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On 21 October Pro Vice-Chancellor and Dean of Wellington School of Business and Government, Professor Ian O. Williamson, hosted a panel event on the The pandemic trade challenge: NZ/US trade relations and COVID-19 . He was joined by New Zealand’s Ambassador to the United States, Her Excellency Rosemary Banks, NZ Trade Commissioner and Consul-General, New York-based Hannah Lee-Darboe, and from Wellington, Chair for Pacific Region Business and former Executive Director of the APEC Secretariat, Professor Alan Bollard. They discussed how the pandemic, politics, social upheaval and uncertainty are changing our interconnected economies. As well the experiences of Kiwi exporters on the ground in the U.S.? This was recorded on 21 October 2020 via Zoom webinar for Alumni.

In advance of being awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Literature by the University at the December 2020 graduation - Professor Jennifer Windsor, sat down with Elizabeth Knox. They discussed Elizabeth's life and work including her latest novel, The Absolute Book. This was recorded on 3 November at an alumni event in Wellington. The Absolute Book and all of Elizabeth's other novels can be purchased at Victoria University Press -- vup.victoria.ac.nz

Content Warning: This podcast includes strong language This was recorded at a live alumni event at The Court Theatre in Christchurch on Wednesday the 21st of October. Professor of Theatre David O'Donnell spoke with three of the University’s theatre alumni about their roles, the impact of Covid-19 and their career highlights. Hosted by: Professor David O'Donnell Panel: - Dan Pengelly, Artistic Director, The Court Theatre - Melanie Luckman, Co-founder and Artistic Director, Cubbin Theatre Company - Holly Chappell-Eason, Co-Artistic Director of Two Productions and Artistic Director of Little Andromeda

On Friday 9 October we held a webinar on New Zealand’s Housing crisis. This was part of a series of four online panel discussions delving into some of the big issues facing New Zealanders in the upcoming election. The session was moderated by Simon Chapple. Panelists were Mark Southcombe and Claire Achmad.

Hosted by Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, you'll hear from Dr Bryce Edwards of The Democracy Project; Professor Jack Vowles, School of History, Philosophy, Political Science and International Relations; and Dr Maria Bargh from Te Kawa a Māui/School of Māori Studies. They discuss their predictions for the 2020 NZ general election. This was held as a webinar on Friday 2 October.

On Tuesday 29 September we held a webinar on the Cannabis Legislation and Control Referendum. This was the second in a series of four online panel discussions delving into some of the big issues facing New Zealanders in the upcoming election. The session was moderated by Professor Jonathan Boston. Panelists were Dr Carol Shand, Emeritus Professor Peter Thirkell and Dr Jessica Young

As New Zealand’s general election heats up, Dr Mona Krewel and Professor Jack Vowles from the University’s globally ranked Political Science and International Relations programme are analysing and comparing data from hundreds of social media posts by political parties and top election candidates. The New Zealand Social Media Study is the local arm of an international research project that looks at how political actors use social media to target, inform, interact with, mobilise and pursue voters in elections. Dr Krewel and Professor Vowles talk with Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Jennifer Windsor about the impact of social media in campaigning and politics and the processes and expectations of the study. From Friday 2 October, you can visit www.wgtn.ac.nz/election for weekly updates from the study.

On Tuesday 15 September we held a webinar on the Cannabis Legislation and Control Referendum. This was the first in a series of four online panel discussions delving into some of the big issues facing New Zealanders in the upcoming election. This session was moderated by Dr Fiona Hutton from the University's School of Social and Cultural Studies. Panelists are Mamaeroa Merito and Tania Sawicki Mead.

Earlier this year, as COVID-19 landed on New Zealand’s shores, the swift and effective leadership of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Dr Ashley Bloomfield, and others was key in the country’s successful response. But there have also been many cases where leaders have not effectively managed a crisis—leading to dire results. In this podcast, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Dean of the Wellington School of Business and Government, Professor Ian Williamson speaks with Dr Ashley Bloomfield—Director-General and Chief Executive, Ministry of Health; Sarah Stuart-Black—Director, Civil Defence Emergency Management and Deputy Chief Executive of the National Emergency Management Agency; Dame Therese Walsh—Chairman, Air New Zealand and Pro-Chancellor, Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington; and Dr. Daniel Laufer—Associate Professor of Marketing, Wellington School of Business and Government about effective leadership and their advice for leading through a crisis.

What's next for New Zealand in the fight against climate change? On Tuesday 11 August Professor James Renwick and New Zealand’s Minister for Climate Change Hon James Shaw spoke at a public event at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington. They discussed what is currently being done in our country to combat climate change, what more we can do in the future, and how COVID-19 may have changed things. The public event included a Q&A section with members of the audience - this has not been included in the podcast for privacy reasons.

Academics from the University’s Faculty of Health held a webinar on 30 July 2020 on Covid-19 and Public Health titled “What’s in the air?” They discussed the wider public health implications of Covid-19 and how the public sector can better support communities to thrive. Presented by Professor Gregor Coster (Professor and Dean of Faculty of Health, Wellington Faculty of Health); Professor Colin Simpson (Professor in Population Health, School of Health, Wellington Faculty of Health); Dr Anna Matheson (Senior Lecturer in Health Policy, School of Health, Wellington Faculty of Health); Tara Officer (Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, Health Services Research Centre)

On Wednesday 22 July Professor Ian. O Williamson, Dean of the Wellington School of Business and Government at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington spoke with with alumna Katie Brown in a webinar for alumni. They discussed Katie's experience leading the digital communications team in the Unite Against COVID-19 campaign for the New Zealand Government and the challenges she and her team faced.

Cannabis reform excites intense debate across society, and with New Zealand’s referendum on the Cannabis Legalisation and Control Bill just around the corner, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Education Professor Jennifer Windsor invited Associate Professor of Criminology Fiona Hutton to talk about what the Bill actually entails.

This milestone event was given in honour of lawyer and law reform advocate Lecretia Seales and marks the fifth anniversary of both the decision on the case and Lecretia's death. In 2015, Lecretia Seales went to the High Court to seek a ruling that would allow a doctor to assist her to die with her consent. Her court case initiated a national debate and helped focus a parliamentary inquiry into assisted dying. On Thursday 4 June the Faculty of Law recorded a panel discussion on Seales v Attorney General and subsequent law reform. For the first time, Lecretia's counsel, the Crown's counsel, and the presiding judge came together publicly to discuss their perspectives on the historic court action. The panel members will give their perspectives on the original case and the End of Life Choice Act that has led to the upcoming referendum. Chair: Geoff McLay, Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington Panel: Matt Vickers Andrew Butler, Barrister Mike Heron QC Paul Rishworth QC Justice David Collins, Court of Appeal Chris Bishop, MP Greg O'Connor, MP Māmari Stephens, Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington Jessica Young, Executive Director of the 2020 End of Life Choice Act Referendum Society

This is the fourth in a series of Spotlight lectures on COVID-19 and the future of the New Zealand economy. In this session the panellists share their insights on the future after COVID-19, and what it means for the future of work, digital technology, and government. Facilitator: Professor Alan Bollard (Chair for Pacific Region Business, Wellington School of Business and Government) Panellists: Associate Professor Val Hooper (Head of School, School of Marketing and International Business) Professor Alex Richter (Professor of Information Systems, Wellington School of Business and Government) Professor Girol Karacaoglu (Head of School of Government, Wellington School of Business and Government

Curious about the legal implications of the lockdown? Do you want to know more on the New Zealand Government’s legal framework during this COVID-19 situation and what it means for us in the future? In the final episode of the series, our Faculty of Law academics; Geoff McLay, Nessa Lynch, Eddie Clark, Dean Knight, Petra Butler and Joel Colón-Ríos continue the discussion on the legal implications of the government’s response to COVID-19. • What’s been the most striking feature/thing for you during lockdown? • What’s been the most surprising feature/thing? • What’s the main lesson for the future?

This is the third panel discussion in the Spotlight Series: COVID-19 and the future of the New Zealand economy and was recorded as a webinar on Tuesday 26 May. In this session the panellists discuss long-term recovery strategies, including what it means for the climate change response, the impact on health and wellbeing and how it might change how we think about disasters in the future. Facilitator: · Professor Alan Bollard (Chair for Pacific Region Business, Wellington School of Business and Government) Panellists: · Dr Judy Lawrence (Senior Research Fellow, at the New Zealand Climate Change Research Institute) · Professor Nick Agar (Professor in Philosophy, School of History, Philosophy, Political Science and International Relations, Wellington Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences) · Dr Carolyn Palmer (alumna and Manager Health, The Treasury)

Curious about the legal implications of the lockdown? Do you want to know more on the New Zealand Government’s legal framework during this COVID-19 situation and what it means for us in the future? In the sixth episode of the series, our Faculty of Law academics; Geoff McLay, Nessa Lynch, Eddie Clark and Dean Knight continue the discussion on the legal implications of the government’s response to COVID-19. - Criminal court protocols under Alert Level 2—balancing expediency with procedural rights - State surveillance, social licence and facial recognition technology - New Alert Level 2 words—will we ever really replace “bubbles"? - Are church services allowed as “services” or banned as “gatherings"? - Update on what didn’t happen in the Borrowdale case this week - Happenings around Parliament—COVID-19 Public Health Response Act and the Epidemic Response Committee - Document dumps and government openness

This is the second panel discussion in the Spotlight Series: COVID-19 and the future of the New Zealand economy and was recorded as a webinar on Tuesday 19 May. Our panellists discussed the recovery, how to rebuild after a disaster, what sectors are likely to change forever, the implications for international trade and supply chains, and the economic lessons from Southeast Asia. Facilitator: • Professor Alan Bollard (Chair for Pacific Region Business, Wellington School of Business and Government) Panellists: · Professor Ilan Noy (Chair in the Economics Disasters, Wellington School of Business and Government) · Dr Eldrede Kahiya (Senior Lecturer in International Business, Wellington School of Business and Government) · Professor Siah Hwee Ang (BNZ Chair of Business in Asia, Wellington School of Business and Government and Director, Southeast Asia CAPE)

Curious about the legal implications of the lockdown? Do you want to know more on the New Zealand Government’s legal framework during this COVID-19 situation and what it means for us in the future? In the fifth episode of the series, our Faculty of Law academics; Geoff McLay, Petra Butler, Dean Knight, Eddie Clark and Nessa Lynch continue the discussion on the legal implications of the government’s response to COVID-19. • German court strikes down blanket 14 day quarantine requirement for travellers • The Irish judicial review of lockdown powers • Warrantless police powers under the new Act • Why the rule of law matters (even in an emergency) • Process problems with the Alert Level 2 legislation • Lockdown legality and why it matters • New Covid-19 Public Health Measures Act (process, framework and enforcement) • New Alert Level 2 rules