University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau, is New Zealand’s highest-ranked, largest and most comprehensive university. It is the only New Zealand university ranked in the Top 100 in the QS World University Rankings, and 137th in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. It is also ranked sixth globally in the Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings and ranked first in 2019 and 2020. Around 35 percent of the top-ranked academic researchers in New Zealand are at the University of Auckland.
Craig Stevens, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau and Natalie Robinson, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research
The rapid changes in the Southern Ocean and Antarctica highlight the urgency of better direct observations and measurements, beyond satellite monitoring and modelling.
Alexandra Sims, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
Current laws governing policing don’t take into account the capacity of AI to process massive amounts of information quickly – leaving New Zealanders vulnerable to police overreach.
Paula Lorgelly, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
Most parties are promising more funding for the government drug-buying agency. But two likely coalition partners are suggesting a new – and possibly risky – approach to medicines procurement.
If you were pregnant or parenting during Australia’s 2019–20 summer of smoke and fire, chances are you felt acutely anxious – and grappling with impossible responsibility.
Hanna Wilberg, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
People on benefits are borrowing from the government to pay for essentials like power bills and car repairs. But repayments leave them with even less than before.
Kevin Trenberth, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
As the atmosphere warms, it can hold more moisture. This brings more intense downpours but also accelerates warming – because water vapour is a powerful greenhouse gas.
Susan St John, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
Both major parties are promising to increase payments for families ‘in work’. But the changes will only entrench the problems already faced by beneficiaries and the working poor.
Dulani Jayasuriya, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau; Jacky Liu, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau, and Ryan Elmore, University of Denver
A new machine learning model can pinpoint anomalies in sports results – whether from match fixing, strategic losses or poor player performance. It could be a useful tool in the fight against cheating.
Martin Brook, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
Some New Zealand universities have proposed staff and course cuts in earth sciences. This could leave the country ill prepared to deal with natural hazards and extreme weather.
Space exploration is often propelled by competition, driven by national pride and with little thought about consequence. It is time to consider space as a commons, not just a resource to exploit.
Sam Passmore, Australian National University; Olena Shcherbakova, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, and Simon Greenhill, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
The idea a language should grow simpler if people need to learn it as adults has an intuitive appeal. But an analysis of more than 1,200 languages shows this doesn’t quite stack up.
Timothy Welch, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
A new report sets out the practical ways New Zealand can improve its urban resilience to flooding due to climate change. But time, rather than money, is of the essence.
Dr Wendy Liu, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau; Anne Bardsley, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau; Jennifer Salmond, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau; Kristiann Allen, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau; Marc Tadaki, Cawthron Institute, and Martin Brook, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
Not all environmental change is obvious. But incremental and cumulative changes can be just as harmful as more immediate and observable events, meaning risk management practices need to adapt.
Kevin Trenberth, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
The BlackRock climate fund is a start, but New Zealand needs a comprehensive approach to tackling its various environmental and economic vulnerabilities to the climate crisis.
Jane Horan, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
People from NZ charities and not-for-profits told me volunteers and paid staff can spend months on basic banking processes. But just one ‘golden unicorn’ bank employee can make all the difference.
Nicole Satherley, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau; Andrew Sporle, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau, and Lara Greaves, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington
Political polls can make for dramatic headlines. But they are a snapshot of when they were taken, not a predictor of election outcomes. Follow these expert tips to make sense of the stats.
New Zealand’s marine policies are scattered across multiple laws and regulatory institutions. A dedicated ministry would overcome this fragmentation and help protect vital ecosystems and resources.
Having interviewed advisers to past and present prime ministers in Australia, Britain, Canada and New Zealand, my new research shows how crucial it is to recruit and train staff – before an election.