Latest news with #TeHerengaWaka
RNZ News
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
Books: Author Catherine Robertson with her latest picks
We're going to talk about books, specifically what our critic Catherine Robertson calls her "to be read pile of shame" books, also known as those books you've bought and haven't yet got around to reading. Catherine reviews: The Royal Free by Carl Shuker (Te Herenga Waka University Press) The Mess of Our Lives by Mary-anne Scott (One Tree House) Three Wee Bookshops at the End of the World by Ruth Shaw (Allen and Unwin) Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
RNZ News
16-07-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Criminologist fears electronic tagging of migrants 'going to get huge'
Victoria University criminologist Liam Martin. Photo: Supplied Introducing electronic tags for asylum seekers will open up a Pandora's box of issues, a criminologist says. The government has introduced legislation that would allow the electronic monitoring of migrants and asylum seekers who pose a security risk, or might run away. Liam Martin, who researches electronic monitoring at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University, said by some estimates New Zealand's criminal justice system already had the highest per capita rate in the world, or ran a close second to the US. "We've got about six-and-a-half thousand people on electronic monitoring in New Zealand, which is approaching the number that we have in prison. "In the UK and the US, immigration electronic monitoring is just exploding. It's getting massive in the UK, for example. As far as I can tell it, it operates on a scale that rivals criminal justice now. So what I foresee is thousands of people ending up on electronic monitoring in immigration eventually." Electronic tags - either ankle clamps or digital devices - had been promoted as a technology fix for rising prison populations, but ended up being an add-on, he said. The bill's wording seemed relatively contained, he added, but he predicted it was "going to get huge". "I just think there's a flood of social and political and economic forces that are pushing towards an explosion within immigration. We're intertwined with these things, so when I see things happening in the UK and happening in the US, I'm always thinking, 'so how long till we end up latching onto that?'. "It's a massive expansion of surveillance, another sphere of our lives that is becoming opened up to for-profit surveillance. It's in these niches where new surveillance systems intersect with old patterns of racial inequality that I think that you see the the more severe forms take hold." Martin, who has a multi-year grant from the Royal Society to research electronic monitoring, said the company that supplied electronic monitoring equipment for New Zealand criminal justice, Buddi, was already a major supplier of migrant tracking tech in the UK. The Immigration Amendment Bill is at select committee stage. Photo: RNZ Immigration lawyer Lucy Tothill said when it was first mentioned, electronic monitoring sounded positive as a step away from detention. "But the way that it's being drafted and discussed is quite loose, kind of leaves it open to a wider scope for monitoring asylum seekers. So my opinion on it is that it's hard to take a really strong position without knowing exactly what it will look like, but there are concerns about the privacy, security and human rights involved with monitoring asylum seekers. In particular, seeing the increased criminalisation of migrants and asylum seekers. "It's one thing to require people to report somewhere if you're worried about them absconding, it's quite another thing to know where they are at every minute of the day - that opens up other concerns about data collection and data use and what we do with all of the information about where people are and what they are doing with their day." Her concerns were on the potential numbers of people it could affect, and what grounds would prompt authorities to deem it necessary. Some devices used overseas have facial recognition and fingerprint scanning technology that require migrants to check in several times a day. A spokesperson for immigration minister Erica Stanford said it was an operational matter for Immigration New Zealand (INZ). She previously told RNZ that rough estimates were five asylum seekers and 130 migrants a year would be subject to electronic monitoring as an alternative to detention. "There will always be a number [of people] that we have a slight more concern about about being a flight risk or other things, and so then there is this intermediary option." INZ's border and funding immigration policy manager Stacey O'Dowd, said safeguards included judicial oversight and regular review. "It responds to a recommendation by Victoria Casey KC in her review in the detention of asylum seekers. Such conditions could only be imposed by a judge, who must be satisfied that the conditions are reasonable, proportionate, and the least restrictive option available. "Electronic monitoring conditions would last for three months and require an additional application to the judge for any extension of the initial term. A higher legal threshold is proposed for individuals claiming refugee or protected person status. This recognises the vulnerability of individuals seeking international protection." Implementation details would be worked through once the bill was passed, but would be tightly scoped and carefully controlled, she said. "The bill does not propose the use of facial recognition, fingerprint detection, or real-time tracking in relation to electronic monitoring. Monitoring would not involve constant surveillance; instead, alerts would only be triggered if someone crosses a boundary they are not permitted to leave." Corrections said it did not have information on other countries' rates of electronic monitoring. Its director of community operations David Grigg said there were 6276 monitored wearers, 1845 of whom were on bail, a slight increase from March last year when there were 6037 people wearing trackers, including 1786 on bail. The Immigration Amendment Bill is at select committee stage and public submissions close on 28 July. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
16-07-2025
- Science
- Scoop
Antarctica Scholarships 2025: Ocean Detectives
Press Release – Antarctica New Zealand Each of the scholarships is backing a young researcher investigating a different piece of the climate puzzle. Antarctica's Southern Ocean is full of unanswered questions, and this year's Antarctica New Zealand scholarship recipients are on a mission to help solve them. Each of the scholarships is backing a young researcher investigating a different piece of the climate puzzle. Their work will shed light on how the ocean is changing, from deep-sea currents and penguin populations to the mysterious methane seeps appearing on the ocean's floor. Ella Yelich-O'Connor Antarctic Doctoral Scholarship · Alexandra Strang, University of Canterbury – Assessing population trends in an important Ross Sea sentinel, the Adélie penguin · Natalie-Jane Reid (Ngāti Porou, Ngāpuhi), University of Otago – Reconstructing Antarctic Bottom Water production in the Ross Sea New Zealand Post Antarctic Scholarship · Anna Hiew, Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington – How are Antarctic coastal benthic (seafloor) ecosystems affected by methane seep emergence? 'These researchers are making a significant contribution to Antarctic science, investigating different components of the Southern Ocean to help us understand what's really going on beneath the surface,' says Antarctica New Zealand chief executive Prof Jordy Hendrikx. 'Antarctica is where the world's oceans meet, and what happens there affects all of us. We're proud to support these students as they uncover new knowledge that can guide global responses to change.' Anthony Harris, New Zealand Post's head of stamps and collectibles, says: 'We're excited to support research helping us better understand one of the most important and least explored places on Earth. Exploring the unknown and building knowledge will benefit both the environment and future generations.' Meet the detectives Alexandra Strang, University of Canterbury Assessing population trends in an important Ross Sea sentinel, the Adélie penguin Adélie penguins are key indicators of the health of the Southern Ocean, and about one-third of their global population lives in the Ross Sea. While some colonies have shown consistent trends over the past 40 years — others, even those close together — have responded differently to environmental changes, making it hard to understand what drives population change. Monitoring of Ross Sea Adélie penguins has been extensive over the past 40 years. Recent major changes, such as declines in sea ice and the establishment of the Ross Sea Marine Protected Area make it timely to examine penguin population trends in the region. During her PhD, Alexandra aims to study population change of Adélie penguins across 15 colonies in the Ross Sea from 2009 to 2023. Her research will look at both regional and local trends, link them to environmental change, and aims to predict future population trends based on observed changes. She also aims to enhance the precision of very high-resolution satellite imagery for monitoring Adélie penguin colonies in the Ross Sea, alongside aerial census methods. Ultimately, this research will improve how we monitor Adélie penguin populations and help inform management of the Southern Ocean ecosystem as it undergoes rapid change. The scholarship puts $20,000 towards her studies. 'I'm incredibly grateful for this support. This scholarship enables me to help ensure our monitoring of Adélie penguin populations keeps pace with environmental change and continues to inform effective conservation in the Ross Sea,' says Alexandra. Natalie-Jane Reid (Ngāti Porou, Ngāpuhi), University of Otago Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW), formed around Antarctica, is a key driver of global ocean circulation and climate. Despite its importance, long-term variability is poorly understood due to limited observational records. Models suggest AABW formation is vulnerable to climate change, but there are still large uncertainties with all model predictions. Palaeoceanographic records can reveal past AABW dynamics, but a reliable proxy for current speed is lacking. Anisotropy of Magnetic Susceptibility (AMS) measured on sediments offers a potential new technique which could be used to determine ancient sea-floor current speeds, as it records the alignment of magnetic minerals shaped by bottom currents. Though widely accessible and easy to measure, AMS has not yet been calibrated to current velocity. Natalie's PhD project aims to develop a new paleocurrent proxy using AMS and apply it to reconstruct deep ocean current velocities in the Ross Embayment, which is an important place of AABW formation. As part of her PhD, she is developing a sediment flume in which she will simulate different deep ocean current speeds to see how these affect the AMS. In the second part of the study, she will measure AMS in sediment cores, including from SWAIS2C, to determine current strength since the last ice age. The scholarship puts $10,000 towards her studies. 'This scholarship supports me in developing a new and ambitious approach to paleoceanography,' says Natalie-Jane. 'My Antarctic research is enriched by taking a Te Ao Māori approach to understanding the interconnectedness of ocean currents and climate.' Anna Hiew, Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington How are Antarctic coastal benthic ecosystems affected by methane seep emergence? At seafloor seeps, methane-rich fluids are released from reservoirs beneath the surface, supporting unique microbial and faunal communities. At these sites, microbes convert methane and sulphate into hard substrates and food, producing highly heterogeneous and complex ecosystems. Importantly, these microbes also regulate the release of methane, a strong greenhouse gas, from reaching the atmosphere. While seeps in warmer regions are well studied, polar seeps, especially in Antarctica, are not. The first active Antarctic seep was observed in 2011 in the Ross Sea, an area surveyed for decades. Since then, additional seeps have been identified in the region. However, the formation and function of these new seeps are not yet understood. Early indications suggest that unique and endemic microorganisms may be involved, distinct from the expected microbial communities typically associated with seeps. Sea star wasting disease and large die-offs of sea creatures have also been seen near the seeps, possibly due to toxic chemicals released when the seep first forms. Anna's research aims to understand how these seeps influence local life in the McMurdo Sound, and how seasonal changes in factors like light and food might shape Antarctic communities over time. As Antarctica continues to warm, it is crucial to study these seep ecosystems now to understand their impact, monitor change, and protect these sensitive environments. The scholarship puts $10,000 towards her studies. 'I'm extremely thankful to receive this scholarship and Antarctica New Zealand's support,' says Anna. 'I'm excited to help fill the knowledge gaps around methane seeps in Antarctica and contribute to the understanding of these extraordinary environments.'
Scoop
16-07-2025
- Science
- Scoop
Antarctica Scholarships 2025: Ocean Detectives
Press Release – Antarctica New Zealand Each of the scholarships is backing a young researcher investigating a different piece of the climate puzzle. Antarctica's Southern Ocean is full of unanswered questions, and this year's Antarctica New Zealand scholarship recipients are on a mission to help solve them. Each of the scholarships is backing a young researcher investigating a different piece of the climate puzzle. Their work will shed light on how the ocean is changing, from deep-sea currents and penguin populations to the mysterious methane seeps appearing on the ocean's floor. Ella Yelich-O'Connor Antarctic Doctoral Scholarship · Alexandra Strang, University of Canterbury – Assessing population trends in an important Ross Sea sentinel, the Adélie penguin · Natalie-Jane Reid (Ngāti Porou, Ngāpuhi), University of Otago – Reconstructing Antarctic Bottom Water production in the Ross Sea New Zealand Post Antarctic Scholarship · Anna Hiew, Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington – How are Antarctic coastal benthic (seafloor) ecosystems affected by methane seep emergence? 'These researchers are making a significant contribution to Antarctic science, investigating different components of the Southern Ocean to help us understand what's really going on beneath the surface,' says Antarctica New Zealand chief executive Prof Jordy Hendrikx. 'Antarctica is where the world's oceans meet, and what happens there affects all of us. We're proud to support these students as they uncover new knowledge that can guide global responses to change.' Anthony Harris, New Zealand Post's head of stamps and collectibles, says: 'We're excited to support research helping us better understand one of the most important and least explored places on Earth. Exploring the unknown and building knowledge will benefit both the environment and future generations.' Meet the detectives Alexandra Strang, University of Canterbury Assessing population trends in an important Ross Sea sentinel, the Adélie penguin Adélie penguins are key indicators of the health of the Southern Ocean, and about one-third of their global population lives in the Ross Sea. While some colonies have shown consistent trends over the past 40 years — others, even those close together — have responded differently to environmental changes, making it hard to understand what drives population change. Monitoring of Ross Sea Adélie penguins has been extensive over the past 40 years. Recent major changes, such as declines in sea ice and the establishment of the Ross Sea Marine Protected Area make it timely to examine penguin population trends in the region. During her PhD, Alexandra aims to study population change of Adélie penguins across 15 colonies in the Ross Sea from 2009 to 2023. Her research will look at both regional and local trends, link them to environmental change, and aims to predict future population trends based on observed changes. She also aims to enhance the precision of very high-resolution satellite imagery for monitoring Adélie penguin colonies in the Ross Sea, alongside aerial census methods. Ultimately, this research will improve how we monitor Adélie penguin populations and help inform management of the Southern Ocean ecosystem as it undergoes rapid change. The scholarship puts $20,000 towards her studies. 'I'm incredibly grateful for this support. This scholarship enables me to help ensure our monitoring of Adélie penguin populations keeps pace with environmental change and continues to inform effective conservation in the Ross Sea,' says Alexandra. Natalie-Jane Reid (Ngāti Porou, Ngāpuhi), University of Otago Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW), formed around Antarctica, is a key driver of global ocean circulation and climate. Despite its importance, long-term variability is poorly understood due to limited observational records. Models suggest AABW formation is vulnerable to climate change, but there are still large uncertainties with all model predictions. Palaeoceanographic records can reveal past AABW dynamics, but a reliable proxy for current speed is lacking. Anisotropy of Magnetic Susceptibility (AMS) measured on sediments offers a potential new technique which could be used to determine ancient sea-floor current speeds, as it records the alignment of magnetic minerals shaped by bottom currents. Though widely accessible and easy to measure, AMS has not yet been calibrated to current velocity. Natalie's PhD project aims to develop a new paleocurrent proxy using AMS and apply it to reconstruct deep ocean current velocities in the Ross Embayment, which is an important place of AABW formation. As part of her PhD, she is developing a sediment flume in which she will simulate different deep ocean current speeds to see how these affect the AMS. In the second part of the study, she will measure AMS in sediment cores, including from SWAIS2C, to determine current strength since the last ice age. The scholarship puts $10,000 towards her studies. 'This scholarship supports me in developing a new and ambitious approach to paleoceanography,' says Natalie-Jane. 'My Antarctic research is enriched by taking a Te Ao Māori approach to understanding the interconnectedness of ocean currents and climate.' Anna Hiew, Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington How are Antarctic coastal benthic ecosystems affected by methane seep emergence? At seafloor seeps, methane-rich fluids are released from reservoirs beneath the surface, supporting unique microbial and faunal communities. At these sites, microbes convert methane and sulphate into hard substrates and food, producing highly heterogeneous and complex ecosystems. Importantly, these microbes also regulate the release of methane, a strong greenhouse gas, from reaching the atmosphere. While seeps in warmer regions are well studied, polar seeps, especially in Antarctica, are not. The first active Antarctic seep was observed in 2011 in the Ross Sea, an area surveyed for decades. Since then, additional seeps have been identified in the region. However, the formation and function of these new seeps are not yet understood. Early indications suggest that unique and endemic microorganisms may be involved, distinct from the expected microbial communities typically associated with seeps. Sea star wasting disease and large die-offs of sea creatures have also been seen near the seeps, possibly due to toxic chemicals released when the seep first forms. Anna's research aims to understand how these seeps influence local life in the McMurdo Sound, and how seasonal changes in factors like light and food might shape Antarctic communities over time. As Antarctica continues to warm, it is crucial to study these seep ecosystems now to understand their impact, monitor change, and protect these sensitive environments. The scholarship puts $10,000 towards her studies. 'I'm extremely thankful to receive this scholarship and Antarctica New Zealand's support,' says Anna. 'I'm excited to help fill the knowledge gaps around methane seeps in Antarctica and contribute to the understanding of these extraordinary environments.'
Scoop
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Nafanua Purcell Kersel Named As 2025 Emerging Pasifika Writer In Residence
Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington's International Institute of Modern Letters (IIML) is delighted to announce the appointment of Nafanua Purcell Kersel as the Emerging Pasifika Writer in Residence for 2025. Nafanua, a Sāmoan writer and performer, is based in Heretaunga, Te Mātau-a-Māui (Hawke's Bay). She will use the residency to work on a stage adaptation of her debut poetry collection Black Sugarcane, as well as a new book of poems. Her aspiration is to create work that creates more.'More alofa, more creativity, more understanding in our communities and worlds,' says Nafanua. Nafanua has a background in facilitation and community storytelling, including her role with Nevertheless NZ, where she leads the storytelling programme and runs creative writing workshops with Māori, Pasifika, and Rainbow+ communities. Her creative work includes poetry, theatre and spoken word, often centring on themes of intergenerational memory and Pasifika knowledge systems. Black Sugarcane, published in 2025 by Te Herenga Waka University Press, grew out of Nafanua's Master of Creative Writing at IIML, for which she won the 2022 Biggs Family Prize in Poetry. Her poetry has appeared in anthologies and in various literary journals including Cordite, Landfall and Turbine l Kapohau. Nafanua says it is a privilege and an honour to receive this award. 'I admire each of the previous recipients, and feel humbled to have been chosen to follow on from them. 'My wish is to write work which offers an insight into the complexity of community and the subtle work of shared stories, through my own experiences, dreams, and observations. My goal for the residency is to produce work which is mana-enhancing and unapologetic in its cultural depth. Fa'afetai, fa'afetai, fa'afetai tele lava mo le avanoa.' Nafanua will receive a stipend of $15,000 to write her new work at the IIML for three months. She will also work with a mentor during the residency. Damien Wilkins, Director of the IIML, says Nafanua's wonderful first book of poems shows her to be a highly skilled writer with new things to say. 'We're excited to see her work develop. The IIML is also very appreciative of the support of the University and Creative New Zealand.'
