title: Assessment of the ecohydrological functioning of Otakairangi Wetland, Northland

authors: Campbell, David I.

abstract: Otakairangi is the largest wetland remnant on the floodplain of Northland’s Wairua River near Hikurangi. Extensive peat deposits many metres deep accumulated over thousands of years on the valley floors of the Otakairangi and Riponui valleys, as they did elsewhere within the former Hikurangi “Swamp”. The present‐day Otakairangi Wetland, with an area of 2.6 km², represents around 20% of its former extent.
This report provides an assessment of the ecohydrological functioning of Otakairangi Wetland in its current state, based on information gathered during a field survey, discussions with landowners, and other sources. The wetland, which contains representative communities of rare peatland plants, is a good candidate for restoration, including re‐introduction of the now locally extinct climax peatland plant species Sporadanthus ferrugineus.  
Hydrological modification to Otakairangi over the past century has included a deep central drain that has largely eliminated the natural diffuse flows of the former Otakairangi Stream as it traversed the wetland, and lowered water tables. Deep drains bordering the wetland’s south western and south eastern edges have also contributed to a modified hydrological regime. Over much of the past century water table lowering and frequent fires led to dominance by tall manuka, reduced peatland biodiversity, and severe peat degradation.
There is good evidence of fairly recent changes to Otakairangi’s vegetation towards greater dominance, especially in the east, of the key peat‐forming plant and ecosystem engineer Empodisma robustum, including vigorous growth of raw fibrous peat. As the dense manuka cover has declined,
Empodisma and allied plants have been able to naturally colonise and spread. Despite encouraging signs of some natural vegetation recovery within Otakairangi Wetland, there remain many unanswered questions about the trajectory of this recovery and the ongoing effects of drainage, as well as inundation by flood flows from the highly modified upstream catchment. Also, fire remains a constant threat that could reverse this trajectory. A number of key research questions are provided in this report that will guide the development of a research plan in support of ongoing restoration and monitoring efforts.
A number of restoration options are presented that should be considered at Otakairangi. These include minor to more major hydrological manipulations, which will require careful investigation and flow modelling in addition to working closely with affected landowners. As a first step, detailed surveys are required of drain invert levels and wetland and farmland surface levels. Monitoring of drain and wetland water tables should be initiated as soon as possible, to support research into wetland hydrological regimes and to further understand the spatial effect of water table lowering

text: Assessment of the ecohydrological functioning of Otakairangi Wetland, Northland Otakairangi is the largest wetland remnant on the floodplain of Northland’s Wairua River near Hikurangi. Extensive peat deposits many metres deep accumulated over thousands of years on the valley floors of the Otakairangi and Riponui valleys, as they did elsewhere within the former Hikurangi “Swamp”. The present‐day Otakairangi Wetland, with an area of 2.6 km², represents around 20% of its former extent.
This report provides an assessment of the ecohydrological functioning of Otakairangi Wetland in its current state, based on information gathered during a field survey, discussions with landowners, and other sources. The wetland, which contains representative communities of rare peatland plants, is a good candidate for restoration, including re‐introduction of the now locally extinct climax peatland plant species Sporadanthus ferrugineus.  
Hydrological modification to Otakairangi over the past century has included a deep central drain that has largely eliminated the natural diffuse flows of the former Otakairangi Stream as it traversed the wetland, and lowered water tables. Deep drains bordering the wetland’s south western and south eastern edges have also contributed to a modified hydrological regime. Over much of the past century water table lowering and frequent fires led to dominance by tall manuka, reduced peatland biodiversity, and severe peat degradation.
There is good evidence of fairly recent changes to Otakairangi’s vegetation towards greater dominance, especially in the east, of the key peat‐forming plant and ecosystem engineer Empodisma robustum, including vigorous growth of raw fibrous peat. As the dense manuka cover has declined,
Empodisma and allied plants have been able to naturally colonise and spread. Despite encouraging signs of some natural vegetation recovery within Otakairangi Wetland, there remain many unanswered questions about the trajectory of this recovery and the ongoing effects of drainage, as well as inundation by flood flows from the highly modified upstream catchment. Also, fire remains a constant threat that could reverse this trajectory. A number of key research questions are provided in this report that will guide the development of a research plan in support of ongoing restoration and monitoring efforts.
A number of restoration options are presented that should be considered at Otakairangi. These include minor to more major hydrological manipulations, which will require careful investigation and flow modelling in addition to working closely with affected landowners. As a first step, detailed surveys are required of drain invert levels and wetland and farmland surface levels. Monitoring of drain and wetland water tables should be initiated as soon as possible, to support research into wetland hydrological regimes and to further understand the spatial effect of water table lowering

year: 2017

title: From policy to pedagogy: prudence and precariousness; actors and artefacts

authors: Penney, Dawn

subjects: health and physical education

abstract: This paper draws on concepts from contemporary education policy sociology to explore the prospective interpretation, contextualisation and enactment of Health and Physical Education in the Australian Curriculum. Analysis examines the dynamic between characteristics of official texts and the contexts in which responses will be made. The paper identifies the consultation draft curriculum as highly flexible, such that multiple aspects of past and current policy contexts can be expected to strongly frame its reading and enactment. Exploration of contexts points to the critical role that policy actors, agencies and artefacts will all play in determining the ways in which the new curriculum will be expressed and experienced in schools across Australia. Discussion raises issues for Health and Physical Education teachers, teacher educators and members of professional associations to consider in looking forward.

text: From policy to pedagogy: prudence and precariousness; actors and artefacts This paper draws on concepts from contemporary education policy sociology to explore the prospective interpretation, contextualisation and enactment of Health and Physical Education in the Australian Curriculum. Analysis examines the dynamic between characteristics of official texts and the contexts in which responses will be made. The paper identifies the consultation draft curriculum as highly flexible, such that multiple aspects of past and current policy contexts can be expected to strongly frame its reading and enactment. Exploration of contexts points to the critical role that policy actors, agencies and artefacts will all play in determining the ways in which the new curriculum will be expressed and experienced in schools across Australia. Discussion raises issues for Health and Physical Education teachers, teacher educators and members of professional associations to consider in looking forward.

year: 2013

title: Exploring Māori and non-Māori mental health nurses' perceptions of Te Whare Tapa Whā: A mixed methods study looking at Māori and non-Māori mental health nurses' perceptions of Te Whare Tapa Whā within the Waikato region

authors: Teinakore, Samantha

subjects: Te Whare Tapa Whā

abstract: Background: Te Whare Tapa Whā is a well-recognised Māori model of health and wellbeing which is embraced within the health system in Aotearoa/ New Zealand. Although it can be applied in different specialties, the impacts generated from this model were first noticed in mental health, as this model was created by Mason Durie who is a psychiatrist. Research has shown this model provided an opportunity for Māori to have a voice in their health.
Objective: This study aims were to explore mental health nurses’ perceptions of the Māori Health model, Te Whare Tapa Whā, and how their beliefs and values may impact them implementing this model into their care.
Methods: A mixed methods approach was utilised for this study. Phase one was about gathering quantitative data, collecting statistical data through surveys. The first phase helped with the formulate interview schedule, which was the beginning of the next phase. Phase two was semi structured interviews which helped with the gathering of qualitative data. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis.
Participants: Mental health nurses within the Waikato region were the participants for this research study. A survey was distributed to mental health nurses in the Waikato area and 53 responded. After the survey, semi structured one on one interviews were conducted with the researcher. Total of 8 interviews; (n = 6) Māori mental health nurses and (n = 2) Non-Māori mental health nurses.
Results: The survey showed that more than half the nurses had a positive perspective on Te Whare Tapa Whā and felt it was good for nursing care. They were able to identify barriers to implementation. There were mixed responses on feeling supported to use Te Whare Tapa Whā in the workplace. Four over-arching themes were identified from the interviews . These were; Māori, clinical practice, organisation level and individual factors.
Conclusion: Overall, all mental health nurses had a positive perception of Te Whare Tapa Whā and the impacts it can have on nursing care. Most identified barriers which can impact whether they can actually use it in practice. Māori and non-Māori nurses had different depths of knowledge, cultural worldviews and clinical practice experiences, creating complexities with implementation. These beliefs, perceptions and experiences were highlighted in this study.

text: Exploring Māori and non-Māori mental health nurses' perceptions of Te Whare Tapa Whā: A mixed methods study looking at Māori and non-Māori mental health nurses' perceptions of Te Whare Tapa Whā within the Waikato region Background: Te Whare Tapa Whā is a well-recognised Māori model of health and wellbeing which is embraced within the health system in Aotearoa/ New Zealand. Although it can be applied in different specialties, the impacts generated from this model were first noticed in mental health, as this model was created by Mason Durie who is a psychiatrist. Research has shown this model provided an opportunity for Māori to have a voice in their health.
Objective: This study aims were to explore mental health nurses’ perceptions of the Māori Health model, Te Whare Tapa Whā, and how their beliefs and values may impact them implementing this model into their care.
Methods: A mixed methods approach was utilised for this study. Phase one was about gathering quantitative data, collecting statistical data through surveys. The first phase helped with the formulate interview schedule, which was the beginning of the next phase. Phase two was semi structured interviews which helped with the gathering of qualitative data. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis.
Participants: Mental health nurses within the Waikato region were the participants for this research study. A survey was distributed to mental health nurses in the Waikato area and 53 responded. After the survey, semi structured one on one interviews were conducted with the researcher. Total of 8 interviews; (n = 6) Māori mental health nurses and (n = 2) Non-Māori mental health nurses.
Results: The survey showed that more than half the nurses had a positive perspective on Te Whare Tapa Whā and felt it was good for nursing care. They were able to identify barriers to implementation. There were mixed responses on feeling supported to use Te Whare Tapa Whā in the workplace. Four over-arching themes were identified from the interviews . These were; Māori, clinical practice, organisation level and individual factors.
Conclusion: Overall, all mental health nurses had a positive perception of Te Whare Tapa Whā and the impacts it can have on nursing care. Most identified barriers which can impact whether they can actually use it in practice. Māori and non-Māori nurses had different depths of knowledge, cultural worldviews and clinical practice experiences, creating complexities with implementation. These beliefs, perceptions and experiences were highlighted in this study.

year: 2023