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Which books have most influenced your career?

Small Is Beautiful by E F Schumacher, which I read in the early days of my engineering career, was pivotal in my thinking process and gave me a drive to consider the sustainability of any work I do as an engineer. Also, Man’s Search for Meaning by psychiatrist and holocaust survivor Viktor E Frankl. It focuses on human behaviour in the most distressful times and raises the philosophical question of what drives humans to survive even in the most severe environment.

What work-related books are on your must-read list?

Design in Nature: How the Constructal Law Governs Evolution in Biology, Physics, Technology, and Social Organizations by Adrian Bejan and J Peder Zane, and a few books on global health, which my children (both in medicine) have given me to read.

What do you read for leisure?

I enjoy reading world news, particularly about Nepal, where I come from.

Speed read

Ebook/paper copy Borrow/own Bookmark/turn down page.

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Matariki’s time to shine

Friday 24 June marks Aotearoa’s inaugural public holiday to commemorate Matariki. Signalling the Māori New Year, it’s a time of celebration and renewal, starting with the rising of the Matariki star cluster. It’ll be the first national holiday to specifically recognise and celebrate mātauranga Māori. Described as a time of unity, renewal, celebration and hope, people are encouraged to get together with whānau and friends to reflect and to look to the future.

There’ll be events around the country, including Matariki 2022 in Wānaka, featuring a community hangi, workshops, performances and a fireworks display.

If you’re in the capital, one event that coincides with Matariki is the free exhibition Matarau at City Gallery Wellington Te Whare Toi. Matarau refers to a multi-pronged spear used for fishing and eeling by early Māori. The Gallery says awareness of time, place and experience all drive the work of the artists featured in this exhibition.

Another idea is to check out the film Whina with friends or whānau. Due for release in cinemas on the eve of Matariki, it’s the story of Māori matriarch Dame Whina Cooper who worked tirelessly to improve the rights of her people, especially women.

Or if you’d rather stay in, you can curl up and watch the series Beyond Matariki on Māori television, where Professor Rangi Matamua explores the depth of knowledge pertaining to Māori astronomy.