title: A Taxonomic Review of Corybas rivularis (Orchidaceae) - Inferred from Molecular and Morphological Analyses

authors: Coffin, Abraham John

subjects: orchid

abstract: This research has expanded the level of precision utilised in critically examining the morphology of Corybas rivularis Rchb.f (Orchidaceae), related species and undescribed populations. Corybas rivularis and related species have undergone taxonomic revisions, incorporating errors that took decades to discover.  Utilising morphological and molecular analyses has provided insights into this problematic group. A new protocol for examining the morphological characteristics of C. rivularis has been developed, based on concepts of floral morphometrics, to determine the level of morphological variation within the species, closely related species and a range of undescribed populations, some of which have tag-names. The use of morphological techniques with multivariate statistics has not been previously used in this group.  
A suite of precisely defined continuous characters relevant to the four species and five undescribed tag-named populations studied is established, and a distance matrix collating all of the respective characters for each sample is generated.
A Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) found the characters most capable of discriminating natural groups to be three aspects of the flower labellum; the length and width of the labellum bib, and the length of a furrow in the labellum formed from a developmental pinching of the labellum tube, which leads to the column. The LDA, along with a cluster analysis (UPGMA) allowed all species and tag-named populations studied to be determined as distinctive, except for two; C. aff. rivularis (AK251833; Kaitarakihi) and C. ‘veil’, which together form a distinct group.  There are two morphological syndromes present in the studied species and tag-named populations; One group, allied to Corybas iridescens Irwin & Molloy, tends to have a long and wide bib, with a small furrow and petiolate leaf, the other group, allied to C. rivularis sensu stricto tending to have a narrow and short bib, with a long furrow and sessile leaf.
Sequence variation of the nuclear ribosomal Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) region was used reconstruct relationships. Consistent with other studies (Clements et al. 2007), many samples shared identical sequences.  C. iridescens, and tag-named populations C. aff. rivularis (AK251833; Kaitarakihi) and C. “veil” formed a highly supported clade. Corybas rivularis from the far North has variation from all other species and tag-named populations.  The tag-named populations regarded as C. aff. rivularis (CHR 518313 “whiskers”), C. aff. rivularis (CHR 518025; Kaimai) and C. “pollok” shared identical sequences. Consistent with the morphological findings, there are two highly supported monophyletic groups present in the plants studied; one composed of C. rivularis and allied species, and another group composed of C. iridescens and allied species.
The evidence suggests a taxonomic revision is warranted however further research into this group is still required to further delimit species boundaries.  Any taxonomic revision undertaken will have ramifications for conservation, both the threat classification status of some species, and the conservation management strategies

text: A Taxonomic Review of Corybas rivularis (Orchidaceae) - Inferred from Molecular and Morphological Analyses This research has expanded the level of precision utilised in critically examining the morphology of Corybas rivularis Rchb.f (Orchidaceae), related species and undescribed populations. Corybas rivularis and related species have undergone taxonomic revisions, incorporating errors that took decades to discover.  Utilising morphological and molecular analyses has provided insights into this problematic group. A new protocol for examining the morphological characteristics of C. rivularis has been developed, based on concepts of floral morphometrics, to determine the level of morphological variation within the species, closely related species and a range of undescribed populations, some of which have tag-names. The use of morphological techniques with multivariate statistics has not been previously used in this group.  
A suite of precisely defined continuous characters relevant to the four species and five undescribed tag-named populations studied is established, and a distance matrix collating all of the respective characters for each sample is generated.
A Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) found the characters most capable of discriminating natural groups to be three aspects of the flower labellum; the length and width of the labellum bib, and the length of a furrow in the labellum formed from a developmental pinching of the labellum tube, which leads to the column. The LDA, along with a cluster analysis (UPGMA) allowed all species and tag-named populations studied to be determined as distinctive, except for two; C. aff. rivularis (AK251833; Kaitarakihi) and C. ‘veil’, which together form a distinct group.  There are two morphological syndromes present in the studied species and tag-named populations; One group, allied to Corybas iridescens Irwin & Molloy, tends to have a long and wide bib, with a small furrow and petiolate leaf, the other group, allied to C. rivularis sensu stricto tending to have a narrow and short bib, with a long furrow and sessile leaf.
Sequence variation of the nuclear ribosomal Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) region was used reconstruct relationships. Consistent with other studies (Clements et al. 2007), many samples shared identical sequences.  C. iridescens, and tag-named populations C. aff. rivularis (AK251833; Kaitarakihi) and C. “veil” formed a highly supported clade. Corybas rivularis from the far North has variation from all other species and tag-named populations.  The tag-named populations regarded as C. aff. rivularis (CHR 518313 “whiskers”), C. aff. rivularis (CHR 518025; Kaimai) and C. “pollok” shared identical sequences. Consistent with the morphological findings, there are two highly supported monophyletic groups present in the plants studied; one composed of C. rivularis and allied species, and another group composed of C. iridescens and allied species.
The evidence suggests a taxonomic revision is warranted however further research into this group is still required to further delimit species boundaries.  Any taxonomic revision undertaken will have ramifications for conservation, both the threat classification status of some species, and the conservation management strategies

year: 2016

title: A critical reflection on the future of financial, intellectual capital, sustainability and integrated reporting

authors: de Villiers, Charl

subjects: Social Sciences

abstract: This paper examines the future of IC reporting by offering critical reflection on different forms of reporting, with a particular focus on Integrated Reporting (<IR>). While, the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) framework for corporate social responsibility disclosures, the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC), and the various financial reporting regulators appear to be in a contest for supremacy, what does this mean for IC? We examine how IC is reported under each of these frameworks and conclude that <IR> is unlikely to subsume traditional financial statement reporting, nor will it be able to provide all the information currently reported in GRI-type reports. The interplay of these reporting frameworks and their future development bodes well for IC, because different kinds of IC information will be reported under each of <IR>, GRI-type reports and in financial statements; that is IC does not compete with these forms of reporting forms, but forms an essential part of each.

text: A critical reflection on the future of financial, intellectual capital, sustainability and integrated reporting This paper examines the future of IC reporting by offering critical reflection on different forms of reporting, with a particular focus on Integrated Reporting (<IR>). While, the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) framework for corporate social responsibility disclosures, the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC), and the various financial reporting regulators appear to be in a contest for supremacy, what does this mean for IC? We examine how IC is reported under each of these frameworks and conclude that <IR> is unlikely to subsume traditional financial statement reporting, nor will it be able to provide all the information currently reported in GRI-type reports. The interplay of these reporting frameworks and their future development bodes well for IC, because different kinds of IC information will be reported under each of <IR>, GRI-type reports and in financial statements; that is IC does not compete with these forms of reporting forms, but forms an essential part of each.

year: 2020-07-01

title: Adult literacy and numeracy in Aotearoa New Zealand: How does current research and organisational reporting align with the Living Standards Framework?

authors: Hockings, Nicki Samantha

subjects: Literacy

abstract: Literacy and numeracy are foundational skills that are important in everyday life. Dominant western perspectives of literacy and numeracy focus on skills attainment for economic benefit and international comparison; this is a neoliberal approach that influences policy development in developed countries worldwide. However, there is growing recognition that high rates of economic productivity do not provide an accurate indicator of success for either individuals or nations. In support of this position, this thesis favours a sociomaterial approach to literacy and numeracy, prioritising people’s abilities to communicate and navigate their world effectively, while engaging in meaningful social practices that allow them to participate in family and community. This master’s research sought to understand the connections between adult literacy and numeracy learners, wellbeing outcomes, and the Living Standards Framework. The New Zealand Treasury’s Living Standards Framework (LSF) was developed to provide a view of intergenerational wellbeing in Aotearoa New Zealand; it underpins the government’s wellbeing focus for budgetary and policy decisions. A community psychology and Kaupapa Māori lens was applied to critically evaluate whether the LSF aligns with community psychology values and principles in Aotearoa New Zealand, and, most importantly, whether it reflects Māori cultural views and values. The value of the LSF in the adult literacy and numeracy education context was also examined, with particular emphasis on similarities between the LSF, literacy and numeracy learning opportunities, and learner outcomes; and whether the use of the LSF in adult education programmes and policies would complement the existing approach. The study involved a document analysis of six key LSF documents and six literacy and numeracy research reports. Each document was analysed using deductive and inductive means, which enabled the identification of themes and subthemes that reflected underlying values, approaches, and outcomes. To augment the document analysis, six interviews were held with report authors and key personnel from relevant organisations; these added value to the research by exploring the values that underpin literacy and numeracy research and reporting in Aotearoa New Zealand. The findings conclude that the 2018 LSF was based on sound international principles, but lacked a genuine perspective of wellbeing in Aotearoa New Zealand. A recently-launched 2021 LSF has undergone an ‘evolution’ and is presented in a much more holistic style, acknowledging its previous shortcomings in addressing concepts of wellbeing in Aotearoa New Zealand. Two accompanying Māori-led documents: An Indigenous Approach to the Living Standards Framework, and He Ara Waiora, both offer a holistic, te ao Māori perspective of wellbeing. The document analysis highlighted a sociomaterial, values based approach to adult literacy and numeracy education that prioritised holistic wellbeing outcomes for learners and their whānau. These findings were supported by the interview data. The final discussion and conclusion posited that the 2021 Living Standards Framework provides a welcome update and potential for genuine, Aotearoa-specific wellbeing considerations in policy-making and governance; however, it remains to be seen whether this will translate into changes in policy-making and programme delivery for the literacy and numeracy sector.

text: Adult literacy and numeracy in Aotearoa New Zealand: How does current research and organisational reporting align with the Living Standards Framework? Literacy and numeracy are foundational skills that are important in everyday life. Dominant western perspectives of literacy and numeracy focus on skills attainment for economic benefit and international comparison; this is a neoliberal approach that influences policy development in developed countries worldwide. However, there is growing recognition that high rates of economic productivity do not provide an accurate indicator of success for either individuals or nations. In support of this position, this thesis favours a sociomaterial approach to literacy and numeracy, prioritising people’s abilities to communicate and navigate their world effectively, while engaging in meaningful social practices that allow them to participate in family and community. This master’s research sought to understand the connections between adult literacy and numeracy learners, wellbeing outcomes, and the Living Standards Framework. The New Zealand Treasury’s Living Standards Framework (LSF) was developed to provide a view of intergenerational wellbeing in Aotearoa New Zealand; it underpins the government’s wellbeing focus for budgetary and policy decisions. A community psychology and Kaupapa Māori lens was applied to critically evaluate whether the LSF aligns with community psychology values and principles in Aotearoa New Zealand, and, most importantly, whether it reflects Māori cultural views and values. The value of the LSF in the adult literacy and numeracy education context was also examined, with particular emphasis on similarities between the LSF, literacy and numeracy learning opportunities, and learner outcomes; and whether the use of the LSF in adult education programmes and policies would complement the existing approach. The study involved a document analysis of six key LSF documents and six literacy and numeracy research reports. Each document was analysed using deductive and inductive means, which enabled the identification of themes and subthemes that reflected underlying values, approaches, and outcomes. To augment the document analysis, six interviews were held with report authors and key personnel from relevant organisations; these added value to the research by exploring the values that underpin literacy and numeracy research and reporting in Aotearoa New Zealand. The findings conclude that the 2018 LSF was based on sound international principles, but lacked a genuine perspective of wellbeing in Aotearoa New Zealand. A recently-launched 2021 LSF has undergone an ‘evolution’ and is presented in a much more holistic style, acknowledging its previous shortcomings in addressing concepts of wellbeing in Aotearoa New Zealand. Two accompanying Māori-led documents: An Indigenous Approach to the Living Standards Framework, and He Ara Waiora, both offer a holistic, te ao Māori perspective of wellbeing. The document analysis highlighted a sociomaterial, values based approach to adult literacy and numeracy education that prioritised holistic wellbeing outcomes for learners and their whānau. These findings were supported by the interview data. The final discussion and conclusion posited that the 2021 Living Standards Framework provides a welcome update and potential for genuine, Aotearoa-specific wellbeing considerations in policy-making and governance; however, it remains to be seen whether this will translate into changes in policy-making and programme delivery for the literacy and numeracy sector.

year: 2022