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Urban beekeepers and local councils in Aotearoa, New Zealand: Honeybees are valuable allies in achieving the sustainable development goals
No full textBeekeeping is a popular hobby, and urban beekeepers make up the largest number of beekeepers in Aotearoa, New Zealand. The ease of purchasing beehives, together with New Zealander’s positive attitude toward honeybees has meant that hobbyist beekeeper numbers have steadily increased since 2012. The impact of the increasing numbers of urban beehives has meant Aotearoa, New Zealand’s local councils, have been forced to deal with honeybees and, ultimately, with urban beekeepers. This has, in some instances, led to nonsensical bylaws that the urban beekeepers have largely ignored. However, this article will demonstrate that local councils and, by inference, urban planners should take an alternative approach to urban beekeeping only because urban beekeeping leads to better sustainability outcomes. This article will show how urban beehives and beekeeping link well to the Sustainable Development Goals and provide local councils and urban planners with justifications to engage with urban beekeepers. Finally, this article states that local councils should stop treating honeybees as farm livestock and instead treat them as valuable pollinators and the indicator species that they are
Exploring interindividual running economy responses to advanced footwear technology shoes across a range of variables: A quantitative study
No full textAbstract
In the past decade, the running landscape has changed due to advanced footwear technology (AFT) being imbedded in running shoes. While AFT shoes have been shown to improve running economy (RE) on average, little is known about the factors that explain the large interindividual variability in RE response. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the interindividual variability in RE response to AFT and identify potential predictors of this variability using quantitative methods. This thesis considered participant characteristics, anthropometric measures, neuromuscular measures, and subjective perceptions as potential factors underpinning interindividual variability.
This thesis is separated into three chapters. Chapter One is a brief review on AFT, their components, and their influence on RE and performance, as well as the observed interindividual variability in AFT shoe responses and the factors proposed to mediate this variability. AFT shoes have been designed to improve RE and include thick lightweight resilient and compliant foams, stiff elements embedded in the foam, and curved shoe geometry. Research has explored how these components may contribute to RE improvements and has proposed various factors that may explain the interindividual variability, such as running speed, training level, sex, leg length, body mass, shoe size, and plantarflexion muscle-tendon unit properties. Comparing the characteristics of responders to non-responders and exploring relationships between these characteristics and RE responses can assist in identifying runners more likely to benefit from running in AFT.
Chapter Two presents an experimental study using a cross-sectional, repeated-measures design. A heterogenous sample of sixty-four participants (32 males, 32 females) of varying running levels, experience, age, and anthropometric characteristics completed two laboratory sessions between two and seven days apart. The first included baseline information and participant characteristics for anthropometric, neuromuscular measures, and maximal oxygen uptake. The second session served as the experimental phase, during which RE variables were evaluated in the two different shoe conditions: Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2 (AFT) and Salomon Aero Glide 2 (CONTROL). RE was measured over four 6-minute trials in an AFT and a CONTROL shoe, allocated in a randomised, crossover order. Descriptive statistics (means ± SD), inferential comparisons (paired samples t-tests, Chi square, and Fishers exact), and Pearson’s correlation coefficients were calculated to compare between responders and non-responders to AFT shoes and explain AFT shoe response. The mean improvement in RE (expressed in terms of oxygen consumption) was 4.13 ± 1.6% when wearing AFT compared to CONTROL shoes, with individual responses ranging from -2.62% to 11.01%. From all the variables collected, only gastrocnemius medialis (GM) stiffness normalised to leg length was significantly different (p = 0.046) between groups, with responders exhibiting greater GM stiffness (329.8 ± 36.6 N/m²) compared to non-responders (296.4 ± 47.3 N/m²). No other between-group differences were statistically significant. Two variables were significantly and moderately correlated to RE response, where greater navicular drop (r = 0.31, p = 0.012) and greater GM stiffness (normalised to leg length) (r = 0.35, p = 0.005) were linked to greater RE benefits from running in AFT shoes. Additionally greater gear ratio (r = 0.26, p = 0.040) and lower standing plantarflexion isometric strength (normalised to body weight) (r = -0.26, p = 0.041) displayed significant and small correlations with improvements in RE when running in AFT shoes. A multiple linear regression including standing plantarflexion isometric strength, navicular drop, gear ratio, and GM stiffness (normalised to leg length) explained 27% of the variance in our AFT RE responses (R² = 0.2731, adjusted R² = 0.223), with GM stiffness being the most important factor (B = 0.014, p = 0.015).
Lastly, Chapter Three summarises the findings, strengths, limitations, and recommendations for future research. This research provides further insight into interindividual variability in RE responses to AFT, showing not all runners benefit equally from AFT shoes. Therefore, runners should be aware that they may not improve their RE via AFT, however, individuals with greater GM stiffness, navicular drop, and static ankle gear ratio, and with lower standing plantarflexion isometric strength may benefit to a greater extent from AFT shoe wear. These factors may help guide more personalised footwear selection and prescription. Future research should investigate whether training interventions that modify these characteristics can enhance responses to AFT footwear and examine how other biomechanical variables, such as foot strike patterns or flight times, may interact with RE responses
The Māori health data governance model: A planning and protocol checklist
No full textMāori health data (MHD) governance is a critical enabler of achieving health equity for Māori. The Māori Data Governance Model (the Model) provides a framework for all stages of Māori data handling but has yet to be meaningfully implemented within health settings. This study aimed to meet the need for health-specific guidance by adapting the Model to create an MHD governance checklist. This checklist can be used by health researchers and agencies to develop and embed their own MHD governance protocol (e.g. embed within study protocol)
Detecting low densities of koi carp and other pest fish species in lakes using environmental DNA
No full textEnvironmental DNA (eDNA) is a quick, effective and sensitive biomonitoring tool that can be used to detect invasive species at low densities in aquatic habitats. The aim of my study was to develop a standard operating protocol (SOP) for the detection of invasive fish in New Zealand’s lowland lakes, specifically koi carp (Cyprinus rubrofuscus). Four separate eDNA surveys between October 2022 and April 2024 sampled 18 lakes in total across the Auckland and Waikato Regions in the North Island of New Zealand. I evaluated different aspects of eDNA sampling including sample collection methods, filter sizes, seasonality, laboratory analysis methods, along with the optimal number of samples and spatial locations to filter water from. My study found that eDNA was a simple, reliable, and effective tool that can be easily used to detect koi and other pest species at low densities across a wide variety of lakes. The efficacy of eDNA sampling was proven during a real-world koi incursion at Lake Waiwhakareke, where I successfully detected koi for the first time in this lake at very low densities using eDNA. Overall, I found that a coarser (5 μm) filter size outperformed the finer (1.2 μm) filter in every comparison and that the qPCR laboratory analysis method was slightly superior to the metabarcoding method, although it has the disadvantage of only being able to detect a single species. My study showed that the multisite composite sample collection method performed marginally better than the single collection overall, across 13 lakes in the Auckland Region. Targeting the littoral margins of the lakes was found to be significantly better in terms of metabarcoding read counts and species detections than sampling the pelagic/mid-lake regions at both Lake Puketirini and Lake Waiwhakareke. In the spatio-temporal study in the Waikato, I found that there was a higher degree of variation between the two seasons sampled (Spring and Autumn) than there was between the three lakes. The spring season performed best in terms of fish detections and metabarcoding read counts. In terms of the sampling number and density, I found that eight samples per kilometre of lake perimeter was found to be optimal to detect koi carp at very low densities at Lake Waiwhakareke and Lake Puketirini. However, further research is needed to better understand the uncertainties involved with eDNA sampling, including the amount of sampling required to provide high levels of confidence in the results. Using negative and positive controls at the time of sampling and during laboratories analyses, in addition to species distribution modelling may help ascertain the sensitivities of eDNA detection with a greater level of certainty
Reconnection with DNA: Policy and issues with direct-to-consumer DNA testing for indigenous Māori identity reclamation
No full textThe disconnection of tangata whenua (indigenous people born of the land) impacts all social determinants. A clear sense of identity and connection to the land and culture is an important solution to this problem. The purpose of this research is to share a personal and whānau (family group) story of using direct-to-consumer (DTC) autosomal DNA genetic testing (GT) to determine ancestry and show others a potential path forward to identity reclamation. To fulfil this purpose and explain the policy context, the research examines historical assimilation policies of closed cross-cultural adoption, and the possibilities DNA technology offers for whakapapa (genealogy, lineage descent, family history) reconnection. This includes addressing two key research questions: How does DTC-GT facilitate reconnection to Māori identity and whakapapa for cross-cultural adoptees? What are the short, medium and long-term risks and advantages of DTC autosomal DTC-GT testing for iwi Māori? A bricolage methodology frames this research and draws on kaupapa Māori (Māori approach, principles, and ideology), autoethnography, and interpretive phenomenology, which are used to analyse academic commentary and key policy decisions. An autoethnographic layered practice approach presents insights and key findings by combining personal narratives with various media types, academic research, policy documents and popular culture. The research highlights how the implicit processes of policy-led assimilation and colonisation still need to be challenged today. Existing literature has identified the importance of giving Māori pathways to reconnect with their identity. The personal story shared explains how DNA technology offers a way to do that, but the research completed for this thesis demonstrates this approach has serious risks and limitations that require consideration before utilising this technology
Development of sustainable composites from treated harakeke (New Zealand flax) fibre and poly(lactic) acid
No full textThe building and construction sector consumes large volume of materials, it generates enormous amounts of solid wastes, and it is responsible for about 40% of annual global CO2 emissions. So, sustainable biodegradable, recyclable or renewable materials such as polymer-based materials are seen as potential substitutes to their non-renewable, non-environmentally friendly counterparts. Poly (lactic acid) (PLA) is a polymer produced from renewable sources, thereby supporting sustainability. The use of PLA is sometimes limited by its inherent brittleness, and insufficient mechanical strength when used alone. The brittleness of PLA may be reduced by toughening it with rubbery additives, while its strength can be improved through reinforcement with materials such as natural fibres.
In this thesis, fibres extracted from harakeke (Phormium tenax), otherwise called New Zealand flax is used as reinforcement in PLA composites. The fibre properties were modified to facilitate processability, improve its compatibility with PLA, and to enhance its reinforcing ability by removing components such as lignin and hemicellulose which are detrimental to the mechanical and thermal performance of the composite. Different methods such as chemical treatment with alkali solutions, mechanical processing, and enzymatic treatment were explored to modify the harakeke fibre. In addition, polybutylene succinate (PBS) was blended with PLA, followed by reactive compatibilization of the reinforced PLA/PBS blend with dicumyl peroxide (DCP), with the aim of improving the toughness of the composite.
The results show that harakeke fibre is a good reinforcement for PLA, as it increased the composite strength from 62±1.02 MPa to 82±0.98 MPa. In addition, it was found that PLA/PBS blends can be reactively compatibilized and reinforced concurrently, thereby supporting the production of composites with improved mechanical, thermal, and thermomechanical performance. Generally, the results show that enzymatic treatment could serve as a more sustainable environmentally friendly route to fibre treatment as it obviates a chemical processing route and supports recyclability and reusability. Likewise, the combination of mechanical processing with enzymatic treatment has great potential for producing large scale environmentally friendly and good quality fibres, suitable for composites
The influence of maritime freight cost tail risk on publicly traded transport companies
No full textThis study examines the influence of maritime freight cost tail risk events on transportation-related stock market prices. Our findings reveal a significant asymmetry: extreme negative movements in these indices have a disproportionately large adverse impact on stock returns compared to extreme positive movements. As these indices serve as barometers of global economic health, sharp declines signal contractions in global demand, fuelling investor apprehension. These concerns outweigh the potential benefits of lower input costs for most firms. We also uncover substantial heterogeneity amongst stock responses. Notably, owing to their perceived higher risk, smaller firms and those with ESG controversies are more severely impacted by these negative tail-risk events. Further, we also find that strong ESG commitments are sometimes beneficial during negative tail risk events, but not always. We attribute the observed detrimental effects of strong ESG commitments to heightened investor concern about the additional operational costs and regulatory compliance required to meet these commitments during challenging market conditions. Our results suggest companies take proactive steps to address investor concerns about the cost of ESG commitments. By doing so, companies can ensure that their pursuit of sustainability and responsibility does not conflict with their financial objectives and market resilience
The ever-changing landscape of New Zealand vocational education and training: The Reform of Vocational Education (RoVE) and the current and planned changes sought by the current coalition government
No full textA market model to industry training was introduced in 1992 since then vocational education and training has been in a state of constant change.
My presentation will:
- Assess the capacity of the current VET system to deliver long-term improvement to vocational training,
- Explain RoVE reforms,
- Outline current changes,
- Offer views on likely impacts, on-going issues
Innovating through tradition: kava-talanoa as a culturally aligned medico-behavioral therapeutic approach to amelioration of PTSD symptoms
No full textLevels of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), trauma-related distress, and subsyndromal PTSD, (here “PTS”) among combat soldiers and first responders are of international concern. In the broader population, a PTS global epidemic is attending trauma associated with the threatscape of the Anthropocene (increased extreme weather events, natural disasters, conflict, rising poverty, emerging infectious disease) as well as the legacy of the COVID-19 pandemic. PTS is also a health economic burden, with costs associated with treatment, long-term morbidity, and increased risk of mortality. In the Pacific region, rising PTS is associated with the existential threat of climate change and the economic and social legacy of colonization. There is an unmet therapeutic need for improved and culturally aligned PTS therapies in the Pacific and beyond. Medical standards of care for anxiety/PTS typically involve psychotropic interventions such as benzodiazepines (BDZ), tricyclic anti-depressants and anti-psychotic medications which have addictive potential, are only effective in the short term, are contraindicated for key populations such as the elderly and have significantly problematic track records in indigenous populations. Moreover, systemic racism both drives PTS in indigenous and other marginalized populations and limits the efficacy in such populations of conventional PTS therapies which are not culturally relevant or informed. Here, we describe the development of a novel, but traditionally grounded, approach to PTSD symptomatology in the context of Pacific populations. This approach has two elements: kava is a culturally significant Pacific drink used traditionally and in cultural practice, as a relaxant, to promote dialog in group settings, to aid in sleep and to manage anxiety. Its anxiolytic and sedative properties may link to the presence of kavalactones which are putative low potency γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) ligands. Talanoa is a dialog practice common to most Pacific cultures. Our core hypothesis is that, combined, kava-talanoa will outperform current standards of care in PTSD symptom management as a culturally augmented cognitive-behavioral group therapy intervention. In this paper we review supporting literature, describe kava-talanoa pilot study findings and planned clinical trials, discuss important open questions, and present recommendations for broad-based transcultural applicability of this approach to global PTS burdens
Sick of social media scrolling? A behavioural intervention to reduce problematic social media use via smartphone device
No full textExcessive social media use can be problematic, with risks for individuals including compromised health and wellbeing and disruptions to work and personal relationships. Currently there is a lack of empirically supported treatments for reducing problematic social media use. Stinson and Dallery (2023) recently demonstrated the success of a behavioural intervention in reducing social media use with nine university students in Florida. I aimed to conduct an approximate replication of their intervention with university students in New Zealand. I initially administered a modified Internet Addiction Test to 148 participants. Of these, 38 qualified and three completed the behavioural intervention study. Social media use was tracked through the screen time function of each participant’s smartphone. Once a stable baseline was established, participants began an intervention phase. The intervention was contingency management with automated notifications and the selection of three alternative activities. Results of this intervention indicate success in the reduction of social media use for two of three participants. However, a lack of evidence to suggest any increase in the duration of time spent in chosen alternative activities replaced social media use. These results raise further questions regarding the effects of environmental changes on the strength of contingency management reinforcement for participants during this intervention. Identifying key variables in the reinforcement of contingency management that successfully reduces social media use for participants could be beneficial to many groups, particularly students who may use social media to escape academic demands