Summary In the third episode of Hey, Did You Know? An AUT Podcast, Professor John Tookey chats to host Mike Kilpatrick about infrastructure and what Aotearoa should be doing to ensure the best bang for our buck in infrastructure builds. They talk about new houses on floodplains, the need for housing intensification, the importance of Auckland’s Harbour Bridge and why running rail under the Waitemata Harbour isn’t an easy thing to do. There’s also a mention of poos and pees as some areas of Auckland can’t deal with waste in the way we’d expect. And, while they know summer has arrived in Aotearoa, they finish with some tips on how best to prepare your house to ensure everyone stays nice and warm next winter. John is the AUT programme leader for two postgraduate programmes - the Master of Construction Management (MCM) and the Master of Engineering Project Management (MEPM) as well as being the director of international for the School of Future Environments. He is a go-to expert for media in Aotearoa because he can talk about the complexities of the built environment and make it more accessible for a wider audience. Main Topics & Discussion Auckland Council approves homes on floodplains Auckland Council approves 4000 new homes on floodplains since 2023 Intensification around Auckland’s light rail stations Auckland's train station developments: Is the Govt overstepping? A new crossing for the Waitemata Harbour? Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown’s proposed second harbour bridge may cost billions, expert says Tips for making your home warm in winter Four ways to make your home feel warmer this winter Calls to Action Rate & Review on your chosen podcast app Follow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/autuninews/ Tell us what you want to know about next: media@aut.ac.nz CreditsHost – Mike Kilpatrick Editors – Velvl-Kai Ryder, Mike Kilpatrick Producer – Mike Kilpatrick Executive Producer – Nicola Igusa Music – Clinton Watkins Design – AUT Brand Team
SummaryNote: This episode of Hey, Did You Know? An AUT Podcast was recorded on 8 October 2025. In the second episode of Hey, Did You Know? An AUT Podcast, public international law expert Dr Myra Williamson chats to host Susan Strongman about Palestinian statehood, the role of the United Nations, New Zealand’s foreign policy, and whether international law really is law. Dr Williamson is a senior lecturer at AUT with a broad range of research interests. She’s published extensively on terrorism, the use of force by states, human rights, gender equality and justice, renters’ rights, seabed mining, genocide and more. Dr Williamson previously taught law at Waikato University, at universities in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, and at an international school in Aleppo, Syria. In the 2023 general election she ran, unsuccessfully, for the Labour Party in Hamilton West, where she was born, raised, and currently lives. Main Topics and Discussion Palestinian statehood & foreign policy - A UN finding of genocide in Gaza adds pressure on NZ to recognise a Palestinian state: https://theconversation.com/a-un-finding-of-genocide-in-gaza-adds-pressure-on-nz-to-recognise-a-palestinian-state-265473 - The World Court says Israel’s occupation of Palestinian land is illegal: 4 steps NZ can take now: https://theconversation.com/the-world-court-says-israels-occupation-of-palestinian-land-is-illegal-4-steps-nz-can-take-now-235878 - New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters addresses United Nations General Debate, 80th Session: https://youtu.be/yQvYd5rgR6U?si=sNBZUbhheFE96S1f Calls to Action 1. Rate and Review on your chosen podcast app 2. Follow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/autuninews/ 3. Tell us what you want to know about next: media@aut.ac.nz Credits Host – Susan Strongman Editors – Velvl-Kai Ryder, Susan Strongman Producer – Mike Kilpatrick Executive Producer – Nicola Igusa Music – Clinton Watkins Design – AUT Brand Team
Summary In the first episode of Hey, Did You Know? An AUT Podcast, Dr Rebecca Trelease (Te Āti Haunui a Pāpārangi) chats to host Mike Kilpatrick about television and particularly Rebecca's experience on reality TV, when she appeared on season two of The Bachelor NZ.They also speak about sexism inherent in critiques of entertainment and of Taylor Swift and her new album as well as The Swiftposium 2024 and Oceania’s first ever Taylor Swift summer school programme.They finish with a reality television recommendation.Rebecca is a senior lecturer in the Critical Media Studies Department at AUT. Her research field lies primarily in television, with her PhD thesis conducting case studies into four global entertainment reality television formats.As an academic, fan, and former participant, Rebecca offers a unique viewpoint into the reality television genre. Main Topics and Discussion Rebecca Trelease’s exit from The Bachelor NZ Season 2 - "I was on the show for love. I hope he saw (that)."- Is reality TV harmful?Taylor Swift - The Swiftposium 2024 - Inside Australasia's first university course studying a pop megastar The Humungous Fungus - Malheur National Forest in Oregon is the home the Humungous Fungus, an occurrence of Armillaria ostoyae. It's believed to be the largest single organism on Earth, according to the Oregon Encyclopaedia. Calls to Action 1. Rate and Review on your chosen podcast app 2. Follow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/autuninews/ 3. Tell us what you want to know about next: media@aut.ac.nz Credits Host – Mike Kilpatrick Editors – Velvl-Kai Ryder, Mike Kilpatrick Producer – Mike Kilpatrick Executive Producer – Nicola Igusa Music – Clinton Watkins Design – AUT Brand Team