Issue 139 – Tuesday 18 February 2025

February 18, 2025 • asim086

HeadsUp

The email traffic has increased and meeting frequency heightened. It must be Semester One approaching! At this time, I’d like to thank three groups of colleagues.

First, the ‘course build’ teams for the new suite of ENV-codes stage 1 courses. These colleagues have devoted a great deal of creativity and time to developing teaching content and architecture to courses for which they won’t be directly contributing. Hence, these colleagues won’t be accruing any credit on the teaching workload model. This is School citizenship in action and we all should be grateful to the course builders among us.

Second, a big thanks to the student advisors who reply to emails and talk with students offering opportunities, alternative and advice, especially at this time of year. I recall when, a good number of decades ago, I arrived on campus as a teenager with only a sketchy idea of what I wanted to study. A patient Arts Faculty advisor outlined the options. Mercifully Geography was in the mix, even though it seemed an afterthought. These conversations can be crucial points of contact so the dedication of all who advise our current and prospective students is appreciated especially this time of year.

Third, appreciation too to Emma Sharp and her Outreach colleagues Kenzie and Thomas. This team has developed a plan for innovative research content to be rolled out regularly via the School’s social media outlets through 2025. The goal is digestible, accessible material deriving from our research projects that might entice prospective students in our direction as well as generally raise the profile of ENV. So, when Emma and team are in touch, please respond affirmatively.

I have been looking forward seeing everyone at the first staff meeting on 26^th and welcome back drinks on 3^rd. But I’ve had recent news of a late Christmas present so I won’t be with you. This week I am getting a new knee and have been advised to take a fortnight as post-operative medical leave. Tom Baker will be Acting Head. All going well, I will return to HoS duties – but perhaps remotely for a while – on Monday 10^th March.

So, I wish everyone well as teaching begins again. Enthusiasm is infectious. May you convey the enthusiasm that led you into the fields you have excelled in and inspire the curious minds you encounter.

Robin Kearns

Announcements & Seminars

HONO – Go live is now Monday 24 February 2025 | Hono Overview

Go live for all users: Monday 24 February 2025
First pay run in Hono: Wednesday 5 March 2025
Leave: if you are taking or booking leave before ‘Go live’ or have taken any leave that wasn’t entered in the system, please email Patricia so that she can submit a service request to get it entered in the system.
Training will continue for all staff as planned

Research Support Update

Kim Le has recently joined the Research Support team as a Research Programme Coordinator (RPC), and will be working with Sophie and Kelly to assist with pre- and post-award research project queries. Kim will be known to some of you having completed her MSc in Environmental Management (1^st class Hons) with Ward Friesen in 2020. Following this, she returned home to Vietnam to work for non-profit environmental organisations, before relocating to NZ last year with her family. Before moving across to the research support team, Kim worked as a research assistant at Koi Tū. Kim is located on Level 6 (outside of Robin’s office).

Visit of Prof. Enzhu Hu (Northeastern University, China)

Melanie Kah is hosting Prof. Enzhu Hu (Northeastern University, China) who will offer two short courses in the next couple of weeks/months. Follow the link for more details on the content:

Meta-analysis
HYDRUS: The Basic Theory of Soil Physics

Open to both staff and research students, please contact Enzhu (huenzhu@gmail.com) directly if you are interested and would like to learn more!

Recent Australia New Zealand Tree Ring Sciences Conference” held at Waipapa Taumata Rau University of Auckland

From 21 to 23 January, the “Looking at the wood, seeing the trees and more: Australia New Zealand Tree Ring Sciences Conference” was held at the Clock Tower, here at Waipapa Taumata Rau University of Auckland.

This event bought together ~30 scientists and researchers mostly from Australia and New Zealand but also Italy and the UK, to present research based around the common theme of tree rings.

This was the first such meeting held specifically for the Australian and New Zealand tree-ring community. Topics ranged from climate reconstruction to forest ecology to the challenging nature of some Australian and New Zealand species for dendrochronology, requiring novel approaches to establishing chronologies. We also heard about new radiocarbon and stable oxygen isotope research using kauri tree rings, and cultural issues in the context of archaeological dating of wood.

Bad weather stymied our fieldtrip to Cascades Kauri Park but instead we spent the morning in the tree-ring lab where Luitgard and I showcased various kauri-based research carried out here at ENV, followed by a group lunch.

The conference was full of good energy, engagement and conversation (which continued into the evening over dinner and red wine). The student attendees reported that they really enjoyed the opportunity to come together, talk about their work and be reminded that they were not alone in working with sometimes quite challenging species! There is enthusiasm for a repeat event in two years’ time, somewhere in Australia.

The conference was organised by Gretel and Luitgard with help from Liam Casey in Event Services. Alan Hogg (Waikato University), Kathy Allen (University of Tasmania) and Pauline Grierson (University of Western Australia) were part of the conference committee. ENV students Melanesia Boseren, Em Sharp and Mitchell Keys provided great support during the meeting too.

Conference attendees, and not a tree-corer in sight!

Disaster Prevention and Management Seminar Series

AKO

This year, the Student Experience Committee has a budget of $2500.00 towards small class-related catering activities. There will be $1250.00 available in each semester. 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 should be submitted by the 28th of February (semester 1 courses) and the 18th of July (semester 2 courses). Selection will be made by the committee shortly afterwards. Ad-hoc applications throughout the semesters may be considered depending on budget availability.

Here’s the link to the application form: https://forms.office.com/r/s7bvNAcFAP

Student Experience Committee

Outreach

Social media : We’d like to expand the School of Environment’s social media reach to other platforms beyond Facebook, but we need some foundation content to guarantee at least one post a month (ideally one a week!). Therefore, we need your content to celebrate and elevate your research and community activities. Please send the following to Kenzi Yee kenzi.yee@auckland.ac.nz (and cc: el.sharp@auckland.ac.nz) who is collating posts.

Blurb of about ~30 words
A representative image
Ideally, a link to a website/ Conversation article/ RNZ / Newsroom/ TVNZ/ The Spinoff, but not necessary.

Ngā mihi mahana, Emma

Health Safety & Wellbeing

Protective clothing for fieldwork

Gloves, Some activities require protecting your hands
hard hats
high visibility clothing
overalls and protective aprons.
Rain gear

Footwear

Tennis shoes and sneakers are comfortable, but they are not, often, the proper type of footwear while undertaking fieldwork. Choosing the right footwear for fieldwork is crucial for comfort, safety, and performance. Here are some key factors to consider:

Terrain and Environment:
- Wet Conditions:Waterproof boots with good traction are essential. Look for materials like Gore-Tex that keep water out while allowing your feet to breathe ¹.
- Dry Conditions: Lightweight, breathable hiking boots or shoes are ideal. They provide comfort and prevent overheating ².
Activity Type:
- Hiking and Walking: Sturdy hiking boots with ankle support are important to prevent injuries on uneven terrain ².
- Wading or Marsh Work: Chest waders or lace-up canvas wading boots are recommended for environments with deep mud or water ¹.
Comfort and Fit:
- Proper Fit: Ensure the boots fit well with enough room for your toes. Consider wearing the socks you plan to use during fieldwork when trying on boots ³.
- Cushioning and Support: Look for boots with good arch support and cushioning to absorb impact and reduce fatigue ³.
Durability:
- Quality Materials: Invest in boots made from durable materials that can withstand harsh conditions. High-quality leather or synthetic materials are often more durable ².
Safety Features:
- Toe Protection: Boots with reinforced toes can protect against impacts and sharp objects ³.
- Non-Slip Soles: Thick rubber soles with plenty of traction are essential for preventing slips and falls ³.

By considering these factors, you can choose the right footwear to keep you comfortable and safe during your fieldwork. Do you have a specific type of fieldwork in mind?

Waterproof hiking boots are a great option. In warm weather, non-waterproof hiking boots or trail running shoes are good options. Because these are breathable, they will keep your feet drier and cooler than waterproof boots

Funding Calls

RSNZ: Catalyst: Seeding (Round1)
Catalyst seeding fund aims to supports activities that initiate, develop and foster collaborations leveraging international science and innovation for New Zealand’s benefit. Notable eligibility changes for the 2025 funding opportunities: the Catalyst Fund investment plan (released in December 2024) identifies six priority research areas, which are: Quantum technology Health and biomedicine Biotechnologies Artificial Intelligence Antarctic research Space and Earth observations *Note that 75% of the awarded Catalyst: Seeding contracts will be expected to be made up of proposals that align with the priority research areas. The remaining 25% of awarded contracts can be in any field of research including social sciences and the humanities.
Value/Duration:	Internal Deadline
· Seeding General: up to $80,000 (excl. GST) in total for up to two years	12pm, Tuesday 08 April 2025
Further Information (funding call, guidelines, registration info). If you are interested, please also get in touch with your FIRST. Funding Call Guidelines Website

RSNZ: Catalyst Leaders (Round 1)
This fund aims to supports incoming and outgoing targeted international fellowships for exceptional individuals that cannot be supported through other means. The following funding schemes are open in Round 1 International Leader Fellowships (up to 3 awards): Supports exceptional individuals from any country outside New Zealand to catalyse science and innovation capability and capacity development in New Zealand for a minimum of 4 weeks per year for up to 3 years. Julius von Haast Fellowship Award (up to 1 award): Supports an internationally recognised researcher from Germany to undertake research in New Zealand for a minimum of 4 weeks per year for 3 years. Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Postdoctoral Fellowships (up to 4 awards): Supports excellent New Zealand post-doctoral researchers to do research in Japan for 12-24 months. New Zealand – China Scientist Exchange Programme (up to 10 Awards): Supports the development of research linkages with China by enabling New Zealand researchers to visit Chinese research organisations for 2-6 weeks.
Value/Duration:	Internal Deadline:
International Leader Fellowships: up to $50,000 per annum. JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship: Flights, insurance and living allowance. Julius von Haast Fellowship Award: up to $50,000 per annum. New Zealand-China Scientist Exchange Programme: Flights, insurance and living allowance.	12pm, Tuesday 08 April 2025
Further Information (funding call, guidelines, registration info). If you are interested, please also get in touch with your FIRST. Funding Call Website Guidelines

Spencer Foundation–Vision Grant
This fund aims to fund the collaborative planning of innovative, methodologically diverse, interdisciplinary research on education that contributes to transforming education systems for equity.
Value/Duration:	Deadline:
Value: USD75,000 (circa NZD 120,000) Duration: up to a maximum duration of 12 months	Two-stage Submission deadlines: EXTERNAL DEADLINE for Intent to Apply: Thursday, February 11, 2025 (12 Noon CT) INTERNAL DEADLINE for Full Proposal: Monday, March 3, 2025 (12 Noon CT)
Further Information (funding call, guidelines, website). If you are interested, please also get in touch with your FIRST (Kelly or Sophie) Funding Call Guidelines/Website

Marsden 2025 Updates

The Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology announced that the Marsden fund will be changing ahead of the 2025 round. Along with the announcement of the changes, a new Investment Plan (2025-2027) and Terms of Reference have been released by the Royal Society Te Apārangi.

Due to the changes announced by the Minister, the Royal Society have advised that the Marsden 2025 round will be delayed. At this stage, no new timeline has been provided and we are unsure of the extent of the delay.

The most notable changes that have been announced are as follows:

The Marsden fund has been updated to “focus on core scientific research that helps lift economic growth and contributes to science with a purpose.”
The Humanities and Social Sciences panels will be disbanded and no longer supported.
The new Investment Plan focuses on supporting research that can be of economic, environmental or health benefit to New Zealand. The new Terms of Reference outline that approximately 50% of funds will go towards supporting proposals with economic benefits to New Zealand.

MBIE 2025 Endeavour Fund (Research Programmes)
This fund aims to support ambitious, excellent and well-defined research ideas which have credible and high potential to positively transform New Zealand’s future in areas of future value, growth, or critical need. For the 2024 investment round, the Science Board will aim to fund at least 17 Research Programmes.
Value/Duration:	Internal Deadline
Total funding pool: $38 million Value: $0.5 million or more per year Duration: 3, 4 or 5 years	Registration: 12 noon, Monday 25 November 2024. Full Proposal: 12 noon, Monday 24 February 2025.
Further Information (funding call, guidelines, registration info, templates): Funding Call Guidelines Website Registration Template Full Proposal Template *If you are interested, please notify your FIRST (research support) of your intent to apply for this scheme to receive important information and updates in relation to this fund*

New Horizon Europe Calls

In mid-April, the European Commission announced a new selection of funding calls covering the remainder of 2024. The funding call details here Horizon Europe Funding Call List on the Horizon Europe Support Materials page on ResearchHub.

New Zealand can participate in these calls on equal terms as our European counterparts. However, the targeted nature of most of these calls means that it is highly likely that it will be more appropriate for us to partner on these projects, joining European-led bids as a collaborator rather than developing a proposal as a lead.

Anybody exploring these opportunities should contact International.Research@Auckland.ac.nz to arrange a discussion and explore additional support available.

Publications | Articles

Ball, L. (2025) Gene technology bill fails to recognise Treaty partnership. Newsroom. 19 January
Barrett, J. (2025) Māori communities lead innovative ways of financing housing on ancestral lands. The Conversation. 5 February.
Shorrock, A.E., Strachan, L.J., Barnes, P.B., Bostock, H.C., Moore, G.F., McArthur, A.D., Gamboa, D., Woodhouse, A.D., Bell, R.E., Davidson, S.R., Maier, K.L., and Nodder, S.D. (2025) Coeval transverse and axial sediment delivery to the northern Hikurangi Trough during the late Quaternary, Basin Research, 37:e70019, 1-25.
Macnaughtan, M., Pecher, I, Strachan, L.J., (2025) Gas hydrates on New Zealand’s Chatham Rise. An indicator of Gondwanan thermogenic gas expulsion? Marine and Petroleum Geology, 173: 107226.

Categories: Uncategorised

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Issue 138 – Wednesday 5 February 2025

February 5, 2025 • asim086

HeadsUp

Welcome back to all! Ngā mihi o te Tau Hou! I trust the first weeks of 2025 have been good to you whether they have been mainly devoted to Annual Leave, research activities or teaching Summer School (or some combination). I have enjoyed encountering colleagues in meetings and along the corridors, catching up on grant-writing efforts as well as holiday adventures.

Now that its February its time for our boots to seriously grip the tracks. Our first staff meeting is 26 February (and please also mark your diaries for a welcome back to the teaching semester staff drinks on Monday 3^rd March, 4pm).

Steering Group has already met to confirm our budget for 2025. Nothing too austere this year but some ‘nip and tuck’ has been needed to bring requests into line with what we have been offered. Thanks to Michael Groom for assistance with this process.

Early enrolment data looks promising for the first offering of our new Stage 1 courses. Two have already crested 100 students. Thanks to all for the efforts already undertaken and yet to come in their Semester 1 launch. The Waipapa Taumata Rau course we are so heavily invested in has crested 1,000 enrolments. This is entirely new territory in purpose and scale. Again, big congrats to all involved. Sadly some of our existing courses continue to languish at the margins of viability. Hard calls may yet lie ahead.

In other news, for 2025 we welcome back Jan Lindsay from her AD(Research) role and congratulate Jenny Salmond who is stepping in for Vivien Kirk as Acting AD (Postgraduate) (till mid-year).

By way of reminder, and as you’ll know after all the publicity, PeopleSoft functions such as booking Leave remain unavailable until late this month when the sparkly new Hono system goes ‘live’. If you are taking or booking Leave before then or have taken any leave that wasn’t entered in the system, please email Patricia so that she can submit a service request to get it entered in the system. Once Hono is live we will not be able to backdate any leave you have taken. More generally, in a ‘back to the future’ move, we’ll return to use of a ‘Leave Planner’ sheet this year in an attempt to establish an ethic of Leave Responsibility in the School. I know many became tired of me talking about Annual Leave last year but as a School we are seriously negligent in this regard. I have been told by HR that 36% of staff have unacceptably high Annual Leave balances. Ahead of receipt of your planner, if you currently have more than 80 hours/2 weeks Leave owing, start considering when in 2025 you will take this time.

We can look ahead to the year with both confidence and uncertainty. The churn of change is never far away. I am therefore grateful to all who have already stepped up into new service roles, new teaching areas and, more generally, adopted a forward-looking School-wide perspective. This is no time to circle the disciplinary wagons or operate out of a position of self-interest. 2025 will be, in large part, as good as we make it.

See you all soon – Robin Kearns

Announcements & Seminars

HONO – Go live is now Monday 24 February 2025 | Hono Overview

Go live for all users: Monday 24 February 2025
First pay run in Hono: Wednesday 5 March 2025
Leave: if you are taking or booking leave before ‘Go live’ or have taken any leave that wasn’t entered in the system, please email Patricia so that she can submit a service request to get it entered in the system.
Training will continue for all staff as planned

John Morris Afternoon Tea event

Date: Wed 19th February 2025 | Time: 2-3pm | Venue: Level 6 break out space

Click here to read the brochure Laboratory_Product Portfolio_NZ_Jan2025

Disaster Prevention and Management Seminar Series

Communities

Public Event held at the Auckland Art Gallery on 18 January 2025

A panel discussion on the role of art in inspiring hope and environmental action – featuring four current or former students (Anna Wang, Joshua Wang, Inka Pledis, and Georgia Mae Pringle) we ran at Auckland art gallery on 18 January.

What are the connections between creativity, hope and climate change? That is what four young people came together to discuss as part of an event “Imagining tomorrow: Creativity, Climate and Hope” hosted by Toi O Tāmaki”. A panel consisting of current and recently graduated University of Auckland students, who work in environmental and climate scientific spaces, were led through a series of questions by Dr Meg Parsons, to inspire and provoke thought in the audience gathered at the gallery. Inka Pleiss, Anna Wang, Georgia Pringle and Joshua Wang shared each how they were inspired to get involved in climate and environmental work, and how they stay inspired and hopeful even when times may seem dire, including actively searching out good news while still staying up to date with the not so good, and finding ways that your skills can help in climate and activism spaces instead of trying to fit a prescribed activist mold. For some this may look like painting posters and for others it’s helping out a local community group manage their volunteer database. Climate and environmental action looks different for everyone and each different skill set is needed for collective action.

A key message from the day was also what scientists and artists can learn from each other. Where scientists have lots of passion and know how, they occasionally lack the communication skills that artists hold central to their work. However, scientists regularly employ creative thinking to solve problems or design projects that will answer those burning questions facing us. The group also agreed the power of laughter and levity was not to be overlooked when having discussions around climate and environmental issues and how comedy can provide the relief you may need to buckle up the shoes for another day of hard mahi. Meg also adeptly led the group through her own reflections and experiences to highlight how positive reinforcement and imagery that provokes hope is a stronger motivator for positive climate actions, and how this was reflected in the work of Olafur Eliasson whose exhibition was the inspiration for the event. Olafur explores themes and imagery relating to climate change and other moments through his life without berating the viewer. It asks the viewer to explore and think while still inviting the potential for hope, action and positive change, a message that the panelists agreed was one to carry forward.
Olafur Eliasson: Your curious journey runs at Toi O Tāmaki – Auckland Art gallery until Sun 23 Mar 2025. Special thanks to Ellie Lim for helping curate the event.

Health Safety & Wellbeing

Field Gear

Choosing the right field-gear helps reducing the risks to you while undertaking field activities, we will explore different items you need to consider. Today is rain protection.

Waterproof vs rain jacket

In a rain jacket, although you will be fine in a drizzle, in a heavy downpour you need shelter. That’s not the case with a waterproof jacket, because it truly holds water outside from coming in contact with your skin.

Waterproof jacket:
Durable Water Repellent DWR Coating: Application, Cleaning & Care | REI Expert Advice
Impermeable membrane
Lining
Cinchable hood
Zipper pockets
Impermeable membrane
Seam sealed zipper
Rain Jacket:
No seam sealed zippers
DWR coating
Breathable
Nylon or Polyester

Funding

Funding Calls

Marsden Fund 2025
The Marsden Fund aims to invest in excellent, investigator-led research aimed at generating new knowledge, with long-term benefit to New Zealand. Three types of awards are offered: • Fast-Start: for emerging researchers to give an impetus to their careers by promoting them as sole Principal Investigators (PI) in their own research programme. • Standard: for established and emerging researchers. • Council Award: for projects that are interdisciplinary in nature, with larger teams.
Value/Duration:	Internal Deadline
All grants are for a maximum of three years and are GST exclusive. • Fast-Start: up to $120K p.a. • Standard: up to $220-$320K p.a. (varies by panel) • Council Award: up to $1M p.a.	12pm, Monday 17 February 2025
Further Information (funding call, guidelines, website): · Funding Call · Website · Guidelines (Fast-Start, Standard) · Guidelines (Council) If you are interested, please also get in touch with your FIRST (Kelly or Sophie)

Spencer Foundation–Vision Grant
This fund aims to fund the collaborative planning of innovative, methodologically diverse, interdisciplinary research on education that contributes to transforming education systems for equity.
Value/Duration:	Deadline:
· Value: USD75,000 (circa NZD 120,000) · Duration: up to a maximum duration of 12 months	Two-stage Submission deadlines: · EXTERNAL DEADLINE for Intent to Apply: Thursday, February 11, 2025 (12 Noon CT) · INTERNAL DEADLINE for Full Proposal: Monday, March 3, 2025 (12 Noon CT)
Further Information (funding call, guidelines, website): · Funding Call · Guidelines/Website If you are interested, please also get in touch with your FIRST (Kelly or Sophie)

Marsden 2025 Updates

The Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology announced that the Marsden fund will be changing ahead of the 2025 round. Along with the announcement of the changes, a new Investment Plan (2025-2027) and Terms of Reference have been released by the Royal Society Te Apārangi.

Due to the changes announced by the Minister, the Royal Society have advised that the Marsden 2025 round will be delayed. At this stage, no new timeline has been provided and we are unsure of the extent of the delay.

The most notable changes that have been announced are as follows:

The Marsden fund has been updated to “focus on core scientific research that helps lift economic growth and contributes to science with a purpose.”
The Humanities and Social Sciences panels will be disbanded and no longer supported.
The new Investment Plan focuses on supporting research that can be of economic, environmental or health benefit to New Zealand. The new Terms of Reference outline that approximately 50% of funds will go towards supporting proposals with economic benefits to New Zealand.

Spencer Foundation – Research Grants on Education: Large
This fund aims to support education research projects that will contribute to the improvement of education. The research concept is “field-initiated” with the grant designed to support rigorous, intellectually ambitious and technically sound research that is relevant to the most pressing questions and compelling opportunities in education.
Value/Duration:	Deadline:
· Value: between USD125,000 and USD500,000 (circa NZD205,000 -NZD821,000), depending on the funding tier selected. · Duration: up to a maximum duration of 60 months	· External Deadline for Intent to Apply: 5pm, Thursday, 30 January 2025 · Internal Deadline for Full Stage: 5pm, Tuesday,14 January 2025

Spencer Foundation – Small Research Grants on Education
This fund is intended to support education research projects that will contribute to the improvement of education. The research concept is “field-initiated” with the grant designed to support rigorous, intellectually ambitious and technically sound research that is relevant to the most pressing questions and compelling opportunities in education.
Value/Duration:	Internal Deadline
· Value: up to USD50,000 (circa NZD80,000 · Duration: up to a maximum duration of 60 months	12pm, Thursday, 28 November 2024
Further Information (funding call, guidelines website): · Funding Call · Website · Guidelines If you are interested, please also get in touch with your FIRST.

MBIE 2025 Endeavour Fund (Research Programmes)

This fund aims to support ambitious, excellent and well-defined research ideas which have credible and high potential to positively transform New Zealand’s future in areas of future value, growth, or critical need.

For the 2024 investment round, the Science Board will aim to fund at least 17 Research Programmes.

Value/Duration:

Internal Deadline

· Total funding pool: $38 million

· Value: $0.5 million or more per year

· Duration: 3, 4 or 5 years

· Registration: 12 noon, Monday 25 November 2024.

· Full Proposal: 12 noon, Monday 24 February 2025.

Further Information (funding call, guidelines, registration info, templates):

· Funding Call

· Guidelines

· Website

· Registration Template

· Full Proposal Template

If you are interested, please notify your FIRST (research support) of your intent to apply for this scheme to receive important information and updates in relation to this fund

New Horizon Europe Calls

In mid-April, the European Commission announced a new selection of funding calls covering the remainder of 2024. The funding call details here Horizon Europe Funding Call List on the Horizon Europe Support Materials page on ResearchHub.

New Zealand can participate in these calls on equal terms as our European counterparts. However, the targeted nature of most of these calls means that it is highly likely that it will be more appropriate for us to partner on these projects, joining European-led bids as a collaborator rather than developing a proposal as a lead.

Anybody exploring these opportunities should contact International.Research@Auckland.ac.nz to arrange a discussion and explore additional support available.

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Issue 137 – Tuesday 10 December 2024

December 10, 2024 • igom365

HeadsUp

The email traffic has slowed. Many of our ENV team are on annual leave, away at conferences, doing fieldwork, or attending to late-in the year to-do lists. But there remains both a last and first on Wednesday 11th this week: the last Faculty meeting of the year and the first for our new Dean, Professor Sarah Young. As you will have seen in FoS invite, Sarah requests that all staff attend to hear her update and plans. I hope – or should I risk saying expect? – to see a good turnout from Environment.

What should have been mentioned first in this year’s last Heads-up, however, is some hearty congratulations. We have three academic promotions in the School including two new Associate Professors. James Muirhead received a significant move up the Senior Lecturer scale and both Lorna Strachan and Brad Coombes are now A/P. A hearty well-done for these well-earned accolades and career achievements.

Also, not a promotion per se, but congrats to Mel Wall for being invited to take on a 0.04 Māori Academic Lead role reporting to the DVC Education. The talent pool in the School is deep!

I’d also like to take this opportunity to offer reiterated thanks and best wishes to Iliane Gomez, our Group Services Administrator, who is leaving us for the other hemisphere. Thanks for all you’ve done for us, Iliane and your constant cheery smile!

On a more sombre note, even in a quiet time of year there can be a few ‘curved balls’ as they say in baseball. I refer to the announcement by Minister Collins of the disestablishment of the Marsden humanities and social science funding panels and eligibility for grants applications in those domains. This news strikes at the heart of a vibrant and internationally high-ranking part of our School. Suffice to say the email traffic among us social science Fellows of Te Apārangi/Royal Society and wider networks has been intense. Commendably Tom Baker added to the series of well-crafted commentaries: https://newsroom.co.nz/2024/12/06/marsden-fund-cuts-a-win-for-convenient-evidence/ A point of consensus among commentators from across the spectrum of scholarship is that we will all be diminished by a narrowing of the gate to research funding in Aotearoa.

A plea before the great summer diaspora. In these times when we more-than-ever value every prospective or current student, we cannot afford to leave any of them wondering when we will be next available to reply or meet and talk. So, for anyone with a student-facing portfolio in the School, please find a proxy to be available to offer advice if you will be away beyond Monday 6^th January. The time we may be away may also be the very time a prospective student is looking for guidance. Between 5 and 17^th January, George Perry will be Acting HoS and may well be open to being named on your e-signature as a contact for advice. Regardless, I ask that all in the School set an auto-reply with a date of return so any enquirer isn’t met with a bewildering silence by way of reply. Students and other enquirers should be able to know when you will return to regular duties.

Finally, I acknowledge that it’s been a big year for us as a School as we’ve been caught up in the churn of change. I hardly need to list them, but “stage1 course-build, optimisation, WTR and CFT” will all be code for processes with which we’ve engaged in the quest to refresh our offerings and potentially boost enrolments. I would like to say 2025 might offer respite from change, but that would be a foolish undertaking. I acknowledge I haven’t got everything right within this churn of change and suggestions for 2025 are always gratefully received. However, bumpy though the years been at times, I’d like to think the good ship Environment is heading in a promising direction with “all hands-on deck”. Thank you all for your contributions to the collective efforts and may you all have a safe and restful break. If you find your way to Waiheke over the next month or so, do be in touch. My dog and I are always on for an extra-curricular catch up with both “annual leave” and “optimisation” firmly banished from the conversation!

Have a great break and, if not before, see you in 2025.

Robin

Announcements

Interactions with School of Graduate Studies and PhD examination timeline expectations

UoA is revisiting its way of managing doctoral processes (recruitment, application, admission, candidature, development, examination etc) including the disestablishment of the “Dean of Graduate Studies” position as of 31^st December. While the future direction is decided SGS continue to be understaffed which will inevitably cause delays, particularly with the processing of exams. Delays are frustrating, but emailing SGS to ask why there are delays with particular students mostly just slows everything down for everyone. Please funnel any questions/enquiries through the Doctoral Advisor (Jennifer Eccles – j.eccles@auckland.ac.nz).

SGS are currently prioritising the receipt and distribution of theses for examination; to speed things up please ensure the intention to submit and nomination of examiners had already been made at the time of submission. Arguing conflict of interest will also cause long delays. If you can see the thesis has not been dispatched to examiners within four weeks (after the student and supervisors have done what they need to) let the Doctoral Advisor know to escalate through back channels. SGS will aim to process theses received on or before 10th December prior to Christmas. Theses received after this are likely to be reviewed when the team is back after Jan 6th. If the thesis has been out for examination for longer than 12 weeks let the Doctoral Advisor know. If Wahapu shows examination reports have been returned but there has been no decision, please wait for two weeks before flagging this with the Doctoral Advisor.

Notice: End-of-Year Lab Closures, Clean-Up, and Reopening Schedule

As we approach the end of the year, the lab closure dates for 2024 have now been confirmed. The last day for lab access will be Tuesday, 17 December, with closures beginning on Wednesday, 18 December. If you need access beyond this then please discuss this with me and the Technician in charge first. Labs are scheduled to reopen on Monday, 6 January.

All users are expected to assist with cleaning up their workspaces before the labs close. Any unattended samples or materials left in shared spaces without prior arrangement will be disposed of. It is essential that everyone contributes to ensure the labs are properly packed down for the holiday period.

Thank you for your cooperation in ensuring the labs are clean and ready to resume operations in the new year.

Regards,

Blair

Technical Manager, School of Environment

Software purchases or renewals in 2025

This is the final call for software purchase or renewal requests due in 2025. If there are software titles that you require for teaching or research purposes, please let us know using this form.

Please submit all titles that will require a contribution from the School’s software budget next year – regardless of whether they are new, existing or upgrades. If we do not receive a request for a particular title, we will assume that it is no longer required and reallocate the budget accordingly.

Emma, Mark, Megan, Murray won the Terry Healy Coastal Project Award from the New Zealand Coastal Society for their work on developing a national historic coastal change dataset for Aotearoa New Zealand

‘Learning Auckland’ through teaching:

Reflection on my first year as an Aucklander

Hyesop Shin

Landed in the last week of March 2024, right in the middle of a supremely busy semester 1, felt like jumping into another world of wonder. Coming from the stormy Scottish Highlands, the sight of the Sky Tower piercing the skyline and the stunning Pacific Ocean rolling in was…well, surreal. It was easy to grasp why Auckland was being the most liveable city in the world 2021 (I know it dropped to 9th this year). As a geographer, I was curious to know more about the city than what the internet told me.

It didn’t take long to notice a hot topic around here: traffic. Like the British’s endless conversations about the weather, traffic seemed to be the common topic for everyone (at least from the conversations I had!). Lucky for me, I got to dive right into this topic by supervising some student projects focused on Auckland and transport. Narrowing down our group focus on public transport, the group and I investigated some fascinating subtopics that revealed some insights about the city.

One of the projects asked, “Can Aucklanders easily reach greenspaces and community amenities using public transport?”. A quick online survey with 60 participants came out with a mixed bag. Only about a quarter of people used public transport or walked to get to greenspaces; most just hopped in their cars. West Aucklanders particularly struggled with access, as supermarkets such as Costco and Pak’n Save tend to be larger and located in areas less suited for walking or public transport. On the flip side, respondents located in central Auckland enjoyed corner shops within a 15-minute walk. Additionally, some mentioned that the liquor ban in West Auckland triggered them to travel to the North or Central, which they found challenging using public transport (Public transport? Nope, that’s car territory). Another interesting finding was that those greenspaces near main roads such as Cornwall Park were more frequently visited and enjoyed by the public.

Another group of students turned their attention to Waiheke Island’s transport scene. One project examined the effects of Fullers360’s pricing policies on residents’ affordability using 90 questionnaire responses. Surprisingly, affordability wasn’t the biggest concern. 60% of people spent less than 5% of their monthly income on ferry rides, and the following 28% spent around 5-10%. Then what did annoy people? Service quality, with complaints about cleanliness and punctuality. Another project tackled how seasonal tourism impacts bus use on the island. Using 2.5 years of bus ridership data, it turns out that ridership shoots up during summer months while punctuality takes a noticeable drop. We also found that residents from the west of the island (Fullers’ ferry terminal) to the central hub including the library and eateries enjoyed better accessibility to bus stops. However, residents in the far eastern and southern areas of the island often had to walk over 1km to the nearest bus stop, likely contributing to higher car dependency in these regions.

Phew, what a year! I’ve learnt so much about Auckland’s transport system through these projects and more, and it’s clear there’s so much more to discover. From its traffic problems to its dreams of becoming a green and sustainable city, Auckland has become my living, breathing classroom. Looking ahead, I am eager to learn more about this city not only through my GIS software, but also through the lens of the people, their environment and more.

Outreach

The Outreach Committee thanks all members of our School in their efforts to communicate the work we do this year. This includes all those who have taught, presented, written about, had conversations about, been involved in Outreach events on, and have been enthusiastic about, our diverse mahi!

Whakawhanaungatanga – Communities

We are still on the lookout for writers for our upcoming edition! Volume 4 Edition 5 will be showcasing indigenous science research and concepts that are being worked on within the faculty. If you or someone you know are working on related topics, or are unsure whether your work fits within this scope, we would love to hear from you. Feel free to DM us on social media if you have any questions, use the application form below, or send us an email!

Abstract applications close 15th of December 2024. https://forms.gle/WtKErUmX9dY9wk2w8

E-bike offers

Check out the e-bike deals for University staff.

Electric bike team

Electric Bike Team has a great deal for staff wishing to purchase one of their bikes. Look now: Electric bike team

Big Street Bikers

Looking to buy an e-bike? Big Street Bikers has discounts and some freebies for University staff. Check it out: Big Street Bikers

Doctoral Development Offerings

An overview of the many UoA Doctoral Development offerings that candidates and supervisors may want to consider has been compiled here.

Co-funded University of Auckland Doctoral Scholarships

Guidelines have now been drafted for the University of Auckland Doctoral Scholarship scheme to co-fund scholarships with industry or philanthropic partners to seed new collaborations. If you are making connections where some money to support a student may be possible, please come and chat to Jennifer Eccles asap about whether this could be an option.

FUNDS FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH HAPORI MAORI

School of Environment has a small budget for enabling engagement with Maori, particularly through koha or contributions that may be needed to initiate research relationships. In disbursing that putea, priority is given to academic staff working on behalf of groups of staff or students, pre/consultation activities for ethics approval and collaborations that are not readily funded through other mechanisms. As it is desirable to utilise the budget before the end of the academic year, however, all well-reasoned proposals will be considered. If interested, email a brief, one paragraph description of a proposed activity and a budget for how funds will be utilised to Brad (b.coombes@auckland.ac.nz). Although there are no prescribed maxima or minima for these grants, the limited scope of the overall budget will likely preclude grants in excess of $1000. Applicants should also be mindful of UoA guidelines or policies for gifting and koha.

Post Graduate Wellbeing … where to go

If you are currently coordinating a PG course, could you please post the inforgraphic slide to your Canvas course page so students will know the resources that are available throughout the University.

Funding

Funding Calls

Marsden Fund 2025
The Marsden Fund aims to invest in excellent, investigator-led research aimed at generating new knowledge, with long-term benefit to New Zealand. Three types of awards are offered: • Fast-Start: for emerging researchers to give an impetus to their careers by promoting them as sole Principal Investigators (PI) in their own research programme. • Standard: for established and emerging researchers. • Council Award: for projects that are interdisciplinary in nature, with larger teams.
Value/Duration:	Internal Deadline
All grants are for a maximum of three years and are GST exclusive. • Fast-Start: up to $120K p.a. • Standard: up to $220-$320K p.a. (varies by panel) • Council Award: up to $1M p.a.	12pm, Monday 17 February 2025
Further Information (funding call, guidelines, website): · Funding Call · Website · Guidelines (Fast-Start, Standard) · Guidelines (Council) If you are interested, please also get in touch with your FIRST (Kelly or Sophie)

Spencer Foundation–Vision Grant
This fund aims to fund the collaborative planning of innovative, methodologically diverse, interdisciplinary research on education that contributes to transforming education systems for equity.
Value/Duration:	Deadline:
· Value: USD75,000 (circa NZD 120,000) · Duration: up to a maximum duration of 12 months	Two-stage Submission deadlines: · EXTERNAL DEADLINE for Intent to Apply: Thursday, February 11, 2025 (12 Noon CT) · INTERNAL DEADLINE for Full Proposal: Monday, March 3, 2025 (12 Noon CT)
Further Information (funding call, guidelines, website): · Funding Call · Guidelines/Website If you are interested, please also get in touch with your FIRST (Kelly or Sophie)

Marsden 2025 Updates

The Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology announced that the Marsden fund will be changing ahead of the 2025 round. Along with the announcement of the changes, a new Investment Plan (2025-2027) and Terms of Reference have been released by the Royal Society Te Apārangi.

Due to the changes announced by the Minister, the Royal Society have advised that the Marsden 2025 round will be delayed. At this stage, no new timeline has been provided and we are unsure of the extent of the delay.

The most notable changes that have been announced are as follows:

The Marsden fund has been updated to “focus on core scientific research that helps lift economic growth and contributes to science with a purpose.”
The Humanities and Social Sciences panels will be disbanded and no longer supported.
The new Investment Plan focuses on supporting research that can be of economic, environmental or health benefit to New Zealand. The new Terms of Reference outline that approximately 50% of funds will go towards supporting proposals with economic benefits to New Zealand.

Spencer Foundation – Research Grants on Education: Large
This fund aims to support education research projects that will contribute to the improvement of education. The research concept is “field-initiated” with the grant designed to support rigorous, intellectually ambitious and technically sound research that is relevant to the most pressing questions and compelling opportunities in education.
Value/Duration:	Deadline:
· Value: between USD125,000 and USD500,000 (circa NZD205,000 -NZD821,000), depending on the funding tier selected. · Duration: up to a maximum duration of 60 months	· External Deadline for Intent to Apply: 5pm, Thursday, 30 January 2025 · Internal Deadline for Full Stage: 5pm, Tuesday,14 January 2025
Further Information (funding call, guidelines, website): · Funding Call · Website · Guidelines If you are interested, please also get in touch with your FIRST.

Spencer Foundation – Small Research Grants on Education
This fund is intended to support education research projects that will contribute to the improvement of education. The research concept is “field-initiated” with the grant designed to support rigorous, intellectually ambitious and technically sound research that is relevant to the most pressing questions and compelling opportunities in education.
Value/Duration:	Internal Deadline
· Value: up to USD50,000 (circa NZD80,000 · Duration: up to a maximum duration of 60 months	12pm, Thursday, 28 November 2024
Further Information (funding call, guidelines website): · Funding Call · Website · Guidelines If you are interested, please also get in touch with your FIRST.

MBIE 2025 Endeavour Fund (Research Programmes)

This fund aims to support ambitious, excellent and well-defined research ideas which have credible and high potential to positively transform New Zealand’s future in areas of future value, growth, or critical need.

For the 2024 investment round, the Science Board will aim to fund at least 17 Research Programmes.

Value/Duration:

Internal Deadline

· Total funding pool: $38 million

· Value: $0.5 million or more per year

· Duration: 3, 4 or 5 years

· Registration: 12 noon, Monday 25 November 2024.

· Full Proposal: 12 noon, Monday 24 February 2025.

Further Information (funding call, guidelines, registration info, templates):

· Funding Call

· Guidelines

· Website

· Registration Template

· Full Proposal Template

If you are interested, please notify your FIRST (research support) of your intent to apply for this scheme to receive important information and updates in relation to this fund

New Horizon Europe Calls

In mid-April, the European Commission announced a new selection of funding calls covering the remainder of 2024. The funding call details here Horizon Europe Funding Call List on the Horizon Europe Support Materials page on ResearchHub.

New Zealand can participate in these calls on equal terms as our European counterparts. However, the targeted nature of most of these calls means that it is highly likely that it will be more appropriate for us to partner on these projects, joining European-led bids as a collaborator rather than developing a proposal as a lead.

Anybody exploring these opportunities should contact International.Research@Auckland.ac.nz to arrange a discussion and explore additional support available.

Announcements

Funding Application Process Changes for UoA Researchers

The UoA will be launching new research security processes. These are aimed at complying with NZ’s Export Control legislation as well as preventing espionage and foreign interference in our research activities within a shifting domestic and international security environment. Researchers will be expected to participate in the new screening process when submitting research proposals to funders and conduct associated risk management assessments post-award. These changes take effect from 01 January 2025.

The information sessions are open to all Faculties/LSRIs and will be held on multiple dates (To RSVP for sessions use this link). A recording of the information session will be made available online for those unable to attend in person.

1. Click on the link. You should see this image pop up:

2. Download the file then open it.

3. Accept the meeting and it should update in your calendar.

If your teams have questions or concerns, please contact Ben Turley (researchrisk@auckland.ac.nz).

Health, Safety and Wellbeing

Updates from HSW

December 10^th is the international day of Human Rights, and we want to mention it in this space, Because the United Nations Human Rights Council also adopted a resolution in 2021 recognizing the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment as a human right and we want to extend it to the place where you study too.

December 10th commemorates the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations in 1948. This day underscores the importance of fundamental rights and freedoms that every individual is entitled to, regardless of nationality, gender, ethnicity, or religion. Health and safety are integral components of these rights. Ensuring safe and healthy working conditions is a fundamental human right, as it directly impacts an individual’s well-being and dignity. we highlight the critical role that health and safety play in upholding human rights, emphasizing that a safe and healthy environment is essential for everyone to live with dignity and respect. This celebration serves as a reminder that protecting human rights includes safeguarding the physical and mental health of all individuals.

Following with Human rights, Decembre 18^th is International Migrants Day. The school with its diverse population has a strong representation in this category. This day celebrates the contributions and resilience of migrants worldwide. In a diverse environment like the School of environment; this day holds special significance as it highlights the rich cultural tapestry woven by people from different backgrounds. It is an opportunity to recognize the positive impact of migration on communities, economies, and societies. Celebrating this day in a diverse setting foster understanding and appreciation of different cultures, promotes inclusivity, and encourages dialogue about the challenges and opportunities that migration brings. By acknowledging the experiences and contributions of migrants, we can build more cohesive and supportive communities that value diversity and human rights.

Christmas Safety

The Christmas period in New Zealand is a time of joy and celebration, but it’s also important to stay safe during this festive season. With summer in full swing, many people head outdoors to enjoy the warm weather, so it’s crucial to practice sun safety by wearing sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses. If you’re traveling, ensure your vehicle is well-maintained and take regular breaks to avoid fatigue. Be mindful of water safety when swimming at beaches or pools, and always supervise children around water. Additionally, with the increase in social gatherings, it’s important to drink responsibly and never drink and drive. By taking these precautions, you can enjoy a fun and safe Christmas period with your loved ones.

Whooping Cough Alert

Aotearoa New Zealand is in the early stages of a whooping cough (pertussis) epidemic, and it’s expected to stick around for up to a year. Babies, especially Māori and Pacific, are most at risk of getting seriously ill.

Spread – highly contagious
Whooping cough spreads easily and can be dangerous for babies. Sadly, last year three babies lost their lives to it, and about half of babies under 12 months who catch it need hospital care.

Risk Review for those working with high-risk groups.
Te Whatu Ora encourage all staff—especially those in healthcare, maternity care, or frontline roles—to keep their vaccinations up to date for whooping cough, flu, and measles.

How you can help:
Vaccinations are the best way to protect yourself, your whānau, and others in our community.

Those eligible for free vaccine:

Pregnant people: Free from 13 weeks (ideally between 16–26 weeks).
Babies: Vaccinations at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 5 months, with boosters at 4 and 11 years.
Kids under 18: All children can get a free vaccine.
Adults aged 45 and 65: Free booster at these ages if eligible.
Unimmunised or partially immunised adults (or no record of vaccines) A funded primary course of 3 doses of Tdap vaccines (at a minimum of 4-week intervals).

Vaccinations are available at City Campus Pharmacy they will be able to provide free advice, or you can attend your local health provider.

For those not eligible for free vaccination City Campus Pharmacy can offer vaccination for $55.00.

Publications | Articles

Baker, T. (2024) Marsden Fund cuts a win for ‘convenient’ evidence. Newsroom. 6 December.
Scarfi S, Almonti V, Mirata S, Passalacqua M, Vernazza S, Patel JP, Brook M, Hamilton A, Kah M, Gualtieri AF. (2025). In vitro cyto- and geno-toxicity of asbestiform erionite from New Zealand. Environmental Research 265: 120415.
Shane, P., Augustinus, P. (2024) Comment on “First detection in Australia of cryptotephra likely to be derived from the 25.6 ka Oruanui supereruption in New Zealand” by Hopkins et al. Quaternary Science Reviews 346, 109051, doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2024.109051
Sharp EL, Tsang S and Egli V (2024) Children’s food gardening: Valuing experiential, intergenerational and multi-cultural learning . Kōtuitui: New Zealand Journal of Social Sciences Online
Sharp EL, Yee K, Makey L and Fisher K (2024) Diverse methodologies of care: Thinking with and practising (soil) in situated, affective and enactive ways. Asia Pacific Viewpoint
Sharp EL, Kah M, Tsang S, Martin A, Turnbull R. (2024) Committing to diversity in participants, participation and knowledge production: Place-based insights from the community science of Soilsafe Aotearoa. Humanities & Social Sciences Communications

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Issue 136 – Monday 25 November 2024

November 25, 2024 • igom365

HeadsUp

We’re into to that ‘last of the year’ stage. Christmas/New Year and summer breaks await. Last chance soon to seek reimbursements and arrange expenditure (see earlier comms for dates). Last opportunities to do Lab work before the holiday close-down (also earlier comms). For some, a last chance to book annual leave before another niggly email reminder! And, on Wednesday, the last of the School’s end-of-year occasions with the annual party down the hill at the bowling club. I look forward to seeing many/most of you there. We invest in these expressions of School-as-community, so please do be beneficiaries of efforts at planning and come along.

The party is an opportunity to celebrate the year and all it brought us. But also, there will be a tinge of sadness with the opportunity to offer a farewell. Iliane has served us so well and enthusiastically as GSA and has decided to relocate to London. Her last day will be in December for the CoB for the year. Thanks for all the ways you’ve brought life to the School, Iliane!

Meanwhile, as we complete last things for 2024 space opens for activities that have otherwise been on hold or constrained by teaching schedules. Last week I joined a number of others at the truly wonderful NZ Geographical Society Conference in Tauranga Moana. It was a reminder of what great work we do and that we can cross the world at great expense of time, finance and carbon but sometimes the most rewarding conferences are only down the road.

Others have been doing great mahi further afield. Karin Bryan and Giovanni Coco have been at the launch of the China-NZ Catalyst strategic alliance project with Hohai University and East China Normal University. James Muirhead is preparing for two months in Antarctica. Just two examples. There’s a diaspora underway now that close-to-home obligations are complete.

We have the Hono system back on track to start in the new year and a close-down period ahead so there’s a flurry of activity getting contracts in place etc. Please don’t leave any administrative requests into December. And when opportunities for Hono training come your way, do sign in.

Before such challenges, however, I know we all will be grateful for a summer break. And I am very appreciative that George Perry’s Leave plans are such that he is willing to deputise, allowing me to tune out from HoS vigilance as much as is feasible for the first three weeks of January.

So, may attention to last things for 2024 proceed well for you all and do please plan to take the break you need over December/January.

Robin Kearns HoS