News

Editorial coverage from the Auckland New Zealand Wire newsroom.

Health
The government wants to reward better GP care. But what happens when targets take priority?
Last month, Health Minister Simeon Brown announced new funding to reward GP clinics that meet a series of performance targets.
SyndicatedFelicity Goodyear-Smith, Professor of General Practice and Primary Health Care, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau22 Oct 20264 min read
Health
How does fake tan work, and why does it sometimes smell ‘biscuity’?
Real tans come from UV-triggered pigment production in living skin; that same UV exposure increases the risk of skin cancer.
SyndicatedAnna Wang, Associate Professor of Chemistry, UNSW22 Oct 20264 min read
Culture
Want to take leave or call in sick to play Grand Theft Auto 6? Here’s how not to break the law
Australians and New Zealanders will be the first gamers in the world to play R-rated video game Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA6) – and employers are being warned it could mean some staff don’t turn up to work on Friday November 20.
SyndicatedShae McCrystal, Professor of Labour Law, University of Sydney22 Oct 20264 min read
Technology
Could thoughtful ‘AI art’ counter the rise of ‘AI slop’? Why creatives today face a paradox
A thread on Reddit features a photograph of a poster advertising the National Gallery of Victoria’s upcoming triennial, an image from Ayoung Kim’s multi-channel video installation, Delivery Dancer’s Arc: Inverse (2024).
SyndicatedSara Oscar, Senior Lecturer, Visual Communication, School of Design, University of Technology Sydney22 Oct 20264 min read
Government
Governor-general appeals to Australians to ‘exercise our muscle of decency’; Haines’ husband reveals MP has lost second leg
Governor-General Sam Mostyn has appealed to Australians to “learn or relearn to exercise our muscle of decency” in the wake of Monday’s horrific attack on Helen Haines.
SyndicatedMichelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra21 Oct 20264 min read
Government
NZ election poll watch: right majority possible even if Opportunity enters parliament
With the New Zealand election two-and-a-half weeks away, the latest 1News Verian poll has the right extending its lead over the left, meaning the right may be able to win a majority without relying on the Opportunity Party (if it enters par…
SyndicatedAdrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne21 Oct 20263 min read
Science
One in six older people experience abuse in NZ, with psychological harm most common
Around one in six older New Zealanders (17%) living in the community experience some form of abuse, equating to more than 250,000 people, according to our newly released study.
SyndicatedLisa Meehan, Director, NZ Policy Research Institute, Auckland University of Technology21 Oct 20264 min read
Health
NZ’s next government will inherit a Treaty debate that is far from resolved
For the past three years, reducing the role of te Tiriti o Waitangi/Treaty of Waitangi in public life has been one of the coalition government’s main priorities.
SyndicatedDominic O'Sullivan, Adjunct Professor, Stout Research Centre, Victoria University of Wellington and Auckland University of Technology, Professor of Political Science, Charles Sturt University20 Oct 20266 min read
Environment
AI reveals how a warming climate will intensify NZ’s most extreme downpours
The most damaging weather events are the record-breaking “one-in-100-year” disasters communities have usually only seen once.
SyndicatedNeelesh Rampal, Data Scientist, Earth Sciences New Zealand20 Oct 20264 min read
Technology
New AI shopping agents promise better bargains. But who pays the price?
Meta’s recently launched AI agent Muse promises to be many things: it can fire off emails, book holidays and fill out cumbersome online forms.
SyndicatedLynnaire Sheridan, Associate Professor, Department of Management, University of Otago20 Oct 20264 min read
Government
Democrats remain clear favourites to gain control of Congress at midterms
With just over two weeks until the November 3 US midterm elections, Democrats have a three in four chance to gain control of the Senate, and remain overwhelming favourites to gain control of the House of Representatives in Nate Silver’s for…
SyndicatedAdrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne19 Oct 20265 min read
Environment
NZ’s climate in ‘uncharted territory’, with more extreme weather events ahead
Much is being made of a record-strength El Niño event that could well spell a drier, windier summer for the north and east of New Zealand.
SyndicatedJames Renwick, Professor of Physical Geography (Climate Science), Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington19 Oct 20264 min read