Victoria University of Wellington - Podcast

In this Breakfast with the Experts you will hear the University's Careers and Employment manager, Andrew Tui, in discussion with recruitment specialists alumni Ian Kennedy and Rhiannon Robinson, as they let you in on those latest trends and tips for making meaningful connections and growing your networks.

In late April 2024, Wellington School of Business and Government was honoured to host Distinguished Professor Dame Anne Salmond to deliver the Sir Frank Holmes Memorial Lecture in Policy Studies. Examining how Te Tiriti o Waitangi and democracy can work together and drawing on global studies of cross-cultural relations in nation states, Dame Anne, Professor of Māori Studies and Anthropology, and a former Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Equal Opportunity) at the University of Auckland, drew on her own research, and that of her peers. She took the audience through a timeline that moved from the democracy that existed before the signing of Te Tiriti through the land wars, the right for all in New Zealand to vote, and to the current day questions around what a fair, wise, and just government might look like: one that has the best interests of all New Zealanders at heart and in mind, and ignores the trap of “Pernicious Polarisation.” Over 150 people sat with every word Dame Anne offered, many questions were answered, with many more arising as a result of the thought-provoking, empathic, and all-encompassing public lecture.

Is it time to step into your first management role? How do you know when you should make that move, and how do you prepare?Hear from fellow alumni who've made the journey into management at this Breakfast with the Experts alumni event. From demonstrating your leadership potential to developing an outstanding team culture, you'll hear from Dr Ben Walker from the School of Management, in discussion with Leigh-Ann Ung, Executive HR at Habit Health, and Nic Barkley, Manager Ministerial Services at the Department of Corrections.

Learn more about the complexities and challenges facing Aotearoa New Zealand in managing its freshwater resources in this talk given by Chief Executive of the Ministry of the Environment James Palmer. Drawing from his experience in regulatory law and local and central government, James unpacks some of the major factors and considerations shaping freshwater management. This session is taken from the Wai Aotearoa seminar series organised by the Stout Centre for New Zealand Studies in April-May 2023 on the state of freshwater in Aotearoa New Zealand. Video recordings of the series are available here: https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/stout-centre/about/previous-events/wai-aotearoa-seminar-series

The drive for collaboration and collective support is a cornerstone of sustainability, and the guests in this episode introduce a variety of ways that partnership is being implemented at the University level, as well as at the global scale. The University's Living Pā project is in the spotlight as a key example of what can be achieved when diverse people and ideas come together for the greater good. The discussion touches on New Zealand being uniquely positioned as a small nation where communication across disciplines is relatively easy, and where everybody can contribute to addressing our sustainability challenges. Our host Dr Sarah-Jane O'Connor is joined by guests Senior Advisor in the office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor Māori, Rhonda Thompson (Poutini Ngāi Tahu) and the Director of Sustainability, Andrew Wilks, to discuss the importance of partnership in working towards sustainability.

In this episode host Dr Sarah-Jane O'Conner is joined by guests Dr. Hiria McRae from the School of Education and Prof. Warwick Murray from the School of Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences to talk about the relationship between equity and sustainability. This is exemplified through the guest's work supporting communities that experience educational, social, economic, and political marginalisation, as well as through the development of ethical trade and educational programmes. A theme that runs through the conversation centres on the connection between equity and sustainability and the need to develop ways of being in the world that celebrate connectivity rather than divisiveness.

In this episode host Dr Sarah Jane O'Conner is joined by guests Dr. Ben Walker (School of Management) and Hannah Blumhardt (Institute for Governance and Policy Studies) to discuss the circular economy. A circular economy is a systems solution framework that tackles global challenges like climate change through the elimination of waste and pollution, reusing products and materials, and regenerating nature. The guests discuss ways to re-think how resources are consumed and disposed, and how this framework might encompass and shift value perceptions of skills-based and sharing economies. They introduce these ideas through the lens of the individual consumer and the business sector, and propose strategies for government-led action and implementation.

Clean, fresh water is essential to our health—and is threatened, in Aotearoa New Zealand not only by climate change, but by poor industrial farming practices, population growth, and under-investment. This conversation illuminates the need for strong governance in addressing water security, as well as addressing the issues underlying the Three Waters discussion, and the place freshwater and the 100% Pure New Zealand concept play in our cultural identity. Our host Dr Sarah Jane O'Connor is joined in this episode by guests, green criminologist Dr Sarah Monod de Froideville, and environmental economist Dr Julia Talbot-Jones to discuss the murky depths of our clean water discourse.

Maintaining biodiversity is a cornerstone of sustainability. In this episode of our Sustainability podcast, our guests discuss the decline of native species, management of predatory species, ecosystem restoration, and how biodiversity loss impacts our oceans, wetlands, and forests. They discuss the value of diversity, with a focus on tracking pests and restoring the Toheroa shellfish, along with the value of maintaining partnerships with Māori and local communities when developing sustainable solutions. Our host Dr Sarah-Jane O'Connor is joined by two Master's students, Tessa Thomson (Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga, Ngāti Tukorehe) and Ellen Carlyon, to talk about their current research around biodiversity in the New Zealand context.

Climate action is a broad term that Dr Amanda Thomas defines as “the tools people put together in order to address climate change”. Climate justice, on the other hand, looks at the equitable implications of our climate actions. Climate justice is important in addressing sustainability because climate change is one of the biggest threats to the long-term health and wellbeing of the planet and its inhabitants, and its impacts are often disproportionately felt by marginalised and vulnerable communities. Throughout this episode key considerations related to both climate action and climate justice are discussed, including the role of industry and technology in addressing our climate challenges, as well as implications of climate change on social and gender equity. This episode highlights the need for climate justice to be at the forefront of our actions in contending with our broad sustainability challenges. In this episode our host, Dr Sarah Jane O'Conner, is joined by co-founder and CEO of TasmanIon, Dr Shalini Divya, and feminist political geographer, Dr Amanda Thomas, to discuss climate action from both a technological and a societal perspective.

“Globally, not just in New Zealand, we are seeing a very rapid increase in youth anxiety and depression,” says Associate Professor Terry (Theresa) Fleming. She talks to writer Guy Somerset about her research on youth mental health and her work at the University's Digital Mental Health Lab. This podcast is part of Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington's Maranga ake ai! Research series. Discover more of Terry's research: https://wellington.wgtn.ac.nz/addressing-teenage-mental-health/index.html

In this korero, Dr Sam Hassibi talks with Dr Michael Brown about rebellion and music at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington. Focusing on group singing, they talk about the students' political and social activities and activism in the mid-20th century. Michael's article that is mentioned in the podcast, ‘Many happy song-sessions: Kiwi youth sings', was published in the Labour History Project Newsletter (pp. 14-19). [https://issuu.com/labourhistoryproject/docs/lhp_newsletter_55_aug_2012] Sam is a Research Fellow at the Stout Centre for New Zealand Studies and her research interests are cultural studies, food culture, and media. Dr Michael Brown works as Curator, Music at the Alexander Turnbull Library (part of the National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa). His research interests include folk music, New Zealand popular music and music archiving. In 2023, he takes up the JD Stout Fellowship to work on a study of electronic music and the internet.

The dire consequences of a rapidly warming planet were laid bare at COP27, the global climate change negotiations held in Egypt in November 2022. In this podcast, writer Paul Gorman talks to climate scientists Dr Dave Lowe and Hunter Douglas about their views on what needs to be done to forestall runaway temperatures. Dave is an atmospheric chemist who first measured southern hemisphere carbon dioxide levels at Baring Head near Wellington in the early 1970s. His memoir The Alarmist: Fifty years of measuring climate change was published in 2020. Hunter Douglas is at the other end of his career. Hunter is a PhD candidate in Geophysics at the New Zealand Climate Change Research Institute at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.

'Complicating resistance: power, emancipation, and sociology' examines knowledge, power, and the importance of critical self-reflection as it relates to liberation and democracy. In this kōrero, Dr Sam Hassibi talks with Dr Jennifer de Saxe, Alex Ker, and Danielle Hanna about a course they teach at Te Herenga Waka and the aims to dismantle and undermine racism through education. Highlighting the importance of self-reflection and critical thinking, Jennifer, Alex, and Danielle discuss students' and own experience with race and racism and explain their efforts to make this course a meaningful experience for all the learners.

Dr Sam Hassibi talks with criminologist Dr Samantha Keene about her ‘rebellious' work. In this conversation, they delve into Samantha's ‘dirty work' and the challenges of teaching and researching about sex and sexuality, pornography, and sexual harm. In remembrance of the rebellious mind of the late Dr Cat Pausé, they briefly discuss issues associated fat, fatness, and fear of fat.

Hear from two intriguing speakers on trends in religious beliefs among Māori and Cook Island Māori in New Zealand in this conversation produced as part of the Stout Research Centre's Rebellious Minds seminar series. Historian Dr Steven Loveridge talks with Te Henare, a leading voice in the Māori Atheists and Freethinkers group Atuakore, and Arama Tairea, a postgraduate scholar at Victoria University of Wellington. The conversation considers their insights and private opinions, explores changing patterns in religious and spiritual beliefs and asks what wider implications these changes may hold for communities and cultural identities.

Learn more about the student magazine Salient and its perspectives on the turbulent issues of the 1980s in this podcast, produced as part of the Stout Research Centre's Rebellious Minds seminar series. Historian Dr Steven Loveridge talks with Master of Arts alumnus Max Nichol about his Master's research into Salient. The conversation covers the history of student media at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, examines its approach to the issues of the 1980s, reviews the factors and conditions which shaped student media and reflects upon its animating spirit (then and now).

Learn more about the history of the 1972 campaign to end compulsory military service in New Zealand with this podcast, produced as part of the Stout Research Centre's Rebellious Minds seminar series. Bachelor of Arts with Honours student Arie Faber talks about his original research into OHMS (Organisation to Halt Military Service) and its 1972 campaign to end compulsory military service in New Zealand. The conversation, led by historian Dr Steven Loveridge, discusses the history and motivations of OHMS's members, the campaign's relationship with Victoria University of Wellington and reflections on the campaign five decades later.

Are you thinking of finding a new role this year or next? Perhaps Covid has disrupted your travel plans and a new career adventure is on the horizon instead? With a very active job market at the moment, this Breakfast with the Experts event will draw on the insights of your fellow alumni working in recruitment and human resources. Learn more about current recruitment trends in Wellington, career path options, top tips for getting successfully through the recruitment process and their general at-the-coalface advice. You'll hear from recruitment specialist Ian Kennedy and in-house human resource manager Julie Mitchell.

“If at times you can't do it for yourself, think about those you can help and do it for them,” says Stacey Shortall, reflecting on her life of helping others through her legal work. Hailing from a farming family in the mighty Manawatu, Stacey Shortall is an accomplished lawyer who makes a positive impact everywhere she goes. She speaks to Professor of Law, Dr Yvette Tinsley, as part of the University's distinguished alumni podcast series.

When Distinguished alumnus Sir Maarten Wevers KNZM completed his Bachelor of Science in pure and applied mathematics at Te Herenga Waka―Victoria University of Wellington, he did not anticipate he would one day become principal adviser to Prime Ministers of New Zealand. The distinguished alumnus, who was knighted in 2012 for his contribution to public service, spent 22 years at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade―including stints as High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea and Ambassador to Japan―and says being open to new opportunities is vital. Sir Maarten speaks to Dr Bryce Edwards from the University's School of Government as part of our distinguished alumni podcast series.

A farm girl from the Wairarapa, distinguished alumna Lisa McLaren remembers conversations around the dinner table with family friends where climate change was dismissed as a “greenie conspiracy”. The climate change activist, who completed a Master in Environmental Studies with a climate change education focus at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, says attitudes have changed. Most people now acknowledge climate change is an issue and she is “quietly hopeful” for the future. Lisa talks with Professor James Renwick from Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington's School of Geography, Geology, and Earth Sciences about the value of university study to help critical thinking skills, how to take care of oneself while worrying about your future, and more, in this fascinating podcast.

Aged sixteen, Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington distinguished alumnus, now Chief Judge of the District Court, Heemi Taumaunu (Ngāti Porou—Ngāti Konohi, Ngāi Tahu) joined the Army. When he was 21, his father came to see him at the army camp, and told him he should think about going to law school. Professor Rawinia Higgins (Ngāi Tūhoe), Tumu Ahurei—Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Māori) and Toihau—Chair of Te Taura whiri i te reo Māori—Māori Language Commission, speaks to Judge Taumaunu about his experiences studying at Te Herenga Waka, and how he has sought to make the courts fairer for all through implementation of Ngā Kōti Rangatahi o Aotearoa, the Rangatahi courts.

Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington distinguished alumna Rachel Taulelei (Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga, Ngāti Rārua, Ngāti Koata) explains how her law degree gave her the resilience to become one of Aotearoa's top business leaders. The Māori business leader and former New Zealand Trade Commissioner is founder of sustainable food company Yellow Brick Road Ltd, and until last year was CEO of award-winning Māori food and beverage company Kono. She speaks to Management lecturer Ben Walker (Ngāri Ruakawa) about Māori business, sustainability, her love of food and family, and her goals for her new start-up, brand and business strategy firm Oho. This is one of six podcasts recorded with Te Herenga Waka's 2021 Distinguished Alumni recipients. Find out more about Rachel: https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/engage/alumni/our-alumni/distinguished-alumni-awards/rachel-taulelei

An interest in science and a taste of business during a year in Sydney saw Te Herenga Waka―Victoria University of Wellington distinguished alumnus Chris Parkin CNZM become one of the first students at the University to complete degrees in both Science and Commerce. The former hotelier and well-known art collector and philanthropist speaks to Kaiwhakakapi Tumu Whakarae—Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Jennifer Windsor about science, property development, art, and politics as part of the University's distinguished alumni podcast series. (NB: when this recording was made Professor Windsor was in her permanent role as Pro-Vice-Chancellor for the faculties of Humanities and Social Sciences and Education). This is one in a series of six podcasts recorded with Te Herenga Waka's 2021 Distinguished Alumni Awards recipients. Find out more about Chris: https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/engage/alumni/our-alumni/distinguished-alumni-awards/chris-parkin

Mental health demands in Aotearoa New Zealand are rapidly increasing. These demands are exacerbated by a shortage of health professionals, causing dangerous delays around the country. While there are some excellent and innovative initiatives to address these demands, unless these are implemented fully, they will fail to respond to the urgency and scale of need. Join experts as they discuss the cohesive approaches needed to improve mental wellbeing, including digital tools and other scalable approaches, while also examining the heart of the problem: if the current investments in strategies continue to remain patchy, we will see terrible harm in communities and the policies will fail the mental health needs of young people. Speakers: Dr Terry Fleming (Te Herenga Waka–Victoria University of Wellington) Tania Wilson (Clinical Psychologist and General Manager of Fresh Minds)

In Budget 2021, the New Zealand government announced a commitment to the development of a Social Unemployment Insurance scheme. Developed by a tripartite working group with Business New Zealand and the CTU, public consultation on this new scheme is now open. Our experts share their insights and perspectives on the proposed new scheme, the public policy making and processes, the economic and social impacts, and what it all means for New Zealand workers. Speakers: Max Rashbrooke (Senior Associate, Institute for Governance and Policy Studies) Simon Chapple (Director, Institute for Governance and Policy Studies).

This episode's guest is Professor John Randal, Associate Dean (Students) in in Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington's Ōrauariki—Wellington School of Business and Government. John was diagnosed with major depression around 15 years ago, and talks to Annemarie about the relief of getting a diagnosis and getting treatment. He Pai Tatou, We're Good is a podcast about emotions and mental health and is hosted by Professor of Health Annemarie Jutel from the Wellington Faculty of Health—Te Wāhanga Tātai Hauora.

This episode's guest is Jonathan Boston, Professor of Policy Studies in Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington's Te Kura Kāwanatanga—School of Government. He has served as Co-Chair of the Expert Advisory Group on Solutions to Child Poverty, and has written extensively on climate change policy. Jonathan suffers from an anxiety disorder, and talks to Annemarie about living with this. He Pai Tatou, We're Good is a podcast about emotions and mental health and is hosted by Professor of Health Annemarie Jutel from the Wellington Faculty of Health—Te Wāhanga Tātai Hauora.

He Pai Tatou, We're Good is a podcast about emotions and mental health and is hosted by Professor of Health Annemarie Jutel from the Wellington Faculty of Health—Te Wāhanga Tātai Hauora. This episode's guest is playwright and actor Rob Mokoraka (Ngāpuhi, Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Ruapani, Ngāti Kahungunu), who suffers from depression. Rob once attempted to end his life by putting himself in harm's way, and while recovering used the experience as the basis for a play, ‘Shot Bro: Confessions of A Depressed Bullet'. He talks to Annemarie about using acting and playwrighting to deal with his depression, and how tikanga and aroha are powerful healing tools.

COVID impacted many organisations including Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington where in-person classes had to be replaced with online. Wanaka-born professional skier Finn Bilous was one of these students, trapped overseas competing he was able to continue his graphic design courses online. His professor, Zach Dodson, had worked to film his hilarious lectures against a green screen full of laser beams and memes. The campus is now back to face-to-face study, but over 650 students from 30 countries still log-in to learn thanks to faculty dedication to delivering compelling education regardless of format. Associate Professor Leon Gurevitch from Te Kura Hoahoa—School of Design Innovation at Te Herenga Waka chats to Finn and Zach about their experience of online teaching and learning over the last two years.

Sustainable tourism, which takes full account of its current and future economic, social, and environmental impacts, is an increasingly important focus for the tourism industry, particularly in New Zealand where tourism is one of our major exports. So, as we move to a more sustainable future—what will tourism look like and what will the impact on New Zealand be? Dr Ina Reichenberger speaks with Associate Professor Christian Schott and Associate Professor Ian Yeoman about sustainable tourism in New Zealand. Dr Christian Schott is an Associate Professor in Tourism Management at the Wellington School of Business and Government and is an expert in sustainable tourism development, tourism’s interrelationship with climate change, and sustainable tourism education. Christian is currently leading a research-driven VR-for-sustainability project which was recently awarded the Gold Award in the highly competitive Sustainability Category at the QS-Wharton Reimagine Education Awards 2020. The same project was also awarded AACSB’s prestigious ‘Innovations that Inspire’ honour in 2018. Associate Professor Ian Yeoman, who describes himself as a professional crystal ball gazer, is a futurologist specialising in travel and tourism. Ian learned his trade as the scenario planner for VisitScotland where he established the process of futures thinking within the organisation using a variety of techniques including economic modelling, trends analysis and scenario construction. Ian was a Senior Lecturer in Tourism and Hospitality Management at Edinburgh Napier University and University College, Birmingham. He has extensive experience within the hospitality industry, for which he was a hotel manager with Trusthouse Forte. Dr Ina Reichenberger is a Senior Lecturer in Tourism Management at the Wellington School of Business and Government. She previously taught at MCI Management Center Innsbruck in Austria after completing her PhD at VUW in 2014. Her industry experience includes tourism market research, destination development and consultancy roles in Germany. Ina's research interests centre around tourist experiences and the social aspect of tourism, with a particular focus on popular culture, value co-creation, tourism lifestyles, backpacker travel and consumer behaviour. Recent projects focus on sense of community through popular culture in a tourism context and charitable behaviour in natural conservation tourist attractions

On the 17th of March we held a webinar discussing climate change for University alumni with a focus on the US and New Zealand. This was hosted by Dr Fraka Harmsen who is the University’s Director of Engagement in the US. Panelists Professor Tim Naish, Associate Professor Rebecca Priestley and Professor James Renwick discuss melting ice, rising seas and local and global options to halt global warming.

On Thursday 25 of February an online alumni panel discussion took place focusing on London-based entrepreneurs and the impact of the pandemic on entrepreneurship. The University’s Alumni Regional Ambassador for London, James Clark, (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jrjclark/) hosted the discussion with a panel of four University alumni. Panel: • Todd Nicolson, Founder and Director of Beer at the New Zealand Beer Collective http://www.newzealandbeer.co.uk/ • Stu McKinlay, Founder and Creative Director at Yeastie Boys https://yeastieboysuk.myshopify.com/ • Jessie Healy, Digital Marketing Consultant and Founder of Webtopia https://webtopia.co/ • Tubbs Wanigasekera, Founder of SACRED https://sacredcafe.co.uk/

On 21 October Pro Vice-Chancellor and Dean of Wellington School of Business and Government, Professor Ian O. Williamson, hosted a panel event on the The pandemic trade challenge: NZ/US trade relations and COVID-19 . He was joined by New Zealand’s Ambassador to the United States, Her Excellency Rosemary Banks, NZ Trade Commissioner and Consul-General, New York-based Hannah Lee-Darboe, and from Wellington, Chair for Pacific Region Business and former Executive Director of the APEC Secretariat, Professor Alan Bollard. They discussed how the pandemic, politics, social upheaval and uncertainty are changing our interconnected economies. As well the experiences of Kiwi exporters on the ground in the U.S.? This was recorded on 21 October 2020 via Zoom webinar for Alumni.

In advance of being awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Literature by the University at the December 2020 graduation - Professor Jennifer Windsor, sat down with Elizabeth Knox. They discussed Elizabeth's life and work including her latest novel, The Absolute Book. This was recorded on 3 November at an alumni event in Wellington. The Absolute Book and all of Elizabeth's other novels can be purchased at Victoria University Press -- vup.victoria.ac.nz

Content Warning: This podcast includes strong language This was recorded at a live alumni event at The Court Theatre in Christchurch on Wednesday the 21st of October. Professor of Theatre David O'Donnell spoke with three of the University’s theatre alumni about their roles, the impact of Covid-19 and their career highlights. Hosted by: Professor David O'Donnell Panel: - Dan Pengelly, Artistic Director, The Court Theatre - Melanie Luckman, Co-founder and Artistic Director, Cubbin Theatre Company - Holly Chappell-Eason, Co-Artistic Director of Two Productions and Artistic Director of Little Andromeda

On Friday 9 October we held a webinar on New Zealand’s Housing crisis. This was part of a series of four online panel discussions delving into some of the big issues facing New Zealanders in the upcoming election. The session was moderated by Simon Chapple. Panelists were Mark Southcombe and Claire Achmad.

Hosted by Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, you'll hear from Dr Bryce Edwards of The Democracy Project; Professor Jack Vowles, School of History, Philosophy, Political Science and International Relations; and Dr Maria Bargh from Te Kawa a Māui/School of Māori Studies. They discuss their predictions for the 2020 NZ general election. This was held as a webinar on Friday 2 October.

On Tuesday 29 September we held a webinar on the Cannabis Legislation and Control Referendum. This was the second in a series of four online panel discussions delving into some of the big issues facing New Zealanders in the upcoming election. The session was moderated by Professor Jonathan Boston. Panelists were Dr Carol Shand, Emeritus Professor Peter Thirkell and Dr Jessica Young

As New Zealand’s general election heats up, Dr Mona Krewel and Professor Jack Vowles from the University’s globally ranked Political Science and International Relations programme are analysing and comparing data from hundreds of social media posts by political parties and top election candidates. The New Zealand Social Media Study is the local arm of an international research project that looks at how political actors use social media to target, inform, interact with, mobilise and pursue voters in elections. Dr Krewel and Professor Vowles talk with Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Jennifer Windsor about the impact of social media in campaigning and politics and the processes and expectations of the study. From Friday 2 October, you can visit www.wgtn.ac.nz/election for weekly updates from the study.

On Tuesday 15 September we held a webinar on the Cannabis Legislation and Control Referendum. This was the first in a series of four online panel discussions delving into some of the big issues facing New Zealanders in the upcoming election. This session was moderated by Dr Fiona Hutton from the University's School of Social and Cultural Studies. Panelists are Mamaeroa Merito and Tania Sawicki Mead.

Earlier this year, as COVID-19 landed on New Zealand’s shores, the swift and effective leadership of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Dr Ashley Bloomfield, and others was key in the country’s successful response. But there have also been many cases where leaders have not effectively managed a crisis—leading to dire results. In this podcast, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Dean of the Wellington School of Business and Government, Professor Ian Williamson speaks with Dr Ashley Bloomfield—Director-General and Chief Executive, Ministry of Health; Sarah Stuart-Black—Director, Civil Defence Emergency Management and Deputy Chief Executive of the National Emergency Management Agency; Dame Therese Walsh—Chairman, Air New Zealand and Pro-Chancellor, Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington; and Dr. Daniel Laufer—Associate Professor of Marketing, Wellington School of Business and Government about effective leadership and their advice for leading through a crisis.

What's next for New Zealand in the fight against climate change? On Tuesday 11 August Professor James Renwick and New Zealand’s Minister for Climate Change Hon James Shaw spoke at a public event at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington. They discussed what is currently being done in our country to combat climate change, what more we can do in the future, and how COVID-19 may have changed things. The public event included a Q&A section with members of the audience - this has not been included in the podcast for privacy reasons.

Academics from the University’s Faculty of Health held a webinar on 30 July 2020 on Covid-19 and Public Health titled “What’s in the air?” They discussed the wider public health implications of Covid-19 and how the public sector can better support communities to thrive. Presented by Professor Gregor Coster (Professor and Dean of Faculty of Health, Wellington Faculty of Health); Professor Colin Simpson (Professor in Population Health, School of Health, Wellington Faculty of Health); Dr Anna Matheson (Senior Lecturer in Health Policy, School of Health, Wellington Faculty of Health); Tara Officer (Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, Health Services Research Centre)

On Wednesday 22 July Professor Ian. O Williamson, Dean of the Wellington School of Business and Government at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington spoke with with alumna Katie Brown in a webinar for alumni. They discussed Katie's experience leading the digital communications team in the Unite Against COVID-19 campaign for the New Zealand Government and the challenges she and her team faced.

Cannabis reform excites intense debate across society, and with New Zealand’s referendum on the Cannabis Legalisation and Control Bill just around the corner, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Education Professor Jennifer Windsor invited Associate Professor of Criminology Fiona Hutton to talk about what the Bill actually entails.

This milestone event was given in honour of lawyer and law reform advocate Lecretia Seales and marks the fifth anniversary of both the decision on the case and Lecretia's death. In 2015, Lecretia Seales went to the High Court to seek a ruling that would allow a doctor to assist her to die with her consent. Her court case initiated a national debate and helped focus a parliamentary inquiry into assisted dying. On Thursday 4 June the Faculty of Law recorded a panel discussion on Seales v Attorney General and subsequent law reform. For the first time, Lecretia's counsel, the Crown's counsel, and the presiding judge came together publicly to discuss their perspectives on the historic court action. The panel members will give their perspectives on the original case and the End of Life Choice Act that has led to the upcoming referendum. Chair: Geoff McLay, Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington Panel: Matt Vickers Andrew Butler, Barrister Mike Heron QC Paul Rishworth QC Justice David Collins, Court of Appeal Chris Bishop, MP Greg O'Connor, MP Māmari Stephens, Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington Jessica Young, Executive Director of the 2020 End of Life Choice Act Referendum Society

This is the fourth in a series of Spotlight lectures on COVID-19 and the future of the New Zealand economy. In this session the panellists share their insights on the future after COVID-19, and what it means for the future of work, digital technology, and government. Facilitator: Professor Alan Bollard (Chair for Pacific Region Business, Wellington School of Business and Government) Panellists: Associate Professor Val Hooper (Head of School, School of Marketing and International Business) Professor Alex Richter (Professor of Information Systems, Wellington School of Business and Government) Professor Girol Karacaoglu (Head of School of Government, Wellington School of Business and Government

Curious about the legal implications of the lockdown? Do you want to know more on the New Zealand Government’s legal framework during this COVID-19 situation and what it means for us in the future? In the final episode of the series, our Faculty of Law academics; Geoff McLay, Nessa Lynch, Eddie Clark, Dean Knight, Petra Butler and Joel Colón-Ríos continue the discussion on the legal implications of the government’s response to COVID-19. • What’s been the most striking feature/thing for you during lockdown? • What’s been the most surprising feature/thing? • What’s the main lesson for the future?

This is the third panel discussion in the Spotlight Series: COVID-19 and the future of the New Zealand economy and was recorded as a webinar on Tuesday 26 May. In this session the panellists discuss long-term recovery strategies, including what it means for the climate change response, the impact on health and wellbeing and how it might change how we think about disasters in the future. Facilitator: · Professor Alan Bollard (Chair for Pacific Region Business, Wellington School of Business and Government) Panellists: · Dr Judy Lawrence (Senior Research Fellow, at the New Zealand Climate Change Research Institute) · Professor Nick Agar (Professor in Philosophy, School of History, Philosophy, Political Science and International Relations, Wellington Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences) · Dr Carolyn Palmer (alumna and Manager Health, The Treasury)