Category: Airlines

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University receives strongest result ever in Academic Audit

Source: University of Waikato

The University of Waikato has been recognised for its high-quality teaching, learning support and student outcomes by the Academic Quality Agency as part of its Cycle 6 Academic Audit.

The University received one of its strongest ever results, achieving 19 commendations supporting the University’s strategic direction and recognising its leadership and management of teaching and learning as an area of strength.

The audit involves a self-review report reflecting on activities at the University over the past seven years and is measured against an audit framework of 30 guideline statements. The Audit Panel also conducted a site visit and interviews with 74 staff and 29 students in September this year.

The final report commended the University’s strategic framework, its commitment to using data to inform planning and reporting, its support for the diverse student body and staff professional teaching development opportunities and our mature approach to managing risks to the quality and continuity of teaching and learning.

“The results of the Cycle 6 Academic Audit are extremely pleasing, and the 19 commendations made by the Panel represent one of our best ever results. They confirm the University is delivering high-quality teaching, learning support and student outcomes underpinned by a strong strategic direction,” says Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic, Professor Robyn Longhurst.

Along with commending the University’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic and how the University’s Treaty of Waitangi Statement underpins work across the University, the Panel recognised the Ōritetanga programme that supports the learning of all students but especially Māori and Pacific students, and the work-integrated learning programme that helps students transition into the workplace.

“It is extremely pleasing to see these key initiatives and programmes receiving recognition for the outcomes they are achieving for our students and staff,” says Professor Longhurst.

The development of The Pā and Tauranga campus were recognised as valuable additions to the teaching and learning environment and the University was also commended for its flexible approach to teaching and learning (including FLEXI papers) that has provided resilience for the University and supported accessibility for students

In total the Panel made 19 commendations, 15 affirmations and 11 recommendations supporting the strategic direction of the University.

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13 December 2023 Aaliyah’s stars are aligning for success Young mother Aaliyah works extremely hard to give her children a good life. And now that they have a bigger home, there is enough room for family life as well as study.

Source: New Zealand Government Kainga Ora

Aaliyah is pulling out the stops to create a wonderful life for her family. As well as caring for her two beautiful young children and supporting her teenage brother, she is working full-time and studying full-time!

“It’s pretty intense, but I want to be a good role model for my children, to show them that they can do well in life,” she says.

It’s a huge undertaking for anyone, and for Aaliyah it was especially tricky given that until recently, she and her children, ages 5 and 3, were sharing their 2-bedroom unit with her younger brother, 19.

“It was a bit overwhelming as we didn’t have enough space,” she recalls. “We’d be sleeping in the lounge and the children had to sit on the floor at mealtimes.”

For Kāinga Ora to allocate the right-sized home to customers, everyone living there needs to be registered with MSD as someone who’s eligible for public housing.

Aaliyah helped her brother to navigate the process and when his application was approved, staff at the Kāinga Ora office in Ōtara, South Auckland, found the family a house with a garden. At last, plenty of room for everyone.

Things that lots of families take for granted are now a daily reminder for Aaliyah of the joy of everyone having their own space.

“It’s really good,” she says. “I used to wonder if I’d ever get my daughter out of my bed but now that she’s got her own bedroom, she’s excited about bedtime! And when my little boy gets grumpy with me, he says, ‘I’m going to my room!’ and closes the door behind him.”

Aaliyah is also delighted to have more room to study as she is part way through a degree in bicultural social work.

“I was feeling quite stressed and overwhelmed at my last home but since moving, a lot of my stress and anxiety has dropped away.”

As well as studying, Aaliyah is a mental health support worker for Kāhui Tū Kaha, a community organisation providing support with health, housing and social services.

“I used to work in a factory, but I wanted more out of life. In my family, we have a history of leaving school young and working in factories, but I wanted to show my children that they could do things differently.”

And now that her family is settled into their cosy new home, Aaliyah can focus better on her goals.

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12 December 2023 “Our lives have changed” Hastings customers thrive with community and connection A warm, safe, permanent home really does change the lives of the people who live in them – just ask Paula, Fia and their families.

Source: New Zealand Government Kainga Ora

With family nearby, friendly neighbours and the kids now settled into school, Paula and Fia have established a strong sense of community – and created a new extended family.

A year after moving into their new homes, both families are thriving.

While the two families have developed a supportive relationship over the past year, Paula, Fia and their families first formed a bond while they were both experiencing the uncertainty and challenges of living in emergency housing. By coincidence they moved into the same housing development on the same day last year.

For Paula, knowing that her new light, bright, modern home is somewhere she can put down roots with her young family has made all the difference.

“Our life has changed. I don’t need to worry about where we will be next week or where we will be next month. I finally feel secure,” Paula says.

“The children are happy and getting involved in sports at school. They are really enjoying having friends over and having their own rooms to decorate. I had always dreamt of growing my own vegetables and now we are eating the lettuce that I planted.”

Paula and her family

And it’s not just the warm, dry home that has helped make this a life-changing move for Paula and her children – it’s the neighbours around them and the great relationships they’ve developed within the community.

“It is a friendly place to live with the neighbours all saying hello and being respectful to each other. I feel really safe here,” Paula says.

“An added bonus is having Fia and her family just across the lane. After meeting at the Omahu accommodation complex a couple of years ago, it was reassuring to see the familiar faces of Fia and her family when we first moved in. Now the kids move freely between the two homes playing and sharing meals – it’s just great.”

Fia agrees. “This feels like a community – a family. Paula’s older girl Rylynn is a big help. She loves coming over to help with my baby and play with my little girls.”

“Recently we have been harvesting asparagus. When we have some spare or get other free things from the community, we share it with Paula’s family and our other neighbours. They do the same with us.”

For Fia, her husband Fred and their large family, their last emergency accommodation saw them living in a campground. “With the girls in one cabin and the boys in another,” says Fia.

“Our biggest blessing in our new home is that we now get to have family time together. In the evenings we gather around for prayers, play music and spend time with each other. We couldn’t do that at the campground. We just used it for sleeping.”

“My kids are now more relaxed, and they don’t miss school anymore. The older ones have their own room, and the bigger space means the kids have room to play.”

The development Paula and Fia call home was built as part of wider work in Hastings to deliver more homes through a place-based approach. In 2019, Hastings became a pilot for the place-based housing initiatives that provide suitable housing solutions for individual communities. Kāinga Ora is one of the partners, working alongside iwi, Council, local organisations and build partners to find housing solutions for Hastings whānau.

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New research underway to aid diagnosis and treatment guidelines for lupus

Source: University of Waikato

Health researchers at the University of Waikato have teamed up with health practitioners to address significant gaps in the diagnosis and management of the chronic disease, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The study has been made possible with a research grant from Arthritis NZ – Mateponapona Aotearoa.

SLE is an unpredictable disease that can lead to organ failure and premature death, and yet there is little data and no clear diagnostic and management guidelines within Aotearoa New Zealand.

University of Waikato Professor of Population Health, Dr Ross Lawrenson, is leading the research project.

“SLE patients presenting at hospitals are usually experiencing serious complications such as lupus nephritis which can lead to impaired kidney function or even kidney failure. We need the data at general practice level to find pathways to reduce hospitalisation rates,” says Dr Lawrenson.

SLE is a disease in which a person’s immune system mistakenly attacks their own healthy tissue. Symptoms of SLE commonly include arthritic-like joint swelling and pain, fatigue, skin rashes and urinary symptoms.

The disease is more common in women and is usually diagnosed in people aged 15 to 45 years old. Most cases are confirmed by a specialist rheumatologist or renal physician.

There is no treatment for lupus and management is vital for patients to lead relatively normal lives.

Dr Lawrenson is working with a team of researchers from the University, medical practitioners working at the front end of health services, and community health groups. The core research is being undertaken by GP Dr Jenny Wong. Dr Wong will work with GP databases across a selection of Waikato practices to understand diagnosis rates, the time between the first presentation of symptoms, and diagnosis by age, gender and ethnicity and other metrics.

“It’s invaluable being able to get funding support from Arthritis NZ. It enables us to facilitate GPs like Dr Wong to get involved in research that helps their day-to-day practice. Building strong links between health providers, and the University results in robust research with practical outcomes that makes a difference for individual patients,” says Professor Lawrenson.

Biostatistician and Senior Research Fellow Dr Chunhuan Lao, who holds an Arthritis NZ Fellowship for research into SLE, is providing project design and statistical support. Te Whatu Ora (Waikato) Rheumatologist, Dr Douglas White, and Dr Lawrenson are specialist advisors. Associate Professor of Primary Care, Dr Rawiri Keenan, and local Waikato Māori health providers round out the team.

“We know from earlier work that Lupus nephritis is more common among Māori and Pacific Island children. It is associated with a significant incidence of end stage kidney disease and mortality, with some tamariki showing rapid disease progression,” says Dr Keenan.

Dr Lawrenson adds: “By using an equity lens we can explore whether there are differences in the diagnostic pathways, referral to specialist care and management of Māori SLE. If higher rates in Māori are evidenced by the new data, there will be other important equity questions to answer.”

The study builds upon earlier research at the University where Dr Lao worked with hospital records to identify SLE statistics. Her research showed approximately 42 people in every 100,000 have SLE in NZ. The data also showed higher rates in women, Māori, and Pacific people. Further SLE patients have a mortality rate four times that of the general population.

Dr Lao presented these findings in August 2023 at the New Zealand Rheumatology Association Annual Scientific Meeting where she was awarded the Best Presentation on Lupus.

The two-year study will provide essential information on the burden of disease from SLE and help to establish guidelines for the diagnosis and management of this chronic condition.

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University of Waikato replaces more than half of its fleet with EVs

Source: University of Waikato

The University of Waikato is replacing more than half its existing vehicle fleet with electric vehicles (EVs) to reduce emissions and work towards a more sustainable future. The major upgrade, being rolled out over the next few months, is expected to reduce scope one emissions by 183 tonnes annually1.

Jim Mercer, Chief Operating Officer at the University of Waikato, said sustainability had been a focus for the University over the last 18 months and that moving to EVs was a natural next step.

“We’ve been working on a range of sustainability initiatives, including the launch of the world’s first Bachelor of Climate Change, replacing two natural gas boilers with low-emission alternatives, a sizeable on-campus project to replace existing lighting with sustainable LEDs, installing solar arrays on a number of buildings, and various research initiatives designed to support a sustainable future for New Zealand and the world.”

Paul Bull, EECA Public Sector Portfolio Manager, said the University of Waikato is setting a great example for other tertiary institutions and government organisations.

“The team is demonstrating how you can incorporate EVs into a fleet while also finding other, innovative ways to get the most out of their vehicles,” said Mr Bull.

The fleet upgrade has been supported with just over $2 million in operational co-funding from EECA (the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority), which the University has matched.

Once implemented, the University will have nearly 80 EVs available to employees. EV charging stations are also being installed at the Hamilton and Tauranga campuses.

Eventually, the University also hopes to make EVs and charging stations available to staff outside of hours. If this goes ahead, it will help the University reduce indirect scope three emissions, which are typically challenging to target2.

“This is just phase one. We will continue to make upgrades over the coming years to ensure the University of Waikato continues to take steps towards becoming more sustainable,” said Mr Mercer.

The BYD ATTO 3 has been selected as the make and model for the fleet. The implementation is being managed by Zilch car sharing, whose innovative approach will make it easier for staff to access vehicles with features like keyless access.

“This is a great example of using technology to support a sustainable future while also making things easier for employees, saving them from having to collect and return keys physically,” said Mr Mercer.

Other key partners involved in the project include Carbn Asset Management, who completed a fleet utilisation and optimisation study, and charging station installers, We.EV (owned by WEL Networks) which completed campus electrical studies to understand the capacity of the network on site.

The University is proud to be recognised for its sustainability efforts. The University of Waikato is ranked in the top 100 (of more than 1,400 institutions) in the 2024 QS World University Rankings: Sustainability. The University was also a recent finalist in the Sustainable Business Awards.

1Scope one emissions are direct greenhouse (GHG) emissions from sources controlled or owned by an organisation. For example, emissions associated with fuel combustion in vehicles.

2Scope three emissions are emissions not produced by an organisation or the result of activities from assets owned or controlled by them. It is those it’s indirectly responsible for up and down its value chain. For example, emissions created by staff travelling in private vehicles to or from campuses.

The operational funding from EECA (the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority) enables fleet optimisation and the leasing of electric vehicles across the Government, supporting the Carbon Neutral Government Programme in making a number of public sector organisations carbon neutral from 2025.

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11 December 2023 Rangiora school children entertained with close up look at construction of homes It is all go in Rangiora this month with the construction of new Kāinga Ora homes steaming ahead at Church, Lindon and Tyler Streets.

Source: New Zealand Government Kainga Ora

Year one and two students from Rangiora Borough School were invited to 61-65 Church Street opposite their school, to view the construction of new Kāinga Ora homes in action from a bird’s eye view on an elevated platform.

The very excited children received a lesson in site safety from Contract Construction, who are building the new homes, that included a fun game of ‘spot the safety feature’. They were also able to ask Kāinga Ora staff questions about how the organisation builds homes for whānau in need.

Year seven and eight students then came along to a panel question and answer session, with representatives from across the construction industry, who work with Kāinga Ora and Contract Construction, sharing what they do in their construction roles.

Each panellist let the students know how they ended up working in the construction industry and why they love what they do. This was followed by some questions from the students.

Rangiora Borough School Principal Shane Buckner says the kids had a great time up on the platform looking down at the new homes being built and learning about the construction process and the safety features on site.

“You could tell by the look on their faces and the inquisitive questions they had that they were enjoying themselves.

“Our older students really appreciated hearing about the prospects of a career in construction. It got them thinking about what subjects they may like to engage with as they get prepared to take the leap to their first year of high school.

“We’re really thankful to Kāinga Ora for creating this opportunity to see the construction of much-needed new homes in action and for the fantastic information they provided about the meaningful work they do in the community,” Shane says.

Kāinga Ora Canterbury Regional Director Liz Krause says it was wonderful to connect with the local school and provide this opportunity to some of the community’s young people.

“We have a steady stream of new homes in the pipeline for Waimakariri so having an opportunity to connect and show people what we do is so valuable.

“We hope we were also able to inspire a few budding tradies or health and safety advocates to consider a career in the construction industry,” says Liz.

Construction panel Q&A session.

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7 December 2023 Lester’s getting his independence back This will be a special Christmas for Lester, as it’s the first he’s celebrating in his new, fully-accessible home.

Source: New Zealand Government Kainga Ora

For Lester, moving into a Kāinga Ora house last month has been truly life changing. Not only is it a brand-new home, but it has been designed specifically to meet the accessibility needs of a wheelchair user – allowing Lester to regain his independence.

After losing the use of his legs as a result of a spinal infection, Lester found it difficult to live well in his private rental. With a steep entrance, stairs, narrow doorways and high benchtops, Lester had to rely on help to not only get in and out of his home but live within it.

“To begin with, I couldn’t move my legs or hands. Overnight I’d gone from being a hardworking man to being paralysed,” recalls Lester.

“The letting agent wouldn’t agree to adjustments like a ramp to make it accessible for me, which meant I had to be carried in and out by my kids. It was scary for everyone because it wasn’t safe, so I stopped going out.”

But all of that changed earlier this year when Lester was offered a brand-new Kāinga Ora home in South Auckland.

With wide door frames and hallways, a wet room and a kitchen he can navigate easily, it was the perfect set up for Lester and his daughter, Jada Lee who is a big source of support to him. There was even a hoist he could use to get himself in and out of bed, and easy access to a deck and garden.

“He’s much happier here than at our last house,” says Jada Lee. “Back there, he never came out of his room but once we moved, he was happy. Now he’s out every day – it’s good to see him smiling again.”

Now able to move around his new home with ease, Lester says he’s already noticed his energy lifting.

“As time goes by, I’m getting my independence back and getting back into the things I love – I’ve even gotten back into painting and carving,” he says.

“I particularly love spending time with my moko (grandchildren). They like having little rides with me in my wheelchair.”

This Christmas, Lester is hosting a BBQ for his Auckland whānau at his new home – something he is really looking forward to.

“It’s going to feel completely different – just easy. I can easily move through the sliding glass doors to get out to the BBQ or sit in the garden with the family. It’s going to be a very special Christmas.”

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6 December 2023 Self-sown and supreme: How a Greenlane garden grew Congratulations to our Greenlane customer David, whose paradise of palms, succulents and native plants has earned the top award in this year’s Great Gardens of Kāinga Ora competition.

Source: New Zealand Government Kainga Ora

A single tree stood in the yard when David moved into his Kāinga Ora home 25 years ago.

“Everywhere else was just grass,” he says.

But it didn’t stay that way for long. Using only hand tools and the guidance of “a few good books”, over the decades he transformed that lawn into a paradise of native trees and palms, upcycled ornaments and birdsong.

And it’s in those details you’ll find the secret to creating a sanctuary of your own – and how to do it on a budget, he says.

“With this garden, I got a lot of bright ideas because I don’t have a lot of money. So you put your thinking cap on.”

“I like attracting wildlife with some of the plants I have in my garden – the palms are all self-sown because birds are attracted to plants with red berries.”

So planting red-fruiting plants brought the birds, which eat the seeds and, well, “they’ve got to do their business somewhere,” David says.

“I get seedlings pop up all over the place.”

And if he doesn’t need those seedlings himself, they’re still an opportunity. At times, David has donated seedlings to a teacher friend whose schoolchildren have been able to sell them at a fundraiser. Otherwise, he’ll trade them with friends and neighbours, and everyone gets something they’ve been looking for.

“It’s all about being people-friendly and talking to your neighbours … it costs you nothing to be kind and give,” he says.

David estimates his garden is now home to 50 or 60 different species, and hundreds of individual plants and trees. Palms, succulents and natives are mostly what he goes for as they do well in his local environment – another of David’s tips.

“You’ve got to know what your weather does – how the wind blows, what gets wet when it rains and what doesn’t … a little bit of knowledge goes a long way.”

And with another friend occasionally supplying free mulch and a few good hand tools looked after over three or four decades, the cost to create his oasis was minimal.

So when he won the top award in this year’s Great Gardens of Kāinga Ora competition and was awarded a $250 Give a Garden gift card, he knew he could make it go far. But what did he have in mind for his first purchase?

“Chilli plants and pumpkin seeds,” he says.

They’ll join the tomatoes, beans, zucchini, gem squash and strawberries in his veggie patch.

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4 December 2023 Te Mātāwai – Glen says what isn’t there to like? “What isn’t there to like” was the answer from musician, actor, and juggler Glen when asked about his new Kāinga Ora home at Te Mātāwai.

Source: New Zealand Government Kainga Ora

Te Mātāwai in central Auckland is not only the largest public housing development in Aotearoa New Zealand but also the first providing single site supported housing where residents have access to around the clock, on-site support services.

Glen says even after only living at Te Mātāwai for 3 months having onsite support services is already making a difference for him.

“I haven’t worked for 16 years because of health issues and I find the wrap around supportive environment that Te Mātāwai provides is moving me to a place where I am healthier and am now actively looking for work.”

We also asked Glen what else he likes about living at Te Mātāwai.

Glen getting ready for a bike ride

“My new apartment is so modern and warm, and I feel the warmth every time I walk in the front door. What I also think is special about living here is the narrative gifted by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei for the site. Learning about some of the early history of the area including the Waihorotiu Stream which runs close to Te Mātāwai is something that I am really enjoying learning more about too.”

“As I don’t own a car the location in the heart of the city means all the activities, I like doing are right on my doorstep. I can walk down Greys Ave to the Town Hall to enjoy a free concert and over to Wynyard Quarter. I can also visit all the amazing local parks that are near to here. As someone who has cycled all his life Glen says he has a place to safely store his bike and use it when he needs it. “In addition to using my bike for practical reasons like shopping I also enjoy taking the local bike paths to places like Maungawhau and the esplanade under the harbour bridge.”

Glen says he is a person who likes to be involved particularly if it benefits himself as well as others. “I’m enjoying the many onsite activities for residents and have joined the resident’s group. As a musician, I’m enjoying the singing and kapa haka group and in the future I’m keen to learn Te Reo.”

“As exercise is such an important part of my life I have also joined other residents on day trips. We don’t know where we are going until we arrive and a trip to Muriwai was one of my favourites. We were out in the fresh air and got to see the gannets and I also enjoyed some really good exercise while we were there,” Glen says.

Way to go Glen and thanks for sharing with us what it’s been like for you living at Te Mātāwai. We look forward to catching up with you again next year to see how things are going.

More about Te Mātāwai

  • At the Te Mātāwai complex, there are 3 tower blocks of between 9 and 13 storeys high.
  • All 276 homes are built to Homestar 7 standard, meaning they will be warmer, healthier and more energy efficient for customers and their whanau.
  • About 60% of the units are also either accessible or universally designed and have been recognised with Lifemark ratings of 3 or 4.
  • As well as the common accessibility features such as level access, wide doors and shower rooms, a number of the units have additional features such as benches that are able to be raised and lowered, side opening ovens and lower shelving to allow people in wheelchairs to live independently.
  • Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei also gifted an overarching narrative for the site which was used as a base to design the building. Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei designers also worked alongside the construction design team to input into the design ensuring the design followed Te Aranga design and bought the narrative alive.
  • Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei also gifted the name of the complex – Te Mātāwai and gifted the names for the three tower blocks that make up Te Mātāwai – Waitapu, Waiora and Wainui.
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NZ First fears over WHO regulations are misplaced – robust checks and balances already exist

Source: University of Waikato

When the new government lodged an urgent “reservation” against adopting amendments to World Health Organization regulations, it baffled some expert observers but signalled an early win for the NZ First party.

Under the heading “Strengthening Democracy and Freedoms” in its coalition agreement with the National Party, NZ First negotiated to:

Ensure a “National Interest Test” is undertaken before New Zealand accepts any agreements from the UN and its agencies that limit national decision-making and reconfirm that New Zealand’s domestic law holds primacy over any international agreements.

Why any of this should be needed is not clear – other than to support the implication New Zealand is being dictated to by the United Nations and is not in control of its own destiny.

In fact, detailed rules and processes governing how New Zealand applies international laws and treaties already exist, as does the requirement for a national interest analysis.

It’s important to remember, too, that New Zealand participates in creating new international legal rules because some of its (or any nation’s) most pressing problems cannot be solved unilaterally.

Domestic versus international law

The need for a collective response to contagious and dangerous diseases was one of the earliest examples of global cooperation. Today, the International Health Regulations of the World Health Organization (WHO) set out how this should happen. But individual governments are primarily responsible for implementing those regulations.

The COVID pandemic has triggered the negotiation of a new WHO treaty on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. New Zealanders can participate in the process being run by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

New Zealand governments have a long history of negotiating the wording of international treaties. They can also control the local impact of international agreements or treaties by entering “reservations”.

These mean a country will not be bound by specific parts of an agreement. This mechanism can make it more likely that countries will agree to a treaty overall, but it can also run the risk of creating different rules for different countries.

Many legal agreements have built-in mechanisms that allow for regulatory changes without requiring a formal revision of the entire treaty. The WHO’s International Health Regulations are a good example.

And ultimately, governments – including New Zealand’s – have the power to enter into, or withdraw from, any treaty.

Measuring the national interest

Of course, no government should sign up to anything not in its country’s best interests. But New Zealand has already developed clear, detailed rules governing how and to what extent international agreements become part of domestic law.

Cabinet must approve any proposal to sign or take binding action under a treaty. Significant changes in the operation of a treaty are also subject to careful oversight, with members of parliament playing an important role.

But even before such scrutiny, a treaty must undergo a “national interest analysis” (NIA), with the Cabinet Manual, parliament’s Standing Orders and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade providing guidance.

The NIA process considers the reasons for becoming a party to the treaty, the advantages and disadvantages to New Zealand, and how the treaty will be implemented. Cabinet can then authorise the signing of the final text of the agreement, thereby approving it.

Signed agreements – either multilateral or bilateral – and their NIAs then go to the House of Representatives. From there they are referred to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee, which can look at the treaty itself or send it to a more appropriate select committee.

Affirming New Zealand sovereignty

The requirement to send the agreement and the NIA to select committee acts as a further brake. The government can’t do anything for 15 sitting days or until the select committee responds, whichever happens first.

The select committee can make recommendations, including asking for more time to examine the treaty and the NIA, and seek public submissions. The government has 60 working days to respond to the select committee’s recommendations.

It’s also open to MPs to debate the treaty. While the government may decide no action is required,  sometimes the proposed new treaty obligation means new laws are needed, or existing ones amended or repealed.

New or changed laws give a government and parliament plenty of scope to influence if and how a treaty forms part of domestic law.

After these international and domestic processes are concluded, ratification can take place. Formal documents confirm that domestic procedures have been completed and the treaty is in force, along with any reservations that have been adopted.

The entire process affirms New Zealand’s sovereignty.

New Zealand has always been an active global citizen. It is party to over 1,900 treaties with multiple countries.

From direct participation in the formation of new agreements, through to assessing their impact, New Zealand has robust systems in place – all of which confirm domestic law holds primacy over any international agreements.

Claire Breen, Professor of Law, University of Waikato and Alexander Gillespie, Professor of Law, University of Waikato

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.