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Midlife women focus more on alcohol’s immediate health impacts than longer-term risks, a new study shows.

Women manage the immediate health impacts of alcohol, but pay less attention to long-term risks such as cancer, according to new research out of Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland.

Dr Kate Kersey, a research fellow in the Centre for Addiction Research, interviewed 50 New Zealand women aged 35 to 60, both individually and in friendship groups, to explore how they understand and manage their drinking. See Psychology and Health: https://doi.org/10.1080/08870446.2026.2650785

Overall, 29 women (58 percent) drank at least twice a week, and 25 women (50 percent) typically drank three or more drinks on each occasion.

“There was a strong sense of expert knowledge in how participants talked about what alcohol does to the body,” says Kersey. “They spoke frequently about its negative effects on sleep quality, energy levels and weight.

“Interestingly, they did not talk much about long-term health effects such as heart disease or cancer. However, consistent with our other research, some participants said that if they were to develop cancer, they would feel deeply guilty, worrying that alcohol might have contributed.”

Kersey says these understandings reflect our current social context, where people are expected to take individual responsibility for successful lives and good health.

“If you are expected to be a ‘good’, productive citizen – you need to have the energy to perform well at work and stay fit and healthy.

The study also analysed women’s answers through a gendered lens. Today’s ‘empowered’ midlife women are expected to put effort into being a good mother and career women, into looking after themselves and others, and into ‘looking good’.

This was evident in how women in this study often framed drinking-related harms as something that could be managed through knowledge, careful monitoring and self-discipline – for example by tracking consumption through apps, investing in their health, and maintaining a slim body.

“They described doing a lot of exercise, with a strong sense that this was compensating for the effects of alcohol. However, we know that exercise does not always counteract alcohol’s harms, particularly its carcinogenic properties,” Kersey says.

The research focused primarily on middle-class Pākehā women, and Kersey notes that further work is needed with different communities and demographics.

Within this sample, however, most participants believed that they were ‘responsible’ about their drinking – a term Kersey sees as highly flexible and individualised.

“Everybody has a different idea of what being ‘responsible’ means when it comes to drinking,” she says. “For some people, that can still involve drinking quite large amounts – half a bottle of wine a night, or even a bottle.

“And if they are still doing their lives ‘right’ – working, parenting, exercising – they are less worried about their consumption.”

Kersey describes this as drinking within an ‘alcohol-genic environment’, where responsibility is placed on individuals to manage their drinking while alcohol remains widely available and heavily promoted.

“The industry pushes the framing of ‘drinking responsibly’, as does the government, because alcohol is a prized economic activity in our society.”

She argues that policy changes are needed like those that successfully reduced smoking-related harm: higher pricing, reduced availability, and strong regulation of marketing.

Kersey also emphasises the need for gender-responsive alcohol policy.

“One of the worst developments was alcohol being sold in supermarkets where the majority of shoppers are women, and where it’s seen like any other grocery item,” she says. “But alcohol is not a food product – it’s a psychoactive substance that can cause significant harm.”

Alcohol companies also increasingly target women through marketing that links drinking with health and self-care (relaxation, pleasure, social connection). Drinks labelled as low-sugar or low-carb also target women’s desire to maintain slim bodies.

Overall, the study shows that women’s drinking practices do not exist in a neutral environment.

“They are socially shaped, deeply gendered, and strongly influenced by powerful commercial interests,” Kersey says.

“If we want to reduce alcohol-related harm, we need to move beyond individual responsibility and address the wider systems that normalise New Zealand’s drinking culture.”

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder is common, yet there is little support for carers, something a researcher at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland hopes to improve.

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is common in Aotearoa New Zealand, yet there is little support for individuals and whānau affected by it – something Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland is keen to change.

Dr Joanna Ting Wai Chu, a senior research fellow in social and community health, has received $1.4 million over three years to run a gold‑standard trial of a parenting intervention aimed at supporting caregivers and people with FASD.

“I am thrilled to receive the HRC Health Delivery funding for this trial because I feel a sense of social responsibility to carers who have been advocating for better support for many years now.”

The Ministry of Health estimates that three to five percent of the population may have been exposed to alcohol before birth, meaning it is likely that 1,800 to 3,000 babies are born each year with FASD.

For Chu, finding out more about the scale of the problem and what can help feels like a social responsibility. “We have such a huge alcohol‑drinking culture in New Zealand, but when you come into the space of foetal alcohol spectrum disorder, the amount of blame and the stigma attached is actually quite upsetting.”

According to data from the University of Auckland’s Growing Up in New Zealand study, around half of pregnancies are unplanned, Chu says.

“If you look at our drinking culture, and the fact we often don't find out we're pregnant until we're six or seven weeks or, even 12 weeks for some, by then you probably have drunk some alcohol.”

Yet, even though it is easy to accidentally drink during pregnancy, there is still shame and stigma associated with FASD, Chu says.

FASD is a lifelong disability that affects brain function and development, creating significant challenges for individuals, their families and society.

International research estimates that ten to 36 percent of people in youth-justice facilities have FASD.

Chu plans to co‑design a randomised controlled trial of a parenting intervention currently available only on an ad hoc basis, usually when a community organisation can fund it.

Chu developed the funding application with the FASD Care Action Network (FASD‑CAN), a nonprofit that supports caregivers impacted by FASD. They will now work together to design the trial to ensure it is bicultural, measures the most important outcomes and is delivered safely and respectfully.

“We want to make sure that the programme is going to work for the community, rather than us as researchers deciding everything. One of the issues with parenting programmes is they often works in the controlled setting, but when you roll them out into the community, the impact or the uptake is often not very high.

“And that's because often what we can control for in research doesn't necessarily mean it applies in the community.”

The aim is to ensure the programme meets community needs and, in the long run, for it to be funded by government as a key parenting programme to support carers.

“There is currently very little support available for parents and carers,” Chu says.

The hope is that parents and carers will learn about FASD, how it differs from other spectrum disorders and strategies to respond appropriately.

With better diagnosis and targeted support, Chu hopes carers will feel better equipped to support those living with this common disabling condition.

8 April 2026 – The Monetary Policy Committee today agreed to hold the OCR at 2.25 percent. Since the February Monetary Policy Statement, events in the Middle East have materially altered the outlook and the balance of risks for inflation and economic growth in New Zealand. In the near term, inflation is expected to increase and the economic recovery to weaken. The Committee is vigilant to any generalised inflationary pressure and stands ready to act to return inflation to its medium-term target.  

The Middle East conflict has disrupted global supply chains, leading to significantly higher prices for oil and refined petroleum products. As a result, near-term inflation is increasing and economic growth is weakening in many countries. Global financial markets have been volatile and market interest rates have increased.

In New Zealand, the extent of the near-term increase in headline inflation will depend on how the conflict in the Middle East evolves and the magnitude and duration of the disruption to global supply chains and energy markets.

Medium-term inflationary pressure will depend on the extent to which higher costs influence price- and wage-setting behaviour by firms and workers in the economy. If medium-term inflation expectations increase, then inflation is likely to become more persistent. However, weak demand and spare productive capacity in the economy should constrain the degree to which higher costs can be passed on.

The current economic situation is different to 2022 when COVID-19 and Russia's invasion of Ukraine disrupted global supply chains and increased energy prices. Back then, demand was growing strongly, adding to inflation pressure.

The Committee's decision to hold the OCR balances the potential benefits of responding pre-emptively to the risk of higher medium-term inflation against the cost of unnecessarily stifling the economic recovery.

The Monetary Policy Committee is focused on ensuring that inflation returns to the 2-percent target midpoint over the medium term. This requires core inflation and wage growth to remain contained and medium- and long-term inflation expectations to remain around 2 percent. If these conditions are not met, decisive and timely increases in the OCR would be required.

Read the full statement and Record of meeting: https://govt.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd316aa7ee4f5679c56377819&id=922ab96a14&e=f3c68946f8

A Sri Lankan academic who left behind an established teaching career to start again in New Zealand has achieved a rare milestone—securing a lecturing role before even graduating, in a story inspiring migrant communities from Colombo to Southland.

Dhanushka Abeysekara will graduate with a Master of Professional Accounting (First Class Honours) from Unitec Institute of Technology on 31 March 2026. But before crossing the graduation stage, he had already begun teaching as an accounting lecturer at the Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) in Invercargill.

For New Zealand’s tertiary sector—and for Sri Lankan, Indian, and wider Asian migrant communities—his journey highlights how international education can fast-track experienced professionals into meaningful careers, even in regional parts of the country.

A dream carried from Sri Lanka to New Zealand

Originally from Colombo, Abeysekara built a distinguished 18-year career in higher education in Sri Lanka, beginning in IT before transitioning into accounting, finance, and taxation.

But his ambition had always been clear.

“From a young age, I always wanted to become a lecturer,” he says. “I even kept a small diary where I noted the strengths and weaknesses of my teachers, as I aimed to become better in my own teaching.”

Despite already holding an MBA and professional qualifications, he made the bold decision to move countries and return to study.

“I wanted to further develop my academic knowledge and gain international exposure,” he explains. “That motivated me to pursue another postgraduate qualification.”

Starting over—and standing out

Arriving in New Zealand in 2024 with his wife and two children, Abeysekara enrolled at Unitec, drawn by its applied learning approach.

“I chose Unitec because of its strong academic reputation and practical approach to learning.”

Like many migrant students, the transition came with challenges—adjusting to a new culture, education system, and professional environment.

“Moving to a new country brought several challenges,” he says. “Adapting to different teaching styles and balancing study with settling into life in New Zealand required resilience and determination.”

There were also moments of real pressure.

“At one point, I had only two weeks remaining on my visa,” he recalls. “The student support centre provided tremendous assistance… I am very grateful for their support.”

The role of support and mentorship

Abeysekara’s success was underpinned by strong institutional support and mentorship—something he says made a critical difference.

“With the guidance of exceptional lecturers and support services, I was able to successfully complete my Master’s with First Class Honours,” he says. “It strengthened not only my technical knowledge but also my research capability, critical thinking skills, and academic confidence.”

Senior Lecturer Dr Wajira Dassanayake says his achievement reflects both his experience and the programme’s strength.

“His swift transition from graduation to employment highlights the rigorous training in accounting, research, and professional practice,” he says. “It may be the first time one of our alumni has secured an academic position in New Zealand.”

A new chapter in Southland

Now based in Invercargill, Abeysekara and his family are building a new life in one of New Zealand’s southernmost communities—bringing global experience to a regional classroom.

“Moving to the South Island with my family was another big step,” he says. “I can never forget the long journey from Auckland to Invercargill—it was a big move, but also an exciting one.”

In his role at SIT, he teaches undergraduate accounting students, helping them develop practical and analytical skills for the workforce.

“This is a proud milestone in my career, as it allows me to continue my passion for teaching in New Zealand.”

A message to Sri Lankan and migrant communities

Abeysekara’s journey—from Colombo classrooms to lecturing in New Zealand—resonates strongly with Sri Lankan and wider migrant communities navigating career transitions abroad.

“My journey has shown that career paths are not always linear,” he says. “Moving from IT to accounting and from Sri Lanka to New Zealand required persistence and adaptability.”

His advice reflects both his personal experience and professional philosophy:

“Believe in your potential, stay resilient, seek mentorship, and be open to new opportunities. Continuous learning and determination can open doors you never imagined.”

As he prepares to graduate, Abeysekara is already fulfilling a lifelong goal—teaching, mentoring, and shaping future professionals in Aotearoa New Zealand.

For Sri Lankan audiences at home and abroad, his story is a powerful reminder: no matter where you start, with resilience and education, it is possible to rebuild, succeed, and lead on a global stage.

Queenstown, New Zealand (8 April 2026) – Party leaders will go head-to-head on New Zealand's energy future at Electrify Queenstown next month, in a rare cross-party debate during an election year.

Labour leader Rt Hon Chris Hipkins, the Green Party's Chlöe Swarbrick, and The Opportunity Party's Qiulae Wong, will each deliver a speech at the award-winning event on 18 May, followed by a leaders' debate moderated by Paddy Gower.

A Government minister or Coalition representative is also expected to join the line-up, with the final speaker to be confirmed shortly.

With conflict in Iran disrupting global oil supply and pushing up fuel prices, the impacts are already being felt in New Zealand through rising travel costs and pressure on household and business budgets – making this discussion about energy sovereignty and affordability more timely than ever.

It will be one of the few opportunities early this year to see multiple party leaders debate energy policy side-by-side.

Set in one of New Zealand's fastest-growing regions, Electrify Queenstown (17-19 May) will examine how electrification can transform the tourism industry, households, and other sectors.

Other speakers include 2026 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Sir Rod Drury, New Zealand Sustainability Leader of the Year Mike Casey, and leading renewable electricity advocate Dr Saul Griffith.

The three-day programme will cover cost savings and productivity gains, funding pathways, and practical steps for businesses and households.

Event details:

The Future of New Zealand's Energy System: A Leaders' Debate

When: Monday 18 May, from 2pm-4.30pm

Where: Queenstown Events Centre

More information and full programme: www.electrifyqueenstown.co.nz

Tackling poverty is the single most important thing New Zealand can do to reduce the number of people with dementia, says University of Auckland’s Dr Etuini Ma’u.

Modelling in Ma’u’s latest research shows if everyone lived in the same wealthy environments as the top 20 percent of New Zealanders, dementia rates would drop by about 19 percent over 30 years.

His research shows a 50 percent higher risk of dementia among people living in the most deprived parts of New Zealand, compared with those in the most affluent areas.

Dementia risk increases across every ethnic group as deprivation rises, says Ma’u, who is a senior lecturer in psychological medicine and a Te Whatu Ora psychiatrist for older people.

Rates of dementia are about 50 percent higher among Māori and Pacific people aged over 60 than among European and Asian New Zealanders of the same age, he says.

The underlying driver of that high dementia rate is poverty. About 35 percent of Māori and Pacific people live in the poorest parts of New Zealand, says Ma’u, who is of Tongan descent.

“Dementia risk isn’t driven by ethnicity – it’s driven by deprivation.

“Māori and Pacific people living in affluent areas have a lower risk of dementia and Europeans living in areas with high deprivation are at higher risk of dementia,” he says.

In 2024, the Lancet published research identifying 14 risk factors for dementia.

Some factors can lead to damage to the brain, such as smoking, obesity, physical inactivity, diabetes, excessive alcohol consumption, hypertension, traumatic brain injury, high LDL cholesterol, and air pollution.

Other risk factors reduce brain stimulation. These include social isolation, untreated vision loss, hearing loss, depression, and less education.

The Lancet stated that dementia could be reduced by up to 45 percent if these 14 risk factors were eliminated.

“Dementia is the end result of incremental and cumulative damage to the brain over a lifetime.

“We think of it as a disease that affects older people, but that’s just when the brain can no longer cope with all the changes sustained over the preceding decades.”

Ma’u says people in poorer communities have higher rates of many of these risk factors.

People living in poorer areas are more likely to be surrounded by businesses selling unhealthy products, such as alcohol, tobacco, vapes, and fast food, that increase their risk of developing dementia, he says.

They also have less access to parks and cycleways that make it easier to exercise regularly.

“We’re all the product of our environment. Where we work, live and play influences our daily behaviours and our ability to make healthy choices.

“It’s time to ditch the idea individuals are responsible for their choices, and bad lifestyle choices lead to bad health.

“There’s an illusion of choice if you’re surrounded by an environment that makes it almost impossible to make healthy lifestyle choices.”

Rather than blaming individuals for making unhealthy choices, change is needed at a political and social level, Ma’u says.

Higher taxes on alcohol, tobacco, sugary drinks and foods that are high in salt or sugar could make a big difference to dementia rates, he says.

Poverty is also a barrier to accessing health services, making it harder for people to get early diagnosis and treatment for conditions that contribute to dementia, and for dementia itself, he says.

Cheaper GP visits and culturally appropriate services for older people could also help bring down dementia rates.

“If we reduced poverty in the population, many risk factors would reduce as well.”

The number of people with dementia in New Zealand is projected to double from 83,000 in 2025 to almost 170,000 by 2050, he says.

The Pacific population in New Zealand is comparatively young, so dementia rates are expected to soar in this group.

The costs of healthcare for dementia are expected to rise from $3 billion in 2025 to $5.9 billion by 2050.

“The only feasible way to reduce these costs is to prevent dementia from occurring.

“If we channel resources into the areas that need it most, that would most effectively reduce dementia risk across New Zealand,” says Ma’u.

8 April 2026 – An Indian-origin researcher is gaining national recognition in New Zealand’s rapidly evolving technology sector, after graduating with a Master of Applied Technologies from Unitec in Auckland on 1 April 2026.

Manochitra Loganathan, who moved from Tamil Nadu, India in 2024, is being recognised for her pioneering research into reducing bias in artificial intelligence (AI) systems—work that is increasingly relevant as AI adoption accelerates across government, education, and industry.

Now working as a data analyst at Land Information New Zealand, Loganathan has developed a practical framework aimed at identifying and mitigating bias in AI decision-making systems, with a particular focus on improving outcomes for Māori and historically disadvantaged communities in Aotearoa New Zealand.

“AI is increasingly shaping decisions that affect people’s lives,” she says. “My goal is to ensure those systems are fair, transparent and inclusive, especially for communities that are historically underrepresented.”

From rural India to New Zealand’s innovation ecosystem

Loganathan’s journey reflects the growing contribution of migrant talent to New Zealand’s knowledge economy. Raised in Othikkadu, a rural village in Tamil Nadu with limited access to higher education, she became the first in her family to study engineering before building a 12-year career in global technology companies.

Her decision to move to New Zealand was shaped by both family and opportunity.

“My decision to come to New Zealand was strongly influenced by my husband, who previously studied here,” she explains. “He often spoke about the welcoming culture, the high quality of education, and the opportunities the country offers. When I started considering my Master’s degree, New Zealand felt like the right place—not only for academic growth but also for building a meaningful future for our family.”

For migrant communities, her story highlights the role of education as a pathway to both professional advancement and long-term settlement.

Making education accessible for working parents

Choosing Unitec was a practical and personal decision. As a working professional and mother of a young child, flexibility was critical.

“When I began this journey, my child was only three years old,” Loganathan says. “Returning to a traditional full-time study environment wasn’t realistic. What drew me to Unitec was the flexibility. It allowed me to continue learning while balancing my family and studies.”

She adds that this accessibility is vital for non-traditional learners: “For someone managing work, family, and study, Unitec truly makes education accessible.”

Her experience is likely to resonate with vocational and university audiences, particularly mature students and those balancing multiple responsibilities.

Research with real-world impact

Loganathan’s Master’s research tackled one of the most pressing challenges in modern AI: fairness.

Working with real-world datasets from Stats NZ—including census, housing, ACC, and IRD data—her work was conducted within secure environments and aligned with strict privacy protocols.

“My research examined how AI systems can unintentionally produce biased outcomes and explored fairness-aware approaches to identify and reduce those risks,” she explains. “Because these datasets represent real people, there is a responsibility to ensure the outcomes are equitable.”

She emphasises the importance of cultural context in New Zealand’s data landscape:
“Building fair AI in Aotearoa means respecting the people, cultures, and communities whose lives are represented in the data.”

Her work earned national recognition, including third place at the Falling Walls Lab Aotearoa national final hosted by the Royal Society Te Apārangi.

Professor Hamid Sharifzadeh from Unitec says Loganathan’s research exemplifies the real-world impact of postgraduate study in New Zealand. “Her achievement demonstrates how Unitec's postgraduate research addresses real-world challenges with societal impact and shows the potential of our students’ work to resonate on the global stage,” he says.

The human side of data and technology

At the heart of Loganathan’s work is a philosophy that challenges purely technical approaches to AI.

“Data is not just numbers,” she says. “Behind every dataset are real people, real stories, and real lives.”

This perspective has shaped both her research and career path, reinforcing the need for ethical and inclusive innovation.

“I believe that technology becomes truly powerful when it is built with both intelligence and empathy.”

Professor Sharifzadeh adds that this mindset is exactly what is needed in today’s technology landscape, noting that Loganathan’s work reflects a deeper awareness of the societal responsibilities tied to data and AI.

Support, resilience, and community

Loganathan credits her success to a combination of institutional support and personal resilience. She received a Unitec scholarship for academic excellence and was supported to present her research at national and international forums.

She also highlights the importance of mentorship and cultural guidance during her studies, particularly in understanding the responsibilities tied to working with community data.

“Sometimes the hardest journeys become the most meaningful achievements,” she reflects, recalling the challenge of balancing postgraduate study with raising a young child in a new country.

Professor Sharifzadeh, who mentored Loganathan during her research, says her determination and commitment stood out throughout her studies, particularly in how she connected technical research with meaningful societal outcomes.

Contributing to New Zealand’s future

In her current role at Land Information New Zealand, Loganathan applies her expertise to national data systems that inform land management, environmental planning, and infrastructure decisions.

“What makes this role meaningful is knowing that the systems we build help support national services and contribute to informed decision-making that affects communities and the environment across Aotearoa.”

Her work underscores the value of aligning advanced technical skills with public good—an increasingly important focus for both higher education and government sectors.

Inspiring the next generation

Chosen as a keynote speaker for Unitec’s graduation ceremony at Auckland’s Aotea Centre in April 2026, Loganathan represented not just her own journey, but that of many students navigating complex pathways.

“Graduation represents years of perseverance, learning, and personal growth,” she says. “I represent the journey of many students who worked hard, overcame challenges, and believed in their dreams.”

Her advice to aspiring students—particularly those from migrant and non-traditional backgrounds—is grounded in curiosity and purpose:

“Stay curious and authentic in your journey… Be clear about the impact you want to create… and embrace the challenges along the way, as they often become the experiences that shape your growth.”

Loganathan’s story puts a spotlight on migration, vocational education, and innovation—demonstrating how inclusive learning environments, strong mentorship, and globally minded research can help shape a more equitable technological future for New Zealand and beyond.