Contents
HeadsUp
I write from home, rain pelting down, under the weather both literally and metaphorically. Thankfully, one of the downstream effects of the Covid years for workplace culture has been an acknowledgement that being at the office with even a moderate winter cold is not a great idea for all parties. Do please use good judgement if you succumb to an unwelcome winter virus and take sick leave to completely unplug if you can (and please log the time as sick leave on Hono). And do think about ways to keep well through winter. Clearly, I need a refresh of strategies as I’ve had bad luck despite all the raw garlic and dips in the sea…
Some updates:
- Thanks to those who got along to the morning tea reception for Amelia Linzey, Geography graduate and honoured as FoS Distinguished Alumnus.
- The four new ENV courses are an important new direction for the School, so many thanks to those of who have attended the meetings where their development has been discussed. The information presented at these sessions will be made available to all. We will be holding a specific examiners’ meeting to review the courses since they transcend the individual disciplinary programmes, and these will happen each semester they run. It is also expected that the courses will be reviewed more extensively at the end of Semester 2 this year once they have run twice and some of the teething issues have been resolved.
- A reminder: our 2nd (yes, only second) all-staff meeting is next Wednesday 18th, 11am-1pm (with the usual first hour for deliberations, 2nd hour for kai). Be there please.
- Congratulations to Murray Ford whose been appointed as Acting Associate Dean Academic.
- Congrats also to JR, Sila and Melissa who are leading Endeavour bids that have made it to the next stage of consideration. A great showing for the School!
- With RSLs for some in Sem 2, there are a few changes in service role responsibilities: effective July. Here are the first:
- Meg Parsons assumes Environmental Management Programme Director from Brad Coombes;
- Kathy Campbell assumes Chair of Equity Committee from Sonia Fonua.
- Hyesop Shin chairs the Stage 3 and postgraduate SSCCs.
- And a forthcoming acknowledgement/farewell: On account of a range of commitments overseas as well as the Faculty’s quest to reduce air travel, Giovanni Coco will be physically leaving us at the end of August, two months’ earlier than his actual date of ending his time with us. Please mark your diaries for an opportunity to share a drink and offer him thanks and good wishes on Wed 13th August, 4.30pm.
A reminder:
Please remember there are two steps prior to any travel: first obtain a quote from Orbit and complete a Faculty Travel approval form (https://www.forms.auckland.ac.nz/en/staff/science/fos-staff-travel-approval-request-form.html); second, once approved by your academic manager (ie me, via Patricia p.yip@auckland.ac.nz) request that Orbit moves from a quote to a purchase. The second and online form they send you doesn’t replace the Faculty one; it is a purchase order not a travel approval form. The latter is your undertaking that your responsibilities are covered while you are away, appraising me of your itinerary and length of absence, and an assurance of where the cost will be billed to (an if you plan on being away > 1 month, the Dean’s approval is needed). Further details can be found in the How to do Stuff guide – there’s a link to this on the p-cubed header (As Sarah our Dean reminded us today, all staff need to complete an Approval Form including her; she needs to seek approval from her manager , the VC). Please don’t leave me wondering where in the world you are, why and for how long.
All best for these winter days leading up to Matariki.
Robin Kearns, Head of School
Announcements, Seminars & Events
School of Environment / IMS Equity Morning Tea
Kia ora everyone,
This month, SoE and IMS Equity is holding our morning tea to mark World Refugee Day. Please join us for some kai, connecting with others, and our usual light competitive quiz spirit!
When: Wednesday, 18th June, 10:30am – 11:00am
Where: 302 Level 6 Kitchen
We’ll be running our monthly quiz with a focus on World Refugee Day (with prizes to be won!), alongside the highly anticipated Round 2 of the Whittaker’s Chocolate Tournament to help decide the School’s favourite Whittaker’s chocolate flavour.
All are welcome. We look forward to seeing you there!
2025 GSNZ President’s Lecture Auckland
GSNZ President Sam McColl will be in Auckland on the 17th June 2025. He will be giving his (same) lecture twice that day – once at 1 pm in Rm 302-130 (1st floor) of the University of Auckland Science Centre at 23 Symonds St https://gsnz.org.nz/gsnz-events/ViewEvent/398 and again at 7.30 pm at the Epsom Community Centre, 200 Gillies Ave, Epsom https://gsnz.org.nz/gsnz-events/ViewEvent/401
2025 GSNZ President Tour: Martian monsters, giant landslides, and recipes for disaster: Landslide curiosities, hazards, and a slippery future
Come along to briefly hear of the latest developments of the GSNZ, including new training and funding opportunities. You will have the opportunity to provide feedback or suggestions to the President.
Sam will then take you on a foray through the fascinating world of landslides, from the unbelievably large landslides on Mars to common problems in your back yard. The talk will explore why New Zealand has so many landslides and why they cost more than any other natural hazard. Some thoughts will be given to the big questions in landslide science and projections for landslides in a warming world.
This year, the Student Experience Committee had a budget of $2500.00 towards small class-related catering activities. There is $1250.00 available for semester 2. To maximise this budget and make its distribution as fair as possible, we have created an online form where all interested course coordinators can declare their interest and submit a very brief proposal (100 words) outlining how much they need and for which purpose. The cap for each course is set at $150.00 per semester and applications for semester 2 should be submitted by the 18th of July. Selection will be made by the committee shortly afterwards. Ad-hoc applications throughout the semesters may be considered depending on budget availability. Application must be submitted through the following link: https://forms.office.com/r/s7bvNAcFAP
Student Experience Committee
From the OUTREACH COMMITTEE:
Share Your Latest Academic and Career Achievements with Us!
Share your latest research, conference presentations, fieldwork, and career updates with us! Your achievements could be featured on the School of Environment’s social media to showcase the amazing work happening in our community. Fill out the survey and include photos, titles of papers or theses, and anything else you’d like to share!
https://forms.gle/QAEkcndygHNazXr2A
COMPASS Morning Tea
COMPASS PG is dedicated to creating a vibrant and supportive community for postgraduate students at all levels in the School of Environment. We host regular events designed to foster collaboration, networking, and a sense of community.
All staff and postgrad students are invited to come along, to participate or just to enjoy some home baked goods!
Te Akoranga Kairangi
The free staff programme, Te Akoranga Kairangi (TAK) is an introduction to Māori language, culture and the treaty. Details about the programme are appended. The programme runs over 8 weeks, 2 hours per weekly session, on Tuesdays or Thursdays. Fourteen 8-week cohorts are offered throughout the year, including an on-line option. Details about the schedule are appended and ALSO on Hono Learning (see instructions below).
Here are links to the details of the programme: TAK Programme and 2025 TAK times available
In addition, a free 2.5 hour Colonial History Walk around the university area is led by Assoc Prof Avril Bell. This is a unique opportunity for all staff keen to learn more about the role of central Auckland in the history of colonisation.
To enrol in TAK or the Colonial History Walk:
EITHER by emailing (we can enrol you directly) Assoc Prof Avril Bell a.bell@auckland.ac.nz (Tuesday classes) or Prof Alison Jones a.jones@auckland.ac.nz (Thursdays classes)
OR by going to University of Auckland staff intranet webpage, search for Hono Learning. On the Hono page, type Te Akoranga Kairangi into the search bar at the top. Then click on the Te Akoranga Kairangi or Colonial History Walk link. Then click on Select Offering. There you should see a list of cohort dates for the year’s classes or walks. Select the cohort dates that suit you. Then click on Submit. You should then get an email to confirm your enrolment.
Feel free to contact Alison or Avril with any questions! 😊
Ngā mihi, thanks a lot
Alison and Avril
Geoscience Society of New Zealand Student Activity Support
Thanks to the bequest to the Geoscience Society of New Zealand by Jack Grant-Mackie, former faculty (and a Head of Department etc) of the University of Auckland Geology Department who specialised in paleontology and stratigraphy, there are funds to support student activities at branch level to the value of $500 in the coming year.
If you have a proposal about a student Geoscience trip or event (outside of our normal university activities) please contact GSNZ branch rep Jennifer Eccles j.eccles@auckland.ac.nz so we can get a short budget/proposal together. Student led initiatives particularly welcomed!
Introductions to R Workshop
An introductory R Workshop is being run on Wednesday 2nd and Thursday 3rd of July 2025. The course will be run by the Statistical Consulting Centre (SCC) in the Department of Statistics.
What’s covered in the workshop?
- Introduction
Getting familiar with R
Using R Studio and loading projects/scripts
Basic functions using R
Reading in Data Files (.csv, .xls/.xlsx)
Introduction to R Objects. How R thinks (vectors, matrices, basic data formats) - Working with data(sets)
Cleaning and subsetting
Merging datasets and reformatting
Grouping variables and summarising - R graphics
Starting with plots in R (boxplots, histograms, bar graphs)
Graphics in R with ggplot2 (customising plots) - Data analysis
Introduction to performing t-tests, chi-square tests, ANOVA, and general linear models
The cost is $400 for UoA students and staff.
You can pay using your PRESS account, research grant, or other UoA account.
You can also opt to use a debit/credit card (however we will have to also add GST for this type of payment – please contact Joei Mudaliar j.mudaliar@auckland.ac.nz for further instructions).
The payment authorisation form for UoA participants paying from a UoA account is here.
The cost for non-UoA attendees is $650 + GST. Please contact Joei Mudaliar (j.mudaliar@auckland.ac.nz) for payment instructions.
We will be sending out a pre-workshop information email the week prior to the course, however here are some of the details:
Location
We will be in room 302.190. Building 302 is on the corner of Symonds St and Wellesley St. The room we will be using is on level 1, room 160.
Time and schedule
The approximate schedule for both days is here (since this is the schedule from our previous course, it may yet be altered very slightly).
We will start at 9am and finish at 5pm.
Morning and afternoon tea will be provided, and there are cafes nearby for lunch.
Computers
We will be using a Faculty of Science computer lab.
You are also welcome to use your own laptop. However, please make sure that you have downloaded R and RStudio onto your machine before the workshop (they are free to download).
We will also include some instructions on how to do this in our pre-workshop information email.
Access to computers and the internet
We will arrange access to the lab computers for all non-UoA participants.
We will also have a guest wireless password for non-UoA participants who are bringing their own laptops.
UoA staff and students will be able to access the FoS computers using their normal UoA upi and password.
I hope you can make it on the 2nd and 3rd July 2025, and we look forward to seeing you there.
Ngā mihi,
Joei
The 2025 ANZIC Marine Geoscience Masterclass
An unforgettable field and lab experience in Fiordland!
Applications are now open for ANZIC‘s new Marine Geoscience Masterclass!
This unique 12-day learning opportunity combines fieldwork in Doubtful Sound with cutting-edge lab analysis at the University of Otago. From examining the depths of the dramatic fjords on RV Polaris II to state-of-the-art analysis of the sediment cores you’ll collect, this Masterclass immerses you in the tools and techniques behind global scientific drilling to prepare you for future opportunities.
The Masterclass focuses on climate and environmental influences on carbon cycling and your findings will form part of the Fjords as Archives of Climate and Environmental Transitions (FACET) initiative, an active ICDP proposal.
Designed for undergraduates (with a few spots for postgrads), this fully funded opportunity connects you with leading scientists, hands-on learning, and fellow Earth science enthusiasts from across the region.
The Masterclass runs from December 1-12, hosted by the University of Otago. Applications close 30 June.
If you’re passionate about climate, or carbon cycling, or just ready for a big adventure with a huge impact on your future, click here to learn more.
ANZIC calls for funding proposals
Funding of up to NZ$25,000 is now available for projects that will advance the field of scientific drilling. ANZIC invites proposals from scientists in Australian & New Zealand Member Institutions – including the University o – for their Continent & Ocean Research & Education (CORE) Funding.
ANZIC CORE funding supports research using previously-collected scientific drilling samples, cores and data; activities that aid future drilling proposals; and educational projects in the sphere of scientific drilling. ANZIC is looking for innovative proposals that align with their science priorities.
Submit your proposal by 8 September!
LEARN MORE: www.iodp.org.au/legacy-funding/
Health Safety & Wellbeing
Remember to get your free flu vaccine available at Unichem Campus Pharmacy, this will help you prepare for winter.
Location: Kate Edger Information Commons
9 Symonds Street (corner of Symonds Street and Alfred Street)
Level 1, next to UBIQ and Esports Arena
You also might be eligible to a free MMR vaccine. The measles (MMR) vaccine is free for all children under 18 years in New Zealand, and all adults over the age of 18 who are eligible for free NZ healthcare.
Measles – The University of Auckland
Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine
Men’s Health Week
“Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.”
That’s the message to Kiwi guys from Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey as Men’s Health Week cranks up for 2025.
The Minister reiterated the message that MHW has been getting out through its ambassadors – talking to a mate can be the first step on your path back to great again.
“Whether it’s men’s health week or any other day, talking to your mates, family or a mental health practitioner, I would encourage you to have the conversation about how you’re really doing.”
What You Can Do This Men’s Health Week:
- Book a check-up with your GP
- Join in with a class or session that best suits you
- Encourage a mate to book their appointment too
- Share your journey using #SeeYourGP and #MensHealthWeek2025
Message from AT for this Winter:
Funding Calls
Hono data integration are impacting research projects
Do you have research grants? Do you, or a member of your research team, use EIP dashboards to monitor your research funds or Research Development Account (RDA)? If so, please read on.
Recent challenges with Hono data integration are impacting research projects. As a result, EIP dashboards are not correctly reflecting actual salary costs from 20 February, casual staff payments, or future-dated salary commitments. All other actual transactions are correct, however, the left-to-spend balances may not be correct.
What does this mean?
- EIP reports should not be used to confirm a project’s financial status until further notice, as salary details in EIP reports for pay runs after 20 Feb 2025 are not yet available.
- Research Development Account (RDA) balances may not be correct, particularly if fixed-term or casual staff are being paid from the RDA account.
- Surpluses or deficits on research grants cannot be resolved until the balances can be confirmed, so projects ending after 20 Feb 2025 cannot be closed.
- Surpluses or deficits will not be distributed to, or recovered from, RDA accounts (or returned to funders) for projects ending after 20 Feb 2025 until accurate balances can be confirmed.
Resolutions and Timeframes
A Solution Oversight Co-ordination (SOC) Team has been formed and includes a range of experts who understand the issues and the impacts. Members have been drawn from Research Services, OneFinance, HR, Integration Specialists, Vendors, the Risk Team, and the Planning and Information Office to find solutions to the identified issues. Alongside the SOC Team, several continuity groups (including a research continuity group) are working on specific outcomes, the teams meet daily and report to SOC. The Solution Oversight Coordination Team are in the process of identifying and quantifying the risks around these and implementing mitigation strategies.
Please be assured we’ll be providing regular progress updates to the Faculties and Institutes. In the meantime, if you have an urgent query related to your project financials, please contact your Faculty or Institute Research Services Team in the first instance.
2025 New Zealand – China Strategic Research Alliance
The New Zealand – China Strategic Research Alliance (SRA) is an annual joint funding programme funded by New Zealand and the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST). Chinese partners must apply for their own funding through MoST.
For 2025, proposals must align with the priority area of Environmental Technologies. The specific research areas for this priority are:
- Clean and renewable energy technologies
- Climate change adaptation technologies
- Climate change mitigation technologies
- Carbon dioxide capture and conversion technologies
- Novel technologies for biodegradation or elimination of emerging pollutants in vivo
- Grant value: Up to NZ $300,000
- Duration: Up to 3 years
- Internal Deadline: 12 noon, Monday, 23 June 2025
Guidelines and resources can be found on the MBIE website
Hood Fellowships
The Hood Fellowships are University of Auckland Foundation awards for the distinguished scholars to visit the University (Incoming Hood fellows) or our distinguished scholars to travel outside New Zealand (Outgoing Hood fellows) to build stronger networks, maintain and enhance the international standing and performance of Waipapa Taumata Rau | University of Auckland as New Zealand’s premier research-led university. The Hood Fellowship Fund aims to help the University meet this challenge by:
- Attracting distinguished overseas academics who are leaders in their field
- Developing and retaining the University’s best academic staff
- Hosting recognised international experts for guest lectures and seminars
- Building stronger international networks among its community of scholars
One of the key expectations of inbound Hood fellows is that they should give at least one public lecture during their time in Auckland.
- Value: up to $25,000 each award
- Duration: 12 months 2026 (Jan-Dec 2026)
- Applications open 1 June 2025 and close 30 June 2025
Further Information
If you are interested, please also get in touch with your FIRST.
Royal Society Te Apārangi: Tāwhia te Mana Research Fellowships
Please note that this funding called is related to the Tāwhia Te Mana Fellowship webinar Roadshow webinar under the Announcements, Seminars & Events section.
These Fellowships will support researchers at different career stages to produce excellent and impactful research and to develop into leaders in their fields, their respective host organisations and across the whole of the Aotearoa New Zealand ST&I system. The Fellowships consist of three schemes, targeted at early, mid- and established career researchers, respectively. The three schemes are:
- New Zealand Mana Tūāpapa Future Leader Fellowship
- New Zealand Mana Tūānuku Research Leader Fellowship
- New Zealand Mana Tūārangi Distinguished Researcher Fellowship
Value/Duration:
New Zealand Mana Tūāpapa Future Leader
Fellowship
- Value: $820,000
- Duration: 4 years or up to 8 years part-time
New Zealand Mana Tūānuku Research Leader
Fellowship
- Value: $1,160,000
- Duration: 4 years or up to 8 years part-time
New Zealand Mana Tūārangi Distinguished
Researcher Fellowship
- Value: $220,000
- Duration: 1-2 years
Internal Deadline: 12pm, Tuesday, 1st July 2025
Guidelines:
- New Zealand Mana Tūāpapa Future Leader Fellowship
- New Zealand Mana Tūānuku Research Leader Fellowship
- New Zealand Mana Tūārangi Distinguished Researcher Fellowship
Application templates
- New Zealand Mana Tūāpapa Future Leader Fellowship
- New Zealand Mana Tūānuku Research Leader Fellowship
- New Zealand Mana Tūārangi Distinguished Researcher Fellowship
If you are interested, please also get in touch with your FIRST.
Royal Society Te Apārangi Catalyst Seeding (Round 2)
Catalyst Seeding facilitates new small and medium pre-research strategic partnerships that cannot be supported through other means, and with a view to developing full collaborations that could be supported through Catalyst: Strategic over time. Funding is for research exchanges, research activities, and expenses related to hosting workshops for new strategic research partnerships with international collaborators.
The Catalyst Fund investment plan identifies six priority research areas, which are:
- Quantum technology
- Health and biomedicine
- Biotechnologies
- Artificial Intelligence
- Antarctic research
- Space and Earth observations
Details:
- Value: up to $80,000 (Exc. GST)
- Duration: 2 years
- Deadline: 12pm, Tuesday, 8 July 2025
Further Information (funding call, guidelines website):
If you are interested, please also get in touch with your FIRST.
Funding Calls
| Horizon Europe, Pillar 2, Cluster 3: Civil Security for Society | Key topics
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Single-stage calls in cluster 3 have various closing dates in November 2025
GUIDELINES |
| Horizon Europe, Pillar 2, Cluster 4: Digital, Industry and Space | Key topics
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Deadline: Single-stage calls in cluster 4 have various closing dates in September/October 2025
GUIDELINES Cluster 4 – Work programme 2025
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| Horizon Europe, Pillar 2, Cluster 5: Climate, Energy and Mobility
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Key topics
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Single-stage calls in cluster 5 have various closing dates in September 2025
GUIDELINES Cluster 5 – Work programme 2025
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| Horizon Europe, Pillar 2, Cluster 6: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment | Key topics
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Single-stage calls in cluster 6 have various closing dates in September 2025.
GUIDELINES |
| • Value: from NZD110,000 to NZD3,000,000 exclusive of the MBIE top-up
• Duration: 3-4 years |
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WEBSITE
SUPPORT ResearchHub Resources here If you are interested, please also get in touch with your FIRST. |
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