Podcasts about Victoria University

"Choice generates agency, agency generates engagement, and engagement is where learning begins. If you aren't ‘falling over' as a teacher, you probably aren't pushing yourself or your learners to take ownership of the language." We sit down with the esteemed Professor Jonathan Newton. Jonathan is an Associate Professor at Victoria University of Wellington, where he leads postgraduate programs in TESOL and Applied Linguistics. With over 30 years of experience, his work focuses on the "black box" of classroom interaction and how task-based language teaching (TBLT) can foster learner agency and ownership. He has published over 80 articles and several seminal books on classroom interaction and task-based pedagogy.   In this episode, we discuss: The "Black Box" of communication: understanding the actual mechanism that explains how learning occurs during interaction. The power of choice: why giving learners agency is the most direct path to motivation and ownership. Unlearning the security blanket: moving beyond rigid PPP formulas to embrace the "falling forward" of real teaching. The "Magoo" (MG-O-O) criteria: a simple heuristic for tweaking textbook activities to strengthen meaning, gaps, and outcomes. Tasks for absolute beginners: why input-based tasks are the perfect entry point for learners with zero English. Negotiation for meaning: measuring the tangible acquisition of vocabulary through group-work interaction. The "Atlas Complex" in teaching: letting go of the burden of being the sole source of authority in the classroom. The desk as the enemy: how small physical shifts in the classroom can reignite learner engagement.   *Prefer video? Watch the episode on YouTube.   FOR MORE FROM JONATHAN NEWTON: 1. Connect on LinkedIn 2. Visit his website    OUR PARTNER: FLUENTIZE Want to teach your best lessons — without all the prep? Fluentize turns real-world videos into interactive ESL lessons for teens and adults. Explore 650+ ready-to-teach lessons designed to engage your students, simplify lesson planning, and save you hours of preparation. Start for free here.   SUPPORT US:

We usually think of forgiveness as something personal between the person who was hurt and the person who caused the hurt. But research done here in New Zealand suggests forgiveness may have effects that reach far beyond the individuals involved. In fact, forgiveness may even have the potential to be a powerful public health tool. Dr Richard Cowden is a psychologist and research scientist with the Human Flourishing Program at Harvard University. His work has consistently shown that holding onto resentment and unresolved hurt can take a real toll on both mental and physical health. Now in collaboration with researchers from Auckland and Victoria University, he's explored whether increasing forgiveness could have benefits on a larger scale.

What separates the leaders and athletes who perform under pressure from those who crack? According to Dr Phil Hopley, it comes down to one overlooked discipline: daily recovery. Phil is a consultant psychiatrist and one of the world's leading experts in mental performance. Through Cognacity - the specialist psychology organisation he leads - Phil has worked inside elite sport, global boardrooms and high-performance teams across Premier League football, Formula One, rugby and Olympic sport. His organisation was the appointed specialist team for the London Olympics and Paralympics. In this conversation with Luke Darcy, Phil unpacks the science behind sustainable high performance, the hidden cost of distracted working, and why the greatest predictor of long-term leadership success isn't intelligence or ambition - it's self-awareness. Phil explains the "tipping point" that separates productive pressure from burnout, shares what Kenyan distance runners can teach every corporate leader about recovery, and reveals the Big Five personality assessment his team uses to identify high-risk hires before catastrophic cultural damage is done. He also talks in-depth about building psychological safety, dialling up kindness in competitive environments, and why the greatest leader in his own life is his 90-year-old father. Learn. Lead. Collaborate. Start your leadership journey today. Head here to find out more about our signature, cross industry collaboration program, Aleda Connect. Curated and facilitated by experts, running for 8 fortnightly sessions, Aleda Connect is the learning experience of a life-time. Empowering Leaders is proudly partnered with Victoria University. Find more information about studying at VU here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week, figures published by RNZ showed that Afterpay made close to $20m in late fees in Aotearoa New Zealand, in the year to December 2025. This revenue is an increase on their 2024 earnings, and comes after legislation was introduced to bring Buy Now Pay Later lending services—such as Afterpay—under similar regulation to other lenders. Prior to September of 2024, buy now pay later lenders were exempted from the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act that governs other lenders. This is because, unlike other lenders such as credit card companies, buy now pay later schemes do not charge interest or any other fees—so long as the debts are repaid on time—meaning they did not meet the definition of a ‘consumer credit contract'. After September of 2024, however, they came under the act, with some exemptions, such as that they don't have to carry out the same checks as other lenders to see if a borrower can actually afford a loan. A later amendment exempted them from the prohibition on charging unreasonable fees and also exempted them from being required to ensure default fees do no more than reasonably compensate the provider for their costs. Earlier this year, Consumer New Zealand and FinCap (with support from Victoria University and funding from the Borrin Foundation) published the second stage of their report examining Buy Now Pay Later schemes in Aotearoa New Zealand, before and after these regulatory changes. So, to discuss the recently reported Afterpay late fee revenues within the wider context of what that report found, producer Theo spoke to the senior policy advisor at FinCap, Jake Lilley.

The World Health Organisation has set an ambitious goal to eliminate cervical cancer. New Zealand health experts are optimistic we can do it, but suggest there are challenges to achieving that aim.Sign up to the Our Changing World monthly newsletter for episode backstories, science analysis and more.Learn more:Listen to The Panel Plus with Wallace Chapman, discussing the release of the Cancer Society's election manifesto and treatment options for cancer.Read about the Matariki Fund's plans to eliminate cervical cancer across the Pacific.RNZ's Māori issues reporter Pokere Paewai wrote this article on the need to extend free cervical screening.The efficacy of the HPV vaccine was discussed on Morning Report, following a study which showed a 60% reduction in cervical cancer.Guests:Professor Bev Lawton (Ngāti Porou), is founder/director of Te Tātai Hauora o Hine (the National Centre for Women's Health Research Aotearoa) at Victoria University of WellingtonNicola Coom, Chief Executive of the Cancer SocietyAlice Hyatt, cancer survivorGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Alisa Camplin is one of Australia's most decorated and driven high performance leaders - an Olympic gold medallist in aerial skiing, Australia's first female winter Olympic gold medallist, and most recently, the first woman to lead an Australian Winter Olympic team as Chef de Mission at the 2026 Milano Cortina Games. Alisa shares so many of the mental frameworks that powered her greatest performances - and how those same skills carried her through the unimaginable loss of her son Finnan, who passed away after just 10 days following open heart surgery. Together with her husband, she channelled that grief into Finnan's Gift, a foundation that has now raised over $4 million for paediatric cardiac care. She opens up about recovering from two knee reconstructions in the lead-up to her second Olympics - the last one just 56 days before the Games - and why she believes the most important thing you can do after any setback is get up, find a plan, and be all in. She also shares what 16 years at IBM, a boardroom career, and leading an Olympic team have taught her about honest conversations, coaching people as whole humans, and the small daily habits that create real, lasting change. This conversation is a masterclass in what it means to lead with integrity, show up with discipline, and keep going when life gets hard. We’re privileged to have Alisa as part of the Aleda Connect community - connecting inspiring leaders from across Australia and around the world. Learn. Lead. Collaborate. Start your leadership journey today. Head here to find out more about our signature, cross industry collaboration program, Aleda Connect. Curated and facilitated by experts, running for 8 fortnightly sessions, Aleda Connect is the learning experience of a life-time. Empowering Leaders is proudly partnered with Victoria University. Find more information about studying at VU here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A political science lecturer says party affiliation isn't everything in Māori seats, as Mariameno Kapa-Kingi breaks away. She's cut ties with Te Pati Māori to create the Te Tai Tokerau Party and run in the seat of the same name. Te Pati Māori's wished her well - but is promising to put up another candidate to take her on. Victoria University's Lara Greaves says it's an open race for all seven seats. "They're hyper-local, so local issues are really important - but also, sometimes, strategy is important. Again, really hard to tell." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

University student groups want the Government to reconsider the scrapping of the fees-free study scheme. Finance Minister Nicola Willis has confirmed it'll end at the Budget, with 2026 being the final year students are eligible. Victoria University of Wellington Student Association President Aidan Donaghue says it's being binned as the cost of living bites. "There's huge opportunity costs...we can't work full time while also studying. So energy, heating, groceries, fuel - those are all just compounding on students as they try and better themselves." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the SBS Nepali podcast, we speak with former Executive Director and spokesperson of Nepal Rastra Bank - the central bank of Nepal - Laxmi Prapanna Niroula. Currently serving as an Independent Director at Sanima Bank, Niroula was recently in Australia to participate in the Leadership Development Program organised by Victoria University and the Banking Finance and Insurance Institute of Nepal (BFIN) in Melbourne from April 27 to 30. At SBS studios, we spoke with Niroula about Australia-Nepal economic ties, Nepal's financial sector and a range of contemporary economic issues. - एसबीएस नेपालीको यो पोडकास्ट अङ्कमा हामी, नेपाल राष्ट्र ब्याङ्कका पूर्व कार्यकारी निर्देशक तथा पूर्व प्रवक्ता लक्ष्मीप्रपन्न निरौलासँगको कुराकानी प्रस्तुत गर्दैछौँ। मेलबर्नस्थित भिक्टोरिया युनिभर्सिटी र ब्याङ्किङ फाइनान्स एन्ड इन्स्योरेन्स इन्स्टिच्युट अफ नेपाल (बीफीन)द्वारा गत एप्रिल २७ देखि ३० सम्म मेलबर्नमा आयोजना गरिएको ‘लिडरशिप डेभलप्मेन्ट प्रोग्राम'मा भाग लिन उनी अस्ट्रेलिया आएका बेला, हाल सानिमा ब्याङ्कका स्वतन्त्र सञ्चालक रहेका निरौलासँग, अस्ट्रेलिया र नेपालबिचको आर्थिक सम्बन्ध लगायत समसामयिक र आर्थिक विषयवस्तुमा केन्द्रित रहँदै हामीले एसबीएसको मेलबर्नस्थित स्टुडियोमा कुराकानी गरेका छौँ।

New Zealand universities have been caught up in a global hack of an online learning platform, leaving the personal details of students potentially exposed. The Canvas system is accessed online and used for assignments, to get grades and communicate with tutors. Impacted Universities include the University of Auckland, AUT and the Victoria University of Wellington. Aidan Donoghue is President of the Victoria University Students Association and spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

The Media and Communications Minister, Paul Goldsmith, has announced that the Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA) will be scrapped, with media to self-regulate instead.  Wire Host Caeden spoke to Dr Peter Thompson, Associate Professor in Media and Communications at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University and trustee at Better Public Media, about the change.

For City Counselling this week, Wire Host Caeden spoke to Councillor Shane Henderson about Council's transport policy statement and the Waitākere Ranges being left out of the Resource Management Act reforms.  They spoke to Associate Professor at Victoria University and trustee at Better Public Media, Dr Peter Thompson, about the Government announcing that the Broadcasting Standards Authority will be scrapped.  And they spoke to Migrant Rights Network President Sher Singh on the Government announcing a new test for people applying for New Zealand Citizenship.  For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Producer Pranuja spoke with Shanan Halbert about New Zealand's new trade deal with Singapore, Act's proposed immigration policy, and the Government's leaked emails on Iran. She also spoke with Doctoral Researcher Claire Reid from the University of Auckland about new findings in her research on how children screen use affects brain function.

Now to a "cleantech" startup aiming to eliminate carbon emissions from the making of steel. The idea involves replacing carbon with hydrogen, and CullBeck founders say it will reduce ironmaking processing times and overall costs. It also promises the generation of critical minerals - which are of geopolitical importance. Incubated at Victoria University of Wellington, the idea is now being backed by something called Aurora Climate Lab with the aim of commercialisation. CullBeck founder Martin Hacon is with Jesse.

The AFL dream ended in tears at 20. A decade later, he was lifting the World Test Championship. Alex Carey's journey to becoming one of Australian cricket's most trusted performers is one of the sporting world’s great second-act stories. A talented junior who played both codes at a high level, Alex took a chance on AFL and moved to Sydney as one of the GWS Giants' foundation players - only to be let go with barely 24 hours' notice. Back in Adelaide, he drifted through a football pre-season and a stint in finance before a quiet conversation with the South Australian Cricket Association gave him one more shot. He almost didn't take it. He nearly quit that too. But he didn’t and what came next … is all part of Alex’s incredible story. In this episode, Luke Darcy and Alex Carey hit: Growing up in a sporting household and the father who shaped his values The AFL dream, and the brutal moment it was taken away How two delistings and a finance job led him back to cricket… and eventually to Test cricket The 2023 Ashes 'spirit of the game' incident at Lord's: online threats, mental battles, and what he'd do differently Working with performance psychologist Ben Crowe, and the value of having someone outside the system Fatherhood, sacrifice, and how he and wife Eloise make it all work Learn. Lead. Collaborate. Start your leadership journey today. Head here to find out more about our signature, cross industry collaboration program, Aleda Connect. Curated and facilitated by experts, running for 8 fortnightly sessions, Aleda Connect is the learning experience of a life-time. Book a discovery call today. Empowering Leaders is proudly partnered with Victoria University. Find more information about studying at VU here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Jenni Giblin and Mike Williams. First up, according to a leaked TAB report the horse racing industry needs further tax breaks to survive. Victoria University of Wellington's tax specialist Lisa Marriott says the industry has a legacy of tax concessions Then, the Moa Point sewage disaster has played havoc on local businesses. The Panel hears from Steve Walters, General Manager of Destination KRL, who represents businesses in Kilbirnie, Rongotai and Lyall Bay.

Dr Stephen Skalicky, Senior Lecturer in Linguistics and Applied Language Studies at Victoria University of Wellington joins Emile to explain.

Jakara Anthony is Australia's most successful Winter Olympian…ever. A two-time Olympic gold medallist in mogul skiing, she's the first Australian to defend an Olympic title, doing it on the world stage against competitors from countries where skiing is practically a birthright. And she's 27. In this conversation with Luke Darcy, Jakara pulls back the curtain on what being that successful actually takes. The four-year Olympic cycles planned down to the finest detail. The mental side of the sport that can't be measured or counted in reps. The broken collarbone in the lead-up to her second gold. The fear every time she drops in. And the coach she's worked with since she was 12 years old who she credits as the greatest leader in her life. Jakara gives a masterclass in performance, resilience, and what it means to do hard things consistently… even when it's uncomfortable. 04:20 What it means to be in a club of her own06:04 The four-year Olympic cycle - how it all gets planned08:21 Dropping in - what's going through her mind at the top of the course09:27 The edge - why consistency separates her from the field10:19 Carrying the target - defending Olympic gold at Milano Cortina11:12 Beating the Europeans at their own sport12:10 What she's found in herself at 2712:54 The hard things - fear, the mental game, and learning to cope14:33 Advice for young people who want to push themselves15:31 What's next - planning for the French Alps in 203016:38 What keeps her balanced outside the sport18:00 The curiosity rabbit hole - coffee, latte art & sustainable performance18:57 Her mantra - "be where your feet are"20:02 Sponsorship & who's backing Australia's greatest Winter Olympian22:42 Greatest leader in her life - coach Pete McNiel Learn. Lead. Collaborate. Start your leadership journey today. Head here to find out more about our signature, cross industry collaboration program, Aleda Connect. Curated and facilitated by experts, running for 8 fortnightly sessions, Aleda Connect is the learning experience of a life-time. Book a discovery call today. Empowering Leaders is proudly partnered with Victoria University. Find more information about studying at VU here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bob Davies joined the New Zealand Army at 16 and served 31 years, rising to Sergeant Major of the Army. He deployed to Vietnam in 1968, took shrapnel wounds, caught malaria twice, and was exposed to Agent Orange. His infant son Geoffrey, born with spina bifida linked to that exposure, lived three days. Bob used his compensation to establish the Geoffrey Davies Memorial Prize at Victoria University of Wellington. On Anzac Day, Bob talks to Oliver Hartwich about what service cost him and why New Zealand's honours system fails its soldiers. Bob makes the case that New Zealand recognises its military personnel far less than comparable nations, and the numbers he cites are damning.

The lower North Island continues to take a battering today, with an orange weather warning still in place for Wellington. More than 150 weather events - things like landslips and flooding - have been reported so far. Flights are cancelled, and schools and council facilities are closed today. In the wake of all this, many are asking why more serious warnings were not issued. Jesse is joined by Dr James Renwick, Professor of Climate Science at Victoria University and former Principal Climate Scientist at NIWA.

Assurance MetService gave the most notice possible before yesterday's flash flooding in Wellington. The record breaking 77-millilitre an hour deluge inundated the Capital from about 4am. Wellington, Wairarapa and Hawke's Bay south of Tutira still sit under an Orange heavy rain warning until later tonight. A slip's burst a wastewater pipe in Vogeltown - forcing a household to evacuate. Victoria University professor James Renwick says MetService uses the best forecasting technology. He says it's a bit like earthquakes, which are unpredictable, but can be detected as they happen. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Chinese robot has just run a half marathon six minutes faster than any human ever has. Professor Dale Carnegie from Victoria University spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Professor Phil Lester, an ecologist and entomologist at Victoria University of Wellington, joins Emile Donovan to discuss the latest developments and the ongoing response to the hornet threat.

Flood-affected Wellington and Wairarapa are continuing to be hit by yet more heavy rain. A Red Rain Warning is in effect until 6pm, with many schools and facilities closed, and people in low-lying areas being advised to leave their homes. A search for missing Karori man Philip Sutton has been suspended overnight due to dangerous conditions. Victoria University Emeritus Professor of Public Policy Jonathan Boston told Ryan Bridge he's concerned about the growing number of people who are uninsured or can't get insurance. He says becoming less resilient as a society, because more people can't insure their properties, that will be damaging to everyone. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A senior lecturer at the International Institute of Modern Letters at Victoria University of Wellington, Tina has built a distinguished career examining the Maori-Pakeha experience. 

If your team wins, who gets the credit… and what does your answer say about the culture you're building? ​​Ian McKeown has spent more than two decades at the cutting edge of elite sport… from the AFL to the NHL's Philadelphia Flyers, and back to Australia as General Manager of Performance at the Adelaide Crows. He holds a PhD in strength and conditioning, has published extensively on ecological dynamics and applied sports science, and is widely regarded as one of the most sophisticated performance architects in global sport. But spend five minutes with him and what strikes you most isn't the credentials… it's the human. In this episode, Ian unpacks what he's learned across three continents about the conditions that allow people - and teams - to truly thrive. He talks about why you can smell a dysfunctional culture the moment you walk in, and why the fanciest facility in the world means nothing if it doesn't feel right. He shares the Seth Godin book he read on the plane from Ireland to Australia that changed the way he thought about his career along with the winning philosophy he's carried ever since. He explains why shared goals, shared ownership and shared success are the only things that actually build something sustainable. He also gets into the butterfly effect of great leadership, the two words he comes back to every single day - kindness and composure - and why he believes the scariest person in any room isn't the loudest one. It's the one who doesn’t flinch. Ian’s belief in the power of connection, curiosity and genuine human relationships runs through every single minute of this conversation. Learn. Lead. Collaborate. We are privileged to have Ian as part of our Aleda Connect community. Start your leadership journey today. Head here to find out more about our signature, cross industry collaboration program, Aleda Connect. Curated and facilitated by experts, running for 8 fortnightly sessions, Aleda Connect is the learning experience of a life-time. Empowering Leaders is proudly partnered with Victoria University. Find more information about studying at VU here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Great news! We've been nominated for a Webby Award! Our three-part Katrina series is a finalist for Best News & Politics limited series podcast. Now, we need your help. Voting ends Thursday, April 16! Cast your vote at bit.ly/webbybipisci    Antarctic scientists have long known the region's ice sheet holds clues to the planet's ancient past. Yet even the field's foremost experts were shocked when they extracted a six-million-year-old ice core — twice as old as expected and the oldest recorded so far. Researchers say it will provide one of our best looks ever into Earth's climatological record. In a relatively more recent past, the discovery of 40,000-year-old notches and lines carved into artifacts and cave walls in Germany, examples of protowriting, suggest humans began documenting ideas thousands of years earlier than thought. Those timescales pale however, when compared to the age of the Earth's most ancient rocks, which have a story to tell too. Find out how the planet's most venerable rocks, formed billions of years ago, reveal the geological conditions that allowed life to get a foothold.  Guests: Huw Groucutt – Archeologist, Department of Classics and Archeology, University of Malta Ed Brook – Paleoclimatologist and professor of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences at Oregon State University Simon Lamb – Earth scientist and professor of geography in the School of Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences at Victoria University at Wellington, New Zealand.   Author of “The Oldest Rocks on Earth: A Search for the Origins of Our World.” Big Picture Science is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com to inquire about advertising on Big Picture Science. You can get early access to ad-free versions of every episode by joining us on Patreon. Thanks for your support! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Great news! We've been nominated for a Webby Award! Our three-part Katrina series is a finalist for Best News & Politics limited series podcast. Now, we need your help. Voting ends Thursday, April 16! Cast your vote at bit.ly/webbybipisci    Antarctic scientists have long known the region's ice sheet holds clues to the planet's ancient past. Yet even the field's foremost experts were shocked when they extracted a six-million-year-old ice core — twice as old as expected and the oldest recorded so far. Researchers say it will provide one of our best looks ever into Earth's climatological record. In a relatively more recent past, the discovery of 40,000-year-old notches and lines carved into artifacts and cave walls in Germany, examples of protowriting, suggest humans began documenting ideas thousands of years earlier than thought. Those timescales pale however, when compared to the age of the Earth's most ancient rocks, which have a story to tell too. Find out how the planet's most venerable rocks, formed billions of years ago, reveal the geological conditions that allowed life to get a foothold.  Guests: Huw Groucutt – Archeologist, Department of Classics and Archeology, University of Malta Ed Brook – Paleoclimatologist and professor of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences at Oregon State University Simon Lamb – Earth scientist and professor of geography in the School of Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences at Victoria University at Wellington, New Zealand.   Author of “The Oldest Rocks on Earth: A Search for the Origins of Our World.” Big Picture Science is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com to inquire about advertising on Big Picture Science. You can get early access to ad-free versions of every episode by joining us on Patreon. Thanks for your support! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, on the Tuesday Wire... For Dear Science this week, our expert, Dr Cushla McGoverin speaks with us about Male Contraceptives, osteoarthritis, and Kākāpō breeding For our weekly catchup with the National Party, Host Alex spoke with Ryan Hamilton about the Auckland City deal between the Council and the Government, and Cyclone Vaianu. For Green World today, Producer Liam spoke to Troy Baisden, Co-president of the New Zealand Association of Scientists and Adjunct Professor at Victoria University of Wellington, about the Ministry for the Environment's recent Our Freshwater 2026 report on the state of Aotearoa's freshwater systems, and causes for concern as well as opportunities for change.  Host Alex also spoke with Teaching Fellow in the International Office at the University of Otago, Dr Balazs Kigilics, about Viktor Orban's defeat inm the Hungarian elections, and what it means for the country after 16 years.

A top climate scientist is warning New Zealand may soon struggle to cope with the impact of storms made worse by climate change. Victoria University of Wellington's professor of climate science James Renwick spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Is the liberal international order coming to an end, and what follows the era of American hegemony? In this episode of The World Stage, Senior Research Fellow Wrenn Yennie Lindgren (NUPI) sits down with Manjeet Pardesi, Associate Professor of International Relations at Victoria University of Wellington, to explore the shifting foundations of global politics.Drawing on his award-winning book, Divergent Worlds, co-authored with Amitav Acharya, Pardesi introduces the concept of a "multiplex world order". Unlike traditional hegemonic or multipolar systems, a multiplex order is defined by its complexity, where non-great powers exercise significant agency and order is shaped by both material power and diverse ideas.The discussion delves into how history can provide a roadmap for our uncertain future. Pardesi contrasts the ancient Mediterranean, a paradigmatic case of hegemonic order under Rome, with the ancient Indian Ocean, which flourished as a non-hegemonic, pluralistic trading system.Key highlights of the episode include:The Rise of India: An analysis of India's grand strategy, its "status anxiety" regarding China, and its quest to recover its historical standing as a global power.Southeast Asia as pluralistic order: Pardesi points to Southeast Asia as an example of a pluralistic regional order today, with no single center. As he states: "The region is a mix of democracies and non-democracies that engage with each other. It is a plural world that seems viable despite having no core".The Power of Small States: How countries like Norway and New Zealand can act as "connector states," spearheading high-quality trade agreements and navigating complex international identities.Variable Geometry: Understanding the "messiness" of modern international relations and why a decentered, pluralistic world might actually be a good thing.Join us for a deep dive into global history and contemporary geopolitics to understand how the world is being reshaped beyond the Western-dominated era.The World Stage is a global politics podcast from the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI). This episode is produced in collaboration with the Norwegian Center for Geopolitics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What separates a good wine from a truly world-class one? According to Adam Wadewitz, it comes down to balance, finesse… and a relentless commitment to the vineyard. Adam is the Chief Winemaker and Joint CEO at Shaw + Smith, one of Australia's most iconic cool-climate wineries, and one of the most decorated winemakers of his generation. In this episode, he takes us from the footy fields of Willunga in South Australia to the vineyards of Europe… sharing what drove him to the top of his craft, how great teams are built, and why he believes Australian Grenache is on the cusp of a new world chapter! He also generously shares with you the list of his five wines to drink before you die, the legendary story behind Wendouree and how he came to hold cuttings from one of Australia's most coveted vineyards, and what he’s learned from a Melbourne Symphony Orchestra conductor about leadership and energy. Learn. Lead. Collaborate. We are privileged to have Adam as part of our Aleda Connect community. Start your leadership journey today. Head here to find out more about our signature, cross industry collaboration program, Aleda Connect. Curated and facilitated by experts, running for 8 fortnightly sessions, Aleda Connect is the learning experience of a life-time. Empowering Leaders is proudly partnered with Victoria University. Find more information about studying at VU here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Max Rashbrooke is a senior research fellow in the School of Government at Victoria University of Wellington and joins Emile Donovan. 

Susie explores the multi-sensory art installations in Whanga - The Cove at Victoria University's School of Architecture in a celebration of nature, bird song and the city it calls home. She also gets to ask a real-life philosopher, Professor Simon Keller, a question!

Louis Theroux's recent documentary, 'Inside the Manosphere' put the spotlight on some really concerning content and content makers circulating online. These influencers are widely popular despite seemingly spreading messages of hate - so are they resonating with our boys and if so, what can we do to combat it? Here to give us her perspective is Dr Samantha Keene, a Senior Lecturer in Criminology and a gender-based violence researcher at Victoria University.

A scientist is hoping the current fuel crisis might be disrupter that is needed to turn people away from fossil fuel. It comes as a new report on the state of the global climate paints a dire picture. In 2024 greenhouse gases reached their highest levels in 800 thousand years. 2025 was one the warmest on record. Victoria University of Wellington professor of climate science James Renwick spoke to Lisa Owen.

Reporting shortages without prompting petrol panic. Also: a social media post about the Labour Party leader ended up as headline news - in spite of denials and no-one knowing what's really true. Does the right to tell a story override others' right to privacy - or the public interest? Read more about this episode of Mediawatch on the RNZ websiteIn this episode:00:50 How the media reacted to the prospect of fuel shortages and the possibility of heavy measures to manage them, and rekindling memories of carless days.11:00 Newsroom Pro editor Jonathan Milne on reporting shortages without prompting panic - and the bigger picture of our oil dependence and the reality of energy supplies.17:05 Damaging personal allegations about Labour leader Chris Hipkins spread widely in social media after a single post by his former partner, creating a dilemma for news media.22:03 Media law expert Nicole Moreham on the legal limits on the right to tell your own story when it clashes with the privacy rights of others, defamation and the public interest.Guests: Nicole Moreham, professor of law at Victoria University of Wellington; Jonathan Milne, editor of Newsroom Pro.Follow Mediawatch and listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or any podcast app to make sure you never miss an episode.Find more RNZ Podcasts at the new section of the RNZ website at rnz.co.nz/podcastsGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

You might recall that this time last year we spoke to someone from Wellington's South Coast whose house had been inundated by 100s of Portuguese millipedes; in the bathtub, climbing the walls, even in bed! To give us the latest we're joined by Victoria University pest control expert Professor Phil Lester.

To find out what is says, and what we can learn from NZ's response, Professor Marc Wilson from Victoria University's school of Psychology chats to Jesse.

An expert says time is ticking for MPI to eradicate the invasive yellow-legged hornet before the Autumn breeding season. Phil Lester, Professor of Biology at Victoria University of Wellington spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

In this episode, our guest is Bruce Mountain, Director of the Victoria Energy Policy Centre at Victoria University in Melbourne. With over three decades in energy economics and policy, Bruce shares sharp insights into how distributed solar, batteries, and EVs are reshaping the electricity market. We discuss the rapid fall in battery costs, the growing possibility of grid defection, and whether traditional distribution monopolies face stranded assets. Bruce also gives a candid critique of Australia's proposed "free electricity" policy, questioning whether it promotes fairness — or distorts the market. From vehicle-to-grid to regulatory reform, this conversation challenges the role of government in the energy transition. Bruce argues that the economics of clean energy now stand on their own — and that policymakers should focus less on subsidies and more on removing barriers. Please join to find more. Connect with Sohail Hasnie: Facebook @sohailhasnie X (Twitter) @shasnie LinkedIn @shasnie ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie YouTube @energypreneurs Instagram @energypreneurs Tiktok @energypreneurs

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Holly Bennett and Richard Pamatatau. First up, Clifton Motor Camp in Hawke's Bay is evacuated due to the extreme risk of major landslide. The panel are talk to Keith, long-time Haumoana resident Keith Newman, who knows the site and the community well. Then, we check in with Tairawhiti Civil Defence to see how the region is faring under a orange heavy rain warning. Finally, Max Rashbrooke, senior research fellow in the School of Government at Victoria University chats with the panel about the large multinational company Veolia charged with running the now infamous Moa Point treatment plant. They've had similar issues in the past in other countries, should critical infrastructure be run by overseas companies?

A warning more insurance companies could follow AA Insurance, which has paused signing up new new policies in the West Coast's Westport. Buller District Council says the insurer has confirmed it's temporarily halting new property policies because of the high flood-risk. Existing policyholders can renew as usual. Victoria University Emeritus Professor Jonathan Boston says he can almost guarantee it won't be a one-off. "We are in a period of climate-intensified risk, those risks are going to grow - sea level rise will intensify flood risk for many communities." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

Welcome back to Appearance Matters: The Podcast! In this month's episode, Kat speaks to Zali Yager, an Adjunct Associate Professor at the Institute for Health and Sport at Victoria University, Australia, and the founder and executive director of the Embrace Collective. The Embrace Collective: https://theembracehub.com/ If you're interested in hearing more about the Appearance Matters Conference, hosted by the Centre for Appearance Research (9th – 11th of June 2026), click here: https://www.uwe.ac.uk/research/centres-and-groups/appearance/news-and-events/am-conference Appearance Matters 11 early bird registration is available until the 31st of January! Cover image by Trevor James Music by Sian Evans & John Landau: toplinefilm.com Episode developed and produced by Kat Schneider

This week on Sinica, recorded at Yale University, I speak with Michael Brenes and Van Jackson, coauthors of The Rivalry Peril: How Great-Power Competition Threatens Peace and Weakens Democracy. Their argument is that framing the U.S.-China relationship as geopolitical rivalry has become more than just a foreign policy orientation — it's a domestic political project that reshapes budgets, norms, and coalitions in ways that actively harm American democracy and the American people. Rivalry narrows political possibility, makes dissent suspect, encourages neo-McCarthyism (the China Initiative, profiling of Chinese Americans), produces anti-AAPI hate, and redirects public investment away from social welfare and into defense spending through what they call "national security Keynesianism."Mike is interim director of the Brady Johnson Program in Grand Strategy at Yale, while Van is a senior lecturer in international relations at Victoria University of Wellington and host of the Un-Diplomatic Podcast. We discuss the genesis of their collaboration during the Biden administration, how they navigate China as a puzzle for the American left, canonical misrememberings of the Cold War that distort current China policy, the security dilemma feedback loop between Washington and Beijing, why defense-heavy stimulus is terrible at job creation, how rivalry politics weakens democracy, recent polling showing a shift toward engagement, and their vision for a "geopolitics of peace" anchored in Sino-U.S. détente 2.0.5:47 – The genesis of the book: recognizing Biden's Cold War liberalism 11:26 – How they approached writing together from different disciplinary homes 13:20 – Navigating China as a puzzle for the American left21:39 – How great power competition hardened from analytical framework into ideology 28:15 – Mike on two canonical misrememberings of the Cold War 33:18 – Van on the security dilemma and the nuclear feedback loop 39:55 – National security Keynesianism: why defense spending is bad at job creation 44:38 – How rivalry politics weakens democracy and securitizes dissent 48:09 – Building durable coalitions for restraint-oriented statecraft 51:27 – Has the post-COVID moral panic actually abated? 53:27 – The master narrative we need: a geopolitics of peace 55:29 – Associative balancing: achieving equilibrium through accommodation, not armsRecommendations:Van: The Long Twentieth Century by Giovanni Arrighi Mike: The World of the Cold War: 1945-1991 by Vladislav Zubok Kaiser: Pluribus (Apple TV series by Vince Gilligan)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ali Al Omari is a Palestinian-Philippino artist and architecture graduate, who holds a masters degree from the Victoria University of Wellington. His work focuses on Palestinian art, Sumud and Resistance through architecture. In this episode, he talks about architecture in Palestinian history including that of Gaza, a city that rises from the ashes, just like the Phoenix, tune in for the full episode. View Ali's work here:https://www.filemail.com/d/ybtuqoyfindbthf The Ditch 2025 Review Podcast is here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-146018449 The Sanctuary Runners Donation:https://eventmaster.ie/fundraising/campaign/step-up-for-solidarity-the-12ks-of-christmas Support Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/call-to-stand-143037542

To mark the 1000th anniversary of his death we revisit the bachelorhood of Basil II. My guest is Mark Masterson — until recently Associate Professor of Classics at Victoria University of Wellington (retired 2025). His work explores masculinity, desire, and male social bonds in the Roman world.In his book Between Byzantine Men he discusses an oration written in Basil's day which may shed light on his intimate life.Find out more about Professor Mark Masterson here and check out his two books on male relationships within the Roman world. Between Byzantine Men: Desire, Homosociality, and Brotherhood in the Medieval EmpireRoutledge (2022)Man to Man: Desire, Homosociality and Authority in Late-Roman Manhood The Ohio State University Press. (2014) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Power gets loud when it's insecure. Strategy becomes theater. And ideology sneaks in wearing policy jargon. The White House's newest U.S. National Security Strategy claims realism while quietly demanding dominance, preaching restraint while laying groundwork for escalation. Civilizational panic collides with imperial muscle, producing a document that wants everything, everywhere, all at once. Van Jackson, Professor of International Relations at Victoria University of Wellington, sits down with Jacob Shapiro to chat about how culture war thinking seeps into grand strategy, why “prioritization” turns into mission creep, and what this blueprint signals for allies, adversaries, and a world already stretched thin. If this is restraint, buckle up :)--Timestamps:00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome01:40 Understanding National Security Strategy02:23 Critique of the Current Administration's Strategy07:22 Historical Context and Comparisons13:14 Primitive Accumulation and Geopolitics16:47 Latin American Policy and Imperialism25:33 Military Strategy and Global Implications29:47 China as a Pacing Threat30:47 Misconceptions in Military Strategy31:52 Potential Conflicts in Latin America34:23 US Military Intervention in Mexico35:38 Challenges of Addressing Drug Cartels41:56 Hegemonic Decline and National Security48:24 Global Reactions to US Strategy53:58 Brazil's Role in Latin America56:53 Concluding Thoughts--Referenced in the Show:Van Jackson - https://people.wgtn.ac.nz/van.jacksonNational Security Strategy 2025 - https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-National-Security-Strategy.pdfNSS (2002) - https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/nsc/nss/2002/NSC-68 (1950) - https://history.state.gov/milestones/1945-1952/NSC68--Jacob Shapiro Site: jacobshapiro.comJacob Shapiro LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jacob-l-s-a9337416Jacob Twitter: x.com/JacobShapJacob Shapiro Substack: jashap.substack.com/subscribe --The Jacob Shapiro Show is produced and edited by Audiographies LLC. More information at audiographies.com --Jacob Shapiro is a speaker, consultant, author, and researcher covering global politics and affairs, economics, markets, technology, history, and culture. He speaks to audiences of all sizes around the world, helps global multinationals make strategic decisions about political risks and opportunities, and works directly with investors to grow and protect their assets in today's volatile global environment. His insights help audiences across industries like finance, agriculture, and energy make sense of the world.--

Happy Wednesday!   This week on Finding Something Real, we are joined with one of our favorite guest, Xandra Grieme. We are also joined with three of our co-host, Ana, Christie and Sarah.    In this episode, we talk about the tension of faith and science, and how they go more hand in hand than you think. Xandra opens up about hard parts of her story and brings light to difficult topics - suffering and free will. And why that keeps a lot of people from fully believing in Jesus. How could a good God allow suffering, abuse, and evil? That's one of the hardest questions, and one we won't know the complete answer to on this side of eternity.    But you can trust this - He's a God of Compassion. His heart was never for any of these things to happen. He became flesh and came down to be in the suffering with you. That's how much He loves you.   Rest in that truth today.   About Xandra: Xandra Grieme received a BS from Colorado State University and later studied at the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics. Xandra continued her studies at Victoria University of Wellington where she completed a master's degree in Conservation Biology. Her scientific research includes work in parasitology, flow cytometry, and ecological restoration. Xandra is passionate about educating youth on our role as stewards of the natural world.   We hope you enjoy this week's episode!  - -- -- -- --    LINKS   Is This Even Real? - Katelyn Deal's Story   Release What God Has Already Given Us with Jesse Childress   Making the Case for Christ with J. Warner Wallace   Dealing with Grief and Church Hurt with Jason Schmidt   How to Love People in Truth and Love with Drew Berryessa   The Difference Jesus Makes - Frankie's Story   Season 8 - First Episode       Listen on: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2MuVWFbZzue3ZLgCtIJGzB Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/finding-something-real-podcast/id1481017856     Follow us on:  Instagram: finding_something_real Facebook: Finding Something REAL with Janell Wood Tiktok: @findingsomethingreal Youtube: Finding Something REAL with Janell Wood

Ian Williamson is dean of The UC Irvine Paul Merage School of Business. Prior to joining the Merage School, he served as pro vice-chancellor and dean of commerce at the Wellington School of Business and Government at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. Ian has also served as a faculty member in business schools in Australia, Switzerland, and Indonesia. Ian is a globally recognized expert in the area of human resource management and his research has been published in leading academic journals and covered by leading media outlets across the world. Ian received his PhD from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a bachelor's degree in business from Miami University. In this episode we discuss the following: Ian sees himself as a steward, making decisions for the person who comes after him, recognizing that he's caring for something that existed long before him and will continue long after him. What a powerful example of long-term thinking Ian encountered with the Māori leaders, who asked, "How will this decision affect our great-grandchildren?'” Not all leadership looks the same, and it's perfectly fine for some leaders to focus on the short term. But the key is being intentional about what our role demands and what kind of leader we want to be.