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Nau mai, haere mai.
Our local high school was previously a technical college, and had been reorganised and rebranded after that particular era of vocational education ended. But a certain stigma lingered on – a reminder of the dangers inherent in creating a two-track secondary system.
If the government’s NCEA reforms go ahead as proposed, however, New Zealand may be embarking on another such experiment, with high schools offering vocational education and training alongside more traditional academic pathways.
Writing about those changes today, Lisa Maurice-Takerei describes how the previous system broke down “amid concerns it was replicating existing social inequities, entrenching class divisions and limiting opportunities for students”.
On the other hand, she points out, change offers real opportunities: “More structured vocational education and training could be a solution to the problem of low student numbers in work-based learning, low school engagement and skill shortages in key industries.”
As always, the test will be how well it is planned and implemented. In particular, employers and industry groups will have to be a lot more involved – and be prepared to pay their share.
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Finlay Macdonald
New Zealand Editor
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Lisa Maurice-Takerei, Auckland University of Technology
If these changes go ahead, parents should be asking how their child is moved into an academic or vocational track – and who gets to make the final call.
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Alexander Richter, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington; Ishara Sudeeptha, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington
As AI becomes part of everyday life, students showed how we can partner with the technology, rather than worry about it taking over jobs.
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Peter Thompson, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington
Unlike their commercial rivals, public broadcasters have to serve a broad audience. In today’s fragmented mediascape, RNZ may be doing better than its critics claim.
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Dennis Wesselbaum, University of Otago; Arthur Grimes, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington
In an era of tight budgets and complex social challenges, New Zealand can not afford to ignore the tools such as the CBAx, which can improve decision making – and save money.
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Vanessa Jordan, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
New Zealanders download Cochrane Library health reviews daily. Restricting access is a step back to when medical knowledge was held tightly by professionals.
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Richard Meade, Griffith University
A new rule from the Electricity Authority could push ‘gentailers’ to raise wholesale prices for all energy retailers, rather than offer rivals power at a lower cost.
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Kirsten Zemke, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
Ever since country music spread from the US, Māori have related to its themes of longing, land, love and community. A Matariki mashup played all the right notes.
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Anna Marie Brennan, University of Waikato
As a Russian space mission is set to launch mice into orbit, regulations are long overdue to recognise the sentience of animals and protect their welfare.
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From our foreign editions
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Shannon Bosch, Edith Cowan University; Joshua Aston JP, Edith Cowan University
The risks for individuals are profound. They could be involved in a protracted conflict and potentially exposed to future prosecution for crimes.
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Richard Denniss, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University
The science says we need to rush on climate change, but centrists like our PM are still telling us it’s not yet time to stop building new gas or coal mines.
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Jade Radke, University of British Columbia; Claudia Picard-Deland, Université de Montréal; Russell Arnold Powell, MacEwan University; Tore Nielsen, Université de Montréal
While people have long believed that food and dreams are connected, scientific research into this notion has been limited.
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Natasha Lindstaedt, University of Essex
Some European states are worrird after a Ukraine-Russia ceasefire Moscow might turn its firepower on them, so are building hundreds of miles of defensive wall.
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Maha Nassar, University of Arizona
Since October 2023, Israeli strikes in Gaza have killed nearly 200 journalists. But the targeting of media predates the current conflict.
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Nial Wheate, Macquarie University
Some human medicines are safe and effective for pets – but others can be harmful if misused.
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David McMillan, University of Stirling
Gold is no longer the hedge against stock market dips that it once was.
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Karen Lander, University of Manchester
Research has shown that the way a person moves helps us recognise their identity.
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Auckland University of Technology
Auckland, New Zealand
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Contract
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The Conversation AU/NZ
New Zealand
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Full Time
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AUT
Auckland CBD, Auckland, New Zealand
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Full Time
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Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research
Parkville, Melbourne, Australia
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Contract
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4 September 2025
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Auckland
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2 - 3 September 2025
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Christchurch
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2 - 5 September 2025
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Lincoln
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