Culture and society news

How can tourism and hospo in NZ thrive?

A new AUT study shows challenges and opportunities for a sector marked by passionate, committed workers - despite bullying and low pay.

AUT architecture student wins $5k award

AUT Master of Architecture (Professional) student Nathan Moore has landed the 2026 UXBRIDGE Malcolm Smith Architecture Fellowship.

Q&A: Shopping Matters

Why do we always leave the supermarket with way more than we intended to buy? Join senior lecturer Amy Errmann to find out why we shop the way we do.

ANTM docuseries offers no apologies 

Reality Check, on Netflix, doesn’t apologise for abusing contestants, and seeks to blame others instead, says Senior Lecturer Rebecca Trelease.  

5 artists keeping te reo Māori alive

Music reflects societal views on politics, identity and power, revealing tensions and hopes that often stay hidden in formal settings.

AI in luxury hospitality

The luxury hospitality sector is being transformed by AI - to enhance guest experience, improve efficiency, and address labour shortages.

Explaining the ChCh terror appeal

The terrorist who pleaded guilty to murdering 51 people and attempting to murder 40 others is trying to appeal his conviction and sentence. Why? How?

Q&A: Pop Culture Matters

Have you ever wondered why people are so obsessed with Marvel? Or why TV show endings are so bad?

Extremist views increasing in schools

Incidents of toxic masculinity and extremist views are increasing in our schools and in online spaces where youth hang out, says AUT's Dr Judy Bruce.

NZ’s $2.5bn shoddy building bill

Nearly 10% of the NZ building sector's value is lost to systemic quality failure. Here's how to fix our 'build now, fix later' culture.