Welcoming our first New Zealand Editor

Editor's note

Today we’re delighted to announce the appointment of The Conversation’s first New Zealand Editor, who’ll join our team of editors working in 25 cities to share new research and analysis from around the world with you.

Veronika Meduna is an award-winning journalist and author, with two decades of experience. Veronika’s now helping us tap into more of NZ’s research expertise thanks to the support of four NZ universities: Lincoln University, Massey University, Victoria University of Wellington and University of Waikato. Find out more about our expansion into NZ – and please spread the word among NZ friends and colleagues.

And on a different note, Lennert Veerman will be doing an author Q&A today 1-2pm, discussing his article on the economic benefits of a sugar tax. Post your questions in the comments.

Liz Minchin

Executive Editor

Top story

The South and North islands of New Zealand, snapped from above by the International Space Station crew. Earth Observatory NASA

New Zealand joins a growing global Conversation

Liz Minchin, The Conversation; Veronika Meduna, The Conversation

We're delighted to announce the appointment of The Conversation's first New Zealand Editor, who will share NZ's best academic research and analysis with millions of readers worldwide each month.

Business + Economy

What Australia can learn from the New Zealand retirement system

Ross Guest, Griffith University; Kirsten MacDonald, Griffith University

While you can't say one retirement system is better than the other, Australia can learn a lot from New Zealand's simpler and more flexible system.
How the corporate veil is motivating misbehaviour and obscuring who should take the blame

Michael Quilter, Macquarie University

The corporate veil, traditionally friend of directors and foe of outsiders, may have turned double agent.
Income inequality exists in Australia, but the true picture may not be as bad as you thought

Roger Wilkins, University of Melbourne

The data show wealth inequality has grown but is lower now than before the GFC. And overall household income inequality has barely shifted since the start of this century.

Health + Medicine

Taxing sugary drinks would boost productivity, not just health

Lennert Veerman, Cancer Council NSW

The benefits of a sugar tax go beyond mere health savings when obesity rates drop. Our new research predicts wider economic benefits due to more, healthier people in work.
Research Check: can a new drug really protect redheads from cancer?

Katie Lee, The University of Queensland; Richard Sturm, The University of Queensland

A US study into whether a new drug can give us a tan without going into the sun generated headlines around the world. Here's what the study really says.

Cities
Grenfell Tower fire exposes the injustice of disasters Jason von Meding, University of Newcastle; Giuseppe Forino, University of Newcastle; J.C. Gaillard; Ksenia Chmutina, Loughborough University Marginal people become resourceless, invisible to public policies, and disempowered in public life. This increases their vulnerability to disaster.

Arts + Culture

As Harry Potter turns 20, let's focus on reading pleasure rather than literary merit

Di Dickenson, Western Sydney University

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, the first in the phenomenally successful series, turns 20 this month. Despite criticism of their status as 'literature', the books remain a magical experience for children.
A human percussion section: The Idea of North with Kaichiro Kitamura

William Peterson, Flinders University

Kaichiro Kitamura is a human beat box. He teamed up with Australia's renowned a capella ensemble to make some extraordinary music.

Science + Technology

Science journalism is in Australia’s interest, but needs support to thrive

Joan Leach, Australian National University

The number of specialist science journalists in Australia has dropped from around 35 to less than five over the period 2005-2017.
What does DNA sound like? Using music to unlock the secrets of genetic code

Mark Temple, Western Sydney University

Converting a DNA sequence into an audio could help us learn something useful about it, like where mutations occur.

Politics + Society

Australia's lobbying laws are inadequate, but other countries are getting it right

George Rennie, University of Melbourne

Countries such as Canada offer Australia clear lessons on how to better police lobbying.
Australians shy away from Trump but strongly embrace the alliance: Lowy poll

Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra

Only 20% trust the US "a great deal" to act responsibly. This is a big fall from the 40% level in 2011, when the question was last asked.
Are China and the US destined for war?

Jack Bowers, Australian National University

The comparison between ancient Athens and modern China, and Sparta and the US, through the Thucydides Trap, has its limitations.
We need to be cautious when assuming CCTV will prevent family violence

Caitlin Overington, University of Melbourne

Family violence will not always be ‘obvious’ to CCTV. Therefore measures must be put in place to ensure that footage cannot be used against victims should circumstances of violence be challenged.

Environment + Energy

Curious Kids: how can a tiny seed actually grow into a huge tree?

Cris Brack, Australian National University

A seed contains nearly everything a tree needs to get growing. Just add a dash of water, a bit of warmth and the right location, and you'll be seeing green in no time.
Land clearing on the rise as legal 'thinning' proves far from clear-cut

April Reside, The University of Queensland; Anita J Cosgrove, The University of Queensland; Jennifer Lesley Silcock, The University of Queensland; Leonie Seabrook, The University of Queensland; Megan C Evans, The University of Queensland

Legal vegetation 'thinning' is contributing to high rates of land clearing, potentially causing problems for threatened species and ecosystems.

Education
Government reaches out to Catholics on Gonski 2.0 Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra Simon Birmingham met Catholic education representatives on Monday night, receiving such a haranguing that at times it was difficult for him to get a word in.