bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
'Free to the People': The Design and Function of Aotearoa New Zealand's Carnegie Libraries
Authors:   , Marshall Natalie
Published: December 2021

Libraries have formed an inherent part of Aotearoa New Zealand’s communities since the beginning of organised European settlement. Through the case study of New Zealand’s participation in the international Carnegie library programme, this thesis considers the intersection of library architecture and librarianship. It is asserted that libraries have made a significant contribution to New Zealand’s regional civic culture but, despite their social importance, have sat outside most architectural historical surveys. The study explores how a critical analysis of the design and function of purpose-built Carnegie library buildings provides a deeper understanding of these central social institutions.

Despite the prevalence and value of libraries, very little has been published on the history of library architecture in New Zealand. Only a small amount of research in this country’s library and information studies field addresses library architecture, and architectural writing on libraries is similarly scarce. This research addresses the gap in the literature by employing an interdisciplinary and multi-method approach based on historical and archival research, and site visits. Two key areas of investigation are examined through the case study. Firstly, the form of New Zealand’s Carnegie libraries is analysed in order to determine the principal elements of the buildings and to trace the influences on their design. Secondly, the function of the buildings is investigated, with a focus on the developing library profession and the service provided to the only two groups allocated dedicated space: women and children.

This thesis argues that New Zealand’s participation in the Carnegie library programme occurred at a significant time in the development of library architecture and librarianship, and the libraries reflect the profound shifts that were taking place. The findings demonstrate that these library buildings serve as physical evidence of a local interpretation of the major trends in early twentieth-century librarianship and the wider social context of that developing professional practice. Moreover, it shows that a more fulsome understanding of library architecture furthers the appreciation of the part libraries have played in New Zealand social and cultural history, and adds to the field of heritage and museum studies by broadening the understanding and recognition of related cultural institutions. Due to the international nature of the Carnegie library programme and continued importance of libraries, the results of this study are not solely of benefit on local and national levels; they have transnational value.
Drawing, Play-Dough, and Koosh Balls: The Use of Comfort Tools with Children in Forensic and Clinical Interviews
Authors:   , Bura Anica
Published: December 2021

During forensic and clinical interviews, children are often required to discuss difficult topics that may elicit feelings of shame, embarrassment, or reluctance. It is the clinician’s or forensic interviewer’s task to obtain detailed and accurate reports from these children, with many employing the use of comfort tools (e.g. drawing, play-dough, koosh balls) to put children at ease (Hill & Brown, 2017; Poole & Dickinson, 2014). The purpose of this study was to investigate whether three commonly used comfort tools influence children’s reports of a self-selected, emotionally laden event. Ninety-two children aged between 5 and 7 years old were asked to discuss a time when they got into trouble, and a time when they were happy. Some children were questioned without any comfort tools; the remainder were given one of the following: drawing materials, play-dough, or a koosh ball to interact with during the interview. Comfort tools had no impact on the amount of information reported by children. They also had no influence on whether children provided more episodic information (which may be especially relevant in forensic interviews), or evaluative information (which may be more relevant in clinical contexts). Providing comfort tools did not influence children’s ratings of either their interview experience, or the emotional intensity of the events they described. The interviewer asked more questions of children interviewed with drawing materials than those interviewed without comfort tools. The findings raise questions about the efficacy of comfort tools in interviews with children about past events, although more research is needed to establish an evidence-base to guide practitioners in different settings.
Supporting successful learning outcomes for secondary Pacific students through home-school relationships
Authors:   , Flavell Margaret
Published: December 2021

A need to improve learning outcomes for Pacific students has been highlighted by the Ministry of Education in Aotearoa/New Zealand, with the reflection that the education system has not adequately catered for these learners. The development of home-school relationships is recognised by the Ministry as one way of promoting the achievement of Pacific students; closer links with Pacific families are encouraged so that students’ needs may be better met. The aim of this research was to explore how secondary schools could develop relationships with Pacific families and communities in order to support students’ successful learning outcomes.  A qualitative case study, using a grounded theory approach, was employed. An Appreciative Inquiry framework helped guide the research design to facilitate the exploration of how home-school relationships worked well within the context of a New Zealand town, and how they can be enhanced to benefit secondary Pacific learners. A Communities of Practice lens supported analysis; and an appreciation of Pacific relationality was supported by the theoretical frameworks, Teu le va and Talanoa Research Methodology (TRM).  Key findings demonstrate the willingness and expertise from members of the Pacific community to support schools’ endeavours to cater for Pacific learners, helping address any barriers to family engagement. Despite the strong commitment from teachers and school leaders to work more closely and creatively with Pacific families, this study concludes that knowledge and ideas do not always flow freely between home and school. An inherent risk is that schools hold onto decision-making processes although there is a capacity within the Pacific community to offer effective solutions. To alleviate this risk, school structures need to open up to permit a freer exchange of information, prioritising relationships that accord with Pacific values. The bricolage of frameworks employed in this study have the potential to be applied to school settings for the review and development of home-school practices for Pacific families.
Oceanic imaginaries in film and development: lenses of collaboration
Authors:   , Puka Tagimamao
Published: December 2021

Cultural expression and culture have informed the formulation of development outcomes and processes, with varying success. Historically, this has occurred incidentally to mainstream development priorities such as primary education and health, and food security. In recent decades have, however, international institutions have come to recognise the importance of culture to development both as an area of development as well as something which informs development planning and processes. Often, the cultural development agenda, where driven by institutions, has been largely for instrumental purposes. Thus far, there has been an emphasis in research on the relative absence of culture from development definitions and processes.  This thesis investigates the ways that film and film-making processes are contributing to a range of social and cultural outcomes in Oceania, and how these processes could be envisaged as contributing to a broader cultural development agenda. Using qualitative methods, this research examines how the regional imaginary is being practiced in different ways by film communities by drawing on several film projects across the region. This is couched in a discussion which examines the role of indigenous film as part of the global decolonisation agenda. It also highlights the importance of film as a means of decolonising identities and social practice.  This research reveals the diverse motivations for collaborative kinships in film. These in turn demonstrate how understandings of relationships between individuals and communities can be enable horizontal development. This demonstrates the tension between dominant understandings of development and regionalism. This research also highlights how film kinships, informed by regional connections, are collaborating to grow film-making in Oceania.  Using an intersectional framework drawing on scholarship from post-development theory and Pacific Studies, this research seeks to broaden the way that development is framed and practiced. While it is critical of some mainstream development tendencies – in policy formulation and practice – this research seeks to highlight how diverse and numerousapproaches are important. This research draws together an analysis of collaboration in film practice and endeavours to address inequalities in voice and representation of Oceanian peoples in film. It shows the contribution that film can make to expansive understandings of development in Oceania.
Printing People. Heterogeneous Multi-Property Printing of Humanoid Anatomics
Authors:   , Whitham Samantha
Published: December 2021

Film and television (TV) have been a way to view unthinkable worlds for many years. Physical props are a fundamental part of many films as they help to portray the story in the real world, which results in a more believable experience for the audience. The technology used in the production of props and creatures has evolved with the changes in the manufacturing process to allow for more computer-controlled designs. This begs the question; what could multi-property, 3D/4D printing bring to the way the film prop manufacturing industry creates physical props? Printing in the fourth dimension (dynamic) is a relatively new concept and is being researched by leading 3D printing companies. This area of study has yet to apply the four-dimensional (4D) capabilities of multi-property printing to the creation of heterogeneous humanoid anatomic’s.  Heterogeneous 3D printing is the combination of multiple elements and material qualities in one print, which is possible by using the Stratasys J750 Polyjet printer. This printer allows for both hard and soft components to be incorporated into one design by blending the full-colour hard Vero material with soft, translucent Agilus material. The final humanoid objects have varying material hardness throughout the design, representing the different densities and materiality that is found in the finger joint. By taking the basic parameters of a section of human anatomy, the ability to create a creature by merely changing the size, colour, or the number of joints is achievable. With this technology, the ability to rapidly produce and easily edited final on-screen props is possible.
Building people up: Leadership and employee resilience
Authors:   , Franken Esmé
Published: December 2021

This mixed method research, in the area of HR and leadership, explores leadership behaviours that foster employee resilience. Resilience is a key capacity in contexts where job demands and challenges are often dynamic and complex, such as in the public sector. This research uses a contemporary definition of resilience, one that views employee resilience as a set of behaviours that help people grow and develop in their jobs, even in the face of challenges. Two questions guide this research: 1. What leadership behaviours enable employee resilience in the public sector?, and 2. How do these behaviours enable employee resilience? This study is situated in the public sector context.  The research consists of five phases. The first phase was a cross-sectional survey of public servants’ views on whether paradoxical leadership behaviours, mediated by perceptions of organisational support, might foster resilience. These connections reflect the correspondence between paradoxical leadership and the dilemmas and paradoxes that arise in public sector work. Phases two and three concerned a series of qualitative studies which identified further leadership behaviours, as well as possible mechanisms and outcomes, and generated an explanatory framework to illustrate how managers can enable employee resilience. This led to the development of the construct resilience-enabling leadership. Phase four gathered feedback on the construct’s validity so that it could be tested quantitatively in a scale. The fifth and final phase tested the resilience-enabling leadership scale (RELS) as a predictor of resilience. It also tested psychometric properties of the scale, including factor structure, and discriminant and convergent validity.  Findings show that a unique combination of leadership behaviours that foster growth, trust and collaboration in employees, is likely to play a pivotal role in developing employee resilience. The RELS is an innovative contribution to organisational scholarship. It represents a leadership model that recognises the changing nature of leadership and responds to the development needs of employees.
Developing a photometric estimate of quasar redshifts: An independent measurement of the distances to the most powerful objects in the Universe
Authors:   , Moss Jeremy
Published: December 2021

While spectroscopy is the standard method of measuring the redshift of luminous objects, it is a time-intensive technique, requiring, in some cases, hours of telescope time for a single source. Additionally, spectroscopy favours brighter objects, and therefore introduces an intrinsic bias towards luminous or closer sources. A simple method of estimating the redshift through photometry would prove invaluable to forthcoming surveys on the next generation of large radio telescopes, as well as alleviating the inherent bias towards the most optically bright sources. While there is a well-established correlation between the near-infrared K-band magnitude and redshift for galaxies, we find that the K-z relation breaks down for samples dominated by quasi-stellar objects (QSOs).  Current methods of estimating photometric redshift rely either on template spectra, which requires a high number of infrared photometry points, or computationally intensive machine learning methods.  Using photometric data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) we investigate the relationship between combinations of magnitudes of a group of quasars, and their redshift. We find a high correlation between the colour relation (I-W2)/(W3-U) and redshift for a group of broad-line emission sources from the SDSS, and we conclude that this could be a robust estimator of the redshift.
Spaces of cross-cultural encounter
Authors:   , McNeill Emma
Published: December 2021

The landscape of cultural relations in Aotearoa is complex and entangled. While academics and policy makers imagine Aotearoa as a multicultural society, there is a lack of understanding of how cultural diversity is lived every day in Aotearoa.  There is an emerging literature on the geographies of encounter. This encourages us to address the historical predicament of how we are to live together in increasingly super diverse communities by considering the existing everyday negotiations of difference. This thesis contributes to that literature by undertaking a case study of Newtown, Wellington, in order to: 1) understand where Newtown residents and employees experience cross-cultural social interactions; and 2) what type of places help encourage positive cross-cultural interactions. Through this I explore how cross-cultural encounters and exchanges might be encouraged.  Q-methodology was used to investigate locations of cross-cultural social interactions, I conducted and analysed 23 Q-sorts with Newtown, Wellington residents and local employees. I argue that places of cross-cultural encounter take many forms. The identification of these places is closely linked to participants’ characteristics, such as socioeconomic position, and age. The participants in this study represent diverse Newtown. They have diverse socialising practices and identify a wide range of positive places for cross-cultural interactions. In conjunction with this people understand and experience encounters with cultural diversity differently. I argue that an encounter across cultural difference is not limited to an explicit interaction but can also be through the sharing of space and engagement in similar activities. I also argue for the importance of space in cross-cultural encounters; certain spatial and material qualities of spaces appear to animate cross-cultural social interaction.  This research argues that: engagement in cross-cultural interactions is often mediated by other identifiers, that everyday multiculturalism is demographically complex, and that the materiality and spatially of spaces is effectual in animating these interactions.
Deglacial climate and ice sheet evolution of the Ross Embayment, Antarctica
Authors:   , Lowry Daniel P.
Published: December 2021

Reconstructing past grounding-line evolution can help inform future sea level projections by constraining marine ice sheet sensitivities to changes in climate. The Ross Embayment, the largest sector of Antarctica, experienced substantial grounding-line retreat since the Last Glacial Maximum. However, different interpretations for the timing and spatial pattern of deglacial grounding-line retreat in this region persist, suggesting either very high or low sensitivity to external forcings. Complicating matters is the sparse paleoclimate record, which is limited spatially and temporally. In this thesis, I address these issues by analysing the output of two transient climate simulations in relation to Antarctic ice core and marine sediment records, and performing and analysing the largest ensemble to date of regional ice sheet model simulations of the last deglaciation in the Ross Sea. The climate models and paleoclimate proxy records exhibit key differences in the timing, magnitude and duration of millennial-scale climate change events through the deglacial period. Using this diverse set of deglacial climate trajectories as ocean and atmosphere forcings, the ice sheet model ensemble produces a wide range of ice sheet responses, supporting the view that external forcings are the main drivers of past grounding-line retreat in the region. The simulations demonstrate that atmospheric conditions early in the deglacial period can enhance or diminish ice sheet sensitivity to rising ocean temperatures, thereby controlling the initial timing and spatial pattern of grounding-line retreat. Through the Holocene, grounding-line position is more sensitive to sub-shelf melt rates as the ocean cavity below the ice shelf expands. Model parameters that control the physical properties of the bed, deformation of the continental shelf, and rheological properties of the ice strongly influence the sensitivity of ice sheets to external forcing. Basin-wide differences in these forcings, driven by oceanic and atmospheric circulation, and spatial heterogeneity of bed properties likely contribute to the asynchronous pattern of retreat in the eastern and western parts of the embayment, as indicated by marine and terrestrial proxy records.
Knowledge Diffusion and the Dynamics of Citation Accrual
Authors:   , Higham Kyle William
Published: December 2021

The diffusion of knowledge through society proceeds like an invisible ripple that moves between agents through multiple information channels. However, some types of knowledge are recorded, systematised and digitised for the benefit of everyone. Patents and academic articles are examples of such codified knowledge. These documents also contain a common element that is utilised for linking new and established knowledge: citations.  This thesis harnesses citations in patents and scientific articles as proxies for signifying the existence of knowledge flows between cited and citing documents, focusing primarily on the dynamics of citation accumulation and the mechanisms governing these dynamics. For this purpose, it is helpful to think of patents and their citations as nodes and links, respectively, in a network where new nodes join the network and distribute their citations among existing nodes. This mode of thinking leads directly to the question: How does the citation network grow? This thesis addresses that question both empirically and theoretically.  Two mechanisms that can explain much of the observed citation dynamics are preferential attachment and node ageing. The former mechanism reflects the tendency for successful nodes (by citation count) to become even more successful, while the latter captures the propensity for knowledge to become obsolete over time. The independence of these phenomena is nontrivial, but has generally been assumed. We put this assumption to the test for both patent and scientific-article citation networks and found it to be generally true if precautions are taken to account for important context surrounding the meaning of citations. Achieving a clear separation of these mechanisms is found to be very useful both mathematically and empirically, as they can now be studied independently.  Patents are particularly sophisticated documents, with various components holding specific legal meanings. Associating certain properties of these components with popularity in the form of citation accrual creates a rare opportunity to build a framework that can identify ex-ante node fitnesses and examine their effect on the growth of a citation network. We find that a significant portion of the preferential-attachment process observed in the patent-citation network can be attributed to basic properties of patents determined by their time of grant. Besides suggesting novel approaches towards estimating patent quality, the results of our work also provide a platform for gaining a deeper understanding of the various mechanisms that underpin the success-breeds-success dynamics ubiquitously observed in complex systems.
The negotiator's assembly line
Authors:   , Lee Victor
Published: December 2021

This thesis explores how a weaker negotiating party may be able to effectively manage information as a tool to leverage power imbalances in negotiations. Although these imbalances may never be completely resolved, the effective management of information will enable the weaker party to stack their advantages in their favour to increase their chances for a fairer outcome.  The thesis will look at the management of information through the phases of gathering, processing and conveying information. It is proposed that these phases are managed by three specific professionals, the analytical investigator, the innovative inventor and the diplomatic salesperson. These archetypes personify certain attributes that a negotiator can evoke when extracting applicable intelligence from raw information to use in negotiation discussions. The intention is for raw information to be processed as applicable intelligence through these phases in an assembly-line fashion to produce options for mutual gain for the negotiating parties.  In the process of establishing this assembly line, the thesis will also explore the interplay between competitive and collaborative negotiation strategies. With this exploration, a negotiator may be able to be integrate these strategies to negotiate on both bargaining and problem-solving platforms using the Negotiator’s Assembly Line.
Population Genetics of New Zealand Nemadactylus macropterus (tarakihi) and Characterisation of their Mitochondrial Genome
Authors:   , Halliwell Alexander
Published: December 2021

Nemadactylus macropterus, commonly known as tarakihi in New Zealand is highly regarded by commercial and recreational fishers and considered a taonga by iwi and customary fisheries. For many years N. macropterus was New Zealand’s second most important commercial catch and is currently the third most valuable inshore commercial finfish fishery in which 90% is consumed by the domestic market. However, despite the apparent importance, relatively little is known about the population structure of the N. macropterus. In 2017 the first fully quantitative stock assessment was conducted on the east coast N. macropterus fisheries as one stock. Alarmingly, the east coast fishery was estimated to be 15.9% of the unexploited spawning biomass and predicted to have been declining for the past thirty years. In an effort to rebuild the fishery, several rebuild plans have been purposed and commercial catch limits have been reduced. In order to rebuild and successfully manage a viable future N. macropterus fishery, an understanding of demographic connectivity and genetic connectivity among N. macropterus populations is essential.  The overall goal of this thesis research was to investigate the population genetic structure, genetic diversity and demographic history of N. macropterus using fish sampled from around New Zealand. This was achieved by analysing hyper variable region one of mitochondrial DNA for 370 N. macropterus collected from 14 locations. No genetic differentiation was observed among the 14 locations, an indication that N. macropterus have a panmictic genetic structure. Furthermore, N. macropterus display a relatively high level of genetic diversity and appear to have a large stable population with a long evolutionary history. The Bayesian skyline analysis indicates the N. macropterus historic population has gone through two expansions. The mostly likely cause of this is an expansion before and after the last glacial maximum.  The genetic diversity and demographic history of N. sp was also studied using samples collected from around the Three Kings Islands of New Zealand. The complete mitochondrial genome of N. macropterus was reconstructed from bulk DNA sequencing data and a set of specific mtDNA primers were developed to amplify hyper variable region one. The DNA sequencing data provided by these primers with the addition of published control region sequences was used to reconstruct the Nemadactylus phylogeny.
We Can Be Heroes: A Study of Mythistoric Genealogies in the Roman Republic
Authors:   , Thomas Steven
Published: December 2021

Mythistoric genealogies, the claims of divine or heroic ancestry made by the Roman elite during the Republic, provide an alternative lens through which to understand social constructs and political experiences of Romans. However, the relationship between mos maiorum and these mythistoric genealogies remains unexplored in modern scholarship in a detailed and focused manner. This research sets out to demonstrate that mythistoric genealogies were a natural evolution of the Romans’ ancestral veneration which is implicit in mos maiorum.  This thesis focuses on three of the most politically prolific gentes whose social influence spanned the 500 years of the Republic. First, each case study assembles and analyses the evidence (numismatics, literature, sculpture and architecture) that preserved the claims made by each gens and arranges them in such a way as to furnish a linear account of the genealogies. Second, each case study presents and analyses a member of each gens to demonstrate how he exemplifies, retains, or emulates the attributes, instructions and morality of their described genealogy. The historical person is analysed through the lenses of mythistoric genealogy, Paradigmatic Pressure, and Social Capital.  The three case studies demonstrate that the clans of Aemilius, Fabius, and Valerius used their mythistoric genealogies to anchor themselves to the majesty of Rome’s past and that mythistoric genealogy was an integral part of mos maiorum. Furthermore, the connection of mythistoric genealogy, as an evolved element of mos maiorum, is emphasised through the following factors: they serve an educational function; serve as binding instructions; display the retention of events, lives and deeds of heroes; serve as examples meant for the emulation of the past morality; and, finally, can be shaped and reconstructed to suit present situations or political agendas. The results of this research contributes directly to the ongoing discussion of mos maiorum, discusses the social concepts held by elite Romans during the Republic, demonstrates how inter-generational connections were crucial to ideals held by the nobiles, and engages with mos maiorum in-depth (in terms of myth and legend) in a way that has not been done in a ‘per gens’ manner in scholarship, filling a gap in the study of social history during the Republic.
The protection of consumers in rest homes - time for a change?
Authors:   , Martell Frederik
Published: December 2021

This dissertation examines the statutory protection of elderly consumers in rest homes and makes several proposals of how to improve their protection. The dissertation compares New Zealand’s legislation with the existing rest home related legislation in Australia and Germany to improve New Zealand’s regulations.  At first, the dissertation characterises elderly consumers as a consumer group with special vulnerabilities. According to the dissertation several reasons can be identified, which justify regulatory intervention in favour of the elderly. Secondly, the dissertation gives an overview of the relevant rest home legislation in New Zealand, Australia and Germany.  In the later chapters the dissertation examines the existing information obligations, and the statutory protection of elderly consumers during the implementation and at the time of the termination of a rest home contract. The author argues that many of the existing consumer protection measures are not specifically tailored for consumers in rest homes and, therefore, do not ensure comprehensive protection. Furthermore, the author identifies several gaps in protection and proposes to introduce targeted new protection measures to close these gaps. Subsequently, the dissertation considers the access to justice for elderly consumers. The author states that the existing system offers some advantages but is far from being perfect. He speaks in favour of establishing a new Commissioner who is responsible for the issues of elderly consumers and the enhancement of their legal position.  Lastly and on the basis of the previous outcomes, the author recommends creating a new piece of legislation specifically tailored for the protection of elderly consumers in rest homes to implement all the proposed changes. In the author’s opinion a new Act could build on the existing consumer protection measures but should also improve them to ensure the best protection possible. The author also outlines how a code of practice should be put in place, which sets out minimum requirements.
Exploring perspectives on masculinity and mental wellbeing: The case of students in higher education in New Zealand
Authors:   , Read Ellis Louise
Published: December 2021

This study sits at the intersection of research on mental wellbeing, masculinity and higher education. Men’s mental wellbeing has been a focal point for academic research in recent years, as has the mental wellbeing of higher education students. However, there is a paucity of research that explores this topic in the New Zealand context. This study explores perceptions of masculinity and mental wellbeing by male students in New Zealand tertiary institutions. It considers the ways in which masculinity may both constrain and enable mental wellbeing. The research adopts a cultural studies approach which focuses on values and practices that participants perceive to be associated with masculinity. Twelve in-depth interviews were used to gather rich insights into this topic. The findings suggest a persistence of a cultural script across young men in New Zealand. The most prominent themes identified surrounded sport and drinking, findings which support earlier works on masculinity in New Zealand. It was also found that, on the one hand, the devaluation of emotion, high levels of competition and inter-group hierarchy constrain mental wellbeing. Whilst on the other hand, mental wellbeing is facilitated through the social bonding that shared masculine practices and values provide. In closing, the thesis outlines implications for future research and practice.
The Discursive Problematization of Death, Dehumanization and Sociocultural identity: An Analysis of 'The Walking Dead'
Authors:   , Skye Victoria
Published: December 2021

The zombie is a significant cultural figure which is represented and produced as being symptomatic of and relevant to contemporary concerns about death and dehumanization. This thesis will focus on the ways that death and dehumanization are changing and being negotiated within popular cultural representations and discourses regarding zombies, particularly in Frank Darabont’s television series The Walking Dead. The thesis will consider the way in which the figure of the zombie is representative of issues and discourses that are indicative of a problematization of the category of the human, and the notion of the transcendental. This will involve an examination of the changing narratives of the body, with particular regard to consumerism and the insistence of the body as a major site of the truth and value of the self, in contrast to the horrifying bodily form of the zombie. The thesis will also examine the way that dehumanization is problematized in The Walking Dead, where the human/non-human distinction is shown to be increasingly precarious and difficult to sustain. Further, the thesis will examine how the zombie is represented as manifesting the collapse of identity, as agents become alienated from the social discourses, narratives and values which constitute and categorize the subject.
The Effect of Suspended Sediment Loads on the Growth, Oxygen Consumption and Mucus Production of Pāua (Haliotis iris)
Authors:   , Raea Taputukura
Published: December 2021

Land based-effects, including sedimentation are threatening estuarine and coastal systems globally. Ecological systems are faced with significant pressures from human activities including toxic pollution, eutrophication, habitat fragmentation and sedimentation. In recent years sediment inputs into marine systems have been greatly accelerated through land-based activities such as urban-land use, agriculture, coastal developments, large scale land clearances and farming. Effects of sedimentation on marine organisms include suffocation, reduced foraging efficiency and clogging of the gills of filter feeders.  In New Zealand, sedimentation is the most important land-based stressor on the coastal marine environment. The pāua (Haliotis iris), is an important macroalgal grazer and is one of New Zealand’s top 10 seafood exports. However, little is known about the effects suspended sediments have on H. iris. The aim of this thesis is to experimentally test the effects of suspended sediment on the growth, oxygen consumption and mucus production for H. iris, using sediment concentrations that would naturally occur within Wellington Harbour, New Zealand.  Suspended sediment had no significant effect on H. iris growth or oxygen consumption. However, exposure to suspended sediments significantly reduced mucus production in H. iris. There were also trends in the data to suggest that respiration in smaller H. iris was reduced by suspended sediments.  Limited studies have explored the effect of suspended sediments on gastropods, even though sedimentation is one of the most significant land based stressors on the marine environment, not only in New Zealand, but also worldwide. This study has led to a better understanding of the potential implications suspended sediment may incur for not only H. iris, but also Haliotis species in general.
Increasing the potency of dendritic cell based vaccines for the treatment of cancer
Authors:   , Sika-Paotonu Dianne
Published: December 2021

Tumours can be eradicated by T cells that recognise unique tumour-associated antigens. These T cells are initially stimulated by dendritic cells (DCs) that have acquired antigens from tumour tissue. Vaccination strategies that increase the frequencies of tumour-specific T cells by enhancing the activity of DCs are being evaluated in the clinic as novel cancer therapies. Our hypothesis is that existing DC-based vaccination strategies can be improved by stimulating toll-like receptor (TLR) signalling in the DCs, and also by encouraging interactions with iNKT cells, as these two activities are known to enhance DC function. It was also hypothesised that superior T cell responses could be induced by combining these two activities together. We used the TLR 4 agonist monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL) alone and in combination with other TLR agonists to achieve effective activation of bone marrow-derived DCs (BM-DCs) cultured in-vitro, which was characterised by upregulated expression of maturation markers on the cell surface, and enhanced release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Some TLR agonist combinations provided significantly enhanced activities in this regard, notably the combination of MPL with either the TLR 2 agonist Pam3Cys, or the TLR 7/8 agonist Resiquimod. Although in-vitro activated BM-DCs were unable to induce stronger antigen-specific CD8+ T cell responses after intravenous injection when compared to BMDCs without TLR stimulation, enhanced CD8+ T cell responses were achieved in-vivo with the co-administration of TLR ligands, implying that TLR stimulation needed to act on cells of the host. Further studies identified the langerin-expressing CD8ɑ+ splenic DC subset in the spleen as recipients of antigen that was transferred from injected cells, and that these recipients were participants in the cross-presentation and T cell priming activities driving the CD8+ T cell response after vaccination. Antigen-loaded BM-DCs carrying the NKT cell ligand ɑ-galactosylceramide (ɑ-GalCer) were found to consistently increase antigen-specific CD8+ T cell responses in-vivo, and also cytotoxic responses as seen in cytotoxic killing assays. Again, langerin-expressing CD8ɑ+ splenic DCs were shown to be involved in this response by acquiring antigen and ɑ-GalCer from the injected vaccine BM-DCs. Finally, it was possible to achieve even greater CD8+ T cell responses in-vivo by injecting BM-DCs carrying antigen and ɑ-GalCer, together with timely co-administration of the TLR agonist. These results suggest a reassessment of the activities of DC-based vaccines to include the important role of “courier” to DCs already resident in the host that can be exploited to improve vaccination outcomes.
Exploring Teachers’ Approaches to Science Practical Work in Lower Secondary Schools in Malaysia
Authors:   , Sani Siti Shamsiah Binti
Published: December 2021

Practical work in science is a teaching approach that aims to enable students to develop procedural and conceptual understanding and an understanding about the nature of science. Practical work is required by the Malaysian Science Curriculum at all school levels. The purpose of this research was to gain an understanding of teachers’ views and practices in conducting practical work in lower secondary schools. This research, which adopted a case study approach, was underpinned by constructivist views of learning and investigated the phenomenon of practical work in three co-educational schools in the state of Melaka. The participants were three science teachers and their classes of about 35 students each. Data were collected through teacher interviews, classroom observations, document analysis and focus group interviews with students. Findings suggest that teachers’ understanding about practical work were aligned with their purposes for conducting practical work. Practical work that teachers offered promoted low levels of inquiry and at best students were developing a view that in science we follow a set of procedures to arrive at a well-known conclusion. Teachers’ practices were constrained by limited resources, prescribed texts, the amount of content to be taught, and their science content knowledge. Student learning was constrained by the limited exposure to authentic science investigation, low teacher expectation, a focus on hands-on rather than minds-on learning, and the language of instruction. The findings have implications for teacher practice and science education policy for lower secondary schools in Malaysia.
The Interface of Copyright and Human Rights: Access to Copyright Works for the Visually Impaired
Authors:   , Ayoubi Lida
Published: December 2021

Reproduction of copyright protected material in formats that are accessible to the blind and visually impaired persons constitutes a copyright infringement unless there are specific limitations and exceptions in place. Most countries do not have copyright limitations and exceptions for the benefit of the visually impaired in their copyright laws. This has contributed to the issue of book famine, meaning the unsatisfactory access to copyright protected material for the blind and visually impaired.  This thesis examines the claims of the visually impaired for improved access to copyright protected works in the context of the interface of human rights and intellectual property rights. This research demonstrates that insufficient access to copyright protected material is discriminatory against the visually impaired and negatively affects their human rights such as the right to education, information, health, employment, culture, and science. Moreover, the thesis analyses the international and domestic copyright law’s impact on the needs of the visually impaired. In analysing the international copyright law, the thesis evaluates the Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works by Visually Impaired Persons and Persons with Print Disabilities.  Highlighting the insufficient consideration for the rights of the visually impaired in domestic and international copyright laws including the Marrakesh Treaty, the thesis proposes adoption of a human rights framework for copyright law to the extent that it affects the human rights of the visually impaired. Such framework requires copyright law to accommodate those human rights of the visually impaired that are dependent on access to copyright protected material.  The thesis offers two categories of measures for creation of a human rights framework for copyright to the extent that it affects the human rights of the visually impaired. The measures include optimisation of already available options and adoption of new mechanisms. The first category discusses minimum mandatory copyright limitations and exceptions and the possibility to harmonise them. The second category covers extra measures such as clarifying the implications of different human rights and copyrights in the context of the book famine; ensuring compatibility of human rights and copyright when adopting policy and law; and, regular monitoring of the impact of copyright law on human rights.
Alone together: Cinematic (re)presentations of masculinity, friendship, and grief
Authors:   , Thrasyvoulou Costas
Published: December 2021

This project examines the links between masculinity, friendship, and grief in a combination of creative work and critical analysis. The creative component consists of a thirteen-minute short dramatic film entitled 'Brothers' (2014). This film explores the different ways in which three young men react to the death of a close male friend. The film contains no dialogue and emphasises the importance of gestures, actions, and other forms of behaviour.  The thesis is comprised of three main sections. The first situates masculine experiences of grief and friendship in a critical context by drawing on discourses from sociology and psychology. I argue that the feelings of individual men in relation to traumatic events such as bereavement are often hidden or repressed because of the need to present a stoic exterior, even during grieving rituals such as funerals. This kind of behaviour preserves the invulnerability often associated with dominant or idealised versions of masculinity. However, this tendency arguably inhibits male emotional intimacy and friendship, particularly during times of crisis.  The second part of the thesis considers how these interrelated issues are represented cinematically through a close reading of the John Cassavetes film 'Husbands' (1970). 'Husbands' is concerned with the dissolute behaviour of three male friends in the aftermath of the death of a friend. Although the men are garrulous, they struggle to articulate their feelings. I employ research on performance in cinema, as well as criticism of Cassavetes’ work to interpret the slips in their masculine bravado.  The final section engages in an exegesis of 'Brothers'. I reflect on the influence of Husbands on my project. I also discuss the ways in which 'Brothers' can be understood in terms of the critical frameworks established in the previous chapters.  A Note About 'Brothers': The creative component of this project, the film 'Brothers', is included alongside this thesis on a DVD. The film can also be accessed online at https://vimeo.com/99519967 using the password 'masterscut'. A copy of the final shooting script is also included in the thesis as an appendix.
Understanding the urban livelihoods and wellbeing of migrant women working in garment factories in Vientiane, Laos
Authors:   , Homesana Chanmala
Published: December 2021

Rural-urban migrants are the major contributions to the labour force that drives the manufacturing sector in Laos. Migrants, particularly young women, contribute abundant cheap labour to garment industries. Despite their hard work and contribution, the living and working conditions for migrants are often overlooked. This thesis explores the migration, livelihoods and wellbeing of migrant women working in the garment factories in Vientiane, the capital city of Laos.  This thesis focuses particularly on how working in the factories and living in the city affects the wellbeing of women. The field research was conducted in three garment factories in Vientiane where most garment factories are located. The data was obtained mainly from ten individual interviews and four focus group sessions with women workers. Additionally, ten officials from public and private sector were interviewed to bring additional perspectives into this research.  The theoretical framework of the study derives from the sustainable livelihood framework to explore the main aspects of women’s livelihoods. Also, Marxist, radical and post-structural feminist theories are incorporated into the framework to analyse the issues facing migrant women. This research pays attention to how women are oppressed as a subordinated class and gender, as well as to how women individually and collectively use their agency to improve their conditions.  This thesis claims that working in the factory and living in the city have both positive and negative consequences for women workers. It has increased the human, social and financial capital of women workers. However, women were oppressed in many forms by their capitalist employers as well as by men inside and outside the factory. However, although women workers experience exploitation and oppression, they are able to construct their new identities and develop strategies to cope in their everyday lives.