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JUNE 17, 2022
Nick Lewis talks about the prospects of establishing a thriving blue economy in New Zealand
The notion of a blue economy has exploded onto international policy agendas in recent years. Rarely used less than five years ago, the idea of a blue economy is now a firmly entrenched in the lexicon of national and international development. It is used widely to refer to anything from accelerating the exploitation of oceanic resources to a deep green transformation of how humanity uses coastlines and oceans to support livelihoods or an active project to return the coasts and oceans to community ownership. What, however, does it, or might it mean for New Zealand. Nick Lewis has been talking to various public groups about the question and how New Zealand might go about making itself a distinctive blue economy:
Nick’s talk can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iz_gDKwtnnU
The United Nations Association of New Zealand
The New Zealand public in the Sustainable Seas Te Ao o te Moana webinar series
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoDYWBg1G2M&list=PLcP5oYqZClK4XY8_NQf6ZsFSRKVkN85-0&index=3
Stakeholders and interested members of the public in the Sustainable Seas 2020 Webinar series
https://www.sustainableseaschallenge.co.nz/public/tools-and-resources/building-a-blue-economy/
The World Wildlife Foundation and Department of Conservation ocean resilience webinar series Changing Tides: Te Tai Tōrua. The workshop was titled: Marine Protection and Restoration in a Sustainable Blue Economy (see report https://wwfnz.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/tai_torua_workshop_report.pdf)
JUNE 14, 2021
EMILY STEVENS, TOM BAKER & NICK LEWIS DISCUSS THEIR RESEARCH IN NEWSROOM
Greyhound ‘rehoming’ has become a critical component of the racing industry’s social licence, but what we don’t know is how poorly equipped many ex-racing greyhounds are to cope with the expectations placed on them as pets
Negative reports of greyhound racing in New Zealand have prompted Sport and Racing Minister Grant Robertson to launch a review into the practice, while MP Chloë Swarbrick is set to propose a private member’s bill that looks to ban it entirely.
Greyhound ‘rehoming’ – the practice of rehabilitating former racing dogs into pets once they are no longer of economic value to their owners and trainers – has become a critical component of the racing industry’s social licence, after consistent reports of adverse animal welfare since 2013.
APRIL 3, 2021
TOM BAKER ON RNZ’S NINE TO NOON
There’s been a proliferation of crowdfunding iniatives particularly seeking donations to pay medical treatment, and new research provides information about how the key to success can involve how crowdfunding campaigners market illness to best capture the attention of potential donors. Campaigns for personal health expenses are rapidly growing globally but it is also a feature in New Zealand as a gap filler for people trying to access the stretched public health sector. One of the researchers, Dr Tom Baker is a University of Auckland senior lecturer in human geography – and he says the results of the study show it is difficult to get people to donate money for someone they don’t actually know.
Click on this link or listen below.
APRIL 28, 2021
CAITLIN NEUWELT-KEARNS & TOM BAKER DISCUSS THEIR RESEARCH IN THE CONVERSATION
How crowdfunding campaigners market illness to capture the attention of potential donors
Liam’s* crowdfunding campaign page is direct: his “sole purpose is to survive”. Before his diagnosis with inoperable brain cancer, Liam was a “healthy, fitness and sports minded 44-year-old, [who gave] his time and skills away freely by being a regular at charity events, fundraising for a number of organisations and more recently sponsoring amateur athletes”. Holly, Liam’s friend, caregiver and now crowdfunding campaign manager, appeals to the crowd: “It’s time for us to come together and help this amazing man out.” This narrative may be familiar — it provides a window into the high-stakes world of medical crowdfunding. In our new research, we explore who the people behind these campaigns are and how they work to capture the crowd’s attention in a competitive environment. Read more
APRIL 28, 2021
TOM BAKER SPOKE ON 95bFM
The Complications of Crowdfunding w/ Dr. Tom Baker
In a recent study, it was found when it comes to crowdfunding campaigns, not only is a large amount of pressure place on those fundraising for medical purposes, but there are also certain biasies which can determine how successfula campaign is.
To understand why people campaign, what makes a good campaign, and what some of the stresses are, James talks to Dr. Tom Baker, one of the authours of the study about what was found. Listen here!
MARCH 11, 2021
SALENE SCHLOFFEL-ARMSTRONG PUBLISHED AN ARTICLE IN THE SPINOFF
Wellington Central Library has been at the centre of an increasingly bitter dispute in recent weeks, after the city council voted to sell off part of the library building as office space. In response to loud and wide condemnation, several councillors had a change of heart and the library was given a reprieve. Why was the debate over a small part of this single library building – whether the current structure or an imagined future building – so polarising and emotive? Read more