25813 research outputs found
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School leader profiles: Discussion of the Pacific Islands Literacy and Numeracy Assessment
No full textThis study explores the demographic characteristics of primary school leaders in the Pacific region,
utilising data from the Pacific Islands Literacy and Numeracy Assessment (PILNA) 2018 and 2021
administrations. The study focuses on understanding the profile of these leaders in terms of gender,
age, experience, and qualifications. It examines how these factors intersect and potentially influence
educational leadership and policy implementation. The findings reveal a relatively balanced gender
distribution among school leaders, with a slight trend towards increased male representation. The data also highlights a significant age disparity, with most leaders being over 50 years old and a
trend towards higher academic qualifications. The study further explores the use of assessment
data by school leaders and the nature of community support received by schools. The implications
of these findings for policy and practice are discussed, emphasising the need for targeted leadership
development programmes, strengthened school-community partnerships, and a re-evaluation of
teacher performance monitoring practices. The research contributes to a deeper understanding
of school leadership in the Pacific context. It provides valuable insights for policymakers and
practitioners seeking to enhance educational leadership and improve regional student outcome
Post-earthquake decision criteria for steel structures.
No full textThis study integrates numerical modelling and experimental testing to support informed decisions regarding both (i) detail selection, and (ii) remaining earthquake life, of structural steel elements susceptible to ductile fracture.
A fracture initiation prediction model, the improved Jia (IJIA) finite element model, was calibrated and validated for structural steel elements subject to large inelastic cyclic deformations. The model was selected because (i) it requires only two parameters (a fracture parameter, , and a hardening adjustment parameter, ղ), and (ii) for a set of small-scale material tests, it has demonstrated a fracture initiation prediction accuracy of over 95%.
Application of the IJIA model to large-scale specimens, including welded beam-to-column connections with cope holes, universal column specimens, and eccentrically braced frame (EBF) links, confirmed its robustness. For 16 cyclically tested universal column specimens with a flange thickness of 6.8 mm, the IJIA fracture initiation occurred at an average damage index (DI) of 1.02 with a standard deviation of 0.3.
Experimental investigation of the performance of universal column specimens subjected to monotonic and cyclic deformations revealed that local buckling modes influenced stress distribution and fracture initiation, with mid-height buckling (M1) and end-localized buckling (M2) leading to variations in failure patterns. Strain aging was found to increase material strength while reducing ductility. Strain aging increased the fracture life for low applied strain levels but decreased it for larger strains. Test protocols seemed to have negligible influence on the location of fracture initiation. Fracture tended to occur away from the weld zone for all full-strength weld types, except strain aged specimens subjected to incrementally increasing test protocols.
Fracture curves, plotting a strain measure against the number of cycles of deformation, were developed as practical tools for engineers to assess the ductile fracture of steel members and welded connections subjected to test protocols with variable amplitudes. These curves were derived using Standard Manson Coffin (SMC), Modified Manson Coffin (MMC), and Cumulative Inelastic Deformation (CID) approaches based on both experimental and numerical results. SMC, MMC, and CID experimental-based fracture curves showed average damage indices (DIs) of 1.15, 1.12, and 1.13, respectively, indicating comparable performance. However, finite element-based fracture curves indicated that the CID approach was superior, with an average damage index of 1.12 compared to SMC’s damage index of 0.87.
A methodology suitable for engineers to estimate the post-earthquake fracture life of a specific steel element, was presented for a realistic building structure with replaceable EBF links where nonlinear time history analysis was used to determine the possible strain protocol
Tau ki Ākau Ridge2Reef newsletter Issue 2
No full textWelcome to the Issue 2 of Tau ki Ākau Ridge2Reef newsletter, slightly delayed so that we can include details of some recent publications!
This issue features two of our core workstreams within the MBIE funded Tau ki Ākau ‘Ridge to Reef’ research programme which has a focus on Toka Ākau Toitū Kaitiakitanga - building a sustainable future for coastal reef ecosystems
Tree Canopy Cover in Wairoa 2015
No full textThis report was prepared by Professor Justin Morgenroth and Dr. Ning Ye at the School of
Forestry, University of Canterbury. The aim of this report is to provide local authorities in New
Zealand with a basic understanding of the urban tree canopy cover within their cities and towns
The role of sense of purpose and meaning in emergency response volunteers’ motivation
No full textThe role of emergency response volunteers (ERV) in society is worthy of respect. Their direct contributions to saving people’s lives and keeping the community safe are acquainted with a myriad of challenges and sacrifices. Despite the burdens of their responsibility, along with the impracticality of being a volunteer at time of widespread inflation, they remain engaged and committed to their roles. This qualitative interview-based research explored why New Zealand-based ERV chose to become volunteers in emergency response and the factors that contribute to their retention. Nineteen semi-structured interviews captured the nuances of ERV’s observations and lived experiences within and outside their roles which answered (1) how volunteering in emergency response contributed to their sense of purpose and meaning in their roles and (2) lives in general, and (3) how sense of purpose and meaning played a role in their retention. Through the guidance of Self-Determination Theory (SDT) and a series of reflexive thematic analyses, this research found that sense of purpose and meaning alignment, along with personal-professional harmony, volunteer organisations’ efforts, and social need fulfilment were the main motivating factors for ERV. This study contributes to the expanding body of research focused on ERV motivation and retention by providing practical implications for emergency response organisations in improving their efforts to attract, support, and retain ERV
Calibration of a novel instrumented mounting screw for monitoring sport climbing on artificial climbing walls.
No full textSport climbing has become an Olympic sport, which has fostered interest in advanced monitoring of climber performance. Our research focuses on developing an unobtrusive sensor within an instrumented mounting screw (IMS) for assessing climber performance in real-world conditions. The IMS comprises single or double triplet configuration strain gauges bonded to modified mounting screws. Calibration of force magnitude, using known weights, was compared between an analytical approach and a machine learning neural network (NN) algorithm approach. Additionally, force directions in the coronal (frontal) and sagittal (side) planes relative to the climbing hold were determined analytically and compared to reference angles. Results demonstrated that the IMS could measure force magnitude and direction on climbing holds. In the double triplet configuration (six strain gauges), NN-based calibration showed more accurate results in estimating force magnitude compared to the analytical solution, with a relative error of 6% and 20%, respectively. For the single triplet configuration (three strain gauges), the NN method showed an accuracy of 14%. Similar trends were observed when the center of pressure (COP) was varied on the climbing hold, with higher root mean squared error (RMSE) for configurations with fewer strain gauges. In the coronal plane, force direction errors in angle were below 5°, while in the sagittal plane, errors reached 10° for angles above 25°. Thus, larger sagittal plane angles only indicate direction, and do not provide precise measurement. In conclusion, the developed unobtrusive IMS presents a promising method for assessing climbing performance on existing climbing walls
Developing Novel Play Spaces in Christchurch. Report prepared part of the GEOG309 Research for Resilient Communities and Environments course, University of Canterbury, 2025.
No full textResearch shows that tamariki experience enhanced Hauora when they are more actively involved in novel play. Novel play can occur in spaces that move beyond traditional playground models and towards innovative, community driven designs. They encourage creative activity, imagination and physical interaction.In this project with the Christchurch City Council, our aim was to investigate how Hauora of tamariki and whanau can be improved through the encouragement and facilitation of novel play. Wellbeing is explored through the Māori health concept of Hauora exploring holistic themes of mental/emotional, physical, spiritual/cultural and whenua/roots. This research is site-specific and focuses on Hansons Reserve, Riccarton.A mixed approach of qualitative and quantitative data collection methods was used.This includes interviews with council members, community advocates and development workers. Site observational data was collected, and a survey was distributed to tamariki caregivers. Analysis of spatial features and existing data was applied to the area.Our research shows eagerness from the Riccarton community to restore Hansons Reserve with Hauora enhancing play spaces. Our recommendations include further investigation into local tamariki needs, establishing regular community events, structural and physical upgrades to the park and further facilitation of novel play interventions
L’Indo-Pacifique ou Pacifique Bleu? French colonialism and Pacific geopolitics in the age of Trump
No full textFrom 2018, French President Emmanuel Macron has promoted France’s Indo-Pacific Strategy,
seeking to advance French and European interests in the region at a time of US-China strategic
competition. Despite the rupture caused by the 2021 AUKUS agreement, strategic partners like
Australia and New Zealand have backed France’s regional agenda. However, pro-independence
leaders in France’s Pacific dependencies are eager to advance the region’s Blue Pacific agenda
rather than France’s wider geopolitical interests. The crisis in New Caledonia that erupted on
13 May 2024 highlighted ongoing tensions for French colonial policy in the Pacific islands.
This article discusses ways that the French State has sought to advance its Indo-Pacific Strategy
and gives examples of tensions with the region’s Blue Pacific agenda. It also looks at the rapidly
changing strategic context for France in the Pacific, as the Trump administration launches
tariff wars and disrupts historic transatlantic ties with the European Union. As France seeks to
maintain its colonial presence in the region, the article outlines six ideological, military, and
economic drivers of France’s geopolitical agendas in the Pacific
Exploring New Zealand secondary school literacy coordinators’ experiences of implementing the NCEA Literacy Corequisite Policy.
No full textThis thesis explores six New Zealand secondary school literacy coordinators’ experiences of implementing the new National Certificate in Educational Achievement (NCEA) Literacy Corequisite policy during 2023. The context is the first year of implementation of the Reading and Writing Common Assessment Activities (CAAs) that make up the high stakes NCEA Literacy Corequisites for secondary school students.
The exploration of literacy coordinators’ experiences involves analysis of policy, to provide deep context, and engagement with coordinators through interviews. A Policy as Problem Resolution (PPR) framework is used for policy analysis. Grounded in Heideggerian hermeneutical phenomenology, Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) is used for interviews to identify predominant trends, themes and significant aspects of literacy coordinators’ experiences.
The findings highlight how literacy coordinators experience the NCEA Literacy Corequisite Policy as an opportunity to channel their passion for literacy and their care and concern for their students. They recognise the policy as an opportunity to bring literacy teaching and learning to the forefront of New Zealand secondary school education. At the same time, they experience challenges and tensions due to the uncertain and impermanent nature of their roles, lack of clarity, consistency and accessibility of CAA resourcing, and differing attitudes about the teaching of literacy in secondary schools. There is tension in the interplay between policy structures and teacher agency as literacy coordinators manage and lead change from their middle leadership positions in their schools.
A key contribution of the thesis is the illumination of literacy coordinators’ experiences as liminal leaders navigating the middle ground of policy layering and the paradoxes between education policy and philosophies of teaching and learning. Methodologically, the use of a PPR framework and IPA provides a model for other researchers who may be interested in combining policy and interview-based research to understand teachers’ experiences. Recommendations are made for improved support of secondary literacy coordinators to transform their experiences and to help address the complexities of policy implementation in practice
