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Biological control of weeds in Aotearoa/New Zealand: History, science and achievements to date
No full textAotearoa / New Zealand is the leading country globally in the use of biological control agents to combat introduced pest weed species. Here we review the history of biological control in Aotearoa / New Zealand, compile a list of current, self-introduced and accidentally introduced biocontrol agents, and list the agents currently under consideration for introduction to Aotearoa / New Zealand (accurate to 2021). We discuss the science and procedures in place for the safe introduction of a new biocontrol agent and discuss the public’s perception of biological control within Aotearoa / New Zealand.
Since the 1920s there have been 79 control agents released; 68 of those species were deliberate introductions, eight self-introductions and three accidental introductions. Additionally, there have been eight reported occurrences of non-target-species attack by biological control agents in Aotearoa / New Zealand, all of which cause minor damage to their unintended hosts. Prior to their introduction to Aotearoa / New Zealand, potential biological control agents are required to undergo rigorous research and host-specificity testing to ensure that the agent does not pose a risk to indigenous taxa through non-target attack.
This research is essential, as it ensures a precautionary approach is taken prior to introductions, which, in turn, provides the wider public with confidence in the validity of biocontrol agents as a means to manage weed species in Aotearoa / New Zealand
Mapping community media in Kyrgyzstan: An audience analysis
No full textThis report presents the key findings from an extensive audience analysis of Community Media in Kyrgyzstan. The research, commissioned by the Kyrgyz Association of Community Media, was designed and carried out in 2021 in 7 regions by Dr. Elira Turdubaeva, Dr. Evangelia Papoutsaki and Begimay Almazova. The audience analysis identified 12 emerging themes that demonstrate the role and impact of community media in peripheral communities, the needs of local communities in terms of local information and news content production and dissemination, and most importantly the way local community members engage with content generated by Community Media. Other than the expected but also affirmed traditional role CM in community development, this research identified the significant impact of the increased media literacy, and more specifically digital media literacy, that has contributed to the strengthening of community and individual confidence. By consuming, producing and circulating locally developed content, communities have developed a stronger sense of agency that enables them to better negotiate community and authorities dynamics. Overall, CM in Kyrgyzstan contribute to the development of the critical conditions required for healthy information ecosystems which include a localized information landscape and dynamics of production, movement, access, use and impact based on local information needs, social trust and influecers. Those communities with established Community Radios and CMCs act as pioners and positive role models for others. Audience engagment is these communities depends on social cohesions levels, time of operation of CM in these communities, location of CM, volunteers capacity and leadership role played by CM managers
The perception of a biosecurity awareness poster by Hauraki Gulf recreational boat users
No full textINTRODUCTION
Approximately 600,000 people classify themselves as recreational boat users in the Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland region (Wilson, 2021). These boats are potential pathways for the introduction of invasive species to the islands of the Tīkapa Moana/Hauraki Gulf (Fig.1). Auckland Council implements a summer biosecurity awareness campaign 2022/2023 (Fig. 2), however, the perception of the message portrayed in the campaign material by boat users is not known
Mother’s Ruin: Refracting the imperial gaze
Get PDFBy considering the histories of a colonial object on the Taieri Plain in New Zealand, this text invites readers to critically examine dominant narratives and envision alternative ways of perceiving the world.
The text emphasises the importance of exploring the socio-political and economic processes that shape our experiences. It also acknowledges the contested nature of our multicultural and postcolonial realities, recognising the author’s position within the research. Situated knowledges, as proposed by Donna Haraway, become a guiding principle for understanding diverse perspectives without falling into relativism.
The author then invites us to think with Slavoj Žižek and Ann Stoler about ideology, violence and imperial debris. With Žižek, we consider the operation of ideology and violence. With Ann Stoler's concept of imperial debris and ruination, we expand our gaze beyond physical structures to the effects of colonial legacies that shape contemporary realities. These ideas are then distilled into a visual lexicon of images that are transformed through layering, accumulation and juxtaposition, deploying water, space, light, shatter, digitisation, glitch and reflection in an attempt to refract the imperial gaze
Bone health : a focus on jump-landings for women
No full textThe primary purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a 12-month quantified jump-landing program at clinically relevant bone sites in premenopausal women. Secondary measures of interest included; lower body explosive power, muscle reactivity, balance performance parameters and body composition. Methods. A longitudinal controlled trial was implemented to determine the effect of utilizing previously quantified jumps and hops with specific cues provided for jump-landings. Participants; Fifty-seven women (age, 42.4 ± 5.50 y; body mass, 70.2 ± 11.5 kg; height, 165.4 ± 0.10 cm; body fat, 31.5 ± 6.20%) were assigned to a jump (JL) or control (CON) group. The JL performed periodized jumping-landing exercises up to five times per week for 12-months. Results. Significant group main effects (P<0.01) in favour of the JL (↑0.41 - ↑3.72%) were observed for bone mineral density and bone mineral content at the femoral neck, total hip and lumbar spine. Significant group main effects (P<0.01) for cross-sectional area, cortical thickness and section modulus at the femoral narrow neck were also in favour of the JL (↑2.78 - ↑3.84%). For ground contact time, improvements in the JL over the CON between baseline and 12-months were apparent (↑21.9% vs. ↓8.86%) with significant group and time effects (P<0.01) being observed. Conclusions. A longitudinal quantified periodized jumplanding program performed 2-3 mins/day; 4-5 times a week is osteogenically effective in improving bone strength at clinically relevant lower body sites associated with osteoporosis in premenopausal women. The practical significance of these findings is that relatively safe exercises such as those utilized in our osteogenic exercise program, achieve prerequisite osteogenic thresholds and as such can be used by premenopausal women in their own homes (once competent with the jump-landing technique) to improve bone health, providing a firm surface is utilized. The findings from this research will inform the development of preventative interventions for premenopausal women and represent a “window of opportunity” to prevent or delay the time before the fracture threshold is surpassed in the postmenopausal years, during a period of lowered fracture risk
Impact of changes to the New Zealand family category policy on immigrants
No full textImmigration New Zealand’s policy on family reunification has impacted new arrivals coming into Aotearoa New Zealand from different countries. Close family members of migrants have now been forced to leave their family members behind and live in different countries. This also shows that Immigration New Zealand’s family reunification policy is not in line with the international guidelines and laws of family reunification practices. This paper examines new empirical evidence for the impact of family reunification and integration on migrant health and wellbeing, and discusses potential harm that can be caused to migrants living in Aotearoa New Zealand. It also provides the groundwork for a future study. Reunification outcomes are considered for both partners and children of new migrants. The paper concludes by addressing the implications for migrants as a result of the current Immigration New Zealand policies regulating family reunification
Interference competition following a recent invasion of plague skinks (Lampropholis delicata) into a nationally critical native skink population
No full textCONTEXT
Invasive species can threaten native species through exploitative and interference competition if they occupy similar ecological niches. The invasive plague skink (Lampropholis delicata) has been accidently introduced to New Zealand, Lord Howe Island, and the Hawaiian Islands. Resource usage overlaps between plague skinks and several New Zealand skinks, suggesting the potential for exploitative and interference competition. However, no competitive mechanism or population impact has been identified. In 2014–15, plague skinks colonised Bream Head Scenic Reserve, Northland, New Zealand, where they overlap in occupancy and habitat with the ‘Nationally Critical’ kakerakau skink (Oligosoma kakerakau).
AIMS
We investigated intra- and interspecific interference competition between kakerakau and plague skinks in the wild.
METHODS
We recorded naturally occurring encounters and quantified aggression at a short-lived resource (sun-basking sites).
KEY RESULTS
Behavioural interactions were observed in 72% of all encounters with similar proportions of encounters resulting in agonistic interactions between intraspecific kakerakau skink encounters and interspecific kakerakau-plague encounters. Although kakerakau skinks and plague skinks reacted equally aggressively in an interspecific interaction, kakerakau skinks behaved significantly more aggressively in an interaction with a plague skink than with a conspecific. Juvenile kakerakau skinks were more likely than adults to exhibit submissive behaviours such as fleeing during interspecific interactions.
CONCLUSIONS
This is the first evidence of interference competition occurring between plague skinks and a native skink. Our study suggests that kakerakau skinks, particularly juveniles, may experience competitive exclusion at important resources.
Implications: Our findings indicate that plague skinks may pose a threat to native skink populations when habitat use overlaps
Project methodology and workflow for emergency drone recording and processing: Case study Colonial Ammunition Company Shot Tower, Aotearoa New Zealand
No full textThe paper explains the methodology and work- flow for the emergency drone recording and processing applied in the Colonial Ammunition Company Shot Tower case study in Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand. It sheds light on the strategic decisions employed during the drone scan and following data processing under significant limitations. The imperfections in data capture and processing, driven by real-world constraints, present valuable lessons for future endeavours. By capturing the intricacies of this emergency documentation process, the paper aims to contribute valuable insights and replicable work- flows to the broader field of heritage preserva- tion. The intersection of technology, urgency, and collaboration showcased in this case study opens avenues for refining methodologies, incorporat- ing advancements, and developing standardised processes for heritage preservation in emergency scenarios.
By initiating a broader discourse on the need for standardised processes, collaboration frame- works, and technological advancements in heritage preservation, this paper contributes to this relevant and necessary topic that has not received much attention in academia so far. This paper contributes not only to a case study but is a call to action for developing comprehensive frameworks that empower heritage preservation in the digital age. Shot Tower’s challenges and the final demolition in February 2023 serve as a microcosm of the larger issues confronting heritage sites in Aotearoa New Zealand — issues that demand systematic solutions and a coordinated effort from the various entities entrusted with heritage management
The impact of a 48-hour high-carbohydrate diet with high or low FODMAP content, before endurance exercise on gastrointestinal motility and symptoms, and exercise performance
No full textOBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of a 48-hour, high carbohydrate, high-fermentable oligosaccharide, disaccharide, monosaccharide, and polyol (FODMAP) (HCHF) or high-carbohydrate low-FODMAP (HCLF) diet on gastrointestinal motility and symptoms in response to endurance exercise, and subsequent exercise performance.
STUDY DESIGN: Randomized, double-blind, crossover trial.
SUBJECTS: Twelve (n 5 10 male and n 5 2 female) recreationally competitive endurance runners [mean (SD): age 42 (5) years, height 1.74 (0.08) m, body mass 72.1 (13.7) kg, fat mass 20 (8)%, and V̇ O2max 53.2 (8.6) mL/kg/min] with preexisting, recurrent, exercise-associated gastrointestinal symptoms (GIS) volunteered to participate.
INTERVENTION: Participants were randomly assigned to a 48-hour high-carbohydrate (10-12 g/kg/d) high-FODMAP (50-60 g/d) (HCHF) and a high-carbohydrate low-FODMAP (2-3 g/d) (LCLF) intervention, with a 7-day washout between the trials. After the dietary intervention, participants completed 2-hour steady-state running at 60% V̇ O2max, followed by a 1-hour distance test, in temperate ambient conditions (23°C, 49% RH). Maltodextrin (10 g at 10% wt/ vol) was provided every 20 minutes during steady state, plus water provided ad libitum during the entire 3 hours. A 150- mL solution containing 20 g of lactulose was provided 30 minutes into the distance test to determine orocecal transit time (OCTT).
OUTCOME MEASURES: Preexercise and postexercise breath samples breath hydrogen (H2) were collected, and Ex-GIS and rectal temperature (Tre), were measured. Every 15 minutes during steady-state exercise, HR, RPE, and Ex-GIS were recorded. During the distance test, the distance completed was recorded every 5 minutes, plus HR and RPE every 15 minutes. Breath samples were collected every 15 minutes during the 3-hour recovery. Breath samples were analyzed for hydrogen
(H2) to determine OCTT.
RESULTS: OCTT did not significantly differ between HCHF 83 (58) minutes and HCLF 95 (55) minutes (P 5 0.59). Greater total-GIS were reported preexercise (P 5 0.04) and during (p 5 0.02) steady state on HCHF; however, greater total-GIS were reported at the 1-hour to 2-hour recovery period on HCLF (P 5 0.04). There was no difference in measured HR, RPE, or Tre between the trials. Distance completed was 9.9 (1.7) km and 10.0 (1.6) km on HCHF and HCLF (P 5 0.33), respectively.
CONCLUSIONS: A 48-hour HCHF diet before endurance running leads to greater GIS before and during exercise; however, this does not impact exercise strain, gastrointestinal motility, or exercise performance. Greater GIS in the 1-hour to 2-hour recovery period with the HCLF trial requires further investigation
Consolidation and control in the New Zealand quota managed fishery
No full textThe introduction of individual transferable quotas to the New Zealand fishery has seen the gradual concentration of both quota ownership and catch – especially in the deepwater fishery. This paper examines the levels of concentration of quota ownership, catch and fish receiving (by fish processors) for the top 18 species in New Zealand’s inshore fishery. It uses concentration ratios, the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index and the Lorenz curve to measure and compare the levels of consolidation. The study combines ‘associated entities’ (companies with common directors) when measuring concentration. Using internationally recognized benchmarks for concentration, the New Zealand inshore fishery is assessed to be unconcentrated in quota ownership and catch but relatively more concentrated in fish receiving. It is evident that quota-owning licenced fish receivers typically rely on self-employed fishers to fish their quota. This enables fishers without quota to continue operating, and also allows fish receivers to benefit from the expertise of career fishers