Podcasts about otago university

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Chris Clarke and Sarah Sparks. First up, today, Labour and National have both made pitches to the nation about how they plan to bring supermarket prices down. Otago University senior lecturer in marketing, Rob Hamlin, gives his assessment. Then, Devonport residents are taking legal action against the government on a set of eight-storey apartments that have been approved for fast-track. And, are school-issued apps required on parents' phones all getting a bit much? Katrina Colombie thinks so. She's the managing director of Smartphone Free Childhood Aotearoa New Zealand. Finally, a one-armed mannequin is stealing the show at a South Taranaki Museum exhibition on the history of healthcare in the region.

An extra half hour of The Panel with Wallace Chapman, where to begin, he's joined by Nights host Susana Lei'ataua. Then: Labour MP Deborah Russell recently sparked a big reaction for knitting in Parliament, but turns out, not only does the craft have a history in the House, but in politics and activism around the globe. Steve Taylor is a research affiliate at Otago University's Centre for Theology and Public Issues. He joins to explain. 

Teenagers are leading the pack when it comes to sports related ACC concussion claims. The sports that feature most prominently are rugby, cycling and soccer. Last month ACC launched an online course to help adults recognise and respond to concussion. Otago University's Professor Gisela Sole researches concussion within schools and spoke to Lisa Owen.

ACT's plan to campaign on scrapping Māori and Pacific med school places is being seen by some as electioneering. A review into Auckland and Otago university admission programmes is part of the ACT-National coalition agreement, but its findings haven't been made public. An ACT spokesperson claims the scheme shows unjustified discrimination. Auckland University Medical Dean Warwick Bagg told Ryan Bridge the findings should be released so the facts can be debated. He says it's about giving Māori and Pacific students the highest chance to succeed, where the school system doesn't. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new paper being offered by Otago University summer school is aiming to better prepare students for the workplace, but encouraging the use of AI. Tech business consultant Rachel McBride is behind the paper's design and spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

The US appears to be re-engaging with the Pacific as it invests in Cook Islands infrastructure. New Zealand's pledged to co-invest with the US to build a port on the Penrhyn atoll in the Cooks, a former military base. China had been interested in seabed mining in the area. Otago University International Relations expert Robert Patman told Ryan Bridge the Trump administration hasn't shown a lot of interest in the Pacific until now. He says what it is interested in is combatting China, so this is an incentive for them to get back to being much more active in the region. PM Christopher Luxon is travelling to Palau for the Pacific Islands Forum today. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With only 11 sitting days left until the House rises for the election, about 100 bills remain for Parliament to consider. Dr Michael Swanson, honorary research fellow at Otago University's politics programme, spoke to John Campbell about the lawmaking trends in this term of Parliament.

A new international study has, for the first time, linked eating disorders to genetics, challenging the traditional view they are primarily psychological illnesses. The research was published in the UK Journal Nature Mental Health and includes genetic data from more than 500 New Zealand participants, contributed by a team from Otago University. Associate Professor Jenny Jordan spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Jack Scott from Otago University is combining the use of artificial intelligence with non-invasive measurements of brain activity.

First up, Christopher Luxon has called for an 'urgent in-person" caucus meeting to stamp out speculation about his leadership. The Prime Minister went to social media to announce the stare down saying media reports about the potential end of his role as leader of the National Party were distractions that need to be "resolved quickly". The panel talks to Dr Michael Swanson from Otago University about what this may mean for National's election campaign. Then, a new group says a creeping acceleration toward privatisation should be resisted. Public futures Aotearoa is a coalition of unions, community groups and researchers and they support keeping assets and services under public ownership and control. The panel and Public Futures Aotearoa researcher and spokesperson Edward Miller discuss the issue.

As debate continues about Luxon's political future following last week's MMP reform comments, there's growing discussion about whether a referendum is needed. In a piece in Newsroom, Otago University political commentator Dr Michael Swanson argues MMP has delivered fairer representation and coalition Governments are doing exactly what proportional representation was designed to do.He joined Kerre Woodham to outline New Zealand's possible options amid the ongoing election season. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are beliefs that the latest autism figures better reflect society, with less people going un-diagnosed. An Otago University study has found autism rates have tripled over the past 15 years, with nearly 31,000 people diagnosed during the study period. That's 1.3% of kiwi kids, and 0.14% of adults. Autism New Zealand Chief Executive Dane Dougan told Heather du Plessis-Allan that a diagnosis opens the door for support. He says talking to people who've been diagnosed later in life is a significant, and helps them understand why the world seems different for them. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The number of New Zealanders diagnosed with autism has more than tripled over the past 15 years, according to new research. The Otago University study is the first to examine autism diagnosis trends for both children and adults across the country. Associate Professor Ben Beaglehole from Otago University's Department of Psychological Medicine led the study and spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Otago University's Students' Association is rejecting claims of a student attendance crisis. An academic has told the ODT low lecture attendance is an ongoing concern, with as few as 30 percent at some lectures. Association president Daniel Leamy says he hasn't seen a crisis - but numbers evidently haven't rebounded since Covid. He explained people say students are lazy - but university isn't cheap these days, so people are working more hours. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The coalition government has passed more legislation under urgency than any other parliament since at least 2008, according to data given to RNZ by the Parliamentary Library. Otago University law professor Andrew Geddis spoke to John Campbell.

In part two, as a potential social media ban creeps closer, an Otago University media lecturer asks, is there a better option to protect young people from the harms of the internet? Then the panel wishes a happy birthday to a crêpe caravan in Wanaka which has been running for ten happy years.

After years of warnings, H5N1 bird flu has arrived in New Zealand, with the virus confirmed in a seabird on a Wellington beach. Professor Jemma Geoghegan, an evolutionary biologist and virologist at Otago University spoke to John Campbell.

No surprises bird flu has reached our shores, as New Zealanders are asked to keep an eye out for transmission escalation. A sub-Antarctic seabird found on Wellington's Petone Beach last week has tested positive for the H5N1 strain. Officials say symptoms to look out for in birds include paralysis, shaking, respiratory issues, or diarrhoea. Otago University evolutionary virologist Jemma Geoghegan told Ryan Bridge there's no evidence of widespread transmission yet. She says once it starts spreading between birds on the mainland, that's when there's a risk the virus could get into poultry sheds and concerns would grow. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New evidence suggests nitrate in drinking water could increase the risk of premature birth. A study of more than 700,000 birth records and estimated nitrate levels at the mother's residence, found it potentially contributes to about 4 percent of pre-term births every year. Otago University professor Michael Baker says this research, paired with similar studies carried out overseas, adds up to the need for an evaluation of nitrate levels in water. "Denmark has recently reviewed its levels and it's dropped the level to 1.3 milligrams per litre, so that's about a tenth of that current level that we have in New Zealand. And they looked at a lot of evidence to do that." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The reignition of hostilities between the United States and Iran has again closed the Strait of Hormuz and seen Iranian missiles fired at targets throughout the Gulf states. Robert Patman, a professor of international relations at Otago University spoke to John Campbell.

New Zealand's Gender Attitudes Survey shows a sharp rise, particularly among young men, in adherence to rape myths and the belief that gender equality has gone too far. Rebecca Stringer, associate professor in gender studies at Otago University, joins Melody to make sense this troubling trend, and unpacks why this isn't as new as it feels (hello, 90s political correctness backlash), what's different this time around (the monetisation of misogyny by people with real skin in the game), and why disenfranchised young men are directing their very legitimate economic anxieties in entirely the wrong direction. They also get into what it takes to counter far-right rhetoric in the classroom, and how the left might actually win some of these guys back. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're going to start today's show talking about smoking. It's back in the headlines after a recent bust saw more than a million cigarettes seized and five people arrested as part of efforts to crack down on the black-market tobacco trade. And the issue of excise tax is back under the spotlight with Associate Health Minister Casey Costello telling Newstalk ZB she would consider a review of it. She's since told RNZ she has no intention of reducing tobacco excise, nor had she talked about it. What she did or didn't say aside - we started thinking about the issue of smoking and the best way to break the supply of illicit cigarettes and tobacco. Janet Hoek is an Otago University public health professor and spokesperson for the Health Coalition Aotearoa expert advisory group on smoking and she chats to Perlina. [picture id="4NETEZ5_120699547_l_jpg" crop="16x10" layout="full"]

The World Meteorological Organisation has found 2025 was the 2nd-warmest year on record for the South-West Pacific. The higher temperatures came with increased rainfall, marine heatwaves, and sea level rise - and below average amounts of snow on South Island mountains. Professor Nicolas Cullen is a climate scientist at Otago University, he joins Emile. [picture id="4JM7MWX_snow_jpg" crop="16x10" layout="full"]

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Jennie Moreton and Simon Wilson. First up, the weekend saw both the ACT and Labour parties hold rallies announcing new policy. Michael Swanson, a honorary research fellow in the politics programme at Otago University, joins the panel to discuss the two parties and their possible election outcomes. Then, Health and safety regulation can sometimes be the butt of the joke, where critics say the paperwork required is just common sense. The ACT Party's Health and Safety Amendment Bill intends to overthrow much of those requirements. Dr Danaë Anderson, Researcher & Lecturer in Workplace Health and Safety at Victoria University of Wellington joins the panel to assess the bill and if it will do what it says it will.

One of NZ's leading primary sector academics challenges an Otago University academic over claims of farmers having a disproportionate influence in NZ politics.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A major new study has found many New Zealand children are sleeping in rooms that are too cold, and it could be affecting their long term health. Otago University healthy housing researcher Lucy Telfar-Barnard spoke to John Campbell.

A second bird has now tested positive for the deadly H5N1 bird flu strain in Western Australia. Professor Jemma Geoghegan, an evolutionary virologist at Otago University spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast with Andrew Dickens for Monday, 8 June, 2026, Labour leader Chris Hipkins defends the process followed by police Superintendent Rakesh Naidoo before being named on the party's list. Otago University zoology teaching fellow Hanna Ravn tells us what to do if confronted by a sea lion. We talk to the most talkative MP in Parliament - the Greens' Lawrence Xu-Nan. And on The Huddle, Maurice Williamson and Josie Pagani give us their take on Labour's list - one of them says it's top-heavy with activists. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In part two, the ACT Party say they've got the solution to big school uniform bills. the panel discuses the new policy with Dr Johanna Reidy, Lecturer of Public Health at Otago University. Then, Nelson Horrell is 80 years old and just recently he deadlifted 80 kilograms, 80 times in one day for charity. The panel speaks to this legend.

An energy hardship researcher at Otago University suggests scrapping the winter energy payment and putting that money towards solar subsidies for households. 

The New Zealand Dental Association has called for a 50 percent increase in Otago University dentistry graduates. 

Ukraine has approached New Zealand about a deal to build military drones, in a new push to sell its Russian-killing technology around the world. Ukraine has 20 countries interested and four signed agreements on drones, including Germany, Canada, Norway and Japan. Otago University's Robert Patman explains why Ukraine is looking to move forward in this area. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's confidence from some that the hantavirus outbreak won't turn into another worldwide pandemic. Passengers are being evacuated and returning to home countries, including one New Zealander. Authorities say one of five French passengers developed symptoms flying to Paris, and will isolate until further notice. Otago University epidemiologist, Michael Baker, says person to person transmission is very unusual for this virus. "And when they're investigated, these are often people who are living in the same house or the same bedroom or are spending a lot of time together - it's not from casual contact." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In part two, as the winter sport season gets underway, so to comes the onslaught of poor sideline behaviour. Hadyn Jones is championing the cause of being nice on the sidelines. Then, the world celebrates 100 years of David Attenborough. Otago University botanist Janice Lord shares how the iconic conservationist and documentarian has inspired her work.

In part two, plans to demolish a set of brutalist lecture theaters at Otago University called the Archway Theatres in exchange for a formal garden has kicked off a petition. Then, the Great Avon-Waihopai Varmint Hunt invites teams to humanely hunt or trap as many feral cats, and pests as they can this weekend. It includes a Mother's Day special award; for the mum who has the most impressive haul.

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Eve McCallum and Chris Clarke. First up, following the government's new move-on orders, targeting disruptive behaviour in public, Tauranga City Council has cracked down on one particular area where people live in their cars. Council manager of regulatory and community services, Sarah Omundsen joins the show, followed by Angela Wallace, co-chair of Awhina House. Then, retailers want more strict regulation of black market cigarettes - but what is the best way to stamp it out? Otago University public health Research Fellow Calvin Cochran shared his view.

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Sue Kedgley and Rajorshi Chakraborti. First up, Donald Trump's latest nemesis is an unlikely character: Pope Leo the 14th. On Truth Social, Trump called the Pope "weak on crime." But what is the role of religion in war, if any? Otago University senior theology lecturer Andrew Shepherd shares his thoughts. Then, Wallace paid a preview visit to Auckland's City Rail Link, which is inching closer to opening day. A date still hasn't been set, but Andy Baker is the chair of Auckland Council's Transport and Infrastructure Delivery Committee, and he explains what's coming.

New Zealand scientists are developing a long-acting ketamine tablet, which could change therapeutic delivery of the drug. They're aiming to create a tablet patients can take at home once or twice a week, for treatment-resistant depression. The pill is now being pushed towards regulatory approval in the United States, to make it widely available. Otago University professor, Paul Glue, says it's a big change from current ketamine therapy. "If you're getting the injection, it's got to be done in a clinic. You're going to be off your face, you're going to be very sedated, very spaced out - your blood pressure can go up." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New reports indicate young people aren't going to op-shops as often, and experts have raised questions as to why this is. Despite the ongoing cost of living, it seems like younger people wanting discount fashion prefer other options - with less barriers. Otago University professor Lisa McNeil says the extra effort to look for quality pieces is perceived as a lot of extra labour, and young people are put off. "It's hard for them, it's expensive when they compare it to some of the cheap new options that are available in the market." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Trump says many countries will send warships to keep the Strait of Hormuz open for shipping. Otago University's Robert Patman spoke to Corin Dann.

Public health experts have noticed this latest Covid wave is worsening as fewer Kiwis are getting vaccination boosters and tests, and it's renewed debate about sick leave. Wastewater analysis from PHF Science shows that the number of cases is at the highest rate it's been for over six months, and Health NZ says there's been 50 hospitalisations and 19 deaths from the virus this week. Otago University associate professor Paula O'Kane says it's important to let sick leave accrue every year - and stay consistent as Kiwis move jobs. "It would give people access to better sick leave, it might discourage misuse of sick leave, and when people are actually sick for a longer period of time, they're better covered. So it would really help to deal with issues around people's long-term illness, for example." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Robert Patman, a professor of international relations at Otago University spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss about developments in the Middle East.

Q+A covers the dramatic developments in the Middle East overnight, with claims that Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been killed in American and Israeli airstrikes. What are the chances this leads to regime change in Iran? And were the strikes legal? Q+A speaks to Otago University professor Robert Patman, and 1News US correspondent Logan Church. Gary Stevenson: Harsh warning for future if inequality worsens Economist, author, and former Citibank trader Gary Stevenson from Gary's Economics joins Q+A to warn against sharply rising inequality, wealth and asset concentration among the super-rich, and what the world of the future could look like. Jack Tame puts his arguments to the test, and asks whether Stevenson's personal story of being Citibank's most profitable trader in 2011 is true, ahead of Stevenson's speaking tour of New Zealand. Being in Iran during brutal regime crackdown When protests erupted in Iran in January, Iranian New Zealander Irene was trapped. She tells 1News In Depth reporter Mava Moayyed what she heard and saw during the brutal regime crackdown, and recounts how difficult it was to escape. What makes a good political heckle? We ask a serial heckler For some politicians a heckler is an obstacle, but for others an opportunity. Whena Owen meets serial political heckler Karl Mokaraka and finds out what makes a good heckle, before turning the tables on Karl. Join Jack Tame and the Q+A team and find the answers to the questions that matter. Made with the support of NZ on Air.

There's concern that some behaviour at Dunedin's annual Flo and O weeks is out of control and highly dangerous, with students clambering onto roofs. A young man was critically injured early this morning after falling about ten metres from an Otago University building. A wine bottle was found on a ledge. Senior Sergeant Craig Dinnissen spoke to Lisa Owen.

Otago University's Dr Johanna Reidy researches the impact of school uniform design and policy on health and educational outcomes.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The Parole Board has declined parole for convicted murderer Clayton Weatherston. The 50-year-old will remain behind bars until at least November 2027. Weatherston was an academic at Otago University and had been in a relationship with honours student Sophie Elliott. In 2008 Elliot was packing up her life to move to Wellington to take up a job at Treasury when Weatherston arrived at her home and stabbed her more than 200 times in a brutal attack. Weatherston appeared before the Parole Board this morning for the first time after serving an 18-year non-parole period. Reporter Timothy Brown attended the hearing and spoke to Lisa Owen.

Otago University's Dr Johanna Reidy researches the impact of school uniform design and policy on health and educational outcomes.

A new domestic exchange programme will soon let students swap cities as easily as they swap courses. Otago, AUT and Victoria University of Wellington have launched Uni Exchange Aotearoa, giving second-year undergraduates the chance to study at another university for a semester. The scheme offers students a taste of travel without the challenges of going overseas. Victoria University Vice-Chancellor Nic Smith told Mike Hosking New Zealand can actually offer a real diversity of experience within its universities. He says the programme is designed to be at no cost to the students, so the decision can be made on the experience they want to have instead of a financial barrier. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dietary fibre could soon receive a long-overdue promotion. Otago University researchers want it recognised internationally as an essential nutrient, as it's proven to lower the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. But New Zealanders average just 20 grams a day – below World Health Organisation guidelines. Professor of Medicine and Human Nutrition, Sir Jim Mann told Mike Hosking that classifying it as an essential nutrient changes the emphasis it's given in nutritional recommendations. He says it would encourage people that sell and prepare food to increase the amount of dietary fibre in their products. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Ministry of Health isn't renewing its contract for the country's online FluTracking surveillance tool. Epidemiologist Michael Baker, from Otago University's Department of Public Health, thinks that's a mistake and spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.