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Otago Daily Times
an hour ago
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
AI-powered app targeting cognitive health of older adults
Adults frequently tell their children to stop spending so much time on their mobile devices, for fear it will rot their brains. Ironically, Dunedin-based app company Elli Cares is helping to develop a world-first, AI-powered mobile phone app that will assist older adults in monitoring and strengthening their cognitive health. Elli Cares originally supported seniors living with dementia, by creating a mobile app that gave them gentle reminders when it was time to take medications, go to appointments, carry out tasks such as refilling medications scripts, and informing family members if their loved one missed a reminder or left a safe zone. It aimed to empower them to live independently, confidently and with greater control over their health and wellbeing. The New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) recently awarded a $4million Catalyst: Strategic research grant, alongside additional co-funding from Singapore's National Research Foundation, to develop a new app which can monitor and strengthen the cognitive health of all seniors — not just those with dementia. Elli Cares founder Angela Edwards said the company would work with Dementia New Zealand, and researchers from the University of Otago, Victoria University of Wellington and the University of Auckland, alongside the Singapore-based National Neuroscience Institute, the A*STAR Institute of High Performance Computing, and Lions Befrienders. The new app would use speech and game-based tasks to assess memory, decision-making and verbal fluency. It would also use adaptive AI algorithms that tailored activities to each user's performance, analyse their performance, and alert families and clinicians with summaries if changes to their performance were detected. Ms Edwards said studies had shown the brain was a muscle that needed to be used, and if it was not used, "it wastes away". She said playing games like Candy Crush, Wordle, Sudoku, and even "rapid-fire shooting games',' on mobile phones were good for cognitive health. "We can actually identify a number of different types of games that can help different parts of your brain. "We want to find recall games that can help with memory; rapid fire games that can help with response times; and language-based games that can help with vocabulary and communication." The new app marks a shift from passive diagnosis, to proactive cognitive resilience. The project will include a pioneering integrated ethics programme, led by University of Otago Dunedin School of Medicine bioethics lecturer Dr Tania Moerenhout, to ensure the users' values, autonomy and privacy were prioritised from the earliest design stages. Dr Moerenhout said older adults may prioritise autonomy and meaningful living, while families would focus on safety. "AI tools must reflect those nuances. "Embedding ethics across the design process is key to building trust and ensuring the technology truly supports the lives people want to lead." Ms Edwards said the new app would be embedded into the Elli Cares app, because it was already being used in more than 40 countries, making it quicker and easier to deploy and expand the new app. She was thrilled the next-generation tool would bring world-class AI researchdirectly into the lives of all older adults and their families.
Scoop
2 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Rents Fall For First Time Since 2009
, Money Correspondent Rents have fallen on an annual basis for the first time since late 2009, property research firm Cotality says. Its latest data points to an update from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, which showed national median rents in the three months to May were down 0.3 percent from the year before. It follows reports of drops in the price being asked for advertised rental properties. Cotality chief economist Kelvin Davidson said it was a notable change after big rental increases between 2021 and 2023. "I think it's quite significant. There aren't many periods in the past where rents have fallen. The latest numbers are only down slightly but you have to go back to 2009 to find a period where annual rental growth on these numbers has been negative and before that it was the late 1990s. So around the Asian financial crisis and the GFC." He said it showed a shift in the market. Auckland and Wellington had experienced bigger drops. Auckland's rents were down almost 2 percent year-on-year. Dunedin experienced strong rental growth, up almost 10 percent. Hamilton's were also up, but only about 4 percent. "I'm not saying it's easy to be a tenant by any means but the growth rate has petered out. That's consistent with the fact that rents are already high. That's a natural handbrake on any further growth, as well as migration coming down to reduce the marginal extra demand for property. And of course more listings on the market too." He said a change in the composition of the rental market, with more, smaller, properties coming on to the market could have influenced the drop but would not be the full story. Davidson said it should not be expected that rents were going to decline steadily for a long period of time. "What's more likely is that you get a long flat patch and that's how the rental market tends to adjust, the rents go flat for a while and affordability is improved by incomes going up. "Of course the flipside is for landlords there's going to be continued challenges in terms of getting rental increases through if that's what they're looking to do." The data showed house price values nationwide increased 0.2 percent in June but were down 0.1 percent over three months, In the 12 months to June, 85,951 properties changed hands. The average gross rental yield now stand at 3.8 percent, which is the highest level since mid-2016. This measures rental income as a proportion of the value of property.
1News
2 days ago
- Business
- 1News
Rents see slight fall for first time since 2009, but not everywhere
Rents have fallen on an annual basis for the first time since late 2009, property research firm Cotality says. Its latest data points to an update from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, which showed national median rents in the three months to May were down 0.3% from the year before. It follows reports of drops in the price being asked for advertised rental properties. Cotality chief economist Kelvin Davidson said it was a notable change after big rental increases between 2021 and 2023. "I think it's quite significant. There aren't many periods in the past where rents have fallen. The latest numbers are only down slightly but you have to go back to 2009 to find a period where annual rental growth on these numbers has been negative and before that it was the late 1990s. So around the Asian financial crisis and the GFC." ADVERTISEMENT He said it showed a shift in the market. Auckland and Wellington had experienced bigger drops. Auckland's rents were down almost 2 percent year-on-year. Dunedin experienced strong rental growth, up almost 10 percent. Hamilton's were also up, but only about 4 percent. The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including Ozzy Osbourne dies, a worrying find on Rakiura Stewart Island, and new Coke coming. (Source: 1News) "I'm not saying it's easy to be a tenant by any means but the growth rate has petered out. That's consistent with the fact that rents are already high. That's a natural handbrake on any further growth, as well as migration coming down to reduce the marginal extra demand for property. And of course more listings on the market too." He said a change in the composition of the rental market, with more, smaller, properties coming on to the market could have influenced the drop but would not be the full story. Davidson said it should not be expected that rents were going to decline steadily for a long period of time. ADVERTISEMENT "What's more likely is that you get a long flat patch and that's how the rental market tends to adjust, the rents go flat for a while and affordability is improved by incomes going up. "Of course the flipside is for landlords there's going to be continued challenges in terms of getting rental increases through if that's what they're looking to do." The data showed house price values nationwide increased 0.2 percent in June but were down 0.1 percent over three months. In the 12 months to June, 85,951 properties changed hands. The average gross rental yield now stand at 3.8 percent, which is the highest level since mid-2016. This measures rental income as a proportion of the value of property.
Scoop
2 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Thermally Broken Aluminium: The Overlooked Climate Solution In Modern Construction
As New Zealand moves toward a lower-emissions future, much of the national focus has landed on EVs, energy supply, and agricultural reform. But one of the most impactful changes is happening quietly, through the windows. Specifically, through better aluminium window and door systems. With the latest H1 Building Code updates placing higher expectations on energy efficiency in residential and commercial buildings, thermally broken aluminium joinery has become a crucial, though often overlooked, piece of the climate puzzle. Why Joinery Matters In most homes, windows and doors are the weakest link. Poorly performing frames allow heat to escape in winter and creep in during summer, forcing households to rely more heavily on heating and cooling systems. The result: more energy use, more carbon emissions, and higher power bills. Aluminium windows are a popular choice in New Zealand construction because they're durable, low-maintenance, and architecturally versatile. But standard aluminium conducts heat, meaning it readily transfers warmth in or out of the home, depending on the season. That's where thermal breaks come in. What Is Thermally Broken Aluminium? A thermally broken aluminium frame includes an insulating material (usually a polyamide strip) placed between the inner and outer parts of the frame. This break dramatically reduces heat transfer, significantly improving thermal performance without compromising structural strength. For architects and builders, this technology allows for: Larger glass spans without compromising insulation Sleek, modern profiles that meet energy standards Greater comfort for occupants in both hot and cold regions While common in Europe and parts of North America, thermally broken joinery has only recently gained mainstream attention in New Zealand. That's changing fast. H1 Code Changes Are Raising the Bar The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) rolled out new H1 energy efficiency requirements that took effect in stages from 2022 onward. These changes raised insulation standards for windows, walls, and floors, especially in colder climate zones. In most cases, achieving compliance with new window performance standards means using thermally broken systems. In high-spec builds or passive homes, they're non-negotiable. Yet awareness still lags, especially in the residential market. Many builders and developers default to standard aluminium because it's familiar, cheaper upfront, and easier to source. But over the life of a building, that decision can cost thousands in lost energy performance. Performance Without Aesthetic Compromise Modern thermally broken systems are no longer chunky or industrial. Some of New Zealand's leading architectural window manufacturers are producing slimline, minimal, and fully custom aluminium systems that meet the highest performance specs. That includes: Hidden or rebated frames for seamless glazing Custom anodised finishes for aesthetic consistency Large-format sliders and pivot doors for maximum light and indoor–outdoor flow Integration with thermally insulated facade systems The result? Warm, dry, and energy-efficient buildings that don't compromise on design intent. Looking Ahead If New Zealand is serious about lowering building emissions and improving housing quality, we need to stop treating thermally broken windows as a luxury upgrade. They're now a core part of good building practice, essential to meeting both regulatory and climate goals. As local suppliers expand and architectural demand grows, thermally broken aluminium joinery is set to become the new normal. The sooner that shift happens, the better it will be for both the environment and the people living inside the buildings we create.
The Spinoff
5 days ago
- Business
- The Spinoff
We keep measuring the Māori economy – but what are we actually counting?
New report after new report declares the growth and potential of the Māori economy. But what even is it, and why do we keep measuring it? Last week, yet another report was released outlining the prowess and potential of the Māori economy. 'The 'Māori economy' is thriving and diversifying,' the report from WEAll Aotearoa begins, following with many impressive figures and statistics: 'contribution of $32 billion… asset base of $126bn'. So what are these numbers, how are they measured, and what purpose does dissecting and analysing the Māori economy as a standalone sector of our capitalist system serve? What even is the Māori economy? Honestly, I couldn't tell you. In its most recent report on the Māori economy released earlier this year, Te Ōhanga Māori 2023 – The Māori Economy Report 2023, the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment states: 'Te Ōhanga Māori is not always a separate, distinct, and clearly identifiable segment of the Aotearoa New Zealand economy.' From what I gather, what we now call the 'Māori economy' was born not from Māori, but from a colonial lens – one that separated Māori economic activity from the broader economy of Aotearoa. Before colonisation, however, the Māori economy was the entire economy of Aotearoa. We cultivated and traded internationally, maintained thriving markets with our Pacific neighbours, and by the 1800s, were actively bartering with European and American markets. There's a quote from Mānuka Henare that often gets missed in these debates. He reminded us that the artistic flourishing of the 16th-18th centuries – the carving, weaving and tattooing – didn't come from scarcity. It came from a dynamic, thriving Māori economy. A creative economy rooted in relationships, surplus, and time to think, carve and dream. And then came colonisation… Bingo. Mass disruption and dispossession completely changed the face of the Māori economy. Christ came alongside capitalism – monocultural capitalism, to be exact. For the most part, Māori were excluded from participating in the settler economy, except as low-paid labour. The wealth of the British Crown in New Zealand was essentially built on the back of stolen resources and slave labour. This depleted the Māori economy of its capitalistic wealth. The cultural wealth of Māori was also severely depleted through tools of colonisation. Laws encouraging assimilation and prohibiting Māori from speaking our language and carrying out cultural practices amounted to cultural genocide. A majority of the Māori population was forced to shift to urban areas during the 1950s to the 1970s, taking wage labour jobs and being disconnected from whenua or collective models. During this time, Māori economic power was deliberately undermined. The Crown's policy was to assimilate Māori socially, politically and economically – not to support indigenous enterprise. Clearly things have changed. In the 1970s, we witnessed what's known as the 'Māori renaissance'. A key part of this was the establishment of the Waitangi Tribunal and the treaty claims process. The first claim to be settled was the Māori Fisheries claim, also known as the Sealord Deal. This provided an economic basis for iwi authorities to begin rebuilding their economic wealth, albeit under a Crown-controlled capitalist model. Other large-scale settlements such as Ngāi Tahu and Waikato-Tainui provided iwi with capital and assets, although this was a comparatively minuscule amount compared to the total value of loss. However, this led to many iwi creating commercial entities like Ngāi Tahu Holdings and Tainui Group Holdings, which reinvested in property, farming, tourism, infrastructure and finance. These entities are often what gets counted in Māori economy stats today, via Māori authorities. So the Māori economy is just measuring how well settled entities are doing? Seems a bit narrow. Yes, for the most part. In 2002, the IRD introduced a tax rate specific to Māori authorities, aiming to modernise the tax rules for organisations managing Maori assets held in communal ownership. In 2012, Stats NZ began defining and measuring 'Māori authorities' – the entities that form the core of the so-called 'Māori economy'. This legally recognises post-settlement governance entities – not pakihi Māori. This is one reason the data often skews toward iwi corporations and not the thousands of small Māori-owned businesses or social enterprises. What was the point of measuring this data in the first place, especially with such a narrow scope? A friend half-jokingly said to me it's to illustrate how Māori are leeching from the Crown – as crude as it might sound, there is some truth in this statement. The state wanted to understand how the capital being returned to Māori via the settlement process was being used, how it might contribute to national GDP and how Māori entities could be integrated into broader economic policy and investment. Arguably, the Crown began tracking these measures to make Māori legible to the state – easier to understand, manage, and control – first through tax and compliance, then through economic policy, and now through investment lenses. It began as a state-driven interest in managing, taxing and tracking Māori collectives post-settlement. However, it has since evolved into a strategic economic conversation, which Māori are increasingly reframing to reflect kaupapa Māori values, collective aspirations and indigenous economic thinking. And what is it actually telling us? That we're outside the general economy? There is an argument that by measuring the Māori economy, we're saying we need to be tracked separately because we're not good enough to stand on equal footing. Personally, I don't buy the warm fuzzy intent. As mentioned above, I suspect it started as a way to quantify what Māori were 'costing' the nation – to calculate the burden, not the benefit. Even now, those numbers get weaponised: 'Look how wealthy Māori are. Why do they still need support?' It's a setup and it flattens the story. Success in a few iwi boardrooms does not always trickle down to every whānau struggling with rent in Māngere or Moerewa. Worse still, when handled carelessly, these metrics can reinforce the ceiling. They frame success as: 'That's a great Māori business,' instead of just, 'that's a great business.' As stated in the WEAll Aotearoa report released this week, 'too often the success of Māori businesses is conflated with the Māori economy, when it is more appropriately conceptualised as Māori businesses operating within a global capitalist economy.' But there are economic benefits to measuring this data, right? Progressive procurement policies, legislative support for indigenous businesses, etc. Yes – there are some real benefits, but they depend on how we measure. To truly deliver, data must be disaggregated – by region, by business type, and by iwi lineage – so we understand the diversity within Māori enterprise. Māori must be empowered to define what counts as success – both profit and wellbeing, GDP and cultural strength. To drive real change, we need public/private partnerships to fund business support, procurement pathways, and legislation shaped by Māori data. Measuring the Māori economy enables DEI strategies, justifies indigenous business support, fosters inclusive economic development, strengthens infrastructure, and reveals systemic gaps. But it only works when Māori are designing and owning the data narrative. The data has helped some of us unlock capital, attract co-investment, and push for equity in government policy. Measurement, if wielded wisely, can be a tool for mana motuhake.
