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Examining the Impact of Customer Digital Literacy and Artificial Intelligence Literacy on the Adoption of AI-Enabled Mobile Banking Services
No full textArtificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping mobile banking (MB) globally by enabling intelligent, personalised, and automated financial services. While countries such as the United States of America (USA), China, Singapore, Canada, and the United Kingdom have advanced Artificial Intelligence-enabled mobile banking (AIMB) ecosystems, New Zealand remains at an early stage of adoption. Banks are implementing AIMB services primarily to enhance system efficiency; however, banks worldwide have paid less attention to customer competency in adopting platforms such as AIMB. Prior studies have predominantly emphasised system performance and organisational readiness, overlooking customer digital literacy (DL) and AI literacy (AIL) as determinants of adoption. This gap is significant in New Zealand, where AIMB initiatives are emerging but understanding remains limited regarding how DL and AIL shape readiness and influence perceptions of service quality. Without these insights, advanced services risk being deployed misaligned with customer competency, slowing adoption and weakening service improvements. To address this gap, this research explored the DL and AIL levels of New Zealand MB customers while assessing how these literacies shape AIMB readiness, followed by the evaluation of AIMB influences on MB customers’ perceptions of service quality.
A quantitative research design was adopted, collecting 276 responses from New Zealand MB customers via a structured online survey. The survey included sections on demographics, DL, AIL, readiness dimensions, and perceived service quality, measured for MB usage and again after participants were introduced to AIMB functionalities using a demonstration video. Data analysis employed descriptive statistics, analysis of variance (ANOVA), correlation, paired-sample t-tests, and regression modelling to examine relationships among the constructs.
Findings illustrated that New Zealand MB customers hold moderate to high levels of DL and AIL, with a strong positive correlation showing that customers with higher DL also tend to possess greater AIL. Age and education emerged as significant demographic factors, with younger and more educated customers exhibiting higher literacy levels. Digital literacy significantly enhanced readiness by increasing optimism and reducing discomfort and insecurity, whereas AIL contributed positively to optimism but demonstrated weaker effects on mitigating negative readiness factors, highlighting DL’s stronger role in shaping overall readiness. Exposure to AIMB created a polarising effect on perceived service quality: dissatisfied MB customers perceived clear improvements, while already satisfied customers reported weaker or negative changes, particularly around privacy and fulfilment dimensions. Although efficiency and system availability showed improvements with AIMB, declines in fulfilment and privacy offset these gains, indicating that overall service quality could not increase substantially.
This research provides empirical evidence that DL is a critical enabler of AIMB readiness, while fulfilment and privacy dimensions, including overall service quality, demonstrate a declining trend once customers adopt AIMB. For practice, the results highlight the need for New Zealand banks and policymakers to strengthen digital competency-building, ensure equitable adoption across demographics, and embed governance mechanisms to safeguard trust. Collectively, insights provide timely guidance for navigating AI transformation and aligning AIMB services with customer competencies and expectations in the New Zealand banking landscape
Comprehensive plastic waste characterisation to enhance landfill diversion in New Zealand’s construction industry
No full textThe plastic profile of construction waste is varied and complex, particularly when compared to other waste streams such as timber, concrete, metals, and plasterboard. There are fewer incentives for recycling this low-density, low-value waste stream. Plastic waste generated by construction activities remains poorly characterised, obstructing efforts to optimise reduction, reuse, and recycling practices. To understand its types and sources, and better address plastic waste management, this study audited plastic waste produced across six new-build construction sites in Auckland, New Zealand. A total of 7.2 tonnes of plastic construction waste was collected on-site and audited. Plastics were separated, weighed, and categorised by function and construction stage. Polymer type was determined using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. In total, 62% of plastic waste was diverted from landfill through reuse or recycling. On average, 0.61 kg of plastic was generated per m2 of construction. Soft plastics were the most generated by mass (33%), followed by PVC and HDPE pipes (22%), shrink wrap (12%), and expanded polystyrene (5%). The majority of plastic waste was generated in the final stages of the projects. The authors recommend the separation of soft plastic, pipes, shrink wrap, and polystyrene on construction sites, particularly towards the finishing stages of construction
Characteristics of Neurodiversity-Affirming Paediatric Occupational Therapy: A Scoping Review
No full textObjective: The Research Project’s objective was to provide an overview of the available literature pertaining to Neurodiversity-Affirming (NDA) paediatric Occupational Therapy. This was to answer the question: “What does the literature tell us about the characteristics of NDA paediatric Occupational Therapy?”
Introduction: The neurodiversity paradigm is emerging in the literature and encourages health professionals to adopt an NDA perspective to therapeutic practice. A scoping review was completed to provide an overview of the available evidence concerning NDA paediatric Occupational Therapy practice.
Inclusion Criteria: To be included, articles needed to discuss Occupational Therapy, NDA practice, and Neurodivergent young people up to the age of 18. The types of evidence sources included were open to both academic literature and grey literature, to encompass a broad range of articles.
Methodology: The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) scoping review framework (Peters et al., 2024) and Arksey and O’Malley’s (2005) scoping review framework were used. A three-step search strategy was employed to identify relevant evidence sources across Taylor and Francis, CINAHL Ultimate, Google, and Google Scholar. Evidence sources were limited by publication date (2014-2025) and language (English). All identified sources were screened against the inclusion criteria through title and abstract screening, followed by full-text screening. Thirty articles were selected for inclusion. A data extraction form was created and piloted prior to being used to extract the relevant information. Data analysis included quantitative analysis and basic qualitative content analysis.
Findings: The findings were grouped into the characteristics of the evidence sources and the characteristics of NDA paediatric Occupational Therapy. It was found that NDA paediatric Occupational Therapy involved taking a strengths-based approach, accepting neurodiversity, supporting access and inclusion, and prioritising client-led meaningfulness. NDA practice approaches like task and environmental adaptations, and coaching and education were identified and recommended in the evidence sources. Additionally, specific intervention frameworks that are potentially non-NDA were highlighted and described.
Conclusion: NDA paediatric Occupational Therapy bears some similarities to typical Occupational Therapy practice, but with distinct differences. These differences include NDA practice’s emphasis on task or environmental adaptations, and the provision of education and coaching, rather than focusing primarily on skill development. The importance of accepting neurodiversity rather than attempting to change individuals was also emphasised. The Research Project provided a summary of the available literature regarding NDA paediatric Occupational Therapy
Lilly pilly beetle: Should we be concerned for the New Zealand native maire tawake?
No full textThe lilly pilly beetle (Paropsides calypso) originates from the subtropical rainforests in northern New South Wales, Australia and the coastal regions of south eastern Australia, has established in the Auckland region, New Zealand. It is a voracious foliage consumer of at least three Australian Syzygium species, which are commonly used as garden hedges in New Zealand. Maire tawake or swamp maire (Syzygium maire) is a threatened New Zealand endemic swamp forest tree species. We tested whether S. maire was a suitable host plant for P. calypso. We starved beetles or larvae for 24 h before exposing then to mature leaves of the New Zealand Swap maire (30 leaves) or the Australian native S. australe (30 leaves) for 48 hours. Each leaf was traced on 2mm x 2mm grid paper before and after exposure to the beetles or larvae and the extent of leaf damage around the margins was determined. No damage was seen in any of the S. maire leaves with either P. calypso adult or larvae. The average percentage of damaged perimeter of S. australe by adults was 20% (SE 2.32) and larvae 18% (SE 2.70). The lack of herbivory by P. calypso on the endemic S. marie suggests this introduced insect may not impact this native endemic species. Further research could consider whether young growth of swamp maire (S. maire) is potentially palatabl
Early detection and diagnosis of colour blindness using machine learning
No full textRESEARCH QUESTIONS
• How the problem of insufficient fundus images will be addressed, and the methods used to normalise the fundus images in the two datasets?
• What is the most appropriate Machine Learning algorithm in diagnosing CVD eyes of an individual in terms of the model accuracy?
• How the severity of colour blindness will be measured and the anticipated thresholds that could be applied to analyse the severity of the CVD?
ABSTRACT
The technology and machine learning have grown to be an essential component in medical and healthcare domain, that transform medical procedures, operational efficiency, and patient care. In human body, eye plays an important role in vision and communication. Healthy eyes will lead to a clear perception and will act as the most substantial sense in human interaction and decision making. The cone cells in eye retina influence the sensitivity to different colours in different wavelengths. Any variation in this cone cells will result in a condition called Colour Vision Deficiency (CVD). This condition is further classified into three categories: Protanopia, Deuteranopia, Tritanopia and will be discussed throughout the thesis.
Diagnosing colour blindness has been conducted in various medical and computational investigations. However, these methods have proven to be time consuming, require high computational resources, and additional support. Additionally, it lacks machine learning integration, specifically in diagnosing CVD. In this thesis, we are discussing about machine learning and deep learning mechanisms to pre diagnose CVD as a self-assessment tool. This is performed as a multi classification supervised learning task to accurately classify the eye fundus images of normal vision, colourblind vision, and other types of diseases. The multi classification is modelled using Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Random Forest (RF) to test and identify the best fitting model to classify individual eye fundus efficiently. All three algorithms are trained and tested using a combined dataset of eye fundus images. Based on the results and evaluation of the three models and its accuracy metric, the CNN model is proposed as the optimal solution for identifying CVD in individuals with an accuracy of 99.71%. Following the classification of colourblind eye fundus, the severity is measured using Mean Squared Error (MSE) by comparing a healthy eye fundus with colourblind versions of eye fundus. This is calculated as a quantitative measurement to determine the severity of CVD of an individual. Consequently, the quantitative result is transformed to a qualitative measurement by setting up thresholds of mild, medium, and severe levels. The severity thresholds are set by following the guidelines of the Colour Assessment and Diagnostic (CAD) and its Severity Index (SI) which explains that the levels could be set up depending on the requirements of the specific investigation
Review of the use of pre-visit pharmaceuticals for reducing fear-related behaviours in dogs
No full textFear, anxiety, and stress (FAS) in canine patients is a growing concern for the veterinary industry. FAS affects the health of the patient while also increasing the risk to veterinary staff. Studies show that many veterinarians do not feel confident in managing behavioural issues like FAS, making engaging effectively with clients more difficult. Pre-visit pharmaceuticals (PVPs) can be an important tool in mitigating the effects of FAS; however, conclusive research is lacking on the efficacy of many of the medications and combinations currently used for this purpose. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in multiple databases. The most current research available on medications identified as widely used for treating FAS, and available for use in New Zealand, has been reviewed and discussed. Combinations selected for inclusion were the ‘chill protocol’ of acepromazine, gabapentin, and melatonin. Single agents included are clonidine, dexmedetomidine, gabapentin, and trazodone. Research into the use of the ‘chill protocol’ suggests this may be a combination particularly useful in highly stressed and aggressive dogs; however, additional studies need to be conducted to strengthen the evidence for its use. A multimodal approach has been identified as being desirable when addressing FAS in a clinical setting, with less evidence to support the use of single-agent medications in mitigating problematic behaviours
The lived experience of doctoral students journey
No full textAIM
To explore and interpret the lived experiences of doctoral students throughout their academic journey
OBJECTIVES
Identify key themes in the emotional and intellectual journey of doctoral students
Examine the influence of supervision, institutional culture, & personal circumstances
Understand how doctoral students derive meaning from their experiences
Provide recommendations to enhance support for future doctoral student success
RECRUITMENT STRATEGY
Participant recruitment will rely on snowball sampling, and there’s a request to share information to help with this.
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Underbelly: Figurative painting as an exploration of self beyond language
No full textRESEARCH QUESTION
How does figurative abstract painting explore and describe temporality, memory and non-verbal embodied human experience, and what opportunities can it generate for the viewer?
ABSTRACT
The human experience is multifaceted and uncertain, and the vessel by which we experience it– the self, is both complex and elusive. It is mind and body. A fluid entity of complicated and entangled dualities, formed and driven by memory, experience, feeling and the substance lingering beneath or in-between consciousness – eluding articulation. Creative practice has the ability to reveal individual, non-verbal and sensate insights both introspectively and through the body. Due to these unique qualities, painting is well suited to search within the transient and elusive territories of experience, memory, perception, feeling, the embodied, the sensate, and the non-verbal. I frame my field of research within the exploration of self, experience, memory and perception. For this, I have been drawing upon insights from artists David Hockney, Michael Armitage, Joshua Hagler, Cecily Brown, Maja Ruznic and Francis Bacon - delving into phenomenological, pictorial and personal concepts within their work. The psychoanalytical theory concerning self and psyche posited by Carl Jung, Julia Kristeva’s work concerning the Unspeakable and abject, and Deleuze’s ‘Logic of Sensation’ are frameworks with which to view the practice
Creative Arts postgraduate study: Developments and challenges
No full textPostgraduate creative practice study enables deep dives into a practice, it’s cultural, contextual and theoretical grounding. Are our Postgraduate offerings fit-for-purpose for our present and future? The shape, duration and study mode of Creative Arts Postgraduate offerings have been changing significantly in Aotearoa (and internationally) over the last 5-10 years, and ongoing change is likely.
Student needs are evolving, resources more restricted (across staff time/workload, and studio space and workshop facilities), additional governmental focus on vocationally-aligned qualifications, which all challenge a number of existing Postgraduate degree pedagogies and structures. The University Advisory Group work is likely to have recommendations relating to Postgraduate Research in relation to both the structure and purpose of the University system, and the broader research ecosystem. We don’t know how this will unfold, and there are anxieties around how creative practice research will fare. We ar e being asked to support our students to complete within timeframes aligned with funding, while our students are regularly aski ng for more time to complete. There are increasing challenges in terms of retention of Postgraduate students and the rhythms and intensities of Postgraduate study work well for some students and don’t for others
Sulphur-crested cockatoo: What does the future entail for New Zealand?
No full textThe successful human-influenced establishment of a new species to an area has been shown to alter the functioning of ecosystems, the results of which can cause declines and extinctions of indigenous populations. The greater sulphur-crested cockatoo (Cacatua galerita galerita; hereafter SCC), a large cavity-nesting psittacine native to Eastern Australia, were first introduced to New Zealand by the pet trade in the early 20th Century. Since then, SCC have successfully established several distant populations, notably in West Auckland, Whanganui, the Kapiti Coast and Christchurch. SCC have been observed damaging arable and tree nut crops. Furthermore, SCC have been shown to cause defoliation of native conifers, particularly to rimu (Dacrydium cupressinum), although not to an extent that is ecologically significant at present. This project aims to map the areas of suitable habitat for SCC in New Zealand. This will be done by modelling their current distribution in New Zealand against several environmental factors and human population with the species-distribution-modelling software MaxEnt. The findings from this study will contribute knowledge regarding the risk of SCC to New Zealand and support organisations such as Auckland Council to manage the species in the future