Smart Talk

Conspiracists often claim that a shadowy cabal is in control of the world. But is it actually corporations? Nation states? Markets? Or no-one in particular? Dr Guy Fiti Sinclair explores the options. Conspiracists often claim that a shadowy cabal is in control of the world. But is it really corporations? Nation states? Markets? Or no-one in particular? Auckland University law professor Guy Fiti Si...

The term 'Long Covid' was coined in May 2020 but the virus became a pandemic before the most common post-viral condition was taken seriously. Dr Anna Brooks explores what we now know about it. The term 'Long Covid' was coined in May 2020 but the virus became a pandemic before the most common post-viral condition - (ME/CFS) - was taken seriously. So what do we know now about it? Dr Anna B...

The perils of data-driven design are explored by Dr Angus Campbell. (A highlight of Auckland University's Raising the Bar talk series) Are you perpetually underwhelmed by the products you buy? According to design expert Angus Campbell, this is most probably because they are the result of data-driven design. This trend has dampened creativity and led to products which are boring and also less effec...

Dr Kiri Dell from Auckland University's Business School explores what Maori and Pakeha need to consider for the journey towards revitalisation of te reo Maori to become a reality. A highlight of the 2022 Raising the Bar season.. Dr Kiri Dell explores what Māori and Pākehā need to consider for the revitalisation of te reo Maori to become a reality. (This talk is a highlight from Auckland University...

Julie Stout describes how Auckland could connect in the future to the wairua and cultures that make up Tamaki Makaurau. One of the highlights of Auckland University's Raising the Bar 2022. Auckland City, oh what a pity On returning to Auckland in 2000, architect Julie Stout was dismayed to see what an unloved, shabby place our central city had become. Twenty years on, it would be nice to say a lot...

Community health expert Dr Peter Saxton explores the balancing act of keeping New Zealand's blood supply safe from infectious diseases while ensuring we have enough donors and can uphold our values as a progressive, inclusive nation. (A highlight from the University of Auckland's Raising the Bar series) Community health expert Dr Peter Saxton explores the balancing act of keeping New Zealand'...

What's with all the stockouts and empty shelves? Dr Tava Olsen from the University of Auckland Business School with a highlight of Raising the Bar 2022. What's with all the stockouts and empty shelves? Supply chain expert Dr Tava Olsen explores distribution logistics in this talk from Raising the Bar 2022. Global disruptions mean we are talking about supply chains more than ever as we realise...

Charlotte Yates explores the history of her series of musical collaborations between contemporary composers and the work of New Zealand's finest writers at the 2021 Going West Festival. Musician Charlotte Yates explores turning poetry into music at Auckland's 2021 Going West Festival. Yates has devoted albums to fine New Zealand writers such as James K Baxter, Hone Tuwhare, Witi Ihimaera and...

Tongan, Samoan and Palagi poet Karlo Mila reads from her book The Goddess Muscle and Fijian poet Daren Kamali performs his poetry and accompanies himself on traditional Fijian musical instruments. Performance poets Karlo Mila and Daren Kamali trade lines onstage at Auckland's Glen Eden Playhouse. (A highlight from the 2021 Going West Writers Festival) In a lively session from the gala night o...

A Clear Dawn: New Asian Voices from Aotearoa New Zealand introduces three new literary voices exploring Asian experiences and identities in Aotearoa. A highlight of Verb Wellington 2021. Writers Rupa Maitra, Mikee Sto Domingo and Rose Lu join Chris Tse for a lively discussion at the Verb Wellington 2021 Festival. They discuss stereotypes, Shortland Street, identity, going to Mandarin school on Sat...

Well-known children's author Kyle Mewburn talks with Jane Arthur about her life, which has recently changed radically. (A highlight from the 2021 Verb Readers and Writers Festival in Wellington) The experience of a particular trans life is vividly communicated in this highlight from the 2021 Verb Readers and Writers Festival in Wellington. Well-known children's author Kyle Mewburn talks with...

Unsheltered is the riveting story of one mother's search for her child across a climate-ravaged continent in a dystopian future. Clare Moleta talks with Pip Adam about her inspirations. Unsheltered is the riveting story of one mother's search for her child across a climate-ravaged continent in a dystopian future. Clare Moleta talks with Pip Adam about her inspirations, the impact of climate c...

In a personal address tracing a lifetime of reading, the renowned playwright Renée explores the power of literature, and its role in shaping her own professional and imaginative worlds. Although she grew up poor with a solo mother, the career of New Zealand playwright and author Renée seems, in retrospect, to have been pre-determined. Why? Because of the love of reading which fil...

Marketing expert Assoc. Prof. Bodo Lang explains what word of mouth is, why it works, and how much it can be trusted. And he reveals that whether it's online or face to face really matters. In an environment dominated by paid advertising, advertorial and social media influencers, true word of mouth recommendations remain powerful. Marketing expert Bodo Lang explains word of mouth (WOM), why it wor...

How could DNA improve our health? Prof. Justin O'Connor advocates sequencing the genomes of all the 60,000 children born in NZ each year. A highlight of Auckland University's Raising the Bar series. How do we use DNA information to be healthier and live longer? The answer is simple, according to Professor Justin M. O'Sullivan from the Liggins Institute - sequence the genomes of all children i...

Ali Lowrey talks about the future of winemaking in this highlight of Auckland University's Raising the Bar Home Series. Ali Lowrey talks about the future of winemaking in this highlight of Auckland University's Raising the Bar Home Series. Listen to the talk (Webinar available soon on the RTBHE website) Edited highlights from the discussion As we move from the soil in the vineyard to the wine...

Dr Helen Murray explores the relationship between repetitive head injuries, contact sport and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) - a progressive brain disease that causes dementia. Dr Helen Murray explores the relationship between repetitive head injuries and dementia. (A highlight from Auckland University's Raising the Bar Home Edition) Listen to the talk From the discussion During my Ph...

Assoc. Prof. Matheson Russell explores different models for democracy in action during an era of unprecedented polarisation. His focus? Sortition. A highlight of Raising the Bar Home Edition. Academic Matheson Russell explores different models for democracy in action. His focus? Sortition. (A highlight from Auckland University's Raising the Bar Home Edition) Listen to the talk https://youtu.b...

Prof. Andrew Shelling sorts fact from fiction when it comes to 'blaming your genes,' and discusses the role of genetic testing in controlling common diseases. From Raising the Bar Home Edition. The ability of genetics to predict both human disease and behaviour is an exciting and constantly evolving field, however, it's important to sort fact from fiction when it comes to 'blaming your g...

What does it mean to be Pākehā today? Prof. Alison Jones from the University of Auckland talks to the University of Canterbury's Jeanette King in this highlight of WORD Christchurch 2021. Listen to Alison Jones in conversation with Jeanette King at Word Christchurch 2021 Highlights of the discussion Jeanette King: When colleagues say, "I want to involve Māori more or co-design research with t...

Mark Solomon, the former kaiwhakahaere (Chair) of Ngāi Tahu's governing council, speaks with Nic Lowe about leadership in this highlight of WORD Christchurch 2021. Listen to Tā (Sir) Mark Solomon in conversation with Nic Lowe at Word Christchurch 2021 In 1998, on the eve of Ngāi Tahu reaching settlement with the Crown, former foundryman Mark Solomon stepped into the role of kaiwhakahaere (Chair) o...

Two crime writers - Jacqueline Bublitz and Paul Cleave - discuss how they create memorable stories in this highlight of 2021's Word Christchurch festival. Listen to Jacqueline Bublitz and Paul Cleave in conversation with Jo Malcolm at Word Christchurch 2021 Highlights of the discussion Jo Malcolm: I've read that you can write 7000 words a day which seems like an extraordinary number. Paul Cle...

At the time of the COP26 summit held in Glasgow, Kim Hill speaks with journalist Tom Doig and veteran scientist Dave Lowe about the climate crisis. A highlight of 2021 Word Christchurch. Kim Hill speaks with journalist Tom Doig and scientist Dave Lowe about the climate crisis. (A highlight of the 2021 WORD Christchurch Festival) Listen to the conversation During the course of a wide-ranging conver...

Dr Hinemoa Elder, Kyle Mewburn, Anjum Rahman, Julie Zarifeh and Emily Writes explore very different aspects of courage and adventure in their lives. They talk with Jo Malcolm. Five women explore diverse perspectives on what it means to be adventurous. Dr Hinemoa Elder, Kyle Mewburn, Anjum Rahman, Julie Zarifeh and Emily Writes speak about very different aspects of courage and adventure in a conver...

In 2001, the Norwegian freighter Tampa - crammed with more than 400 asylum-seekers rescued from a sinking fishing boat - was turned away from Australia. Abbas Nazari, aged seven, was onboard. In 2001, the Norwegian freighter Tampa - crammed with more than 400 asylum-seekers who'd been rescued from a sinking fishing boat - was turned away from Australia. A seven-year-old boy Afghan boy named A...