title: Combined digestion and bleaching of New Zealand flax /harakeke fibre and its effects on the mechanical, thermal, and dynamic mechanical properties of poly(lactic) acid matrix composites

authors: Akindoyo, John O.

abstract: In this study, New Zealand flax (harakeke) fibre was initially modified through digestion in an alkali solution followed by bleaching with hydrogen peroxide and sodium silicate with the aim of improving thermal and mechanical performance of its composites, through increased interfacial bonding. X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and lignin analysis showed that the combination of bleaching and alkali treatment resulted in a higher cellulose content than digestion alone. Fibre inclusion was found to increase the crystallinity of PLA, likely due to heterogeneous nucleation on the treated fibres, which in turn helped to improve the composite strength. The highest tensile strength, tensile modulus and thermal stability were achieved with the bleached fibre which is believed to be due to better fibre distribution and stronger interfacial interaction. This was supported by the adhesion factor and effectiveness coefficient calculated using the data obtained from dynamic mechanical analysis.

text: Combined digestion and bleaching of New Zealand flax /harakeke fibre and its effects on the mechanical, thermal, and dynamic mechanical properties of poly(lactic) acid matrix composites In this study, New Zealand flax (harakeke) fibre was initially modified through digestion in an alkali solution followed by bleaching with hydrogen peroxide and sodium silicate with the aim of improving thermal and mechanical performance of its composites, through increased interfacial bonding. X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and lignin analysis showed that the combination of bleaching and alkali treatment resulted in a higher cellulose content than digestion alone. Fibre inclusion was found to increase the crystallinity of PLA, likely due to heterogeneous nucleation on the treated fibres, which in turn helped to improve the composite strength. The highest tensile strength, tensile modulus and thermal stability were achieved with the bleached fibre which is believed to be due to better fibre distribution and stronger interfacial interaction. This was supported by the adhesion factor and effectiveness coefficient calculated using the data obtained from dynamic mechanical analysis.

year: 2023-01

title: Credibility at stake? News representations and discursive constructions of national environmental reputation and place brand image: The case of clean, green New Zealand

authors: Kaefer, Florian

subjects: place branding

abstract: This thesis explores news media representations and discursive constructions of a country’s environmental reputation and “green” place brand image using the example of clean, green New Zealand. In particular, it examines Australian, UK and US press coverage of New Zealand’s environmental performance linked to carbon emissions, and its branding, to determine the perceived credibility and potential vulnerability of the country’s clean, green and 100% Pure global environmental positioning. The thesis follows the argumentation that, as calls for environmental responsibility are growing louder, the global competitiveness of nations and places increasingly depends on their ability to convince audiences both domestic and overseas of their environmental credentials and integrity. As a main carrier of country reputation and channel through which place image travels, the mass media play a crucial role with regard to the perceived legitimacy and credibility of a place’s brand positioning. 

Guided by a qualitative, mild social constructionist research paradigm and software-assisted discourse analysis and qualitative content analysis, the thesis establishes the background, context and meaning of clean, green New Zealand through a review of secondary data. It further examines the amount and nature of Australian, UK and US press coverage of New Zealand’s environmental performance (carbon emissions) and branding (clean, green and 100% Pure) during 2008-2012. Findings are discussed both with regard to existing theories on media representations and perceptions of places and national reputation, and the factors influencing environmental news coverage, such as news media’s indexing tendency, newsworthiness, journalistic norms, issue cycles and media attention spans. Particular attention is paid to the possible reasons for changes in coverage over time and differences across countries.

With regard to NZ’s perceived environmental credibility, findings indicate that within the country there is growing unrest and uncertainty about the legitimacy of the clean, green and 100% Pure brand positioning. Changes in political discourse from sustainability to economic growth built on measures not easily compatible with the branding, position the country at a critical juncture regarding the legitimacy of its global environmental positioning. In terms of overseas news coverage, the study shows that, contrary to a generally favourable perception at the beginning of the study period in 2008, ending the year 2012 NZ was no longer in the spotlight as an environmental leader with regard to carbon emissions, but instead had become a minor player the global community largely ignored in the climate change arena. Judging from Australian media coverage, NZ’s environmental reputation was still largely intact there, while in the UK and the US isolated unfavourable articles could be first signals of a shift in perceptions. In the absence of both symbolic actions and the coverage needed to maintain the image and reputation, NZ’s global environmental positioning has become more vulnerable. 

Having said that, because unfavourable coverage of clean, green and 100% Pure was found to be comparatively scarce, the study concludes that there is still an opportunity to maintain NZ’s environmental reputation by backing it up with business and government leadership in the environmental arena.

text: Credibility at stake? News representations and discursive constructions of national environmental reputation and place brand image: The case of clean, green New Zealand This thesis explores news media representations and discursive constructions of a country’s environmental reputation and “green” place brand image using the example of clean, green New Zealand. In particular, it examines Australian, UK and US press coverage of New Zealand’s environmental performance linked to carbon emissions, and its branding, to determine the perceived credibility and potential vulnerability of the country’s clean, green and 100% Pure global environmental positioning. The thesis follows the argumentation that, as calls for environmental responsibility are growing louder, the global competitiveness of nations and places increasingly depends on their ability to convince audiences both domestic and overseas of their environmental credentials and integrity. As a main carrier of country reputation and channel through which place image travels, the mass media play a crucial role with regard to the perceived legitimacy and credibility of a place’s brand positioning. 

Guided by a qualitative, mild social constructionist research paradigm and software-assisted discourse analysis and qualitative content analysis, the thesis establishes the background, context and meaning of clean, green New Zealand through a review of secondary data. It further examines the amount and nature of Australian, UK and US press coverage of New Zealand’s environmental performance (carbon emissions) and branding (clean, green and 100% Pure) during 2008-2012. Findings are discussed both with regard to existing theories on media representations and perceptions of places and national reputation, and the factors influencing environmental news coverage, such as news media’s indexing tendency, newsworthiness, journalistic norms, issue cycles and media attention spans. Particular attention is paid to the possible reasons for changes in coverage over time and differences across countries.

With regard to NZ’s perceived environmental credibility, findings indicate that within the country there is growing unrest and uncertainty about the legitimacy of the clean, green and 100% Pure brand positioning. Changes in political discourse from sustainability to economic growth built on measures not easily compatible with the branding, position the country at a critical juncture regarding the legitimacy of its global environmental positioning. In terms of overseas news coverage, the study shows that, contrary to a generally favourable perception at the beginning of the study period in 2008, ending the year 2012 NZ was no longer in the spotlight as an environmental leader with regard to carbon emissions, but instead had become a minor player the global community largely ignored in the climate change arena. Judging from Australian media coverage, NZ’s environmental reputation was still largely intact there, while in the UK and the US isolated unfavourable articles could be first signals of a shift in perceptions. In the absence of both symbolic actions and the coverage needed to maintain the image and reputation, NZ’s global environmental positioning has become more vulnerable. 

Having said that, because unfavourable coverage of clean, green and 100% Pure was found to be comparatively scarce, the study concludes that there is still an opportunity to maintain NZ’s environmental reputation by backing it up with business and government leadership in the environmental arena.

year: 2014

title: An external evaluation of Phat Pak process and structure: Volume 1: Evaluation report

authors: Masters-Awatere, Bridgette

subjects: psychology

abstract: An evaluation was conducted by the 510 Evaluation Research Group 2007 after receiving a request from the Phat Pak Governance Group (PPGG). The evaluation focused on four areas identified in the Phat Pak service specification plan attached to it’s Ministry of Health contract (Youth participation, Communication Strategies, Decision making Processes and Skills Development). Our intention of evaluating the Phat Pak Programme has been to, through feedback from a range of participants, gauge the extent that the programme objectives (such as those highlighted in the contract are being met. More specifically, the function of the evaluation has been to help identify specific areas that are working well and those areas that need further development. It is our intention that the evaluation will provide both short and long-term direction with added insight towards increasing participation and enhancing health outcomes for youth and the wider community of the Waikato region.

text: An external evaluation of Phat Pak process and structure: Volume 1: Evaluation report An evaluation was conducted by the 510 Evaluation Research Group 2007 after receiving a request from the Phat Pak Governance Group (PPGG). The evaluation focused on four areas identified in the Phat Pak service specification plan attached to it’s Ministry of Health contract (Youth participation, Communication Strategies, Decision making Processes and Skills Development). Our intention of evaluating the Phat Pak Programme has been to, through feedback from a range of participants, gauge the extent that the programme objectives (such as those highlighted in the contract are being met. More specifically, the function of the evaluation has been to help identify specific areas that are working well and those areas that need further development. It is our intention that the evaluation will provide both short and long-term direction with added insight towards increasing participation and enhancing health outcomes for youth and the wider community of the Waikato region.

year: 2007-12