Sep 25, 2024 | Politics & Society
By Caroline Shaw, Associate Professor in Public Health, University of Otago. Photo is NZ AK Queen Street by Itineris55, used under CC BY-SA 4.0. With walking and cycling funding halved in the government’s recently released National Land Transport Programme, and a...
May 20, 2024 | Events, Featured, Ngā Ara Whetū, Science & Technology
On Earth Day 2024, Ngā Ara Whetū partnered with Te Aka Mātauranga Matepukupuku, the Centre for Cancer Research, to discuss the ubiquitous presence of plastics in our environment, and the impact they are having to the land, sea, air, animals, and on our own health and...
Jul 7, 2023 | Featured, Politics & Society
Tom Baker, University of Auckland Photo by Maximillian Conacher on Unsplash The ink was barely dry on the Green Party’s recently unveiled “Pledge to Renters” – which included annual rent increase limits, a rental warrant of fitness and a national...
May 31, 2023 | Politics & Society
Photo by Piron Guillaume on Unsplash Words by Elizabeth Fenton, University of Otago and Robin Gauld, University of Otago Ethicists argue that healthcare is special. Unlike other consumer goods, its availability and accessibility should be based on need rather...
May 29, 2023 | Featured, Politics & Society
Photo by Jamie Street on Unsplash Words by Timothy Welch Asking everyone what they think of every transport micro-decision is an enormous waste of time and resources. It’s time to stop asking and start doing, argues Timothy Welch. Your transport agency would...
May 4, 2023 | Featured, Politics & Society
Photo by Andres Siimon on Unsplash Janet Hoek, University of Otago and Anna DeMello, University of Otago Tobacco companies claim to be transforming their business by “reducing the health impact” of their products. Yet they often oppose the very policies that could...
Apr 26, 2023 | Featured, Ngā Ara Whetū, Politics & Society
Photo by NOAA on Unsplash Climate change is the “bread and butter” issue of our times, as spelled out in the latest synthesis of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s sixth assessment report. If we do not urgently address climate change, there will be much...
Mar 1, 2022 | Science & Technology
By Mary Breheny Listening to other people’s stories is a powerful way to unite people, and instead of belittling anxieties as illogical, addressing fears with understanding can help us design responses which enable all people to experience security in uncertain...
Jan 24, 2022 | Science & Technology
By Samantha Marsh & Alex Muntz A healthy digital diet is different for different people. We need to learn to listen for what our body and brain are telling us. How much screen time is too much? It’s a question we all want the answer to. But it’s like...
Dec 14, 2021 | Politics & Society
By Chris Bullen If implemented as planned, the new smokefree action plan could be the single most significant approach we take as a nation to reducing preventable death and disease and reducing health inequities, writes Chris Bullen. As a doctor, tobacco researcher...