title: Advocating for the environment, charity law and greenpeace: A New Zealand perspective

authors: Chevalier-Watts, Juliet

subjects: environmental law

abstract: In terms of environmental protection (and with reference to the filming location of the Lords of the Rings), New Zealand has been described as ‘a friend to Middle Earth, but no friend of the Earth’, which is in stark contrast to its international image that it seeks to foster of being ‘100% pure New Zealand’. This article considers the tension between New Zealand’s approach to environmental advocacy from a charity law perspective, and in particular, the way in which charitable advocacy for the environment has been impacted by the limitations imposed on environmental charities through the charity law doctrine of political purposes. In carrying out this analysis, the article tracks the legal evolution of this doctrine and considers whether recent legal changes have resulted in charity law enabling New Zealand to become ‘a friend to Middle Earth, and a friend of the Earth’ through the apparent broadening of the actions that can be taken by environmental charity advocates.

text: Advocating for the environment, charity law and greenpeace: A New Zealand perspective In terms of environmental protection (and with reference to the filming location of the Lords of the Rings), New Zealand has been described as ‘a friend to Middle Earth, but no friend of the Earth’, which is in stark contrast to its international image that it seeks to foster of being ‘100% pure New Zealand’. This article considers the tension between New Zealand’s approach to environmental advocacy from a charity law perspective, and in particular, the way in which charitable advocacy for the environment has been impacted by the limitations imposed on environmental charities through the charity law doctrine of political purposes. In carrying out this analysis, the article tracks the legal evolution of this doctrine and considers whether recent legal changes have resulted in charity law enabling New Zealand to become ‘a friend to Middle Earth, and a friend of the Earth’ through the apparent broadening of the actions that can be taken by environmental charity advocates.

year: 2022

title: Tetrodotoxin Concentrations in Pleurobranchaea maculata: Temporal, Spatial and Individual Variability from New Zealand Populations

authors: Wood, Susanna A.

subjects: tetrodotoxin

abstract: Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a potent neurotoxin that has been identified in a range of phylogenetically unrelated marine and terrestrial organisms. Tetrodotoxin was recently detected in New Zealand in Pleurobranchaea maculata (the grey side-gilled sea slug). From June 2010 to June 2011 wild specimens were collected from 10 locations around New Zealand. At one site (Narrow Neck Beach, Auckland) up to 10 individuals were collected monthly for 6 months. Attempts were also made to rear P. maculata in captivity. Tetrodotoxin was detected in samples from eight of the ten sites. The highest average (368.7 mg kg⁻¹) and maximum (1414.0 mg kg⁻¹) concentrations were measured in samples from Illiomama Rock (Auckland). Of the toxic populations tested there was significant variability in TTX concentrations among individuals, with the highest difference (62 fold) measured at Illiomama Rock. Tetrodotoxin concentrations in samples from Narrow Neck Beach varied temporally, ranging from an average of 184 mg kg⁻¹ in June 2010 to 17.5 mg kg⁻¹ by December 2010. There was no correlation between TTX levels and mass. The highest levels correspond with the egg laying season (June–August) and this, in concert with the detection of high levels of TTX in eggs and early larval stages, suggests that TTX may have a defensive function in P. maculata. Only one larva was successfully reared to full maturation and no TTX was detected.

text: Tetrodotoxin Concentrations in Pleurobranchaea maculata: Temporal, Spatial and Individual Variability from New Zealand Populations Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a potent neurotoxin that has been identified in a range of phylogenetically unrelated marine and terrestrial organisms. Tetrodotoxin was recently detected in New Zealand in Pleurobranchaea maculata (the grey side-gilled sea slug). From June 2010 to June 2011 wild specimens were collected from 10 locations around New Zealand. At one site (Narrow Neck Beach, Auckland) up to 10 individuals were collected monthly for 6 months. Attempts were also made to rear P. maculata in captivity. Tetrodotoxin was detected in samples from eight of the ten sites. The highest average (368.7 mg kg⁻¹) and maximum (1414.0 mg kg⁻¹) concentrations were measured in samples from Illiomama Rock (Auckland). Of the toxic populations tested there was significant variability in TTX concentrations among individuals, with the highest difference (62 fold) measured at Illiomama Rock. Tetrodotoxin concentrations in samples from Narrow Neck Beach varied temporally, ranging from an average of 184 mg kg⁻¹ in June 2010 to 17.5 mg kg⁻¹ by December 2010. There was no correlation between TTX levels and mass. The highest levels correspond with the egg laying season (June–August) and this, in concert with the detection of high levels of TTX in eggs and early larval stages, suggests that TTX may have a defensive function in P. maculata. Only one larva was successfully reared to full maturation and no TTX was detected.

year: 2012

title: Empowering Pacific and Māori students via Zoom

authors: Brown, Georgia

abstract: When discussing online teaching, a common refrain is that online teaching doesn’t suit Pacific and Māori students: they learn kanohi ki te kanohi. We present some experiences from students who attended a Zoom tutorial for Pacific students in 2023. These experiences show that a quality online learning experience is possible, and that Pacific and Māori students value and appreciate online options.

text: Empowering Pacific and Māori students via Zoom When discussing online teaching, a common refrain is that online teaching doesn’t suit Pacific and Māori students: they learn kanohi ki te kanohi. We present some experiences from students who attended a Zoom tutorial for Pacific students in 2023. These experiences show that a quality online learning experience is possible, and that Pacific and Māori students value and appreciate online options.

year: 2023