Podcasts and audio

11 November 2020: RNZ Morning Report - New Zealand is one of only a handful of countries with prior arrangement to get the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine which has just been found to be 90 percent effective in trials. Many questions remain to be answered - including how long the vaccine lasts.

Graham Le Gros is director of Wellington's Malaghan Institute. He speaks to Susie Ferguson.

31 October 2020: RNZ Saturday Morning. American vaccine expert Dr Fran Priddy, who recently joined the Malaghan Institute as clinical director of the Vaccine Alliance Aotearoa NZ (VAANZ), talks with Kim Hill from Radio New Zealand about New Zealand's COVID-19 vaccine effort.

Fran told Saturday Morning that the global effort to find an effective vaccine to deal with COVID-19 was hugely impressive. She expects there will probably be data available early in 2021 as to whether some of the international vaccines currently being trialled on people are effective, and then there will be a plan to start rollout.

15 October 2020: In this episode of Stirring the Pot, HERA talks talk with Associate Professor Greg Macrae. Associate Professor Greg Macrae works in the Department of Civil and Natural Resources Engineering at the University of Canterbury.

Greg has been working on low damage seismic approaches in engineering since 1994 and was heavily involved in reporting and research on the topic post the 2011 Christchurch quakes.

30 September 2020: In this episode of Stirring the Pot, HERA talks with with Raed El Sarraf. Raed El Sarraf is the Technical Principal – Materials & Corrosion with WSP in New Zealand.

Raed has extensive experience in corrosion engineering and asset integrity management of structural steel (and other metallic) structures. This includes durability assessments, specifying protective coatings systems, and detailing the correct use of corrosion resistant materials, such as weathering and stainless steels. He has also been involved in the publication of a number of articles, papers, and guidance documents in Australasia. These include the New Zealand and Australian versions of the Weathering Steel Guide for Bridges, as well as the New Zealand and Australian versions of the Steelwork Corrosion and Coatings Guide.

17 September 2020: In this episode of Stirring the Pot, HERA talks with Associate Professor Charles Clifton from the University of Auckland. Charles is currently engaged in an ongoing funded research project on the development of composite structural assemblies as well as being involved in ongoing development of the seismic and fire research topics.

Arguably one of New Zealand’s leading researchers on the topic, Charles sheds some light on the burning question of who wins in a fire – Steel vs Timber.

14 September 2020: RNZ Nine to Noon. Michael Bealing from the NZ Institute of Economic Research (NZIER) and Matthew Curtis from BRANZ talk with Kathryn Ryan from Radio New Zealand about the economic cost of quality defects.

A new report puts the cost of having to fix defects in new house builds at $2.5b each year. The figure's been hammered out by the NZIER in an analysis of direct costs to the construction industry of quality defects, as well as the indirect effects on productivity and housing supply.

So when and where do the defects occur? And what would be the benefits of eliminating them?

27 August 2020: RNZ Checkpoint interview. The government has injected hundreds of millions of dollars into a fund to secure a Covid-19 vaccine, but it will not say exactly how much, as it does not want to compromise its ability to do a deal.

The money is on top of $37 million earmarked earlier this year for domestic research, boosting manufacturing capability and supporting international research collaborations.

The government says this latest round of funding will give it access to promising candidates, as well as joining collective initiatives working toward securing a vaccine.

The announcement was made at the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, where scientists are racing to come up with their own vaccine. Research director Professor Graham Le Gros said the money shows New Zealand can be taken seriously.

19 August 2020: In this episode of Stirring the Pot, HERA talks talk with Emily Townsend who is the President of the Life Cycle Association of New Zealand – or LCANZ for short.

Their mission is to provide a focal point for Life Cycle Assessment and management work in New Zealand. Networking and knowledge sharing between organisations and people, as well as promoting and raising awareness of Life Cycle Thinking amongst the wider public and businesses.

HERA's podcast explores Environmental life cycle thinking, which is concerned with the environmental impacts of products and services from cradle to grave. Or – in other words from extraction of raw materials all the way through to the return of these materials to the Earth. It’s this approach that has formed the basis for development of the environmental management tool Life Cycle Assessment or LCA for short.

5 August 2020: In this episode of Stirring the Pot, HERA talks to with Won Hee Kang who is a Senior Lecturer in Structural Reliability at Western Sydney University.

He has been part of team collaborating with HERA to drive research into evaluation of capacity factors for API 5L products in non-composite and composite column applications.

This HERA podcast delves into these spirally welded circular hollow sections which have widespread availability in various dimensions, including the forward analysis carried out to calibrate the capacity factor for steel, and the inverse reliability analysis to estimate the required number of material tests to meet the target reliability level for given capacity factors.

22 July 2020: In this episode of Stirring the Pot, HERA talks to The Human Resources Project’s Executive Director – Rowan Larsen.

They discuss the skills gap crisis and the future of the workforce – and how to implement HR innovation strategies to attract and retain talent to future proof the industry for long term sustainability.

"The workforce is going to look very different in even 15 or 20 years, let alone 10. But for now, most businesses we are talking to are more immediately concerned with filling their staff shortages and meeting their staff requirements."

8 July 2020: In this episode of Stirring the Pot, HERA talks about a subject that might be unfamiliar to the metals industry – and that’s calculating carbon footprint.

It’s a part of a journey toward SSC Certification that will enable businesses, especially SMEs to build their skill and capacity.

To help drive this conversation, HERA CEO, Dr Troy Coyle, is joined by Christin Schaller and Barbara Nebel of thinkstep-anz.

thinkstep-anz are a sustainability consultancy passionate about enabling organisations to succeed in sustainability using a science-based approach. They were also engaged to assist HERA in calculating their own carbon footprint as they worked to meet the criteria to become SSC Certified.

8 July 2020: In this episode of Stirring the Pot, HERA talks to recent runner up of HERA’s Leading Metalhead Award – Mikaela Keir.

As a Casting Production Engineer at New Zealand Steel, she was acknowledged in this award category as a high potential employee (not yet at Executive level) who had created a mind-shift change in her employers business.

In Mikaela’s case, recognising her contributions to champion cultural change relating to innovation and inclusiveness as well as help hire the first female casting operator at New Zealand Steel.

24 June 2020: In this episode of Stirring the Pot, HERA talks to recent recipient of HERA’s Innovation Award – Chris Bumby.

As a Victoria University of Wellingtons Senior Scientist, he has been heading exciting research that is leading towards the development of hydrogen as a reductant for iron ores.

This would mean that water, instead of carbon dioxide, would be the bi-product of reduction and may eliminate the use of coal.

10 June 2020: In this episode of Stirring the Pot, HERA talks about what the recovery process for the building and construction industry looks like post Covid-19.

To help explore this, they’re joined by Warwick Quinn of BCITO and Graham Burke of NZCIC.

27 May 2020: In this episode of Stirring the Pot, HERA talks with former Director of Australia’s Sustainable Buildings Research Centre (or SBRC for short) – Professor Paul Cooper. His work was focused on bringing together a wide range of researchers to holistically address the challenges of making our buildings sustainable and effective places to live and work in.

In particular, Paul talks about retrofitting existing buildings to make them more sustainable.

26 May 2020: RNZ Checkpoint. A Covid-19 vaccine is being described as the Everest of medicine, and the race is on to beat corporate interests to the top of the mountain, Professor Graham Le Gros from Malaghan Institute says.

The government has announced $37 million towards a vaccine strategy with the goal to generate adequate supplies of a safe Covid-19 vaccine at the earliest possible time.

30 April 2020: RNZ Nine to Noon. There are urgent calls for the government to develop a national vaccine strategy, and someone to lead it, amid fears New Zealand could be at the back of the queue for any potential Covid-19 vaccine. Most infectious disease experts agree any Covid-19 vaccine is at best 12 to 18 months away.

Professor Graham Le Gros, who heads biomedical research at the Malaghan Institute, says relying on other countries for a vaccine is the wrong approach. He's working on a New Zealand-made vaccine.

“We’re in a privileged position in New Zealand in that we can learn from some of the vaccine developments occurring elsewhere.”

7 April 2020: RNZ Nine to Noon. Executive director of the economic think-tank, Motu, Dr John McDermott, is leading the data science team at the Asian macro-economic advisory firm, Wigram Capital Advisors.

The group's projections of what would have happened if the country had not gone into lockdown were cited by the prime minister on Sunday. She said the modelling suggested the country might have had 4000 cases of Covid-19 were the country not in lockdown.

Dr McDermott said if today's new cases are under 60, it could be the start of the curve flattening.

18 March 2020: This episode of Stirring the Pot features HERA CEO Dr Troy Coyle and Metals NZ CE Nick Collins.

They reflect back on the first of HERA’s Future Forum Conference which this year was aptly called 20/20 VISION.

Its theme was visualising the future – and their goal was to look at discussing some of the key challenges facing the metal industry so that together they could come up with ways to solve these issues and help the industry be more future focused.

19 February 2020: AUT - Auckland University of Technology's Lecturer in Structural & Earthquake Engineering Shahab Ramhormozian and Head of School of Future Environments Professor Charles Walker chat about teaching our future engineers and architects to collaborate so they can prepare and present building design projects of varying scales and complexity.

This focus is part of two new degrees at AUT - the BEng (honours) in Architectural Engineering and the Bachelor of Architecture and Future Environments.

4 February 2020: In this episode of HERA's Stirring the Pot, HERA talks with Puhoro STEM Academy’s Leland Ruwhiu who is responsible for Operations. As navigators their role is to better support Maori student engagement with STEM disciplines via mentoring, tutoring, and wananga.

They also interview the very first Whanake Scholarship Recipient and Mechatronical Student at Massey University, Sarah Lewis, who’ll be sharing her perspective on STEM as an aspiring engineer starting out her career.

24 January 2020: RNZ Nine to Noon. Fish and shellfish account for a significant portion of food-borne illnesses throughout the world, Now a method developed by Cawthron scientists to detect toxins in seafood will help to set a world standard for the global industry. Cawthron, in partnership with food safety scientists at the UK's Centre for the Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, has led a study over the past four years to gain international recognition for a method to detect neurotoxins in seafood products. Lynn Freeman talks to Cawthron Institute Marine Toxin Chemist Dr Tim Harwood about the significance of getting that validation.

21 January 2020: Len Ibbotson, Viticulture Research Manager at the Bragato Research Institute, was interviewed on RNZ rural news about BRI’s new research programme examining the impact of hail on vineyards and how vineyards can best recover after these types of events.

17 January 2020: A survey of GP's has found many are being asked for access to medicinal cannabis, and that some patients are also admitting they illegally obtain their own cannabis to self medicate.

76 general practitioners were questioned for the survey, and the findings were published today in the New Zealand Medical Journal.

The lead author, Dr Karen Oldfield, from the Medical Research Institute of New Zealand, explains why GP's want more research into medicinal cannabis.

20 December 2019: Simon Childerhouse was involved with moving 14,000 fur seals following the Kaikoura Earthquake, he satellite tracks humpback, Southern right, and blue whales, as well as sea lions, he talks about his research work in whale acoustics and the Campbell sea lions.

19 December 2019: Simon Stewart discusses his research work on near-shore algal blooms in lakes and coastal areas.

18 December 2019: Kate Hudson talks about the move to Nelson for her and her fellow scientist husband. She discusses her work at the Cawthron Institute in aquatic animal health.

27 November 2019: In this episode of HERA's Stirring the Pot, HERA talks with Watkins Steel Managing Director, Des Watkins.

Des has gone through a truly transformative process in his steel fabrication business – developing a four-step end-to-end digital process utilising 3D scanning, digital twins, augmented reality and automation. This change has allowed him to achieve real world outcomes that have redefined his business.

Des will also be a keynote speaker at HERA's Future Forum 20/20 VISION conference next year. He’ll also be hosting an exclusive Industry 4.0 Innovation cluster workshop during this time.

13 November 2019: In this episode of HERA's Stirring the Pot, HERA talks with MX3D CEO Gijs Van der Velden – all the way from the Netherlands!

Gijs company has a clear mission to introduce the advantages of 3D metal printing to new, high impact industries. Designing intelligent, robust and easy to use robotic additive manufacturing technology to enable users to 3D print large objects in metal.

He’s also the creator of the first of its kind 3D printed steel footbridge in Amsterdam, and we’re excited to have him as key speaker at our Future Forum – 20/20 VISION next year.

30 October 2019: In this episode of HERA's Stirring the Pot, HERA talks with NZ Steel Environment Manager Claire Jewell and Fletcher Steel Marketing and Innovation Manager and Former Technical Manager, Scott Morrison.

The podcast delves into their work in environmental product declarations (or EPDs for short), the process they’ve gone through to achieve them, and the benefits of doing so.

This is a great podcast to gain visibility into what the NZ metals industry is moving to do in order to meet the growing need to address sustainability, natural capital, and climate change.

16 October 2019: In this episode of HERA's Stirring the Pot, HERA talks with Amanda Nicolle - Director of Industry Partnerships at the Ministry of Social Development.

She leads an MSD initiative to create strategic partnerships with industries and employers that have skill and labour shortages. Working with them to identify the skills required, and how their programs and services can be tailored to meet these specific needs. Their aim being to ensure our industry is able to hire employees with the right skills when they need them.

2 October 2019: In this episode of HERA's Stirring the Pot, HERA talks with their own technical team at HERA - General Manager Welding Centre, Michail Karpenko, Finite Element Analyst Nandor Mago & PhD Scholarship Recipient and (since recording) now team member – Hafez Taheri.

They’re giving insight into the seismic research program they've been working on to specify weld details for critical seismic connections in New Zealand. A move, which will make steel fabrication more cost effective while ensuring adequate performance of the connection in service.

18 September 2019: In this episode of HERA's Stirring the Pot, HERA talks with Professor Chris Cook, the Former Executive Dean of Engineering at the University of Wollongong in Sydney, Australia.

Chris was involved with the Facility for Intelligent Fabrication - which delivers expertise, technology, equipment, and training in automating steel fabrication to help manufacturing businesses adapt and compete. Their knowledge and resources draw on decades of research-based welding and automation expertise and training.

24 August 2019: MRINZ Director Prof Richard Beasley shares fantastic news about a recent MRINZ asthma study with Carly Flynn on her Weekend Life Show on Magic Talk Radio.

“One of the fantastic things about doing clinical research in New Zealand is that we have such support from the Asthma Community . . . we had 890 New Zealanders who volunteered and took part in this study for a twelve-month period.”

4 August 2019: NewsTalk ZB - Life was going swimmingly for comedian, actor, business man David Downs until one day he was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins lymphoma. After 12 rounds of chemotherapy, Downs was told his cancer was terminal and given six months to live. He joined Andrew Dickens to discuss the treatment and his new book on his experience, A Mild Touch of the Cancer.

16 July 2019: What is Earth observation? And why is it important to New Zealand? Listen to Xerra Earth Observation Institute's Dr Moritz Lehmann, with Jesse Mulligan on RNZ Afternoons, talk about Earth observation (EO), and the value it brings to New Zealand and the world.

23 May 2019: Dr Peter Carey from Lincoln Agritech was interviewed by Radio NZ on his research into using catch crops to mitigate nitrate leaching during winter forage grazing. Listen to his RNZ Rural Morning Report interview at 1.54’.

20 November 2018: New research reveals what makes our towns and cities good places to live and do business - but we can't always have both. Kathryn Ryan talks to Building Better Homes, Towns and Cities Principal Investigator on the Supporting success in regional settlements team, Arthur Grimes, a Senior Fellow at Motu Research.