title: Nature connection: An educational outcome for a sustainable Aotearoa New Zealand

authors: DePetris, Thea

subjects: Education

abstract: Ecological degradation is threatening the life-giving capacity of Earth. This is an unsustainable, existential crisis that requires transformational change. Such a change requires a paradigm shift of the cultural belief and value systems which drive our interactions and relationships with the material world. The global spread of the dominant social paradigm through Westernisation has been driving the development of our social systems in ways that perpetuate human-nature disconnection (physical and psychological separation), leading to adversarial human-nature relations that allow for the ongoing exploitation and degradation of non-human nature. This disconnection is a root cause of our current sustainability crisis.
Increasing calls for interventions that restore nature connection, a construct pertaining to the human-nature relationship, as a mechanism of transformational change are supported by theoretical and empirical evidence. Although nature contact and learning about non-human nature are integral components of environmental education, there is limited research about context-specific meanings and praxis of nature connection as an educational outcome. Furthermore, with respect to the Aotearoa New Zealand context, the challenge of realising nature connection as an educational goal is two-fold. First, environmental education is a non-mandated discipline of the formal education sector and, consequently, viewed by the education community as a ‘nice-to-have’ rather than an educational priority. Second, when environmental education is implemented in schools, cognitive outcomes are often prioritised over affective outcomes. This has implications for the objective of fostering nature connection because an emotional bond with non-human nature requires nurturing students’ feelings and values for all forms of life.
Based on an explanatory sequential research design, the first stage of this study provided a systematic description of environmental education organisations, a network known to support schools across the country with environmental education. A ‘snapshot’ of features associated with the network’s organisational structures and education programmes characteristics was elicited from predominantly quantitative data collected via an online questionnaire. A key finding demonstrated the network’s prioritisation of nature connection as an educational outcome of their programmes. To further explore this finding, two additional qualitative stages of research (a questionnaire comprised of open-ended questions, and semi-structured interviews) were undertaken. Based on an interpretive methodology and utilising a grounded theory approach, stages two and three clarified the understandings participants have of nature connection as an educational outcome, their perspectives about its significance for English-medium schools, and how these views inform their praxis. 
The findings confirmed that environmental education organisations prioritise nature connection as an educational outcome for the purposes of resolving unsustainability. Participants identified three cultural aspects as root causes of disconnection. Anthropocentric beliefs and a predominant focus on a utilitarian value of non-human nature were associated with psychological separation, while some features of contemporary lifestyles were linked to humanity’s physical separation from non-human nature. Participants highlighted the perpetuation of disconnection through people losing a holistic knowing of non-human nature and a sense of belonging with all of life.
Participants’ conceptualisations of nature connection frame the phenomenon as interrelated experiences and outcomes that collectively empower a state of being, knowing and becoming in relationship with non-human nature. This conceptualisation laid the foundation from which to explore the benefits of nurturing the human-nature relationship as perceived by participants.
At the individual level, participants believed educating for nature connection empowers students to become capable and motivated agents of change toward more sustainable trajectories, through safeguarding health and wellness, developing a conceptual understanding of interconnectivity, and serving as a motivational impetus that enhances pro-environmental action and behaviour. Findings pointed to the development of these outcomes as vital for correcting the empirically demonstrated ‘teenage dip’—a progressive trend of disconnection that begins around the age of ten and culminates in adolescence. Nature connection was also recognised as a vital co-requisite to issues-based learning, such as climate change education, by helping to prevent the onset of cognitive dissonance and apathy as a response to the profound challenges posed by the Anthropocene.
The systemic impacts of nature connection, as identified by participants, related to shifting societal views, structures and practices that contribute to transformational change. Fostering nature connection through nature-based education was thought to provide students with opportunities to ‘see and be’ in the world differently. Nature connection as an educational outcome can illuminate indigenous ways of knowing and being, such as te ao Māori, which the participants felt were grounded in eco-centric beliefs and intrinsic values that foster respect for non-human nature and harmonious interactions with the Earth system as a whole. In this sense, the study casts light on nature connection as an act of indigenisation that has the potential to heal human-nature disconnection and contribute to resolving unsustainability.
Based on their lived-experiences of working in the formal education sector, the participants identified aspects of the school structure, curriculum and norms as significant contributors of disconnection. Findings also suggest that nature-based education at the present time, as framed by this study, is often not recognised or valued by educational communities, which include teachers, school administrators, students and parents. Underpinned by place-based, holistic and relational approaches, the findings offer five principles of nature-based education that help bridge the scholarly gap regarding effective praxis for fostering nature connection through education and provide a foundation for future research.
This research is significant as humanity grapples with an existential crisis arising from the entwined socio-ecological challenges of the Anthropocene. The findings suggest that policies promoting nature connection, particularly during childhood and adolescence, are vital for improving human-nature relations that lead to more sustainable futures. Continuing to uphold an education system that perpetuates the reproduction of unsustainable societal norms and paradigms is morally untenable. For life to endure, modern culture must embrace a new trajectory based on reciprocal relationships that unite the wellbeing of both human and non-human nature.

text: Nature connection: An educational outcome for a sustainable Aotearoa New Zealand Ecological degradation is threatening the life-giving capacity of Earth. This is an unsustainable, existential crisis that requires transformational change. Such a change requires a paradigm shift of the cultural belief and value systems which drive our interactions and relationships with the material world. The global spread of the dominant social paradigm through Westernisation has been driving the development of our social systems in ways that perpetuate human-nature disconnection (physical and psychological separation), leading to adversarial human-nature relations that allow for the ongoing exploitation and degradation of non-human nature. This disconnection is a root cause of our current sustainability crisis.
Increasing calls for interventions that restore nature connection, a construct pertaining to the human-nature relationship, as a mechanism of transformational change are supported by theoretical and empirical evidence. Although nature contact and learning about non-human nature are integral components of environmental education, there is limited research about context-specific meanings and praxis of nature connection as an educational outcome. Furthermore, with respect to the Aotearoa New Zealand context, the challenge of realising nature connection as an educational goal is two-fold. First, environmental education is a non-mandated discipline of the formal education sector and, consequently, viewed by the education community as a ‘nice-to-have’ rather than an educational priority. Second, when environmental education is implemented in schools, cognitive outcomes are often prioritised over affective outcomes. This has implications for the objective of fostering nature connection because an emotional bond with non-human nature requires nurturing students’ feelings and values for all forms of life.
Based on an explanatory sequential research design, the first stage of this study provided a systematic description of environmental education organisations, a network known to support schools across the country with environmental education. A ‘snapshot’ of features associated with the network’s organisational structures and education programmes characteristics was elicited from predominantly quantitative data collected via an online questionnaire. A key finding demonstrated the network’s prioritisation of nature connection as an educational outcome of their programmes. To further explore this finding, two additional qualitative stages of research (a questionnaire comprised of open-ended questions, and semi-structured interviews) were undertaken. Based on an interpretive methodology and utilising a grounded theory approach, stages two and three clarified the understandings participants have of nature connection as an educational outcome, their perspectives about its significance for English-medium schools, and how these views inform their praxis. 
The findings confirmed that environmental education organisations prioritise nature connection as an educational outcome for the purposes of resolving unsustainability. Participants identified three cultural aspects as root causes of disconnection. Anthropocentric beliefs and a predominant focus on a utilitarian value of non-human nature were associated with psychological separation, while some features of contemporary lifestyles were linked to humanity’s physical separation from non-human nature. Participants highlighted the perpetuation of disconnection through people losing a holistic knowing of non-human nature and a sense of belonging with all of life.
Participants’ conceptualisations of nature connection frame the phenomenon as interrelated experiences and outcomes that collectively empower a state of being, knowing and becoming in relationship with non-human nature. This conceptualisation laid the foundation from which to explore the benefits of nurturing the human-nature relationship as perceived by participants.
At the individual level, participants believed educating for nature connection empowers students to become capable and motivated agents of change toward more sustainable trajectories, through safeguarding health and wellness, developing a conceptual understanding of interconnectivity, and serving as a motivational impetus that enhances pro-environmental action and behaviour. Findings pointed to the development of these outcomes as vital for correcting the empirically demonstrated ‘teenage dip’—a progressive trend of disconnection that begins around the age of ten and culminates in adolescence. Nature connection was also recognised as a vital co-requisite to issues-based learning, such as climate change education, by helping to prevent the onset of cognitive dissonance and apathy as a response to the profound challenges posed by the Anthropocene.
The systemic impacts of nature connection, as identified by participants, related to shifting societal views, structures and practices that contribute to transformational change. Fostering nature connection through nature-based education was thought to provide students with opportunities to ‘see and be’ in the world differently. Nature connection as an educational outcome can illuminate indigenous ways of knowing and being, such as te ao Māori, which the participants felt were grounded in eco-centric beliefs and intrinsic values that foster respect for non-human nature and harmonious interactions with the Earth system as a whole. In this sense, the study casts light on nature connection as an act of indigenisation that has the potential to heal human-nature disconnection and contribute to resolving unsustainability.
Based on their lived-experiences of working in the formal education sector, the participants identified aspects of the school structure, curriculum and norms as significant contributors of disconnection. Findings also suggest that nature-based education at the present time, as framed by this study, is often not recognised or valued by educational communities, which include teachers, school administrators, students and parents. Underpinned by place-based, holistic and relational approaches, the findings offer five principles of nature-based education that help bridge the scholarly gap regarding effective praxis for fostering nature connection through education and provide a foundation for future research.
This research is significant as humanity grapples with an existential crisis arising from the entwined socio-ecological challenges of the Anthropocene. The findings suggest that policies promoting nature connection, particularly during childhood and adolescence, are vital for improving human-nature relations that lead to more sustainable futures. Continuing to uphold an education system that perpetuates the reproduction of unsustainable societal norms and paradigms is morally untenable. For life to endure, modern culture must embrace a new trajectory based on reciprocal relationships that unite the wellbeing of both human and non-human nature.

year: 2025

title: Photon migration in highly scattering media as a measurement technique on automated cow milking systems

authors: Khoo, Geoffrey

abstract: An investigation has been performed on the scattering properties of cow's milk. The main aim of the study has been to determine the usefulness of photon migration techniques in the measurement of milk components, and the extent to which they can be applied. Online applications are also investigated. The milk components that influence the optical scattering properties the most are the fat content and the protein content. Fat in milk exists in the form of small globules in a range of diameters from under 1 μrn to as large as 20 μrn. These globules are the major contributor to the light scattering properties of the milk. Milk protein is also a contributor to the scattering, but to a much lesser extent. Another component of milk that is of interest is the somatic cell concentration. These cells are usually present in milk at a low level, ranging from about 5 x 104 cells mL- 1up to 2 x 105 cells mL-1• Their numbers in milk dramatically increase with the onset of a mastitis infection. The somatic cell count is one of the primary measurements used in the dairy industry to monitor udder health and mastitis. Since milk is a highly scattering medium, one needs to choose a suitable mathematical model to characterise it so that quantitative measurements can be made. The diffusion approximation, a simplified version of transport theory, was selected. The derivation and the limitations of the diffusion approximation were discussed and noted in order to ensure that any subsequent measurements made with milk fell within the limits of the theory. A photon migration instrument (PMI) was built using the principles from the diffusion approximation theory. The instrument was configured to work with multiple-distance measurements. It was tested with a suspension of uniform microspheres and was shown to return results that agreed with Mie theory. Experiments were performed using the photon migration instrument with homogenised and raw milk. A good correlation was found between the fat content and the reduced-scattering coefficient. Homogenised milk samples of varying fat content were made by mixing trim milk with homogenised cream while raw milk of varying fat content was obtained from a robotic milking system. Both milks were tested with3the photon migration instrument - the homogenised milk was tested off-line, while the raw milk was tested with the instrument beside the robotic milking system. It was found that the instrument could determine the fat content in homogenised and raw milk with a precision of ±1.0 % and ±2.0 % milk fat content respectively. Protein and somatic cell count had a poor correlation with either the absorption coefficient or the reduced-scattering coefficient at a 670 nm wavelength. The precision of the raw milk fat content measurements can be increased by separating the milk samples by breed. Grouping milk samples from Friesian cows separately from milk samples from Jersey cows yielded precisions of± 1.6 % and ± 1.4% respectively. Further increases in precision could be obtained by separating out the results per cow, resulting in fat percentage measurements with a precision as high as±0.8 %. One of the more significant conclusions is that the fat globule particle size distribution is similar within the breed of cow and certainly similar from day-to-day with a single cow. Fluorescence photon diffusion techniques using the DNA stain ethidium bromide were used to determine somatic cell count. The results of this work showed that high cell-count samples could be quantified, with a lower detection limit of 4 x 105 cells mL- 1• The lower detection limit was too high, and during attempts to reduce it, evidence for an ethidium bromide inhibitor was found. This inhibitor appeared to use up free ethidium bromide without changing its fluorescence lifetime. This was shown by experiments where the milk was diluted with Intra Lipid to remove the contribution that differences in the absorption and reduced-scattering coefficient would make. The discovery of the ethidium bromide inhibitor was another significant conclusion of this work, but further investigation of the inhibitor was beyond the scope of this dissertation. The primary conclusion of this thesis is that photon migration techniques can measure some milk components online directly, notably fat content and somatic cell count. Improvements to the instrument are required however, in order to improve the precision of the measurements to the level required by the dairy industry.

text: Photon migration in highly scattering media as a measurement technique on automated cow milking systems An investigation has been performed on the scattering properties of cow's milk. The main aim of the study has been to determine the usefulness of photon migration techniques in the measurement of milk components, and the extent to which they can be applied. Online applications are also investigated. The milk components that influence the optical scattering properties the most are the fat content and the protein content. Fat in milk exists in the form of small globules in a range of diameters from under 1 μrn to as large as 20 μrn. These globules are the major contributor to the light scattering properties of the milk. Milk protein is also a contributor to the scattering, but to a much lesser extent. Another component of milk that is of interest is the somatic cell concentration. These cells are usually present in milk at a low level, ranging from about 5 x 104 cells mL- 1up to 2 x 105 cells mL-1• Their numbers in milk dramatically increase with the onset of a mastitis infection. The somatic cell count is one of the primary measurements used in the dairy industry to monitor udder health and mastitis. Since milk is a highly scattering medium, one needs to choose a suitable mathematical model to characterise it so that quantitative measurements can be made. The diffusion approximation, a simplified version of transport theory, was selected. The derivation and the limitations of the diffusion approximation were discussed and noted in order to ensure that any subsequent measurements made with milk fell within the limits of the theory. A photon migration instrument (PMI) was built using the principles from the diffusion approximation theory. The instrument was configured to work with multiple-distance measurements. It was tested with a suspension of uniform microspheres and was shown to return results that agreed with Mie theory. Experiments were performed using the photon migration instrument with homogenised and raw milk. A good correlation was found between the fat content and the reduced-scattering coefficient. Homogenised milk samples of varying fat content were made by mixing trim milk with homogenised cream while raw milk of varying fat content was obtained from a robotic milking system. Both milks were tested with3the photon migration instrument - the homogenised milk was tested off-line, while the raw milk was tested with the instrument beside the robotic milking system. It was found that the instrument could determine the fat content in homogenised and raw milk with a precision of ±1.0 % and ±2.0 % milk fat content respectively. Protein and somatic cell count had a poor correlation with either the absorption coefficient or the reduced-scattering coefficient at a 670 nm wavelength. The precision of the raw milk fat content measurements can be increased by separating the milk samples by breed. Grouping milk samples from Friesian cows separately from milk samples from Jersey cows yielded precisions of± 1.6 % and ± 1.4% respectively. Further increases in precision could be obtained by separating out the results per cow, resulting in fat percentage measurements with a precision as high as±0.8 %. One of the more significant conclusions is that the fat globule particle size distribution is similar within the breed of cow and certainly similar from day-to-day with a single cow. Fluorescence photon diffusion techniques using the DNA stain ethidium bromide were used to determine somatic cell count. The results of this work showed that high cell-count samples could be quantified, with a lower detection limit of 4 x 105 cells mL- 1• The lower detection limit was too high, and during attempts to reduce it, evidence for an ethidium bromide inhibitor was found. This inhibitor appeared to use up free ethidium bromide without changing its fluorescence lifetime. This was shown by experiments where the milk was diluted with Intra Lipid to remove the contribution that differences in the absorption and reduced-scattering coefficient would make. The discovery of the ethidium bromide inhibitor was another significant conclusion of this work, but further investigation of the inhibitor was beyond the scope of this dissertation. The primary conclusion of this thesis is that photon migration techniques can measure some milk components online directly, notably fat content and somatic cell count. Improvements to the instrument are required however, in order to improve the precision of the measurements to the level required by the dairy industry.

year: 2005

title: Integrating mātauranga Māori into community resilience frameworks for the built environment

authors: Dunlop, Ezra

abstract: Efforts to improve community resilience have seen universal efforts to grow capabilities in disaster management for the built environment. Although comprehensive frameworks exist, the perspective used to derive these frameworks fails to address marginalised communities' vulnerabilities, including the Indigenous Māori people. Colonisation and socio-economic deprivation of Māori mean community response frameworks fail to reflect their values and specific needs when preparing and responding to natural disasters.
The nature of Māori culture and values presents an opportunity to reimagine the scope of community resilience for an inclusive framework. The Māori history has resilient practices weaved into the very fabric of their culture through the oral transmission of waiata, whakataukī, whakairo, and pūrākau. The practice of community resilience amongst ancient Māori was not consigned to singular events but is a holistic perspective bound to their manner of living. Sourcing and qualifying this information from people aligned and immersed in nature is the knowledge required to improve the frameworks to respond to natural disasters while expanding the literature on community resilience.
This study collaborated with Ngāti Toa to represent the Māori worldview using tikanga Māori and Kaupapa Māori methodology in an action-based participatory research approach. The research analyzed traditional Māori resilience through wānanga and korero kanohi-ki-te-kanohi and evaluated various mātauranga, tikanga, and kaupapa that relate to the resilient nature of Ngāti Toa. Modern Māori perspectives of community resilience were compared to this information using a realistic earthquake scenario in the Wellington region. This led to expanding community resilience to be more inclusive of Māori communities and informed measures to enhance their resilience and address their unique needs following a disaster.
This study found that the Ngāti Toa community employs traditional resilience practices dating back to their migration to Aotearoa from Hawaiki. These practices are community-led and grounded in unity, with resilience being viewed as a collective responsibility. The study identified various Te Ao Māori resilience principles by translating traditional resilience principles into corresponding Te Ao Māori principles. A response and recovery plan was developed for Ngāti Toa in response to a realistic earthquake scenario. This plan includes a vulnerability matrix and a community resilience calculator to inform Ngāti Toa of their vulnerability level and needs following a disaster.
The community resilience frameworks developed for the Wellington region in response to the 7.5 magnitude earthquake were found to be economically dependent and did not utilize the response capabilities and strengths of Ngāti Toa. The frameworks lacked proper representation from Ngāti Toa and failed to address the needs of the Māori community in Wellington, resulting in inequitable outcomes. To rectify this,
Page | iii
community resilience frameworks for Māori should adopt a principle-based approach that supports collaborative engagement and integrates Māori cultural values. Unity is a crucial strength underpinning Māori resilience. Technological mediums such as retrofitting Marae should be developed to enhance Māori response capabilities and harness the strengths of Te Ao Māori resilience.

text: Integrating mātauranga Māori into community resilience frameworks for the built environment Efforts to improve community resilience have seen universal efforts to grow capabilities in disaster management for the built environment. Although comprehensive frameworks exist, the perspective used to derive these frameworks fails to address marginalised communities' vulnerabilities, including the Indigenous Māori people. Colonisation and socio-economic deprivation of Māori mean community response frameworks fail to reflect their values and specific needs when preparing and responding to natural disasters.
The nature of Māori culture and values presents an opportunity to reimagine the scope of community resilience for an inclusive framework. The Māori history has resilient practices weaved into the very fabric of their culture through the oral transmission of waiata, whakataukī, whakairo, and pūrākau. The practice of community resilience amongst ancient Māori was not consigned to singular events but is a holistic perspective bound to their manner of living. Sourcing and qualifying this information from people aligned and immersed in nature is the knowledge required to improve the frameworks to respond to natural disasters while expanding the literature on community resilience.
This study collaborated with Ngāti Toa to represent the Māori worldview using tikanga Māori and Kaupapa Māori methodology in an action-based participatory research approach. The research analyzed traditional Māori resilience through wānanga and korero kanohi-ki-te-kanohi and evaluated various mātauranga, tikanga, and kaupapa that relate to the resilient nature of Ngāti Toa. Modern Māori perspectives of community resilience were compared to this information using a realistic earthquake scenario in the Wellington region. This led to expanding community resilience to be more inclusive of Māori communities and informed measures to enhance their resilience and address their unique needs following a disaster.
This study found that the Ngāti Toa community employs traditional resilience practices dating back to their migration to Aotearoa from Hawaiki. These practices are community-led and grounded in unity, with resilience being viewed as a collective responsibility. The study identified various Te Ao Māori resilience principles by translating traditional resilience principles into corresponding Te Ao Māori principles. A response and recovery plan was developed for Ngāti Toa in response to a realistic earthquake scenario. This plan includes a vulnerability matrix and a community resilience calculator to inform Ngāti Toa of their vulnerability level and needs following a disaster.
The community resilience frameworks developed for the Wellington region in response to the 7.5 magnitude earthquake were found to be economically dependent and did not utilize the response capabilities and strengths of Ngāti Toa. The frameworks lacked proper representation from Ngāti Toa and failed to address the needs of the Māori community in Wellington, resulting in inequitable outcomes. To rectify this,
Page | iii
community resilience frameworks for Māori should adopt a principle-based approach that supports collaborative engagement and integrates Māori cultural values. Unity is a crucial strength underpinning Māori resilience. Technological mediums such as retrofitting Marae should be developed to enhance Māori response capabilities and harness the strengths of Te Ao Māori resilience.

year: 2023