bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Flood of Ecology - Floodplain Habitation
Authors:   , Braczek Christopher
Published: November 2021

Larger and more devastating flood events are happening more frequently across the planet, but flooding is a natural occurrence for any river system. It is only due to human modification of the river system, through the removal of natural features and attempts at flood control, that creates flood hazards that cause damage to communities and ecosystems.  Kapiti Coast’s terrain consisted, pre 19th century, of a mixture of dense coastal forests and extensive wetlands. The landscape has and always will be prone to flooding. With the addition of the expressway to the region, making it easier to travel to and from the capital Wellington, it is expected that the population of Kapiti will grow. But biodiversity may get lost, and flooding may become increasingly more frequent. How might new settlers learn to live with flooding and the constant risk that every time it rains it may cause damage to their homes or businesses? Can there be other benefits to floodplain management, such as biodiversity and recreation?  The aim of this research is to investigate and develop strategies to aid in the settlement of floodplains so that biodiversity is improved, allowing people to live with floods and without the fear that flooding may cause damage. Specifically, the design-led research seeks to generate solutions that improve both flood awareness and flood protection along the Waikanae River. The design seeks to allow the river to express its own flow patterns, and then secondly, how settlement will work within that. It can then be a catalyst for settlement of floodplain areas along the edge of the river.  This thesis will explore how ecology, rehabilitation and natural flood protection can be employed amongst an expanding urban context to create a new way of thinking about our rivers and mitigating the ever pressing issue of flooding.
Uncovering the Gender Agenda - The Impacts of Fair Trade on Gender Relations in Chile
Authors:   , Chapman Jasmin
Published: November 2021

Neoliberalism has perpetuated social inequality on a global scale. Augusto Pinochet’s neoliberal experiment would have significant repercussions on Chilean society. The evolution of export agriculture propelled Chile to economic success; a pioneer for the Latin American region. Unfortunately, macroeconomic advancements did not correlate to improvements in social equality. Fair trade, an alternative economic model, emerged in response to these growing inequalities. The movement promotes a more equitable distribution of wealth, despite operating within the neoliberal economy. Furthermore, the movement represents a promise of improved livelihoods to the producers and communities which have been marginalised by the predominant neoliberal system. The application of fair trade across Latin America has been extensive. In response to increased consumer demands, the range and volume of fair trade initiatives has continued to flourish. Chilean fair trade has demonstrated incredible potential through promoting improvements in labour conditions and community development. Furthermore, the low numbers of fair trade participants have proven beneficial in minimising opportunities for corruption. However, a lack of awareness has remained the largest barrier to future fair trade expansion in Chile. One of the most significant, yet controversial consequences of the export evolution was the emergence of the temporera labour force. Despite associations with severe labour abuses, temporera employment has improved significantly over the past thirty years. The temporeras of El Palqui have attributed these remarkable improvements to increased government support and union representation. Unfortunately, gender inequality continues to plague Chile, both within agriculture and on a national scale. Fair trades clauses on gender equality have demonstrated incredible potential to influence and improve gender relations in Chile. Collaboration between fair trade, alternative ethical trading initiatives, civil society and government appears to be particularly promising. Cooperation between these institutions holds the potential to transform opportunities for female exploitation into opportunities for their empowerment.
Talk It Out: Promoting Verbal Communication Through Virtual Reality Games
Authors:   , Bodnar James
Published: November 2021

Verbal communication skills have been shown to be important for both social and professional settings. However, a need for greater communication skills has been identified for graduated students entering the workplace, specifically task-based verbal communication (Daniels, 2001). In light of these findings new communication teaching techniques need to be explored to better prepare our students for effectively communicating information in their future work environment.  This thesis researched the potential for virtual reality video games to promote verbal communication skills in students. The motivation behind using virtual reality video games to teach these skills is based on the theory (Richard Van Eck, 2006) that video games have the potential to enhance the learning outcome of students. Initial research also shows that virtual reality experiences further immerse the player in the educational setting improving their engagement with the game's content (Thornhill-Miller & Dupont, 2016).  The thesis researched how virtual reality games can teach verbal communication skills firstly by analysing past works, completing an in- depth literature review and multiple case studies. Secondly, by using research through design methods in the creation of a prototype game that incorporates both communication and game teaching mechanics researched in the first stage. Finally, user tests were conducted on the prototype game to analyse how effective it was at promoting verbal communication skills in students. The paper’s outcome was that virtual reality games can be effective at promoting verbal communication skills and have tested specific teaching techniques and video game mechanics that can be used to effectively promote these skills.
“Our bitterest enemies...” An Examination of Thebes’ Role in Athenian Tragedy
Authors:   , Hugman James
Published: November 2021

This thesis concerns itself with the depiction of mythical Thebes in extant Greek tragedy, and how this relates to the tragedians’ view of Athens itself. Throughout the Classical Period, Thebes was one of Athens’ biggest enemy poleis, and this complex relationship is often mirrored in the dramas that feature Thebes and Thebans in principal roles. For the purposes of this thesis, I am limiting my scope to dramas that deal with the “Seven Against Thebes” mythic cycle and, to pare the topic down even further, I am only examining those tragedies that feature either Eteocles, Polynices, or both.  Chapter one deals with Aeschylus’ Seven Against Thebes, where I argue that Thebes is not only presented as a positive force, but actually comes to be identified as a stand-in for Athens. The Thebes of Aeschylus’ play shares many common factors with Athens of the early fifth-century B.C.  Chapter two is about Euripides’ Phoenician Women. The main argument here is that Euripides uses his Theban characters as mouthpieces for his own ideas on political rhetoric, particularly political issues that are of importance to contemporary Athens. Additionally, Phoenician Women’s fragmented, episodic plot and its large cast of characters contribute to an image of Thebes as a disorganised, chaotic polis, and one that is the antithesis of Athens. At the same time, its emphasis on the feminine complicates this picture somewhat; although this contributes to the “anti-Athens” image, whether or not this is a positive thing is unclear.  My third and final chapter concerns Sophocles’ Oedipus at Colonus and the lack of consistency in its depiction of Theban characters. Polynices and Creon are characterised negatively, but Oedipus and especially Antigone and Ismene appear in a much more positive light. Furthermore, Theseus appears in the OC as a representative of Athens so, fundamentally, the OC is about the relationship between the two poleis, and an exhortation for Thebes to strive to be more like Athens.  My conclusion is that tragedy’s treatment of Thebes is malleable and that there is not necessarily one standard way of depicting mythical Theban characters. At the same time, I also conclude that, no matter how Thebes is represented, there is always an underlying tension regarding how Thebes relates to Athens; the two cities are in a constant state of comparison and contrast.
Investigation into integration of digital manufacturing with ceramics
Authors:   , Brundell James
Published: November 2021

Within the territory of crafts, it has long been thought that individuals’ proficiency and adeptness, which take long to attain or are presumably innate abilities, determine the quality, delicacy and value of the products, and the common perception has often acted as a barrier to accessibility and penetration. It is more apparent in the pottery and ceramics where special equipment and facilities, such as wheels and kilns, in addition to skilfulness and dexterity are considered essential for creation. Advances in digital technology represented by 3D printing, however, are changing the way objects are designed, produced and distributed, instigating attempts to view traditional crafting processes and practices from a different perspective. Among various branches of crafts, this research specifically explores introduction of digital technology to pottery and challenges the limitations that the conventional methods have, by eliminating the hardware restrictions and lowering the barriers. The outcome offers not only transcendent possibilities of creation to craftspeople and artists but also unprecedented accessibility and apprehensible process to the public. Technically, Liquid Deposition Modelling (LDM) building upon material optimisation and tool redesign was employed in conjunction with digital design process. In addition, functional additives were trialled to incorporate multilevel translucency and electrical conductivity into the new types of ceramic objects.
Ka Mua, Ka Muri-Walking Backwards into the Future: An Environmental History of the South Wairarapa Region 1984-2016
Authors:   , Rainford Eleanor Jane
Published: November 2021

‘Ka mua, ka muri’, Walking backwards into the future, is a Māori proverb that aptly describes the findings of this thesis. That we should look to the past to inform the future is arguably the purpose of history, yet we have to walk back far enough. Tracing back from the present, this thesis will address what has driven political, economic, environmental and social change within the South Wairarapa region from 1984 to the present day. The region has experienced significant changes to its physical and social environment over the past thirty years. Many modern historians have attributed the key changes of this period, such as agricultural intensification, diversification, rising unemployment and environmental degradation, to the economic re-structuring of the Fourth Labour Government. This thesis will argue that these changes, and neoliberal reform itself, are consequent of much longer historiographical trends. Examination of the historical context and legacies of the intensification of dairy farming, rise of the viticulture industry, and the relationship between Ngāti Kahungunu and Rangitāne o Wairarapa and their whenua, reveals complexities in the history of the region that histories of neoliberal change commonly conceal. The identification of these long running historiographical trends aides understanding of the historical context in which neoliberal reform occurred, and provides alternative narratives for the changes that have occurred over the past thirty years. Furthermore, it suggests alternative trajectories for how viticulture, agriculture and Te Ao Māori may walk into the future.
Methods to Improve nZVI Adsorbance on Silicates Surface for Nitrate Reduction
Authors:   , Fraser Handayani
Published: November 2021

Efforts to remove excess nitrate in the groundwater typically involves expensive ion-exchange membranes or slow reacting bio-reactors. Nano-sized zero valent iron (nZVI) has been used successfully to reduce nitrate into ammonia in various sites in USA and Europe. However, nZVI has a number of major setbacks associated with it, namely the tendency to agglomerate due to magnetic properties, and the possible toxicity due to the nano-sized material.  To circumvent these two setbacks, nZVI could be adsorbed onto solid support. In this research, geothermal sediment microsilicate 600 (Misi) was utilised as a support. Initial results suggested that Misi has potential as a support for nZVI, however modifications were required to improve the adsorbance of nZVI onto Misi surface. Calcination, activation, acid wash and iron oxyhydroxide coating were used as surface modifications for Misi. It was found that the two most important modifications for nZVI adsorption was calcination at either 400 or 600 °C and acid washing in 5.6 M HCl.  Equipped with this knowledge, other silica and silicates were also used to adsorb nZVI. For pure silica surfaces, 3-APTES and 3-TPTMS ligands and pore enlarging methods of calcination of porogen and salt wash were also used. nZVI was not able to be fully adsorbed on pure silica surfaces. Four other silicates were examined: Rice husk ash, Western Australia silica fume, Mt Piper fly ash, and precipitated aluminium silicate. Of these, only Western Australia silica fume and precipitated aluminium silicate showed potential as nZVI support. Based on the SEM-EDS XRD data of all the silica and silicates, it could be tentatively concluded that nZVI requires an aluminium silicate surface for successful adsorption. Aluminium silicate surfaces typically has an exchangeable cation present, and this cation might play a part in nZVI adsorption.  The nZVI/Misi surface was then utilised to reduce nitrate. It was discovered that even though activation and FeOOH did not play a part in nZVI adsorption onto Misi surface, these two steps were important in reduction of nitrate, as the presence of activation and FeOOH increase the reduction of nitrate significantly within 60 minutes. The Misi-supported nZVI were also shown to be more stable in dispersion, and less agglomerated as shown in a sand column experiment.
Saxophone Virtuosity: Manifestation and Effect in the Classical Saxophone Repertoire
Authors:   , Chin Reuben
Published: November 2021

To ascribe the word ‘virtuosity’ to a single and absolute definition is an impossible task. It is a term that is multifaceted in its meaning and which is understood differently in a variety of contexts. This thesis investigates how the word virtuosity has been used in music discourse, and then considers virtuosity in three aspects of saxophone performance: altissimo, fast finger technique and soloistic roles. The application of these three aspects of virtuosity to the classical saxophone repertoire is then examined. Specifically, I examine the application of altissimo in Jacques Ibert’s Concertino da Camera for Alto Saxophone and Eleven Instruments; fast finger technique in the cadenzas of Pierre Max Dubois’ Concerto for Alto Saxophone and String Orchestra and Alexander Glazunov’s Concerto for Alto Saxophone and String Orchestra; and soloistic roles in classical saxophone orchestral repertoire. I also consider the relevance of the saxophone as a non-standard orchestral instrument to the notion of soloistic virtuosity. With these three aspects of virtuosity established, I explore the relationship between virtuosity and Claude Debussy’s Rapsodie for Orchestra and Alto Saxophone. This exploration first demonstrates how adaptations made to the Rapsodie can be seen to increase the virtuosic nature of the work. Second, it looks at how these adaptations could be contradictory to the composer’s intentions. Last, it considers the motivation and purpose behind these adaptations. The aim of this thesis is to disclose ways in which virtuosity may be understood in the context of the classical saxophone repertoire and how this understanding has affected Debussy’s Rapsodie in particular.
Visualising Inequality: Modelling disparities in health outcomes
Authors:   , Cody John
Published: November 2021

The thesis begins to integrate some contemporary theorising in sociology, frameworks for explaining social disparities in population health, disciplines from System Dynamics modelling, and, D.D. Heckathorn’s model of ‘The Dynamics and Dilemmas of Collective Action’. Wilkinson and Marmot are recognised as leading participants in public discussion of population health disparities. The priorities they advocate are reflected in public statements of intent such as the statutory objective of New Zealand District Health Boards ‘to reduce, with a view to eliminating, health outcome disparities between various population groups . . .’ Sen’s advocacy for impartial governance when allocating freedom-based capabilities is considered as a core strategy for reducing disparities and promoting justice. The main question addressed is whether sociological theory can contribute to understanding the dynamics implied by Sen’s ‘idea of justice’. The conclusion is that the work of Runciman, Coleman, Turner, Lenski, Jasso and Heckathorn can be used to analyse the influence of corporate actors and sectoral strategies, which Wilkinson and Pickett referred to as ‘the elephant in the . . . room’ in discussions about determinants and the social gradient of health.
An Empirical Study on Multiple Corporate Directorships in New Zealand: A New Interpretation of Selected Governance Theories
Authors:   , Jahan Mosammet
Published: November 2021

This thesis contributes to the literature on Multiple Directorships (MDS) by providing new evidence that prestigious MDS are value enhancing relative to non-prestigious MDS for New Zealand listed companies. The recent debate surrounding the reasons for including multiple (busy) directors on the board as well as the diverse conclusions of prior studies on MDS draw attention to the fact that theoretically-informed possibilities of MDS are yet to be explored, especially in a setting where the higher incidence of MDS has been driven by a unique institutional environment. New Zealand is one example of such a setting.  To explore one aspect of these issues, this research first asks whether there are firm ‘performance’ differences between prestigious MDS and non-prestigious MDS. The results of initial tests show that prestigious MDS have a positive influence on performance outcomes for their organizations, while there is a negative or no significant relationship between non-prestigious MDS and firm performance. These results also suggest a one-way causal effect of prestigious MDS on firm performance.  Having determined the better value of prestigious MDS, the subsequent and primary question of this thesis is to explore ‘why’ differences may exist between the two categories of MDS. Three corporate governance theories, namely, Resource Dependence, Agency and Managerial Hegemony are employed to differentiate, and thus to help explain, the sources of prestigious MDS success. The results of the second set of tests reveal that the differences between prestigious and non-prestigious MDS can primarily be explained by firms’ needs for easier acquisition of critical resources, which are often associated with the level of agency conflicts and the presence of powerful CEOs.  Empirical evidence then suggests that prestigious MDS potentially create value for New Zealand companies in terms of facilitating access to critical resources and minimizing agency conflicts as well as CEO influence on board oversight. The findings have potential policy implications, especially in an export-oriented economy with geographic isolation and small scale of population, such as New Zealand. Regulators, for instance, the Financial Markets Authority and Institute of Directors should be mindful of the need to retain expert (prestigious) directors and cautiously evaluate before initiating any new regulation regarding MDS.
Rituals, rigidity and cognitive load: A competitive test of ritual benefits for stress
Authors:   , Karl Johannes
Published: November 2021

A central hypothesis to account for the ubiquity of rituals across cultures is their supposed anxiolytic effects: rituals being maintained because they reduce existential anxiety and uncertainty. We aimed to test the anxiolytic effects of rituals by investigating two possible underlying mechanisms for it: cognitive load and repetitive movement. In our pre-registered experiment (osf.io/rsu9x), 180 undergraduates took part in either a stress or a control condition and were subsequently assigned to either control, cognitive load, undirected movement, a combination of undirected movement and cognitive load, or a ritualistic intervention. Using both repeated self-report measures and continuous physiological indicators of anxiety, we failed to find direct support for a cognitive suppression effect of anxiety trough ritualistic behavior. Nevertheless, we found that induced stress increased participants’ subsequent repetitive behavior, which in turn reduced physiological arousal. This study provides novel evidence for plausible underlying effects of the proposed anxiolytic effect of rituals: repetitive behavior but not cognitive load may decrease physiological stress responses during ritual.
A framework for professional learning and development in science for New Zealand upper primary teachers
Authors:   , Cizadlo Theodore
Published: November 2021

This doctoral thesis describes the development of a framework to guide the creation and delivery of bespoke professional learning and development programmes (PLD) in physical science for groups of Year 7 and 8 teachers. It identifies key principles and provides practical advice needed to produce PLD programmes specifically focused on the topics selected, in consultation with the teachers involved, that are tailored to the school environment and adhere to design principles informed by research, and tested in the New Zealand context. The framework was developed using a design-based research approach involving three iterations of use, analysis, and improvement. Audio recordings, structured interviews, classroom observations, concept maps, and field notes provided data for a qualitative analysis paradigm. The research employed a social-constructivist lens, with an emphasis on learner-centred science investigations, leading to the development of a new framework for physical science PLD design and delivery consisting of five major focus areas: Subject selection / curriculum, Subject matter understanding, Teaching practice, Support, and Logistical considerations. This research highlighted the challenges faced by generalist teachers with limited science backgrounds in working with New Zealand's non-prescriptive national curriculum, to develop specific physical science units that are relevant to their local school environment. Specifically, teachers with limited subject matter knowledge face challenges selecting topics from the New Zealand Curriculum, balancing breadth and depth of topic coverage, and selecting curriculum support materials. After participating in the PLD teachers were able to use their subject matter knowledge and teaching experience to select materials and confidently teach the physical science topics covered in the PLD.
Cultural identity styles, well-being, and context of reception: A daily diary study
Authors:   , Jack Amanda
Published: November 2021

In our increasingly multicultural world, people manage their multiple cultural identities in a number of different ways. This study examines two mechanisms that individuals use in negotiating cultural identities: hybridising, which is characterised by picking and choosing the desirable elements from two or more cultures and blending them together in a novel way, and alternating, which involves shifting identities depending on the circumstances. The study also investigates how these styles are affected by contextual factors and how they are related to mental health outcomes. The data were collected through a 12-day diary study with 870 Hispanic university students. Multilevel modelling was used to examine longitudinal relationships between the hybrid and alternating cultural identity styles, perceived negative context of reception, and psychological well-being. The main findings are that within individuals, negative perceptions of the context of reception predict greater alternating style, and the alternating style, in turn, predicts greater depression, while the hybrid style leads to increased well-being. Reciprocal relationships between these variables were also found. Although preliminary, findings also show that the alternating and hybrid identity styles operate in a reciprocal relationship. The within-individual approach, which allows us to report idiosyncratic changes in the cultural identity styles in response to the context of everyday life, makes a unique contribution to understanding how bicultural individuals negotiate multiple cultural identities.
Investigating the Relationship between Approval, and Experiences of Physical Violence and Controlling Behaviours in Heterosexual Intimate Relationships
Authors:   , Jones Ryan
Published: November 2021

Popular theory understands intimate partner violence (IPV) as gendered, and stresses the integral role of a patriarchal society and approval of male to female aggression in the aetiology of men’s IPV to women. This thesis set out to explore this hypothesis using a gender inclusive methodology, and examines the relationship between participants’ approval of men’s and women’s use of controlling behaviours and physical violence in heterosexual intimate relationships. Undergraduate university students (N = 515) completed an online questionnaire about their use and experience of aggression and controlling behaviours, and their beliefs about dating violence. Bivariate analyses found that conflict tactics and controlling behaviours were perpetrated and experienced at equal rates by the sexes. ANOVA found that male and female participants approved of female to male violence significantly more than male to female violence when the aggressor was provoked via infidelity or physical violence, indicating a collective chivalrous belief pattern. Violent students also approved of male and female violence significantly more than non-violent students. Applying Johnson's (1999) typological approach, latent profile analysis found that 77.7% of violent relationships could be classed as Situational Couple Violence (SCV), 10.4% as Coercive Controlling Violence (CCV), 2.1% as Violent Resistant (VR), and 9.8% as Mutual Violent Control (MVC). Bivariate analysis revealed a greater frequency of women than men in the SCV group (n = 92, 61%) with a small effect; no other significant differences were found between the groups. ANOVA also found that the typology groups approved of female to male violence significantly more than male to female violence with CCV men endorsing the highest approval of male and female violence. Further research is required to determine why this group hold high approval in general compared to other groups. The need for interventions to address the approval of a person’s own violence and approval of their partner’s violence is discussed in addition to implications for theory, practice, and policy.
Variation in behavioural traits and their molecular basis in the globally invasive Argentine ant
Authors:   , Felden Antoine
Published: November 2021

A salient question in invasion biology is to elucidate what traits make some species invasive and not others. Recently, the introduction process has been hypothesised to function as a filter, selecting for traits that promote invasiveness in introduced populations. Behaviour has been increasingly recognised as a significant driver of animal invasions, but few studies focus on how the introduction process may affect behavioural variation across an invader’s range. This thesis aims at investigating the consequences of the introduction process on behavioural variation along an introduction pathway in the globally widespread Argentine ant.  In Chapter I, I investigated transcriptome-wide variations associated with morphological caste as well as worker foraging propensity. I found a number of transcripts showed caste and behaviour-specific expression profiles, and that foraging workers exhibit higher expression of genes related to chemosensory receptors and neurological pathways known to be associated with foraging behaviour and aggression. In chapter II, I investigated octopamine-mediated modulation of foraging behaviour and aggression using pharmacological manipulations using synthetic octopamine (OA) and one of its antagonists. I found that OA was associated with colony-level foraging activity, but did not appear to similarly drive changes in individual behaviour. However, my results suggest that OA is associated with individual aggressiveness, and I also found an association between OA and foraging propensity. In chapter III, I tested the hypothesis that the introduction process selected for increased risk-taking behaviour along the Argentine ant introduction pathway. I used behavioural assays combined with OA diet supplementation in four regions along the introduction pathway, and showed that both behavioural variation and plasticity were consistent across the range, not in support of our hypothesis. Finally, in chapter IV I investigated transcriptome-wide expression profiles in workers along the introduction pathway and discovered distinct transcriptomic signatures associated with range. I found that specific immune and neural pathways were differentially regulated in the introduced range compared to the native range.  Overall, my results contribute to a better understanding of caste differentiation and neuromodulation of key behaviours in invasive ants. While I did not find behavioural differentiation between native and invasive Argentine ant populations, I show that they are characterised by specific transcriptomic signatures perhaps underlying the ant’s invasion success. This is one of the first global and integrative studies to focus on changes associated with the introduction of invasive species, and may have important implications for the understanding of biological invasions.
Online app to develop positive affect in adolescents - Positive Approaches to Life: A Smartphone-Administered Self-Help Program for Adolescents
Authors:   , Hudson Sarah
Published: November 2021

Psychological well-being has traditionally been viewed as the absence of psychopathology. However, there is an increasing focus on the development of psychological skills and resources, which may both promote psychological well-being and buffer the impacts of stress. There is a promising amount of research demonstrating that brief, positive, psychological interventions are effective in increasing psychological well-being and reducing psychopathology in individuals (Sin & Lyubomirsky, 2009). While the mechanisms behind successful positive psychology interventions (PPIs) are not well understood, it has been posited that positive, intentional activities may effect change by increasing positive emotions, cognitions and behaviours, which in turn lead to positive psychological outcomes. These interventions have traditionally targeted adults, and thus substantially fewer interventions have been conducted with adolescent samples (Mitchell & VellaBrodrick, 2009). Additionally, successful programmes have often not been widely implemented due to high resource cost for therapists and teachers. Researchers have suggested it might be worthwhile to improve methodological designs by using nontraditional approaches of delivery, i.e. smartphones, for psychological interventions (Munoz, 2012).  The present study was designed to: 1) to investigate whether a smartphone technology delivering positive, intentional activities had a significant influence on levels of well-being in an intervention group when compared to a control group; and 2) to construct a mediational model to inform the relationships between core constructs of psychological well-being and emotions (e.g., subjective happiness, adaptive coping, and resilience). The study included 72 participants, aged 10-15 years, who were recruited from six schools in the wider Wellington region. Participants operated a smartphone-based application that required them to complete four modules designed to cultivate positive emotions. Contrary to predictions, two multivariate repeated measures analyses of variance (MANOVA) indicated that participants who completed the app did not display increases in positive emotion or of positive psychological outcomes compared to the control group.  The mediational model showed that adaptive resources might lead to greater psychological well-being in adolescents. In particular, the model indicated that higher adaptive coping resources lead to increased psychological well-being through the variable of increased resilience. These results indicate that adaptive coping strategies may play a key role in positive adolescent development. The limitations of the study are discussed and recommendations were made for future research to determine the efficacy of smartphone applications in psychological research with adolescents.
A Mirror of Society: Feminist Advocacy in Emilia Pardo Bazán's Short Stories
Authors:   , Ramsay Patricia
Published: November 2021

This thesis is concerned with the manner in which the fin de siècle Spanish writer Emilia Pardo Bazán (1851–1921) disseminated her feminist views through her short stories published in popular newspapers and journals. As a female writer, she incurred the ire of many of her male contemporaries, challenging them both personally with her feminist views, and professionally, with her erudition and immense literary output. In this thesis I offer firstly an overview of Spanish society during Pardo Bazán’s lifetime with particular reference to the situation of women and go on to outline her life and most significant achievements, literary and otherwise, with a view to contextualising the narrative analysis which follows. Twelve of Pardo Bazán’s selected short stories are analysed in the light of the feminist topics which she addressed in several of her essays and, where possible, I correlate these stories with the relevant essays. In particular, I examine issues of female literacy, legal rights and prostitution, as well as the gendered double standards of the time in the area of religious observance and, in particular, the double moral standard. I also examine stories where women did exercise a degree of agency and act in ways that went against patriarchal standards of behaviour, making life-changing decisions. I argue that in these twelve stories, it is evident that not only is each one able to be read as seemingly conforming with the mores of the patriarchal society, but that each one also has a veiled subtext where the injustices suffered by the female protagonists are made evident. Thus, I show that these stories align with Pardo Bazán’s essays and promote her broader feminist views to the reader willing to consider them.
An Exploration of Building Energy Model (BEM) Calibration in New Zealand
Authors:   , Duff Ethan
Published: November 2021

This study explored the use of Building Energy Modelling (BEM) and BEM calibration techniques for existing buildings as currently employed in New Zealand Industry.  Research on the use of BEM for existing building energy efficiency retrofits has increased dramatically over the past few decades. However, this use of BEM has been criticised for inaccurate and unbelievable results. These are often the result of not closely matching the building being modelled due to uncertainties around model inputs and modeller assumptions. As a result, researchers have responded by developing techniques to ‘calibrate’ models by comparing the simulated building with the actual building energy use thus providing quality assurance.  However, many of these techniques are difficult, esoteric, convoluted or impractical for industry professionals. This research explored if a simple calibration technique developed at Victoria University of Wellington by Dr. Shaan Cory would meet the needs of industry practitioners. The technique was turned into a usable tool and student trialled to prepare it for industry assessment. Four BEM experts were then interviewed in a series of individual interviews and workshops trialling the use of the technique.  The research concluded that the use of BEM is limited in New Zealand due to a perceived Industry value gap – building owners are not aware of the benefits of modelling whole-building retrofits. This leads to reduced uptake of calibration techniques from industry resulting in a credibility gap, where the modeller themselves may not be confident of their own BEMs. This is due, in part, to a lack of industry quality assurance guidelines, usable calibration tools, and certainty around model inputs. The adoption of the streamlined Cory method would be of significant benefit to practitioners. However, it was identified that it did not solve all issues relating to uncertainty estimation.
Calculation of the Deviatoric Stress Field in New Zealand
Authors:   , Hirschberg Hamish
Published: November 2021

I model the vertically averaged deviatoric stress field for New Zealand using velocity and crustal density data. I use a thin sheet model of a viscously deforming lithosphere, averaging over a depth of 100 km and solve the stress balance equation. Two methods of solving the stress balance equation are compared: one method solves first for deviatoric stresses due to gravitational potential energy per unit volume before accounting for deviatoric stresses due to boundary conditions; the other method assumes an isotropic viscosity to relate deviatoric stress to strain rate, solving for the viscosity field. Under synthetic testing, the two step method is able to cope with high levels of noise but contains edge effects. The method solving for viscosity is accurate at low noise levels, however, it is unreliable at high noise levels. I apply the two step method to New Zealand using a Quaternary and a GPS-derived velocity model. Vertically averaged deviatoric stress magnitudes are found to be 10-30 MPa, similar to magnitudes found for other plate-boundary zones. Gravitational and boundary stresses each account for approximately half of the full deviatoric stress. Effective viscosities are found to be 1-10×10²¹ Pa s in the regions of most active deformation, which can be interpreted in terms of the long term strength of the lithosphere controlled by temperature and/or lithology.
Digesting Stigma: Exploring the Illness Experience of New Zealanders with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (‘It’s just shitty’)
Authors:   , Cunningham-Pow Bryony
Published: November 2021

This thesis is an anthropological exploration of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), and the first ethnographic study of people with IBS in New Zealand. It explores the illness experience of people with IBS and whether stigma plays a role within this experience. IBS is a gastrointestinal illness that affects 10-20% of New Zealand’s population. However, its aetiology is unknown, there is no cure, and the biomedical approach that informs its diagnosis and treatment is often incongruous with its lived experience. I posit that the illness experience of my participants and what is stigmatising for them must be understood not only in relation to its physical manifestations but also in relation to the biomedical and neoliberal influences that inform social expectations of the body and social participation. Further, participants experience their IBS simultaneously resisting and participating within these influences to make sense of and manage their illness in a way that aligns with their lived experiences.  All work within this thesis is my own except where otherwise stated.
Restorative Regulation of Human Rights Compliance Considering the Treatment of Prisoners in the Philippines
Authors:   , Kleinsman Daniel
Published: November 2021

The focus of this thesis is the ill-treatment of prisoners in the Philippines, the realities of which reflect the failings of the international human rights framework more generally. This framework is examined and evaluated in terms of how it can better facilitate compliance, and the proper treatment of Filipino prisoners specifically. To that end, this thesis considers poor regulatory performance in terms of compliance theory and interdisciplinary international legal scholarship. On this basis, it proposes the employment of restorative justice, which seeks to avoid regulatory ritualism on the one hand and imperialism on the other, and seeks to enhance human rights compliance in an empowering, relational way.
Forgotten Interiors
Authors:   , Love Alexander
Published: November 2021

Historic buildings play an important role in helping shape and characterise a city’s’ urban fabric. They extend beyond purely the aesthetic by enhancing our urban experience through providing a notion of continuity, and, by forming an enduring connection to our past, present, and future. In many instances, extending a historic building’s life that has fallen into a state of dilapidation, and, saving the rich history in which resides within its walls requires a rehabilitative or adaptive approach. Undertaking this process however, can become challenging when there lies an absence of interior documentation for the site. A clear understanding of the current, forsaken state in which the building’s interior has sunken into cannot therefore be established.  The aim of this research is to therefore explore how a rehabilitative approach can be applied to the dilapidated, heritage listed, former Tramway Hotel to rejuvenate its forgotten interiors. By breathing another life into the building’s old bones, it seeks to make it fit for modern purposes once again whilst tangentially retaining the rich history that is housed within its weathered walls. Through the cyclical, reflective, and iterative nature of action research, this research investigates a range of techniques in response to the site’s forgotten interiors. By initially exploring the issue from various avenues, through the cycles of identifying, planning, acting and then critically self-reflecting, the design iterations produced refined in scope to eventuate in the act of strategically inserting, and then shifting newly built elements within the existing structure of the former Tramway Hotel. What was essential throughout the research and was therefore translated into a criterion for the evaluation of each iteration, was the need to add another life to the building, to allow it to persist, to live on without disrupting its historic integrity and character. Through the implementation and direct visual contrast of the newly built elements from historic ones, the developed design response seeks to establish a clear dialogue between the two so that each complements and enhances the other.
Creative Territories: Exploring Territorialisation in Shared Transient Spaces
Authors:   , Trewin Jeanette
Published: November 2021

The physical spaces we occupy and inhabit are continuously changing and evolving, they are becoming increasingly transient. In response, this research is interested in learning how people occupy and inhabit transient space. Many of the spaces we occupy are affected by invisible systems controlling the amount of time we spend inside a space, and how we occupy a space. Through the study of spatial territorialisation [the creation and inhabitation of territory] this research looks at developing an understanding of behaviours and acts of territorialising in space to understand how transient space is occupied.   This research looks at tertiary students as an example of people who inhabit transient spaces. Through a series of different observational experiments, students’ territories are studied to understand how they may be created and inhabited. Different techniques such as space occupation, accumulation of objects, and comfort enhancements are some of the findings of the way people have inhabited space. This thesis is interested in using this understanding of space inhabitation, learned through the different acts of territorialising, to explore how the way we design spaces might be informed from this.   A final design strategy is proposed that uses the master’s studio at the Victoria University, Faculty of Architecture and Design as a site. The final design proposal uses research gathered through creative territory experiments by using installation as a tool for testing individual and communal responses to territorialising. The overall design strategy is a series of responses to the current acts of territorialising and spatial occupation occurring in the studio. The design encourages the good habits occurring in the studio such as leaving the studio for a break, and disrupts the less healthy habits, such as the permanent claiming of shared territory.
Tika Tonu: Young Māori Mothers' Experiences of Wellbeing Surrounding the Birth of their First Tamaiti
Authors:   , Graham Aria
Published: November 2021

The wellbeing experiences of young Māori mothers’ (ngā māmā) surrounding the birth of their first tamaiti and the impact of those experiences, often determine outcomes for wāhine Māori, their tamariki and whānau. A greater understanding and nurturing of young Māori mothers has far reaching implications that encompass hapū, iwi, community, Aotearoa and the health experiences and outcomes of Indigenous and other subjugated people in the global community. However, there is little exploration and information about the wellbeing experiences of young Māori mothers, and therefore little is known about their stories, thoughts, and feelings from their experiences.  This thesis explores the experiences of young Māori mothers from their perspective, regarding pregnancy, birth and motherhood. Historical misrepresentation, western notions of gender and sexuality, negative statistics and reports have portrayed young Māori mothers as the least capable, least desired and deficient. Dominant western ideologies of motherhood and hegemonic perceptions fail to recognise the essence of wellbeing for young Māori mothers, and instead marginalise and render their aspirations invisible and irrelevant. This thesis brings to the fore the elements that ngā māmā signal as vital to their wellbeing.  By utilising a kaupapa Māori approach to methodology, and a theoretical framework of kaupapa Māori and mana wahine, this thesis explores what matters to ngā māmā and their wellbeing, and how te ao Māori is an intrinsic part of those experiences. An integrated kaupapa Māori analytical framework is presented, which was developed for the thesis as a legitimate and authentic approach to research method and design to help make sense of and assemble the codes, symbolism and themes of the data.  The findings of this thesis signify the power of the female to influence the wellbeing of ngā māmā through stability, guidance and empowerment. The thesis captures the tamaiti as ‘tohu aroha’, and explicates the journey of ngā māmā to greater rangatiratanga and identity. Furthermore, the vitality and balance of te ao Māori within the lives of ngā māmā contributes to what is significant to their experiences of wellbeing. The thesis emancipates ngā māmā from entrenched stereotypes by epitomising their experiences and thus denouncing deficit discourses, and advances the aspirations of ngā māmā and the lives of their tamariki and whānau. This thesis makes an original and complementary contribution to the growing knowledge around Māori maternal wellbeing, kaupapa Māori methodology and research.