title: Constructions of childhood in early childhood education policy debate in New Zealand

authors: Mitchell, Linda

subjects: early childhood education

abstract: What assumptions about children and childhood are held by government officials and organisation representatives who are influential in policy formation in early childhood education (ECE) in New Zealand? How are assumptions manifested in policy? This article draws on a study carried out from 2001 to 2003, a time of radical ECE policy change in New Zealand. It uses principles derived from social constructionist theory and values expressed in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child to analyse constructions of childhood in ECE policy debate during this time. Three dominant constructions about childhood were identified: a construction of the 'child as dependant within the family'; the 'child as learner within a community of learners'; and the 'child as citizen within a social community'. These constructions were associated with views about the purposes and outcomes of ECE; the roles of children, teachers, families, and government; and favoured policy approaches. It is argued that a construction of child as citizen within a social community is a new paradigm that places children's rights and agency to the forefront, and acknowledges the interdependence of care and education. As a basis for policy, it could cater better for societal change and support ECE services as participatory forums building social networks, support and cohesion.

text: Constructions of childhood in early childhood education policy debate in New Zealand What assumptions about children and childhood are held by government officials and organisation representatives who are influential in policy formation in early childhood education (ECE) in New Zealand? How are assumptions manifested in policy? This article draws on a study carried out from 2001 to 2003, a time of radical ECE policy change in New Zealand. It uses principles derived from social constructionist theory and values expressed in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child to analyse constructions of childhood in ECE policy debate during this time. Three dominant constructions about childhood were identified: a construction of the 'child as dependant within the family'; the 'child as learner within a community of learners'; and the 'child as citizen within a social community'. These constructions were associated with views about the purposes and outcomes of ECE; the roles of children, teachers, families, and government; and favoured policy approaches. It is argued that a construction of child as citizen within a social community is a new paradigm that places children's rights and agency to the forefront, and acknowledges the interdependence of care and education. As a basis for policy, it could cater better for societal change and support ECE services as participatory forums building social networks, support and cohesion.

year: 2010

title: Summer variability, winter dormancy: lichen activity over 3 years at Botany Bay, 77°S latitude, continental Antarctica

authors: Schroeter, Burkhard

subjects: snall fall

abstract: Lichens make up a major component of Antarctic vegetation; they are also poikilohydric and are metabolically active only when hydrated. Logistic constraints have meant that we have little idea of the length, timing or environmental conditions of activity periods of lichens. We present the results of a three-year monitoring of the activity of the lichen Umbilicaria aprina at Botany Bay (77° S latitude) in the Ross Sea region, continental Antarctica. Chlorophyll fluorescence parameters that allowed hydrated metabolic activity to be detected were recorded with a special fluorometer at 2- or 3-h intervals. Air and thallus temperatures and incident PPFD (photosynthetic photon flux density, lmol photon m-2 s-1) were also recorded at hourly intervals. Activity was extremely variable between months and years and, overall, lichen was active for 7% of the 28-month period. Spring snow cover often delayed the onset of activity. Whereas the period immediately after snow melt was often very productive, the later months, January to March, often showed low or no activity. Mean thallus temperature when active was just above zero degrees and much higher than the annual mean air temperature of -15 to -19° C. Because major snow melts occurred when incident radiation was high, the lichen was also subjected to very high PPFD when active, often more than 2,500 lmol photon m⁻² s⁻¹. The major environmental stress appeared to be high light rather than low temperatures, and the variability of early season snow fall means that prediction of activity will be very difficult.

text: Summer variability, winter dormancy: lichen activity over 3 years at Botany Bay, 77°S latitude, continental Antarctica Lichens make up a major component of Antarctic vegetation; they are also poikilohydric and are metabolically active only when hydrated. Logistic constraints have meant that we have little idea of the length, timing or environmental conditions of activity periods of lichens. We present the results of a three-year monitoring of the activity of the lichen Umbilicaria aprina at Botany Bay (77° S latitude) in the Ross Sea region, continental Antarctica. Chlorophyll fluorescence parameters that allowed hydrated metabolic activity to be detected were recorded with a special fluorometer at 2- or 3-h intervals. Air and thallus temperatures and incident PPFD (photosynthetic photon flux density, lmol photon m-2 s-1) were also recorded at hourly intervals. Activity was extremely variable between months and years and, overall, lichen was active for 7% of the 28-month period. Spring snow cover often delayed the onset of activity. Whereas the period immediately after snow melt was often very productive, the later months, January to March, often showed low or no activity. Mean thallus temperature when active was just above zero degrees and much higher than the annual mean air temperature of -15 to -19° C. Because major snow melts occurred when incident radiation was high, the lichen was also subjected to very high PPFD when active, often more than 2,500 lmol photon m⁻² s⁻¹. The major environmental stress appeared to be high light rather than low temperatures, and the variability of early season snow fall means that prediction of activity will be very difficult.

year: 2011

title: Indigenous women and the professions: Some Maori women's experiences in the accountancy profession of Aotearoa/New Zealand

authors: McNicholas, Patty

abstract: Concern about and resistance to the marginalisation of indigenous peoples has been growing globally. A focus upon indigenous women's experiences of accountancy is thus timely given the increasing concern to recognise the rights of indigenous peoples. This thesis aims to explore the experiences of Maori women accountants in Aotearoa/NewZealand through the use of oral history. It seeks to provide Maori women with an opportunity to be heard by researchers, academics, policy makers, members of the accountancy profession and Maori women more widely. An opportunity is also provided for Maori women to influence the discipline of accounting and its organisational practices by exposing the profession to issues concerning Maori, as an indigenous ethnic group. 
It is argued that it is important to gather and listen to the stories of Maori women, as being heard is a crucial step towards understanding and reconciliation of their experiences with societally espoused commitments to equality and social justice. The struggle for Maori in Aotearoa/New Zealand is for equal participation, which also manifests itself in our organisations like accountancy firms and the accountancy profession. I have investigated the relationship between contemporary Maori women, accountancy and the history of colonialism and post-colonialism. Kaupapa Maori research methodologies are seen as a means of intervention in the transformation of Maori socially, economically and politically. The intent of these methodologies is to ensure a practice beyond the mere assimilation of marginalised groups, like Maori women. 
Over the last decade feminist accounting research has focused upon, perhaps unintentionally, women from the dominant white middle-class. The special features of 'Other' women have been obliterated by the cultural and class blindness of researchers. Their minority status has also rendered their significant differences to be invisible. There has been a particular paucity of research concerned to explain the career experiences of women from indigenous groups, including Maori women. 
An analysis of the empirical date gathered for this thesis is undertaken from a critical feminist perspective, by reference to the works of theorists on the 'decolonisation' of Maori and Maori women in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Suggestions on the transformation of the mono-cultural practices of the accountancy profession and its organisations include the process of hearing and understanding the Maori perspective. The Maori women in this study have shown that they have something unique to bring to the table in seeking a commitment for equal participation, in their aspirations for future equality in all aspects of Aotearoa/New Zealand society.

text: Indigenous women and the professions: Some Maori women's experiences in the accountancy profession of Aotearoa/New Zealand Concern about and resistance to the marginalisation of indigenous peoples has been growing globally. A focus upon indigenous women's experiences of accountancy is thus timely given the increasing concern to recognise the rights of indigenous peoples. This thesis aims to explore the experiences of Maori women accountants in Aotearoa/NewZealand through the use of oral history. It seeks to provide Maori women with an opportunity to be heard by researchers, academics, policy makers, members of the accountancy profession and Maori women more widely. An opportunity is also provided for Maori women to influence the discipline of accounting and its organisational practices by exposing the profession to issues concerning Maori, as an indigenous ethnic group. 
It is argued that it is important to gather and listen to the stories of Maori women, as being heard is a crucial step towards understanding and reconciliation of their experiences with societally espoused commitments to equality and social justice. The struggle for Maori in Aotearoa/New Zealand is for equal participation, which also manifests itself in our organisations like accountancy firms and the accountancy profession. I have investigated the relationship between contemporary Maori women, accountancy and the history of colonialism and post-colonialism. Kaupapa Maori research methodologies are seen as a means of intervention in the transformation of Maori socially, economically and politically. The intent of these methodologies is to ensure a practice beyond the mere assimilation of marginalised groups, like Maori women. 
Over the last decade feminist accounting research has focused upon, perhaps unintentionally, women from the dominant white middle-class. The special features of 'Other' women have been obliterated by the cultural and class blindness of researchers. Their minority status has also rendered their significant differences to be invisible. There has been a particular paucity of research concerned to explain the career experiences of women from indigenous groups, including Maori women. 
An analysis of the empirical date gathered for this thesis is undertaken from a critical feminist perspective, by reference to the works of theorists on the 'decolonisation' of Maori and Maori women in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Suggestions on the transformation of the mono-cultural practices of the accountancy profession and its organisations include the process of hearing and understanding the Maori perspective. The Maori women in this study have shown that they have something unique to bring to the table in seeking a commitment for equal participation, in their aspirations for future equality in all aspects of Aotearoa/New Zealand society.

year: 2003