Course organiser:Kathryn Ell
Presenter:Various
29 Jun:
Emeritus Professor John Burrows ONCM QC CNZM on ‘New Zealand’s Constitution’. New Zealand is one of only three countries in the world not to have a written constitution. Should it have one? If so, what should it contain? How well does New Zealand's informal unwritten constitution work? How effective are our checks and balances on the abuse of power?
6 Jul:
John Laurenson, Principal of Shirley Boys’ High School, on ‘Our Children Are Not Pawns’. John will discuss his belief that education should be based on cooperation between teachers and schools. He will contend that our education system is based upon competition between schools resulting in a socio-economic division in the country and a weakening of society and its ability to evolve positively.
13 Jul:
Dr. Tara Murray, lecturer, School of Forestry, UC, on 'Biosecurity Issues in New Zealand'New Zealand's stringent biosecurity regulations are pertinent to both our economy and the natural environment. Tara will give an overview of the biosecurity system, how it works and its objectives with examples drawn from agriculture, forests and waterways. Social and cultural values will be included.
20 Jul:
Veronika Meduna, science writer and broadcaster, on ‘Towards a Warmer World’.The world has warmed by about one degree over the last century and a half. New Zealand will experience significant climate change with impacts such as extreme weather events, distorted ecosystems and disruptions to agriculture. Veronika will discuss what we can expect and how to prepare for it.
27 Jul:
Tara Ross, Senior Lecturer in Journalism, UC, on 'The Media in New Zealand'.In the age of fake news and alternative facts, we need quality journalism more than ever. Yet newsrooms are under significant pressure, not only from digital disruption, but also shifts in audience behaviour. This talk will explore what it means for New Zealand's news media.