title: Characterisation, potential toxicity and fate of storm water run-off from log storage areas of the Port of Tauranga.

authors: Culliford, David Paul

subjects: Stormwater

abstract: Stormwater run-off from industrial sources can impact the receiving environment by the discharge of toxic substances, nutrients, sediments or fresh water (in marine environments). The Port of Tauranga is New Zealand’s largest by cargo volume with untreated logs being one of the major exports. The port stores logs totalling up to 300,000 m3 with an average residency time of 18 days. Runoff from log storage areas can cause toxicity to aquatic life due to low pH, high organic solids content and associated BOD, and chemicals leached from timber such as resin acids. Metals and PAH’s from heavy vehicles and other machinery can also be present. 
At the port, stormwater collects from the storage areas into slot drains and is screened for larger particulates in screening chambers before discharging into Tauranga Harbour. Large rainfall events produce a visible, highly coloured plume extending across the main harbour channel. 
This study looks at compounds within the stormwater runoff and associated marine water samples and the toxicology of the effluent. It then focusses on the gradients of compounds found in sediments and biota in relation to the main discharge sources. This is followed with a more specific investigation of the bioaccumulation of resin acids in resident and transplanted mussels. It concludes with a comparison of low intertidal species assemblages within and outside the influence of the stormwater plume.
Findings indicate that there are high levels of wood derived chemicals in the stormwater runoff and a gradient of quantities of these can be detected in nearby sediments, decreasing with distance from the discharge point of the effluent. Those compounds, such as metals, able to be quantified against national and international guidelines were well within acceptable levels. Others, such as resin acids, were found in lower quantities than in a previous study. A correlation between organics related to leachate from the logs, inorganic compounds found in the effluent and sediment grain size, indicates that some elements of the runoff may reach further into the harbour. The influence of dredging and disturbance of the seabed by shipping movements is considered in relation to this.
Levels of organic compounds, related to the log storage in transplanted mussel populations, were not detected spatially or temporally and no evidence of bio-accumulation of resin acids was found.
Based on the combined findings there are very low detectable effects on the marine environment from the runoff of the Port of Tauranga log storage areas. These come in the form of a gradient in chemical compounds related to the runoff and are well within the ANZECC (2000) Interim Guideline Levels. 
This study adds to the limited knowledge on log storage runoff into the marine environment and incorporates elements which can be applied to many areas of research related to stormwater discharge. It uses the Port of Tauranga runoff as a relevant example of issues and environmental responses related to urban and industrial stormwater runoff.

text: Characterisation, potential toxicity and fate of storm water run-off from log storage areas of the Port of Tauranga. Stormwater run-off from industrial sources can impact the receiving environment by the discharge of toxic substances, nutrients, sediments or fresh water (in marine environments). The Port of Tauranga is New Zealand’s largest by cargo volume with untreated logs being one of the major exports. The port stores logs totalling up to 300,000 m3 with an average residency time of 18 days. Runoff from log storage areas can cause toxicity to aquatic life due to low pH, high organic solids content and associated BOD, and chemicals leached from timber such as resin acids. Metals and PAH’s from heavy vehicles and other machinery can also be present. 
At the port, stormwater collects from the storage areas into slot drains and is screened for larger particulates in screening chambers before discharging into Tauranga Harbour. Large rainfall events produce a visible, highly coloured plume extending across the main harbour channel. 
This study looks at compounds within the stormwater runoff and associated marine water samples and the toxicology of the effluent. It then focusses on the gradients of compounds found in sediments and biota in relation to the main discharge sources. This is followed with a more specific investigation of the bioaccumulation of resin acids in resident and transplanted mussels. It concludes with a comparison of low intertidal species assemblages within and outside the influence of the stormwater plume.
Findings indicate that there are high levels of wood derived chemicals in the stormwater runoff and a gradient of quantities of these can be detected in nearby sediments, decreasing with distance from the discharge point of the effluent. Those compounds, such as metals, able to be quantified against national and international guidelines were well within acceptable levels. Others, such as resin acids, were found in lower quantities than in a previous study. A correlation between organics related to leachate from the logs, inorganic compounds found in the effluent and sediment grain size, indicates that some elements of the runoff may reach further into the harbour. The influence of dredging and disturbance of the seabed by shipping movements is considered in relation to this.
Levels of organic compounds, related to the log storage in transplanted mussel populations, were not detected spatially or temporally and no evidence of bio-accumulation of resin acids was found.
Based on the combined findings there are very low detectable effects on the marine environment from the runoff of the Port of Tauranga log storage areas. These come in the form of a gradient in chemical compounds related to the runoff and are well within the ANZECC (2000) Interim Guideline Levels. 
This study adds to the limited knowledge on log storage runoff into the marine environment and incorporates elements which can be applied to many areas of research related to stormwater discharge. It uses the Port of Tauranga runoff as a relevant example of issues and environmental responses related to urban and industrial stormwater runoff.

year: 2015

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: What is the role of English transition in Māori-medium education?

authors: Hill, Richard Kenneth

subjects: Māori-medium

abstract: The place of English language instruction in Māori-medium programmes is a controversial issue. Many Māori-medium schools either exclude it from their curriculum, or pay lip service to it. However, English language instruction is an important element for all Māori-medium schools to consider, as its role will affect the extent to which the students achieve the aim of becoming biliterate. Unfortunately though, how to support the English language growth of Māori-medium students remains an as yet unresolved and under-researched issue. It is this theme that this research seeks to investigate. This Doctoral thesis reports on a multiple case study research project that investigated the English transition programmes of three Māori-medium schools including: a wharekura, a kura kaupapa Māori and a bilingual school. The research implemented a Kaupapa Māori framework and used interviews, classroom observations, and language assessments to explore the subject. The central aim of this project was to examine how these schools arrange their English transition programmes, what issues they face, and how they negotiate them. This research found that the teaching of English in Māori-medium education is an area in which Māori-medium schools have little support, and often struggle to negotiate. Despite this, some programmes offer good quality instruction that contributes to their students achieving high levels of literacy development. This study concluded that there is a relationship between the English transition programme design, and the students’ literacy (English and Māori) development. The higher quality programmes included greater quantities of English instruction, the staff was informed about bilingual education principles and they nurtured closer relationships with their student. Overall, this research found that English language instruction can play a part in Māori-medium education in a way that does not need to detract from the school focus on the learning of te reo Māori. The layout of this thesis is as follows. Chapter One explores the history of research into bilingualism before discussing some of the theoretical models that apply to this research project. Chapter Two explains some of the structural considerations concerning bilingual programmes, and the characteristics of Māori-medium education in the New Zealand context. Chapter Three examines New Zealand research into Māori-medium education with a particular focus on three areas: general teaching practices, research about student assessment, and research about English transition. Chapter Four discusses the methodological decisions that I made when approaching this research and the research tools I chose for the data collection process. Chapters Five, Six and Seven each presents a single case study of an English transition programme in a Māori-medium school. They provide descriptions of the programmes and explore the perspectives of the key participants, including staff and students. An analysis of Year 8 student literacy outcomes are provided followed by a discussion of the predominant findings that emerge. Chapter Eight is the discussion chapter where the key results from all three case studies will be discussed. This is followed by the concluding chapter (Chapter Nine), which discusses the educational implications of this research.

text: What is the role of English transition in Māori-medium education? The place of English language instruction in Māori-medium programmes is a controversial issue. Many Māori-medium schools either exclude it from their curriculum, or pay lip service to it. However, English language instruction is an important element for all Māori-medium schools to consider, as its role will affect the extent to which the students achieve the aim of becoming biliterate. Unfortunately though, how to support the English language growth of Māori-medium students remains an as yet unresolved and under-researched issue. It is this theme that this research seeks to investigate. This Doctoral thesis reports on a multiple case study research project that investigated the English transition programmes of three Māori-medium schools including: a wharekura, a kura kaupapa Māori and a bilingual school. The research implemented a Kaupapa Māori framework and used interviews, classroom observations, and language assessments to explore the subject. The central aim of this project was to examine how these schools arrange their English transition programmes, what issues they face, and how they negotiate them. This research found that the teaching of English in Māori-medium education is an area in which Māori-medium schools have little support, and often struggle to negotiate. Despite this, some programmes offer good quality instruction that contributes to their students achieving high levels of literacy development. This study concluded that there is a relationship between the English transition programme design, and the students’ literacy (English and Māori) development. The higher quality programmes included greater quantities of English instruction, the staff was informed about bilingual education principles and they nurtured closer relationships with their student. Overall, this research found that English language instruction can play a part in Māori-medium education in a way that does not need to detract from the school focus on the learning of te reo Māori. The layout of this thesis is as follows. Chapter One explores the history of research into bilingualism before discussing some of the theoretical models that apply to this research project. Chapter Two explains some of the structural considerations concerning bilingual programmes, and the characteristics of Māori-medium education in the New Zealand context. Chapter Three examines New Zealand research into Māori-medium education with a particular focus on three areas: general teaching practices, research about student assessment, and research about English transition. Chapter Four discusses the methodological decisions that I made when approaching this research and the research tools I chose for the data collection process. Chapters Five, Six and Seven each presents a single case study of an English transition programme in a Māori-medium school. They provide descriptions of the programmes and explore the perspectives of the key participants, including staff and students. An analysis of Year 8 student literacy outcomes are provided followed by a discussion of the predominant findings that emerge. Chapter Eight is the discussion chapter where the key results from all three case studies will be discussed. This is followed by the concluding chapter (Chapter Nine), which discusses the educational implications of this research.

year: 2010