Source: Dr David Robie – Café Pacific – Analysis-Reportage:
Headline: ‘Free media’ week killings – but don’t forget crimes against Papuans
“Save Papuan Journalists” – a theme poster from last year’s May 3 World Press Freedom Day event in Jakarta, Indonesia.
West Papuan media freedom issues tend to be “lost” in the standard press freedom reports on Indonesia.
Image: David Robie/Pacific Media Centre
By David Robie
MONDAY – just three days before today’s World Press Freedom Day – was the deadliest day for news media in
Source: Dr David Robie – Café Pacific – Analysis-Reportage:
Headline: Free media week killings underscore crimes of impunity against journalists
A press freedom protest in the Philippines capital of Manila over the latest killing of a radio
journalist this week. Image: RSF
By David Robie
MONDAY – just three days before today’s World Press Freedom Day – was the deadliest day for news media in Afghanistan
in 17 years. The killing of nine journalists and media workers among 26
people who died in dual suicide bomb attacks in Kabul was
New research from Bank of New Zealand (BNZ) shows a significant jump in scam activity over the past 12 months, with nine out of ten New Zealanders targeted by a scam, up 13 percent on the same time last year.
But while the volume of scams has surged, New Zealanders are getting more scam savvy, with only one in ten falling victim.
The research comes as BNZ launches its annual Scam Savvy Week to raise awareness, help people know how to identify scams, and be safer online.
BNZ’s Head of Financial Crime, Ashley Kai Fong, says, “While it’s fantastic that New Zealanders are learning to spot the red flags, the sheer volume of scams is a stark reminder for all of us to remain vigilant.
“All scams require people to do something – whether that’s clicking on a link, engaging in a conversation, or sending money. Ultimately the best defence against scams is you. If you can recognise the signs of a scam, you’re less likely to fall victim. That’s why BNZ has developed tools and resources to help New Zealanders get scam savvy at www.getscamsavvy.co.nz.”
Businesses getting “con-conscious”
Businesses have also improved their ability to identify and avoid scams, with the number of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) falling victim to scams dropping from 47 percent in 2022 to 34 percent in 2023.
“Scams are a significant threat to our business community, but these figures show that SMEs are taking the right steps to protect themselves,” says Kai Fong.
Despite the reduction, businesses are not being complacent. Reporting of scams to banks has seen a marked increase, with 60 percent of businesses scammed in 2023 reporting the incident, compared to 39 percent in the previous year.
“This underscores the growing awareness among businesses of the importance of swift reporting and robust prevention measures. It’s a clear indication that the business community is recognising the threat posed by scammers,” says Kai Fong.
More people reporting scams, but further progress needed
Reporting by individuals also increased with 64 percent of individuals impacted by a scam reporting it, up from 46 percent last year.
“Reporting scams is a crucial step in fighting fraud,” says Kai Fong. “It provides valuable data to help us understand and combat these threats more effectively, making it harder for scammers to operate.
“It’s great that Kiwis are increasingly reporting scams, but there is still a lot of room for improvement. Too many of us don’t report scams, or even tell loved ones, due to embarrassment or shame, but we need to remember that this is a scammer’s fulltime job.
“Every minute of every day, they are out there thinking of new ways to take people’s hard-earned money. There is nothing to be embarrassed about if you do experience a scam, and by reporting it, you could be helping someone avoid being scammed in the future.”
Top three scams
Government impersonation scams were the most prevalent over the last 12 months (45%), followed by bank impersonation scams (31%), and fake lottery, prize or grant scams (24%).
Email was found to be the most common channel for scams (40%), followed by text (34%), and social media (28%).
“Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, impersonating trusted brands and institutions and exploiting a range of channels to deceive New Zealanders,” says Kai Fong.
Despite the rise in scams, the research shows that educating New Zealanders to spot and avoid scams is helping to keep them safe.
“Around two-thirds of those surveyed reported having seen educational material about scam prevention,” he says. “Knowledge is power. We want as many people as possible to get Scam Savvy as the more we know about scams, the better equipped we are to spot and avoid them.”
Don’t click on links or open attachments sent by someone you don’t know or seem out of character for someone you do know. Hover over links to reveal the actual site.
If it doesn’t seem right, call the sender using contact details you already have or that are available on their public website.
Urgency is a red flag – scammers will try to rush you.
Banks will never ask for your bank account details, password or pin number, nor will they send you an email or text message with a link asking you to log in.
Keep your computer and phone security software up to date.
If you think you’ve been scammed, contact your bank as soon as possible.
Trust your gut – if it feels wrong, it probably is.
Scam Savvy Research
Other key findings from BNZ’s research:
One in ten New Zealanders have fallen victim to a scam in the last 12 months, losing money, personal information, bank or card details, or device access
Of those that lost money, two thirds (69%) lost under $500, 26 percent between $500 and $5,000, and five percent over $5,000
Email is the most common way to have fallen victim to a scam (40%), followed by text (34%), social media (28%), phone calls (18%), online websites (9%) or by someone you know (3%)
Those aged 15 – 34 years are more likely to have been targeted via social media (44%)
Social media and online website scams are harder for victims to recover stolen money, with 56 percent of victims who were targted via social media and 22 percent of victims targeted via an online website saying they couldn’t recover their money
Those over the age of 50 are more likely to be targeted by tech scam calls
One in ten males has responded to a dating or romance scam in the last 12 months, significantly higher than females
Females are more likely to be more concerned about their personal data online
Business stats
45 percent of SMEs reported being the target of scam attempts in the last year
Of those targeted, one third have responded to a scam attempt, by clicking on a link (15%), or replying to the scam via email, text, or phone call (14%)
Almost half (47%) of scam attempts are by email, with another 38% by text message. One third (33%) are by phone calling, with websites (19%) and social media (18%) rounding out the top 5
One in five (22%) of SMEs reported falling victim to a scam in the last 12 months
43 percent of businesses that fell for a scam reported a financial loss. Of those, more than half lost less than $500, 38 percent between $501 and $5,000, and 11 percent lost more than $5,000. It is important to note that losses to scams are not just financial, and can include data loss, operational impacts, technical damage and/or reputational damage
The New Zealand Breakers, the country’s top professional basketball team, are set to embark on a new chapter as the BNZ Breakers, thanks to a new naming rights partnership with the Bank of New Zealand (BNZ). The naming rights partnership was announced in Auckland this morning.
In addition, BNZ is joining forces with Kiwi Hoops, Basketball New Zealand’s junior basketball programme, to help grow the sport at the grass roots level and foster the next generation of talent. These partnerships come hot on the heels of the bank’s naming rights sponsorship of the BNZ Northern Kāhu women’s basketball team, confirmed last month.
BNZ CEO Dan Huggins says the bank is thrilled to back the Breakers and further cement its support for the sport. “From nurturing young talent in Kiwi Hoops, to bolstering women’s basketball with the Northern Kāhu, and now backing the premier professional team, the BNZ Breakers, our support is generational.”
“Through these partnerships, we want to inspire the next generation and provide resources and opportunities that will help grow the sport, promote physical health, and foster a sense of community. We’re looking forward to seeing the positive ripple effects of these partnerships, from the school playground to the professional court.”
Matt Walsh, majority owner of the Breakers, welcomed the new partnership. “We’re delighted to partner with BNZ, an organisation that shares our passion and commitment to basketball and the positive role it plays in schools and communities across Aotearoa. This partnership will provide us with the support to continue our success on the court and expand our programmes in the community.”
“Our captain Tom Abercrombie is a shining example of how the Breakers is a pathway for local players to create a career out of basketball. Tom went to school less than four kilometres from our club headquarters on Auckland’s North Shore and has travelled the world playing across the globe.
“Next month he will play his record 400th game for the Breakers in our opening game of the season against the Cairns Taipans at Spark Arena.”
The BNZ Breakers are actively involved in a range of community outreach initiatives, including their Champions Programme, teaching children aged 5-12 years about goal setting, nutrition, active lifestyles, and basketball fundamentals.
Kiwi Hoops
Kiwi Hoops is the Basketball New Zealand junior basketball programme. It aims to introduce the sport to young people, foster a love for the game, and develop skills. The partnership with BNZ will support the expansion of the programme, which already reaches 26,000 kids per year, to engage even more young people across New Zealand.
Dillon Boucher, CEO of Basketball New Zealand, says, “By partnering with BNZ, we can expand our reach and impact, providing more opportunities for young Kiwis to engage with basketball. This partnership will not only help us grow the sport at the grassroots level, but also build a strong foundation for the future of basketball in New Zealand by developing the next generation of players.”
Huggins concludes, “At BNZ, we’re committed to growing the social, cultural and financial wellbeing of New Zealanders, and believe in the power of sport to bring people together and inspire positive change. We’re proud to be part of the journey of basketball in New Zealand, and we can’t wait to see where these partnerships take us.”
Bank of New Zealand (BNZ) today announced a statutory net profit of $762 million for the six months to 31 March 2024, a decrease of $43 million or 5.3% on the prior year.
This reflects continued growth in BNZ’s lending and deposits, and an increase in operating expenses, up $64 million or 11.1%, as BNZ invested in its people and digital capability.
BNZ CEO Dan Huggins says this is a resilient result in a subdued economic environment and the bank is in a strong position to continue supporting its customers.
“High interest rates and cost of living pressures continue to impact business and household finances.
“While easing inflation is encouraging, it is expected to remain outside of the Reserve Bank’s target band until the end of year. Economic conditions are likely to remain challenging until there is a material reduction in interest rates.
“Supporting our customers through these challenging times remains our top priority.
“Our teams continue to proactively contact customers who we have identified as potentially needing additional support. For customers feeling under pressure, our message is get in touch.”
Revenue for the first six months was broadly flat at $1,770 million, while Net Interest Margin dropped by eight basis points on the prior year, reflecting strong competition across the banking sector and a change in deposit mix as customers shifted funds into term deposits to take advantage of higher interest rates.
Mr Huggins says despite the challenging operating conditions, the bank has maintained momentum across the business.
“Our team is focused on serving our customers brilliantly every day and supporting their ambitions, whether that’s investing in their business or buying their first, or next, home.”
“This focus is paying off with more New Zealanders choosing to bank with BNZ.”
BNZ’s total lending increased $2.4 billion or 2.4% in the first six months, with home lending up $1.1 billion or 1.9% and business lending up $1.3 billion or 3.0%. Total customer deposits increased by $1.5 billion or 1.9%.
Innovating to make banking simpler and easier
“We are always looking for new ways to integrate the latest technology into the way we work and how our customers’ bank to enhance their experience and make banking simpler and easier,” says Mr Huggins.
“We continue to invest heavily in protection measures to help keep our customers safer online, while also delivering digital solutions designed to free up time in their busy lives.
“Initiatives like our digital onboarding process which makes switching banks easier and faster for new customers by enabling them to open accounts digitally without having to go into a branch.
“Similarly, Open Banking, which will allow customers to share their data safely with third parties and enable more personalised products and innovative services for customers.”
BNZ has been leading the market in developing Open Banking APIs, with more than 250,000 BNZ customers already benefiting from secure budgeting and reconciliation tools and alternative payment options.
“We’re committed to continuing to drive innovation across our business to provide more value to our customers,” says Mr Huggins.
An unaudited summary of financial information for the six months ended 31 March 2024 follows:.
As tax time approaches, Bank of New Zealand (BNZ) is urging New Zealanders to be alert to the heightened risk of tax-related scams.
“The end of the financial year is a prime opportunity for scammers, who take advantage of tax time to trick and defraud New Zealanders out of their money,” says Ashley Kai Fong, BNZ’s Head of Financial Crime.
“Scammers exploit the urgency and importance of tax-related matters, creating fraudulent but realistic scenarios about tax debts or refunds that can seem both timely and credible,” he says.
“Tax scams are particularly effective because people often have genuine interactions with the IRD during this time of year,” says Kai Fong. “Scammers exploit this familiarity to make their attempts more believable. It’s crucial to verify the authenticity of any unsolicited communication claiming to be from government agencies.
“A recent example we’ve seen is of customers receiving an email claiming to be from the IRD. The email, which originates from an unofficial email address, contains a link that directs customers to a fraudulent IRD website, which then leads them to a fake bank login page.
“Examples like this serve as a stark reminder of the importance of being vigilant and cautious when receiving unsolicited emails, even if they appear to be from trusted sources like the IRD or government agencies.”
New Zealanders should always access their accounts through official websites, rather than clicking on a link which directs them to do so.
“At this time of year, be particularly wary of emails or communications about tax refunds or debts. Verify the source thoroughly, and if in doubt, contact the IRD via the details on its official website. Remember, the IRD will never prompt you to log in to your online banking via their website or ask you to provide your banking login credentials.
“The simplest yet most powerful defence you have is being aware. Trust your instincts and always take a sec to check before providing sensitive information.”
In case of suspicious activity or suspected scams, BNZ encourages anyone who believes they may have been targeted by a scam to contact their bank immediately. For more information on protecting yourself from scams, visit www.getscamsavvy.co.nz.
Bank of New Zealand (BNZ) today announced all of its branches across New Zealand will open at least five days a week by April 2025, in response to growing customer demand for more face-to-face interactions.
Anna Flower, BNZ Executive Personal and Business Banking, says BNZ’s focus is on being available for our customers when they need us.
“In recent years, we saw a massive shift in customer demand towards online and call centre services, which was accelerated hugely during the pandemic. We adapted quickly at that time by moving our bankers to where our customers needed us most, which saw us reduce the number of days many of our branches were open,” says Flower.
“Post-Covid, customer preferences have continued to evolve, and in those moments that matter, such as starting a business, dealing with a bereavement, or buying a home, we’ve heard from our communities and our personal and business customers that they want more opportunities to talk to us face-to-face.
“For those significant moments, we understand it’s the personal touch that counts. That’s why we’re bringing back 5 day a week opening to give customers access to our bankers’ expertise when and where they need us.
“This means where there’s a BNZ branch near you, the doors will be open 9.30am until 4.00pm, a minimum of 5 days a week,” says Flower.
The first BNZ branches to transition to opening five days a week are:
Feilding
Matamata
Oamaru
Te Awamutu
Thames
Te Puke
Wānaka
The remaining branches will move to full week-day operating hours by April 2025.
Bank of New Zealand (BNZ) today released the findings of its inaugural Māori Business Sentiment Survey, aimed at providing insights into the current state and future prospects of Māori enterprises. The survey highlights the economic challenges being faced by Māori businesses, while also revealing their resilience and potential for growth.
Whetu Rangi, BNZ’s Head of Māori Business, says the survey aims to address the lack of comprehensive data on the experiences and perspectives of Māori businesses.
“The data gap around the sector has been a barrier to understanding and supporting the Māori economy. By launching this survey and committing to conducting it regularly, we are aiming to bridge this gap and foster ongoing collaboration and knowledge sharing. We believe that this survey will become a valuable tool to promote better understanding of the sector and help facilitate the flow of capital within the Māori economy.”
The survey, which received 125 responses from those involved with Māori businesses, revealed that economic conditions pose the most significant challenge for Māori enterprises, with 71% of respondents selecting it as their top concern. The findings also showed that nearly half (46%) of the respondents observed deteriorating business conditions over the past 12 months, while only a small fraction (15%) witnessed improvements.
Mike Jones, BNZ’s Chief Economist, says that the survey results broadly mirror weak business confidence across the economy.
“The sentiment expressed in these findings echoes what we’re witnessing in other parts of the economy as we navigate through the trough of the economic cycle. If anything, the confidence levels amongst survey respondents are on the weaker side of broader confidence indicators. This may reflect the Māori economy’s considerable investments in agriculture, forestry, and property – sectors that are currently under some strain,” he says.
Other findings include:
The majority (82%) of respondents expect costs to increase further over the coming 12 months.
Over the coming 12 months, more survey respondents expect profitability to deteriorate than to improve (27% increase vs. 33% decrease).
A similar proportion of respondents expect employment levels in their business to drop (29% increase vs. 34% decrease)
Opportunities amidst adversity
Despite the challenges, the survey also revealed signs of resilience and optimism among Māori businesses. While only 15% of respondents saw improvements in business conditions over the past year, a higher proportion (26%) anticipate better conditions in the coming 12 months.
Furthermore, more than 1 in 3 (37%) of those responding to the survey intend to boost investment in the coming year versus 24% that expect it to decrease. This may be signalling confidence in future growth potential.
“The investment plans reported in our survey are more robust compared to what we’ve seen in other business confidence surveys. As the economic cycle matures, we’ll be closely monitoring whether these intentions gain further momentum,” says Jones.
About the BNZ Māori Business Sentiment Survey
The launch of this survey is a continuation of BNZ’s commitment to Māori business and contributes to its wider strategy to facilitate financial solutions for Māori and enable whānau Māori and businesses to prosper.
More detailed findings and analysis are available here.
The survey was in field May 2024 with base n = 125. Results are indicative, collected using a sample of convenience including BNZ Māori business customers. Results are intended only for discussion and should not be relied upon for decision-making or regarded as representative of the Māori business sector as a whole. For more information on how BNZ can support Māori businesses, visit Māori Business – BNZ.
Bank of New Zealand (BNZ) is the latest business to join the growing lineup of private sector companies backing AgriZeroNZ, alongside government, to get emissions reduction tools into Kiwi farmers’ hands sooner.
Announcing the new shareholder today, Hon Todd McClay, Minister for Agriculture & Trade, confirmed the government would match BNZ’s $4 million investment, boosting AgriZeroNZ’s funds by $8milllion to total $191 million.
BNZ joins The a2 Milk Company, ANZ Bank New Zealand, ANZCO Foods, ASB Bank, Fonterra, Rabobank, Ravensdown, Silver Fern Farms and Synlait with a combined 50% shareholding of the joint venture (JV). With the government’s increased investment, it owns the remaining half through the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).
AgriZeroNZ Board Chair, Sir Brian Roche KNZM, says this provides a welcome boost in funds to achieve the JV’s ambition and maintain the multibillion-dollar agricultural export trade.
“I’m pleased more of the private sector is joining us to help get practical tools into farmers’ hands.
“New Zealand farmers are highly efficient producers of milk and meat for the world, but global companies that pay a premium for these products – such as McDonald’s, Nestlé, Danone, Tesco and Sainsbury’s – are all pushing deep into their supply chain for emissions reduction, with ambitious scope 3 targets.
“These customers want to see more progress and we need to act now, or we risk losing these high-end customers and potentially breaching trade agreements. Further to this, competitor markets with more intensive farms are getting access to new tools to reduce emissions so they could take our place in supplying these customers.
“There is a very real and very disruptive risk to our agricultural sector from the need to reduce emissions but there is also an opportunity to stay among the most efficient producers in the world if we can get the right tools to our farmers.
“We’re confident that with our ambition, expertise, and increasing reach through the private sector, we’ll have 2-3 tools in widespread use by 2030.”
Sir Brian Roche KNZM, AgriZeroNZ Board Chair, says the JV Is confident it will have 2-3 tools in widespread use by 2030
BNZ CEO Dan Huggins says the bank is pleased to support AgriZeroNZ and partner with government and some of the country’s largest primary sector businesses to back its farming customers by investing in tools to help reduce emissions and maintain New Zealand’s competitive advantage in agriculture.
“BNZ has a long history of banking New Zealand farmers, and over that time we have worked alongside our farming customers as they have continually adapted and innovated to meet changing market dynamics.
“This public-private partnership approach to addressing on farm emissions continues that tradition, helping to ensure New Zealand maintains a resilient and productive agricultural sector into the future,” he says.
Dan Huggins, BNZ CEO, says it is investing in tools to help reduce emissions and maintain New Zealand’s competitive advantage in agriculture.
AgriZeroNZ is a world-first public-private partnership with an ambition to ensure all farmers in Aotearoa New Zealand have equitable access to affordable, effective solutions to reduce biogenic methane and nitrous oxide emissions, supporting a 30% reduction by 2030 and drive towards ‘near zero’ by 2040.
Since being established in February 2023, the JV has committed more than $29M across 10 high impact opportunities to bring emissions reduction solutions to market for Kiwi farmers. This includes a methane-inhibiting bolus, novel probiotics, methane vaccine development, and low emissions pasture.
It recently raised $18million from The a2 Milk Company, ANZ Bank New Zealand and ASB Bank becoming shareholders in April, with their funding also matched by government.
AgriZeroNZ has over 77 potential investment opportunities on its radar for review as it continues scanning the globe for solutions which could work on New Zealand farms, to invest and drive development towards a pasture-based solution. It is also working with officials to clarify the regulatory pathway in New Zealand for tools to be used on-farm.
Te Whanganui ā Tara (Wellington’s) skyline is evolving as Bank of New Zealand’s (BNZ) 15-storey new home in the central city – BNZ Place – today officially opened its doors to colleagues and customers.
Under construction since 2020, the architecturally designed building, occupies a full city block on the corner of Whitmore Street and Customhouse Quay, and was officially opened by Finance Minister Nicola Willis at a special event this morning.
CEO Dan Huggins says the striking new building reflects BNZ’s longstanding commitment to the capital city.
“BNZ has been proudly serving Wellington’s communities for 160 years, and BNZ Place not only reflects our commitment to the city but also our vision for the future. We’re thrilled that we are able to share this vibrant and innovative space with our customers, colleagues, and the people of Wellington.”
Designed to be modern and resilient, the building’s unique shape and structural design was informed by extensive research, including wind tunnel testing and seismic hazard assessments. The new headquarters represents a fresh start after the former BNZ building on Waterloo Quay was demolished in 2019, one of several buildings deemed irreparable after the Kaikōura earthquake in 2016.
BNZ Place offers a branch and customer service centre for retail and business banking and a public café on the ground floor. As New Zealand’s largest business bank, BNZ’s Partner Centre offers BNZ business customers state-of-the-art meeting rooms and office space with views of Wellington’s harbour which can be booked and utilised at no cost.
Newcrest Director Lincoln Fraser says, “We are proud to welcome BNZ’s customers and colleagues into their new Wellington home at the completion of what has been an exciting and highly collaborative project. The Newcrest and BNZ project teams have worked closely together to deliver a landmark building with market leading resilience and energy efficiency.”
BNZ Place at 1 Whitmore Street combines sustainability and innovation, aiming for a 5-star green rating with features like high-performance solar control glass and energy-efficient systems, supported by base isolation and a structural steel diagrid. Efficient floorplates, a double-height high entry lobby, inter-floor stairs, a rooftop courtyard, and panoramic views contribute to the state-of-the-art facility.
The design, development and internal fitout of the building also provided an opportunity for BNZ to support its business customers, with Studio Pacific Architecture, Vidak, Alaska Construction, Europlan, and Egmont Dixon all contributing to the build. In addition, the bank collaborated with another BNZ customer, Maxwell Rodgers, using their sustainably sourced wool fabrics to re-upholster and up-cycle furniture from the bank’s previous office, reducing waste to landfill.
“BNZ Place firmly cements our commitment to the capital, and we look forward to welcoming everyone to our new home,” Mr Huggins says.
Tracing BNZ’s roots in Wellington
BNZ’s history in Wellington began in 1862 with temporary offices on Willis Street. Over the years, BNZ has been a pioneer in architectural innovation, from the first drive-in bank in New Zealand to the construction of the Aon Centre in Wellington in the 1980s, the tallest building in New Zealand at the time of construction.
The bank’s architectural legacy includes the innovative use of reclaimed land for its early headquarters, the 1901 building designed by Thomas Turnbull, the purpose-built BNZ Centre in 1985, and the transition to a 5-star green building on the Wellington waterfront.
A brief history
In 1862, BNZ purchased a triangular section on reclaimed land with a frontage along Lambton and Customhouse Quay. The architect was William Mason of Dunedin. The location of the entrance door was later moved due to Wellington’s high winds.
Wellington 1863 building. Cnr Lambton and Customhouse Quay.
Wellington 1863 building. Cnr Lambton and Customhouse Quay. Photograph taken 1878 and shows the relocation of the main doorway.
Wellington premises built in 1901 (before removal of parapet) c.1920
Wellington Branch premises 1901 (after parapet removed) photo taken 1978.
In 1899, the earlier bank and adjoining Brandon Building were demolished to be replaced with a larger building following the subsequent purchasing of an additional 4 sections of land.
Since 1901, three other buildings on the block bounded by Lambton and Customhouse Quays and Hunter Street were purchased and occupied by various departments of BNZ’s Headquarters.
In 1985, the purpose built BNZ Centre was opened across the road. An underground tunnel linked the Old Bank and the New ‘Black Tower’. At the time of its construction, it was the tallest building in NZ (replaced by the BNZ Tower when that opened in Auckland in 1986). It remained the tallest building in Wellington until the opening of the Majestic Centre in 1991.
BNZ Centre, Wellington 1984
In 2009 BNZ moved out of the BNZ Centre and leased a purpose-built office building located on the Wellington waterfront, referred to as ‘Harbour Quays’. Owned by Centre Port, this building was a 5-star green building, later achieving 6 start for the interior fitout. Following the November 2016 earthquake, the building remained empty with BNZ staff re-located into temporary office sites around the Wellington CBD. The building has since been demolished.
BNZ colleagues from The Terrace, Spark Central and Ricoh House are now reunited at BNZ Place, Wellington. A branch, community centre and collaborative workplace will co-exist in the same building in the heart of Wellington’s CBD.
BNZ welcomes changes to the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Regulations and an update to the Responsible Lending Code.
The changes, announced by Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly, are designed to give lenders more flexibility in how they assess consumer loan affordability, while still ensuring responsible lending practices.
James Leydon, GM Home Lending Product says, “At BNZ, we’re committed to supporting our customers’ financial aspirations. Whether you’re buying your first home, upsizing for a growing family, or undertaking your dream reno, we’ll be able to assess your loan application with more flexibility, in line with the updated Responsible Lending Code.
“By giving lenders more flexibility in assessing loan affordability, we can better serve New Zealanders. This approach ensures that creditworthy customers aren’t unnecessarily held back by prescriptive affordability requirements. This will help unlock opportunities for many, without compromising our responsible lending obligations.
“We look forward to implementing these changes promptly when they take effect on July 31st, ensuring our customers can benefit from a more streamlined lending process as soon as possible.”
BNZ is offering targeted support for customers affected by severe weather and flooding in Hawke’s Bay and the East Coast.
“We recognise that some of our customers may be facing unexpected challenges due to the severe weather,” says Anna Flower, BNZ Executive Personal and Business Banking.
“As they focus on the clean-up and recovery, we want to offer practical support to help relieve some of the financial pressure during this time.”
Available immediately, BNZ is offering a range of targeted assistance options for affected customers on a case-by-case basis, from access to temporary overdrafts for both personal and business customers to the ability to review home lending facilities.
“There are also a range of other options available, especially for customers who are facing hardship, so I encourage people to get in touch so we can see how we can help,” she said.
Business and agribusiness customers should reach out to their BNZ Partner. Small business owners can call 0800 BNZSME, while personal banking customers can access support through BNZ’s digital platforms or by calling 0800 ASKBNZ.
BNZ PremierCare Insurance customers who need assistance can call IAG NZ on 0800 248 888 or submit an online claim https://iagnz.custhelp.com/app/bnz
A BNZ survey has highlighted the importance of financial education as Sorted Money Month 2024 begins. Coordinated by Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission, the annual campaign aims to equip New Zealanders with education, resources, and tools to better navigate their financial journey.
The survey* uncovered some significant concerns about retirement preparedness:
Nearly four in ten (39%) respondents aren’t confident they’ll have saved enough for retirement
One quarter lacked confidence in making investment decisions, with younger people (aged 25-44), lower-income households, and non-homeowners particularly affected
74% felt they can’t rely on NZ Super for their retirement, including those who believed it won’t provide sufficient income, or had concerns it may change in the future
Anna Flower, Executive, Personal and Business Banking at BNZ, says, “These findings highlight the importance of financial education and early planning. Money Month is an opportunity for people to take that crucial first step towards financial preparedness.”
Continuing and building on last year’s theme “Pause. Get sorted,” Money Month 2024 focuses on actions to help people grow their money and build resilience.
“Understanding concepts like compounding interest and starting your savings journey early – even with small, regular amounts – can significantly enhance financial outcomes,” Flower says.
The survey also highlighted KiwiSaver’s role in long-term financial health, with 89% of respondents enrolled. However, 16% revealed they aren’t making regular contributions, highlighting the need for ongoing education and engagement.
“People think investing is for the wealthy, but investing is for everyone, and KiwiSaver is the easiest and most accessible way to get started,” Flower says.
“For those not contributing, it’s important to understand that you could be leaving money on the table. With KiwiSaver, in addition to your own savings, you can benefit from both government and employer contributions. These additional contributions can make a real difference to your savings over time, helping put you in a much stronger position for retirement or buying your first home.”
Supporting your goals
While Money Month shines a spotlight on financial health, BNZ is committed to supporting financial wellbeing throughout the year.
“Our free Banking Reviews are designed to align customers’ banking with their financial goals and enhance their overall financial health,” Flower says.
These reviews involve building a comprehensive understanding of an individual’s financial goals and needs – from day-to-day transactions to borrowing, investments, and insurance. This holistic approach allows for tailored advice and personalised recommendations to support overall financial health.
“Our experts are always here to discuss your savings goals, advise on home loans, or help you use our BNZ KiwiSaver Scheme Navigator to understand how to get on track with your retirement savings. These reviews ensure that banking solutions work for what’s important to customers now and in the future,” she says.
In addition, BNZ offers a range of online tools and resources to help New Zealanders take control of their finances. The BNZ app’s Activity tab enables customers to track their spending, categorise transactions, and manage cashflow across personal accounts. For homeowners, the MyProperty tool provides insights into home loans, allowing users to explore scenarios like changing repayments or assessing the impact of different interest rates and what impact this may have on their mortgage free date. These digital tools, along with comprehensive calculators and other resources, support customers in making informed financial decisions.
“Don’t let another year pass without taking charge of your financial future. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to optimise your investments for retirement, now is the time to act. Small steps today, like ensuring you’re making the most of your KiwiSaver or booking a Banking Review, can lead to meaningful improvements in your financial well-being tomorrow.”
For more information on Money Month initiatives and to access financial resources, visit www.sorted.org.nz
In a move that will make borrowing simpler and more affordable for first home buyers and low equity borrowers, Bank of New Zealand (BNZ) today announced changes to its home loan offerings.
In addition to a raft of home lending interest rate reductions this morning, BNZ is moving to a single set of home loan fixed interest rates, simplifying its previous two-tier structure of Classic and Standard rates. This change removes the previous 0.60% difference in the rates available to borrowers with less than 20% equity.
New borrowers with less than 20% equity will benefit from the lower Standard fixed interest rates, resulting in reduced overall borrowing costs for these customers. Low equity premiums will continue to apply based on individual customers’ equity positions.
BNZ Executive Customer Products and Services Karna Luke says these changes will make a real difference for many New Zealanders.
“The simpler home loan rates mean that all customers will be able to access our best home loan rates, even if they don’t have 20% equity.
For example, a first home buyer borrowing $500,000 with a 15% deposit on a 30-year term would save $78 per fortnight based on the current 1-year fixed rate advertised on the BNZ website*. Over a 1-year fixed term, this amounts to savings of more than $2,000.
“These changes reflect our commitment to growing the long-term financial wellbeing of all New Zealanders,” says Luke.
“By making home loans simpler, we aim to help more Kiwis to achieve their home ownership aspirations.”
The new pricing takes effect from today for new customers and will apply to existing low equity customers when they next refix their home loan.
*1 year interest rate of 6.55% as of 20 August 2024.
There was nothing in the Reserve Bank’s (RBNZ) announcement to greatly challenge our view of the world. The Official Cash Rate (OCR) was lowered 25bps to 5.25% as we expected. The interest rate brake is still on, just less so than before.
The most important aspect of the meeting in our view was the confirmation that the OCR will move a lot lower over the coming 18 months.
It needs to. Our rough estimate of the ‘real’ (inflation-adjusted) cash rate has increased in recent months, even with this week’s cut. And it’s a long way down for the OCR to the RBNZ’s estimate of the long-run neutral rate around 3%.
Chart 2: Chop
The RBNZ’s updated forecasts were a shadow of their former selves. GDP growth, inflation and OCR forecasts got a chop while unemployment rate expectations were lifted ½% or so to a 5½% peak.
This brings the RBNZ’s view of the economy down to, or even a touch weaker than, where we’ve been seeing things. Importantly, CPI inflation is now seen well inside the 1-3% target range in Q3 (2.3%y/y from 3.0% in May). As of yesterday, we concur.
It means there’s a higher hurdle for incoming data to surprise the RBNZ on the downside. That doesn’t rule out a larger 50bps OCR cut being deployed at some point, but it does lean against the possibility in the short term.
Chart 3: Joining the rate race
Having been something of an outlier for a while, NZ is now back in the policy easing peloton. Most developed markets anticipate sizeable interest rate cuts over the coming 12 months.
Markets price a better than even chance of a 50bp start to the US Federal Reserve’s easing cycle next month which, if delivered, may embolden global rate cut pricing further.
Of those markets covered opposite, implied policy easing to February 2025 is most aggressive for the US (-185bps), NZ (-150bps), and Canada (-130bps), with Australia (-65bps) and Japan (+10bps) at the other end of the field.
Chart 4: US sniffles
Global financial markets have recovered much of their poise following the steep equity market declines of early last week. Sentiment is not what it was though. Investors are suddenly alert to any number of global fragilities.
Most of the ‘blame’ for the wobble has been pinned on cooling tech/AI exuberance and US growth concerns. The outsized reaction last week may reflect the additional, creeping reliance on the US to drive the global expansion this year. The old ‘US catches a cold’ adage is still relevant.
Chart 5: Jobs growth stalled
The number of people employed nudged up 0.4% in the June quarter, according to official figures released last week. We’d pencilled in a small decline. Unemployment still rose to 4.6% as expected.
Q2’s employment kick is unlikely to be repeated this quarter, and it also doesn’t change the broader narrative of jobs growth effectively stalling around mid-2023.
Amongst the sectoral detail, it’s clear that the construction sector has been at the vanguard of the changing employment market.
Chart 6: Relocating for work
The lift in NZ’s unemployment rate in Q2 maintained a ½ percentage point gap to the (4.1%) Aussie equivalent.
It doesn’t sound large, but that gap is the widest since 2013. Not coincidentally, net migration outflows to Australia are also running at the strongest level since 2013. People move to where the jobs are.
Our forecasts imply both trends have got a ways to run. A climb in the NZ unemployment rate to a 5.5% peak in early 2025 against a lower (4.6%) peak in Australia would, on past form, be consistent with an acceleration in net outflows.
Chart 7: Green f(lags)
Wage inflation peaked in NZ about a year ago. We saw another notch in the downtrend last week. The private sector Labour Cost Index eased to 3.6%y/y in June, down from 3.8% the prior quarter and the 4.5% peak.
More of the same easing is expected over the coming 12 months. It’s something that should help drain still-elevated domestic services inflation pressure. So, it’s not that high interest rates have been ineffective on non-tradables inflation, it’s that the impacts take time to turn up. The lags are real!
Chart 8: No retail respite
The trend in NZ retail card spending abruptly turned in early 2023, and it’s been downhill ever since. July’s 0.1%m/m contraction was the 6th consecutive monthly decline. Discretionary categories remain the hardest hit.
The weakness is even more pronounced once buoyant population growth is accounted for. Our estimate of the average monthly spend per (working age) person is 8% below March 2023 levels. It’s a deeper and longer contraction than during the 2008 GFC.
We’re hopeful the downtrend soon stabilises. Tax and interest rate cuts are supports, but falling population growth and job security are not.
Chart 9: Housing market in focus
The release of July REINZ housing market numbers has been shunted out to Tuesday, thus missing the cut for this edition of TEITC.
But, it’s fair to say, housing stats will be watched more closely than usual as folk scour for green shoots in a sector likely to be one of the earlier responders to (recent and expected) falls in retail interest rates. There are stirrings in some of the anecdote and surveys, but we think the prognosis is more stabilisation than acceleration, for now.
In the least, we’d expect a hearty bounce-back in July sales activity following the outsized, Matariki holiday-related, drop in June. That’s what we saw from this week’s Barfoot & Thompson figures covering a share of the Auckland market.
Chart 10: Food for thought
Food prices lifted 0.4%m/m (seasonally adjusted) in July. Prices have been flattish for the past year, but they’re still up 24% on 2020 levels.
As you’d expect, there’s been a fair bit of variation amongst the components over that time. If you’re partial to an omelette and/or yogurt for breakfast you will be feeling the pinch a lot more than some. At least your morning brew is still, relatively speaking, cost effective.
Disclaimer: This publication has been produced by Bank of New Zealand (BNZ). This publication accurately reflects the personal views of the author about the subject matters discussed, and is based upon sources reasonably believed to be reliable and accurate. The views of the author do not necessarily reflect the views of BNZ. No part of the compensation of the author was, is, or will be, directly or indirectly, related to any specific recommendations or views expressed. The information in this publication is solely for information purposes and is not intended to be financial advice. If you need help, please contact BNZ or your financial adviser. Any statements as to past performance do not represent future performance, and no statements as to future matters are guaranteed to be accurate or reliable. To the maximum extent permissible by law, neither BNZ nor any person involved in this publication accepts any liability for any loss or damage whatsoever which may directly or indirectly result from any, opinion, information, representation or omission, whether negligent or otherwise, contained in this publication.
Bank of New Zealand (BNZ) has taken another critical step toward open banking—better described as open data—becoming the first bank in New Zealand to meet a major milestone set by Payments NZ.
BNZ has implemented the Payments NZ Account Information API v2.1 standards, which when open banking is fully operational, will enable New Zealanders to safely and securely share their financial information with approved providers.
“While it sounds a little dull, API v2.1 is really the engine room of open data. It’s the piece of the tech puzzle that means our customers have full control over what data they share, who they share it with and importantly, it gives them control to stop sharing their data too,” says Karna Luke, BNZ’s Executive of Customer Products and Services.
Payments NZ plays a key role in establishing the open banking system and has set New Zealand’s major banks the task of implementing Account Information API v2.1 standards by November this year. This follows the May 2024 requirement for major banks to support payments via APIs, enabling direct account payments through third-party apps. BNZ achieved this in 2023.
“That we’ve been able to reach this milestone three months ahead of the deadline reflects the commitment that BNZ has made to support the implementation of open banking. Over 250,000 BNZ customers are already benefitting from innovative services made possible through this technology, including services from Xero, Volley, and Blinkpay, all of which connect to BNZ through secure APIs,” says Luke.
What it all means for customers
This secure access to real-time financial data empowers third-party providers and fintechs to provide customers with new, innovative, and highly personalised financial products and services. Potential use cases include:
Personalised budgeting tools: Apps that offer tailored budgeting advice based on real-time financial data and spending habits, helping users manage their finances more effectively.
Customised savings plans: Solutions that design personalised savings plans and automate transfers based on users’ financial behaviour and goals.
Advanced financial insights: Tools that provide detailed analysis of spending patterns and identify new financial opportunities, enhancing users’ understanding of their financial situation.
Streamlined loan applications: More efficient loan processes that simplify and speed up approval by leveraging comprehensive account information.
Fraud detection and prevention: Facilitating third party apps or services to use real-time account data to identify unusual activity, improving security.
“Being the first bank in New Zealand to deliver this API demonstrates our focus on helping drive the future of open banking in New Zealand,” says Luke.
“We’re excited to see more fintechs and developers join those we’re already working with to leverage this technology to create innovative solutions that will benefit our customers and the country.”
“It’s also important to remember that banking services are just the beginning. The Customer and Product Data Bill currently progressing through Parliament will establish a Consumer Data Right (CDR) in New Zealand, enabling open data sharing across multiple sectors.”
This will further unlock digital innovation, making it possible to do things like instantly and securely verifying your identity online, via the information held about you by your bank, insurer or power company, or finding the best deal across utility or insurance companies and switching easily.
For more information about the Account Information API v2.1 and its capabilities, please visit https://developer.bnz.co.nz/
In a move to enhance access to foreign exchange markets, Wellington-based fintech Adminis has signed an API agreement with BNZ—the first bank in New Zealand to offer an FX dealing API.
An API, or Application Programming Interface, is a secure tool that allows different software programmes to connect and share information automatically. With this agreement, Adminis customers can access BNZ’s comprehensive foreign exchange services directly from the Adminis platform.
Customers can exchange currencies in real-time and execute transactions almost instantly, lock in future rates to protect against market volatility, and put their funds to work quickly and securely, without delays from manual processing.
The agreement also provides continuous access to international markets, operating 24 hours a day, 5.5 days a week – from the opening of the Wellington market to the close of New York. This means Adminis customers can trade currencies and manage risks even when local markets, such as those in New Zealand, are closed overnight. This access spans major FX markets across the USA, Europe, and Asia.
Adminis CEO, Matan Gan-El, says, “We are excited to work with BNZ to bring this innovative solution to our platform, which supports over $11 billion in funds under administration for our clients. This agreement will enable our clients to streamline their foreign exchange transactions, optimise risk management, and make more informed decisions when investing and rebalancing their portfolios.
“The API integration will not only make it easy to automate foreign exchange transactions based on predefined criteria, but also facilitate locking in exchange rates through Forward Exchange Contracts, improving the speed and accuracy of deal booking while managing currency fluctuation risks.”
BNZ’s General Manager of Markets, Philippa Fourbet, says, “We’re proud to be the first bank in the country to offer an FX dealing API. Since 2018, BNZ has been at the forefront of API development in the banking sector, with more than 250,000 customers already benefitting from innovative products and services unlocked by this technology.
“This collaboration reflects our focus on using the latest technology to deliver tangible benefits for New Zealanders and businesses. We’re thrilled to be making it easier for businesses to manage their FX transactions, saving them valuable time and resources.”
For more information on BNZ’s APIs, please visit BNZ APIs – BNZ.
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Faith Jeremiah, Lecturer in Business Management (Entrepreneurship and Innovation), Lincoln University, New Zealand
The project comprises 2,700 solar panels and 4,000 floating pontoons. It covers one hectare of the treatment pond, making excellent use of a marginal land asset in a dense urban environment.
The floating solar array generates 1,040 kilowatts of electricity and reduces 145 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. It also saves NZ$4.5 million in electricity costs per year. The electricity it generates, alongside biogas co-generation, meets 25% of the plant’s energy needs.
The floating solar panel array, together with biogas generation, meets a quarter of the Rosedale wastewater treatment plant’s energy needs. Lynn Grieveson/Getty Images
The project represents the first use of floating solar and the first megawatt-sized solar project in the country. As energy prices soar and environmental pressures mount, it is time to start exploring innovative solutions with the resources we already have.
Wastewater ponds provide underused surface
New Zealand is currently grappling with an electricity crisis, marked by increasing demand, aging infrastructure and a challenging transition to renewable energy sources.
As New Zealand intensifies its efforts to integrate more renewable energy, we need innovative solutions to stabilise the grid and meet growing energy demands.
One underutilised resource lies in wastewater treatment ponds. New Zealand has more than 200 wastewater ponds, chosen for their simplicity and low operational costs. They remain the most common form of wastewater treatment because they are robust, require low energy, cope with high water and waste loads and provide buffer storage to avoid applying agricultural effluent to wet soils.
However, because of the high surface area and nutrient-rich environment, algal growth is one of the biggest issues with waste stabilisation ponds. This is exacerbated on days with high sunshine levels and warmer water temperatures. It complicates the treatment process and necessitates costly chemical interventions.
An opportunity for New Zealand
My background is in entrepreneurship and innovation and the idea of floating solar panels on New Zealand’s expansive wastewater ponds represents an untapped opportunity.
Apart from generating power and preventing algal growth, the solar panels provide shade that keeps the water cooler and reduces evaporation. This is critical for maintaining effective wastewater treatment.
Utility-scale solar panels are now recognised as the cheapest form of energy, with rapidly declining costs over the past five years.
While relatively new to New Zealand, floating solar panels have shown significant advantages in other parts of the world. New Zealand may be held back by a misconception that solar panels work best in hot and sunny climates. In fact, solar panels harness the sun’s energy – not its temperature – making New Zealand’s cooler climate an ideal environment for efficient solar energy generation.
Given New Zealand uses more energy per capita than 17 of our 30 OECD peers, floating solar panels on wastewater ponds could set an example for how we tackle energy and environmental challenges.
By turning underutilised spaces into power-generating assets, we not only address immediate needs but also pave the way for a more sustainable, resilient future.
Faith Jeremiah does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joanna Mendelssohn, Honorary Senior Fellow, School of Culture and Communication. Editor in chief, Design and Art of Australia Online, The University of Melbourne
The Nelson Packer Tank, that cavernous space at the very bottom of the Art Gallery of NSW’s Naala Badu building, has been waiting for art like this.
The former World War II oil storage tank is huge, held together by rows of structural columns. Their dominance means it is just not possible for viewers to have an unimpeded fields of vision for any art on display. Then there are the acoustics. Every sound resonates, but few carry far.
This is a room of echoes, embedded in the dark.
In this space Angelica Mesiti, an Australian living in France, has created The Rites of When: an event that rethinks ancient rituals of seasonal celebrations, while also marking the terrible changes wrought on our heating planet. Her tools are video, performers, music and song – all modified by the unique whispering echoes of the Tank.
The sky, and the snow
As the title implies, Mesiti has used the structure of Stravinski’s The rite of spring as one of the elements in her great design. But she shows a world far removed from mythical Russian peasants.
Each of the two movements are preceded by “Celestial Nebula”, where abstract forms of light dissolve into a vision of the night sky, presented on seven giant video screens.
This is not the sky as seen by city dwellers, where artificial light eliminates the stars, but rather the Milky Way in all its glory, with its hero stars which we call the Seven Sisters, but people in the northern hemisphere call the Pleiades.
Mesiti has said one of her inspirations was that, when COVID came, she and her partner began to spend time away from Paris in rural France. Here she came to know the night sky, and to see both the rhythms and the realities of rural life.
In the first movement, a dazzling starscape is gradually bleached by artificial light, which transforms into sunlight, and the viewer is looking at drone footage of a snow-capped pine forest which we then zoom through.
The dominant columns of The Tank combine with the straight tree trunks of this plantation forest give a sense of visual ambiguity. With the all surrounding sound, it is hard to work out where the screened image ends and where the columns begin.
A sudden shift of mood in the music, and the viewers are plunged into the middle of a Brueghel-like celebration of people dancing in the winter solstice. The colours are warm, the rustic dancers are wearing decorations made of the fruits of the field. They dance around a bonfire made from wooden planks, they form a procession with an effigy of a horned beast, stuffed with fireworks.
The fireworks and the dancers become a frenzy of ever increasing movement of rhythmic sound which explodes into dazzling white silence.
Capturing the summer solstice
When she was discussing The Rites of When at the media preview, Mesiti casually mentioned how hard it had been to film the snowy forest as, for the first time ever, winter was so mild it hardly snowed at all on the pine plantations of the Jura Mountains.
Global heating added an extra element when filming the summer solstice.
At first the viewer sees the seven screens as giant patterns of gold, marked by elegant patterns of vertical lines. Perspective changes when a tiny toy moving up one of the screens is revealed to be a harvester. This is a drone’s eye view of a wheat harvest in modern industrial scale farming. As the fields are slowly stripped of their crop, a puff of smoke appears, then a line of fire, and the gold is steadily eaten away to become charcoal.
This was not planned. Europe was so hot and dry last June that a single spark from a harvester grinding a stray stone turned the wheat to ash. Monoculture, so effectively described by those endless flat golden fields, has no defence against nature.
The mood of the music changes and golden smoke covering the wheat dissolves into golden light. A small, solemn procession appears and moves across each screen in turn. They elevate each member in turn, in a quiet ritual performance.
The colours of the background change with their movement– from gold, to red, to purple, to blue. As they reach the last screen the blue fades to grey, to rain.
In the silence, a single hand on a single screen snaps fingers. On the other side of the room, another responds. Now there is a rhythmic orchestra clicking, clapping and slapping – ever faster, ever louder. The hands become dancers, moving in a wild ecstatic dance of increasing intensity, as the bodies are caught up with the music and the light.
In her notes, Mesiti calls this section “Ecstatic Collectivity”. It seems an apt description.
At the very end, Mesiti returns us to the pure colours of the Celestial Nebula. Perhaps she is saying the folly of humanity may change the moods of the earth, but the stars will endure forever.
The Rites of When lasts just over 30 minutes. Because it is so dependent on its location, this is a piece that cannot travel. It is worth the price of an air fare.
The Rites of When is at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, until May 11 2025.
Joanna Mendelssohn has in the past received funding from the Australian Research Council.
When scientists make important discoveries, both big and small, they typically publish their findings in scientific journals for others to read. This sharing of knowledge helps to advance science: it can, in turn, lead to more important discoveries.
But published research papers can be retracted if there is an issue with their accuracy or integrity. And in recent years, the number of retractions has been rising sharply. For example, in 2023 more than 10,000 research papers were retracted globally. This marked a new record.
The huge number of retractions indicates a lot of government research funding is being wasted. More importantly, the publication of so much flawed research also misleads other researchers and undermines scientific integrity.
Fuelling this troubling trend is a mentality known in academia as “publish or perish” which has existed for decades. The publication of research papers drives university rankings and career progression, yet the relentless pressure to publish has contributed to an increase in fraudulent data. Unless this changes, the entire research landscape may shift toward a less rigorous standard, hindering vital progress in fields such as medicine, technology and climate science.
A ‘publish or perish’ environment
Universities and research institutes commonly use the rate of publications as a key indicator of research productivity and reputation.
The Times Higher Education Index, which ranks these institutions, assigns 60% of its score to research, and publications are fundamental to this score.
Additionally, publications are closely tied to individual career advancement. They influence decisions on tenure, promotions and securing funding.
These factors create a “publish or perish” environment, a term first coined in 1942 by sociologist Logan Wilson.
A growing trend
Recent evidence indicates the constant pressure to generate data and publish papers may be affecting the quality of research and fuelling retractions of research papers.
Retraction Watch is one of the largest databases to monitor scientific retractions. Launched in 2010, it reveals a growing trend in the number of publications being retracted.
In the past decade, there have been more than 39,000 retractions, and the annual number of retractions is growing by around 23% each year.
Nearly half the retractions were due to issues related to the authenticity of the data. For example, in August the United States Office of Research Integrity found that Richard Eckert, a senior biochemist at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, faked data in 13 published papers. Four of these papers have been corrected, one has been retracted and the remainder are still awaiting action.
Plagiarism was the second most common reason research papers were retracted, accounting for 16% of retractions.
Fake peer review was another reason why research papers were retracted.
Typically, when a publication is submitted to a journal, it undergoes peer review by experts in the same field. These experts provide feedback to improve the quality of the work.
However, the use of fake peer reviewers has increased tenfold over the past decade. There has also been an eightfold rise in publications linked to so-called “paper mills”, which are businesses that provide fake papers for a fee.
In 2022, up to 2% of all publications were from paper mills.
Genuine mistakes in the scientific process accounted for only roughly 6% of all retractions in the last decade.
More pressure, more mistakes
One reason for the surge in retractions over the last decade may be that we are getting better at finding and detecting suspicious data.
Digital publishing has made it easier to detect potential fabrication, and more scientists are making a brave stand against these dubious practices. No doubt, the current number of retractions is an underestimate of a much larger pool.
But the intensification of the “publish or perish” culture within universities also plays a major role.
Nearly all academic staff are required to meet specific publication quotas for performance evaluations, while institutions themselves use publication output to boost their rankings. High publication counts and citations enhance a university’s position in global rankings, attracting more students and generating income from teaching.
The prevailing reward system in academia often prioritises publication quantity over quality. When promotions, funding, and recognition are tied to the number of papers published, scientists may feel pressured to cut corners, rush experiments, or even fabricate data to meet these metrics.
Changing the model
Initiatives such as the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment are pushing for change. This initiative advocates for evaluating research based on its quality and societal impact rather than journal-based metrics such as impact factors or citation counts.
A shift in journal policies to prioritise the sharing of all experimental data would enhance scientific integrity. It would ensure researchers could replicate experiments to verify others’ results.
Academics face increasing pressure to publish journal articles to advance their careers. Protasov AN/Shutterstock
Also, universities, research institutions and funding agencies need to improve their due diligence and hold those responsible for misconduct accountable.
Including a simple question such as, “Have you ever had or been involved in a retracted paper?” on grant applications or academic promotions would improve the integrity of research by deterring unethical behaviour. Dishonest answers could be easily detected, thanks to the availability of online tools and databases such as Retraction Watch.
Over the past 20 years, scientific research has significantly improved our quality of life. Career scientists must shoulder the responsibility of ensuring researchers uphold the values of truth and integrity that are fundamental to our profession. Protecting the integrity of our work is foremost to our mission, and we must remain vigilant in safeguarding these principles.
Nham Tran receives funding from the Australian Research Council
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Susan Collings, Senior Research Fellow, Transforming early Education and Child Health Research Centre, Western Sydney University
Caring for someone with disability is a complex and demanding task. The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show this role is increasingly being undertaken by people who have disability themselves. There were 1.2 million primary carers in Australia in 2022, and of these, 43.8% have disability (up from 32.1% in 2018).
Disability support and aged care are critical issues for the federal government right now. The new Aged Care Act will take effect in July next year and amendments to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Act roll out from early October.
A National Carers Strategy, recognising the demands placed on informal carers and the need for better supports, is also being developed.
What do this group of carers need? And are they getting the right kind of support?
In line with our ageing population, one in six carers are over 65 and most older Australians want to age “in place” at home. This means informal care needs are set to rise exponentially.
Improved diagnosis, more disclosure of disability status and higher prevalence of health conditions leading to disability are increasing the numbers of and demands on informal carers.
Who is doing the caring and why?
While both women (12.8% of the population) and men (11.1%) provide informal care, women are more likely to be primary carers (6.1% are women, 3% are men.
Primary carers are less likely to be in paid employment than non-carers (64.6% to 82%), and fewer than half of those caring for 40 hours or more a week are employed. Informal carers are more likely to have a disability or chronic health condition (38.6%) than the general population (21.4%), with even higher rates among primary carers (43.8%).
The main reasons for becoming a carer are a sense of family responsibility and emotional obligation. Over a third of those caring for their child say they have no other choice.
Of 6,825 respondents from across Australia, over 80% were women and almost half (47.6%) identified as having disability or long-term health conditions, which the survey combines. Disability and poor health among carers are associated with higher levels of emotional distress and greater difficulty in accessing services.
Most carers are women and their caring load may prevent them doing paid work. Desizned/Shutterstock
‘My prospect of earning an income and saving is bleak’
Statistics tell us only part of the story. The voices of informal carers who report living with disability or chronic health conditions shed light on the layered demands they face. They reported that care is often invisible, undervalued and ceaseless. One woman, aged 73, described informal care as “hard and unappreciated work”.
A lack of government support and financial uncertainty left many despairing. As one carer, aged 56, said:
No government recognises us and in the end we are saving them billions/trillions of dollars […] I have been a carer for over 13 years and it will go on for many years, so my prospect of earning an income and saving is bleak.
Caring can have profound health and wellbeing effects. As another woman, aged 56, said:
Being close to retirement myself, and having elderly parents, puts so much strain on my own health, mentally and physically. I have had to deal with breast cancer and its treatments and ongoing side effects. This is really stressful. I oversee all the services, and manage ongoing issues. My care role is endless. I only work minimal hours myself due to my care role. Who looks after me?
Caring for carers
Carers with disability or chronic health conditions report a lack of appropriate, accessible and timely services. This makes it hard to meet their own health-care needs. Many struggle with arranging support across mainstream and NDIS providers on behalf of the person they care for and themselves.
Our research about the needs of a specific group of disabled Australians with care-giving responsibilities – parents with intellectual disability – find they can fall between system gaps when mainstream services are not accessible or the NDIS fails to take a family-centred approach.
A parent with intellectual disability may struggle to understand complex and shifting eligibility rules and might be able to use their NDIS funding to assist with meal preparation for themselves but not for their child. As one mother with intellectual disability said:
No one explained to me, ‘Oh, the NDIS package can help you with a lot of different things’, like helping with my parenting capacity.
Changes and opportunity
A cornerstone of the NDIS reforms is the creation of foundational supports. That’s good news for the 86% of disabled Australians without an NDIS plan and their informal carers, who rely on mainstream services like schools, health services and public transport.
Likewise, the National Carers Strategy is an opportunity to ease some of the burden shouldered by many informal carers. By consulting with carers directly, services designed to meet their diverse needs and circumstances can be made available. In the immediate term, often carers reach crisis point before receiving support. Early interventions in the form of practical, everyday, orientated supports – including respite together with peer support – can help.
The authors wish to acknowledge the contribution of Sarah Judd-Lam and Lukas Hofstaetter from Carers NSW for their data and analysis contributions to this piece.
Gabrielle Weidemann receives funding from the Australian Research Council and the Department of Defence. This funding is not for research on disability and/or care for those with disability.
Elisabeth Duursma, Michelle O’Shea, and Susan Collings do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Have you ever noticed changes in your eating habits when you are sad, bored or anxious?
Many people report eating either more, or less, as a way of helping them to cope when they experience difficult emotions.
Although this is a very normal response, it can take the pleasure out of eating, and can become distressing and bring about other feelings of shame and self-criticism.
Adding to the complexity of it all, we live in a world where diet culture is unavoidable, and our relationship to eating, food and body image can become complicated and confusing.
Emotional eating is common
“Emotional eating” refers to the eating behaviours (typically eating more) that occur in response to difficult emotions.
Research shows around 20% of people regularly engage in emotional eating, with a higher prevalence among adolescents and women. In a study of more than 1,500 adolescents, 34% engaged in emotional eating while sad and 40% did so while anxious.
Foods consumed are often fast-foods and other energy-dense, nutrient-poor convenience foods.
But other factors might also contribute to the likelihood of emotional eating. The physiological effects of stress and strong emotions, for example, can influence hormones such as cortisol, insulin and glucose, which can also increase appetite.
First, know that fluctuations in eating are normal. However, if you find that the way you eat in response to difficult emotions is not working for you, there are a few things you can do.
Then, you can start to think about how you handle your emotions and hunger cues.
Expand your emotional awareness
Often we label emotions as good or bad, and this can result in fear, avoidance, and unhelpful coping strategies such as emotional eating.
But it’s also important to differentiate the exact emotion. This might be feeling isolated, powerless or victimised, rather than something as broad as sad.
By noticing what the emotion is, we can bring curiosity to what it means, how we feel in our minds and bodies, and how we think and behave in response.
Tap into your feelings of hunger and fullness
Developing an intuitive way of eating is another helpful strategy to promote healthy eating behaviours.
Intuitive eating means recognising, understanding and responding to internal signals of hunger and fullness. This might mean tuning in to and acknowledging physical hunger cues, responding by eating food that is nourishing and enjoyable, and identifying sensations of fullness.
Intuitive eating encourages flexibility and thinking about the pleasure we get from food and eating. This style of eating also allows us to enjoy eating out with friends, and sample local delicacies when travelling.
It can also reduce the psychological distress from feeling out of control with your eating habits and the associated negative body image.
Try to be flexible in thinking about the pleasure of food and eating with friends. La Famiglia/Shutterstock
When is it time to seek help?
For some people, the thoughts and behaviours relating to food, eating and body image can negatively impact their life.
Having the support of friends and family, accessing online resources and, in some instances, seeing a trained professional, can be very helpful.
There are many therapeutic interventions that work to improve aspects associated with emotional eating. These will depend on your situation, needs, stage of life and other factors, such as whether you are neurodivergent.
The best approach is to engage with someone who can bring compassion and understanding to your personal situation, and work with you collaboratively. This work might include:
unpacking some of the patterns that could be underlying these emotions, thoughts and behaviours
helping you to discover your emotions
supporting you to process other experiences, such as trauma exposure
developing a more flexible and intuitive way of eating.
One of the dangers that can occur in response to emotional eating is the temptation to diet, which can lead to disordered eating, and eating disorder behaviours. Indicators of a potential eating disorder can include:
recent rapid weight loss
preoccupation with weight and shape (which is usually in contrast to other people’s perceptions)
eating large amounts of food within a short space of time (two hours or less) and feeling a sense of loss of control
eating in secret
compensating for food eaten (with vomiting, exercise or laxatives).
If this article has raised issues for you, or if you’re concerned about someone you know, call Lifeline on 13 11 14, or the Butterfly Foundation on 1800 ED HOPE
(1800 33 4673).
Inge Gnatt does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
This piece is the final of a three part series on Australia’s defamation laws. You can read the other pieces here and here.
Defamation laws exist to strike a balance between press freedom and the protection of people’s reputations from wrongful harm. In Australia, this balance has always been loaded against press freedom.
This is due partly to the way the defamation laws have been framed and partly by the way the courts have interpreted them.
Courts examine matters of journalism in the same way they examine matters of law: forensically, with strict rules and high standards of evidence and proof.
While we rightly expect ethical and honest reporting from our media, even the best can prove insufficient under the piercing gaze of defamation law. And in a time when media companies are more cash-strapped than ever, this has a chilling effect on the stories that get told and press freedom more broadly.
Ethics vs the law
Until 2006, each Australian jurisdiction had its own defamation laws. This created a nightmare of complexity for publishers, especially of newspapers and broadcasts that crossed state boundaries, which meant all the main media organisations.
They had to take into account the risks posed by litigation in the jurisdiction least favourable to press freedom.
For many decades, that was New South Wales. It was one of the states where truth alone was not a sufficient defence; there also had to be a public interest in the material. In some other jurisdictions this was called public benefit.
This was a major burden on press freedom and it was removed by the introduction of uniform defamation laws in 2006.
Since then, it has been enough for publishers to prove the substantial truth of the meanings conveyed in an article in order for the defence of truth to succeed.
It may sound straightforward, but proving substantial truth requires producing admissible evidence strong enough to satisfy the civil standard of proof: on the balance of probabilities. That usually means having documents and witnesses who are willing to be identified.
If, as is often the case, the article has drawn on evidence from a confidential source, the publisher is unable to put that source in the witness box because to do so would breach the media’s fundamental ethical obligation to protect the identity of confidential sources.
So unless the source is prepared in advance to be identified should the matter come to court, a story relying significantly on that person’s testimony may not see the light of day unless some other defence is available.
In 2021, those defences were expanded, although quite how significant that expansion turns out to be remains to be seen.
What appears on paper to be the most significant change was the introduction of a general public interest defence. This says that if publication of a story is in the public interest, and the publisher has a reasonable belief that it is, then publication can be defended on that ground.
There has been only one major test of that new defence, and it went against the media.
That case showed “reasonable belief” depended on the journalism being sound. In this case, the court found that the defendant, which was the ABC, had relied on shaky testimony that had not been sufficiently verified and had not given the subject of the story a fair opportunity to respond.
At odds with practicalities
This brings us to the question of how the courts interpret the law.
One of the big disappointments in this respect has been the way the courts have interpreted what, at the time, was hoped to be a significant addition to Australia’s threadbare free-speech jurisprudence.
In a case brought against the ABC by a late prime minister of New Zealand, David Lange, the High Court established the principle that freedom of speech on matters of government and politics trumped a person’s case for protection for their reputation.
If a person wanted to sue for defamation, they had to do so in a way that did not burden freedom of speech on matters of government and politics.
However, the High Court attached a test of reasonableness to this freedom. In several ways, it’s similar to the “reasonable belief” test in the new public interest defence.
Unfortunately, successive courts have applied the Lange reasonableness test in ways that are so strict they require journalists to meet standards demanding more powers of investigation than they possess or to exceed the usual journalistic standards of verification. Journalists can’t subpoena documents or compel people to speak to them.
The result is that this defence has become more or less a dead letter for journalistic purposes.
Is a story worth the cost?
Those accused of defamation can also defend it by saying it was comment or honest opinion. The first requirement of this defence is that the material be a comment and not a statement of fact.
But courts have interpreted this in different ways.
This uncertainty was illustrated by a famous case that became known as “Leo the Lobster”. A restaurant and restaurateur in Sydney successfully sued the Sydney Morning Herald over a review of a lobster dinner written by one Leo Schofield.
Schofield, who was a colourful writer, said the lobster had been overcooked:
the carbonized claws contained only a kind of white powder which might have been albino walrus.
Despite the amusing language, the court interpreted that as a literal factual description, not a statement of opinion.
Courts have a limited sense of humour, which makes satirical writing a chancy business, since the sharper the satire, the closer it is to literal truth.
Cartoons, which are satirical by definition, have more leeway but are not immune to defamation suits.
Then there’s the costs of defamation, particularly for media outlets. They’ve become exorbitant.
It has been estimated that the costs involved in the case brought by Ben Roberts-Smith against The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and The Canberra Times amounted to about $25 million. The newspapers won, although the matter has gone to appeal.
But even if the verdict is upheld, experience shows it is unlikely they will recoup anything like their full costs.
At a time when all major news media organisations are under acute financial pressure because of the inroads the internet has made on their revenue, there is a strong temptation not to risk publishing material the public has a right to know because of the financial impact an action for defamation would have.
Denis Muller does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Have you ever noticed changes in your eating habits when you are sad, bored or anxious?
Many people report eating either more, or less, as a way of helping them to cope when they experience difficult emotions.
Although this is a very normal response, it can take the pleasure out of eating, and can become distressing and bring about other feelings of shame and self-criticism.
Adding to the complexity of it all, we live in a world where diet culture is unavoidable, and our relationship to eating, food and body image can become complicated and confusing.
Emotional eating is common
“Emotional eating” refers to the eating behaviours (typically eating more) that occur in response to difficult emotions.
Research shows around 20% of people regularly engage in emotional eating, with a higher prevalence among adolescents and women. In a study of more than 1,500 adolescents, 34% engaged in emotional eating while sad and 40% did so while anxious.
Foods consumed are often fast-foods and other energy-dense, nutrient-poor convenience foods.
But other factors might also contribute to the likelihood of emotional eating. The physiological effects of stress and strong emotions, for example, can influence hormones such as cortisol, insulin and glucose, which can also increase appetite.
First, know that fluctuations in eating are normal. However, if you find that the way you eat in response to difficult emotions is not working for you, there are a few things you can do.
Then, you can start to think about how you handle your emotions and hunger cues.
Expand your emotional awareness
Often we label emotions as good or bad, and this can result in fear, avoidance, and unhelpful coping strategies such as emotional eating.
But it’s also important to differentiate the exact emotion. This might be feeling isolated, powerless or victimised, rather than something as broad as sad.
By noticing what the emotion is, we can bring curiosity to what it means, how we feel in our minds and bodies, and how we think and behave in response.
Tap into your feelings of hunger and fullness
Developing an intuitive way of eating is another helpful strategy to promote healthy eating behaviours.
Intuitive eating means recognising, understanding and responding to internal signals of hunger and fullness. This might mean tuning in to and acknowledging physical hunger cues, responding by eating food that is nourishing and enjoyable, and identifying sensations of fullness.
Intuitive eating encourages flexibility and thinking about the pleasure we get from food and eating. This style of eating also allows us to enjoy eating out with friends, and sample local delicacies when travelling.
It can also reduce the psychological distress from feeling out of control with your eating habits and the associated negative body image.
Try to be flexible in thinking about the pleasure of food and eating with friends. La Famiglia/Shutterstock
When is it time to seek help?
For some people, the thoughts and behaviours relating to food, eating and body image can negatively impact their life.
Having the support of friends and family, accessing online resources and, in some instances, seeing a trained professional, can be very helpful.
There are many therapeutic interventions that work to improve aspects associated with emotional eating. These will depend on your situation, needs, stage of life and other factors, such as whether you are neurodivergent.
The best approach is to engage with someone who can bring compassion and understanding to your personal situation, and work with you collaboratively. This work might include:
unpacking some of the patterns that could be underlying these emotions, thoughts and behaviours
helping you to discover your emotions
supporting you to process other experiences, such as trauma exposure
developing a more flexible and intuitive way of eating.
One of the dangers that can occur in response to emotional eating is the temptation to diet, which can lead to disordered eating, and eating disorder behaviours. Indicators of a potential eating disorder can include:
recent rapid weight loss
preoccupation with weight and shape (which is usually in contrast to other people’s perceptions)
eating large amounts of food within a short space of time (two hours or less) and feeling a sense of loss of control
eating in secret
compensating for food eaten (with vomiting, exercise or laxatives).
If this article has raised issues for you, or if you’re concerned about someone you know, call Lifeline on 13 11 14, or the Butterfly Foundation on 1800 ED HOPE
(1800 33 4673).
Inge Gnatt does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
As the violence between Israel and Hezbollah has escalated dramatically in recent days, civilians have paid a heavy price.
Hundreds of people in southern Lebanon have been killed and more than 1,600 wounded in Israeli airstrikes.
Hezbollah, meanwhile, has fired hundreds of rockets and other munitions into Israel.
More than 160,000 people have been displaced on either side of the border from the fighting, which many fear may be close to tipping into a full-scale war.
One senior analyst for the International Crisis Group said there’s been a “very worrying shift” on both sides in recent days in terms of a willingness to cause civilian casualties.
In such a chaotic environment, just what exactly are both sides obligated to do under the law to prevent civilian casualties?
What are both sides obligated to do as a baseline?
The law of armed conflict is very straightforward on this question – they must only target military objectives and military personnel. They must not target civilians.
And even when launching attacks against legitimate military objectives, all parties to an armed conflict are under an obligation to, as much as possible, minimise the risk of collateral, civilian damage.
If it becomes clear at any point in the planning or the execution of an attack that there is going to be disproportionate civilian damage, then the attack should be called off or appropriate warnings should be given.
Warnings are complicated, though. There is no strict obligation to warn civilians in the law of conflict. Rather, there is a requirement to warn civilians if the circumstances permit.
So, for instance, if it’s necessary to immediately attack a specific location because it’s the only opportunity you would have to target an insurgent leader or legitimate high-value target, there’s no obligation to give prior warning.
The other complication is that while the Israeli Defence Forces have been historically quite good about providing warnings through email blasts and leaflet drops, there are still physical constraints in places like Gaza and southern Lebanon. They are densely populated and quite geographically confined.
So the degree to which people can actually physically flee when they’ve been given a warning is debatable. How effective can a warning be if there’s nowhere for them to go?
Distinguishing between civilian and military targets
All parties in a conflict are bound by the same obligation, which is to distinguish between civilians and the military.
That said, the law of armed conflict does allow for some collateral damage – which is defined as unavoidable incidental civilian casualties. The parties to a conflict need to take this into account in a proportionality assessment.
This places obligations on parties to a conflict to perhaps choose a different time or method of warfare to make the attacks more specific.
There are some aerial drone attacks and missile attacks that can be highly discriminate. For example, there are missiles that can be timed to only detonate inside a particular apartment, so that only the residents in that apartment are injured or killed. It does not bring down the entire building.
Where you start coming into problems are bombardments of entire buildings in order to target one really high-value individual – does this justify a much higher number of civilian casualties?
There is an element of the IDF using this justification because Hamas and Hezbollah are non-state groups and don’t engage in regular tactics.
Is Hezbollah bound by the same rules?
Hezbollah is absolutely bound by the same rules as states. Nearly all the rules of the law of armed conflict are customary. This means everyone is bound by the law, even if they haven’t been a signatory to a treaty like the Geneva Convention.
This means, for example, that Hezbollah must prevent casualties among Lebanese citizens, as well as Israelis. Under the law, Hezbollah does not only have to distinguish between civilians and the military in their active attacks. They also can’t attempt to immunise their military assets by placing them in dense civilian areas.
And they need to do their utmost to remove civilians from areas where there are going to be military attacks.
Again, part of the complication is these are very enclosed spaces. So the question becomes exactly how far away do civilians need to be?
This is not just specific to Gaza, Lebanon or Israel – it’s a question for most places that have densely built-out areas. Urban warfare is one of the really difficult areas for the law at the moment.
Where to from here?
The tactics being used by Hamas and Hezbollah are nothing new. There’s always been a fairly consistent disregard for the law and brutality in a lot of their activities.
But if it can be proven the pager and walkie-talkie attacks on Hezbollah were carried out by the IDF, that’s a new level of brutality for Israel, because that’s an absolute violation of the protocol on booby traps and landmines. Israel is a party to that protocol.
The laws always get broken in times of armed conflict. But this has been quite unprecedented.
For legal and political reasons, there is value in actually acquitting yourself in a conflict with restraint. Parties to a conflict are still operating on the basis that eventually normal international relations have to resume. And it’s far better to have those international relations resume without the other side believing you capable of barbarism.
Emily Crawford receives funding from the Nautilus Foundation.
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hannah Dahlen, Professor of Midwifery, Associate Dean Research and HDR, Midwifery Discipline Leader, Western Sydney University
A new study from Canada has found women who agree to carry and birth babies in surrogacy arrangements face a higher risk of complications than other pregnant women.
These women were at two to three times the risk of health problems such as postpartum haemorrhages and pre-eclampsia. They were also more likely to give birth prematurely.
With an increasing number of people in Australia and elsewhere having children via surrogacy arrangements, what can we make of these findings?
First, what is surrogacy?
Surrogacy is a situation where a woman becomes pregnant and gives birth to a baby (or babies) for another person or a couple in a planned arrangement.
The first is where the pregnant woman is the full biological mother, with the child conceived using her own egg (sometimes called “traditional” or “genetic” surrogacy).
The second is where the pregnant woman is not the genetic mother and the child is conceived using the egg of a different woman (called “gestational surrogacy”).
Gestational surrogacy involves the transfer of an embryo or embryos into the uterus of a woman who has agreed to carry and birth the child using in vitro fertilisation (IVF). Gestational surrogacy is now the most common form of surrogacy arrangement in Australia.
The new study looked at gestational surrogacy specifically.
What the researchers did
The study, published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine, was retrospective. This means it used existing data that is gathered routinely on people using health services.
It included 863,017 women who had a single baby between April 2012 and March 2021 (multiple births were excluded).
The researchers compared outcomes for women and babies where the pregnancy was achieved naturally, those who got pregnant using IVF, and those who were pregnant in a gestational surrogacy arrangement where the woman had no genetic link to the baby.
Most babies were conceived naturally, 16,087 were IVF pregnancies, and 806 women were pregnant in gestational surrogacy arrangements.
The researchers found pregnant women in gestational surrogacy arrangements had a rate of severe maternal complications of 7.8%, more than three times the rate of those who became pregnant naturally (2.3%) and almost twice the rate among those who got pregnant through IVF (4.3%).
These risks included postpartum haemorrhage (losing excessive amounts of blood following the birth), severe pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure associated with pregnancy) and serious postpartum infection (sepsis). There was also a higher risk of the baby being born preterm (before 37 weeks) in gestational surrogacy situations.
The researchers attempted to take into account differences between the three groups like age, weight, health problems and socioeconomic status, which can all influence the risk of complications for pregnant women and their babies. Despite this, they still saw these concerning results.
Why might the risk be higher?
Previous research looking at outcomes with gestational surrogacy has had mixed results. But it is thought the reason risks could be greater for the woman and baby in gestational surrogacy arrangements may be because the baby is genetically unrelated to the woman.
Pregnancy has a strong impact on the immune system. During pregnancy, women’s immune systems are altered so they do not reject the growing baby.
An imbalanced or overactive immune response can contribute to pregnancy complications including preterm birth and pre-eclampsia. Having a baby with different genetic material may affect a woman’s immune response during pregnancy, and increase the risk of complications in this way.
Some limitations
Only women having a single baby were included in the study, so we don’t know the outcomes where a multiple pregnancy was involved. However, multiple birth is common in surrogacy, and there are increased risks associated with multiple births for women and babies.
Also, the study includes a relatively small number of women pregnant in a gestational surrogacy arrangement (806), meaning there’s an increased risk for statistical error and limited ability to detect rare outcomes.
People may use a surrogate to have a baby for a range of reasons. Lopolo/Shutterstock
Ethical questions
An increasing number of Australians are having children via surrogacy arrangements. This is due to a combination of factors including a decline in adoption, women delaying motherhood, and increased social acceptability of male same-sex parenting.
Australia only allows altruistic surrogacy, where the woman who agrees to have the baby for others is not paid.
However, some other countries allow women to be paid to become pregnant for others (commercial surrogacy). Concern regarding the exploitation of women via commercial surrogacy is such that Queensland, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory have made it illegal for residents to travel overseas to engage in commercial surrogacy.
Even so, most Australia children born as a result of surrogacy arrangements are born through overseas commercial surrogacy.
Despite some limitations, this research indicates increased risks for women becoming pregnant in gestational surrogacy arrangements, and the babies they carry. It seems important the potentially elevated risks should be made clear to women considering carrying and birthing a baby for someone else, and to the prospective parents.
The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Who’d want to be Reserve Bank Governor Michele Bullock? On Tuesday she had to do the almost impossible: defend a decision not to cut interest rates at a time when they were being cut in just about every other major industrial nation.
On Thursday the US Federal Reserve joined the Bank of England, the Bank of Canada, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand and central banks in China, Sweden and the European Union in what its officials expect to be a series of cuts, kicking off with a double-header: a cut of 0.50 percentage points instead of the usual 0.25.
In her press conference after Tuesday’s board meeting Governor Bullock said disinflation was “further advanced” in those countries than it was in Australia.
Australian interest rates were “restrictive” (high enough to hurt) but were working “broadly as anticipated”.
While household spending was weaker than had been expected, it would be
some time yet before inflation is sustainably in the target range.
But the problem with what she said, both after the meeting and in her statement, is inflation is probably already within the target range.
Credibility gap
The Reserve Bank’s target is 2-3%. Inflation hasn’t been there since it surged in 2021 as much of the world came out of lockdowns.
On Wednesday, the day after Bullock’s announcement, the Bureau of Statistics will release the monthly consumer price index for August. It’s expected to be the first to show inflation back between 2% and 3%.
Westpac is expecting an annual rate of 2.7%, comfortably back within the target band. When the more-comprehensive quarterly measure is released next month, Westpac is expecting 2.9%.
If inflation is 2.7%, how can it be too high?
Bullock squares her view that inflation is not yet moving sustainably towards the target with the reality that it is probably already there by saying she expects it to “pop back up again” when the temporary effect of electricity bill rebates wears off.
The Commonwealth government announced $3.5 billion worth of rebates in the May budget. They will be applied automatically to electricity bills for each of the next four quarters, and topped by several of the states. In Queensland, they amount to $1,300 per household.
A staged rollout means the rebates hit bills in only Queensland and West Australia in July and will hit other states in August. The Bureau of Statistics says they took 6.4% off the average national power price in July and Westpac expects them to take off a further 15% in August.
A permanent 10% increase in the maximum rate of Commonwealth rent assistance delivered last week will put further downward pressure on inflation.
It’s easy to see why Bullock thinks the temporary measures should be disregarded.
The RBA says what matters is underlying inflation
Bullock is directing attention to the Reserve Bank’s preferred measure of underlying inflation, a measure that excludes sharp movements and gives a better idea of where typical prices are heading.
At 3.9% for the year to the June quarter, she says that measure is still too high. But it has been falling for each of the past six quarters and is on track to fall to 3.5% in the September quarter. By my way of thinking, that shows inflation is moving “sustainably towards the target range” in the way she says she wants.
As in the US and the UK and New Zealand and all the other countries with which we compare ourselves, inflation doesn’t need to be actually back to the target before the authorities ease off on high interest rates. If they waited that long they would overshoot and push inflation too low.
But headline inflation matters in its own right
In any event, a low headline inflation rate is important in its own right, however it is achieved. It’s the rate the Reserve Bank prints at the top of its website, the rate that’s published in the media and the rate that people experience.
If inflation is actually low, however that is brought about, shoppers become less tolerant of price rises (something the Reserve Bank says is happening) and less keen to demand high wage rises (something that is also happening).
They also become less keen to rush out and buy things before their price goes up, something that can perpetuate high inflation.
Right now we are doing everything but rushing out to push up prices.
A briefing note prepared by the Australian Council of Social Service ahead of Tuesday’s Reserve Bank board meeting says real household disposable income per capita has fallen by almost 8% since inflation and interest rates began climbing, far more than in the US, the UK, Germany and Canada.
Bullock is about to get more chances to cut
There’s a chance the tax cuts that began in July will give spending a bit of a boost but much of whatever extra spending there is will be on imports, and the steadily climbing Australian dollar is making them cheaper by the day.
The Australian dollar hit a new high for the year of 68.5 US cents on Tuesday on the back of a widening differential between US and Australian interest rates as the US cuts rates.
Governor Bullock gets two more opportunities to cut rates this year, at the board meeting on Melbourne Cup Tuesday November 5 shortly after news of very low inflation in the September quarter, and on December 9 shortly after news of economic growth likely to show income per person going further backwards.
As universities consider their future in the 21st century, many are embracing the concept of “innovation” in their strategic plans.
According to Harvard Business School, innovation is “a product, service, business model or strategy that’s both novel and useful”.
By focusing on innovation, universities are attempting to position themselves as drivers of progress – as institutions that generate knowledge and apply it to solve the world’s most pressing problems.
But here’s the catch: fewer universities embrace “entrepreneurship” similarly, despite it being the critical bridge between innovation and real-world impact.
Innovation vs entrepreneurship
It’s easy to see why universities are more comfortable with innovation.
Labs, research centres and academic programs encourage pushing the envelope in a relatively risk-free setting.
Original research is one of the requirements of completing a doctorate. This means universities feel like hubs of cutting-edge thinking, even if the innovations never leave the confines of the campus.
However, entrepreneurship requires something different. Those with an idea also have to understand how to navigate the messy realities of bringing it to fruition.
Entrepreneurship demands the skills to manage people and resources, assess viability, identify pathways to adoption, and understand the environment while being comfortable with uncertainty and resilient in the face of failure and change.
Fostering an entrepreneur mindset in academics
Understanding the distinction between innovation and entrepreneurship is critical. Innovation often begins by assuming no constraints and imagining a world of possibility.
But entrepreneurship assumes resources are scarce and that success depends on overcoming obstacles and working with what’s available. While innovation can happen in isolation, entrepreneurship needs community, collaboration, feedback and constant adaptation.
Entrepreneurial skills are valuable for students at all levels and any discipline. But the entrepreneurial process can be especially helpful for researchers and PhD students who have spent years developing an idea but not a way to get it into the real world.
Bridging the gap
Globally, there is a growing gap between the number of doctoral graduates and academic jobs.
Programs such as the ones run by the University of Auckland Business School’s Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) (which I am involved in), are teaching how to identify opportunities and navigate resource constraints through mentoring, workshops and hands-on projects.
While some find opportunities to commercialise their research, others pursue policy changes or social ventures.
One good illustration of this is Kate Riegle van West’s doctoral research. Riegle van West examined the benefits of poi for the health of older adults. Supported by CIE’s programs, she launched SpinPoi, a social venture dedicated to working with poi to improve health and well being.
Since its founding, CIE has helped start more than 279 ventures and provides entrepreneurial experiences to more than 7,500 students and staff across the university each year.
Similar programs exist at other universities, but much more needs to be done to scale up the development of entrepreneurial skills within universities.
Overcoming resistance
Universities have been slow to prioritise developing an entrepreneurial mindset among students and staff.
Innovation without entrepreneurship is like building a bridge halfway. You may have a brilliant idea, but it is unlikely to make a meaningful impact without the skills to bring it to reality. Entrepreneurship transforms creative ideas into valuable, tangible outcomes.
But there are challenges. “Innovation” is more palatable to some academics, especially those who equate entrepreneurship with commercialism. To overcome this, it’s crucial to recognise that entrepreneurial skills are valuable across most endeavours.
Skills like opportunity recognition, resource allocation, and risk management are critical for starting businesses. But they are also highly valued within existing organisations and for leading teams and driving change in any sector.
Staff and students may not immediately see the relevance of entrepreneurship to their discipline or career aspirations, thinking entrepreneurship is only for those in business or the sciences.
Yet there is a growing need for entrepreneurial skills to bridge the gap between academic expertise and application from students in all disciplines.
At the doctoral level, developing these skills can help ensure research has wider impact, and create opportunities for these researchers once they graduate.
It’s not that innovation isn’t useful – it’s essential.
Many industries and organisations rely on innovation to improve efficiency, create new products, and solve complex problems. In some professional contexts, an innovation mindset may be more relevant than an entrepreneurial one.
But to truly contribute to solving societal problems and prepare their students to make a difference, universities must do more than foster innovation. They must prioritise and develop an entrepreneurial mindset and competencies among students and staff, enabling them to execute, adapt and create lasting impact.
Rod McNaughton does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
How often do you find yourself hitting “play” on an old favourite, reliving the same TV episodes you’ve seen before – or even know by heart?
I’m a chronic re-watcher. Episodes of sitcoms like Blackadder (1983–89), Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013–21), Doc Martin (2004–22) and The Office US (2005–13) – a literal lifetime of TV favourites – are usually dependable in times of stress.
But recently, ahead of an exceptionally challenging deadline, I found myself switching up my viewing. Instead of the escapist comedy I normally return to, I switched to Breaking Bad (2008–13), a nail-biting thriller with a complex reverse hero narrative – and immediately felt at ease.
What do our re-viewing choices tell us about ourselves? And is it OK that we keep returning to old favourites?
Fictional stories, real relationships
Although one-sided, the relationships we form with characters in our favourite TV shows can feel very real. They can increase a sense of belonging, reduce loneliness – and keep pulling us back in.
When we rewatch, we feel sadness, wistful joy and longing, all at the same time. We call the sum of these contradictions nostalgia.
Originally coined in the 17th century to describe Swiss soldiers impaired by homesickness, psychologists now understand nostalgic reflection as a shield against anxiety and threat, promoting a sense of wellbeing.
We all rely on fiction to transport us from our own lives and realities. Nostalgia viewing extends the experience, taking us somewhere we already know and love.
Bingeing nostalgia
The COVID-19 pandemic triggered a wave of nostalgia viewing.
In the United States, audience analyst Nielsen found the most streamed show of 2020 was the American version of The Office, seven years after it ended its television run. A Radio Times survey found 64% of respondents said they had rewatched a TV series during lockdown, with 43% watching nostalgic shows.
We were suddenly thrown into an unfamiliar situation and in a perpetual state of unease. We had more time on our hands, but also wanted to feel safe. Tuning into familiar content on television offered an escape – a sanctuary from the realities of futures unknown.
Revisiting connections with TV characters gave us a sense of control. We knew what lay in their futures, and the calm and predictability of their arcs balanced the uncertainty in ours.
Nostalgia as a plot point
Nostalgia has been in the DNA of television since some of the earliest programming decisions.
Every December, broadcasters scramble to screen one of the many versions of A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens’ much-retold and family-friendly ghost story, which also features nostalgia as a plot device.
First screened on live TV in New York City in 1944, on the still-new technology, the broadcast continued a 100-year-old tradition of the classic appearing on stage and cinema screens.
Settling in around the telly for A Christmas Carol connects us to the holiday period and a heartwarming metamorphosis. Ebeneezer Scrooge revisits long-lost versions of himself and turns from villain to hero and our old friend in a single night.
For viewers, revisiting this character at the same time every year can also reconnect us with our past selves and create a predictable pattern, even in the frenzy of the silly season.
Real-world (re)connection
The neuroscience of nostalgic experiences is clear. Nostalgia arises when current sensory data – like what you watch on TV – matches past emotions and experiences.
It triggers a release of dopamine, a reward-system neurotransmitter involved in emotion and motivation. Encountering nostalgia is like autoloading and hitting play on past positive experiences, elevating desire and regulating mood.
So, nostalgia draws on experiences encoded in memory. The TV shows we choose to rewatch reflect our values, our tastes, and the phases of life we have gone through.
Perhaps this is a reason why reboots of our favourite shows sometimes fall flat, and ultimately set fans up for disappointment.
I still remember the crushing disillusion I felt while watching the reboot of Knight Rider (2008–09). I immediately turned to social media to find a community around my nostalgic setback
Stronger through stress
Going back to my challenging deadline, what was it about the nostalgic experience of watching Breaking Bad that made it different?
Breaking Bad evokes a particular phase in my life. I binged the first three seasons when writing up my PhD thesis. Walter White’s rise and fall journey towards redemption is enmeshed in the nostalgia of a difficult time I made it through.
The predictability of Walter White’s arc on second viewing was an unlikely haven. It’s escalating high-stakes drama mirrored my rising stress, while connecting me to who I was when I first enjoyed the show.
The result? “Dread mode” switched off – even as my anti-heroes marched again to their dire cinematic comeuppance. Reality, past and present, could be worse.
Anjum Naweed does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Vaccination is one of the most effective methods to protect individuals and the broader public from disease. Vaccines are typically given to healthy people to prevent disease, so the bar for safety is set high.
People benefit from vaccination at an individual level because they’re protected from disease. But for some vaccines, strong community uptake leads to “herd immunity”. This means people who are unable to be vaccinated can be protected by the “herd”.
As with any prescribed medicine, vaccines can cause side effects. In the rare case that COVID vaccines did cause a specified serious injury (the scheme listed certain conditions that a person could claim for), Australians have been able to claim compensation. But this ends at the end of this month.
From then, Australians won’t be able to access no-fault compensation for any vaccine injury – from COVID or any others.
Why compensate people for vaccine injuries?
Fortunately, serious vaccine injuries are rare. Most are not a result of error in vaccine design, manufacturing or delivery, but are a product of a small but inherent risk.
As a result, people who suffer serious vaccine injuries cannot get compensation through legal mechanisms. This is because they can’t demonstrate the injury was caused through negligence.
Vaccine injury compensation schemes compensate people who have a serious vaccine injury following administration of properly manufactured vaccines.
The COVID vaccine claims scheme
In 2021, in recognition of the rare risk of a serious vaccine injury, and in support of the roll out of the COVID vaccine program, the Australian government introduced a COVID vaccine claims scheme.
The aim was to provide a simple, streamlined process to compensate people who suffered a moderate to severe vaccine injury, without the need for complex legal proceedings. It was limited to TGA-approved COVID vaccines, and to specific reactions.
The Australian government has said the scheme will close this month and claims need to be lodged before September 30 2024.
Following its closure, Australia will not have a vaccine injury compensation scheme.
Australia is lagging internationally
Australia lags behind 25 other countries including the United States, United Kingdom and New Zealand which have comprehensive no-fault vaccine injury compensation schemes. These cover both COVID and non-COVID vaccines.
The schemes are based on the ethical principle of “reciprocal justice”. This acknowledges that people acting to benefit not just themselves but also the community (for the benefit of the “herd”) should be compensated by the same community if it has resulted in harm.
In Australia, people with non-COVID vaccine injuries or COVID vaccine injuries not covered by the current claims scheme must bear the costs associated with their injury by themselves or access publicly funded health care. They will not receive any compensation for their injury and suffering.
Australia’s National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides funding support to access therapies for people with a permanent and significant disability. However, it does not cover temporary vaccine-related injuries.
Participants with vaccine injuries as a result of taking part in a clinical vaccine trial are compensated. This typically includes income-replacement, personal assistance expenses and reimbursement of expenses resulting from the incident, including medical expenses.
In Australia, we also have strong compulsion for people to receive routine vaccines through legislative requirements such as No Jab No Pay (which requires children to be immunised to receive some government payments) and, in some states, No Jab No Play (which requires children be fully immunised to attend childcare).
Countries such as ours that mandate vaccination without providing no-fault injury compensation schemes for rare vaccine injury could be abrogating the social contract by not protecting the individual and community.
It’s time to set up an Australian scheme
The Australian immunisation system is among the most comprehensive in the world. Our government-funded national immunisation program provides free vaccines for infants, children and adults for at least 15 diseases.
We also have a whole-of-life immunisation register and comprehensive vaccine safety surveillance system.
the Australian government consider the design and compensation arrangements of a no-fault compensation scheme for Commonwealth-funded vaccines in response to a future pandemic event.
Vaccines are designed to be very safe and effective. But the “insurance policy” of an injury compensation scheme, if designed and communicated appropriately, should build trust and give confidence to health workers and the general public to support our national vaccine program. This is particularly important given the reductions in uptake of routine vaccines.
How should it work?
A no-fault vaccine injury compensation scheme could be funded via a vaccine levy system, as is done in the US, where an excise tax is imposed on each dose of vaccine.
An effective vaccine injury compensation scheme needs to be:
accessible, with low legal and financial barriers
transparent, with clear decision-making processes, compensation frameworks and funding responsibilities
timely, with short, clear timeframes for decision-making
fair, with people compensated adequately for the harm they’ve suffered.
Legislation to introduce and allocate funds to support an Australian injury compensation scheme for all vaccines is overdue. The draft National Immunisation Strategy 2025–2030 hinted at the opportunity to explore the feasibility of a no fault compensation scheme for all vaccines the Australian government funds, without committing to such a program.
An Australian vaccine injury scheme, covering all national immunisation program vaccines, not just pandemic use vaccines, should be seen as a crucial component of our public health system and a social responsibility commitment to all Australians.
Nicholas Wood previously received funding from the NHMRC for a Career Development Fellowship and is a Churchill Fellow.
Sophie Wen receives funding from Queensland Government for an Advancing Clinical Research Fellowship and is a Mary McConnel career boost program recipient from Children’s Hospital Foundation. Sophie Wen is an investigator for several industry-sponsored clinical vaccine trials but does not receive any direct funding.
Tim Ford does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
