Podcasts about Massey University

Donald Trump has criticised wind energy during his visit to Scotland. Massey University's Emeritus Professor of Sustainable Energy and Climate Mitigation Ralph Sims spoke to Corin Dann.

Banks are sounding the alarm over a new kind of subscription trap. Instead of a typical ‘forgot to cancel scenario', businesses are instead selling goods and services that hook customers into reoccurring subscription payments. Westpac says it's stopped nearly 20,000 customers from being fleeced in the past three months, stopping more than $25 million in unwanted charges. Massey University banking expert Claire Matthews told Mike Hosking that the problem with this type of situation is it's difficult to cancel the subscription. Some companies, she says, straight up disappear when people try to cancel, so it's easier to stop the payment upfront. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tower is ending its multi-policy discounts, with the insurer claiming the level of risk is unacceptable for meeting regulatory requirements. The insurer previously offered people who bought two eligible policies up to 10 percent off their premiums and up to 20 percent off if people had three or more eligible policies. Massey University marketing professor Bodo Lang explains why these changes are taking place. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tower is ending its multi-policy discounts, with the insurer claiming the level of risk is unacceptable for meeting regulatory requirements. The insurer previously offered people who bought two eligible policies up to 10 percent off their premiums and up to 20 percent off if people had three or more eligible policies. Massey University marketing professor Bodo Lang explains why these changes are taking place. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With 11 mining projects on the Govt's fast-track list, Massey University's geography professor Glenn Banks says the economic returns from mining are rarely scrutinised; and they are inseparable from environmental impacts.

The Internal Affairs Minister's being criticised for allowing improper destruction of religious texts from the National Library. The Government plans to shred around half a million books which include the Bible, the Qur'an, and the Torah, to save on storage costs. Massey University Professor Emeritus of Religion Peter Lineham told Heather de Plessis-Allan religious texts should be offered to the relevant communities. He says Minister Brooke van Velden suggested they can do what they want with the books because New Zealand's secular. But Lineham says being secular doesn't mean being careless with other people's beliefs. Lineham told du Plessis-Allan religions have strict beliefs about how texts should be handled and destroyed - if at all. He says only preserving New Zealand books fails to recognise our society contains —and is stemmed from— many cultures. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the Monday Wire:  For our weekly catch-up with the ACT Party, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel spoke to MP Simon Court about the party's annual rally that happened yesterday, and the choice of US author, James Lindsay, as a keynote speaker, as well as the recent public hearings into the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the government's Covid-19 response. Following up with their chat with MP Simon Court, Joel spoke to the Pōneke Anti-Fascist Coalition's Anne Campbell, about James Lindsay, and his controversial views. Joel spoke to Dr Collin Bjork — a senior Communications lecturer at Massey University, about the government's recently released AI strategy.  And Joel spoke to AI and technology governor, Dr Karaitiana Taiuru, about how the government's AI strategy coexists with te ao Māori. Producer Samantha spoke to University of Auckland Geology Professor, Phil James, about the sustainbility issues with modern society in the global north. Whakarongo mai!

Recently, Science and Technology Minister, Shane Reti, announced New Zealand's first-ever artificial intelligence, or AI, strategy. With this, Aotearoa becomes the last country in the OECD to establish guidelines around the use of AI. Despite the establishment of this strategy, which is aimed at enticing the private sector to incorporate and invest in AI, there are concerns that the strategy does not introduce any new legislation to regulate AI, rather using already existing legislation, and fails to address ethical concerns. News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to Dr Collin Bjork — a senior Communications lecturer at Massey University, about this strategy document, and how much of an impact this strategy will have on the private sector to be better engaged with AI usage. They also spoke to AI and technology governor, Dr Karaitiana Taiuru, about how te ao Māori is engaged with this strategy, and whether more needs to be done.

Not In My Back Yard. For decades, that has been a battle cry for suburbanites and homeowners unimpressed by changes happening in their neighbourhood. But, how often are those complaints valid, or are they just people unhappy with change? With both a 16.5 metre tall Buddha statue in Waiwera Valley, and a helipad in Westmere getting people talking, today on The Front Page we’re looking into the resource management process and why some things get approved, and others don’t. Later, we’ll talk with Associate Professor Caroline Miller from Massey University’s Resource and Environmental Planning Programme. But first, for details on that giant Buddha statue, we’re talking to NZ Herald senior reporter David Fisher. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea DanielsSound Engineer/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After being stumped during Midweek Mediawatch with Hayden Donnell, Emile Donovan calls up Nights' resident sociolinguist, associate professor Julia de Bres from Massey University, to weigh in on whether the plural for a Kiwi (the national identity, not the bird) is Kiwi, or Kiwis.

Save 20% on all Nuzest Products WORLDWIDE with the code MIKKIPEDIA at www.nuzest.co.nz, www.nuzest.com.au or www.nuzest.comThis week on the podcast, Mikki speaks to Dr Claire Badenhorst — researcher, associate professor and athlete — about the often-overlooked intersection of iron status, performance, and menstrual health in women. Claire's research dives deep into why iron deficiency is so prevalent among active women, and how factors like menstrual cycle phase, hormonal fluctuations, and even menstrual fluid loss can all influence iron markers.In this conversation, Claire breaks down complex concepts like luteal phase defect and hepcidin regulation in a way that's incredibly accessible — and relevant — for anyone who trains hard or supports female athletes. She also shares insights from her recent studies, including novel approaches to defining heavy menstrual bleeding and exploring whether menstrual fluid could be used as a tool to assess broader health markers. If you've ever felt fatigued, foggy, or flat in training and wondered if iron could be the missing piece — this one is a must-listen.Dr Claire Badenhorst is an associate professor in exercise physiology at Massey University and a leading researcher in female athlete health, with a particular focus on iron metabolism, menstrual health, and performance. With a background as both an endurance athlete and academic, Claire brings a unique perspective to her work — combining scientific rigour with real-world athletic insight.Her recent research explores the impact of menstrual cycle status on iron markers, the role of hepcidin in active women, and novel approaches to assessing menstrual fluid loss and defining heavy menstrual bleeding. Claire is passionate about improving the health, performance, and clinical care of active women by advancing the conversation around hormones, iron, and recovery.https://www.instagram.com/claire_bades/?hl=en Curranz Supplement: Use code MIKKIPEDIA to get 20% off your first order - go to www.curranz.co.nz  or www.curranz.co.uk to order yours Contact Mikki:https://mikkiwilliden.com/https://www.facebook.com/mikkiwillidennutritionhttps://www.instagram.com/mikkiwilliden/https://linktr.ee/mikkiwilliden

The New Zealand manufacturer of Jaffas, RJ's, has confirmed falling sales has meant it cannot keep making them. Massey University marketing professor Bodo Lang spoke to Corin Dann.

A new venomous spider has officially made New Zealand home. Massey University ecologist professor Steven Trewick spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

An invasive spider with a nasty bite is spreading its population across New Zealand - prompting warnings from experts. The noble false widow spider has been spotted in Christchurch, Nelson, Northland and Waikato. Massey University evolutionary ecology professor, Steven Trewick, says their bite is unlikely to kill you - but it's harmful if left untreated. "Like most spiders, they're not going to bite you because they're not interested in you...but they do have some toxins that are similar to the toxins black widows and redbacks have." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a belief Auckland's new Police training centre will make recruitment more accessible. The new space on the Massey University campus includes multiple classrooms, along with gym and recreation areas. Police Commissioner Richard Chambers told Mike Hosking over the years some people have steered away from a career in Police because they couldn't go to Porirua for training. He says it's about creating more opportunities for those who might find Porirua for 20 weeks a challenge. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pregnancy scanning offers more than just lamb counts - it’s a powerful management tool that can lift lamb survival and save on feed. In episode 3 of Optimising Lamb Survival, a podcast series from Beef + Lamb New Zealand, The Country’s Rowena Duncum is joined by Associate Professor Rene Corner-Thomas from Massey University. They explore how to make the most of scanning - from identifying ewes needing extra support, to improving feeding strategies and pinpointing lambing dates. If you want to turn scanning results into real productivity gains, this episode is for you.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to new data from the United Nations, fertility rates are on the decline and families are getting smaller. The cost of living, job insecurity and housing costs are among the main factors preventing families from having as many kids as they would have wanted, new reports claim. Massey University sociologist Paul Spoonley says women are also getting more educated and have more of a role in the workforce - and that's another factor. "Women are having children much later in life - and so as we see that first child, the age of the woman for the first child is creeping up." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Research has found that gender disparities in maths performance, favouring boys, shows up as early as four months into their formal schooling. Massey University professor Jodie Hunter spoke to Corin Dann.

Breeding hoggets can be a smart way to lift overall lamb numbers - but only if it's done right. In episode two of Optimising Lamb Survival, a podcast series from Beef + Lamb New Zealand, we're diving into hogget lambing. The Country's Rowena Duncum sits down with Professor Paul Kenyon, Head of the School of Agriculture and Environment at Massey University and Riverton farmer Geordie Eade, to talk feed planning through lactation, scanning strategies, health considerations, and the long-term impacts of breeding ewe hoggets. Whether you're already breeding hoggets or just considering it, this episode is packed with practical advice to help make the right decisions on-farm.

Breeding hoggets can be a smart way to lift overall lamb numbers - but only if it’s done right. In episode two of Optimising Lamb Survival, a podcast series from Beef + Lamb New Zealand, we’re diving into hogget lambing. The Country’s Rowena Duncum sits down with Professor Paul Kenyon, Head of the School of Agriculture and Environment at Massey University and Riverton farmer Geordie Eade, to talk feed planning through lactation, scanning strategies, health considerations, and the long-term impacts of breeding ewe hoggets. Whether you're already breeding hoggets or just considering it, this episode is packed with practical advice to help make the right decisions on-farm.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's REX Daily Podcast, Dom talks with Samantha White from Whitehaven Wines in Marlborough about its association with marine environment group LegaSea via its Kōparepare wine brand, donating 100% of proceeds of Kōparepare to LegaSea for selected days in June and the nautical history of the vineyard, started by Samantha's parents in the 1990s... He talks with retired professor, ecologist and keen tramper David Norton about high deer numbers, the damage they're causing to native forests and farmland and what can be done to more effectively mange deer populations... And he talks with Professor Jackie Benschop from Massey University about presenting at the recent NZ Veterinary Association conference on the latest research into leptospirosis, the discoveries made following Cyclones Gabrielle and Hale and the subsequent flooding in 2023 and the best preventative actions. Tune in daily for the latest and greatest REX rural content on your favourite streaming platform, visit rexonline.co.nz and follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn for more.

Dom talks with Professor Jackie Benschop from Massey University about presenting at the recent NZ Veterinary Association conference on the latest research into leptospirosis, the discoveries made following Cyclones Gabrielle and Hale and the subsequent flooding in 2023 and the best preventative actions. Tune in daily for the latest and greatest REX rural content on your favourite streaming platform, visit rexonline.co.nz and follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn for more.

Ruby Keegan is working on a prosthetic limb which can be worn in and out of the water - giving amputees the freedom to move easily between land to sea. She's just won Massey University's Grand Ideas competition for student-driven innovation that tackles real world challenges.

Pregnancy scanning offers more than just lamb counts - it's a powerful management tool that can lift lamb survival and save on feed. In episode 3 of Optimising Lamb Survival, a podcast series from Beef + Lamb New Zealand, The Country's Rowena Duncum is joined by Associate Professor Rene Corner-Thomas from Massey University.  They explore how to make the most of scanning - from identifying ewes needing extra support, to improving feeding strategies and pinpointing lambing dates. If you want to turn scanning results into real productivity gains, this episode is for you.

New Zealand is known has one of the most seismically active countries on the planet, however, there's no official early warning system in place. It's something that shocked Dr Chanthujan Chandrakumar, who has led a team of Massey University researchers to create a system that is a groundbreaking step toward earthquake preparedness. He speaks to Jesse about creating the Earthquake Early Warning System, which is the first real-time trial of a community-based EEWS in New Zealand.

The news is filled with chatter about language and gender these days - gender-neutral pronouns, sexist language, the C word in parliament - but what about the gender of language itself?  Associate professor Julia de Bres from Massey University joins Todd Zaner to break it down.

A staff member at Massey University couldn't pay his rent when he didn't receive his salary after the introduction of a new payroll system at the institution. The man then had to show proof of the payroll mixup to his disbelieving landlord. RNZ has spoken with university staff affected by payroll problems, which they say are causing financial stress. Reporter Jimmy Ellingham spoke to Lisa Owen.

New Zealand has come in last place in a study comparing alcohol control policies across 11 international jurisdictions. Lead co-author and Massey University professor Sally Caswell spoke to Corin Dann.

Net migration is expected to stay low, with global affairs keeping many people where they are. Stats NZ data shows there was a net migration gain of only 26 thousand in the year to March, down from more than 100 thousand the year before. It says the fall is mainly due to fewer migrant couples arriving, with a slight increase in departures. Massey University Sociologist Paul Spoonley told Mike Hosking a big question mark hovers around the migration figures. He says he's unsure whether the numbers will keep, or if it's going to keep dropping and New Zealand will see something similar to the net loss seen during the global financial crisis. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The latest New Zealand Drug Trends Survey shows people are increasingly turning to social media to buy their drugs, and gangs are dominating the meth market. Massey University professor Chris Wilkins spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Dr Catherine Knight is an award-winning author, environmental historian, and policy expert with extensive experience in both strategic and operational environmental governance. Currently working in strategic policy in the government sector, Catherine is also an Honorary Research Associate at Massey University's School of People, Environment and Planning. Her writing on wellbeing, post-growth economics, and environmental policy frequently appears on platforms such as Newsroom, The Spinoff, and Substack.Catherine has authored several acclaimed books exploring the relationships between people, nature, and politics, including Nature and Wellbeing in Aotearoa, which we explored with her in a previous podcast episode. Her latest work, An Uncommon Land, is her most personal to date, tracing Aotearoa's environmental and social history through the lens of her own ancestors. It explores powerful themes like enclosure, colonisation, and the gradual denaturing of landscapes.In this episode:Her background in policy and current work beyond authorshipAuckland's lost tram network and the role of holistic city designRethinking the economy to serve both people and planetWhat inspired Catherine to write An Uncommon LandThe personal journey of understanding her ancestors to shape present-day insightsThe vulnerability of writing a deeply personal bookThe concept of The Commons—its historical significance and near-erasure in modern AotearoaDebunking the myth of the "tragedy of the commons"How the shift to enclosure and private property continues to shape society todayThe enduring systems of war, colonisation, and environmental degradation—and their modern parallelsOur complicity in an economy driven by exploitation and consumptionHow New Zealand's celebrated progress has often depended on the extraction of resources and environmental destructionEnvisioning alternative futures: post-growth models, food security, and land as a shared inheritanceWhy we must redirect public investment toward collective wellbeingWhat Catherine and her daughter learned from travelling together in the process of researching this book.To view all the links to the websites and documents, visit the show notes on our website.Please support our work and enable us to deliver more content by buying us a coffee or becoming a member of Athletes for Nature.Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Bluesky, subscribe to this podcast, and share this episode with your friends and family.

Dr. Viv Harris was born outside Wellington, New Zealand on a property with animals of all shapes and sizes. She knew early on that she wanted to be a Veterinarian.She earned a Bachelor degree in Zoology and also one in Veterinary Science from Massey University in 1986. After graduation, she went into mixed practice in New Zealand briefly, then went overseas for five years; doing locum work in the UK as well as working with camels in Kenya.Upon her return home, she purchased a small animal practice in Wellington and remained there for ten years. During that time, she started her holistic training, earning a certification in acupuncture by IVAS, certifying in NAET, and taking courses in Homeopathy, Trigger Point Therapy, Flower Essences, Herbal Medicine, and Neutraceuticals. While she was a practice owner, she also appeared regularly on radio and television, discussing veterinary medicine and natural living.She sold the practice and now sees patients in a room on her property as well as attending to her four acre garden.Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Viv Harris as we discuss her education, clinical practice, holistic education, and her approach to natural health and gardening.

Our resident science expert, Dr Julia de Bres, sociolinguist and senior lecturer at Massey University has been giving this some thought.

Key services are lagging behind in Canterbury's Selwyn district as it tries to cope with exponential population growth. Stats NZ data shows it remains the fastest growing district in the country, with 3200 new arrivals in the year to June. Rolleston and Lincoln experienced the biggest jumps, at 9.6% and 8.1% respectively. Massey University sociologist Paul Spoonley told Mike Hosking Selwyn falls behind when it comes to infrastructure. For example, he says that of the 20-odd primary schools with more than 700 students, five of them are in Selwyn. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In The Space Business is... – the podcast series of The Space Business is Everywhere campaign, underwritten by ST Engineering iDirect – we take a look at the way the commercial space industry has spread itself to parts of the world where space and satellites were once only read about or dreamed of. Each episode will focus on a specific location and features an innovator who is shaping - and reshaping - the industry. In the final episode, we hear from Terry Bleakley, Regional Vice President of the APAC region at ST Engineering iDirect. Terry Bleakley is the regional vice president of the APAC region at ST Engineering iDirect where he is responsible for developing and executing strategies to accelerate the company's revenue growth. Throughout his extensive career, Terry held several senior leadership roles with leading satellite operators. From 2010 to 2023, he served as Regional Vice President for the Asia-Pacific at Intelsat, where he oversaw significant regional initiatives, strengthening the company's presence in the region. Prior to his tenure at Intelsat, he was the Chief Commercial Officer at MEASAT from 2007 to 2010, where he played a critical role in driving the company's commercial growth. Terry's journey in the satellite industry began in 1997 when he moved to Malaysia to join British Telecom. Since then, held senior sales management roles at PanAmSat and Intelsat. More recently, he served as Senior Advisor for Strategic Initiatives at Intelsat and as an advisor to Sky TV New Zealand. He is set to continue his advisory work with SkyPerfect JSAT through late 2024. With strong roots in the APAC region, Terry serves as the President of the Asia Pacific Satellite Communications Council (APSCC), a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the satellite ecosystem in the Asia-Pacific region. Since 2023, he has been leading APSCC's efforts to advance satellite communications across one of the world's most dynamic markets. He holds a Bachelor of Science from Victoria University in Wellington and a Diploma in Aviation Studies from Massey University in New Zealand.  

Texting words like LOL and OMG may not be as cool as it once was. A US study has found people using abbreviations or slang in texts sound 'stupid' to others. Massey University linguistics expert Dr Arianna Berardi-Wiltshire says slang seems to have become less common. She says changing tech may play a part - with phones now having full keyboards and predictive spelling. "Young people are much more relationally aware than people were in the past - they know, quite often, when it's appropriate to use them." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A leading primary sector academic and columnist talks about young farmers and old farmers. And did she inhale at Massey University in 1977?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A careful balancing act on how far banks should have to go to prepare for a rainy day. Parliament's Finance Select Committee is currently seeking feedback on whether the Reserve Bank's capital requirements for banks should be changed. The current rules are stringent and costly. Massey University banking expert Claire Matthews told Mike Hosking we also can't go too far the other way. She says if a bank fails, and there isn't enough money to pay people out, that will have a huge impact on the whole economy. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A massive spike in meth use is being linked to a change in global shopping habits. Christopher Luxon has asked ministers to look into meth use, after annual wastewater results show a 96% increase in consumption last year compared to 2023. Massey University drug researcher Chris Wilkins told Mike Hosking it's likely a case of both people using more, and more people using. He says the increase represents the changes to the drug market, which is moving from a brick-and-mortar store, to a global online platform. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A sociologist isn't worried about net migration inching closer to zero. New Stats NZ data shows there was an annual net migration gain of around 32,000 in the year to January, down on December. Migrant departures also rose 18% to almost 123,000 in that time, the highest on record for an annual period. But Massey University's Paul Spoonley told Mike Hosking we don't know about the skills of those departing. He says we also need to ask if we're also seeing unskilled and semi-skilled workers leaving and therefore exporting part of our unemployment rate. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new public health report says the government's response to long covid has been inadequate. Massey University's Centre for Public Health Research Professor John Potter spoke to Corin Dann.

As global temperatures continue to rise through unprecedented global warming, the risk of urban and wildfires continues to expand. Many countries continue to fight increasing global warming by phasing out the sale of petrol cars. These countries include most in the European Union, and additionally Canada and China are expecting to do so by the 2030's. However, with the United States leaving the Paris Agreement following president Trump's inauguration, the future of mitigating global warming becomes more unlikely. A temperature rise of four degrees is projected should we not take any action to reduce it. Producer Sasha spoke with Professor Bruce Glavovic from Massey University about these issues in addition to urban fire planning in New Zealand. We talked about how we can avoid urban fire scenarios and the world's state of global warming.

For their weekly catch up with the Green Party, Oto spoke to Ricardo Menendez March about the 4th government investigation into school lunches, The proposal to cut Te Reo Māori resource teachers and the Greens call to the government to rule out joining AUKUS. He spoke to Esmé Hulbert-Putt from Aotearoa Christians for Peace in Palestine about the open letter from Christian leaders calling for humanitarian visas for Palestinians, as well as the Gaza ceasefire pilgrimages that will be happening across the motu later today. And he spoke to Shiva Gounden from Greenpeace Aotearoa about Greenpeace's call for reparations from the United States to the Marshall Islands for the impacts of the Castle Bravo nuclear bomb's detonation in the Bikini Atoll in the 1950s. Sasha spoke with Professor Bruce Glavovic from Massey University about Urban Fire planning and Global Warming. And he also spoke to Professor Robert Patman, from the University of Otago about recent global political developments.

Chinese scientists have analysed fire data from thousands of cities in 20 countries - and New Zealand topped the list of those facing a growing wildfire risk because of climate change. Massey University's School of People Environment and Planning Professor Bruce Glavovic spoke to Alexa Cook.

New Zealand's meth use has reached unprecedented heights. New figures show a monthly peak of 39.2 kg recorded in October - well above historic averages and nearly double the previous record of 20.6kg in 2021. Massey University Drug researcher Chris Wilkins talks to Mike Hosking about the reason for the surge, and what this means for the country. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Jacqui Snell was born and raised in Wellington, New Zealand. Veterinary Medicine was a career aspiration from childhood. She earned her veterinary degree from Massey University in 1988. Afterwards, she worked in a small animal practice in Wellington before spending a year doing locum work in London England.After returning to New Zealand, she worked at Taradale Veterinary Hospital in Hawkes Bay for 21 years, spending 16 years as an owner of the practice. She started her holistic practice, Veterinary Holistic Healthcare, in 2018, after earning a Western Herbal Certification. She completed a Graduate Diploma in Veterinary Western Herbal Medicine through CIVT in 2019.She worked part time in a holistic practice as well as a companion animal practice. She also worked part time for the Raw Essentials company, providing nutritional advice to pet parents who were transitioning their pets with health issues onto a raw food diet.Currently, she focuses completely on her holistic practice, seeing patients in person and via telemedicine.In addition to her clinical practice, she has lectured at the New Zealand Veterinary Association conferences and is the current newsletter editor for the Complementary Branch of the NZVA.Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Jacqui Snell as we discuss her education, various clinical roles, and her current holistic practice.

On Sunday the government launched a new $500,000 tourism campaign aimed at getting Australians to visit New Zealand. Massey University professor in marketing Dr Bodo Lang spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Pension incomes are set at about $520 for single people and just under $800 for couples. A Massey University report released last week found that a single retiree with a no-frills lifestyle would need $196.59 per week over and above their NZ Super, dropping to to $183.54 in a metro centre. For a choices budget, with more luxuries, it cost a one-person household $234.80 in the provinces and $214.33 in the metro areas. Again that is over and above NZ super. Chief Executive of Age Concern, Karen Billings-Jensen spoke to Lisa Owen.

Surviving on mince and sausages, and wearing secondhand clothes. That's the plight some pensioners face as weekly expenses creep up and beyond the amount of money they have coming in. Even those living away from major cities are feeling the pinch, including those that don't rely solely on the pension. A recent report from Massey University has broken down just what New Zealand's pensioners are spending each week. Jimmy Ellingham spoke to people about the reality behind the numbers.

The world's largest aid agency faces major cuts, and it could have a big impact on the Pacific. Massey University associate professor at the centre for defence and security studies Dr Anna Powles spoke to Corin Dann.