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A dweller’s journey to… RE:CONNECT
No full textRESEARCH QUESTION
How can we create versatile public spaces that are both open and intimate to enhance our society’s engagement with physical reality?
ABSTRACT
The year 2020 presented a shocking turning point in our freedom to travel and experience places. Most, if not all countries around the world went into nationwide lock-downs due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. This pandemic brought new ways of living daily life. One of its most extensive effects was the limitation of people travelling to other places around the world. Our experiences of everyday life were limited to our home or immediate neighbourhoods. The cities’ dynamic had changed. People were living with memories of places they could not go to—these memories of feeling at home, being with loved ones or simply experiencing new places. The memory of life before the pandemic is engraved in everyone’s lives as the world starts to move toward living with this new threat. It reminds us of human interaction and connection with people and places.
New Zealand is made up of people from all different paths in life, from locations all over the world. The experiences from places all around the world are brought back when we return home. Whether they are memories of previous hometowns or new places visited through leisure and travel. With each memory comes multiple dreamscapes. Each thought holds some emotional value and attachment. The idea of our memories of places we can no longer visit was the inspiration for the research project.
The project investigates how memory, spatial storytelling and understanding of the urban public space can impact architecture. The research project addresses the notion of intimacy, openness, and public space. The idea of memory guides us to relive an experience. The architect’s goal is to create not only buildings but also to design places. Spatial storytelling has been identified as a major design method for this project. Architecture can be a medium to fundamentally narrate tales and events in time, or of a period through the sequential unfolding of geometry and spaces. The notion of narrative adds value to the architecture and the spectators generating an emotional or sensational response that may be iconic.
The purpose of this project is to establish a modern-day creation of public architecture and space that challenges the normalities of our current reality and promotes social interaction. The architectural intervention tests how a dream-like setting can embody the essence of the past and present, creating a journey through the public and private realms. The aim of the research project is to interpret the relationship of intimacy and openness in the public realm through architectural elements in the urban environment. The project wishes to enable the dweller to step out of the everyday and into a destination with a means of escape.
SITE: 28 Shortland Street, Auckland, New Zealan
The two heavens of tufuga: Creative expressions of tufuga Niue
No full textTAGATA NIUE
Tagata Niue are not a homogeneous group. Rather there are two main groupings – tagata Niue in the diaspora that reside in New Zealand and Australia - the largest group are resident in New Zealand; and tagata Niue that live on the island of Niue. While these groups share some similarities, there are distinct differences between the groups in terms of worldviews. Although a wider discussion of the groups are outside the scope of this paper it is important to recognise that the diaspora tagata Niue in particular the multi-ethnic New Zealand born tagata Niue are likely to understand and view arts from a western perspective. Despite this there is merit in understanding how tagata Niue historically represented their world in the tangible creative expressions that we see today.
TUFUGA NIUE
Oral traditions say that all tufuga (knowledge holders and skilled practitioners) of Niue originated from the goddess Hina who lived in Lagi-tua-ua (second heaven) with her children. Hina is an offspring of Huanaki who was one of two tupua (deities) who completed the island of Nukututaha (Niue). The children of Huanaki lived in three places – Fonuagalo (the underworld or deep ocean); Lagi-tua-taha (first heaven where there is dry land and daylight); and the Lagi-tua-ua (second heaven where the sun, moon and the stars reign and there is endless light).
Lagi-tua-ua was believed to be where tagata tufuga lived. It is also known as Motu a Hina (Hina’s world) or Aho Hololoa (endless daylight). Hina lived with her children and they were the tufuga of Niue: • Lata, the tufuga of vaka (canoe) making • Mele, the tufuga of lalaga and tia (weaving) • Fakapoloto, the tufuga of hele lapa tifa (cutting of seashells for kahoa necklace making) • Hakumani, the tufuga of helehele and tutu hiapo (cutting and beating hiapo) • Matilafoafoa, the tufuga of tika making and throwing • Muitautini, the tufuga of all other creative works like composition of songs and chants
These specialised skills of the tau tufuga (collective of master practitioners) indicate the creative talents present in Niue at that time. These tangible creative expressions were aesthetic as well as utilitarian in nature. Knowledge and skill were required at the various stages of the tāoga (treasure) being created:
1. Design particularly in ensuring functionality of the tāoga
2. Gathering and preparation of the raw materials
3. Aesthetics of the creation.
As an example, hiapo (Niue barkcloth) making required extensive preparation prior to the painting of motifs on the barkcloth. The motifs consisted of geometric patterns like the manu lua (two frigate birds) motif and literal representations of nature like branches of trees. The motifs were symmetrically painted on the barkcloth using natural dyes and tools. Many of the geometric motifs are commonly found in other Pacific nation’s tapa or barkcloth, ngatu (Tongan barkcloth) and siapo (Samoan barkcloth
I create, therefore I am
No full text• Participants: 6 female artists of Māori and/or Pacific descent
• Video ethnography: Audio-visual technology used to record participants engaging in their creative practice
• Multimodal (Inter)action Analysis (MIA): Transcription and analysis of video data.
• Discourse analysis: semi-structured life story interview
Case study analysis of blended-delivery and cloud-based learning elements and resources for an IT degree programme
No full textRESEARCH QUESTION:
How ready are the courses in an NZ case study IT degree program to be delivered via Moodle online and/or remotely?
ABSTRACT
Advances in web and cloud technologies have made it easier for higher education institutions to use interactive technologies. Indicators for engagement and achievement include the time students spend in the online learning environment and how frequently they communicate. Effective and well-structured interactive activities that fit with the educational outcomes of the courses may improve student retention. Pedagogy and curriculum design are becoming increasingly important to educators and researchers in blended and online learning, as these are expected to influence students’ engagement and performance.
This research report makes a new contribution by focusing specifically on one case study undergraduate computing programme – the design of the courses, and its influence on the learning behavior of students. This research report also aims to look at online and cloud-based learning resources in the New Zealand context at a tertiary institute. The initial literature review is related to cloud-based education articles, as well as reviewing videos and tutorials that either suggests best practices or deliver key course knowledge.
The research approach is a mixed-method case study, including both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The methods include content analysis of course websites and documents, as a qualitative immersion and reflection, in addition to descriptive statistics related to the same courses. The findings of this study suggest that curriculum design and online learning elements are key to predicting student success, especially in courses lined up for faster and remote delivery
The impacts of COVID-19 on tangihanga
No full textThe influenza pandemic of 1918, which killed 50 million people, has been acknowledged as the most significant disease event in human history. In response to the pandemic, the ways in which tangihanga (Māori funeral practices) were carried out changed. Bodies were immediately taken to the urupā (burial ground) without the customary extended ceremonies. Similarly, the impacts of the burgeoning COVID-19 situation has meant uncomfortable, albeit temporary, changes to Māori funeral practices. At the very worst part of the COVID-19 experience, tangihanga were essentially prohibited, and immediate burial or cremation became the norm. In some cases, tūpāpaku (bodies) were cremated with the intention that the remains would be returned to tribal burial grounds at a later date. This article will explore the impacts of COVID-19 on tangihanga and how technology has been used in this context with particular reference to Taranaki examples
Creating appreciation and community support for mothers caring for a child with an anxiety disorder
No full textRESEARCH QUESTIONS:
1. What are the stories of parents’ lived experience caring for a child with an anxiety disorder; especially in relation to coping, stabilising factors, hopes for the future, and taking action?
2. What are the ideas for change that emerge from appreciative inquiry discussions and connection?
3. What kinds of actions can parents see themselves doing individually and/or collectively in the immediate future?
ABSTRACT:
This project examined a unique approach to anxiety disorder, one of the most prevalent and growing mental health concerns internationally. It uncovered the mostly invisible and challenging experiences of mothers caring for a child with an anxiety disorder and the value of their reciprocal relationships with their children for both their health and wellbeing. In addition, it explored social identity in making meaningful connection using a generative action-oriented social approach to address anxiety in the community.
An Appreciative Inquiry, using social constructionist theory, and underpinned by elements of Kaupapa Māori values, was utilised to explore the research questions. The data was collected via paired interviews, focus groups and small questionnaires with three to four mothers, after which, thematic analysis was undertaken to identify important themes.
There were four key themes discovered in the findings.
(1) The mothers’ ongoing and challenging experiences of being silenced and isolated on the fringes, navigating the quagmire of social and institutional systems to help them help their children;
(2) The mothers’ learning to cope by creating calm in the home, the child, and in themselves, often requiring them to ‘suspend’ their lives until their children become more independent;
(3) The mothers employing a ‘Mother as Advocate’ identity to face the challenges, and co-creating a ‘Mother as Advocate’ group identity to continue to face those challenges to design a collective initiative; and
(4) The value of freedom that the mothers experienced participating in the appreciative inquiry process with other mothers facing similar challenges and sharing their stories.
This study demonstrates how appreciative inquiry is aligned with and supports the value of social identity theory and creating meaningful connections to help position and address anxiety disorder in the community. A key insight gained in this study is that our current social and institutional systems create disconnection in many facets of western life, which contribute to the generation and perpetuation of stigmatisation, isolation, and anxiety disorder. With a western capitalistic and individualistic culture, mental illness has become predominantly pathologized and medicated, positioning anxiety disorder within the child, and relegating the social dimension of the biopsychosocial approach as almost irrelevant. As mothers in this system spend valuable energy advocating for more support for their children, they put their own mental health at risk. There is no one solution; however, this study demonstrates that when mothers are supported through an appreciative inquiry process, strengthening their personal and social identities, health and wellbeing have the potential to increase for them, their children, and the community
Interstitial city: An Exploration into the porosity of Karangahape
No full textRESEARCH QUESTION
How can porosity within the urban fabric be utilised to positively shape the everyday environment and facilitate walkability and positive public space?
ABSTRACT
Moveability is inherent to the quality of life in cities. However, for the last 50 years, Auckland has been predominantly dominated by car orientated urban design. While this is changing, now is the time to actively explore the potential of how people move within our cities through pedestrian focused design.
The design attitudes of the previous 50 years have left a physical mark on the Auckland urban landscape. Large city blocks and wide roads are still obstacles that affect the walkability and connectivity of the city. These issues are present in the Karangahape area. Karangahape Road was cut through and off by the motorway construction, leaving it alienated from its surroundings. This condition significantly changed the area’s social context, and has contributed to a unique cultural richness.
However the current social character is again facing change with the construction of the Karangahape train station, which is expected to spark significant development in the area. While this could provide an exciting opportunity, the area is likely experience urban renewal.
This project aims to reclaim the porosity in the urban fabric of in Karangahape to create pedestrian connections through a series of architectural and urban design interventions developed in two phases. The first is creating a physical connection for pedestrians and the second is building a cultural connection to the Karangahape area. The aim is to showcase the history and inform the public about Karangahape’s story and cultural significance. The public interacts with architecture on a daily basis.
In the urban context, the quality of the architecture considerably shapes the environment and how people move through it as pedestrians. This is tested through the development of a design response. Porosity, public space, and urban acupuncture theories are first explored to inform a design that effectively facilitates walkability and the cultural narratives present in Karangahape to foster physical and social connection. The project is based on a desire to create a journey that preserves and promotes the cultural landscape while also utilising porosity for pedestrian movements. Connectivity is achieved through interventions that tap into porosity and public space in the urban fabric and interweave a programme that is responsive to the sites and their narratives
Um retorno às origens
No full textDiretor de teatro, dramaturgo, ator, pesquisador das áreas de história e teoria do teatro, da palhaçaria, do teatro de máscaras e do treinamento de atuação. Com experiência de mais de 20 anos em teatro, Pedro Ilgenfritz iniciou sua carreira profissional em Florianópolis, no Grupo de Pesquisa Teatral Atormenta, pesquisando a linguagem do clown. Inspira-se nos trabalhos de Jacques Copeau, Konstantin Stanislavski, Antonin Artaud, Bertold Brecht, Vsevolod Meyerhold, Jerzy Grotowski, Dario Fo e Jacques Lecoq. Graduado em Artes Cênicas pelo Centro de Artes - CEART/ Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina - UDESC, doutorando em Teatro pela Universidade de Auckland, professor adjunto do Departamento de Artes Cênicas da UNITEC – New Zealand, fundador e diretor do LAB Theater e da Mahuika Theatre Company.
Nesta entrevista, realizada durante o Floripa Teatro – XIV Festival Isnard Azevedo, ele expõe como foi a sua trajetória em Florianópolis, o significado do Atormenta para a história do teatro florianopolitano e da importância do grupo em suas descobertas enquanto ator e clown. Relata ainda os seus obstáculos e suas felicidades nas decisões de ir para Nova Zelândia, onde hoje mora com sua família e exerce a sua profissão
Component level design and control of axial flux PM motor for in wheel applications
No full textThis paper presents the design and control of axial flux permanent magnet motor for in-wheel applications. The main objective is to implement a system-level design and control to achieve a pre-defined performance for the selected application. This paper addresses how to meet the pre-defined desired performance criteria. The AFPM motor differs from its radial flux permanent magnet motors mainly for the power-to-weight ratio estimated as 9 kilowatts per kilogram. This design produces an ultra-lightweight motor which further reduces the overall size and costs in applications like traction motors for hybrid and electric vehicles, wind and water turbines for electric power generators and other integrated starter motor/generators. First, a generic 3D CAD layout of an AFPM motor is presented, which can then be specified by the total speed and torque requirement for an application. A mathematical formulation to discover undesirable pole pairs leading to torque ripple compensation would be presented. This paper presents an integration method for AFPM that can be used in different electrified powertrains accounting for critical factors such as temperature cooling, inverter/converter performance, battery sizing and efficiency in driving cycles. The result shows unit testing and applicability of AFPM in different electrified power trains using component-level simulation and its overall system integration. The control design technique adopted for controlling the speed and torque is presented; this study implements field-weakening control strategies. The results show the applicability of AFPM on a traction motor using component-level simulation and its overall system integration
Clarifying the role of the strength and conditioning coach in athlete rehabilitation
No full textStrength and conditioning (S&C) coaches are assumed as performance professionals, but S&C may be utilised in athlete rehabilitation. Some S&C coaches collaborate with physiotherapists in athlete rehabilitation. The role of S&C coaches in athlete rehabilitation has been poorly documented. Therefore, this thesis aimed to clarify the role of S&C coaches in athlete rehabilitation using current literature and the perspectives of physiotherapists and S&C coaches.
Firstly, a narrative literature review on the roles involved in athlete rehabilitation helped to theorise a role for S&C coaches. Current literature highlights a gap in performance training at the end of athlete rehabilitation that S&C coaches could fill.
Secondly, semi-structured interviews were conducted in New Zealand (NZ) with four physiotherapists, four S&C coaches and one S&C coach with a physiotherapy background. A thematic analysis of the interview data identified thirteen themes that were analysed in four categories. These themes in their respective categories were: Current role (teamwork with the rehabilitation team, level of involvement, and physical roles), proposed role (teamwork with the rehabilitation team, level of involvement, and physical roles), variables (rehabilitation team structure, governance, relationships in the rehabilitation team, and the athlete), and significance (positive and negative).
The theorised role from the literature is similar to the current perceived role of S&C coaches in athlete rehabilitation. Most S&C coaches seem to have a small role in the end stages of athlete rehabilitation and take over from physiotherapists to provide performance training. Participants thought that S&C coaches should have a much greater role than this. Participants thought that S&C coaches can provide performance context throughout the athlete rehabilitation process, but poor communication and collaboration with health professionals reduces their role. Participants thought S&C coaches should be minimally involved following a health professional’s diagnosis. Their involvement should then increase as athlete function improves and the physiotherapist’s role decreases. Their most significant involvement would be in performance training. Participants agreed that the S&C coach’s role should be flexible and account for the context of rehabilitation and their own personal skillset