title: Control of macrophytes by grass carp (ctenopharyngodon idella) in a Waikato drain, New Zealand

authors: Wells, R.D.S.

subjects: biology

abstract: Hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum L.) and other aquatic macrophytes have historically been mechanically removed from the Rangiriri drain and Churchill East drain to maintain drain efficiency. As an alternative control method for the high plant biomass that accumulates at the end of summer, the effect of stocking diploid grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella L.) on the aquatic vegetation was evaluated in these Waikato drainage systems. At the start of the trial, both drains had a low diversity of aquatic macrophytes, and of the nine species (including the emergents), seven were exotic. Two months after grass carp were released to Churchill East drain (the treated drain) the four submerged and floating macrophyte species became scarce in the main drain. Over the same period, these species increased in biomass in Rangiriri drain (the untreated drain), where hornwort became dense and surface-reaching and remained so for the duration of the trial. However, grass carp did not control submerged vegetation in smaller side drains or the shallow, upper parts of the main drain, or the marginal sprawling species and emergent species. The cost of leasing the grass carp was similar to the cost of clearing the drains mechanically, but grass carp provided continuous weed control. However, subsequent to this trial, 62 dead grass carp were found in Churchill East drain in February 2001, and weed cover subsequently increased. This illustrates that grass carp management in New Zealand agricultural drains can be problematic due to periodic fish kills.

text: Control of macrophytes by grass carp (ctenopharyngodon idella) in a Waikato drain, New Zealand Hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum L.) and other aquatic macrophytes have historically been mechanically removed from the Rangiriri drain and Churchill East drain to maintain drain efficiency. As an alternative control method for the high plant biomass that accumulates at the end of summer, the effect of stocking diploid grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella L.) on the aquatic vegetation was evaluated in these Waikato drainage systems. At the start of the trial, both drains had a low diversity of aquatic macrophytes, and of the nine species (including the emergents), seven were exotic. Two months after grass carp were released to Churchill East drain (the treated drain) the four submerged and floating macrophyte species became scarce in the main drain. Over the same period, these species increased in biomass in Rangiriri drain (the untreated drain), where hornwort became dense and surface-reaching and remained so for the duration of the trial. However, grass carp did not control submerged vegetation in smaller side drains or the shallow, upper parts of the main drain, or the marginal sprawling species and emergent species. The cost of leasing the grass carp was similar to the cost of clearing the drains mechanically, but grass carp provided continuous weed control. However, subsequent to this trial, 62 dead grass carp were found in Churchill East drain in February 2001, and weed cover subsequently increased. This illustrates that grass carp management in New Zealand agricultural drains can be problematic due to periodic fish kills.

year: 2003

title: Terra cry : the first birth

authors: Shirley, Melissa Nicole

subjects: Terra Cry

abstract: Five hundred years have passed. Earth is dead. Cetera is our new home. The ruling conglomerate G.R.A.Z.I.A. strips another planet of its resource. But Cetera isn’t quite like Earth...

Beth will do anything to become Cetera’s greatest scientist. Her baby doesn’t have a name yet, but the world has seen it inside her womb. Every other human on the planet is cursed with infertility. The people and their clone children are desperate to know her secret.

Faye knows herself as a number, a prisoner, and as ‘the weapon’. Every day she senses the vibrations of people’s bodies, deep within their cells, the slight changes in their temperature, the movement of their blood. She is dumped into a trash compactor and offered a glimpse of freedom, but the planet is in turmoil.

Fenrir only read about his half-wolf father’s battles, but he will lead his army just the same. The humans claim that his people, the Kwewu, are the cause of humanity’s infertility. This is a declaration of war and he has no intention of losing.

Lilly has lived in a mansion all her life, with everything her heart desired and all the love and warmth a child deserves, but her father, the vice president, becomes reviled by the wolf-people, and her brother idolises their true enemy, Lord Kabel.

Skar has lived in the slums of the Floating City all his life but now he is the city’s enemy; a Kwewu on the streets, breaking curfew. A human with wolf ears, a wolf nose, and wolf fur. He and his younger brother are slaves now. Body’s to torture. Mind’s to break.

Ellbray is a Kwewu warrior with revenge hot on her mind. Someone killed the last president and his son, and she wants to know who. She’ll pretend to be President Roth’s protector to find out. Even when his fleshy throat is exposed to her sharp canines, she’ll hold back her hatred to find the source of her pain.

Whether they’re Kwewu, android, or human, the inhabitants of Cetera will find their answers through pain, suffering and great regret.

text: Terra cry : the first birth Five hundred years have passed. Earth is dead. Cetera is our new home. The ruling conglomerate G.R.A.Z.I.A. strips another planet of its resource. But Cetera isn’t quite like Earth...

Beth will do anything to become Cetera’s greatest scientist. Her baby doesn’t have a name yet, but the world has seen it inside her womb. Every other human on the planet is cursed with infertility. The people and their clone children are desperate to know her secret.

Faye knows herself as a number, a prisoner, and as ‘the weapon’. Every day she senses the vibrations of people’s bodies, deep within their cells, the slight changes in their temperature, the movement of their blood. She is dumped into a trash compactor and offered a glimpse of freedom, but the planet is in turmoil.

Fenrir only read about his half-wolf father’s battles, but he will lead his army just the same. The humans claim that his people, the Kwewu, are the cause of humanity’s infertility. This is a declaration of war and he has no intention of losing.

Lilly has lived in a mansion all her life, with everything her heart desired and all the love and warmth a child deserves, but her father, the vice president, becomes reviled by the wolf-people, and her brother idolises their true enemy, Lord Kabel.

Skar has lived in the slums of the Floating City all his life but now he is the city’s enemy; a Kwewu on the streets, breaking curfew. A human with wolf ears, a wolf nose, and wolf fur. He and his younger brother are slaves now. Body’s to torture. Mind’s to break.

Ellbray is a Kwewu warrior with revenge hot on her mind. Someone killed the last president and his son, and she wants to know who. She’ll pretend to be President Roth’s protector to find out. Even when his fleshy throat is exposed to her sharp canines, she’ll hold back her hatred to find the source of her pain.

Whether they’re Kwewu, android, or human, the inhabitants of Cetera will find their answers through pain, suffering and great regret.

year: 2020

title: Rangatahi of Ngāi Te Rangi Iwi: Cultural belonging and connectedness

authors: Benton, Chelsea

subjects: Māori

abstract: Rangatahi Māori (Māori youth) have one of the highest suicide rates in the OECD, they leave school earlier and with less qualifications, and suffer from higher rates of unemployment, hospitalisation and conduct and substance disorders and abuse than non-Māori. Sadly, many rangatahi move into adulthood only to experience poorer physical and mental health, shorter lifespans, and lower socioeconomic status compared to that of non-Māori. With these poor health outcomes for rangatahi Māori in mind this research explores the nature of Māori identities as a foundation for wellness, meaning, and flourishing. More importantly, this research takes into consideration the negative impacts of the colonisation of Māori and their cultural identity and the inter-generational effects of this long term systematic nature of disadvantage. I posit that cultural connectedness and belonging can foster healthy psychological and behavioural outcomes for rangatahi Māori. The mixed-method approach taken within this research sits within a Kaupapa Māori framework and draws upon accounts of 16 rangatahi Māori, aged between 10 and 14 years, who participated in a Ngāi Te Rangi Iwi based leadership development programme that reconnects rangatahi Māori with traditional customs and practices of their ancestors to enhance their health and wellbeing. Findings suggest that connectedness and belonging are manifest through practices such as Pēpeha, whakapapa, and Whakataukī/whakatauāki and rangatahi Māori draw on this cultural knowledge base and cultural practices to empower themselves, their whānau, hapū and Iwi. Rangatahi Māori in this sample also identified that whānau was most important in their lives followed by engagement in Māori culture. Findings highlight how Iwi organisations are stepping up to lead their people to a brighter future. For Māori, engaging with their Māoritanga and Te Ao Māori not only addresses the negative impacts of colonialism, but unlocks cultural potential, and an enhanced sense of self which serves to empower rangatahi Māori, their whānau, hapū and Iwi.

text: Rangatahi of Ngāi Te Rangi Iwi: Cultural belonging and connectedness Rangatahi Māori (Māori youth) have one of the highest suicide rates in the OECD, they leave school earlier and with less qualifications, and suffer from higher rates of unemployment, hospitalisation and conduct and substance disorders and abuse than non-Māori. Sadly, many rangatahi move into adulthood only to experience poorer physical and mental health, shorter lifespans, and lower socioeconomic status compared to that of non-Māori. With these poor health outcomes for rangatahi Māori in mind this research explores the nature of Māori identities as a foundation for wellness, meaning, and flourishing. More importantly, this research takes into consideration the negative impacts of the colonisation of Māori and their cultural identity and the inter-generational effects of this long term systematic nature of disadvantage. I posit that cultural connectedness and belonging can foster healthy psychological and behavioural outcomes for rangatahi Māori. The mixed-method approach taken within this research sits within a Kaupapa Māori framework and draws upon accounts of 16 rangatahi Māori, aged between 10 and 14 years, who participated in a Ngāi Te Rangi Iwi based leadership development programme that reconnects rangatahi Māori with traditional customs and practices of their ancestors to enhance their health and wellbeing. Findings suggest that connectedness and belonging are manifest through practices such as Pēpeha, whakapapa, and Whakataukī/whakatauāki and rangatahi Māori draw on this cultural knowledge base and cultural practices to empower themselves, their whānau, hapū and Iwi. Rangatahi Māori in this sample also identified that whānau was most important in their lives followed by engagement in Māori culture. Findings highlight how Iwi organisations are stepping up to lead their people to a brighter future. For Māori, engaging with their Māoritanga and Te Ao Māori not only addresses the negative impacts of colonialism, but unlocks cultural potential, and an enhanced sense of self which serves to empower rangatahi Māori, their whānau, hapū and Iwi.

year: 2019