title: Pest or pastime? Coarse fish in Aotearoa/New Zealand

authors: Carter, Kathryn Sarah

subjects: freshwater

abstract: Freshwater ecosystems are extremely important, both socially and ecologically, in Aotearoa/New Zealand. However, through detrimental practices of land-use change and the introduction of non-indigenous aquatic species, the health of freshwater areas is increasingly under threat. Coarse fish are one group of non indigenous fish that are largely perceived to have a negative effect on freshwater biodiversity and water quality. Despite this, there are people in New Zealand that value coarse fish highly, and consider their lives to be enriched through the practice of coarse angling. 

This thesis examines the diversity of perceptions and values ascribed to coarse fish by a variety of different environmental managers and resource users to understand how these multiple meanings influence approaches to freshwater biodiversity management in Aotearoa/New Zealand. As coarse anglers are often considered responsible for deliberate translocation of coarse fish, a space for communication and compromise between these stakeholder groups is also identified. Additionally, appropriate and effective educational methods to raise awareness of freshwater ecosystem restoration and non-indigenous invasive fish are discussed.

Social factors are often the primary determinants of whether conservation efforts succeed or fail. Grounded in the theoretical perspectives of social construction, environmental perception, political ecology, and critical environmental adult education, this thesis provides an important contribution to the practice of interdisciplinary research by demonstrating the ways in which social science complements scientific approaches to environmental management. Utilising semi structured interviews with multiple stakeholder groups and an internet survey targeted at coarse anglers this research found that, while a multitude of perceptions of coarse fish exist, there is also willingness on both sides to engage in communication and develop effective practices to aid in managing the freshwater environment. A number of suggestions for improving legislation that addresses invasive freshwater fish, and several ideas regarding education and compliance, also emerged.

text: Pest or pastime? Coarse fish in Aotearoa/New Zealand Freshwater ecosystems are extremely important, both socially and ecologically, in Aotearoa/New Zealand. However, through detrimental practices of land-use change and the introduction of non-indigenous aquatic species, the health of freshwater areas is increasingly under threat. Coarse fish are one group of non indigenous fish that are largely perceived to have a negative effect on freshwater biodiversity and water quality. Despite this, there are people in New Zealand that value coarse fish highly, and consider their lives to be enriched through the practice of coarse angling. 

This thesis examines the diversity of perceptions and values ascribed to coarse fish by a variety of different environmental managers and resource users to understand how these multiple meanings influence approaches to freshwater biodiversity management in Aotearoa/New Zealand. As coarse anglers are often considered responsible for deliberate translocation of coarse fish, a space for communication and compromise between these stakeholder groups is also identified. Additionally, appropriate and effective educational methods to raise awareness of freshwater ecosystem restoration and non-indigenous invasive fish are discussed.

Social factors are often the primary determinants of whether conservation efforts succeed or fail. Grounded in the theoretical perspectives of social construction, environmental perception, political ecology, and critical environmental adult education, this thesis provides an important contribution to the practice of interdisciplinary research by demonstrating the ways in which social science complements scientific approaches to environmental management. Utilising semi structured interviews with multiple stakeholder groups and an internet survey targeted at coarse anglers this research found that, while a multitude of perceptions of coarse fish exist, there is also willingness on both sides to engage in communication and develop effective practices to aid in managing the freshwater environment. A number of suggestions for improving legislation that addresses invasive freshwater fish, and several ideas regarding education and compliance, also emerged.

year: 2009

title: Extraction and characterization of collagen from bovine hides for preparation of biodegradable films

authors: Noorzai, Safiya

subjects: collagen

abstract: Industrial processing of bovine hides into leather results in a large number of unusable hide off-cuttings, shavings and trimmings.  This waste raw material is under-utilised and presents a waste valorisation opportunity to derive a high-value product such as collagen.  Collagen is a highly sought after protein which consists of three polypeptide chains, comprising 30% of the mammalian body’s protein, being the main component of skin, connective tissue and cartilage.  The purpose of this study was to extract and characterize collagen from bovine hide off-cuttings in order to establish the potential of using these waste raw materials as sources of collagen.  Secondly, to prepare and characterize biopolymer films from the extracted collagen.   
Methods of acid-solubilisation (AS), acid-enzyme solubilisation (AES1) and a modified method of acid-enzyme solubilisation (AES2) were applied to extract collagen from bovine hide off-cuttings of bull, calf, cow, ox-hide and bovine face-pieces.  The hide sources differed with respect to the animal’s age, sex, diet and environment and influenced collagen yield, and therefore the economic benefit of extraction.  The highest dry collagen content was obtained from cowhides using the AES2 method (75.13%), followed closely by bull hides at 74.45%.  On the other hand, the lowest collagen content was also from cowhides (3.80%) but with the AS extraction method.  The AS method proved to be inefficient for collagen extraction from bull, cow, face-piece and ox-hide sources.  The analysis concluded that all the samples were of Type I collagen with α, β, and γ components.  
Waste bovine hide off-cuttings proved to be a potential source of high-value product collagen.  AES2 proved to be the most preferable method of extraction out of the three methods applied and considering leather to collagen revenue, these waste bovine hide off-cuttings could potentially result in substantial revenue.  
Further work was carried out on BH and CH1 collagen to be investigated as potential raw materials for film preparation.  Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed collagen sheets with a combination of threads and collagen strands, that were bundled together to form a fibril network and hence, a dense sheet-like structure was observed for both BH and CH1 collagen.  Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier transform spectroscopy (FTIR) indicated some age-related changes between calf hide collagen and bull hide collagen.  DSC analysis resulted in thermal denaturation temperature of BH and CH1 collagen to be 51.90 ℃ and 45.36 ℃, respectively.  FTIR spectra indicated BH collagen to possess a higher molecular order than CH1 collagen as indicated by a shift in the wavenumber of characteristic bands of amide A, amide I, amide II and amide III.  Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed uniform, defined and highly ordered collagen fibrils for BH collagen.  
BH and CH1 collagen-based films with varying glycerol concentration were successfully prepared.  Films were characterized for their physical properties, secondary structure, thermal and mechanical properties. The films appeared to be uniform in thickness, transparent and showed good flexibility.  Surface properties and thickness of both collagen sources were very similar. Film solubility (%) decreased with decreasing content of glycerol, which is a feature of glycerol.  DSC and DTA curves of films indicated higher thermal stability for BH collagen-based films in comparison to CH1 collagen-based films.  The FTIR spectra of films helped to understand the structural changes and interactions occurring with the collagen sources and glycerol.  Films prepared with 40% glycerol were found to be optimum in terms of resulting in the most preferable film properties, especially resulting in superior mechanical properties for both BH and CH1 collagen sources.  .  Both BH and CH1 collagen-based films resulted in similar film properties.  This is a positive finding as CH1 collagen is extractable without the use of enzymes, hence presenting a cheaper alternative.  
Collagen-reinforced gelatine-based films were prepared in order to decrease the amount of collagen used with film preparation.  The concentration of collagen reinforced had an influence on film moisture content, solubility (%), mechanical properties, thermal stability and the morphology of the gelatine-based films.  Reinforcement of gelatine-based films with collagen improved both physical, thermal and mechanical properties of films.  Increased addition of collagen resulted in a reduction of film moisture content, lower water solubility, high glass transition temperature (Tg) values and an increase in tensile strength of films.  Tg values of pure gelatine films (0C-100G) to reinforced films at 30% collagen increased from 46.80 ℃ to 52.76 ℃, respectively.  The only downfall of adding increased amounts of collagen as a reinforcement was the reduction in elongation (%).  
In general, the results showed that bovine waste hide off-cuttings have potential as sources of high-quality collagen.  The modified acid-enzyme solubilisation proved to be an efficient method of extraction.  Films were successfully prepared from extracted collagen and proved to have favourable properties.  Further, collagen-reinforced gelatine-based films showed to have excellent film-forming properties and exhibited good thermal stability and mechanical strength.  Blend films containing 30 wt % collagen displayed the best mechanical and physical properties.  The blend film properties investigated by scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and film surface properties showed a clear interaction between extracted collagen and gelatine - forming a new material with enhanced mechanical properties.

text: Extraction and characterization of collagen from bovine hides for preparation of biodegradable films Industrial processing of bovine hides into leather results in a large number of unusable hide off-cuttings, shavings and trimmings.  This waste raw material is under-utilised and presents a waste valorisation opportunity to derive a high-value product such as collagen.  Collagen is a highly sought after protein which consists of three polypeptide chains, comprising 30% of the mammalian body’s protein, being the main component of skin, connective tissue and cartilage.  The purpose of this study was to extract and characterize collagen from bovine hide off-cuttings in order to establish the potential of using these waste raw materials as sources of collagen.  Secondly, to prepare and characterize biopolymer films from the extracted collagen.   
Methods of acid-solubilisation (AS), acid-enzyme solubilisation (AES1) and a modified method of acid-enzyme solubilisation (AES2) were applied to extract collagen from bovine hide off-cuttings of bull, calf, cow, ox-hide and bovine face-pieces.  The hide sources differed with respect to the animal’s age, sex, diet and environment and influenced collagen yield, and therefore the economic benefit of extraction.  The highest dry collagen content was obtained from cowhides using the AES2 method (75.13%), followed closely by bull hides at 74.45%.  On the other hand, the lowest collagen content was also from cowhides (3.80%) but with the AS extraction method.  The AS method proved to be inefficient for collagen extraction from bull, cow, face-piece and ox-hide sources.  The analysis concluded that all the samples were of Type I collagen with α, β, and γ components.  
Waste bovine hide off-cuttings proved to be a potential source of high-value product collagen.  AES2 proved to be the most preferable method of extraction out of the three methods applied and considering leather to collagen revenue, these waste bovine hide off-cuttings could potentially result in substantial revenue.  
Further work was carried out on BH and CH1 collagen to be investigated as potential raw materials for film preparation.  Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed collagen sheets with a combination of threads and collagen strands, that were bundled together to form a fibril network and hence, a dense sheet-like structure was observed for both BH and CH1 collagen.  Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier transform spectroscopy (FTIR) indicated some age-related changes between calf hide collagen and bull hide collagen.  DSC analysis resulted in thermal denaturation temperature of BH and CH1 collagen to be 51.90 ℃ and 45.36 ℃, respectively.  FTIR spectra indicated BH collagen to possess a higher molecular order than CH1 collagen as indicated by a shift in the wavenumber of characteristic bands of amide A, amide I, amide II and amide III.  Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed uniform, defined and highly ordered collagen fibrils for BH collagen.  
BH and CH1 collagen-based films with varying glycerol concentration were successfully prepared.  Films were characterized for their physical properties, secondary structure, thermal and mechanical properties. The films appeared to be uniform in thickness, transparent and showed good flexibility.  Surface properties and thickness of both collagen sources were very similar. Film solubility (%) decreased with decreasing content of glycerol, which is a feature of glycerol.  DSC and DTA curves of films indicated higher thermal stability for BH collagen-based films in comparison to CH1 collagen-based films.  The FTIR spectra of films helped to understand the structural changes and interactions occurring with the collagen sources and glycerol.  Films prepared with 40% glycerol were found to be optimum in terms of resulting in the most preferable film properties, especially resulting in superior mechanical properties for both BH and CH1 collagen sources.  .  Both BH and CH1 collagen-based films resulted in similar film properties.  This is a positive finding as CH1 collagen is extractable without the use of enzymes, hence presenting a cheaper alternative.  
Collagen-reinforced gelatine-based films were prepared in order to decrease the amount of collagen used with film preparation.  The concentration of collagen reinforced had an influence on film moisture content, solubility (%), mechanical properties, thermal stability and the morphology of the gelatine-based films.  Reinforcement of gelatine-based films with collagen improved both physical, thermal and mechanical properties of films.  Increased addition of collagen resulted in a reduction of film moisture content, lower water solubility, high glass transition temperature (Tg) values and an increase in tensile strength of films.  Tg values of pure gelatine films (0C-100G) to reinforced films at 30% collagen increased from 46.80 ℃ to 52.76 ℃, respectively.  The only downfall of adding increased amounts of collagen as a reinforcement was the reduction in elongation (%).  
In general, the results showed that bovine waste hide off-cuttings have potential as sources of high-quality collagen.  The modified acid-enzyme solubilisation proved to be an efficient method of extraction.  Films were successfully prepared from extracted collagen and proved to have favourable properties.  Further, collagen-reinforced gelatine-based films showed to have excellent film-forming properties and exhibited good thermal stability and mechanical strength.  Blend films containing 30 wt % collagen displayed the best mechanical and physical properties.  The blend film properties investigated by scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and film surface properties showed a clear interaction between extracted collagen and gelatine - forming a new material with enhanced mechanical properties.

year: 2020

title: Te pā harakeke: Educational success and kōhanga reo

authors: McMillan, Hoana

subjects: kōhanga reo

abstract: Exploring the meaning of educational success in an indigenous context is a challenging task.  Success has come to be promoted as narrow forms of academic success.  However, “academic success” does not adequately take into account the knowledge, values, and beliefs of Indigenous peoples that stem from their unique ways of living and being in the world.  Indigenous language immersion settings, such as kōhanga reo (Māori immersion “language nests” for children from birth to six years old in Aotearoa New Zealand), have emerged in response to the desires of Indigenous peoples to retain their knowledge, language, and culture. 

This study contributes to the debate about the nature of educational success by examining multi-generational whānau (family) views of educational success in kōhanga reo. It also explores the contributions of kōhanga reo to the educational success of whānau. The study explored the lived experiences and views of educational success across five whānau spanning three generations: kaumātua (the grandparent generation who helped to set up kōhanga reo), mātua (the parent generation and first graduates of kōhanga reo), and mokopuna (children of the mātua and grandchildren of the kaumātua generations). Data for the kaumātua and mātua generations was collected through the Māori cultural practice of wānanga, and the Mosaic approach was used with mokopuna to provide a number of tools for them to express their views of educational success. The data gathered was then represented as multi-generational pūrākau (a Māori form of storying) to ensure the narratives relating to educational success remained intact and culturally valid.

The findings of this research show the meaning of educational success for the three generations in kōhanga reo was associated with Mana Reo (the power of language), Mana Tangata (the power of people), and Mana Whenua (the power of the land). In addition, kōhanga reo has championed the educational success of the multi-generational whānau by providing strong support for the Māori language, whānau transformations, and wellbeing. The influence of kōhanga reo has led to many outcomes showcasing the educational success of mokopuna and whānau who are learning, using, sharing, and protecting te reo Māori. All three generations value whanaungatanga and manaakitanga, and actively look for opportunities that lead to positive outcomes in their homes, schools, and wider communities.

There are many implications for whānau, kōhanga reo, Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust, the education sector, and policy makers. Foremost is reaffirming the message that identity, language, and culture matters in discussions relating to educational success. With each generation, whānau are unlocking new dimensions of, and pathways to, educational success linked to Mana Reo, Mana Tangata, and Mana Whenua. The kōhanga reo model, as a unique indigenous model, plays an important role in unlocking pathways to educational success now and in the future through its unwavering commitment to the cultural socialisation of whānau.

text: Te pā harakeke: Educational success and kōhanga reo Exploring the meaning of educational success in an indigenous context is a challenging task.  Success has come to be promoted as narrow forms of academic success.  However, “academic success” does not adequately take into account the knowledge, values, and beliefs of Indigenous peoples that stem from their unique ways of living and being in the world.  Indigenous language immersion settings, such as kōhanga reo (Māori immersion “language nests” for children from birth to six years old in Aotearoa New Zealand), have emerged in response to the desires of Indigenous peoples to retain their knowledge, language, and culture. 

This study contributes to the debate about the nature of educational success by examining multi-generational whānau (family) views of educational success in kōhanga reo. It also explores the contributions of kōhanga reo to the educational success of whānau. The study explored the lived experiences and views of educational success across five whānau spanning three generations: kaumātua (the grandparent generation who helped to set up kōhanga reo), mātua (the parent generation and first graduates of kōhanga reo), and mokopuna (children of the mātua and grandchildren of the kaumātua generations). Data for the kaumātua and mātua generations was collected through the Māori cultural practice of wānanga, and the Mosaic approach was used with mokopuna to provide a number of tools for them to express their views of educational success. The data gathered was then represented as multi-generational pūrākau (a Māori form of storying) to ensure the narratives relating to educational success remained intact and culturally valid.

The findings of this research show the meaning of educational success for the three generations in kōhanga reo was associated with Mana Reo (the power of language), Mana Tangata (the power of people), and Mana Whenua (the power of the land). In addition, kōhanga reo has championed the educational success of the multi-generational whānau by providing strong support for the Māori language, whānau transformations, and wellbeing. The influence of kōhanga reo has led to many outcomes showcasing the educational success of mokopuna and whānau who are learning, using, sharing, and protecting te reo Māori. All three generations value whanaungatanga and manaakitanga, and actively look for opportunities that lead to positive outcomes in their homes, schools, and wider communities.

There are many implications for whānau, kōhanga reo, Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust, the education sector, and policy makers. Foremost is reaffirming the message that identity, language, and culture matters in discussions relating to educational success. With each generation, whānau are unlocking new dimensions of, and pathways to, educational success linked to Mana Reo, Mana Tangata, and Mana Whenua. The kōhanga reo model, as a unique indigenous model, plays an important role in unlocking pathways to educational success now and in the future through its unwavering commitment to the cultural socialisation of whānau.

year: 2024