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Vein pattern visualisation using condition based transformer embedded generative adversarial networks (CTransGAN)
No full textWith the increase in crimes such as child sexual abuse, identifying both the culprit and the victim has become more crucial than ever. Traditional biometrics such as fingerprint, facial pattern, and palmprint are often not applicable in these cases and are highly prone to forgery, reducing their reliability. Recently, researchers have turned to vein pattern recognition as a potential solution for subject identification. However, veins are nearly invisible to the human eyes and not easily observable in the RGB images taken from normal cameras. While earlier studies heavily relied on image quality, more recent research has predominantly utilised convolutional-based architectures. While these convolutional-based architectures are effective at capturing local spatial features, they struggle to capture spatial features for long-range dependencies. The veins in the forearm or hand generally have a long and elongated non-linear structure which spans over a larger area as compared to the finger or palm. Thus, the model’s capability to capture the long-range dependencies is critical in this situation.
A novel Transformer-encoder embedded conditional GAN (CTransGAN) model to address this limitation is proposed in this thesis. The proposed CTransGAN model is designed to generate NIR images from input RGB images. It incorporates three main components in the generator: an encoder and decoder based on a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), along with a transformer module. The encoder extracts local features from the input RGB images while reducing their spatial dimensions. The Transformer module processes these features to capture global dependencies across the image, such as the distant or non-adjacent structure of the vein pattern. The decoder then reconstructs the output NIR images by upsampling and restoring the spatial details. Additionally, a CNN-based discriminator is employed, which concatenates both the input RGB image and the generated NIR image as input, helping it differentiate between target and output NIR images. This setup enables the model to effectively combine local and global feature representation for accurate vein pattern visualisation. A New Zealand-based RGB-NIR synchronised images dataset of 602 forearms with palms has been used. The dataset is processed and used to train and test the model in three distinct variations (100x100, forearms, and full hands). The evaluation uses metrics such as Structural Similarity Index Measure (SSIM), contrast accuracy, Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (PSNR), and vein length comparison upon the generated NIR image. Moreover, the model’s performance is further assessed through visual validation. The results of the proposed model surpass the performance of the existing state-of-the-art models used in this area of research
Sweet and sour: How can architecture be used as a medium for Girmitiya descendants to reconnect with their heritage?
No full textRESEARCH QUESTION
How can architecture be used as a medium for Girmitiya descendants to reconnect with their heritage?
ABSTRACT
Within the Girmitiya diaspora, there is a widespread disconnect with cultural identity, particularly amongst the younger generation. This disconnect has been further exacerbated by political instability in Fiji over the past 40 years which targeted Indo- Fijians, and which resulted in additional migration from Fiji to Aotearoa and abroad. This wave of migration has created a generational gap, particularly among the younger Indo-Fijians raised either in Fiji or abroad, who are increasingly detached from their cultural and intangible heritage. To address this situation, a research question was proposed: ‘How can architecture be used as a medium for Girmitiya descendants to reconnect with their heritage?’
The research examines the underlying problem affecting the community and how the impacts of colonial rule have shaped contemporary society and led to a sense of displacement.
The theoretical realm of UNESCO’s Convention on Intangible Cultural Heritage has been explored with regard to the legacy of the Girmitiya experience. Equally, the work of respected theorists like Juhani Pallasmaa, Edwards Relph and Wilbert Gesler was investigated. Pallasmaa’s theories on sensory experiences further question why humans have become heavily reliant on a single sense – sight, whereas other senses are ignored, diminishing our perception of space. Relph’s theory of place and placelessness highlights the weakening of the identity to a place and how placelessness has gone through further transformation fuelled by displacement, colonialism, migration, policies and practices. Gesler, on the other hand, explains the notion of healing and its multidimensional nature, which needs to be factored in when dealing with confronting and traumatic past experiences.
The research further analyses precedents such as the Melbourne Holocaust Museum by Kerstin Thompson Architects, Hyde Park Barracks by Francis Greenway, Jewish Museum by Daniel Libeskind, and Te Taumata o Kupe by Toa Architects. The precedents reflect the notion of a difficult past, displacement, preservation of a bygone era and how the architects have addressed the situation in a holistic manner. These are some of the key themes the Girmit diaspora faces.
The resulting design is for a museum and cultural centre, a sanctuary for Girmitiya descendants located on the Chelsea Sugar Refinery site in Tāmaki Makaurau. The architecture tells the sweet and sour history of sugar production in the Pacific and provides a place where Girmitiya descendants can investigate their heritage, find a sense of belonging and celebrate their unique connection with Fiji and Aotearoa, New Zealand
Enhancing web sustainability: Carbon emission evaluation and LLM-powered reduction techniques
No full textRESEARCH OBJECTIVES
• To propose and validate a new carbon emission model (NWCE) and validate its core assumptions through experiments.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of neural image compression in reducing website data size and carbon emissions.
• To investigate the feasibility of fine-tuning a lightweight Large Language Model for generating targeted web sustainability suggestions.
• To assess the accuracy and safety of an instruction-tuned LLM for automated code refactoring, such as removing redundant CSS.
• To compare the impact of optimising different web assets (code versus images) on both carbon reduction and web performance scores.
• To design and evaluate an integrated, automated pipeline that combines multiple LLM optimisation techniques to measure their cumulative impact.
ABSTRACT
As digitalisation progresses, the ICT sector has become a growing source of carbon emissions, with websites playing a critical role in this trend due to their function as gateways to digital content and services. This study proposes a new website carbon emission evaluation model (NWCE), which incorporates user interaction time and device power consumption parameters to address the limitations of traditional models that overly rely on data volume. The study further investigates the feasibility and effectiveness of AI-based webpage optimisation techniques. Based on experiments conducted on 30 static websites, the CompressAI neural image compression method significantly reduced carbon emissions, achieving a maximum reduction of 49.86% on image-intensive websites. In applying lightweight LLMs, the TinyLLaMA model is first examined for its ability to generate carbon reduction suggestions. The results indicate no statistically significant difference in the quality of the suggestions before and after fine-tuning. Additionally, the DeepSeek-Coder 6.7B model is assessed for its effectiveness in locally identifying and removing redundant code. Findings suggest that the model performs reliably when code redundancy is minimal. Finally, an integrated optimisation framework based on LLM API is also developed and applied to the website dataset. The results demonstrate an average carbon emission reduction of 7.25%, with a maximum of 51.48%, along with consistent improvements in performance scores across all tested websites. These findings underscore the potential of AI-driven solutions in promoting scalable web sustainability and offer a practical pathway toward reducing the carbon footprint of digital platforms
Creativity in a changing world/ Te Ao Hurihuri
No full textAi-Da "world's first ultra-realistic robot artist", Aidan Meller creator
Aiko Chihira, Android robot receptionist
Caliburger, Flippy the Burger Bot
Asahi Shimbun Digital, robotic ‘super monster wolf’
Chat GPT-generated image
Creativity … what is it?
The Venus of Willendorf, c. 28,000 – 25,000 BCE
Cave paintings in Pech-Merle, France, c. 25,000 BCE
Mozart as a child at the harpsichord, in a painting by Joseph-Siffred Duplessis.
Christiano Ronaldo
Why me? So, what makes me particularly qualified to talk about creativity?
Henri Matisse rhythm and meaning
1 Take time
2 Be humble
3 Trust your instincts
4 Focus on the detail
5 See the big picture
6 Be gracious
7 Be adaptable
Brú na Bóinne The Ancient Monuments of Newgrange, Knowth, and Dowth (Southern Ireland) c.3,200BC
Aoteroa
Creativity - Auahatanga
Creativity and the future of skills
The future is creative
Creative process
SOFT [strike through] ‘SHARP’ skills
Contemporary intelligences
Social Intelligence/Quotient (SQ)
Holistic Quotient (HQ)
Adaptive Quotient (AQ)
Resilience Quotient (RQ)
Presence Quotient (PQ)
Poetic Quotient (PQ)
The Oracle of Delphi
‘SHARP’ skills
The future
"‘He toi whakairo, he mana tangata’: ‘Where there is artistic excellence, there is human dignity
YOLOv9, CNN, and LSTM-based solution for automated guinea pig behavior recognition
No full textRESEARCH QUESTIONS
• How effective and reliable is the object detection component of the proposed behavior recognition pipeline in detecting guinea pigs across various video scenarios?
• How well does the behavior classification model perform in identifying key guinea pig behaviors based on temporal frame sequences?
• How accurately and efficiently does the proposed pipeline perform end-to-end guinea pig behavior recognition from raw video input?
ABSTRACT
Understanding and monitoring guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) behavior is essential for research and animal welfare assessment. However, current studies on guinea pig behavior recognition heavily rely on manual observation, which is time-consuming and lacks scalability. To address this limitation, this study proposes and implements an automated end-to-end guinea pig behavior recognition system based on a combination of YOLOv9 for object detection, BoT-SORT for identity tracking, and a CNN+LSTM architecture for behavior classification. The system first applies YOLOv9 and BoT-SORT to perform object detection and ID-based tracking of guinea pigs in videos. It then constructs fixed-length frame sequences for each individual guinea pig based on their assigned IDs. Subsequently, a CNN+LSTM model with ResNet50 as the CNN backbone classifies behaviors by extracting spatial and temporal features from the frame sequences. A custom behavior dataset containing 472 video clips covering 7 behavior categories was developed for training. Additionally, a test set consisting of 12 fully annotated original videos with a total of 1130 behavior instances was created for evaluation. The proposed behavior recognition system achieves an overall accuracy of 93% on the test videos. This study demonstrates the feasibility and effectiveness of using deep learning methods for automated guinea pig behavior recognition. This system provides a valuable reference for future research in animal behavior recognition, welfare assessment, and related fields
Financial and sociocultural factors impacting male migrant Filipino nurses and construction workers’ families living in New Zealand
No full textKEY RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1. What are Filipino migrants’ motivations for moving to live and work in New Zealand? What sociocultural and economic factors have shaped their decision-making?
2. How do Filipino migrants’ experiences of living and working in New Zealand (in the construction and nursing sectors) compare with their hopes and expectations, and what challenges do these migrants face? What shifts in sociocultural roles accompany these experiences?
3. What changes, preparations, perspectives and/or information are needed to better support Filipino migrant workers and their family members to thrive in New Zealand?
ABSTRACT
The study explores financial and sociocultural factors impacting Filipino migrant families’ experiences of working and living in New Zealand. Focusing on families that include male nurses and construction workers, the study identifies participants’ motivations to migrate as well as the challenges and opportunities they face, and examines reconfigurations of family and gender roles among other shifts in traditional cultural values. The project employed a mixed methodological approach, combining the Filipino indigenous Sikolohiyang Pilipino framework with qualitative descriptive methodology. Data collection involved participatory techniques such as pakikipagkwentuhan (storytelling) and pagtatanong-tanong (inquiry). Purposive sampling identified four Filipino migrant families in the Auckland area, two of which included male nurses and the other two, male construction workers. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data.
The key findings reveal that Filipino migrant in New Zealand face both advantages and challenges in the new environment. Findings highlight that migration is primarily motivated by economic goals, with families seeking financial stability and improved quality of life. New Zealand’s favourable immigration policies and family-friendly atmosphere make it an appealing destination. The participants demonstrate resilience in adapting to high living costs, often through lifestyle change and compromise. Migrants' professional experiences vary, with some valuing New Zealand’s work-life balance, and others facing issues around getting full-time jobs and lack of recognition for foreign qualifications. Sociocultural transitions, including shifts in gender roles and in perceptions of these roles, are evident as participants adapt to the New Zealand context. Filipino values, such as respect for elders, remain essential in family life, though participants also integrate local norms, especially in parenting and education. Children’s experiences reflect a blend of Filipino and New Zealand cultural influences, with families appreciating the accessible education system but noting challenges in adjusting to new social and cultural expectations.
There is limited existing scholarly literature on whole family experiences of migration. In addition to addressing this gap, the project offers suggestions for better supporting Filipino migrant workers and their family members to thrive in New Zealand. Further research with larger and more diverse sample sizes is warranted to uncover evolving cultural and familial dynamics among Filipino migrants in New Zealand
Joe's Horses
No full textThis exegesis investigates potentially impactful design elements in literature designed for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The study centres around 269 children with an ADHD diagnosis in Aotearoa New Zealand, utilising an action research approach centred around a book designed specifically for this investigation, called ‘Joe's Horses’. The study focuses on the investigation of design elements used in the book which were included to test their efficacy in engaging this population, aiming to enhance the length of time they spent paying attention to their reading. Through an observation of the time spent by children with ADHD paying attention to the book, the study reveals some possible trends in the reading habits of the children in the sample. This exegesis draws upon the existing literature on ADHD and education and aligns with the growing interest in understanding the experiences of these learners and finding effective ways to support them in their pursuits. This research contributes to the ongoing discourse on ADHD education by providing commentary on the potential impact of tailored design elements. The findings offer a starting point for considering insights for researchers and practitioners seeking to enhance the reading experiences of these children. The design elements in Joe’s Horses offer insights consistent with some of the children in the sample and will not suit all children with ADHD
Should I stay or should I go? Allied veterinary professional retention in Aotearoa New Zealand
No full textVeterinary nursing in Aotearoa is a relatively young profession, with formal registration frameworks only established in 2015. Despite its growing importance, retention of allied veterinary professionals (AVPs), including veterinary nurses, technologists, and animal healthcare assistants, remains a significant challenge. This study explores factors influencing retention, drawing on 181 survey responses, including 104 from AVPs currently in clinical practice. Respondents reported an average of eight years in practice, with many working full time and some holding multiple jobs. While many expressed satisfaction with patient care and teamwork, 36% reported moderate to low satisfaction, citing long hours, low pay, toxic environments, and limited career progression. Notably, 83 respondents had considered leaving clinical practice, and 74 had contemplated leaving the veterinary industry entirely. Key challenges included financial strain, lack of professional recognition, poor workplace culture, and limited mental health support. Despite these issues, many AVPs remained due to intrinsic motivators such as passion for animals and supportive teams. This research highlights a passionate yet strained workforce and underscores the need to better understand the systemic barriers impacting retention
Prevalence, species impact, and outcomes of cat predation on wild bird admissions at BirdCare Aotearoa
No full textThis retrospective study analysed 38,717 wildlife patient records from 2018 to 2025 at BirdCare Aotearoa, Auckland’s largest avian wildlife rehabilitation centre, to investigate the impact of domestic cat (Felis catus) predation on bird admissions. Domestic cats were identified as the predominant cause of predation-related admissions, accounting for 93.5% (7,612/8,139) of all predation cases and 19.7% (7,612/38,717) of total admissions. Of the 134 avian species recorded, 62 (46.3%) were admitted due to confirmed predation events, making predation the third most common cause of admission (21%; 8,139/38,717). Introduced bird species comprised the majority of cat-predated admissions (76.7%; 6,244/8,139), followed by native species (23.0%; 1,869/8,139), with a small proportion of unidentified species (0.3%; 27/8,139). The prognosis for cat-predated birds was poor, with a mortality rate of 78% (6,345/8,139) due to the severity of injuries sustained. Among native species, the silvereye (Zosterops lateralis), tūī (Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae), and sacred kingfisher (Todiramphus sanctus) were most impacted. Birds commonly found in urban and suburban environments were disproportionately represented, highlighting the ecological consequences of free-roaming domestic cats in human-modified landscapes. Despite limitations in data completeness and quality, these findings underscore the significant threat domestic cats pose to urban and suburban avifauna in Aotearoa New Zealand
The Influence of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Initiatives on Employee Engagement through Organisational Values Alignment: A Mixed-Methods Study in the Manufacturing Sector of New Zealand
No full textThis research investigates the influence of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives on employee engagement, focusing on organisational values alignment as an underexplored mediating factor. Set in the New Zealand manufacturing sector and using a mixed-methods approach, it combines quantitative survey data from 105 participants (α = .92) with qualitative findings drawn from eight semi-structured interviews. The results highlight a significant positive correlation between CSR practices and employee engagement, underscoring values alignment as a critical element in this relationship. In our sample, 83.85% of participants reported that shared organisational values foster a sense of unity, while 77.14% identified these values as key to their motivation. Furthermore, extended involvement in CSR activities improves job satisfaction, with 74.62% of employees expressing greater contentment in their roles. The findings do have some limitations, including the sector-specific focus, demographics where men and upper-level management are overrepresented, and a potential bias from self-reported data. Future research should explore diverse samples and cross-industry contexts to strengthen generalisability. This study contributes to CSR literature by demonstrating the role of organisational values alignment in driving and enhancing employee engagement while offering practical and actionable insights for organisations