Preliminary observations of the impacts the 22 February Christchurch earthquake had on organisations and the economy

On 22 February 2011, Canterbury and its largest city Christchurch experienced its second major earthquake within six months. The region is facing major economic and organisational challenges in the aftermath of these events. Approximately 25% of all buildings in the Christchurch CBD have been “red tagged” or deemed unsafe to enter. The New Zealand Treasury estimates that the combined cost of the February earthquake and the September earthquake is approximately NZ$15 billion [2]. This paper examines the national and regional economic climate prior to the event, discusses the immediate economic implications of this event, and the challenges and opportunities faced by organisations affected by this event. In order to facilitate recovery of the Christchurch area, organisations must adjust to a new norm; finding ways not only to continue functioning, but to grow in the months and years following these earthquakes. Some organisations relocated within days to areas that have been less affected by the earthquakes. Others are taking advantage of government subsidised aid packages to help retain their employees until they can make long-term decisions about the future of their organisation. This paper is framed as a “report from the field” in order to provide insight into the early recovery scenario as it applies to organisations affected by the February 2011 earthquake. It is intended both to inform and facilitate discussion about how organisations can and should pursue recovery in Canterbury, and how organisations can become more resilient in the face of the next crisis.

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Metagenomic discovery and co-infection of diverse wobbly possum disease viruses and a novel hepacivirus in Australian brushtail possums

One Health Outlook ◽

10.1186/s42522-019-0006-x ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Wei-Shan Chang ◽

John-Sebastian Eden ◽

William J. Hartley ◽

Mang Shi ◽

Karrie Rose ◽

...

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Disease Virus ◽

One Health ◽

Pest Species ◽

Abnormal Gait ◽

Viral Aetiology ◽

Introduced Pest ◽

The Face ◽

Case Diagnosis ◽

Insight Into

Abstract Background Australian brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) are an introduced pest species in New Zealand, but native to Australia where they are protected for biodiversity conservation. Wobbly possum disease (WPD) is a fatal neurological disease of Australian brushtail possums described in New Zealand populations that has been associated with infection by the arterivirus (Arteriviridae) wobbly possum disease virus (WPDV-NZ). Clinically, WPD-infected possums present with chronic meningoencephalitis, choroiditis and multifocal neurological symptoms including ataxia, incoordination, and abnormal gait. Methods We conducted a retrospective investigation to characterise WPD in native Australian brushtail possums, and used a bulk meta-transcriptomic approach (i.e. total RNA-sequencing) to investigate its potential viral aetiology. PCR assays were developed for case diagnosis and full genome recovery in the face of extensive genetic variation. Results We identified genetically distinct lineages of arteriviruses from archival tissues of WPD-infected possums in Australia, termed wobbly possum disease virus AU1 and AU2. Phylogenetically, WPDV-AU1 and WPDV-AU2 shared only ~ 70% nucleotide similarity to each other and the WPDV-NZ strain, suggestive of a relatively ancient divergence. Notably, we also identified a novel and divergent hepacivirus (Flaviviridae) - the first in a marsupial - in both WPD-infected and uninfected possums, indicative of virus co-infection. Conclusions We have identified marsupial-specific lineages of arteriviruses in mainland Australia that are genetically distinct from that in New Zealand, in some cases co-infecting animals with a novel hepacivirus. Our study provides new insight into the hidden genetic diversity of arteriviruses, the capacity for virus co-infection, and highlights the utility of meta-transcriptomics for disease investigation in a One Health context.

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Metagenomic discovery and co-infection of diverse wobbly possum disease viruses and novel hepaciviruses in Australian brushtail possums

10.1101/795336 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Wei-Shan Chang ◽

John-Sebastian Eden ◽

William J. Hartley ◽

Mang Shi ◽

Karrie Rose ◽

...

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Disease Virus ◽

Pest Species ◽

Abnormal Gait ◽

Viral Aetiology ◽

Introduced Pest ◽

The Face ◽

Distinct Lineage ◽

Case Diagnosis ◽

Insight Into

AbstractBackgroundAustralian brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) are an introduced pest species in New Zealand, but native to Australia where they are protected for biodiversity conservation. Wobbly possum disease (WPD) is a fatal neurological disease of Australian brushtail possums described in New Zealand populations that has been associated with infection by the arterivirus (Arteriviridae) wobbly possum disease virus (WPDV-NZ). Clinically, WPD-infected possums present with chronic meningoencephalitis, choroiditis and multifocal neurological symptoms including ataxia, incoordination, and abnormal gait.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective investigation to characterise WPD in native Australian brushtail possums, and used a bulk meta-transcriptomic approach (i.e. total RNA-sequencing) to investigate its potential viral aetiology. PCR assays were developed for case diagnosis and full genome recovery in the face of extensive genetic variation.ResultsWe identified a distinct lineage of arteriviruses from archival tissues of WPD-infected possums in Australia, termed wobbly possum disease virus AU1 and AU2. Phylogenetically, WPDV-AU1 and WPDV-AU2 shared only ∼70% nucleotide similarity to each other and the WPDV-NZ strain, suggestive of a relatively ancient divergence. Notably, we identified a novel and divergent hepacivirus (Flaviviridae) - the first in a marsupial - in both WPD-infected and uninfected possums, indicative of virus co-infection.ConclusionsWe have identified a distinctive marsupial-specific lineage of arteriviruses in mainland Australia that is genetically distinct from that in New Zealand, in some cases co-infecting animals with a novel hepacivirus. Our study provides new insight into the hidden genetic diversity of arteriviruses, the capacity for virus co-infection, and highlights the utility of meta-transcriptomics for disease investigation and surveillance in a One Health context.

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Predicting New Zealand riverine fish reference assemblages

10.7287/peerj.preprints.26479v1 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Adam D Canning

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Freshwater Fish ◽

Riparian Vegetation ◽

Fish Assemblages ◽

Reference Conditions ◽

Native Fish ◽

River Reach ◽

Riverine Fish ◽

Insight Into

Biomonitoring is a common method to monitor environmental change in river ecosystems, a key advantage of biomonitoring over snap-shot physicochemical monitoring is that it provides a more stable, long-term. insight into change that is also effects-based. In New Zealand, the main biomonitoring method is a macroinvertebrate sensitivity scoring index, with little established methods available for biomonitoring of fish. This study models the contemporary distribution of common freshwater fish and then uses those models to predict freshwater fish assemblages for each river reach under reference conditions. Comparison of current fish assemblages with those predicted in reference conditions (as observed/expected ratios) may provide a suitable option for freshwater fish biomonitoring. Most of the fish communities throughout the central North Island and lower reaches show substantial deviation from the modelled reference community. Most of this deviation is explained by nutrient enrichment, followed by downstream barriers (i.e., dams) and loss of riparian vegetation. The presence of modelled introduced species had relatively little on the presence of the modelled native fish. The maps of observed/expected fish assemblage may provide a rapid way to identify potential restoration sites.

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Climate Change Adaptation in New Zealand

Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Natural Hazard Science ◽

10.1093/acrefore/9780199389407.013.348 ◽

2019 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Paul Schneider ◽

Bruce Glavovic

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

New Zealand ◽

Coastal Communities ◽

Coastal Hazard ◽

Short Term ◽

Local Authorities ◽

Long Term Study ◽

Hazard Risk ◽

The Face

Coastal hazard risk is compounded by climate change. The promise and prospects of adaptation to escalating coastal hazard risk is fraught, even in a country like New Zealand that has laudable provisions for local authorities to be proactive in adapting to climate change. Continuing property development in some low-lying coastal areas is resulting in contestation and maladaptation. The resistance of some local authorities to do the inevitable and make long-term planning decisions in the face of amplifying risk can be linked to adaptation barriers. What can be done to overcome barriers and facilitate adaptation? Is transformation of the current mismatch between short-term planning and development aspirations, long-term societal goals, dynamic coastal processes and well-intended legislation and policy goals even possible? What can we learn from adaptation failures? In the face of compelling evidence and an enabling institutional framework, why is it that some coastal communities fail to prepare for the future? We shed light on such questions based on a long-term study of experience in New Zealand’s Coromandel Peninsula. We focus on the overarching question: Why is adaptation so challenging; and why are some coastal communities locked- into maladaptive pathways? We focus on the influence of a short-term decision-making focus of the problem of a low level of understanding and, following from this, the prioritization of protective works to combat erosion. Further, we draw attention to a major storm impact and the failure to turn this window of opportunity to a shift away from business as usual. Through the exploration of key stakeholder insights, the findings from the literature are reinforced and put into local context thus making the otherwise abstract barriers locally relevant. Matching and aligning adaptation theory with local reality can assist in advancing inquiry and policy practice to govern complex adaptation challenges.

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Long-term challenges and opportunities in the natural resource sector

Policy Quarterly ◽

10.26686/pq.v9i4.4469 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

Author(s):

Miriam Chaum

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

World Bank ◽

Natural Capital ◽

Lowland Forest ◽

The World Bank ◽

Challenges And Opportunities ◽

Clean Air ◽

Resource Sector ◽

Petroleum Reserves

New Zealand’s cultural, social and economic prospects are inextricably intertwined with the health and sustenance of our natural capital. New Zealand is wealthy in natural resources. We have plentiful, clean water; clean air; fertile soil and a climate well suited to humans, trees, livestock and agriculture; long coastlines and significant aquaculture resources; significant mineral and petroleum reserves; and extraordinary biodiversity on our land and in our water bodies. The World Bank estimates that New Zealand ranks eighth out of 120 countries and second out of OECD countries in natural capital per capita; we are outranked only by petroleum exporting countries (World Bank, 2011). While it is still substantial, natural capital in New Zealand has been reduced since the arrival of humans, however, including losses to our lowland forest and reductions in native biodiversity.

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Self-management support? Listening to people with complex co-morbidities

Chronic Illness ◽

10.1177/1742395318796176 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 16 (3) ◽

pp. 161-172 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Helen Francis ◽

Jenny Carryer ◽

Jill Wilkinson

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Early Stage ◽

The Self ◽

Self Management ◽

Management Approach ◽

Management Support ◽

Long Term Conditions ◽

Early Stage Disease ◽

The Face

Objectives The study aimed to explore how people with complex, established co-morbidities experience long-term condition care in New Zealand. Despite the original conception as appropriate for people with early stage disease, in New Zealand the self-management approach dominates the care provided to people at all stages of diagnosis with long-term conditions, something reinforced through particular funding mechanisms. Methods A multiple case study followed the lives of 16 people with several long-term conditions. Data collection comprised two interviews, four weekly contacts with patients over an 18-month period and an interview with their primary health care clinicians. Results This paper reveals a cohort of tired, distracted patients struggling to manage their lives in the face of multiple conflicting challenges, with insufficient energy for the level of personal agency required to deal with the self-management approach. Discussion Participants described aspects of care received, which does meet their needs but sit outside the self-management approach, that resonate with the ideas behind current approaches to palliative care. The potential of an approach to care built upon these ideas is explored as a more compassionate, effective way of meeting the needs of people with advanced, multiple long-term conditions. Further research is warranted to explore the acceptability of such an approach.

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Factors That Impact Measures of Grit among Nursing Students: A Journey Emblematic of the Koi Fish

European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education ◽

10.3390/ejihpe10020041 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 564-574

Author(s):

Daniel Terry ◽

Blake Peck

Keyword(s):

Nursing Students ◽

Bachelor's Degree ◽

Nursing Programs ◽

First Year ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Undergraduate Nursing ◽

Clinical Challenge ◽

The Face ◽

Insight Into

Grit is the capacity to persevere, to have passion, and be committed to achieve goals long-term regardless of adversity or challenge. Grit provides an insight into why some nursing students succeed academically or clinically, while others do not. This quantitative cross-sectional correlational study measured levels of grit among nursing students undertaking a three-year bachelor’s degree program. All students (n = 2349) within the program were invited to complete a questionnaire which included the short grit scale (Grit-S) which measured each student’s level of perseverance and passion. Overall, it was highlighted that increased levels of grit correlated with an increase in the student’s year of study, greater perceived clinical and academic performance, not using television as a motivator for entry to nursing, being lower on the socio-economic spectrum, and being older in age. Grit was found to develop exponentially as students entered second and third years, suggesting that a balance of constant academic and clinical challenge was an impetus for many to achieve in the face of adversity, and is reminiscent of the journey of the koi fish. This paper culminates in a call for educators to consider the inclusion of creative grit forming challenges that focus on developing a student’s sense of open-mindedness within first year of undergraduate nursing programs.

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Predicting New Zealand riverine fish reference assemblages

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.4890 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 ◽

pp. e4890 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Adam D. Canning

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Freshwater Fish ◽

Riparian Vegetation ◽

Fish Assemblages ◽

Reference Conditions ◽

Native Fish ◽

River Reach ◽

Riverine Fish ◽

Insight Into

Biomonitoring is a common method to monitor environmental change in river ecosystems, a key advantage of biomonitoring over snap-shot physicochemical monitoring is that it provides a more stable, long-term insight into change that is also effects-based. In New Zealand, the main biomonitoring method is a macroinvertebrate sensitivity scoring index, with little established methods available for biomonitoring of fish. This study models the contemporary distribution of common freshwater fish and then uses those models to predict freshwater fish assemblages for each river reach under reference conditions. Comparison of current fish assemblages with those predicted in reference conditions (as observed/expected (O/E) ratios) may provide a suitable option for freshwater fish biomonitoring. Most of the fish communities throughout the central North Island and lower reaches show substantial deviation from the modelled reference community. Most of this deviation is explained by nutrient enrichment, followed by downstream barriers (i.e. dams) and loss of riparian vegetation. The presence of modelled introduced species had relatively little impact on the presence of the modelled native fish. The maps of O/E fish assemblage may provide a rapid way to identify potential restoration sites.

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The Prince and the railwaymen: the origins of the 1920 Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants' strike

New Zealand Journal of Industrial Relations ◽

10.26686/nzjir.v12i1.3598 ◽

1970 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Author(s):

P. M. Revell

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

The Face ◽

History Of ◽

Insight Into

This paper provides an account of the events which culmininated in the 1920 railways strike. Focusing on the period 1913-1920. it exa1nines the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants' (ASRS) executive's attempts to provide for the members needs in the face of ever increasing difficulties. It also provides some insight into the history of other labour groups and illustrates how workers in New Zealand united once rheir problems became too big to handle alone. Nevertheless the policies followed by the ASRS execurive were always those which were expected to yield the most benefits to ASRS numbers despite the feelings of orher labour groups.

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Performing Baadinyaa: Music, Emotion, and Health in The Gambia

Voices A World Forum for Music Therapy ◽

10.15845/voices.v15i3.827 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 15 (3) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Bonnie B. McConnell

Keyword(s):

Support Group ◽

Health Workers ◽

The Gambia ◽

Musical Performance ◽

Social Categories ◽

Health And Wellbeing ◽

The Face ◽

Health And Healing ◽

Insight Into

This medical ethnomusicological study examines musical performance in The Gambia as a socio-emotional intervention to promote health and wellbeing. Based on interviews and observations conducted during seventeen months of ethnographic research (2009; 2012-2013), this research is also informed by my long-term involvement with a Gambian HIV/AIDS support group (2006-present). I use the local concept of baadinyaa (Mandinka, “positive relationship”) in order to interrogate connections between musical performance, emotion, and health as they are articulated by performers and health workers in The Gambia. The concept of baadinyaa provides insight into musical performance as a “flexibility primer” (Hinton 2008) that facilitates emotional transformation and healing. Not uniform across social categories, emotional responses to music are shaped by social identity and power relations as well as individual experience and preference. This study finds that in the face of conflict and stigma, Gambian artists use musical performance, and its association with baadinyaa, as a resource to address negative emotions such as anger and anxiety and thereby promote health and healing.

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