scholarly journals Conservation Translocations in Aotearoa New Zealand in the Predator-Free era

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin A. Parker ◽  
John G. Ewen ◽  
Emily L. Weiser ◽  
Aisling Rayne ◽  
Tammy Steeves ◽  
...  

The biological changes that have occurred in Aotearoa New Zealand following human settlement are well documented with almost all ecosystems and taxa having been negatively impacted. Against this background of loss there have been remarkable advances in conservation management, particularly in the large-scale eradication and control of exotic mammalian pests. In 2016, the New Zealand Government announced Predator Free 2050, an ambitious project to eradicate introduced predators in Aotearoa New Zealand by 2050. Here, we discuss conservation translocations in the context of Predator Free 2050 aspirations. Our review draws together knowledge from Aotearoa New Zealand’s rich history of translocations and outlines a framework to support translocation decision making in the predator-free era. Predator Free 2050 aspirations encompass an ongoing question in conservation management; should we focus on maintaining small protected populations, because this seems generally easier and currently achievable, or on reversing declines in the large mainland areas that contain most of our biodiversity, a much harder challenge largely reliant on the continued use of aerially applied toxins? We focus on successfully establishing small translocated populations because they will provide the source populations for colonisation of a predator-free landscape. We define a successful translocation as one that meets a clear set of fundamental objectives defined a priori. If translocation objectives are clearly defined all subsequent decisions about factors that influence conservation translocation outcomes (e.g. the cultural and social setting, pest thresholds, habitat quality, genetic management) will be easier. Therefore, we encourage careful thinking in formulating conservation translocation objectives that align with aspirations for a predator-free Aotearoa NZ. We discourage a focus on any single element of planning and rather encourage all people involved in conservation translocations, particularly decision makers, to explicitly recognise the multiple values-based objectives associated with conservation translocations.

Author(s):  
Hazel Owen ◽  
Nicola Dunham

In the context of ongoing global adoption of all forms of technology eLearning has continued to evolve, informed by a growing body of research. Many schools, tertiary institutions, and other organisations, are implementing a variety of eLearning initiatives, although, frequently it appears the investment does not always equate to more engaged, knowledgeable, skilled learners. Tertiary education in Aotearoa, New Zealand covers all post-secondary education and is analogous to the term Higher Education in other countries. This chapter draws on the implementation of a large-scale blended, flipped learning project at a tertiary institution in Aotearoa, New Zealand. The project (within the Health Science faculty) was driven by a desire to improve student learning experiences, and develop a common semester with a suite of interdisciplinary postgraduate qualifications. The discussion is based on personal reflections, which provide different perspectives of the initial phases, from three participants in the associated study (two of whom are also the authors of this chapter). During the project two key prevalences were observed. The first was an ingrained set of beliefs, often unquestioned, that shaped overall expectations of what an eLearning experience might comprise. Interpretations and implications are discussed using the lens of mindsets to illustrate how beliefs of ‘self' fundamentally influence a person's ability to embrace - and thrive in - a period of change. The second prevalence was a familiarity with large-scale, ‘monolithic' eLearning developments, which translated into discomfort with an agile approach. The overall aim of this chapter is to provide sufficient detail to draw educators and administrators together to apply the recommendations offered, while providing support for 'change agents' - as well as those ambivalent about reform. The authors are keen to highlight how ultimately rewarding, but also emotionally and physically demanding, the implementation of reform can be for those educators on 'the front lines'.


2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Gregory ◽  
Kristen Maynard

The essential elements of modern bureaucracy were identified by the German social scientist Max Weber (1864–1920) and remain central today to any understanding of how modern governmental systems work. At the core of Weber’s understanding was the insight that bureaucracies are profoundly impersonal, even dehumanised, organisations, which is a key element in their ability to carry out complex, large-scale tasks. However, this dehumanised character is also one of bureaucracy’s biggest weaknesses, since it inhibits the organisation’s ability to relate to people in ways that are in tune with lived social experiences. This article argues that in Aotearoa New Zealand it should be possible to draw upon knowledge from te ao Mäori, and especially the idea of wairua, to help fulfil aspirations for an improved public service, one that is more effective and humane for all New Zealanders. However, to do so will require a much greater appreciation of such knowledge than has so far been the case.


Author(s):  
Hazel Owen ◽  
Nicola Dunham

In the context of ongoing global adoption of all forms of technology, e-learning has continued to evolve, informed by a growing body of research. Many schools, tertiary institutions, and other organizations are implementing a variety of e-learning initiatives, although frequently it appears the investment does not always equate to more engaged, knowledgeable, skilled learners. Tertiary education in Aotearoa, New Zealand covers all post-secondary education and is analogous to the term higher education in other countries. This chapter draws on the implementation of a large-scale blended, flipped learning project at a tertiary institution in Aotearoa, New Zealand. The project (within the Health Science faculty) was driven by a desire to improve student learning experiences and develop a common semester with a suite of interdisciplinary postgraduate qualifications. The discussion is based on personal reflections, which provide different perspectives of the initial phases, from three participants in the associated study (two of whom are also the authors of this chapter). During the project, two key prevalences were observed. The first was an ingrained set of beliefs, often unquestioned, that shaped overall expectations of what an e-learning experience might comprise. Interpretations and implications are discussed using the lens of mindsets to illustrate how beliefs of “self” fundamentally influence a person's ability to embrace—and thrive in—a period of change. The second prevalence was a familiarity with large-scale, “monolithic” e-learning developments, which translated into discomfort with an agile approach. The overall aim of this chapter is to provide sufficient detail to draw educators and administrators together to apply the recommendations offered, while providing support for “change agents,” as well as those ambivalent about reform. The authors are keen to highlight how ultimately rewarding, but also emotionally and physically demanding, the implementation of reform can be for those educators on the front lines.


2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-47
Author(s):  
Tim Antric ◽  
Margalit Toledano ◽  
David McKie

Background: This article is the first to explore the emergence and evolution of social marketing as a professional practice in Aotearoa New Zealand [1] (NZ). Focus of the Article: The article identifies key political factors enabling the emergence, and causing the decline, of social marketing in NZ. Research Question: What are the factors that practitioners of social marketing identify as most influential on its development in NZ? Importance to the Social Marketing Field: The article makes a unique contribution to the growing literature on the history of social marketing in different jurisdictions by providing the first account of how social marketing evolved in NZ and by identifying the crucial role of political factors. Methods: The research is based on appreciative inquiry-based interviews with 20 experienced social marketers and a review of key documents. Because the field in NZ is small, it was possible to interview almost all of the leading figures. Results: This study constructs a timeline of significant political impacts on social marketing in NZ and identifies neoliberal approaches as key. Initially, neoliberalism enabled the growth of social marketing due to its emphasis on individual responsibility for health. Later, a neoliberal agenda helped disestablish the discipline due to social marketing shifting focus from downstream to upstream economic, political and social factors. Recommendations for Research or Practice: This research concludes that to sustain the legitimacy of their field, social marketers need to produce ongoing evidence-based communication of their effectiveness and responsibility and be less dependent on government funding. It also suggests the continuing enlargement of specifically situated studies of the different evolutions of social marketing in different places to better map commonalities and contrasts. Limitations: The study is limited to social marketing in NZ and would be strengthened by comparative studies of social marketing within other cultures and political systems during particular historical periods. While mainly exploring NZ social marketers’ experience from their own point of view, it could be broadened to include other perspectives.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-50
Author(s):  
Benjamin Pohl ◽  
Andrew Lorrey ◽  
Andrew Sturman ◽  
Hervé Quénol ◽  
James Renwick ◽  
...  

AbstractThis paper introduces a set of descriptors applied to weather regimes, that allow for a detailed monitoring of the location and intensity of their atmospheric centers of action (e.g. troughs and ridges) and the gradients between them, when applicable. Descriptors are designed to document the effect of climate variability and change in modulating the character of daily weather regimes, rather than merely their occurrence statistics.As a case study, the methodology is applied to Aotearoa New Zealand (ANZ), using ERA5 ensemble reanalysis data for the period 1979-2019. Here, we analyze teleconnections between the regimes and their descriptors, and large-scale climate variability. Results show a significant modulation of centers of action by the phase of the Southern Annular Mode, with a strong relationship identified with the latitude of atmospheric ridges. Significant associations with El Niño Southern Oscillation are also identified. Modes of large-scale variability have a stronger influence on the regimes’ intrinsic features than their occurrence. This demonstrates the usefulness of such descriptors, which help understand the relationship between mid-latitude transient perturbations and large-scale modes of climate variability.In future research, this methodological framework will be applied to analyze (i) low-frequency changes in weather regimes under climate change, in line with the southward shift of storm tracks, and (ii) regional-scale effects on the climate of ANZ, resulting from interaction with its topography.


2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 69
Author(s):  
Campbell Jones

This paper advances the case for the abolition of rent, interest, and profit. Rent, interest, and profit often appear perfectly normal for those living and working in capitalist economies, and are made to look normal in capitalist economics, the media, the capitalist state, and more generally by those who benefit from these forms of income without working. Because of the basic systemic violence on which they rest, however, rent, interest, and profit also produce resentment, criticism, refusal, and, at times, organised resistance. Systematic political organisation against the practices of rent, interest, and profit has been and should still be at the basis of Left politics. By this same measure, almost all so-called ‘Left’ parliamentary parties in Aotearoa New Zealand and elsewhere have given up the game. What is developed here is not another lament about what has been lost. Rather, this paper seeks to give some conceptual clarity to the need to organise politically, with a clear intent of victory, against rent, interest, and profit.  


2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 272-291 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gareth Terry ◽  
Virginia Braun ◽  
Shanuki Jayamaha ◽  
Helen Madden

Hair removal amongst Western women is ubiquitous, and research continues to highlight the ongoing conformity of almost all women with hair removal practices. Often women are presented as either cultural dupes, following the expectations of the Western hairless ideal without question, or highly engaged participants in the rigours of aesthetic labour, using it for their own agentic purposes. This paper seeks to explore the various ways that younger women (18–35) made sense of their own and others’ hair removal practices. We report on a thematic analysis of data generated from an online (mostly) qualitative survey with 299 female-identified respondents. Four themes were constructed: (1) women should do what they want with their body hair, (2) removing hair is socially shaped, (3) begrudging complicity, and (4) resistance to hair removal norms takes a particular kind of woman. We discuss the ways in which women described their practices and thinking where they seemed simultaneously complicit with and resistant to idealised notions of feminine embodiment.


New Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Febyana Suryaningrum ◽  
Rebecca M. Jarvis ◽  
Hannah L. Buckley ◽  
David Hall ◽  
Bradley S. Case

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 20-31
Author(s):  
Matt Boyd ◽  
Nick Wilson

The world faces many large-scale risks. We describe these global catastrophic and existential risks and identify some challenges in governing the prevention and mitigation of such risks. We identify that risk reduction activity in Aotearoa New Zealand has not appropriately addressed these threats. On the basis of the challenges identified, we then deduce the desired features and functions of an entity for effectively governing risk reduction approaches. We argue for an entity that is: anticipatory, central/aggregating, coordinating, apolitical, transparent, adaptive and accountable. We offer structural options for such an entity and outline the merits of several options.


2016 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie Connolly ◽  
Irene de Haan ◽  
Jonelle Crawford

This article reports on a sample of young New Zealand children under two years of age entering care in 2005 ( n = 228) and follows their progress over a five-year period. The study, the first of its kind in New Zealand, used a clinical data mining method to focus particularly on issues of stability, continuity and permanency. In these areas the research findings were generally positive for this cohort of children. Most children had only one or two caregivers. Almost all were ethnically matched with their caregivers in both kinship and foster care, and permanency, or a stable, permanent living situation, was achieved for the majority of the children.


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