Selected 2008 Publications

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Baby Bonus or Paid Parental Leave - Which one is Better?

Paul Callister and Judith Galtry, 2009, Social Policy Journal of New Zealand, Issue 34.
Read or download 'Baby Bonus or Paid Parental Leave' here

Abstract: New Zealand's paid parental leave policy was introduced in 2001. Since then it has been altered a number of times, including an extension to its length and a loosening of eligibility criteria. Given that some parents continue to be ineligible for leave, there have been calls for further expansion of the eligibility criteria and an increase in the length of leave.

Australia does not currently have a paid parental leave scheme. Instead it has a "baby bonus" as well as job protection legislation. Through this combination most core jobs are protected, and, with the exception of very-high-income families, there is a payment for all new parents. While this gives rise to some middle-class capture, the Australian policy provides support to parents who most need it, including those on the margins of the labour force.

New Zealand's scheme also has an element of middle-class capture, but with those disqualified from receiving payments or receiving the lowest payments, being among those families most in need.

Gender and tertiary education: Is it useful to talk about male disadvantage?

Paul Callister, Frances Leather and Jill Holt, September 2008.
Available from Institute of Policy Studies

Abstract: Internationally there is much research showing that achievement within the education sector is a key determinant of positive labour market outcomes as well as supporting many other areas of wellbeing. Against a backdrop of overall strong and very positive improvements in educational participation and achievement, there is evidence that a gendered 'education transition' has taken place in New Zealand.

The transition in tertiary education is demonstrated by higher rates of participation and achievement of women relative to men, particularly among the Māori and Pacific communities. Does this transition matter? Certainly in the past higher participation and achievement by men prompted much concern about the need for women to improve their relative outcomes. While now there is some concern expressed about boys' achievement within schooling, the same level of disquiet is not being expressed about the relative underperformance of men in tertiary education.

In this sector concerns focus on overall Māori and Pacific under-representation, and there is still attention given to female under-representation in areas such as engineering or building. Is this because the gaps that favour women are minor differences or, in fact, are they new and important disparities? We find there is no objective measure that can tell us when gender gaps are important. However, historically gaps of the size currently found in tertiary education, but in favour of men, did cause concern. And currently similar sized gaps, again in favour of men, in areas such as pay continue to be high on public policy agendas. Further complicating this analysis of gaps is whether absolute gains to both men and women are considered, or whether simply relative positions are examined.

Overall, the paper suggests that much of the gender analysis undertaken within the tertiary education sector, as well as within much of the wider policy world, remains based on a premise of female disadvantage or, alternatively, focuses on very specific areas of female disadvantage while often ignoring parallel male disadvantage. Focusing on one part of a binary population, without looking at the other part, has the potential to create new inequalities.

We suggest that this needs to change to allow a more sophisticated analysis of gender and ethnic gaps. This includes a requirement to consider the growing heterogeneity of choices and outcomes for women and men, as well as identifying and overcoming the remaining constraints on choice for both men and women.

Women-only scholarships: Should they be discontinued?

Callister, P. (2008) NZ Education Review, 1 August.
Available from Institute of Policy Studies

Abstract: With women now enrolling in tertiary education and completing qualifications at greater rates than men, is it time to do away with women-only scholarships? In the NZ Education Review Paul Callister and Analiese Jackson debate the issue.

Who are New Zealand's doctors? Gender, migration and changing living arrangements

Callister, P., Badkar, J. and Didham, R. (2008) IPS Working Paper 08/06, Institute of Policy Studies.
Download 'Who are New Zealand’s doctors?' here. [514 KB pdf]

Abstract: Studies of the changing nature of medical workforce often focus on gender and migration separately. In addition, the living arrangements of doctors are rarely considered. This working paper focuses on three main questions:

In the period 1986 to 2006, how has the mix of doctors changed in terms of sex and whether born in New Zealand?
How have the living arrangements for doctors changed over this time period?
If in a couple, how have the educational and employment status of partners changed?

Gender and tertiary education enrolments and completions: An overview of trends 1994-2006

Callister, P. and Newell, J, (2008) , IPS Working Paper 08/05, Institute of Policy Studies.
Download 'Gender and tertiary education enrolments and completions' here. [605 KB pdf]

Abstract: This working paper provides a broad overview of trends in tertiary education enrolments and completions for women and men from 1994 to 2006. In measuring differences in outcomes between women and men in education, both participation and performance are important. Enrolments are a measure of participation and completions are a basic, but important, measure of performance.

The data are drawn from the Ministry of Education's database on enrolments and completions. While gender is the key variable considered, ethnicity, age, level of study, main areas of study, whether the study was full time or part time and type of institution are all considered. The paper also includes some basic education outcome data from the 2006 census of population and dwellings.

Skin colour: Does it matter in New Zealand?

Callister, P. (2008) Working paper. [note; this replaces an earlier paper dated December, 2007]
Download 'Skin Colour' here. [238 KB pdf]

Abstract: This paper explores three areas in society where skin colour might matter. First, based primarily on USA literature, the question of the role of skin colour in discrimination and, ultimately, economic and health outcomes, is examined. Then, returning to New Zealand, there is a discussion of whether skin colour is a factor in why those responding to official surveys with a 'Māori only' ethnic response have, on average, worse outcomes than those reporting Māori plus other ethnicities. Finally, two connected health issues are looked at. One is skin colour and the risk of skin cancer and the second is the hypothesised, but still controversial, links between skin colour, sun exposure, vitamin D production and an inverse risk for developing colorectal cancer.

Two main questions are asked in this paper. First, when compared with many other countries, why in recent years have New Zealand researchers and policy makers been averse to discussing and researching skin colour? Second, is there a case to be made for measures other than self-identified ethnicity, such as skin colour, in official statistics and other large surveys, including health-related surveys?

A summary version of this paper has been published in the Institute of Policy Studies Policy Quarterly Vol 4 No 1.

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