UAS and smartphone integration at wildfire management in Aotearoa New Zealand

Background: From 2016, wildfire emergency response used Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) also known as Uninhabited or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Systems (UAS) or "drones" (hereafter UAS), smartphones and smartphone applications (apps) on-site, for the first time at scale in Aotearoa New Zealand (hereafter New Zealand). This study outlines the deployment and use of this new technology in monitoring at wildfires in New Zealand from 2016, and the conveyance of fire response information to operational personnel. Methods: A quantitative and qualitative questionnaire, and semi-structured interviews were used to gather feedback on the use of this emerging technology from wildfire management personnel. The results were analysed to determine perception change over time, using retrospective analysis. The issues presented, and the uptake by fire management and personnel for the incorporation of such technology at wildfires in New Zealand are discussed. Findings: The integration of UAS and visual, infrared/infrared-thermal (IR/TIR) sensors has been used at over ten wildfire management response incidents throughout New Zealand since 2016. The quantitative perception of use and benefit of information technology in wildfire management response improved from the initial viewpoints, from indifferent to strongly supportive, and supportive to strongly supportive for UAS and smartphone use, respectively. Qualitative analysis showed that both positive views on the new technology increased, and indifferent and negative views diminished substantially following exposure to its operational integration into wildfire management. Conclusions: The use of technology such as UAS has gained support and currently offers the potential to increase safety and reduce suppression and mop-up costs. A reduction in the time taken for hotspot detection and management, combined with the ability to redeploy heavy-lift aircraft away from such tasks would lead to efficiencies in cost and resource utilisation. UAS as platforms for remote-sensing devices (such as cameras and laser scanners), and smartphone apps are now considered important tools for deployment at New Zealand wildfires by operational and Incident Management personnel. The adoption of any new systems or technology requires flexibility, especially in terms of management support, in which regular information, training and instruction should be considered crucial.

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Zero Carbon Building Practices in Aotearoa New Zealand

Energies ◽

10.3390/en14154455 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (15) ◽

pp. 4455

Author(s):

Thao Thi Phuong Bui ◽

Suzanne Wilkinson ◽

Niluka Domingo ◽

Casimir MacGregor

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

New Zealand ◽

Construction Industry ◽

Local Governments ◽

Early Stage ◽

Policy Implications ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Building Projects ◽

Aotearoa New Zealand ◽

Zero Carbon

In the light of climate change, the drive for zero carbon buildings is known as one response to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Within New Zealand, research on climate change mitigation and environmental impacts of buildings has received renewed attention. However, there has been no detailed investigation of zero carbon building practices. This paper undertakes an exploratory study through the use of semi-structured interviews with government representatives and construction industry experts to examine how the New Zealand construction industry plans and implements zero carbon buildings. The results show that New Zealand’s construction industry is in the early stage of transiting to a net-zero carbon built environment. Key actions to date are focused on devising a way for the industry to develop and deliver zero carbon building projects. Central and local governments play a leading role in driving zero carbon initiatives. Leading construction firms intend to maximise the carbon reduction in building projects by developing a roadmap to achieve the carbon target by 2050 and rethinking the way of designing and constructing buildings. The research results provide an insight into the initial practices and policy implications for the uptake of zero carbon buildings in Aotearoa New Zealand.

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The incorporation of Māori environmental values as part of the Ruamāhanga Whaitua Implementation Programme in the Wellington Region, Aotearoa New Zealand

10.26686/wgtn.17151569.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

◽

Bryn Cal Hickson Rowden

Keyword(s):

Environmental Management ◽

Decision Making ◽

New Zealand ◽

Theory Approach ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Environmental Decision Making ◽

Aotearoa New Zealand ◽

Management Processes ◽

Local Government Level ◽

Implementation Programme

In recent years, there has been significant efforts to create frameworks in which Māori values are incorporated as part of environmental management processes in Aotearoa New Zealand(Forster, 2014; Harmsworth et al., 2016). This research explores the factors that influence the incorporation of Māori values at the local government level, and what barriers Māori values face to being incorporated in environmental management. This research focused on a case study of the Ruamāhanga Whaitua Committe Implementation Programme process in the Wellington region. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect information on the opinions of members of the Ruamāhanga Whaitua Committee. The interviews were analysed using a critical theory approach. The research found that there was a clear discrepancy between the values and behaviours expressed by some non-Māori members of the Committee. The result of such a discrepancy was that Māori values were not sufficiently part of environmental decision making. Such a discrepancy was a result of the political structures of the Regional Council’s Whaitua Implementation Programme process. The majority of the decision-making power was found to be situated ‘higher’ up in the organisation, outside of the Committee. Overall this research found that there are important opportunities to make sure iwi values are not only included, but form the basis of decisions.

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Cultural health literacy: the experiences of Māori in palliative care

Global Health Promotion ◽

10.1177/1757975918764111 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 25 (4) ◽

pp. 15-23 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Jacquie Kidd ◽

Stella Black ◽

Rawiri Blundell ◽

Tamati Peni

Keyword(s):

Palliative Care ◽

New Zealand ◽

Health Literacy ◽

Health Information ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Health Resources ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Aotearoa New Zealand ◽

Palliative Care Setting ◽

Maori Health

Abstract: Health literacy is a concept that is frequently applied to the patient’s ability to find and comprehend health information. However, recent literature has included the skill of the health professional and the accessibility of health resources as important factors in the level of health literacy achieved by individuals and populations. In 2014 a qualitative study undertaken in Aotearoa New Zealand, investigated the context of health literacy for Māori in a palliative care setting (Māori are the indigenous people of Aotearoa New Zealand). The study included the experiences of patients, whānau (families), and health professionals. Method: Individual semi-structured interviews were held with 21 patients, whānau and six key informants: a medical specialist, a service leader involved in developing culturally specific responses to patients, two Māori service managers, and two Māori health team leaders. Focus groups were held with a total of 54 health professionals providing palliative care services. Data analysis: A thematic analysis was undertaken using a general inductive approach. The trustworthiness and reliability of the analysis was supported by sharing analysis of the transcripts among the research team. Member checking or respondent validation was used in seeking confirmation of the interim findings at five hui (meetings) with the research communities involved. Findings: This study found that the shock and grief that attends a life-limiting illness made hearing and processing health information very difficult for patients and whānau. Further, ‘hard conversations’ about moving from active treatment to palliative care were often avoided by health professionals, leaving patients and whānau distressed and confused about their choices and prognosis. Finally, poor cultural health literacy on the part of organisations has likely impacted on late access to or avoidance of palliative care for Māori.

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The role of “not for profits” (NFPs) in disaster preparedness in Aotearoa New Zealand

10.26686/wgtn.14198567.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Sharon Torstonson ◽

Denise Blake ◽

Darrin Hodgetts ◽

David M Johnston

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Disaster Preparedness ◽

Single Parents ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Group Setting ◽

Staff Members ◽

For Profit ◽

Aotearoa New Zealand ◽

The Right

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to highlight the role of not-for-profit (NFP) organisations in enhancing disaster preparedness. The authors set out to understand their perspectives and practices in regard to disaster preparedness activities to support people who live precarious lives, especially those who live as single parents who are the least prepared for disasters.Design/methodology/approachThe research draws on in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 12 staff members, either in a group setting or individually, from seven NFP organisations, who were located in Ōtautahi (Christchurch) and Kaiapoi in Aotearoa New Zealand. These participants were interviewed eight years after the 2011 Christchurch earthquake.FindingsFour key narrative tropes or elements were drawn from across the interviews and were used to structure the research results. These included: “essential” support services for people living precarious lives; assisting people to be prepared; potential to support preparedness with the right materials and relationships; resourcing to supply emergency goods.Originality/valueThis research contributes to disaster risk reduction practices by advocating for ongoing resourcing of NFP groups due to their ability to build a sense of community and trust while working with precarious communities, such as single parents.

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'The Powerful Ones': Exploring Young Men’s Understandings of Sexual Violence and Rape Culture in Aotearoa New Zealand

10.26686/wgtn.17148494 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

◽

Jahla Lawrence

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Violence Prevention ◽

Sexual Violence ◽

Sex Education ◽

Rape Culture ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Sexual Violence Prevention ◽

Aotearoa New Zealand ◽

Institutional Responses ◽

Response Measures

The centralising of women within institutional responses to sexual violence (Ministry of Justice, 2019) and sexual violence scholarship (Fanslow & Robinson, 2004a, 2011; Fanslow, Robinson, Crengle, & Perese, 2010; Gavey, 1991; Jordan, 2004, 2008) consequently means that despite men being both the primary perpetrators of sexual violence, and whose privileged identities create and maintain rape culture, men often remain invisible within sexual violence discourse. To gain insight into how young men understand sexual violence, rape culture, and their own identity within these structures, this research involved (n=11) qualitative semi-structured interviews with cisgender men aged between 18-30 who identified as heterosexual. These interviews highlighted the complexities of participant’s comprehension of sexual violence, particularly regarding the typology and motivations of offenders, the relationship between gender, alcohol, power and consent, and the various perceived causes of sexual violence. Participants also signalled the importance of comprehensive consent and sex education as a method of sexual violence prevention. This research is essential to responsibilise sexual violence prevention as the obligation of men, effectively inform prevention, intervention and response measures, and work towards ultimately eradicating sexual violence and the wider rape culture in Aotearoa New Zealand.

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The incorporation of Māori environmental values as part of the Ruamāhanga Whaitua Implementation Programme in the Wellington Region, Aotearoa New Zealand

10.26686/wgtn.17151569 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

◽

Bryn Cal Hickson Rowden

Keyword(s):

Environmental Management ◽

Decision Making ◽

New Zealand ◽

Theory Approach ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Environmental Decision Making ◽

Aotearoa New Zealand ◽

Management Processes ◽

Local Government Level ◽

Implementation Programme

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The role of “not for profits” (NFPs) in disaster preparedness in Aotearoa New Zealand

10.26686/wgtn.14198567 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Sharon Torstonson ◽

Denise Blake ◽

Darrin Hodgetts ◽

David M Johnston

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Disaster Preparedness ◽

Single Parents ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Group Setting ◽

Staff Members ◽

For Profit ◽

Aotearoa New Zealand ◽

The Right

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"We Need a System that's not Designed to Fail Māori": Experiences of Racism Related to Kideny Transplantation in Aotearoa New Zealand

10.21203/rs.3.rs-934210/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Rachael Claire Walker ◽

Sally Abel ◽

Suetonia Palmer ◽

Curtis Walker ◽

Nayda Heays ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Kidney Transplantation ◽

New Zealand ◽

Kidney Disease ◽

Health System ◽

Racial Profiling ◽

Family Members ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Quality Healthcare ◽

Aotearoa New Zealand ◽

Perceptions Of Racism

Abstract BackgroundReported experiences of racism in Aotearoa New Zealand are consistently associated with negative measures of health, self-rated health, life satisfaction, and reduced access to high quality healthcare with subsequent poor health outcomes. In this paper we report on perceptions and experiences of prejudice and racism by Indigenous Māori with kidney disease, their family members and donors who took part in a wider study about experiences of kidney transplantation.MethodsWe conducted semi-structured interviews with 40 Māori. Participants included those with kidney disease who had considered, were being worked up for, or who had already received a kidney transplant as well as family members and potential or previous donors. We examined the data for experiences of racism using a theoretical framework for racism on three levels: institutionalised racism, personally mediated racism, and internalised racism.ResultsWe identified subthemes at each level of racism: institutional (excluded and devalued by health system; disease stigmatisation; discriminatory body weight criteria, lack of power), personally-mediated (experiencing racial profiling; explicit racism) and internalized racism (shame and unworthiness to receive a transplant).ConclusionsThe wide-reaching experiences and perceptions of racism described by participants with kidney disease and their families in this research point to an unfair health system and suggests that racism may be contributing to kidney transplantation inequity in Aotearoa New Zealand. Addressing racism at all levels is imperative if we are to address inequitable outcomes for Māori requiring kidney transplantation.

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Women and Poverty: Insights from Adult Education and Pākehā Women in Aotearoa New Zealand

10.26686/wgtn.17006008.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

◽

Lynette Cochrane

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Adult Education ◽

Low Socioeconomic Status ◽

World Literature ◽

Developing World ◽

Relevant Literature ◽

Education Sector ◽

Local Context ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Aotearoa New Zealand

This thesis analyses the issues of women, poverty and education. Education is viewed as a key factor enabling women to move out of poverty. This view is well established in the developing world where education plays a key role to improve life choices and opportunities for women and girls (United Nations Girls' Education Initiative, 2012). However, the influence and impact of education to improve the wellbeing of marginalised women in a developed country requires further exploration. The interconnectedness of gendered poverty and education are explored through the stories of three Pākehā women living in Aotearoa New Zealand. Firstly, in order to understand these local experiences, the developing world literature is assessed to ascertain the global situation of women, poverty and education. Secondly, the relevant literature on women, poverty and education is examined and reflected as it relates to these concerns in Aotearoa New Zealand. Thirdly, the significance of the emergent themes is analysed as the general concerns became personal through the lived realities of three Pākehā women of low socioeconomic status. The thesis is contained within a social constructivism framework and has been influenced by feminist methodologies. Semi structured interviews were conducted to gather knowledge and to gain insights into the reality of a marginalised Pākehā woman engaging with education to improve her self-worth and/or economic opportunities. The research participants echoed the sentiments in the literature that their education outcomes were impacted by their family backgrounds, school experiences and there are societal perceptions concerning marginalised women with limited or no formal education. Adult education was investigated in a local context as this is the domain where women would engage with to change their education status. The arena of education including adult education in Aotearoa New Zealand is dominated by the neoliberal approach to education. Neoliberal policy in adult education does not serve the marginalised members of society nor does an education sector with a bias towards vocational outcomes. A repositioning of the adult education sector within a holistic framework which includes empowerment and improvement in the economic status of marginalised Pākehā women is required.

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Social work perceptions and identity: How social workers perceive public and professional attitudes towards their vocation and discipline

Aotearoa New Zealand Social Work ◽

10.11157/anzswj-vol29iss4id378 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 29 (4) ◽

pp. 19-31 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Elizabeth Kathryn Hobbs ◽

Nikki Evans

Keyword(s):

Social Work ◽

New Zealand ◽

Social Workers ◽

Child Protection ◽

Public Perceptions ◽

Professional Status ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

The Public ◽

Experience Levels ◽

Aotearoa New Zealand

INTRODUCTION: A century after Abraham Flexner’s (1915/2001) infamous speech conveyed his “dismissive attitude toward social work’s professionalism,” Gelman and González (2016) reflected that social work is again at a critical juncture. The fight for recognition of social work’s professional status has been influenced by multiple factors including negative public perceptions of the occupation. In Aotearoa New Zealand, professionalisation campaigns have been far from unifying, with diverse ideas about practice standards and accountability polarising opinions. At a time that the country is grappling with mandatory registration of social workers, this research considers the ways in which social workers perceive themselves, and the profession that they identify with.METHODS: Semi-structured interviews with 83 social workers in Aotearoa New Zealand were conducted. Participants were required to be eligible for social work registration. Interview transcripts were thematically analysed.FINDINGS: Several identity themes emerged during the analysis of the 83 interviews. The first theme relates to the ways in which statutory child protection social work has impacted on identity. The second, and perhaps predictable theme, is that many social workers in this study experienced significant professional marginalisation from their colleagues. The third theme emerged from participants’ views about the likelihood of mandatory registration of social workers impacting on their identity and the professional standing of social work.CONCLUSION: Most participants in the current study believed that mandatory social worker registration may positively influence the public’s view of social workers, other professionals, and also social workers themselves. However, many participants seemed to experience levels of self-stigma – and potentially believe they are viewed more negatively by the public than they actually are. Social workers’ perceptions of their role and profession is an area that warrants further investigation.

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