Professor Karen Witten, MSc, PhD.
Karen’s research interests centre on interactions between the physical characteristics of neighbourhoods and cities and the social relationships, health and sustainability-related practices of the people living in them. Housing and transport systems at a neighbourhood scale are the primary focus of many of her studies. Recent and current work has investigated the health and social impacts of street redesign to support the uptake of active travel, characteristics of interagency collaboration that promote or impede provision of walking and cycling infrastructure in new developments, and trials of e-bike use in a lower socio-economic neighbourhood. Over the past decade she has undertaken several studies on the experiences of tenants and landlords within New Zealand’s private rental housing sector and is currently investigating social housing provider’s decision-making around the more-than-dwelling aspects of social housing provision.
Karen is also involved in research investigating ableism as a form of privilege that systematically advantages non-disabled people and diminishes the wellbeing of people with disabilities. The studies are designed to interrogate viewpoints that sustain ableist practices within community recreation and sport and other sectors.
Email: k.witten@massey.ac.nz
Journal Articles
Thorne, R., Fanueli, E., Wild, K., Raja, A., Witten, K., Mackie, H., Woodward, A., & Hirsch, L. (2023) ‘Everyone rides together, everyone rolls together’: exploring walking and cycling cultures in South Auckland. Mobilities, DOI: 10.1080/17450101.2023.2289441 A616
Chisholm, E., Olin, C., Randal, E., Witten, K., & Howden-Chapman, P. (2023). Placemaking and public housing: the state of knowledge and research priorities. Housing Studies. https://doi.org/10.1080/02673037.2023.2206799 A603
Hosking, J., Mackie, H., Macmillan, A., van der Werf, B., Smith, M., Witten, K., & Woodward, A. (2023). Effects of Te Ara Mua – Future Streets suburban street retrofit on traffic speed and volume: Controlled before-after study. Journal of Transport & Health, 30, 101601, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jth.2023.101601 A595
Lin, E.-Y., Witten, K., Carroll, P., Romeo, J. S., Donnellan, N., & Smith, M. (2022). The relationship between children’s third-place play, parental neighbourhood perceptions, and children’s physical activity and sedentary behaviour. Children's Geographies, published online Sept 27, 1-14, doi: 10.1080/14733285.2022.2121913 A580
Bishop, K., Corkery, L., Afshar, N., Aminpour, F., Brussoni, M., Carroll, P., Derr, V., Dimoulias, K., Edwards, C., Herrington, S., Johnson, J., Kreutz, A., Loebach, J., Owens, P. E., Tresize, B., Witten, K. (2022). The Impacts of COVID-19 Responses on Children, Youth and Their Environments in Canada, the United States, New Zealand, and Australia. Children, Youth and Environments, 32(1), 173-195. A550
Olin, C. V., Berghan, J., Thompson-Fawcett, M., Ivory, V., Witten, K., Howden-Chapman, P., Duncan, S., Ka'ai, T., Yates, A., O'Sullivan, K. C., Keall, M., Ombler, J., Hinckson, E. (2022). Inclusive and collective urban home spaces: The future of housing in Aotearoa New Zealand. Wellbeing, Space and Society, 3, 100080. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wss.2022.100080 A551
Keall, M., Randal, E., Abrahamse, W., Chapman, R., Shaw, C., Witten, K., Woodward, A., Howden-Chapman, P. (2022). Equity and other effects of a program facilitating and promoting active travel. Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, 108, 103338. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trd.2022.103338 A549
Witten, K., Macmillan, A., Mackie, H., van der Werf, B., Smith, M., Field, A., Woodward, A., Hosking, J. (2022). Te Ara Mua – Future Streets: Can a streetscape upgrade designed to increase active travel change residents’ perceptions of neighbourhood safety? Wellbeing, Space and Society, 3, 100079. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wss.2022.100079 A552
Burdett, B. R., Witten, K., Willing, E., & Ameratunga, S. (2021). Inclusive access in transport policy and practice: Views of New Zealand transport practitioners. Case Studies on Transport Policy, 9(4), 1593-1599 A547
Egli, V., Mandic, S., Pocock, T., Narayanan, A., Williams, L., Clark, T., Spasic, L., Wilson, A., Witten, K., & Smith, M. (2021). Understanding children's perceptions of, and priorities for, healthy neighbourhoods in Aotearoa New Zealand: study protocol for a cross-sectional study. BMJ Open, 11(6), e047368. A546
Lovell, S., Ergler, C., Kearns, R., Wiles, J., & Witten, K. (2021). The braided river of health geography. Social Science & Medicine, 288, 114370. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114370 A545
Calder-Dawe, O., Witten, K., Carroll, P., & Morris, T. (2021). “Looks like a lot of awesome things are coming out of the study!”: Reflections on researching, communicating and challenging everyday inequalities. Methods in Psychology, 5, 100058. A610
Opit, S., Kearns, R., Witten, K., & Fergusson, E. (2021). Density in the suburbs: families with children Adapting to living in a medium density social housing development. Urban Policy and Research, 39(4), 397-413. doi: 10.1080/08111146.2021.1974830 A544
Smith, M., Calder-Dawe, O., Carroll, P., Kayes, N., Kearns, R., Lin, E.-Y., Witten, K. (2021). Mobility barriers and enablers and their implications for the wellbeing of disabled children and young people in Aotearoa New Zealand: A cross-sectional qualitative study. Wellbeing, Space and Society, 2, 100028. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wss.2021.100028. A524
Meher, M., Spray, J., Wiles, J., Anderson, A., Willing, E., Witten, K., ‘Ofanoa, M., Ameratunga, S. (2021). Locating transport sector responsibilities for the wellbeing of mobility-challenged people in Aotearoa New Zealand. Wellbeing, Space and Society, 2, 100034. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wss.2021.100034. A523
Witten, K., Kearns, R., Opit, S., & Fergusson, E. (2021). Facebook as soft infrastructure: producing and performing community in a mixed tenure housing development. Housing Studies, 36(9), 1345-1363. doi: 10.1080/02673037.02672020.01769035. A505
Opit, S., Witten, K., & Kearns, R.A. (2020) Housing pathways, aspirations and preferences of young adults within increasing urban density. Housing Studies, 35(1): 123-42. doi: 10.1080/02673037.2019.1584662 A506
Carroll, P., Witten, K., & Duff, C. (2020). “How can we make it work for you?” Enabling – and disabling – sporting assemblages for disabled young people. Social Science and Medicine, Available online 31 July. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2020.113213. A491
Spray, J., Witten, K., Wiles, J., Anderson, A., Paul, D., Wade, J., Ameratunga, S. (2020). Inequitable mobilities: intersections of diversity with urban infrastructure influence mobility, health and wellbeing. Cities & Health, 1-15. 10.1080/23748834.2020.1827881. A519
Smith, M., Hawley, G., Mackay, L., Hosking, J., Mackie, H., Ikeda, E., Egli, V., Ellaway, A., Witten, K. (2020). Impact of changing road infrastructure on children's active travel: A multi-methods study from Auckland, New Zealand. Journal of Transport & Health, 18, 100868. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jth.2020.100868. A518
Hawley, G., Macmillan, A., Field, A., Hodgson, R., Witten, K., Kearns, R. A., McKerchar, C. (2020). The normative influence of adults on youth access: Challenges and opportunities in the context of shifts away from car-dependence. Journal of Transport & Health, 16, 100841. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jth.2020.100841. A517
Coulson, G., Moores, J., Waa, A., Kearns, R., Witten, K., Batstone, C., Somervell, E., Olivares, G., Howden-Chapman, P. (2020). Toward a Framework for Resilience Assessments: Working Across Cultures, Disciplines, and Scales in Aotearoa/New Zealand. [Conceptual Analysis]. Frontiers in Sustainable Cities, 2(11). doi: 10.3389/frsc.2020.00011. A516
Ikeda, E., Mavoa, S., Cavadino, A., Carroll, P., Hinckson, E., Witten, K., Smith, M. (2020). Keeping kids safe for active travel to school: A mixed method examination of school policies and practices and children’s school travel behaviour. Travel Behaviour and Society, 21, 57-68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tbs.2020.05.008. A515
Macmillan, A., Smith, M., Witten, K., Woodward, A., Hosking, J., Wild, K., Field, A. (2020). Suburb-level changes for active transport to meet the SDGs: Causal theory and a New Zealand case study. Science of The Total Environment, 714, 136678. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.136678 A480
Smith, M., Ikeda, E., Hawley, G., Mavoa, S., Hosking, J., Egli, V., Zhao, J., Mackay, L., Donnellan, N., Amann, R., Mackie, H., Witten, K. (2020). An integrated conceptual model of environmental needs for New Zealand children's active travel to school. Journal of Transport & Health, 16, 100814. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jth.2019.100814 A478
Calder-Dawe, O., Witten, K., Carroll, P. (2019). Being the body in question: Young people's accounts of everyday ableism, visibility and disability. Disability and Society, published online 11 June. doi: 10.1080/09687599.2019.1621742. A474
Bates, L., Kearns, R., Witten, K., & Carroll, P. (2019). ‘A level playing field’: Young people's experiences of wheelchair basketball as an enabling place. Health & Place, 60, published online 26 September. A466
Hawley, G., Witten, K., Hosking, J., Mackie, H., & Smith, M. (2019). The journey to learn: Perspectives on active school travel from exemplar schools in New Zealand. Journal of Transport & Health, 14, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jth.2019.100600 A462
Ikeda, E., Hinckson, E., Witten, K., & Smith, M. (2018). Associations of children's active school travel with perceptions of the physical environment and characteristics of the social environment: A systematic review. Health & Place, 54, 118-131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2018.09.009 A464
Carroll, P., Witten, K., Asiasiga, L., Lin, E.-Y. (2019). Children's Engagement as Urban Researchers and Consultants in Aotearoa/New Zealand: Can it Increase Children's Effective Participation in Urban Planning? Children & Society, published online 15 January(0). doi:10.1111/chso.12315. A454
Carroll, P., Calder-Dawe, O., Witten, K., & Asiasiga, L. (2018). A Prefigurative Politics of Play in Public Places: Avoiding cracks, Being a super-hero, Climbing trees– children claim their democratic ‘right to the city’ through an ABC of play. Space and Culture, published online 7 September, DOI: 10.1177/1206331218797546. A448
Ikeda, E., Mavoa, S., Hinckson, E., Witten, K., Donnellan, N., Smith, M. (2018). Differences in child-drawn and GIS-modelled routes to school: Impact on space and exposure to the built environment in Auckland, New Zealand. Journal of Transport Geography, 71, 103-115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2018.07.005. A445
Carroll, P., Witten, K., Calder-Dawe, O., Smith, M., Kearns, R., Asiasiga, L., Lin, J., Kayes, N., Mavoa, S. (2018). Enabling Participation for Disabled young People: Study Protocol. BMC Public Health, 18(712), http://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-12018-15652-x. A444
Macmillan, A., Mackie, H., Hosking, J., Witten, K., Smith, M., Field, A., Woodward, A., Hoskins, R., Stewart, J., van der Werf, B., Baas, P. (2018). Controlled before-after intervention study of suburb-wide street changes to increase walking and cycling: Te Ara Mua-Future Streets study design. BMC Public Health, 18(850), https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-12018-15758-12881. A443
Witten, K., Carroll, P., Calder-Dawe, O., Smith, M., Field, A., Hosking, J., & Future Streets Team. (2018). Te Ara Mua –Future Streets: Knowledge exchange and the highs and lows of researcher-practitioner collaboration to design active travel infrastructure. Journal of Transport & Health, 9, 34-33. A440
Chapman, R., Keall, M., Howden-Chapman, P., Grams, M., Witten, K., Randal, E., Woodward, A. (2018). A Cost Benefit Analysis of an Active Travel Intervention with Health and Carbon Emission Reduction Benefits. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(5), 962. A436
Ikeda, E., Stewart, T., Garrett, N., Egli, V., Mandic, S., Hosking, J., Witten, K., Hawley, G., Shadan Tautolo, E., Rodda, J., Moore, A., Smith, M. (2018). Built environment associates of active school travel in New Zealand children and youth: A systematic meta-analysis using individual participant data. Journal of Transport & Health, In Press, Corrected Proof, Available online 1 May, doi: 10.1016/j.jth.2018.1004.1007. A434
Carroll, P., Witten, K., & Stewart, C. (2017). Children are citizens too: Consulting with children on the redevelopment of a central city square in Auckland, Aotearoa/New Zealand. Built Environment, 43(2), 272-289. A429
Lin, E.-Y., Witten, K., Oliver, M., Carroll, P., Asiasiga, L., Badland, H., & Parker, K. (2017). Social and built-environment factors related to children's independent mobility: The importance of neighbourhood cohesion and connectedness. Health and Place, 46, 107-113. A426
Rychert, M., Wilkins, C., Parker, K., & Witten, K. (2017). Are government-approved products containing new psychoactive substances perceived to be safer and more socially acceptable than alcohol, tobacco and illegal drugs? Findings from a survey of police arrestees in New Zealand. Drug and Alcohol Review, published online Dec 29, doi: 10.1111/dar.12655. A416
Smith, M., Hosking, J., Woodward, A., Witten, K., MacMillan, A., Field, A., Baas, P., Mackie, H. (2017). Systematic literature review of built environment effects on physical activity and active transport – an update and new findings on health equity. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 14(158), DOI 10.1186/s12966-12017-10613-12969. A413
Rychert, M., & Wilkins, C., & Witten, K. (2017). Issues with monitoring the safety of psychoactive products under a legal regulated market for new psychoactive substances (NPS) (‘legal highs’) in New Zealand. Drug and Alcohol Review, 36(5), 589-596, doi: 10.1111/dar.12467 [Abstract]. A405
Rychert, M., Wilkins, C., Witten, K. (2017). "Lost in translation": issues with the establishment of a legal market for ‘low risk’ psychoactive products (‘legal highs’) in New Zealand. Drugs: Education, Prevention & Policy, Published online: 02 Feb, doi: 10.1080/09687637.09682017.01282422 [Abstract]. A401
Chaudhury, M., Oliver, M., Badland, H., & Witten, K. (2017). Using the Public Open Space Attributable Index tool to assess children’s public open space use and access by independent mobility. Children’s Geographies, 15, 193-206, doi: 10.1080/14733285.14732016.11214684 [Abstract]. A391
Oliver, M., McPhee, J., Carroll, P., Ikeda, E., Mavoa, S., Mackay, L., Kearns, R., Kytta, M., Asiasiga, L., Garrett, N., Lin, J., Mackett, R., Zinn, C., Moewaka Barnes, H., Egli, V., Prendergast, K., & Witten, K. (2016). Neighbourhoods for Active Kids: Study protocol for a cross-sectional examination of neighbourhood features and children’s physical activity, active travel, independent mobility and body size. BMJ Open, 6, e013377 [Article]. A392
Oliver, M., Parker, K., Witten, K., Mavoa, S., Badland, H., Chaudury, M., & Kearns, R. (2016). Children’s out-of-school independent mobility, active travel, and physical activity: A cross-sectional examination from the Kids in the City study. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 13(3), 318-324 [Abstract]. A389
Ergler, C., Kearns, R., & Witten, K. (2016). Exploring children's seasonal play to promote active lifestyles in Auckland, New Zealand. Health & Place, 41, 67-77 [Article]. A388
Ivory, V., Blakely, T., Pearce, J., Witten, K., Bagheri, N., Badland, H., & Schofield, G. (2015). Could strength of exposure to the residential neighbourhood modify associations between walkability and physical activity? Social Science and Medicine, 147, 232-241. doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2015.10.053 [Article]. A374
Oliver, M., Mavoa, S., Badland, H., Parker, K., Donovan, P., Kearns, R., Lin, E.-Y., & Witten, K. (2015). Associations between the neighbourhood built environment and out of school physical activity and active travel: An examination from the Kids in the City study. Health & Place, 36, 57-64. doi:10.1016/j.healthplace.2015.09.005 [Article]. A366
Badland, H., Kearns, R., Carroll, P., Oliver, M., Mavoa, S., Donovan, P., Parker, K., Chaudhury, M., Lin, J., & Witten, K. (2015). Development of a systems model to visualise the complexity of children's independent mobility. Children’s Geographies, Published online: 16 Mar 2015, doi:10.1080/14733285.14732015.11021240. A361
Badland, H., Donovan, P., Mavoa, S., Oliver, M., Chaudhury, M., & Witten, K. (2015). Assessing neighbourhood destination access for children: Development of the NDAI-C audit tool. Environment and Planning B: Planning and Design, 42, doi:10.1068/b140009p. A362
Carroll, P., Witten, K., Kearns, R., & Donovan, P. (2015) Kids in the City: Children's use and experiences of urban neighbourhoods in Auckland, New Zealand. Journal of Urban Design, published online 23 Jun 2015, doi:10.1080/13574809.13572015.11044504. A360
Witten, K., Kearns, R., & Carroll, P. (2015). Urban inclusion as wellbeing; exploring children’s accounts of confronting diversity on inner city streets. Social Science and Medicine, 133, 349-357, doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2015.1001.1016. A353
Chapman, R., Howden-Chapman, P., Keall, M., Witten, K., Abrahamse, W., Woodward, A., Muggeridge, D., Beetham, J., & Grams, M. (2014). Increasing active travel: aims, methods and baseline measures of a quasi-experimental study. BMC Public Health, 14(935), DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-1114-1935. A348
Hinckson, E., McGrath, L., Hopkins, W., Oliver, M., Badland, H., Mavoa, S., Witten, K., & Kearns, R. (2014). Distance to school is associated with sedentary time in children: Findings from the URBAN study. Child Health and Human Development, 2(151), doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2014.00151.
Oliver, M., Badland, H., Mavoa, S., Witten, K., Kearns, R., Ellaway, A., Hinckson, E., Mackay, L., & Schluter, P. (2014). Environmental and socio-demographic associates of children's active transport to school: a cross-sectional investigation from the URBAN Study. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 11(70), http://www.ijbnpa.org/content/11/11/70. A346
Oliver, M., Mavoa, S., Badland, H., Carroll, P., Asiasiga, L., Tavae, N., Kearns, R., & Witten, K. (2014). What constitutes a trip? Examining child journey attributes using GPS and self-report. Children’s Geographies, 12(2), 249-256. A338
Macmillan, A., Connor, J., Witten, K., Kearns, R., Rees, D., & Woodward, A. (2014). The Societal Costs and Benefits of Commuter Bicycling: Simulating the Effects of Specific Policies Using System Dynamics Modeling. Environmental Health Perspectives, 122(4), 335–344. doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1307250. A337
Witten, K., Kearns, R., Carroll, P., Asiasiga, L. & Tava'e, N. (2013) New Zealand parents' understandings of the intergenerational decline in children's independent outdoor play and active travel. Children's Geographies, 11(2), 215-229. doi: 10.1080/14733285.2013.779839. A321
Ergler, C., Kearns, R., & Witten, K. (2013). Seasonal and locational variations in children's play: Implications for wellbeing. Social Science and Medicine, Social Science and Medicine, 91, 178-185. A357
Badland, H., Oliver, M., Kearns, R., Mavoa, S., Witten, K., Duncan, M., Batty, G. (2012). Association of neighbourhood residence and preferences with the built environment, work-related travel behaviours, and health implications for employed adults: Findings from the URBAN study. Social Science and Medicine, in press, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2012.1005.1029. A308
Witten, K., Blakely, T., Bagheri, N., Badland, H., Ivory, V., Pearce, J., Mavoa, S., Hinckson, E., Schofield, G. (2012). Neighborhood Built Environment and Transport and Leisure Physical Activity: Findings Using Objective Exposure and Outcome Measures in New Zealand. Environmental Health Perspectives, 120(7), 971-977 http://dx.doi.org/910.1289/ehp.1104584. A307
Ivory V, Witten K, Salmond C, Lin E-Y, You R, Blakely T. (2012). The New Zealand Index of Neighbourhood Social Fragmentation: integrating theory and data. Environment and Planning A. 2012;44:972-88. [Abstract] A303
Mavoa, S., Witten, K., McCreanor, T., & O’Sullivan, D. (2012). GIS based destination accessibility via public transit and walking in Auckland, New Zealand. Journal of Transport Geography, 20(1), 15-22. [Abstract] A299
Mavoa, S., Oliver, M., Witten, K., & Badland, H. (2011). Linking GPS and travel diary data using sequence alignment in a study of children’s independent mobility. International Journal of Health Geographics, 10(64), http://www.ij-healthgeographics.com/content/10/11/64. A294
Lin, E.-Y., Witten, K., Casswell, S., & You, R. Q. (2011). Neighbourhood matters: Perceptions of neighbourhood cohesiveness and associations with alcohol, cannabis and tobacco use. Drug and Alcohol Review, Article first published online: 5 DEC, DOI: 10.1111/j.1465-3362.2011.00385.x. A289
Oliver, M., Witten, K., Kearns, R., Mavoa, S., Badland, H., Carroll, P., . . . Ergler, C. (2011). Kids in the city study: research design and methodology. BMC Public Health, 11(587). A284
Witten, K., Abrahamse, W., & Stuart, K. (Eds.). (2011). Growth Misconduct? Avoiding Sprawl and Improving Urban Intensification in New Zealand. Wellington: New Zealand Centre for Sustainable Cities, University of Otago
Witten, K. Pearce, J. & Day, P. (2011). Neighbourhood Destination Accessibility Index: A GIS tool for measuring infrastructure support for neighbourhood physical activity. Environment and Planning A, 43, 205-223. [Abstract] A317
Witten, K., & Carroll, P. (2011). Intensification, housing affordability and families: Learning from the Auckland CBD. In K. Witten, W. Abrahamse & K. Stuart (Eds.), Growth Misconduct? Avoiding Sprawl and Improving Urban Intensification in New Zealand (pp. 79-89). Wellington: New Zealand Centre for Sustainable Cities, University of Otago. SB55
Witten, K., Huakau, J., & Mavoa, S. (2011). Social and recreational travel: the destinations, travel modes and CO2 emissions of New Zealand households. Social Policy Journal of New Zealand, 37, 172-184. [Full text] A279
Carroll, P., Witten, K., & Kearns, R. (2011). Housing Intensification in Auckland New Zealand: Implications for Children and Families. Housing Studies, 26 (3), 353-367. A278
Kearns R, Lewis N, McCreanor T and Witten K (2010). School closures as breaches in the fabric of rural welfare: community perspectives from New Zealand. In: Milbourne P ed. Welfare Reform in Rural Places: Comparative Perspectives. Emerald Publishing Group, Bingley, UK, pp.219-236. SB54
Badland, H., Keam, R., Witten, K., & Kearns, R. (2010). Examining public open spaces by neighborhood deprivation and walkability. Journal of Physical Activity & Health, 7. 818-824. [Abstract] A270
Badland, H., Opit, S., Witten, K., Kearns, R., & Mavoa, S. (2010). Can virtual streetscape audits reliably replace physical streetscape audits? Journal of Urban Health, 87. 1007-1016. [Abstract] A269
Blewden, M., Carroll, P. & Witten, K. (2010). The use of social science research to inform policy development: case studies from recent immigration policy. Kotuitui: New Zealand Journal of Social Sciences Online, 5. 13-25. [Full text] A257
Witten, K. (2010). Ways of walking: Ethnography and practice on foot [Book Review]. New Zealand Geographer, 66. 91-92. [Full text] A260
Witten, K. & Hammond, K. (2010). What becomes of social science knowledge: New Zealand researchers' experiences of knowledge transfer modes and audiences. Kotuitui: New Zealand Journal of Social Sciences Online, 5. 1-10. [Full text] A258
Adams, J., Witten, K., and Conway, K. (2009). Community development as health promotion: Evaluating a complex locality-based project in New Zealand. Community Development Journal, 44(2). 140-157. [Abstract] A203
Rose E., Witten K., & McCreanor T. (2009). Transport Related Social Exclusion: New Zealand Evidence. Kotuitui: New Zealand Journal of Social Sciences Online, 4. 191-203. [Full text] A241
Badland, H., Schofield, G., Witten, K., Schluter, P., Mavoa, S., Kearns, R., Hinckson, E., Oliver, M., Kaiwai, H., Jensen, V., Ergler, C., McGrath, L. & McPhee, J. (2009). Understanding the Relationship between Activity and Neighbourhoods (URBAN) Study: research design and methodology. BMC Public Health, 9(224). [Full text] A238
Kearns, R., Lewis, N., McCreanor, T., Witten, K. (2009). 'The status quo is not an option': Community impacts of school closure in South Taranaki, New Zealand. Journal of Rural Studies, 25(1). 131-140. [Abstract] A226
Witten K, Kearns R, McCreanor T, Penney L, Faalau F. (2009). Connecting place and the everyday practices of parenting: insights from Auckland, New Zealand. Environment and Planning A, 41, 2893-910.
Stevenson, A., Pearce, J., Blakely, T., Ivory, V., Witten, K. (2009). Neighbourhoods and health: A review of the New Zealand literature. New Zealand Geographer, 65. 211-221. [Abstract] A240
Greenaway, S., McCreanor, T. & Witten, K. (2008). Reducing CO2 emissions from domestic travel: exploring the social and health impacts. EcoHealth, 5(4). 504-512. [Abstract] A233
Hiscock, R., Pearce, J., Blakely, T. & Witten, K. (2008). Is neighborhood access to health care provision associated with individual-level utilization and satisfaction? Health Services Research, 43(6). 2183-2200. [Abstract] A227
Pearce J, Day P, Witten K. (2008). Neighbourhood provision of food and alcohol retailing and social deprivation in urban New Zealand. Urban Policy and Research, 26. 213-227. [Abstract] A213
Pearce, J., Hiscock, R., Blakely, T. & Witten, K. (2008). A national study of the association between neighbourhood access to fast food outlets and the diet and weight of local residents. Health and Place. [Abstract] A215
Pearce, J., Hiscock, R., Blakely, T. & Witten, K. (2008). The contextual effects of neighbourhood access to supermarkets and convenience stores on individual fruit and vegetable consumption. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 62. 198-201. [Full text] A230
Pearce, J., Witten, K., Hiscock, R. & Blakely, T. (2008). Regional and urban -- rural variations in the association of neighbourhood deprivation with community resource access: a national study. Environment and Planning A, 40. 2469-2489. [Full text, PDF] A223
Witten, K., Hiscock, R. , Pearce, J. & Blakely, T. (2008). Neighbourhood access to open spaces and the physical activity of residents: A national study. Preventive Medicine. [Full text, PDF] A214
Pearce, J., Blakely, T., Witten, K., Bartie, P. (2007). Neighborhood deprivation and access to fast-food retailing: a national study. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 32(5). 375-382. [Full text, PDF] A198
Witten, K., McCreanor, T., Kearns, R. (2007). The place of schools in parents' community belonging. New Zealand Geographer, 63. 141-148. [Full text] A202
Greenaway, A. and Witten, K. (2006). Meta-analysing community action projects in Aotearoa New Zealand. Community Development Journal, 41. 143-159. [Abstract] A173
McCreanor, T., Penney, L., Jensen, V., Witten, K., Kearns, R., Moewaka Barnes, H. (2006). 'This is like my comfort zone': Senses of place and belonging within Oruamo / Beachhaven New Zealand. New Zealand Geographer, 62. 196-207. [Abstract] A191
Pearce, J., Witten, K., Bartie, P. (2006). Neighbourhoods and health: a GIS approach to measuring community resource accessibility. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 60. 389-395. [Abstract] A186
Pearce, J., Witten, K., Hiscock, R., Blakely, T. (2006). Are socially disadvantaged neighbourhoods deprived of health-related community resources? International Journal of Epidemiology, 36. 348-355. [Full text] A195
Kearns, R., McCreanor, T., Witten, K. (2005). Linking health, place and healthy communities. Territoris, 5. 189-203. [Abstract] A183
Field, A., Witten, K., Robinson, E., Pledger, M. (2004). Who gets to what? Access to community resources in two New Zealand cities. Urban Policy and Research, 22. 189-205. [Abstract] A160
Witten, K., McCreanor, T., Kearns, R. (2003). The place of neighbourhood in social cohesion: insights from Massey, West Auckland. Urban Policy and Research, 21. 321-338. [Abstract] A154
Witten, K., Kearns, R., Lewis, N., Coster, H. and McCreanor, T. (2003). Educational restructuring from a community view point: A case study of school closure from Invercargill New Zealand. Environment & Planning C: Government and Policy, 21. 203-223.
Witten, K., Exeter, D. and Field, A. (2003). The quality of urban environments: Mapping variation in access to community resources. Urban Studies, 40. 161-177. [Abstract] A144
Witten, K., McCreanor, T., Kearns, R., Ramasubramanian, L. (2001). The impacts of a school closure on neighbourhood social cohesion: narratives from Invercargill, New Zealand. Health & Place, 7. 307-317. [Abstract] A131
Witten, K., Parkes, M. & Ramasubramanian, L. (2000). Participatory Environmental Health Research in Aotearoa/New Zealand: Constraints and Opportunities. Health Education & Behavior, 27. 371-384. [Abstract] A120
Books and book chapters
Mackie, H., Hirsch, L., Thorne, R., Witten, K., & Field, A. (2021). Creating the Circuit Breakers: An Examination of the Sociotechnical System Factors Which Impede and Enable the Delivery of Safe and Healthy Neighbourhood Street Design in Aotearoa New Zealand. In: S. Coxon & R. Napper (Eds.), Advancing a Design Approach to Enriching Public Mobility. Intelligent Systems Reference Library (Vol. 198). Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-64722-3_14
Witten, K., & Ivory, V. (2018). Urban public spaces, social inclusion and health. In V. Crooks, G. Andrews & J. Pearce (Eds.), Routledge Handbook of Health Geography (pp. 259-266). London: Routledge. SB70
Kearns, R., Witten, K., Kingham, S., Banwell, K. (2017). Community formation on higher density neighbourhoods. In P. Howden-Chapman, L. Early & J. Ombler (Eds.), Cities in New Zealand: Preferences, Patterns and Possibilities (pp. 79-94). Wellington: Steele Roberts Aotearoa. SB71
Ergler, C., Kearns, R., & Witten, K. (2017). Introduction: A children's place in health geography. In C. Ergler, R. Kearns & K. Witten (Eds.), Children's Health and Wellbeing in Urban Environments (pp. 1-15). Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge.
Carroll, P., & Witten, K. (2017). Children as urban design consultants: A children's audit of a central city square in Auckland, Aotearoa/New Zealand. In K. Bishop & L. Corkery (Eds.), Designing Cities with Children and Young People (pp. 269-286). New York: Routledge. SB66
Kearns, R., Carroll, P., Asiasiga, L., & Witten, K. (2015). The variegated nature of play for Auckland children: banal landscapes and the promotion of wellbeing. In J. Horton & B. Evans (Eds.), Play, Recreation, Health and Well Being (in Volume 9 of Skelton, T. (editor-in-chief), Geographies of Children and Young People). Singapore: Springer. SB63
Carroll, P., Witten, K., & Kearns, R. (2015). Kids in the City: everyday life in inner-city Auckland. In C. Freeman & P. Tranter (Eds.), Risk, Protection, Provision and Policy (in Volume 12 of Skelton, T. (editor-in-chief), Geographies of Children and Young People). Singapore: Springer Springer Science+Business Media. SB62
Witten, K., & Carroll, P. (2015). Children's neighborhoods: places of play or spaces of fear? In K. Nairn & P. Kraftl (Eds.), Space, Place and Environment (in Volume 3 of Skelton, T. (editor-in-chief), Geographies of Children and Young People). Singapore: Springer Springer Science+Business Media. SB61
Witten, K., Kearns, R., Carroll, P., Asiasiga, L., & Tava'e Fa'avale, N. (2014). New Zealand parents' understandings of the intergenerational decline in children's independent outdoor activity. In M. Roche, J. Mansvelt, R. Prince, et al. (Eds.), Engaging Geographies: Landscapes, Lifecourses and Mobilities (pp. 155-174). Newcastle upon Tyne: Cambridge Scholars Publishing. SB60
Carroll, P., Asiasiga, L., Tav’ae, N., & Witten, K. (2013). Kids in the City: Differing Perceptions of One Neighbourhood in Aotearoa / New Zealand. In R. Coles & Z. Millman (Eds.), Landscape, Wellbeing and Environment (pp. 129-146). London: Routledge. SB59
Ergler, C., Kearns, R., & Witten, K. (2013). Managed childhoods: A social history of urban children's play. In N. Higgins & C. Freeman (Eds.), Childhoods: Growing up in Aotearoa/New Zealand, pp.110-125. Dunedin: Otago University Press. SB58
Witten, K., Abrahamse, W., Stuart, K. (Eds.) (2011). Growth Misconduct? Avoiding Sprawl and Improving Urban Intensification in New Zealand. Wellington: New Zealand Centre for Sustainable Cities, University of Otago.
Witten, K. & Carroll, P. (2011). Intensification, housing affordability and families: Learning from the Auckland CBD. In Witten, K., Abrahamse, W., Stuart, K. (Eds.) Growth Misconduct? Avoiding Sprawl and Improving Urban Intensification in New Zealand. Wellington: New Zealand Centre for Sustainable Cities, University of Otago.
Pearce, J., & Witten, K. (Eds.). (2010). Geographies of Obesity: Environmental Understandings of the Obesity Epidemic. Aldershot: Ashgate.
Kearns R, Lewis N, McCreanor T and Witten K (2010). School closures as breaches in the fabric of rural welfare: community perspectives from New Zealand. In Milbourne, P. (Eds.), Welfare Reform in Rural Places: Comparative Perspectives (pp. 219-236). Bingley, UK: Emerald Publishing Group.
Kearns., R., McCreanor, T., Witten, K. (2006). Healthy communities. In Thompson-Fawcett, M. and Freeman, C. (Eds.), Living Together: Towards Inclusive New Zealand Communities (pp.241-257). Dunedin: Otago University Press. SB42
Witten, K. (2006). Getting places in New Zealand neighbourhoods. In Brebbia, C. and Dolezal, V. (Eds.), Urban Transport XII: Urban Transport and the Environment in the 21st Century (pp. 567-578). Southhampton, Boston: WIT Press. SB38