# News and opinion
**Source**: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news.html
**Parent**: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/study/international-students.html
Explore categories
- [Arts and culture](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/list.html?tag=news:communications-team/arts-culture)
- [Business and economy](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/list.html?tag=news:communications-team/business-economy)
- [Education and society](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/list.html?tag=news:communications-team/education-society)
- [Health and medicine](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/list.html?tag=news:communications-team/health-medicine)
- [Politics and law](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/list.html?tag=news:communications-team/politics-law)
- [Science and technology](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/list.html?tag=news:communications-team/science-technology)
- [University news](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/list.html?tag=news:communications-team/university-news)
- [Sustainable impact](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/list.html?tag=news:communications-team/sustainable-impact)
### [Simon Mitchell: diving deeper](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2026/03/02/Simon-Mitchell-profile.html)
2 March 2026
Professor Simon Mitchell’s abiding passion for scuba diving and dive medicine has led to him winning a major award for his work advancing dive practice worldwide.
## [Sustainable impact](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/list.html?tag=news:communications-team/sustainable-impact)
- ### [Climate in the courtroom – where to from here?](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2026/03/16/climate-in-the-courtroom---where-to-from-here--.html)
16 March 2026
Around the world, climate lawsuits are reshaping environmental law. Experts in Auckland are examining what this means for New Zealand.
- ### [Climate solutions in focus as election approaches](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2026/03/16/climate-solutions-in-focus-as-election-approaches.html)
16 March 2026
A new collection of local voices explores where we are now – and where we need to go – on climate mitigation and adaptation.
- ### [Electric vehicles could reduce NZ’s fossil fuel dependence – but is our grid ready?](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2026/03/16/electric-vehicles-could-reduce-nz-fossil-fuel-dependence-but-is-grid-ready.html)
16 March 2026
Fuel market volatility is highlighting the risks of New Zealand’s dependence on imported fossil fuels and the need to accelerate EV‑ready infrastructure, says Professor Nirmal Nair.
[See more Sustainable impact](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/list.html?tag=news:communications-team/sustainable-impact "See more Sustainable impact")
## [Arts and culture](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/list.html?tag=news:communications-team/arts-culture)
- ### [New research partnership set to ignite Pacific‑led collaborations](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2026/03/14/afi-pacific-research-partnerships-ignores-pacific-led-collaborations.html)
16 March 2026
New award designed to spark sustained, Pacific‑led research partnerships between University's Pacific scholars and Pacific‑based collaborators across the region and Australia.
- ### [Book shows decades of policy failing Pacific peoples](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2026/03/12/book-examines-why-decades-of-policy-attention-havent-delivered-for-pacific-peoples.html)
13 March 2026
Bringing together leading Pacific scholars and practitioners, Understanding Pacific Peoples’ Health and Wellbeing Challenges in Aotearoa New Zealand was launched on 6 March.
- ### [Hitting the high notes: opera graduates off to world-leading UK schools](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2026/03/11/auckland-opera-grads-win-spots-at-world-leading-uk-schools.html)
11 March 2026
Four University of Auckland opera graduates have been accepted into four of the world’s most prestigious music conservatoires and are fundraising to support their studies.
[See more Arts and culture](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/list.html?tag=news:communications-team/arts-culture "See more Arts and culture")
## [Business and economy](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/list.html?tag=news:communications-team/business-economy)
- ### [Turning kānuka into opportunity on the East Coast](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2026/03/16/nct-ruatoria.html)
16 March 2026
Nuka Charitable Trust is transforming native kānuka into high-value products and will celebrate its official opening in Ruatoria this month, marking a major milestone for the East Coast.
- ### [Why more rules can hamper organisations](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2026/03/16/why-more-rules-can-hamper-organisations-.html)
16 March 2026
Analysis: 'Stupid rules' can turn organisations into 'accountability sinks' in which no one is truly responsible, writes Natasha Hamilton-Hart.
- ### [Electric vehicles could reduce NZ’s fossil fuel dependence – but is our grid ready?](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2026/03/16/electric-vehicles-could-reduce-nz-fossil-fuel-dependence-but-is-grid-ready.html)
16 March 2026
Fuel market volatility is highlighting the risks of New Zealand’s dependence on imported fossil fuels and the need to accelerate EV‑ready infrastructure, says Professor Nirmal Nair.
[See more Business and economy](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/list.html?tag=news:communications-team/business-economy "See more Business and economy")
## [Education and society](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/list.html?tag=news:communications-team/education-society)
- ### [From teen dad to top grad: Tane Marsters](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2026/03/16/from-teen-dad-to-top-grad.html)
16 March 2026
After becoming a father in his teens, Tane Marsters was determined to finish his education. He graduated on 10 March with a Bachelor of Education (Teaching).
- ### [Queens, servants and slaves in the medieval church](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2026/03/16/queens--slaves-and-servants-in-the-medieval-church.html)
15 March 2026
After the collapse of the Roman Empire, the medieval church in Western Europe filled the power vacuum, including enslaving people for life.
- ### [Shifting the dial for Māori and Pacific learners](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2026/03/14/dial-slowly-shifting-for-maori-and-pacific-learners.html)
15 March 2026
The University's UE Success partnership has seen first-year pass rates improve over the last two years with a further four Auckland high schools joining the programme.
[See more Education and society](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/list.html?tag=news:communications-team/education-society "See more Education and society")
## [Te ao Māori](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/list.html?tag=news:communications-team/te-ao-maori)
- ### [From teen dad to top grad: Tane Marsters](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2026/03/16/from-teen-dad-to-top-grad.html)
16 March 2026
After becoming a father in his teens, Tane Marsters was determined to finish his education. He graduated on 10 March with a Bachelor of Education (Teaching).
- ### [Turning kānuka into opportunity on the East Coast](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2026/03/16/nct-ruatoria.html)
16 March 2026
Nuka Charitable Trust is transforming native kānuka into high-value products and will celebrate its official opening in Ruatoria this month, marking a major milestone for the East Coast.
- ### [Shifting the dial for Māori and Pacific learners](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2026/03/14/dial-slowly-shifting-for-maori-and-pacific-learners.html)
15 March 2026
The University's UE Success partnership has seen first-year pass rates improve over the last two years with a further four Auckland high schools joining the programme.
[See more Te ao Māori](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/list.html?tag=news:communications-team/te-ao-maori "See more Te ao Māori")
## [Health and medicine](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/list.html?tag=news:communications-team/health-medicine)
- ### [New research partnership set to ignite Pacific‑led collaborations](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2026/03/14/afi-pacific-research-partnerships-ignores-pacific-led-collaborations.html)
16 March 2026
New award designed to spark sustained, Pacific‑led research partnerships between University's Pacific scholars and Pacific‑based collaborators across the region and Australia.
- ### [Book shows decades of policy failing Pacific peoples](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2026/03/12/book-examines-why-decades-of-policy-attention-havent-delivered-for-pacific-peoples.html)
13 March 2026
Bringing together leading Pacific scholars and practitioners, Understanding Pacific Peoples’ Health and Wellbeing Challenges in Aotearoa New Zealand was launched on 6 March.
- ### [Video helps parents of fussy eaters](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2026/03/13/Video-helps-parents-of-fussy-eaters.html)
13 March 2026
Parents are better equipped to teach picky eaters how to eat healthily, thanks to a video developed by a University of Auckland researcher.
[See more Health and medicine](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/list.html?tag=news:communications-team/health-medicine "See more Health and medicine")
## [Politics and law](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/list.html?tag=news:communications-team/politics-law)
- ### [Climate in the courtroom – where to from here?](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2026/03/16/climate-in-the-courtroom---where-to-from-here--.html)
16 March 2026
Around the world, climate lawsuits are reshaping environmental law. Experts in Auckland are examining what this means for New Zealand.
- ### [Climate solutions in focus as election approaches](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2026/03/16/climate-solutions-in-focus-as-election-approaches.html)
16 March 2026
A new collection of local voices explores where we are now – and where we need to go – on climate mitigation and adaptation.
- ### [Insolvency spikes put company law in spotlight](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2026/03/12/insolvency-spikes-put-company-law-in-spotlight-.html)
12 March 2026
Analysis: Insolvencies have spiked, Benjamin Liu explores whether a law change might let more businesses trade their way out of trouble.
[See more Politics and law](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/list.html?tag=news:communications-team/politics-law "See more Politics and law")
## [Science and technology](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/list.html?tag=news:communications-team/science-technology)
- ### [Book shows decades of policy failing Pacific peoples](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2026/03/12/book-examines-why-decades-of-policy-attention-havent-delivered-for-pacific-peoples.html)
13 March 2026
Bringing together leading Pacific scholars and practitioners, Understanding Pacific Peoples’ Health and Wellbeing Challenges in Aotearoa New Zealand was launched on 6 March.
- ### [A cooler way to deliver milk](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2026/03/09/a-cooler-way-to-deliver-milk.html)
9 March 2026
A world leader in phase change materials is exploring how the technology could transform milk delivery trucks and everyday chilly bins.
- ### [50 years after whaling, behavioural effects linger](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2026/03/03/50-years-after-whaling--behavioural-effects-linger.html)
3 March 2026
The long shadow from whaling extends to basic behaviour such as breeding, new research shows.
[See more Science and technology](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/list.html?tag=news:communications-team/science-technology "See more Science and technology")
## [University news](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/list.html?tag=news:communications-team/university-news)
- ### [A century in stone: University of Auckland ClockTower turns 100](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2026/03/12/A-century-in-stone-university-clocktower-turns-100.html)
12 March 2026
The University of Auckland ClockTower is marking its centenary.
- ### [Record numbers of students flock to University of Auckland](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2026/03/06/university-of-auckland-enrolments-jump-2026.html)
6 March 2026
Tertiary student numbers are up all over the country for Semester One. Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland is proving an extremely popular option.
- ### [University forges ties with the University of Newcastle](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2026/03/05/university-forges-ties-with-the-university-of-newcastle.html)
5 March 2026
University signs strategic MoU in Sydney to build Pacific research capacity and expand trans-Tasman opportunities for Pacific scholars, students and communities across.
[See more University news](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/list.html?tag=news:communications-team/university-news "See more University news")
## [The Challenge](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/list.html?tag=news:the-challenge)
- ### [Bird's eye view of ancient Pacific life](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2026/03/02/bird-s-eye-view-of-ancient-pacific-life.html)
2 March 2026
Piecing together how birds and humans interacted in the Marquesas Islands of French Polynesia hundreds of years ago is the focus of a revealing new study.
- ### [Landmark of Auckland clocks up a century](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2026/02/26/clocktower-rings-in-century.html)
26 February 2026
The venerable University ClockTower marks a century since its formal opening in March.
- ### [Bioengineers bring new hope for children with cerebral palsy](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2026/01/19/new-hope-for-children-with-cerebral-palsy.html)
19 January 2026
Cutting-edge tools once reserved for astronauts and data scientists are reshaping rehabilitation for children with cerebral palsy.
[See more The Challenge](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/list.html?tag=news:the-challenge "See more The Challenge")