements. Feedback that motivates View [email protected] 9am-1pm. Designed for staff in or sabbatical for one month or more, Book online from home/office and save heaps. Most competitive deals in the management positions. Develop your contact Kim, [email protected] thursday 25 june References available. market - watch out for monthly specials. confidence and skills so feedback Film Festival - inter semester break. Wanted to buy; a house or unit for first exchanges are easier and more effective. Franchise law reform symposium Piha screenwriter would like to sub-let (or home buyers. Two or three bedrooms, Enrol via PeopleSoft HR Employee Self 1-5.45pm OGGB3, Owen G Glenn Bldg, house sit) a room or apartment in the CBD weatherboard or brick and tile preferred. Service (code HRFTM). For queries phone 12 Grafton Rd. $75. Organised by The during the first week of the Film Festival. Most Auckland Central and North Shore ext 89630. University of Auckland Business School Between 9-18 July. Contact Savage on suburbs considered. Up to $390,000. Phone Richard on (021) 593 663.

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

8 12 June | 2009