Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

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Future cardiologists hope their work will have a positive impact on heart health in their clinical cardiology practise and research field. Three talented University of Otago students have received funding from the A H Couch Trust Heart Foundation Scholarship, which is designed to support promising health professionals. The three students are studying towards the intercalated Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programme, which combines a PhD with a medical degree. Heart Foundation Medical Director Dr Gerry Devlin says that all three of 2023’s successful applicants are enrolled in the same degree is an “infrequent occurrence”. “This reflects the exceptional calibre of the individuals and their potential as future research and heart health leaders in New Zealand,” Dr Devlin says. “In addition, we believe the research work all three investigators are undertaking will help extend our current knowledge and potentially have implications for the development of future treatments.” University of Otago PhD candidate and third-year medical student Thomas Pirker (Kāi Tahu, Te Ātiawa) will be researching the biological activity of a novel inflammatory protein called suPAR (soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor) at the Christchurch Heart Institute. High suPAR levels in heart disease patients are often associated with poorer outcomes, and there is limited knowledge to date on whether suPAR has any biological activity on the heart. Pirker will research suPAR’s biological actions on the heart wall (myocardium) by studying cellular pathways activated by suPAR and its role in energy metabolism which is important for heartbeat regulation during heart attack recovery. Knowledge obtained from this research could potentially unlock a new treatment pathway for heart attacks and improve survival and recovery. Pirker was recently awarded the prestigious Young Investigator’s Award for 2023 from the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand. Devin Tonkin, also a University of Otago PhD candidate and third-year medical student, will be investigating the potential of a new therapy called a “microRNA cocktail” to restore normal levels of microRNA in a failing heart. Dysregulation of microRNA molecules in chronic heart failure is thought to increase the death of heart cells, reduce the formation of new blood vessels and stiffen the heart walls. By developing a three-dimensional model of heart tissue, Tonkin will be able to mimic chronic heart failure and evaluate the effects of the microRNA cocktail treatment. Evidence from this study could aid development of a novel microRNA therapy for patients that prevents cardiovascular diseases from progressing to chronic heart failure. Mathew Shuen (Ngāti Ranginui), a University of Otago PhD candidate and third-year medical student will be unravelling the cellular biology of the ageing heart. His research will examine how levels of nuclear pore complex proteins in heart muscle cells change with patient ageing. Investigating the cellular causes of heart ageing could lead to new interventions that directly target the underlying mechanisms and inform the prevention and treatment of age-related heart diseases. The Couch Trust is excited at the calibre of the three awardees for 2023. “Their early career dedication and direction is remarkable, and we are confident they will contribute to cardiology research and leadership in the future,” trustees says. This honours the purpose of the Trust, which was established in 1972 through the generosity of the late Arthur Herbert Couch after he survived a serious heart attack.

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New University of Otago, Christchurch, research has found that a legal drug – alcohol – causes more widespread harm to New Zealand society than other illegal drugs. Published in the UK’s highly-respected Journal of Psychopharmacology, the findings show alcohol is the most harmful drug for the total population – when separately considering harm to those who use it and harm to others – followed by methamphetamine, synthetic cannabinoids and tobacco. While other international drug harm ranking studies have examined harm in a general population, this Health Research Council-funded study is believed to be the first to evaluate and rank psychoactive drugs in Aotearoa New Zealand according to harm within both the general population, and also separately for youth. Two expert panels were established to provide data for the study, using knowledge based on their diverse expertise in medicine, psychology, justice, community services and harm reduction. Two facilitated workshops identified separate rankings of harm for (firstly) the total population, and then for youth aged between 12 and 17. In all, 23 drugs (including legal drugs such as alcohol and tobacco) were scored against 17 different harm criteria using a swing weighting process, and analysed with specialised Multi Criteria Decision Analysis MCDA) software. This method is used to systematically consider options and build consensus; it is a valuable method for this type of study when quantitative data are not consistently available. Study co-author, Dr Rose Crossin from the campus’s Department of Population Health, says the findings will surprise some – who may have assumed other illegal drugs caused more harm than our most widely used legal drug. “It might challenge people to learn this, but alcohol isn’t the most harmful because it’s the most widely used drug in Aotearoa New Zealand. It’s rated the most harmful because of its association with a huge number of diseases, cancers, psychological disorders and other medical conditions. “Alcohol also causes more harm to others than to those who use it, including families, friends, communities and wider society. As one example, it’s associated with the likes of foetal alcohol spectrum disorder, which negatively affects a person’s life, education and employment prospects. Therefore, we need to improve resourcing for interventions that reduce harm, for those who need them,” says Dr Crossin. Aotearoa’s two most widely used legal drugs, alcohol and tobacco, were found to cause the first and fourth-largest amount of harm overall. Study co-author Professor Joe Boden, from the campus’s Department of Psychological Medicine, says the results also identified a mismatch between harmfulness and legal status. “We found a spread of harmfulness amongst a number of illegal Class A drugs, with some causing a lot of harm, and others very little. In some cases, the criminal penalties for using these drugs don’t match the level of societal harm they actually cause,” says Professor Boden. New Zealand’s drug policies are also causing harm, the study authors say. “Our study has identified that a significant proportion of drug harm arises from the legal status of the drug, rather from the drug itself. This includes harms to the drug user such as loss of employment and relationships, along with harms to others relating to crime and family adversities. This suggests we need to reconsider our policy settings to reduce overall drug harm, and consider how best to support family, friends and communities – not just the actual individual using the drug,” Professor Boden says. NZ Drug Foundation Executive Director Sarah Helm says that the new research is extremely valuable, especially as it focuses on the New Zealand population. “When you rank drugs by harm, the evidence supporting drug law reform is compelling. This research makes clear that there’s no relationship between legality and lower harm, in fact our laws are causing a lot of the harm. We need to shift towards regulation of substances based on the actual harm they cause.” Publication details The New Zealand Drug Harms Ranking Study: A Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis Rose Crossin, University of Otago, Christchurch; Joe Boden, University of Otago, Christchurch; Tuari Potiki, University of Otago; Chris Wilkins, Massey University Journal of Psychopharmacology For more information, contact: Dr Rose Crossin Department of Population Health University of Otago, Christchurch Email rose.crossin@otago.ac.nz Professor Joe Boden Director, Christchurch Health and Development Study University of Otago, Christchurch Email joseph.boden@otago.ac.nz Lorelei Mason Communications Adviser University of Otago, Christchurch Mob +64 21 279 2203 Email lorelei.mason@otago.ac.nz

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From wild cuisine to a pantry staple – University of Otago research has uncovered future uses of the humble grub. Researchers in the Department of Food Science have been investigating the nutritional value of huhu grubs and possible food applications of huhu and sago grubs. They have published two research papers in leading international journals Foods and Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology, revealing the rich and high-quality proteins of the insects, and their potential uses in a variety of foods. Co-author and project supervisor Dr Dominic Agyei says the research raises the awareness of the functional properties of edible insect proteins, created by drying and grinding the grubs into powder, and extracting proteins from them. “Edible insects have a growing reputation as an excellent source of important nutrients such as proteins, fat, and minerals. But we felt the general public was less aware that insect proteins can also have functional properties – the things that make food look and taste good and be appealing,” he says. The researchers found protein from sago grubs is very good at forming strong gels, foams and emulsions. Lead author, PhD candidate Ruchita Kavle says the interesting thing is that both grub proteins had the ability to create foams that were stable by at least 80 per cent even after 60 minutes. “To put this in context, if you had used the insect proteins to make a cappuccino, the foam would still be sitting on top of your coffee after more than an hour. “These properties make it excellent for use in products like mayonnaise, salad dressings, ice cream, desserts, dips such as hummus, and perhaps in huhu grub milk. “By including grub protein in these foods, their nutritional value would be boosted,” she says. Dr Agyei believes more people should embrace insects as an alternative protein source. “Insects are excellent alternatives that diversify our food sources and are incredibly nutritious – they are rich in proteins, minerals, and a compound called chitin, a gut-health-friendly dietary fibre.” For those who are put off by the sight of insect parts in their food, there are other options. “Insects can be turned into powders to enhance their appeal and use in other foods. It is remarkable to know that once converted into protein powders, we can harness even more potential uses for these grubs as a sustainable food source,” he says. Miss Kavle also highlights the sustainability of edible insects – they contribute to eight of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. “Rearing insects is a low-resource business opportunity which emits fewer greenhouse gases than other animal-based food sources. Insects can also be raised on food waste, which is great for building a circular economy and sustainability,” she says. Consumer insights is an area in which more research needs to be done to get more people eating insects regularly. “We need more data to understand the social and psychological factors that control people’s motivation to try novel foods. Without consumer buy-in, the many benefits of insects as a source of food cannot be realised. A bigger market would also drive interest from entrepreneurs and researchers, which can drive prices down for the consumer.” Tasting event The proof is in the pudding – try insect ice cream yourself! As part of the New Zealand International Science Festival, you have the opportunity to taste edible insects: Edible Insects: Treat or Trick? – New Zealand International Science Festival Saturday 8 July 2023,  2–4pm Publication details Nutritional composition and techno-functional properties of sago palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus) larvae protein extract Ruchita Rao Kavle, Ellenna Tamsin Maree Pritchard, Alan Carne, Alaa El-Din Ahmed Bekhit, James David Morton, Dominic Agyei Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Physicochemical Characteristics, Techno-Functionalities, and Amino Acid Profile of Prionoplus reticularis (Huhu) Larvae and Pupae Protein Extracts Ruchita Rao Kavle Patrick. J. Nolan, Alan Carne, Alaa El-Din Ahmed Bekhit, James David Morton, Dominic Agyei Foods For more information, contact: Dr Dominic Agyei Senior Lecturer Department of Food Science University of Otago Tel +64 3 479 7545 Email dominic.agyei@otago.ac.nz Ellie Rowley Communications Adviser University of Otago Mob +64 21 278 8200 Email ellie.rowley@otago.ac.nz

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While vaping provides a pathway to help smokers wanting to quit, for non-smokers it may be the first step on a pathway to taking up smoking, a new study has shown. Led by University of Otago post graduate student Andre Mason and Associate Professor Damian Scarf, of the University of Otago’s Department of Psychology, the collaborative research, published today in the Drug and Alcohol Review, analysed data related to smoking and vaping status of New Zealanders from the 2018-2020 New Zealand Attitudes and Values survey. Associate Professor Scarf says broadly, the prevalence of smoking was found to be decreasing over time, while the prevalence of vaping was increasing. No differences were observed in the likelihood of transition from smoking to vaping or vice versa, indicating that either pathway was equally as likely. Survey results were analysed from the three years starting in in 2018. The prevalence of those in the survey who smoked decreased at each time point (7.4, 6.2 and 5.2 per cent), while the prevalence of those who vaped increased (2.8, 2.9 and 3.4 per cent.) In 2018, those who vaped were more likely to start smoking than those who smoked were to start vaping, while in 2019, the opposite effect was found. Vaping is an increasing phenomenon worldwide. Recent estimates suggest that Aotearoa New Zealand has the second highest rates of ever using (15.5 per cent) or currently using (7.8 per cent) nicotine vaping products in the world. It is estimated that 81 million people vaped globally in 2022, up 39 per cent from 58 million in 2018 and up 103 per cent from 21 million in 2012. Mr Mason says vaping was initially “hailed a new tool to help people quit smoking, but to date that evidence has been inconsistent”. Unlike other studies, the researchers found no consistent evidence that vaping acts as a cessation pathway from smoking. “Instead there are frequent transitions between smoking and vaping and vice versa. While most individuals continued to engage in the behaviour they reported at the previous time point, there were individuals transitioning between both smoking and vaping,” Mr Mason says. The results offer “critical insight” into the potential adverse effects of vaping and emphasise the need for stricter policies. “Contrary to the desired hope, vaping appears to have emerged as just another smoking-related behaviour rather than a substitute for smoking that primarily helps people quit,” he says. Although the prevalence of smoking decreased over time, the lack of evidence for a cessation effect through vaping suggests the drop may be due to other factors, such as marketing campaigns focused on the negative health impacts and increased costs of buying cigarettes. “Furthermore, and perhaps more concerningly, vaping appeared to be equally as likely to increase the uptake of cigarette smoking as it was to have a cessation effect,” he says. “This supports the arguments that policy discussions cannot simply focus on a one-directional consideration of harm reduction, in this case that if vaping is less harmful than cigarettes, then vaping can be less regulated to enable smokers to switch to healthier behaviours.” Publication details Effects of vaping on uptake and cessation of smoking: Longitudinal analysis in Aotearoa New Zealand adults Andre Mason, Damian Scarf, Tamlin S. Conner, (all of the Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin), Benjamin C. Riordan (Centre for Alcohol Policy Research, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia) Taylor Winter (School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Canterbury), and Chris G. Sibley (School of Psychology, University of Auckland). Drug and Alcohol Review For more information, please contact: Andre Mason Lead author Post graduate student, Department of Psychology University of Otago Email andre.mason@postgrad.otago.ac.nz Lea Jones Communications Adviser, Media Engagement University of Otago Mobile +64 21 279 4969 Email lea.jones@otago.ac.nz

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The cost of returning to school and work put pressure on households this year, with 70% of those who faced these expenses reporting negative impacts, according to a BNZ survey.

The survey found that of the 48% of respondents who faced start-of-year expenses in 2025, nearly one in three (29%) reported feeling pressure when deciding what to pay, how to pay, and when to pay. To manage, 37% turned to Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) services, credit cards, and other high interest lending.

“The financial pressure at the start of the year is very real for some households, especially after the holiday period when budgets are already stretched,” says Anna Flower, Executive for Personal and Business Banking at BNZ.

“For some, these pressures led to difficult sacrifices – 14% of affected households reported selling things to help meet these costs,” she says.

The biggest start-of-year expenses were stationery (53%), followed by transport (42%), school and work uniforms (42%), and technology-related costs (40%).

Budget service sees impact on families and seniors

“The findings from the BNZ survey mirror what we’re seeing on the frontlines,” says Claudette Wilson, General Manager of North Harbour Budgeting Services (NHBS).

“2025 has been challenging for parents, with many turning to Buy Now Pay Later schemes and other high-interest credit options that can create longer-term financial strain.

“Perhaps most concerning is seeing children excluded from essential school activities because their parents simply can’t afford them,” Wilson adds.

“We’re witnessing families forced to choose between paying rent, putting food on the table, or covering basic school costs like technology, books and camp fees. With the ongoing cost of living pressures, some families simply can’t stretch their budgets to cover all these necessities.

“We’ve also identified a concerning trend that’s often overlooked – a significant increase in seniors over 65 seeking our support because they’re raising grandchildren. These older New Zealanders, who should be enjoying retirement, are instead navigating school uniform purchases and technology requirements, creating substantial financial pressure on fixed incomes.”

Wilson encourages those feeling financial pressure to reach out for support. “NHBS offers free, confidential financial guidance to anyone struggling with these costs. Our team can help with personalised budgeting solutions, negotiate with creditors if needed, and provide ongoing support as circumstances change.”

Planning ahead can ease financial pressure

While the costs can be a significant burden, the survey shows many households are finding ways to manage. Of those with start-of-year expenses, 57% took proactive steps, including 48% saving in advance and 17% spreading payments over time.

Flower says saving even a small sum each month can make a big difference when new year costs roll around.

“Putting aside a little each month can ease the financial pressure when these costs come around. Even better, using a dedicated high interest savings account can help these funds grow with interest throughout the year, giving families a bit extra when costs arrive.”

Practical tips for managing start-of-year costs

• Plan ahead – If possible, set aside a small amount each month and use high-interest savings accounts to help grow your money
• Use budgeting tools – use digital budgeting tools to track and categorise back-to-school or work costs to avoid overspending
• Explore your options – Check with schools about payment plans, second-hand uniform programmes or community exchanges
• Research tech choices – Ask if there are any special deals available through your child’s school, or consider quality refurbished technology to keep costs down

 

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Source: BNZ Voice customer panel survey, 18^th February – 2nd March 2025. Total responses: n=300 respondents. The profile of participating customers was not controlled for this survey. 

 

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From streaming services to gym memberships, keeping track of subscriptions and recurring payments can be a challenge. BNZ is making it easier by becoming the first New Zealand bank to adopt the latest Payments NZ open banking standard.

The new standard allows for recurring payments to be processed directly between bank accounts through a secure API. This allows different systems like banks, apps or third-party service providers to securely connect and share payment instructions in real time, unlocking new functionalities for businesses and customers.

To bring these benefits to life, BNZ is working with homegrown fintech BlinkPay to help businesses seamlessly integrate new payment options. Through integration with online banking, Blink AutoPay allows businesses to process regular payments from customer accounts with improved flexibility and control for both parties.

“Blink AutoPay is purpose-built to be a modern, customer-friendly solution that makes recurring bills simpler and more efficient for everyone involved,” says BlinkPay CEO Adrian Smith.

“Customers can approve payment arrangements instantly in their banking app without any paperwork hassle, set their own payment limits, and have better visibility of what’s coming out of their account and when.

“Businesses will benefit by being able to more easily offer customers subscription options that ensure bills get paid on time, every time. Whether it’s utilities, digital services, memberships, or any recurring payment, it means more reliable payments, better cashflow, and happier customers.”

Karna Luke, BNZ’s Executive of Customer Products and Service, says, “We’re excited about the opportunities this creates for businesses to build new and innovative payment experiences to best meet the needs of their customers. This is about making payments more reliable and flexible while retaining bank-grade security – ultimately making financial services work better for all New Zealanders.

“With over 250,000 BNZ customers already using secure API-connected services, this update continues to drive innovation in the country’s growing open banking ecosystem.”

For more information about BNZ’s open banking capabilities and developer resources, visit https://developer.bnz.co.nz/

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As the country’s attention turns to economic growth initiatives, Bank of New Zealand (BNZ) is scaling up its Growth Academy programme to give 1,400 businesses nationwide more tools and technology to drive strategic growth.

After a successful pilot with 250 businesses last year, BNZ is expanding its Growth Academy across New Zealand in partnership with growth navigation software company D/srupt. The Growth Academy combines hands-on workshops with sophisticated AI-powered digital tools that help businesses refine their strategy, enhance performance, and create new pathways for growth.

BNZ General Manager, Growth Sectors, Brandon Jackson says it’s a solution to the challenge most business owners face when growing their enterprise – moving from working ‘in’ their business to working ‘on’ their business.

“As New Zealand’s largest business bank, we’ve seen time and again how successful businesses thrive when owners can step back from daily firefighting to focus on strategy,” he says.

“With this expanded programme, business owners will leverage the power of AI to help them cost effectively assess their strategic drivers, understand their growth potential, future funding needs, and opportunities to strengthen their market position.”

Driving real results

The Growth Academy has already delivered meaningful results for businesses like BlueDoor, a boutique internet service provider offering a range of services to residential and business customers. As a growing company looking to strengthen their market position, they saw the Growth Academy as an opportunity to develop a more structured approach to their future expansion.

“The Growth Academy helped us take our strategic thinking to the next level,” says BlueDoor Director Mark Anderson.

“Like many businesses, we had ideas about where we wanted to go, but the programme gave us powerful tools to evaluate options effectively and build a robust strategy.”

Following their participation, BlueDoor secured nearly half a million dollars in financing from BNZ to fund their strategic expansion plans – a direct result of the clarity and confidence gained through the Growth Academy process.

“Our workshops cut through the complexity that often makes strategic planning feel overwhelming,” says Debbie Humphrey, founder of D/srupt.

“We combine practical guidance with technology to help turn big-picture thinking into concrete action plans you can actually implement.”

Leveraging AI

D/srupt’s Growth Navigation program uses AI to make strategic planning faster and more accessible for small to medium businesses.

“Our AI technology personalises recommendations for each business’s specific industry and helps owners express their strategy in language that really connects with their teams and shareholders,” explains Humphrey.

“We see this making a real difference because so many business owners struggle with applying high level business frameworks to their specific situation, and they often find it hard to put their vision into words that drive real operational change.

“What might have taken a full day of workshops can now be done in minutes. For time-poor business owners constantly juggling priorities, this means strategic planning actually happens instead of being perpetually pushed to the bottom of the to-do list.”

The 2025 Growth Academy launches on 31 March, with applications opening on March 10. It includes in-person workshops in 16 locations from Whangārei to Invercargill. Online options further extend the programme’s reach, ensuring accessibility for businesses throughout New Zealand.

The programme will run for 12 months and includes:

• In-person workshops or online learning, reaching 1,400 businesses nationwide
• Access to D/srupt’s advanced growth navigation platform and expertise to assess strategy, find opportunities, and build practical growth plans
• Guidance on funding pathways, from traditional banking to grants and growth capital
• Direct connection to BNZ’s business banking expertise and support

For more information, visit the BNZ website BNZ Growth Academy – BNZ

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BNZ today announced it is cutting its advertised 6-month fixed home loan rate to 5.89% p.a, effective from tomorrow.    

BNZ Executive Customer Products and Services Karna Luke says over the past six months, we’ve seen a spike in customers choosing shorter terms with approximately 60% of customers choosing to float or fix for 6-month terms.   

“With more customers looking to fix for shorter terms, BNZ is actively looking for every opportunity to meet customer demand.”   

“This change will be welcome news for many of our customers who are looking to take advantage of the falling interest rate environment.”   

BNZ’s new advertised 6-month rate is the joint-lowest of the five major banks* and will be available for new and existing customers to select online and in the BNZ app from tomorrow.  

Lower interest rates have also sparked more home loan activity, with more potential buyers making enquiries and seeking home loan pre-approval.   

“For all our home loan customers, our in-house Home Loan Partners provide personalised service and can deliver a 24-hour decision on new home loan applications once we’ve received all required information and completed responsible lending checks,” says Mr Luke.  

*As at 3pm, 18 February 2025.   

The changes to BNZ’s 6-month fixed home loan rate will be effective from 19 February 2025 for both new and existing customers.   

All home loans are subject to our lending criteria (including minimum equity requirements), terms and fees. An establishment fee of up to $150 may apply. 

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An act of generosity during the Great Depression is still supporting people today. In 1936, banker William Hartley Hargreaves left £12,000 to establish a trust for the families of his colleagues at the Bank of New Zealand – a fund that has grown to over $1.45 million today.

Originally created to support “indigent widows of bank officers” – it has evolved through High Court decisions in 1989 and 2023 to help BNZ staff members and their families facing financial hardship.

“The trust’s journey reflects the changing face of New Zealand society,” says Frances Ronowicz, BNZ’s Head of Social Impact.

“What began as support for widows during the Depression era now helps our people and their families in tough times. The trust has provided over $320,000 in assistance to staff and their dependents in the past decade alone.”

“Recent grants have helped colleagues access urgent family support, cope with serious health challenges including mobility needs, and rebuild their lives during personal crises. The trust also assists with essential costs during unexpected life events that can create financial strain.”

The trust’s founder, William Hartley Hargreaves, was a prominent figure in colonial New Zealand, managing BNZ branches from Thames to Temuka after joining in 1867.

Deeply connected to the communities he served, his retirement in 1913 drew what local papers called “perhaps the largest gathering of citizens ever accommodated in the Borough Council.”

Through careful management and investment, the trust has grown into a sustainable $1.45 million fund that generates ongoing returns to support future generations. This ensures the trust can continue providing assistance without depleting its capital base.

“Hargreaves’ gift has left a lasting legacy, and we’re proud to continue administering the trust in his name, providing support to our people in times of need,” says Ronowicz.

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