Latest news with #Auckland-based
Scoop
a day ago
- General
- Scoop
Oxfam Delivers Lifesaving Aid To Women And Girls In Gaza Amid Worsening Humanitarian Crisis
Press Release – Oxfam Aotearoa Despite the ongoing aid obstruction, constant bombardment and movement restrictions, Oxfam, together with local partners Juzoor and Aisha, distributed 5,000 dignity kits in Northern Gaza and additional 2,100 in Southern Lebanon. As the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza deepens, Oxfam and its partners have managed to deliver essential aid, including menstrual hygiene products. With the siege blocking all but a trickle of food and extremely limited medical supplies in recent days, Oxfam has been able to continue limited distribution from their now depleted stocks in Gaza, delivering the products to women and girls affected by the ongoing crisis. Despite the ongoing aid obstruction, constant bombardment and movement restrictions, Oxfam, together with local partners Juzoor and Aisha, distributed 5,000 dignity kits in Northern Gaza and additional 2,100 in Southern Lebanon. This effort is part of a wider humanitarian response that includes emergency food aid, clean water, and sanitation support for communities suffering from nearly two years of relentless violence and siege. The dignity kits, developed in partnership with Auckland-based non-profit Reemi, contain four sets of reusable period underwear, a specially designed washing and drying bag, and other personal care items. These products offer a sustainable and long-term solution for women and girls who have had no access to menstrual supplies and very limited water. Reemi's wash bags enable efficient and discrete cleaning using only a small amount of water, making them a practical choice in water-scarce and culturally sensitive settings. Early post-distribution feedback in Gaza has shown promising results, with women reporting that the kits are both manageable and a relief after prolonged deprivation and lack of water access. Women who had told Oxfam that they were resorting to using tent scraps as period pads in response to a lack of hygiene products, can now use their Reemi pants across their whole cycle. Fidaa Alaraj, Oxfam's Gender Advisor in Gaza, said: 'This delivery is a lifeline for women and girls who've had no access to basic menstrual care. Reusable products not only restore dignity, but are also a sustainable, practical response to ongoing challenges like water scarcity and waste. Menstrual health must be seen as an essential component of humanitarian response.' The distribution represents a breakthrough for menstrual health in what continues to be a heavily restricted aid operation. Since the escalation of hostilities more than 19 months ago, essential supplies including food, fuel, and medical aid have been severely limited. Emily Au-Young, founder of Reemi, emphasised the importance of addressing menstrual health in emergencies: 'Periods don't stop in a crisis. Access to menstrual health is a basic right, not a luxury. I'm grateful to Oxfam, who continue to innovate in the hygiene space even during acute crises, as well as the 900 Kiwis who supported this campaign. Our partnership has provided a long-lasting solution for women and girls in some of the world's most challenging environments – places where waste systems are broken and access to hygiene is limited.' Oxfam Aotearoa Executive Director, Jason Myers, said: 'While the delivery of these dignity kits was a relief to many women, the scale of need remains overwhelming. Some days, supplies make it across the border with essential items like food and water, and other days, very little humanitarian aid, if any, is allowed in. Oxfam reiterates our call for an immediate ceasefire and unhindered ability to deliver humanitarian relief to address this ongoing crisis.' Notes: – Oxfam's rapid gender analysis was conducted from 7-13 May 2024 in North Gaza, Khan Younis, Rafah, and Middle Area. – Reemi is a social enterprise designing ethical, low-resource reusable period underwear for use in humanitarian and development contexts. – The washing bags only require 500ml of water to wash the underwear to a hygienic standard, as proven by lab tests. This is far less water usage than hand washing. – The menstrual hygiene products distributed in Gaza were funded by Elrha via the FCDO and 900 New Zealanders who enabled an additional distribution of 2,100 kits.
Scoop
2 days ago
- General
- Scoop
Oxfam Delivers Lifesaving Aid To Women And Girls In Gaza Amid Worsening Humanitarian Crisis
As the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza deepens, Oxfam and its partners have managed to deliver essential aid, including menstrual hygiene products. With the siege blocking all but a trickle of food and extremely limited medical supplies in recent days, Oxfam has been able to continue limited distribution from their now depleted stocks in Gaza, delivering the products to women and girls affected by the ongoing crisis. Despite the ongoing aid obstruction, constant bombardment and movement restrictions, Oxfam, together with local partners Juzoor and Aisha, distributed 5,000 dignity kits in Northern Gaza and additional 2,100 in Southern Lebanon. This effort is part of a wider humanitarian response that includes emergency food aid, clean water, and sanitation support for communities suffering from nearly two years of relentless violence and siege. The dignity kits, developed in partnership with Auckland-based non-profit Reemi, contain four sets of reusable period underwear, a specially designed washing and drying bag, and other personal care items. These products offer a sustainable and long-term solution for women and girls who have had no access to menstrual supplies and very limited water. Reemi's wash bags enable efficient and discrete cleaning using only a small amount of water, making them a practical choice in water-scarce and culturally sensitive settings. Early post-distribution feedback in Gaza has shown promising results, with women reporting that the kits are both manageable and a relief after prolonged deprivation and lack of water access. Women who had told Oxfam that they were resorting to using tent scraps as period pads in response to a lack of hygiene products, can now use their Reemi pants across their whole cycle. Fidaa Alaraj, Oxfam's Gender Advisor in Gaza, said: "This delivery is a lifeline for women and girls who've had no access to basic menstrual care. Reusable products not only restore dignity, but are also a sustainable, practical response to ongoing challenges like water scarcity and waste. Menstrual health must be seen as an essential component of humanitarian response." The distribution represents a breakthrough for menstrual health in what continues to be a heavily restricted aid operation. Since the escalation of hostilities more than 19 months ago, essential supplies including food, fuel, and medical aid have been severely limited. Emily Au-Young, founder of Reemi, emphasised the importance of addressing menstrual health in emergencies: "Periods don't stop in a crisis. Access to menstrual health is a basic right, not a luxury. I'm grateful to Oxfam, who continue to innovate in the hygiene space even during acute crises, as well as the 900 Kiwis who supported this campaign. Our partnership has provided a long-lasting solution for women and girls in some of the world's most challenging environments - places where waste systems are broken and access to hygiene is limited." Oxfam Aotearoa Executive Director, Jason Myers, said: "While the delivery of these dignity kits was a relief to many women, the scale of need remains overwhelming. Some days, supplies make it across the border with essential items like food and water, and other days, very little humanitarian aid, if any, is allowed in. Oxfam reiterates our call for an immediate ceasefire and unhindered ability to deliver humanitarian relief to address this ongoing crisis." Notes: - Oxfam's rapid gender analysis was conducted from 7-13 May 2024 in North Gaza, Khan Younis, Rafah, and Middle Area. - Reemi is a social enterprise designing ethical, low-resource reusable period underwear for use in humanitarian and development contexts. - The washing bags only require 500ml of water to wash the underwear to a hygienic standard, as proven by lab tests. This is far less water usage than hand washing. - The menstrual hygiene products distributed in Gaza were funded by Elrha via the FCDO and 900 New Zealanders who enabled an additional distribution of 2,100 kits.
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- General
- Otago Daily Times
A home with climate in mind
Auckland-based architect Megan Rule looks at a trailblazing architect whose own home was a practical response to the sometimes harsh southern environment. Built in 1947, "Telesis" is a little-known gem on the sand dunes of Otatara near Invercargill. It was designed by architect Monica Barham with her husband Cecil Barham as their own "terraced residential studio" — a living laboratory for modern family life. "Telesis" was named after a school of thought on planned progress that emanated from the west coast of the United States. The Barhams shared an interest in the international work of American architect Frank Lloyd Wright that emerged from his Arizona atelier, "Taliesin West", during the 1930s — especially a more compact, affordable and energy-efficient house, responsive to climate conditions and comfort. The Barhams deftly responded to the local climate and conditions, nestling their own two-storey dwelling into their sloping site to shelter from the sometimes cold, stormy winters. Native vegetation and planting helped moderate the microclimate of the property. To address thermal comfort, the interior layout placed the service rooms and circulation spaces along the southern side of both levels. These continuous buffer zones help the living areas maintain a more consistent and comfortable temperature by creating a thermal bridge. The main entry anchors the southwest corner of the house, with a pergola to soften and protect a recessed porch. Beyond is a voluminous entry lobby that can ably shepherd one in multiple directions. A sunroom located off the main entry led directly into the garden. The kitchen and laundry connected through a carport to a sunny drying courtyard. In a sometimes drought-prone climate, the carport roof added rainwater catchment to nearby water tanks. The central living room features a sloping ceiling that follows the roof line towards a south-facing, high-level glazed clerestory. The extra daylight captured throughout the day adds volume and drama to the space. The clerestory also offers an optimal path for thermal breeze and cross-ventilation on hotter summer days. Placement of a north-orientated living level above the lower-level bedroom wing was progressive for its time, allowing views across the Waihopai River estuary towards the city. The bedrooms open northwards directly on to the private garden while the upper living space spills on to a balcony. An advanced concrete floor system and masonry retaining walls formed the bedroom level. The main living level is completed in solid timber framing and joinery. Innovative, inclined windows beneath the eaves of the living space increase the sense of volume and contrast with the more intimate low roof overhang without compromising on weather protection. On a chilly southern day, an open fire delivers solid heat to the living room. The chunky native timber hearth trim has decorative circular holes, hinting that the fire box benefits from introduced thermal dynamics that enhance the fire's performance. Monica Barham's distinctive built legacy, in partnership with her husband Cecil, has become increasingly important in illustrating a New Zealand mid-century cultural canon. Projects led or drawn by her included the Winton RSA Clubrooms (1950), St Peter's Methodist Church (now Elles Rd Baptist Chapel), Invercargill (1957), and Oak Tree Inn (now Crossroads Clinton cafe, bar and motel), (1966). Barham's Don St Medical Centre in Invercargill, completed in 1956, is the earliest known building by a female architect to receive an award from the New Zealand Institute of Architects — an enduring southern architecture award in 2023. Nevertheless, its future now hangs in the balance, with a two-year reprieve before its proposed removal makes way for a still-unknown replacement. Monica Barham and her buildings appear in several recent publications. Making Space: A History of New Zealand Women in Architecture (2022) was edited by Elizabeth Cox. A monograph, Monica Barham: So You're Building: You and the Architect (2024), together with the recent self-titled exhibition at He Waka Tuia Invercargill Public Art Gallery feature Barham's work and art, while the guide, Monica F. Barham in Southland: Itinerary (2024), records some of her surviving projects. Megan Rule's PhD research at the University of Auckland is focused on early female architects in Otago and Southland and the ways in which their work adapted to the climate and the environment. As a teenager, she worked in the office founded by Monica Barham's father.
NZ Autocar
3 days ago
- Automotive
- NZ Autocar
Local firms collaborate on a Swift stop-motion film clip
Suzuki New Zealand has teamed up with Auckland-based stop-motion expert, Adam Rowland, to produce what may be a world first in the advertising industry. Starring the popular Suzuki Swift, the advertisement is handcrafted, frame-by-frame, using practical effects and no CGI. A full-sized vehicle is filmed entirely inside a studio. Suzuki NZ Marketing Manager, Fiona Bridgford says: 'We're always looking for unexpected ways to show off the personality and performance of the Swift. 'When Adam came to us with this wild idea of animating a real car using stop-motion, we were intrigued. It felt playful, unique and very Suzuki.' The result is a high-energy, cinematic short film where the Swift goes on a little adventure, racing across a variety of hand-built sets, as if alive. The animation took over 4000 carefully curated photographs, all layered together into a final stop-motion action sequence. The Swift was jacked up and down more than 700 times to simulate jumps, leans, and weight shifts. It travelled nearly 1km through a studio no wider than 12 metres. None of this would work without the right eye behind the lens. Pete Whittaker, Director of Photography from Howler, brought the visual storytelling to life. The project was developed by Adam Rowland's stop-motion studio, Awkward Animations, New Zealand's only dedicated commercial stop-motion outfit. 'This isn't your typical car advertising,' Suzuki NZ notes. 'It's quirky. It's a little unexpected. It has the charm of animation with the thrill of live action – and it reflects the kind of fun energy we associate with the Swift. 'This kind of campaign…invites you into a world where the car isn't just a product, it's a character. 'And we love that it's been hand-crafted right here in New Zealand by local creatives.' Adam Rowlands with the star of the stop-motion movie.
NZ Herald
3 days ago
- Health
- NZ Herald
Break Up With Breakouts: How To Get Rid Of Acne For Good, According To An Expert
Acne is a curable condition at skin clinic Anue. Acne doesn't discriminate. Pimples, pustules, nodules, cysts, blackheads, whiteheads... no one is immune to those pesky bumps that tend to crop up at the most inconvenient times (like right before a big event). Whether your breakouts are red and angry, or virtually imperceptible, if bumps are causing you bother, then that's reason enough to address them. We all have unique skin types, tones and lifestyles, which makes it even trickier to issue a piece of one-size-fits-all advice on how best to treat it. With its multi-disciplinary approach to personalised acne treatment, Auckland-based skin clinic Anue is delivering real, visible results for those suffering from acne. Under the guidance of founder and dermatologist Dr David Lim, Anue is leading the charge with dermatologically led treatments and evidence-based laser and skin therapy for a full 360-approach to treating acne and boosting skin health long-term. Acne is my favourite condition to treat,' says Dr Lim. 'Successful treatment can literally be life changing and gives me immense satisfaction.' The team at Anue believe acne is wholly curable – not a life-long sentence. By coupling dermatologist-led care with effective, personalised treatments, Anue makes clear, healthy skin within reach. Here to unpack the intricacies of acne and how best to banish bumps for good, Dr Lim shares his secrets to a clear complexion and the confidence that it brings. What causes acne? Scientifically speaking, acne is a disorder of the pilosebaceous unit in the skin (aka the hair follicle, hair shaft and sebaceous glands). Put simply, acne occurs when too much oil, dead skin cells or bacteria clog a pore, which triggers the body's inflammatory response, resulting in a red, raised lesion (a pimple). 'Acne can be caused by a complex interplay between hormones, microbiome and immune response,' Dr Lim says. What triggers acne can vary greatly from person to person, but some of the common causes include follicular hyperkeratinisation (or the shedding of dead skin cells which form a plug in the pore), hormonal fluctuations (sex hormones can stimulate the sebaceous glands to produce more oil) along with inflammation linked to bacteria like Cutibacterium on skin. Despite swirling rumours over acne being present on 'dirty' skin, or chocolate's role in causing breakouts, Dr Lim says both are common myths. 'There is countless health misinformation advocating for better hygiene or diet. Evidence demonstrates hygiene does not really play a role in acne and diet has minimal impact,' he says. How common is acne? Its impacts are far-reaching, with research revealing approximately 85% of teenagers and young adults experience some form of acne. However, Dr Lim explains acne is now considered a chronic condition which affects people from all walks of life – from childhood to teendom to adulthood. At Anue, the team has seen people as young as seven be impacted by acne, and while most cases will resolve by their early twenties, some patients will continue to suffer from the condition from their thirties and beyond. The hidden impact of acne It's not just the physical symptoms of acne that can be difficult to grapple with; there's a whole host of emotions that come with having acneic skin. Dr Lim explains acne can have a significant impact on mental health, self-esteem, social relationships and career choices. 'It's not just about clear skin, it's about transforming lives,' he says. 'By curing acne for good, we help restore confidence and improve the overall wellbeing of our patients, witnessing firsthand how real, lasting results can change lives for the better.' A common concern for those wanting to treat their acne is to minimise permanent scarring, and Dr Lim says expert treatment is the best course for acne to mitigate any atrophic (depressed) or hypertrophic (raised) scars. The team at Anue can recommend any additional treatments needed to help shut down the early stages of scarring, making clear, healthy skin achievable for all. How can you treat it? As with treating any skin concern, consistency is key. Together with an expert team of dermatologists, nurses and beauty therapists, Anue offers a multidisciplinary approach not seen elsewhere. 'A lot of skin clinics are not able to offer such a multidisciplinary approach, which can limit the treatments they offer and therefore limit the effectiveness of their results,' Dr Lim says. He's quick to acknowledge that while working with a specialist dermatologist can come with a higher price tag, it's often the best route for early and effective care which can save money in the long-term, not to mention help to side-step scarring. 'Delaying proper treatment can result in further scars developing. While there are new and effective treatments for scars, it is much better to avoid scars developing in the first place. Earlier treatment can result in better long-term results and minimisation of scars,' he says. Anue's tailored treatment plans include topicals like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid or prescription topicals, oral medications, along with chemical peels, light and laser therapies, microneedling to improve skin health and minimise the severity of scars. The professional, dermatologist-led concept goes far beyond just treatments, enabling every patient to both look and feel their best. And that doesn't end when your treatment does, either, Anue goes one step further to ensure that newfound confidence is lasting.
