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ISSUE 2 (2020)
Message from the Director - Graduate Programmes Update - COVID-19 Resources - New Staff - Policy Briefings - In case you missed it - Policy Commons Blog - Policy Impact Reports - New Projects - MPP Corner - Scholarships - Consultation Opportunities
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MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR
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Kia ora, Talofa lava, Kia orana, Greetings from the team here at the Public Policy Institute.
It has been a few months since our last newsletter, and during that time we have all experienced transitions in and out of lockdown, and the changes and challenges that have come with our country’s response to COVID19.
For us, as with many of you, it meant a rapid move to “online” delivery of our postgraduate programmes, our policy seminars, and our celebrations for our international graduands who were repatriated. We continued with our in-house research projects, (on gender responsive budgeting, and the connections between populist politics and public policy), and began work on a number of COVID19 specific projects with collaborators both in our University and internationally.
And, just last month we launched “Policy Inc” – our policy incubator or lab which, under the guidance of Dr Lara Greaves, will enable our researchers to collaborate with a range of policy communities in the design and evaluation of methodologically innovative projects. We will share more on this initiative in our next newsletter. For now, the PPI team, which has grown in the past few months (see below), send our colleagues and friends overseas and in Aotearoa New Zealand, our very best wishes.
Noho ora mai rā,
nā Jennifer and the team at the PPI.
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Standing: (soon to be Dr) Sarah Bickerton (Research Fellow), Kiri West (Research Project Coordinator), Dr Lara Greaves (Associate Director Policy Inc), Prof Jennifer Curtin (Director), Dr Kiri Edge (Research Fellow), Dr Tim Fadgen (Associate Director Graduate Programmes), Victoria Woodman (Research Analyst).
Seated: Gay Francisco (Research Administrator), Dr Suzanne Woodward (Associate Director Research Impact).
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Update from the Associate Director of Graduate Programmes
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The PPI, in collaboration with our Universitas-21 partners at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, recently secured seed funding for a new and innovative virtual teaching project. This award will fund the development and piloting of an online, applied policy learning space for students from the University of Auckland and McMaster University in 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought into focus the need for viable, equitable and sustainable pathways for effective online learning and collaboration. The project will nurture international collaboration to address shared policy challenges through the development of a pilot programme between the two universities to be launched Semester 1 2021.
The project presents a design challenge: how can students in different countries effectively engage in virtual collaborations to develop practical insights into global public policy problems? To answer this, the process adopts a student-centred design model to identify inclusive learning processes and virtual collaboration platforms that will experiment with different pedagogies to ensure the learning experience is accessible and supportive for all students, particularly Māori, First Nations, Inuit and Metis. In addition, the project will facilitate cross-border open pedagogy—with students as creators of information--and engage on policy issues with communities and other knowledge stakeholders beyond the university. Over the coming months, community organisations will be identified as learning partners in Ontario and Auckland with whom students will collaborate on identified policy research projects in Semester 1 2021.
This project co-design is led by PPI’s Dr Tim Fadgen and Dr Kiri Edge and at McMaster University by Professor Tony Porter and Associate Professor Chelsea Gabel.
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We have collated a range of local and international resources relating the COVID-19 pandemic, including policy responses, Māori resources, the latest news, and a COVID-19 timeline.
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Dr Lara Greaves
Associate Director Policy Inc.
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Lara (Ngāti Kuri, Ngāpuhi) is a lecturer in Politics and International Relations, specialising in New Zealand Politics and Public Policy. She is part of large survey teams that work on the New Zealand Election Study, the International Social Survey Programme, and the New Zealand Attitudes and Values Study.
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Professor Michael Witbrock
PPI Academic Advisory Board (Faculty of Science)
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Professor Prasanna Gai
PPI Academic Advisory Board (Faculty of Business and Economics)
You can watch Professor Gai's lecture on 'The Macroeconomics of Pandemics: This Time is Different' here
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The Social Consequences of Assisted Dying:
A Case Study
The End-of-Life Choice Bill has now passed its third reading in the New Zealand Parliament, which takes the final decision on this legislation to a referendum on the End of Life Choice Act. The overriding discourse in countries where assisted dying (AD) is legal or under consideration concerns individual emancipation from the perspective of human suffering. Although the use of AD legislation may liberate individuals from suffering, it is also necessary to consider the impact embracing a new means of dying may have on families, healthcare practitioners and the wider community.
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Comparing Space Sectors Down Under
Many governments are establishing space agencies to develop their national space sectors. Governments are intervening to ensure their national space sectors secure niches in the growing global space economy. New Zealand and Australia are two countries whose governments have recently established space agencies. How are the governments developing their national space sectors and what are the implications of their approaches?
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Setting Targets to Reduce New Zealand Children’s Sugar Intakes through Food Reformulation
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An international review found total sugars currently comprise up to one quarter (14–25%) of total energy (TE) consumed by populations. Because of their contribution to the overall energy density of diets, their association with tooth decay in children, and the 2015 World Health Organization (WHO) sugars intake guideline, reducing total sugar intakes has become a key focus of dietary interventions and policies.
This policy briefing outlines the methods for development of targets that would reduce, by 20%, the total sugar content of packaged foods and beverages commonly consumed by New Zealand children, using either or both of: 1) reformulation (i.e. healthier recipe) 2) reductions in portion size.
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Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Nationwide Lockdown on Trust, Attitudes towards Government, and Wellbeing
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In countries where citizen surveillance and control is limited, the success of lockdown to reduce COVID-19 depends on a complicated voluntary process of information processing and institutional compliance. Specifically, individuals and communities need to trust and adhere to advice from scientists, politicians, and law enforcement, while ignoring disinformation and conspiracy theories. It is possible, however, that the pandemic itself (and subsequent lockdown) not only relies on, but may change, the extent to which people trust institutions.
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Aggregate Road Passenger Travel Demand in New Zealand
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Are disturbances in demand for the four major road passenger transport choices correlated?
What are the factors that affect the demand for each mode of road passenger travel in NZ?
How much will these factors impact on the demand for road passenger travel in NZ?
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Disaster Preparedness and Resilience among Auckland’s Pacific Peoples
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This policy brief considers disaster risk reduction (DRR) messaging and policy with Pacific peoples living in Auckland communities. Pacific peoples account for a large portion of the city’s population, and are underserved in current disaster awareness efforts.
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Gender Impact Analysis Policy Forum: Women workers and COVID-19 in Aotearoa
Speakers:
• Saunoamaali’i Kararina Sumeo (Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner, Human Rights Commission)
• Traci Houpapa (MNZM JP CFInstD. NACEW, and Federation of Māori Authorities)
• Andrea Black (Policy Director and Economist NZCTU)
• Rebecca Barnes-Clarke (Policy Director, Economics and International, Ministry for Women)
Chair: Professor Jennifer Curtin (Director, Public Policy Institute)
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Gender Impact Analysis Policy Forum:
Advancing Equal Pay and Women’s Economic Wellbeing post-COVID19
Speakers
- Hon Julie Anne Genter (Minister for Women)
- Laures Park (Matua Takawaenga, NZEI Te Riu Roa)
- David McLean (Chief Executive, Westpac)
- Zoe Brownlie (Gender Tick Director, YWCA & ADHB)
Chair: Professor Jennifer Curtin (Director, Public Policy Institute)
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Public Policy Forum:
COVID-19 and the Pacific – Tourism, Trade and Tracing
Speakers:
- Dr Collin Tukuitonga (Associate Dean Pacific, Faculty of Medical & Health Sciences, University of Auckland)
- Yvonne Lucas (Pacific Economic Cooperation Council)
- Don Mann (Pacific Media Network)
- Dr Jemaima Tiatia-Seath (Head of Pacific Studies, University of Auckland)
Chair:
Dr Tim Fadgen (Associate Director, Public Policy Institute)
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Rethinking the Representation of Women: Politics and Aotearoa New Zealand’s “Diversity Dilemma”
Professor Jennifer Curtin
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POLICY COMMONS HIGHLIGHTS
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Women, social media and political participation in New Zealand
- Sarah Hendrica Bickerton
What the Budget means for women
- Jennifer Curtin, Suzy Morrissey and Sarah Bickerton
Read it here
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The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State and Faith-Based Care:A Preliminary Review
READ THE REPORT
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Covid-19: Vital that tikanga adapts again
With the James Henare Research Centre
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In this issue, we are featuring two MPP alumni who are working in very different fields. Kemal is in Foreign Affairs while Ana is part of the Social Policy Unit of The Salvation Army. Let’s take a look at their journey.
Tubagus Kemal Perbangsa Graduated from the MPP in September 2018
Currently working as First Secretary of the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Algiers, Algeria
As a mid-career diplomat of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, I need to study complex issues and prepare comprehensive policy reports. The Master of Public Policy (MPP) programme equipped me with knowledge and skills to have a thorough understanding of current issues and events and their implications to foreign policy. The courses on Policy Analysis and Evaluation and Comparative Public Policy are particularly helpful in my current role.
While Public Policy is broad and diverse, MPP provides the foundational knowledge that prepares students for different subjects of interest. For me, at first, it was challenging, but through the programme, I became familiar with analytical tools. It also piqued my curiosity on specific policy issues as I worked on my essays and research paper. I believe there is no limit for knowledge and I am blessed to be one of the proud MPP alumni.
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Ana Ika Completed the MPP in 2019
Currently working as Social Policy Analyst/Advocate for the Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit of The Salvation Army Te Ope Whakaora
I am a Social Policy Analyst/Advocate for the Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit of The Salvation Army Te Ope Whakaora. My unit covers five areas; children and youth, work and incomes, crime and punishment, social hazards and housing. I applied for this role because as a Christian, The Salvation Army is first and foremost a church before it is a welfare provider to our most deprived and marginalised communities. The Salvation Army’s mission statement is to care for people, transform lives, and reform society. I wanted a job in policy that ensures the voices of the communities I serve are not diluted through bureaucratic processes. A day in my role could include handing out food parcels in the morning and then meeting with an MP in the afternoon to advocate for the faces that we are seeing come through our doors. This role ensures that we can influence policy and yet still have our feet firmly planted on the ground.
I have a science background and I worked in the youth sector, so when I started the MPP, I was out of my depth. The teaching staff were amazing in facilitating discussions and breaking down concepts so that someone like me who had no politics background could understand. There are aspects from all the courses that I am using in my role, particularly comparative public policy, where we are having to offer recommendations to different government ministries.
My advice for current MPP students is to utilise every resource and ask every question you need to ask. There are no dumb questions. I struggled during my first semester as life got ahead of me and I was close to not completing, but Jennifer and the teaching staff were gracious and supportive during my journey and that encouraged me to finish. If it wasn’t for that support, I probably wouldn’t be in this role. The staff and the student mentors were always willing to help.
To anyone who is frustrated with the injustices we see in our society or with how some policies look after some in society, and not others, enrol in the MPP. It will equip you with the skills to be able to think beyond your frustrations and turn those frustrations into tangible and practical actions to make an impact in your community.
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IPPA is pleased to confirm the 5th International Conference on Public Policy (ICPP5) is coming to Barcelona in 2021! Organized alongside the Institut Barcelona d'Estudis Internacionals (IBEI), the Conference will take place at the Raval Building of the University of Barcelona, from June 30th to July 2nd, 2021 with a pre-conference at IBEI's headquarters on June 29th.
Read more
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