CHELSEA WINSTANLEY Giving voice to our indigenous stories - AUT
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THE MAGAZINE FOR AUT
ALUMNI AND FRIENDS
2021
CHELSEA
WINSTANLEY
Giving voice to our
indigenous stories
SPACE FOR
CREATIVITY
Gifts from lockdown
CUSTODIAN OF THE DEEP
Scientist’s mission to educate and inspire
OLYMPIAN MASTERCLASS
Harnessing the mind for
limitless potential
IMMUNISING FOR
MISINFORMATION
AUT alum at WHO
28
Contents
3
Empowering Pasifika
4 beyond the playing
field
Vice-Chancellor’s
welcome
AUT’s global research
influence
30
High-performance research
6 impacting the world’s
wellbeing
Prototypes, computational
12
modelling and urban
regeneration Creative lockdown for
32 36
Allbirds’ product
designer
16 34
8 Life in the fast lane for
Quiet activism delivers
powerful change
Entrepreneurial alum
Olympian masterclass:
Harnessing the mind
for limitless
AUT start-up thriving on business potential
Giving voice to our success
indigenous stories
18 40
Immunising for Front line interns support
misinformation Kiwis in America
20 44
Activating potential 42 New trading room brings
46
through scholarships stock exchange buzz
to AUT
24
AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY Science and art colab for
OF TECHNOLOGY augmented reality
tree maps
Private Bag 92006 Bright Side: resourcing
Auckland 1142 resilient students
New Zealand Custodian of the deep
09 921 7497
alumni@aut.ac.nz
alumni.aut.ac.nz
The contents of Insight are
protected by copyright and may
not be reproduced in any form
48 50
without the written permission of
AUT. Opinions expressed in Insight are
not necessarily those of AUT, the publisher Tackling institutional Ziena Jalil:
Project manager: Karyn Tattersfield,
or the editor. Information contained in Insight racism head-on Agent of change
AUT Alumni Relations is correct at the time of printing and while
Contributors: Vanessa Tretheway, Mapihi Opai, Rebecca Shrigley. all due care and diligence has been taken in the
preparation of this magazine, AUT is not responsible
On the cover: for any mistakes, typographical errors or changes.
Chelsea Winstanley was photographed by Karen Inderbitzen-Waller Copyright 2020 Auckland University of Technology.
& Delphine Avril Planqueel for www.ensemblemagazine.co.nz
2 INSIGHT | 2021 3
Tēnā koutou katoa
DEREK MCCORMACK
VICE-CHANCELLOR, Wherever in the world you are, I hope this edition of
AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY
OF TECHNOLOGY
Insight finds you and your whānau safe and well.
This issue focuses on many of our alumni, staff international students bring to our classrooms.
and students who, despite dealing with the While a small number of our international
unprecedented consequences of COVID-19 students have been able to return, we look
lockdowns and border closures, have forward to all of our international students
continued to influence change and have made coming back to AUT.
a significant impact on their communities,
2020 was certainly not the year we thought
countries and professions.
it would be. Indeed, we had planned to
Here at AUT, I’d like to think that the University mark AUT’s 20th anniversary and celebrate
also continued to adapt to our new COVID this significant milestone. While these
environment. celebrations didn’t take place, it is important
to acknowledge AUT’s progress in the last
Our staff moved swiftly and successfully,
two decades. Beginning as an unranked
delivering an excellent online learning
university, we are now in the top 300 in
experience to thousands of students across
the world, and have become New Zealand’s
900 papers. To ensure all students were in the
second largest and third-ranked university.
best position possible to continue learning
Our students learn in an environment that is
remotely, we also provided 924 laptops and
deeply engaged with our business, industry
966 internet connection packages to students
and community partners, where they can test
who needed them.
and apply the knowledge they have gained.
We continued to produce research during this We have developed an excellent international
transition and secured an impressive $33.8 reputation, and research that is used by
million in new research contracts during the organisations around the world to address
year. Our researchers found ways to continue important issues facing our environment and
with their existing work, which includes society.
securing our largest ever individual research
While much has changed over the past year,
grant - an $8 million, five-year investigation
I am proud that through it all our staff have
into enhancing urban regeneration – as well
continued to demonstrate a deep commitment
as contributing to the wider COVID-19 work,
to our students and their success.
locally, nationally and internationally.
I hope you enjoy this issue of Insight.
As you will be aware, the closure of New
Zealand borders has forced many overseas-
based international students to postpone or
Derek McCormack
change their study plans. We miss the diversity
of perspectives and experiences that our Vice-Chancellor
4 INSIGHT | 2021 5
Unprecedented rise
in global research ranking
RANKINGS
AUT is the only New Zealand university to improve year-on-year in two 0
world university rankings, a significant acknowledgement for a remarkable 165 201
100
21 year journey as a university. 192
201
201
351 201
351 179 201
During the six years that AUT has been included “AUT’s rise in the world rankings over the years 401
401
401 351 351 147 200
301
in the Times Higher Education (THE) World is both impressive and valuable to the University 301
401 201
401 251 401
University Rankings, it has leapfrogged four other and is relevant now more than ever in a COVID-19 501 401 401
301 300
New Zealand universities and settled in a solid world.” 501
position as one of our nation’s top three. 501
251
In other notable ranking results during the past 501 400
THE annually ranks 1,500 of the world’s more year, THE ranked AUT number one in New Zealand 2016 501
501 501
401
than 30,000 universities, focussing on those for health subjects, the number one ‘millennial 2017
501 500
that are the most research-intensive. In its latest university’ in Australasia and fifteenth in the 501
501
ranking, AUT retained its position in the top 300 world, and number 23 in the world for contribution
2018 600
RA
universities worldwide and was ranked in the 251- to UN Sustainable Development Goals (THE
N
KI
NG
300 band. University Rankings).
S
AN
2019 700
N OU
601
AUT performed especially well and took the AUT’s impressive year-on-year rise was also
NC
601
EM
number one position for New Zealand universities reflected in the US News Global University
EN
T
YE
in its global research influence which is Ranking – climbing from its rank of #724 in
AR
assessed by the number of citations per research the world in 2016 to #389 in 2020, largely
publication, as well as in international outlook. due to AUT’s citation impact and international 2020
collaboration.
Luke Patterson, Chief Marketing Officer, says KEY AND CURRENT WORLD UNIVERSITY RANKINGS
while university rankings don’t drive AUT’s THE also ranked AUT #40 in the world for University of Auckland: 147
behaviour as a university, “we know they are an universities that are 50 years old or younger. University of Otago: 201-251
important factor for potential students when they Auckland University of Technology: 251-300
make decisions on their academic futures. University of Canterbury: 401-500
University of Waikato: 501-600
Victoria University of Wellington: 501-600
Lincoln University: 601-700
Massey University: 601-700
6 INSIGHT | 2020 7
RESEARCH International cutting-edge genomics, proteomics and
HIGHLIGHTS collaboration
metabonomic technologies.
This project is jointly coordinated via
to improve AUT and the Singapore partner from
the School of Biological Sciences,
mental health Nanyang Technological University, which
secured matched funding supported by
diagnosis Singapore Data Science Consortium.
“Mental illness, depression and
depression-linked suicide are huge
AUT researchers secured over $2.1m problems in both New Zealand and
to develop data science technology for Singapore. Late diagnosis is the thing
prediction of mental health disorders, we can avoid with intelligent predictive
supported by MBIE’s Catalyst New computational models. The hospital
Zealand-Singapore Data Science and the cemetery are full of people who
Research Programme. could have been helped earlier,” says Artists’ impression of the planned greenway around Freeland Ave
The research focuses on proposing Professor Kasabov. as part of the wider urban regeneration of Mt Roskill.
People-
a new computational neuro-genetic “It is hoped the neuro-genetic modelling
modelling based on machine-learning/ research will lead to the development
focused
AI methods for diagnosis and prognosis of new AI-based predictive analytics for “Our focus on wellbeing has arisen
of mental health illnesses, led by AUT’s early diagnosis of mental health issues in from substantial international
urban
Dr Maryam Doborjeh, a lecturer at the at-risk youth that can ultimately support evidence indicating that countries
School of Engineering, Computer & psychological wellbeing practitioners to that enhance wellbeing not only raise
regeneration
Mathematical Sciences. Professor Nikola plan better clinical interventions,” says the standard of living for their citizens
Kasabov is the Science Leader of the
Safer, more
Dr Doborjeh. but also create a foundation for
Research leader and Chief Engineer project. stronger and more resilient economic
The project will also involve Professor
comfortable
Dr Sandra Grau Bartual, who gained Using AUT’s patented NeuCube as a growth,” he says.
Edmund Lai from AUT’s SECMS, Dr A research team comprising AUT’s
her PhD at AUT’s Institute for starting point, the project is studying six “Given the trend to fund major urban
Margaret Hinepo Williams (Public and School of Sport and Recreation and
humidifier
Biomedical Technologies (IBTec) years’ worth of data collected from 600 regeneration as a means to revitalise
Māori Health Research Lead at AUT) and School of Business has secured $7.95
under the supervision of AUT young people in Singapore, some of them communities, address inequity, and
Dr Zohreh Doborjeh, a PhD graduate million from the MBIE Endeavour
prototype
Professor Ahmed Al-Jumaily, says manifesting mental health disorders. improve social capital, we believe that
from AUT, and now Postdoc at the Fund to quantify the societal impact
humidifiers currently on the market This study boasts an unprecedented the outcomes of this research will
University of Auckland. of major urban regeneration projects
are complex, bulky and expensive to level of data varieties, including have a major impact on how future
currently taking place across the
purchase and run. “The use of a water urban renewal projects are designed,
AUT researchers have secured country.
tank creates a warm and aerosol implemented and evaluated in New
funding to fast-track a prototype environment, which unfortunately The multilayered and multi-university
and clinical trials of a new humidifier Zealand and overseas.”
are optimum conditions for some programme, led by Associate
aiming to reduce the spread of viruses pathogens to survive, grow and Professor Scott Duncan, Professor
like COVID-19 in hospital settings. spread.” Erica Hinckson and Professor Gail
AUT Ventures, the commercialisation Pacheco, will run for five years and
Her prototype uses ‘self-
arm of the University, secured aims to enhance the revitalisation of
humidification’ technology developed
$169,000 from MBIE’s COVID-19 New Zealand communities to improve
by Sandra as part of her PhD research,
Innovation Fund to develop a people’s wellbeing.
with a special fabric membrane to trap
prototype it hopes will be as effective the moisture when patients exhale, Dr Duncan says outcomes will provide
as current hospital heated humidifier and a small electrical stimulation to developers and policymakers with
technology, while providing more release it when they inhale. new and essential information on the
comfort for the patients and better multifaceted impact of major urban
protection for health workers. The team proposes to ‘open source’
regeneration on the people of New
the hardware design so that hospitals
Zealand, giving direction to future
anywhere in the world can 3D print
improvements.
their own self-humidifiers for free.
8 INSIGHT | 2021 9
Giving a voice to our
indigenous stories
A landmark exhibition celebrating Māori artists has inspired
a new film and a return Down Under for globally acclaimed
indigenous storyteller and AUT alumna Chelsea Winstanley.
Toi Tū Toi Ora – an exhibition has ever shown, over 112 artists, along
celebrating 70 years of contemporary with several commissions and curated
Māori art – opened at Auckland Art by a Māori. To me this was ground-
Gallery Toi o Tāmaki in December, breaking. I kept talking to Nigel about
the largest exhibition ever to be it and at the beginning of 2020 the
staged by the gallery, and the gallery gave me permission to make
most comprehensive survey of an independent film.”
contemporary Māori art ever seen in
‘Toi Tū Toi Ora – Visual Sovereignty’
its 130-year history.
follows the final year of preparation
For Oscar-nominated Chelsea – of the exhibition, and sees Chelsea’s
widely known for producing Jojo return to the role of director, after
Rabbit, What We Do In The Shadows, many years as a producer. Produced
and Merata: How Mum Decolonised through her newly launched company
the Screen – the creation of this This Too Shall Pass, and scheduled
unprecedented exhibition became a for release mid-late 2021, she hopes
story too significant to remain untold. to eventually take the documentary to
an international film festival to share
“I first heard about the exhibition
the story on the global stage.
when I was home to premier Merata:
How Mum Decolonised the Screen at In addition to the feature film, Chelsea
the New Zealand International Film shot a short film to celebrate the
Festival back in 2018,” says Chelsea opening of Toi Tū Toi Ora. Narrated
(Ngāti Ranginui). by Taika Waititi and with music
“
composed by Maree Sheehan, the
“I met with the Māori curator at the
entire video was filmed on an iPhone
gallery Nigel Borell and couldn’t
12 Pro Max, prompting a tweet of
shake the enormity of the project. It
was epic in so many ways, the largest
support for the landmark exhibition AUT was pivotal in my decision to
from Apple CEO Tim Cook. become a filmmaker. I was able to
single survey the Auckland Art Gallery
make a documentary in my final
year on my marae, on my terms
and that support gave me the
inspiration I needed.
”
10 INSIGHT | 2021 11
Says Chelsea, “I’ve always been interested A guest lecture by Māori screen Making meaningful connections is “Find the courage to believe in yourself
in stories that were concerned with Māori taonga Tainui Stephens about Māori something Chelsea excels at. Most and just go for it. You can go about
or Te Ao Māori (the Māori world view). representation in the media remains recently, she was named a new member learning in many ways, either do a
Growing up, my Nan Kiritapu was always firmly etched on her memory. of the Producers Branch of the Academy course or learn on the job. Find the
someone I looked to for inspiration. I’m of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. people who make the same type of films
“I remember clinging to every word he
in awe of strong women and all of my She couldn’t be more delighted. you like and build a community of like-
said. It’s important to have the right
ancestors who have survived against minded storytellers, then work won’t
representation and authority when “It means I can vote. It also means more
the enormous challenges of post seem like work.
speaking on matters that are important inclusion and that’s important. We
colonisation.”
to Māori because it helps to reaffirm won’t be visible unless we demand to be “Our industry has been going through
The grandmother of indigenous film you’re on the right path. He made me visible and this is one way to participate major upheavals since COVID-19 - the
Merata Mita was another guiding light, realise ‘Nothing About Us Without Us’. and do it.” safety of sets, insurers who will bond
and the driving force behind one of He also introduced me to my future your film, and now places to screen
Inclusion is a word that carries great
Chelsea’s most meaningful projects. boss, I’ll always be grateful to Tainui.” your movie. Given cinemas around the
weight for Chelsea – its essence is the
world are closing, other platforms are
“Every project I’ve worked on has its own Although it’s nearly two decades lifeblood of all her creative projects.
becoming more important. Audiences
set of proud moments, but I’ll always be since she graduated, the University
“I don’t think we need to focus so much are truly global with everything being
grateful for what Merata Mita taught remains close to Chelsea’s heart.
on diversity but rather inclusion. It’s not online now, so you have to think
me so I think the documentary I made She’s an invaluable board member
as if we aren’t diverse or Aotearoa New globally when making your content.
with her son Hepi has had the greatest of Friends of AUT, a US-based not-
Zealand doesn’t have a wealth of voices,
personal impact for me.” for-profit organisation set up to “What makes us unique is our point of
it’s a matter of giving those voices the
foster international pathways for AUT view and now the rest of the world is
But it hasn’t only been inspirational same opportunities the mainstream
students and graduates. interested in it too.”
women who have fuelled Chelsea’s have had for years. The indigenous
commitment to telling Aotearoa’s “The board’s main kaupapa is to voice is the most unique we have in
indigenous stories. Her years studying support the goals and aspirations of this country. There are so many stories
a Bachelor of Communication Studies AUT on an international level. As an that we can tell, we just need the same
(majoring in Television Production) at alumni, I was interested in becoming access to resources and we need to
AUT were also life-changing. involved because I’d heard through build capacity.”
my dear friend (New York-based AUT
“AUT was pivotal in my decision to And in order to keep growing that
alum) Sarah Smith of all the wonderful
become a filmmaker. I was able to make capacity, Chelsea says aspiring
placements she had secured for
a documentary in my final year on my storytellers need to keep pursuing their
graduates – places like the Sundance
marae, on my terms and that support gave passions, honing their craft, and finding
Institute, and the Met in New York.
me the inspiration I needed.” fresh new ways to connect with their
It’s extremely important to make
audiences.
connections in the world and this
programme is incredible.”
Friends of USA aut.ac.nz/givingusa
“
Audiences are truly global with
everything being online now, so you
have to think globally when making
your content. What makes us unique
is our point of view and now the rest
of the world is interested in it too.
12 INSIGHT | 2021 13
When visiting a new planet,
what sort of shoes would you
pack? If you were a designer for April Gourdie got her start
at Allbirds as a new graduate,
a company disrupting planet through AUT’s global
Earth’s approach to footwear, internship programme
AUT Internz.
they’d almost certainly be
environmentally friendly.
San Francisco-based product designer April “I’ve had a really beautiful scope of work with
Gourdie started planning her trip through time Allbirds – as my first job out of uni it’s been
and space at the end of 2019, unaware she was amazing to be exposed to many different
really preparing for 2020. projects and ways of working.
Space for Reentering New Zealand’s atmosphere via a
managed isolation hotel a year later, the AUT
alumna who has become known as the ‘knit
“I’ve always been given an awesome balance
of creative and technical projects. I get to work
on anything that’s knit based, and many of our
creativity
person’ of Allbirds’ product team explains: products are knitted.”
“San Francisco felt like being in space and
coming to New Zealand feels like coming back One of her favourite 2020 projects was a
to Earth.” collaboration with The Metropolitan Museum
of Art to mark its 150th anniversary. Allbirds
April has been stamping her mark on Allbirds designed and produced a limited-edition
since she joined as an intern in 2017, when it collection inspired by famous pieces of art. In
was a growing business using merino wool discussion with The Met team, April selected
to disrupt the footwear industry. Placed by artworks then interpreted each
AUT’s global internship service AUT Internz, one into a shoe, seeing it
the Bachelor of Design graduate’s first project through to development.
was to create a unique tread pattern for a new “That was a really awesome
shoe sole made from environmentally friendly project to work on.”
sugarcane. It became April’s first patent.
April credits the technical expertise she
developed in her final year at AUT for giving
her the foundations to work alongside
Allbirds’ departments of design, development
and merchandising. “That’s what I loved
about AUT, it was really rooted in technical
knowledge, which is a basis for all the creative
stuff to sit on.
The Haverman Bouquet Tree Runners - a collaboration with The
Met to mark its 150th anniversary - was a favourite 2020 project.
14 INSIGHT | 2021 15
What’s the difference
between a bag and a
pocket? If you’re April
Goudie, they can be one
and the same thing.
Fast-forward to March 2020, the company has With no prospect of an end to California’s
grown from 60 to around 400, and April and lockdown by late 2020, April returned to New
her colleagues were thrust into lockdown. While Zealand to continue working remotely, the only
missing the work culture, she was quick to find difference being a new time zone to factor in and
April’s ‘Space Book’
positives. the opportunity to see friends and family. After
was a grounding force seeing nobody apart from her flatmate for five
while working through “There were times that were really not nice, months she went from one extreme to another
the pandemic from her but I’ve found that I’m far more efficient in my but is determined to keep hold of her newfound
California apartment. job and I’ve developed a real sense of work-life balance and creative process.
balance for the first time.”
“I’ve finally found my own creative practice. I’ve
The California lockdown also presented her with got to be grateful that lockdown has given me
the time and space to indulge in more personal the space to be creative on my own accord – not
creative processes. relying on uni or my profession.
One was to deconstruct pockets. “I had all these “I don’t want to lose that feeling – I know how
old clothes and all the fabric stores were closed important that is. It’s a lifelong space mission.”
so I cut all the pockets out. Then I started looking
at the concept of what is the difference between a
pocket and a bag? A bag is a container, and a pocket Textile + Design Lab
is effectively that but is attached. It was a weird little tdl.aut.ac.nz
conceptual project. Then I started making all the
pockets into bags.”
Her most useful project was a sketch book she’d
started months before, which proved to be her most
grounding force.
The book starts with some prompts: “If I was ‘April
the astronaut’ going to a new planet, what would
I need to design and make? What food and what
vehicle would I need? What shoes would I need and
how would they be weighted down?
“
“I refer to it as my ‘Space Book’. It’s a space to
research, create and explore my own creative
process without expectations. I didn’t need to show
I’ve got to be grateful that anyone what I was doing, there was no validation of
lockdown has given me the the process, it didn’t need to result in anything, and I
space to be creative on my didn’t even need to finish it.
own accord – not relying on “People used to ask me about my hobbies, and I’d
uni or my profession. I don’t say – ‘I’m lucky, I got to do my hobby as a degree and
now I do it for a job. But that takes it to a place
want to lose that feeling – I where the outcome depends on something like a
know how important that is. grade or making money. Lockdown has taught
me that I don’t have to do that.”
”
It’s a lifelong space mission.
“
16 INSIGHT | 2021 17
If you are self-motivated, have a hunger
for creativity and like sticking your
fingers in a lot of innovative pies, there
is no limit to what you can do.
Life in the fast lane
for AUT start-up
”
Life has been full throttle for Benjamin Bray and his former classmates Tyler Hinde, James Hurlock One lecturer in particular - Stefan “I’m constantly learning and
and Levi Jacobsen since they graduated with Bachelors of Creative Technologies in 2016. Marks - was pivotal in their success. developing new skills, but that’s the
fun part! If you are self-motivated,
“Stefan entered a piece of our work
have a hunger for creativity and
Their VR start-up Float Studios was team had ever worked on, the project It has been an unexpected and into the 2016 NZ Best Awards, which
like sticking your fingers in a lot of
acquired by Australian production was named VR Film of the Year at the surprising career trajectory for ended up winning a Gold Pin in the
innovative pies, there is no limit to
company Finch, they moved from 2020 Real World XR Awards show Benjamin, who struggled to find his Experience category. This gained us
what you can do.”
Auckland to Bondi Beach, and are and has been added to the National place in high school, and enjoyed so international attention and landed
now blazing a trail at Finch’s recently Film and Sound Archive of Australia many different subjects that he was Float Studios its first paid project
rebranded technology and innovation (NFSA). reluctant to commit to any one in Category Five, a VR training and
arm, Nakatomi, with the likes of particular. It wasn’t until he got to AUT recruitment tool for the Australian
“The immersive nature of VR Defence Force. That was the project
Google, Dom Perignon, ABC, Spark that all the pieces of the puzzle fell
promotes a sense of empathy for that really jump-started our careers.”
and Nestle among their ever-growing into place.
the user that is incomparable with
list of high-profile clients. Since then it’s been a journey full of
other media. This all-encompassing “AUT gave me an understanding
“We started Float Studios together experience was the perfect medium of multiple fields and how to excitement and growth.
with Charles Hlavac and Jake to tell Christian’s story and we were so collaborate with other like-minded
McPherson in our third year at AUT grateful for the opportunity to bring people. Creative Technologies was
and joined Finch in early 2017. It’s it to life. It was massively encouraging a mix of business, design, game
been the perfect environment for us to see this indigenous work not only development, physical computing and
to continue growing,” says Benjamin, recognised as Film of the Year, but programming. It enabled me to merge
now Executive Producer at Nakatomi, also for it to be added to the National all these areas which I now draw on in
and working alongside Tyler (Art Film Archive.” my career.”
Director), James (3D Artist) and Levi
Launching interactive nautical empire The Float Studios team thrived in
(Game Developer).
game Kraken to the Steam Store AUT’s supportive, collaborative
“Finch is a truly innovative business. provided another pinch me moment, studio environment and believe the
It would have taken us years to get along with heading to Germany to University played a key role in helping
the exposure and experience to work speak about their involvement with them get where they are today.
with the clients that we do now. In the Project Revoice - a ground-breaking
“When we started Float Studios, we
past three years we’ve worked with digital voice clone that enables people
had no idea what it took to run or set
so many incredible companies and with Motor Neurone Disease (ALS)
up a business. AUT was incredibly
are adding value like we had never to continue speaking in their natural
helpful in those early days. Not only FROM LEFT: BENJAMIN
anticipated.” voice once they’ve lost the ability
did they give us practical advice on BRAY, JAMES HURLOCK,
to talk. That project won a Cannes TYLER HINDE (SITTING),
Among the many highlights is a business structure and incorporation,
Lion and a D&AD black pencil – the LEVI JACOBSEN.
recent collaboration with indigenous but they also arranged meetings
ultimate creative accolade. But
artist Christian Thompson to create for us with investors. Our lecturers
even more importantly, it has the
Bayi Gardiya (Singing Desert) - an went above and beyond to support
potential to rewrite the future of
immersive art experience designed us through our degree while also
communication for those living with
to preserve the lost language Bidjara. allowing us to spend university hours
ALS.
Unlike anything else the Nakatomi working on commercial projects.”
Nakatomi’s immersive art experience, a collaboration with Christian Thompson to preserve the lost language Bidjara,
was named VR Film of the Year at the 2020 Real World XR Awards.18 INSIGHT | 2021 19
Immunising for “It’s vital work that we’re doing from a
communications perspective, and that
Now part of a 70-strong
communications team at the WHO,
“It was cool to find out it was a Kiwi
company – they have that Kiwi can-do
misinformation
really energises us.” she works closely with other attitude.”
agencies to deliver accurate, science-
Drawn to stories of international Later in 2020, Diane’s focus switched
RA
based information globally. “We’re
humanitarian struggles since childhood, to developing communication
GA
ER
D-
V fighting against the misinformation
A BA Diane was driven to work for the United strategies around the vaccine, including
D I A NE and disinformation out there –
Nations. To fulfil her dream, she needed “explaining what a vaccine is, what’s in
A meeting with Diane Abad-Vergara in her French home near a master’s degree, and was attracted
we’re immunising people against
it, how they’re developed. There’s a lot
misinformation.
the Swiss border feels like any meeting taking place anywhere, to AUT’s Master of Communication of mystery around vaccines and how
Studies which allowed for the “Our whole reputation is built on they work, so we’re trying to break that
anytime during 2020: Zooming into her mezzanine office, this is production of a documentary, rather accurate scientific information, so down.”
what it looks like to be working at the World Health Organization’s than a written thesis. “I chose that that really comes first. We talk about
At the same time, she’s been working
communications centre during a global pandemic. practical option, there was guidance, science, solutions and solidarity. Having
on communication that explains why
but I had to find my own solutions and information that’s timely and really
equitable access to vaccines is so
Her desk at WHO’s Geneva headquarters has Officer since 2017 says she and her colleagues funding, be resourceful and make it understandable – especially when we’re
important.
been largely unoccupied since last March, as have long been planning for a global pandemic. work.” putting so much information out via
Diane balances family life with developing “It’s not a surprise but it’s really changed social media and in partnership with “Global equitable access to a vaccine,
Her thesis, Living with Coffee, was a
communication strategies and tools to translate everyone’s world. A huge amount of work digital platforms – is so important.” particularly protecting healthcare
documentary about fair trade coffee
into multiple languages and disseminate goes into pandemic preparedness and WHO workers and those most at risk, is the
which screened throughout Colombia She has worked with social media
around the globe. “Most people are working had been warning for years that (the world is) only way to mitigate the public health
and in the 2009 New Zealand Human companies – Facebook, YouTube and
from home, apart from a few occasions (when unprepared.” and economic impact of the pandemic.
Rights Film Festival. Since then, Diane’s Instagram – to promote accurate
we’re required in the office) like emergency career has seen her in journalism and information, and developed a “Our mission is to promote health, keep
Now that COVID-19 is here, Diane presents a
responses and press conferences.” communication roles in not-for-profits partnership with New Zealand online the world safe and serve the vulnerable
composed figure – she’s simply getting on with
The AUT alumna and WHO Communications the job she’s been preparing for all her life. and the public sector across Australasia, magazine The Spinoff after some of – you don’t get much better than that
Europe, Central Asia, the USA and Latin their COVID-19 creative work went viral. for a reason to get out of bed and do
America. your best work all day.”
“ Having information that’s
timely and really understandable
– especially when we’re putting so
much information out via social
media and in partnership with
digital platforms – is so important.20 INSIGHT | 2020 21
Planning for potential
Scholarships are a way to encourage and nurture talent and can also be the sustenance
required to get an important research subject off the ground, one that could impact the world.
In recent years, AUT has been refining Trish says the University Scholarship At the end of 2020 Thorne was awarded
its approach to offering scholarships. Committee also assessed how a William Georgetti Scholarship, worth
What the University now offers is a scholarships could best support AUT’s $20,000. He says the scholarship will
streamlined set of schemes for every undergraduates at the various stages, not only be a huge help financially as he
study level. then how they could be encouraged completes his master’s, it will also give
beyond their degree. “We want to work more reach to his book, ‘What It Means
Trish Richardson, Head of AUT’s
hard to attract our high-performing to Be a Cockroach’, which he hopes will
Scholarships Office, says she and her
bachelor alumni into postgraduate and be used in primary schools to open the
team have been looking at how they
master’s scholarships.” narrative about mental health.
can create a programme of support for
students at every stage of the academic While most of the scholarship funding Trish says AUT has also increased
lifecycle. comes directly from AUT itself, the funding for doctoral-level research, “and
scholarships office makes it easy for while graduates from other universities
“We’ve started with the school leaver
AUT students to connect with the can apply for that, our core strategy
and looked at what they need to support
many important philanthropic partners is to support our AUT alumni right
a successful transition to university.”
and funders behind a wide range of through undergraduate, postgraduate,
One extraordinary school leaver scholarships on offer. to doctoral.”
attracted to AUT in 2020 was 13-year-
Thorne Snow is an example of a scholar AUT doctoral scholarships have
old prodigy from Vietnam, Vicky Ngo
nurtured through his journey at AUT. recently been awarded for research into
Ngoc. After moving to New Zealand for
He began undergraduate studies with microbiology, global warming and social
educational opportunities in 2018, she
support from a Woolf Fisher First-in- research.
was fast tracked through St Thomas
Family AUT Scholarship. Working full
School and Selwyn College, graduating
time through his Masters in Creative
as a top scholar for Year 12 in 2019.
Writing during 2020 with charities
She chose to study economics and such as Variety – the Children’s Charity,
finance at AUT through a special AUT the Healing Through Arts Trust and
Vice-Chancellor’s Undergraduate the Neurological Foundation, Thorne
Scholarship which covers full tuition also paid it forward as a mental health
“
fees for her undergraduate degree. She advocate.
has also been provided with pastoral
care.
13-year-old prodigy Vicky Ngo
Ngoc is studying economics
We want to work hard to
and finance at AUT through a
special AUT Vice-Chancellor’s
attract our high-performing
Undergraduate Scholarship. bachelor alumni into postgraduate
and master’s scholarships.
Photo credit:
NZ Herald/Dean Purcell22 INSIGHT | 2020 23
AUT scholarships at a glance
Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarships
The largest pool of scholarships delivered here are funded and
directed by AUT.
• School Leaver – up to 140 awarded annually, delivered in four
categories: academic excellence, significant student (based on
academic performance coupled with community and cultural
leadership), KIWA (for Māori and Pasifika) and New Horizons (for
high performing students from decile 1-4 Auckland schools)
• Undergraduate – 135 awarded in 2020
• Post-graduate – 33 awarded in 2020
• Research Master’s – 11 awarded in 2020
• Doctoral – focus on supporting high performing postgraduate
students, or research projects of strategic importance to the
University, New Zealand or the world.
Donor-funded Scholarships
Many of AUT’s important scholarships are delivered by
philanthropists including:
• Woolf Fisher First-in-Family, a partnership now focusing
exclusively on students entering AUT South Campus – up to 15
annually
• Keir Trust Study Award – a scholarship from one of AUT’s
founders that supports financially disadvantaged students at all
study levels – 10 Auckland awards / 4 regional awards
• Freemasons – a significant award across all New Zealand
universities with AUT scholars benefiting each year
• Kate Edgar Educational Charitable Trust – a significant award
for women across all New Zealand universities, with many AUT
scholars benefiting.
aut.ac.nz/scholarships
Thorne Snow received a Woolf Fisher
First-in-Family AUT Scholarship for his
undergraduate degree and was recently
awarded a William Georgetti Scholarship
to complete his master’s degree.24 INSIGHT | 2020 25
Custodian of the deep
Ticiana Fettermann is a self-confessed ocean junkie.
An avid free diver, kite surfer and boatie, she is Currently based in Exmouth, Ticiana has devoted
also a niche scientist, marine biologist and fervent the past year to working in the Ningaloo Reef, a
environmentalist. In fact, the passionate 38 year UNESCO World Heritage Area in the north west
old has dedicated her entire life to the deep blue coastal region of Western Australia.
sea.
“It’s my job to educate, inspire, empower and
“I need to be in the ocean every day. My life is in encourage people to conserve marine life and their
the ocean and trying to protect it,” says Ticiana, habitats.”
who originally hails from Porto Alegre in Brazil.
Working as a marine biologist guide, naturalist
Her single-minded pursuit to preserve marine and deck hand on ecotourism tours, Ticiana steers
species in their natural environments has taken snorkellers carefully through the delicate reef,
Ticiana all over the planet – from the spectacular and delivers daily ecology talks about whales
beaches of Brazil to the colourful reefs of the and other local marine life. What sets her apart
Pacific Islands, the craggy cliffs and coastlines of from other marine biologists is her very specific
Western Australia, and the Pohutukawa-fringed area of interest – using science and technology,
shores of Aotearoa New Zealand. specifically drones, to collect data and help protect
the planet for the next generation.
“
TICIANA AND A TURTLE IN CORAL BAY, WESTERN
AUSTRALIA. PHOTO BY FABIO PICINATO.
It’s my job to educate, inspire,
empower and encourage
people to conserve marine life
”
and their habitats.26 INSIGHT | 2021 27
“My area of interest was so specific that at first monitor their movements and behaviour. There,
I couldn’t find anyone involved in this field, but she introduced other scientists to the benefits of
when I came across the work of AUT’s Barbara UAVs in conservation research.
Bollard (Associate Professor in the School of
“The Cook Islands is an amazing place to live and
Applied Sciences), I was instantly inspired.
work. While I was there, I also worked as a marine
Barbara was involved in conservation, geographic
biologist, guiding reef snorkels and sea turtle
information systems and had worked with
interactions, and giving tourists and locals an
dolphins. She had started a lab with drones and I
insight into the basic ecology of the reef, marine
thought this was the perfect tool to use for marine
flora and fauna.”
conservation research.”
Ticiana uses her spare time to teach graduate
Ticiana immediately enrolled in a Master of
students or other researchers from Brazil how
Science at AUT, focusing her research on using
drones can be used to study marine life and help
unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to study the
conservation efforts.
behaviour of endangered bottlenose dolphins.
Her work has made an invaluable contribution “I love putting the skills from my master’s degree
to other cetacean researchers and regulatory into practice and applying them to my research.
bodies, helping to shape guidelines and create safe I’ve always been close to the ocean and I thrive
protocols for marine species. when I’m sharing everything I’ve learned with
others.”
“This was the most exciting project I could ever
have imagined. Drones are such great technology And in a world that’s 71 percent ocean, it’s safe to
as they offer you a different perspective on the say that Ticiana will never be short of work.
marine world and don’t interrupt the normal
“My ultimate goal is to inspire further research that
behaviour of marine life.”
can help marine conservation efforts around the
After graduating from AUT in 2018, world. Afterall, that is my true
Ticiana applied her learnings in the passion.”
Cook Islands as a research
assistant at a whale research
centre, studying the South
Pacific humpback whale
population and using drones to
TICIANA FETTERMANN’S AREA OF INTEREST WAS SO
SPECIFIC THAT WHEN SHE CAME ACROSS AUT’S BARBARA
BOLLARD (ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR IN THE SCHOOL OF
APPLIED SCIENCES), SHE WAS INSTANTLY INSPIRED AND
ENROLLED IN HER MASTER OF SCIENCE AT AUT.28 INSIGHT | 2021 29
Empowering Pasifika beyond
the playing field
Pasifika’s contribution to New Zealand rugby is undisputed. Samoan, Tongan and Fijian players are among
our best, and the sport’s most generous volunteers. But despite their strong on-field involvement, only a
small number of Pasifika players move into rugby leadership and governance roles. A three-year research
project conducted by AUT’s Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand (SPRINZ) set out to find
out why and help instigate change.
Navigating Two Worlds, an action “Pasifika participants commented Says Navigating Two Worlds mentor,
research study, kicked off in 2016 and that playing participation reflected an Pacific Advisory Group and Project
saw the SPRINZ team work alongside inclusive, collaborative team or village Team member Tracy Atiga, “Through
Auckland and New Zealand Rugby, approach; however off-field leadership our talanoa and workshops, Navigating
current and ex-players, their families roles were not underpinned by that Two Worlds has brought about
and clubs, with the aim of cultivating same shared approach.” quite a bit of change specifically
leadership capability across the system. around people’s attitudes toward
College Rifles Rugby Club Manager
understanding that there are two
For AUT’s Sport Leadership and Keith Ratcliffe believes this lack of
different perspectives. I’ve seen that
Management Department Head cultural understanding could be a
grow quite organically.”
Gaye Bryham, the project
highlighted a dominant, A new Pasifika position has been
primarily Eurocentric system
that operates off-field in New
Zealand’s national sport. It
“Pasifika participants commented that
playing participation reflected an
created within New Zealand
Rugby, clubs are placing more
value on Pasifika leadership
also highlighted the courage inclusive, collaborative team or village ways, and more people than
of over 70 participants who approach; however off-field leadership ever before are connecting,
shared their stories and networking and encouraging
learned about different roles were not underpinned by that Pasifika players both on and off
leadership experiences,
challenges and ways.
same shared approach.
” the grass.
Gaye and her fellow SPRINZ
“New Zealand Rugby researchers couldn’t be more
recognises the significant contribution delighted and are excited by the
significant barrier to Pasifika players
the Pasifika community plays in rugby, potential their research has to be
pathway off the field.
from clubs through to professional extrapolated to other sporting codes.
level. In Auckland particularly, this “Nothing about our club reflected that
She adds, “Many other sports are in
contribution is largely in playing over 50 percent of our members were
a similar situation, with significant
participation and is not similarly Pacific or Māori. Members shouldn’t
Pasifika playing contributions, but
reflected in off-field contributions feel like they have to check their culture
this is not always reflected in off-field
involving governance, management and at the door,” says Keith.
leadership presence. Other sports
refereeing,” says Gaye.
Through mentoring programmes, are interested in the learnings from
Researchers discovered that clubs talanoas (discussions), and the Navigating Two World’s action research,
wanted to better understand and establishment of a Club Leadership as to how leadership ways and practices
embrace Pacific Island culture, and its Group and a Pacific Leadership Group, in our sport organisations and sector
collective, community approach, so a Navigating Two Worlds has helped can be developed and strengthened
key goal of the study was to develop merge cultures and ensure more with a greater appreciation of Pasifika
that awareness within current office accessible trajectories into leadership culture.”
holders, many of whom are New and governance for Pasifika players.
Zealand European.30 INSIGHT | 2021 31
High-performance
research that’s
changing the
playing field
AUT’s Sports Performance Research
Institute New Zealand (SPRINZ) is carving
a global reputation, partnering with
some of the world’s most innovative
organisations to boost health and
wellbeing, sporting development and
human potential.
Ranked New Zealand’s top sports research
institute, SPRINZ has worked with everyone
from the LA Dodgers to NASA and has an
unrivalled record for producing high impact
research that enhances performance for the sport
and recreation sector.
“We have leading-edge programmes of research that
are driving change with partner organisations in, for
example, strength and conditioning, sports technology,
youth development, injury prevention, sport physiology
and nutrition, sport leadership and governance, public
health and physical activity,” says SPRINZ Director, and AUT
Professor of Sport Leadership & Governance Lesley Ferkins.
“Our collective thinking brings a holistic and action-orientated
approach to growing capability in partnership with sector
organisations for the wellbeing of New Zealanders.”
Based at AUT Millennium, SPRINZ connects postgraduates with
New Zealand and international sport agencies in order to work
with athletes, coaches, clubs and schools to develop applied
research in ground-breaking areas. Currently around 100 PhD
and master’s students are actively engaged in projects including
development of a wearable sensor that monitors bowling
intensity and workload for cricketers, and wearable resistance
(WR) exoskeletons designed to enhance athletic performance.
Social change with and through sport is also on the agenda for
SPRINZ researchers. Projects are currently underway with Touch
NZ, NZ Rugby, and Aktive Auckland in building positive sporting
experiences for youth, and diversity and inclusion in sport
leadership.
sprinz.aut.ac.nz
EXOGEN ™ WEARABLE RESISTANCE EXOSKELETONS
DESIGNED TO ENHANCE ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE,
ONE OF THE MANY PROJECTS SPRINZ PHD AND
MASTER’S STUDENTS ARE ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN.32 INSIGHT | 2021 33
AYAN SAID HAS BEEN
LOBBYING TO END
FEMALE GENITAL
MUTILATION SINCE 2008.
A quiet The AUT PhD student was a driving
force behind the Female Genital
“Any initiatives to eliminate female
genital mutilation must address these
activist
Mutilation (FGM) Crimes Amendment powerful social factors and consider
Bill, passed in July 2020, which ensures how elimination might occur without
that all forms of female circumcision are any social damage to the women and in Auckland, considered culturally
illegal in New Zealand. girls involved,” says Ayan. appropriate approaches to end female
As the country’s first cross-party multi- “Change cannot come from agencies, it circumcision and ways the health sector
members’ bill, the historic occasion was has to come from within communities. could better partner with affected
made all the more remarkable by four Behavioural change is slow and until communities.
Ayan Said has walked alongside female members of parliament putting people are ready to change, the only But Ayan points out that campaigning
migrant and refugee communities for aside party allegiances to join forces on thing you can do is hold space – walk for change is not always about making
a global women’s issue. alongside people on their journey.” noise. In a move that may seem counter-
a decade, unpacking a deeply cultural
Ayan, a programme coordinator at The FGM Crimes Amendment Bill was a intuitive, she and her collaborators
and sensitive issue, and holding space
the NZ FGM Education Programme, major milestone, but legislation alone is declined media interviews, possibly
for change. dozens over the years.
and Nikki Denholm, the programme’s not enough, says Ayan.
director, began lobbying for legislation “Media headlines and picket signs
Eliminating FGM requires primary
change in 2008. wouldn’t necessarily accomplish
prevention of the practice, with the
“We were all working together for backing of the relevant community, positive sustainable change. Shining
positive change, and the dedication utilising a range of mechanisms, such a light on a community that isn’t
everyone had to the cause was amazing, as legal frameworks, education and ready for that would be disrespectful.
but it didn’t occur overnight,” says Ayan. advocacy, as well as ongoing specialised We had been building relationships
care for those women and girls already with communities for years and
International agencies have been wanted to protect them from further
affected.
working to eliminate FGM for 30 marginalisation. One negative media
years, but the practice hasn’t subsided. Ayan was born in Somalia, a country story could have ruined that. It always
Almost 200 million women and girls with the world’s highest rate of FGM at comes back to consent,” she says.
living today have undergone female around 98 percent. Her parents were
circumcision. extraordinary in ‘having the courage to Ayan remains committed to
say no’ and shield their daughter from empowering communities. Her current
While agencies and NGOs focus on it research, part of a PhD in Public
the practice.
as a rights issue, and the language of Health, aims to create space for young
advocacy is well understood, the social It was half a world away in New Zealand internally displaced Somali women to
repercussions for women and girls in that Ayan became aware of the issue, develop ideas for reproductive health
FGM-practicing communities are slow and began training as an educator at the services in Puntland. Her quiet activism
to change. To remain uncircumcised NZ FGM Education Programme, while will continue to create big change.
may still render a girl unclean, working towards a double degree in
“
unmarriable, socially ostracised, and Public Health and Psychology at AUT.
vulnerable to abuse. Her master’s thesis, which captures
the voices of women living with FGM
We had been building relationships
with communities for years and
wanted to protect them from further
marginalisation. One negative media
story could have ruined that. It always
”
comes back to consent.
PHOTO: IMAGE LIBRARY34 INSIGHT | 2021 35
“I was sitting in a painting and wine session CO-FOUNDERS OF
and saw everyone laughing and enjoying PAINTVINE (FROM
it. Maybe it was their first date, maybe their LEFT) EUAN LOCKIE,
ALEX HAMILTON AND
fiftieth. And I thought ‘This is an experience I
Entrepreneurial alum
DENYM BIRD.
helped create. I thought of it and brought it to
life’.”
thriving on business success
Denym, who features in AUT’s ‘Find your
greatness at AUT’ campaign, originally wanted
to study communications and become a film
director. But he realised competition would be
Success tasted sweet for Denym Bird from the moment he started honing his entrepreneurial skills as a tough, and that he had a knack for business
student at AUT. and entrepreneurship.
“Studying business felt like the right choice. It
“I wanted to earn income without painting and wine to be a winning “I was on a business trip in the US and came from the aspiration of wanting to build
having to work. I needed to spend my combination. saw someone in a bar set up an art things. First I thought I’d build films and now
time studying,” Denym says. “I ended class. Everyone had a really great time I’m building businesses.
Then his latest, Delivereat. Frustrated
up buying five vending machines - ice and I thought the concept was very
with long supermarket queues during “I’m very happy that I went to university,
cream vending machines because interesting - and no one was doing it in
New Zealand’s COVID-19 lockdown especially AUT. AUT puts a lot more emphasis
other types already dominated the New Zealand.”
and unable to find much online, Denym on the practical side of things. Obviously
market.” He partnered with Tip Top and
created a food delivery directory In late 2020, Paintvine won the Westpac theory is important but it’s not all. AUT also
strategically placed them at swimming
that connected half a million Kiwis Business Awards People’s Choice Award shows you how to do things practically.”
pools around Auckland.
with thousands of independent food along with the New Zealand Events
“That was very exciting. I learned how producers delivering during lockdown. Association Best Event Marketing Along with important lessons about branding
to make deals with companies. I realised Award. and accounting, Denym draws on what he
One of these businesses was learned studying information systems. “We
this is what I wanted to do with my life.”
acquired (Delivereat), another one Denym says becoming a full-time learned how Domino’s online ordering system
Unable to maintain the machines he wound down due to not getting entrepreneur just two years after works from the backend. What looks so simple
from Hong Kong during a third year the right product-market-fit to make leaving university has been his “biggest to the customer is actually a very complex
international university exchange, it it sustainable (Cryptosaver) and the achievement”. As an entrepreneur, system.
also became his first experience selling remaining two he runs are still thriving. he says, you can realise the value of
a business. your hard work. “You can actually see “It made me realise the value of systems and
It’s the creative events company how to build them. It’s something I still use
someone buy your product. I get to
Denym discovered he loved “the thrill Paintvine that Denym is most proud now, building interfaces that are easy to use
create things that didn’t exist before and
of doing something new and bringing of. It hosts more than 15 weekly for the customer.”
that people really enjoy.
people together – and now I can’t stop.” painting and wine events in eight cities
across New Zealand, has a team of 25
Since graduating with a Bachelor of
artists and admin staff and is close to
Business in Business Information
achieving $1 million revenue.
Systems and Marketing in 2015, he’s
gone on to start an additional four
businesses – each very different.
SOME OF THE 15+ PAINTING AND
There’s his consulting firm Hypergiant, WINE EVENTS HELD THROUGHOUT
started in 2017 through which he acts NEW ZEALAND EVERY WEEK.
as a virtual marketing manager for
clients including Xero, A2X and Tradify.
There was Cryptosaver, also in 2017,
Australia’s first regulated platform for
retail investors to buy Bitcoin through
regular weekly payments.
And Paintvine, New Zealand’s largest
“ Studying business felt
like the right choice. It came
creative events business which hosts from the aspiration of wanting
more than 700 events annually, proving
to build things. First I thought
I’d build films and now I’m building
businesses.
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