title: Urban narrative: Value based urban design

authors: Mackness, Catherine

subjects: values

abstract: Presented at 2019 Australasia Conference, Regional Studies Association - A Leading and Impactful Community. Urban And Regional Wellbeing, First Nations Economies And Global Value Chains For Regional ‎Sustainability, in University of Canterbury, Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand

text: Urban narrative: Value based urban design Presented at 2019 Australasia Conference, Regional Studies Association - A Leading and Impactful Community. Urban And Regional Wellbeing, First Nations Economies And Global Value Chains For Regional ‎Sustainability, in University of Canterbury, Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand

year: 2019

title: Whāingaroa/Raglan and positive youth development - Community-driven youth support in Whāingaroa: A case study of the Whāingaroa Youth Work Collective

authors: Semeraro, Gianluca

abstract: This research explores the development and impact of community-driven youth support in Whāingaroa, a rural community in Aotearoa/New Zealand, through an in-depth examination of a local youth work collective. By employing a qualitative, participatory research methodology, the study investigates the complex dynamics of youth empowerment, community engagement, and cultural responsiveness within a unique local context.

The study traces the evolution of the Whāingaroa Youth Work Collective (WYWC) from its inception to its status as a structured community organization. Data collection spanned two years, encompassing six WYWC collective meetings and three focus groups with key collective members. Through ethnographic observations and collaborative research methods, the study illuminates the processes of youth development and community support emerging from grassroots, volunteer-driven initiatives. Thematic analysis was employed to analyse the data, which was categorized into two primary themes: (1) the collective's purpose and operational methodology, and (2) necessary future steps to address gaps in local youth support. These themes were analysed in relation to two research questions:

•	How can Whāingaroa/Raglan services support youth at a community-based level?
•	What initiatives could be implemented to foster positive youth development in the future?

The findings are presented in two main sections. The first examines the collective's strategy, operational framework and current initiatives demonstrating the effectiveness of locally-based youth support. The second explores the collective's aspirations for future initiatives, specifically focusing on two key proposals: establishing a full-time youth connector position and developing a community youth hub.

 Key findings demonstrate the transformative potential of volunteer-driven, culturally responsive youth support strategies. The research highlights the importance of contextual understanding, community ownership, and holistic approaches to youth development. Particularly significant is the model's ability to navigate the bicultural landscape of Aotearoa, providing a nuanced approach that respects both indigenous and contemporary cultural frameworks.

Theoretically grounded in Positive Youth Development (PYD) frameworks and indigenous cultural perspectives, the research bridges Western psychological approaches with local cultural understanding. The study reveals how a community-centric model of youth support can effectively address the complex needs of rural youth, emphasizing cultural identity, collective empowerment, and local knowledge.

The study contributes to broader discussions on youth support, community development, and cultural resilience. It challenges traditional, standardized intervention models by showcasing the effectiveness of locally embedded, flexible support strategies. The research provides valuable insights for community organizations, policymakers, educational institutions, and social service providers seeking innovative approaches to youth engagement.
Further, the findings offer a replicable framework for understanding and supporting youth development in rural contexts, with broader implications for community support strategies that prioritize local knowledge, cultural responsiveness, and collective empowerment.

Ultimately, the research presents a compelling argument for understanding youth development as a collaborative, contextually embedded process. It demonstrates that meaningful community support emerges from within, driven by local aspirations, cultural understanding, and collective investment in young people's potential.

text: Whāingaroa/Raglan and positive youth development - Community-driven youth support in Whāingaroa: A case study of the Whāingaroa Youth Work Collective This research explores the development and impact of community-driven youth support in Whāingaroa, a rural community in Aotearoa/New Zealand, through an in-depth examination of a local youth work collective. By employing a qualitative, participatory research methodology, the study investigates the complex dynamics of youth empowerment, community engagement, and cultural responsiveness within a unique local context.

The study traces the evolution of the Whāingaroa Youth Work Collective (WYWC) from its inception to its status as a structured community organization. Data collection spanned two years, encompassing six WYWC collective meetings and three focus groups with key collective members. Through ethnographic observations and collaborative research methods, the study illuminates the processes of youth development and community support emerging from grassroots, volunteer-driven initiatives. Thematic analysis was employed to analyse the data, which was categorized into two primary themes: (1) the collective's purpose and operational methodology, and (2) necessary future steps to address gaps in local youth support. These themes were analysed in relation to two research questions:

•	How can Whāingaroa/Raglan services support youth at a community-based level?
•	What initiatives could be implemented to foster positive youth development in the future?

The findings are presented in two main sections. The first examines the collective's strategy, operational framework and current initiatives demonstrating the effectiveness of locally-based youth support. The second explores the collective's aspirations for future initiatives, specifically focusing on two key proposals: establishing a full-time youth connector position and developing a community youth hub.

 Key findings demonstrate the transformative potential of volunteer-driven, culturally responsive youth support strategies. The research highlights the importance of contextual understanding, community ownership, and holistic approaches to youth development. Particularly significant is the model's ability to navigate the bicultural landscape of Aotearoa, providing a nuanced approach that respects both indigenous and contemporary cultural frameworks.

Theoretically grounded in Positive Youth Development (PYD) frameworks and indigenous cultural perspectives, the research bridges Western psychological approaches with local cultural understanding. The study reveals how a community-centric model of youth support can effectively address the complex needs of rural youth, emphasizing cultural identity, collective empowerment, and local knowledge.

The study contributes to broader discussions on youth support, community development, and cultural resilience. It challenges traditional, standardized intervention models by showcasing the effectiveness of locally embedded, flexible support strategies. The research provides valuable insights for community organizations, policymakers, educational institutions, and social service providers seeking innovative approaches to youth engagement.
Further, the findings offer a replicable framework for understanding and supporting youth development in rural contexts, with broader implications for community support strategies that prioritize local knowledge, cultural responsiveness, and collective empowerment.

Ultimately, the research presents a compelling argument for understanding youth development as a collaborative, contextually embedded process. It demonstrates that meaningful community support emerges from within, driven by local aspirations, cultural understanding, and collective investment in young people's potential.

year: 2025

title: Engineering and evaluation of hemp fibre reinforced polypropylene composites: Fibre treatment and matrix modification

authors: Beckermann, Gareth

subjects: B. Interface/interphase

abstract: Hemp fibres were alkali treated to improve their suitability for use as reinforcements in composite materials. Improvements in tensile strength, Young’s modulus, fibre separation, crystallinity index, lignin reduction and thermal stability were observed for hemp fibres treated with a solution of 5 wt% NaOH/2 wt% Na₂SO₃. A range of hemp fibre reinforced polypropylene composites were produced by extrusion and injection moulding, and the effect of fibre treatments and MAPP content on the tensile strength and Young’s modulus of composites were investigated. The optimum composite, consisting of polypropylene, 40 wt% NaOH/Na₂SO₃ treated hemp fibre and 4 wt% MAPP, was found to have a tensile strength of 50.5 MPa and a Young’s modulus of 5.31 GPa.

text: Engineering and evaluation of hemp fibre reinforced polypropylene composites: Fibre treatment and matrix modification Hemp fibres were alkali treated to improve their suitability for use as reinforcements in composite materials. Improvements in tensile strength, Young’s modulus, fibre separation, crystallinity index, lignin reduction and thermal stability were observed for hemp fibres treated with a solution of 5 wt% NaOH/2 wt% Na₂SO₃. A range of hemp fibre reinforced polypropylene composites were produced by extrusion and injection moulding, and the effect of fibre treatments and MAPP content on the tensile strength and Young’s modulus of composites were investigated. The optimum composite, consisting of polypropylene, 40 wt% NaOH/Na₂SO₃ treated hemp fibre and 4 wt% MAPP, was found to have a tensile strength of 50.5 MPa and a Young’s modulus of 5.31 GPa.

year: 2008