title: Storm water inflow to Oranga Lake, University of Waikato Hamilton Campus

authors: Tempero, Grant Wayne

subjects: Oranga Lake

abstract: Oranga Lake is one of three constructed lakes located on the University of Waikato Hamilton campus. It has had persistent problems of high turbidity, prolific seasonal macrophyte growths and phytoplankton blooms. Recent restoration measures of pest fish removal, sediment removal and alum dosing resulted in some improvements in water clarity. But these improvements appear to have been largely temporary and water clarity is low, reducing the aesthetic value of the lake which is located in a prominent area of the campus.
This study was commissioned by Facilities Management Division of the University of Waikato to determine the extent to which inputs from the main storm water inflow to Oranga Lake contribute to poor water clarity in the lake. Discharge, suspended sediment and nutrients were sampled from the main inflow on 12 occasions. These samples related to four storm events over a three-month period from November 2013 to January 2014. Sampling was conducted with the objective of capturing periods of high, medium and low flows during three separate storm events. This was achieved on two occasions during November; however, the low-intensity, short-duration storm events that occurred in January resulted in limited runoff and were not considered representative of a major summer storm event.

text: Storm water inflow to Oranga Lake, University of Waikato Hamilton Campus Oranga Lake is one of three constructed lakes located on the University of Waikato Hamilton campus. It has had persistent problems of high turbidity, prolific seasonal macrophyte growths and phytoplankton blooms. Recent restoration measures of pest fish removal, sediment removal and alum dosing resulted in some improvements in water clarity. But these improvements appear to have been largely temporary and water clarity is low, reducing the aesthetic value of the lake which is located in a prominent area of the campus.
This study was commissioned by Facilities Management Division of the University of Waikato to determine the extent to which inputs from the main storm water inflow to Oranga Lake contribute to poor water clarity in the lake. Discharge, suspended sediment and nutrients were sampled from the main inflow on 12 occasions. These samples related to four storm events over a three-month period from November 2013 to January 2014. Sampling was conducted with the objective of capturing periods of high, medium and low flows during three separate storm events. This was achieved on two occasions during November; however, the low-intensity, short-duration storm events that occurred in January resulted in limited runoff and were not considered representative of a major summer storm event.

year: 2014

title: Ideal personhood through the ages: Tracing the genealogy of the modern concepts of wellbeing

authors: Joshanloo, Mohsen

subjects: authenticity

abstract: This inquiry traces the recent history of modern conceptualizations of personhood and wellbeing. It explores a general transition from traditional frameworks emphasizing social embeddedness, external obligations, and cosmic meaning to modern views privileging self-determination, authenticity, and self-expression. The inquiry shows that contemporary conceptions of wellbeing have emerged in Western cultures through the gradual accumulation of influences, including the Enlightenment ethos, liberal ideals, romanticism, existentialism, countercultural movements, and modern psychology. The important role of ‘authenticity’ is examined as a central value in contemporary wellbeing discourse, aligning with the modern conception of personhood. It is argued that contemporary perspectives tend to position the ideal of authentic self-fulfillment as an overarching paradigm that integrates self-determination, self-discovery, willful self-authoring, and creative identity expression. It is also argued that the widespread public support of the authentic self-actualization model in the contemporary era is partly due to the success of humanistic and positive psychology. This model’s prevalence is particularly notable in regions where the modern concepts of personhood prevail, i.e., in Western cultures and, to a somewhat lesser extent, within affluent non-Western cultures. By shedding light on the Western origins of modern concepts of wellbeing, this inquiry challenges their assumed universality.

text: Ideal personhood through the ages: Tracing the genealogy of the modern concepts of wellbeing This inquiry traces the recent history of modern conceptualizations of personhood and wellbeing. It explores a general transition from traditional frameworks emphasizing social embeddedness, external obligations, and cosmic meaning to modern views privileging self-determination, authenticity, and self-expression. The inquiry shows that contemporary conceptions of wellbeing have emerged in Western cultures through the gradual accumulation of influences, including the Enlightenment ethos, liberal ideals, romanticism, existentialism, countercultural movements, and modern psychology. The important role of ‘authenticity’ is examined as a central value in contemporary wellbeing discourse, aligning with the modern conception of personhood. It is argued that contemporary perspectives tend to position the ideal of authentic self-fulfillment as an overarching paradigm that integrates self-determination, self-discovery, willful self-authoring, and creative identity expression. It is also argued that the widespread public support of the authentic self-actualization model in the contemporary era is partly due to the success of humanistic and positive psychology. This model’s prevalence is particularly notable in regions where the modern concepts of personhood prevail, i.e., in Western cultures and, to a somewhat lesser extent, within affluent non-Western cultures. By shedding light on the Western origins of modern concepts of wellbeing, this inquiry challenges their assumed universality.

year: 2024

title: Te Mauri o te Kaitiaki - Exploring Te Ao Māori in environmental relations and kaitiakitanga  in Aotearoa New Zealand

authors: Wareka, Mona-Lisa

subjects: Te Ao Māori

abstract: Indigenous environmental empowerment is on the rise as humans look at ways to slow the adverse effects of anthropogenic environmental degradation. In the context of Aotearoa New Zealand, the concept and practice of ‘kaitiaki’ and ‘kaitiakitanga’, respectfully, play a significant role in the co-existence of Māori with the natural world. Previous research shows the innate connections and responsibilities encompassed in being kaitiaki which extend beyond the human element to encompass nonhumans and spiritual manifestations. This research aims to illustrate how Māori use cultural values, concepts and practices in local-level conservational practices through ethnographic research in Matapōuri. I investigate the conflicts and convergences of a rāhui recently placed on two cultural significant areas to the local hapū, and through this, I analyse the practical and spiritual application of kaitiakitanga. Based on this ethnography, I discuss a model for relating environmental degradation with the wellbeing of Māori within Aotearoa New Zealand today. Here, I wish to highlight the ecological and cultural threats present from continuing in the current system. Lastly, I argue that the assertion of kaitiakitanga at the local-level is also an assertion of Indigenous autonomy for Māori and the environment.

text: Te Mauri o te Kaitiaki - Exploring Te Ao Māori in environmental relations and kaitiakitanga  in Aotearoa New Zealand Indigenous environmental empowerment is on the rise as humans look at ways to slow the adverse effects of anthropogenic environmental degradation. In the context of Aotearoa New Zealand, the concept and practice of ‘kaitiaki’ and ‘kaitiakitanga’, respectfully, play a significant role in the co-existence of Māori with the natural world. Previous research shows the innate connections and responsibilities encompassed in being kaitiaki which extend beyond the human element to encompass nonhumans and spiritual manifestations. This research aims to illustrate how Māori use cultural values, concepts and practices in local-level conservational practices through ethnographic research in Matapōuri. I investigate the conflicts and convergences of a rāhui recently placed on two cultural significant areas to the local hapū, and through this, I analyse the practical and spiritual application of kaitiakitanga. Based on this ethnography, I discuss a model for relating environmental degradation with the wellbeing of Māori within Aotearoa New Zealand today. Here, I wish to highlight the ecological and cultural threats present from continuing in the current system. Lastly, I argue that the assertion of kaitiakitanga at the local-level is also an assertion of Indigenous autonomy for Māori and the environment.

year: 2020