University of Auckland Alumni and Friends

This Menstrual Hygiene Day, we’re spotlighting important menstrual health research happening at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland.

Associate Professor Siouxsie Wiles and Dr Priscila Dauros Singorenko are leading research into the safety and hygiene of reusable menstrual cups and discs.

As reusable period products grow in popularity, the team is investigating whether microbes can form resistant “biofilms” on these products that may survive normal cleaning methods.

This work aims to address a major gap in scientific evidence around the hygiene and safety of reusable menstrual products, helping improve understanding of products used by millions worldwide.

You can help support the research here: https://support.auckland.ac.nz/mcr
Or read more about their journey here: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2026/05/18/scientists-crowdfund-menstrual-health-research.html

Did you miss the Taumata 2026 Distinguished Alumni Awards live stream? Catch up now and watch our distinguished alumni receive their awards and join Jack Tame as they share their journeys, insights, and the impact they’re making across their fields ✨

Watch full video here: https://youtu.be/kJFkTq8WT68?si=zXG4vItIrmqdl3Ma

Listen back to Dr Mohsen Mohammadzadeh’s fascinating Raising the Bar discussion on the future of our cities and the rise of shared electric autonomous vehicles. Interested in robo rides or rethinking public spaces? Mohsen explores what could go right, and wrong, when we hand over the wheel 🚗⚡

Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6VgeqabAdtDrgWFoWmC2kr

Congratulations to our accomplished alumna Dame Alison Paterson, who went back to studying at 85 and graduated on 7 May with a Master of Arts in Art History (First Class Honours) 🎓✨

A pioneering leader across finance, agriculture and public governance, Dame Alison returned to university to pursue her passion for history and art history, culminating in a masters dissertation exploring the transformation of Gibbs Farm into one of New Zealand’s most extraordinary sculpture parks.

“Above all, I’ve continued to learn and to exercise my brain.”

An inspiring reminder that lifelong learning has no age limit!

Dame Alison Paterson went back to studying at 85 and graduated with a Master of Arts in Art History (First Class Honours).

Dame Alison Paterson is used to breaking barriers. In 1976 she became the first woman appointed to a New Zealand producer board, and in 1979 the first woman to sit on the board of a publicly listed company.

A pioneering business leader whose career spans more than five decades across finance, agriculture and public governance, she says she had no interest in being “a lady who lunches” on retirement at 85.

But while business has been her career – her original qualification was in accounting – history, she says, is her first love, which led her to enrol at Auckland for a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in history and art history.

And that led to the masters, with a dissertation on the Gibbs Farm, the extraordinary 400-hectare sculpture park north of Auckland.

Created in 1991 by businessman and art collector Alan Gibbs, the park is known for its huge, eye-catching works by notable artists (Anish Kapoor, Neil Dawson), exotic animals freely wandering (giraffes, zebras), and the beauty of its rural setting with lakes and harbour views.

“My dissertation is the story of the conversion of a dry stock farm on the Kaipara Harbour into a sculpture park,” says Dame Alison.

“As a student, I've made a raft of new friendships from all walks of life, and benefitted greatly from exposure to the range of lecturers I’ve studied under, particularly Linda Tyler and Caroline Vercoe, who are truly inspirational. I believe the University invests considerable resources to ensure students 'get through'.”

“Above all,” she says, “I’ve continued to learn and to exercise my brain. Hopefully there will be useful lessons for others considering this path, communicated from a different perspective.”

Dame Alison graduated in absentia and continues to make her husband, the Honourable Barry Paterson, a retired High Court Judge, three stepchildren and seven grandchildren very proud.

Read more here: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2026/05/07/the-fine-art-of-keeping-on-learning.html

Image credit: New Zealand Herald Photograph by Richard Robinson

Deadly Sin Coffee Co was founded by University of Auckland alum Ange Besant, who started the business during lockdown after combining her love of coffee with a desire to create a stronger, better-tasting brew ☕️

What began as experimenting with bold, high-caffeine blends has grown into a distinctive specialty coffee brand known for its “deadly strong, sinfully smooth” signature style and unapologetically bold identity.

So make sure you update your alumni details today - as all prizes in are proudly sourced from businesses founded by University of Auckland alumni - celebrating the creativity and innovation of our graduates.

Update your details to stay connected and enter the draw: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/alumni/get-involved/update-your-alumni-details.html

Apply now for the Ripiro Beach Non-Fiction Writing Residency - applications have been extended to 17 May!

“Two weeks provided a perfect amount of time to settle into the work, develop a daily routine and make good progress” - Avril Bell (first recipient of the residency).

If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to focus on your writing, this is it. Spend two restorative weeks at the Barron family bach at Ripiro Beach and receive a $1,500 stipend to support meaningful progress on your work.

Applications are open until 17 May 2026. Open to all University of Auckland alumni:
https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/arts/study-with-us/scholarships-and-awards/Ripiro-Beach-Non-Fiction-Writing-Residency.html

Tune in to the livestream tomorrow night as we celebrate the University of Auckland’s 2026 Taumata Distinguished Alumni Award winners!

Online event: https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/taumata-2026-livestream-tickets-1986167359037?aff=web
Saturday 2 May • 6:10pm – 7:45pm

Shining bright are this year’s recipients - inspiring individuals who embody ambition, innovation, integrity, and perseverance, and whose contributions are making a meaningful impact across Aotearoa and beyond.

You’re invited to join us live as we recognise and celebrate their achievements:

Moses Mackay, Young Alumnus of the Year – acclaimed composer, songwriter, and classically trained singer, known for his global success with SOL3 MIO and his solo work

Justice Ellen France, DNZM - Judge of the Supreme Court of New Zealand, recognised for her distinguished career and leadership within the judiciary.

Raelene Castle, ONZM - Group Chief Executive at Sport New Zealand and High Performance Sport New Zealand, a trailblazing leader in sport.

Reuben Paterson - internationally renowned contemporary visual artist and 2025 Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi Laureate.

John Dudley - award-winning physicist specialising in optical physics and an eminent science communicator.

Join the livestream and celebrate their successes with us 👏

From China and India to global political shifts, authoritarianism is increasingly shaping the world we live in.

In this Raising the Bar talk, Dr Chris Ogden asks: what does this mean for the future of Western democracy - and how can we respond?

Listen now and catch up on this important conversation 👉https://open.spotify.com/episode/79sDSfYrDnWpWkHA10StcF