"Recent discussions about science and mātauranga Māori have highlighted the need for IRANZ members to note our collective support for not only our Māori colleagues but also mātauranga Māori. As a collective, we aim to develop sustainable solutions to the challenges we all face, with an open-minded, inclusive, and bold approach that incorporates values beyond traditional science. In many research facilities, including our members, indigenous and non-indigenous researchers are working in partnership to solve some of these significant challenges. We are committed to upholding the value of mātauranga Māori, and the mana of our Māori colleagues and their marae communities." - Dr John McDermott, IRANZ Chair.
Read our statement: IRANZ & STEMM - Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, & Mātauranga
Latest news and updates
BRANZ: Decision-making framework for earthquake-prone council buildings
December 2021: BRANZ has co-designed a framework to help territorial authorities confidently and robustly make decisions on managing earthquake-prone council buildings that are in the best interests of their communities.
Since the Kaikōura and Christchurch earthquakes, new legislation has led to many earthquake-prone buildings sitting empty, resulting in community facilities and services being suspended. In response to the Building (Earthquake-prone Buildings) Amendment Act 2016 and the introduction of the new building standard (NBS) as a metric for seismic performance, some territorial authorities have since rapidly closed buildings with NBS ratings of less than 34%, pending their remediation or demolition.
BRANZ led a Levy-funded research project, working with collaborators and territorial authorities, to understand how engineering advice and community impacts translate to public policy decisions about earthquake-prone council buildings. Earthquake-prone Whakatāne District War Memorial. Photo: Whakatāne District Council.
WSP: 20-Minute cities and future transport
December 2021: Around the world, local authorities are grappling with a host of challenges, including transport and health inequities, climate change, and congested streets and roads. Aotearoa New Zealand is not immune to these challenges, and researchers and planners at WSP have been considering innovative approaches to urban design and reducing transport emissions to enable us to meet reduction targets set out by the Climate Change Commission.
Recent work considers the 20-Minute City - where all the things that contribute to living a good life are within a 20-minute walk, cycle or quick public transport trip. “Your home, work, essential services, public amenities and favourite hospitality and retail haunts are just a stone’s throw away.”
20-Minute cities are a response to rising transport emissions and sprawling urban regions where long-suffering commuters sit in heavy traffic or spend hours on public transport getting to and from work.
New research from WSP says we need ambitious national and local targets to encourage people to use shared and active modes of transport. Photo: WSP.