title: House mouse (Mus musculus) use of vertical space and impact on bird nesting success

authors: Kelly, Catherine Lindsay

subjects: Ecology

abstract: Prior to human arrival, New Zealand was dominated by birds that had evolved in the absence of mammalian predators. Early Polynesian settlers brought with them the kiore (Rattus exulans), which subsequently decimated many native species. Following this, Europeans brought ship rats (Rattus rattus), Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus), house mice (Mus musculus) and an array of other mammalian predators causing even more damage to the native flora and fauna. Present day conservation strategies seek to control or eliminate invasive predator populations to give the native birds a chance to recover.
At Maungatautari – a pest-fenced reserve in the Waikato, New Zealand, mice remain as the sole invasive mammal following extensive eradication programmes. When left on their own, mouse populations are known to greatly increase. On some offshore islands in the South Atlantic and sub-Antarctic, their diet has been shown to include bird eggs and chicks, and on other islands they have used resources that were previously unavailable to them (by predator or competitive exclusion). Therefore, the aims of the present study were to examine how mice; (1) use vertical space in the presence and absence of other mammalian predators and (2) impact bird nesting success when they are the sole predator.
Chapter Two examines how mice use vertical space in the presence and absence of other mammalian predators while also quantifying how other small mammals use vertical space. Tracking devices (that included chew tags) were placed at different forest heights within two separate patches of bush, one with only mice present (Maungatautari Sanctuary) and one where all pest mammals were present

(Te Tapui Reserve). Mice were found to frequently use the lower (<5m) levels of the native bush; however, they were not detected in the canopy. In contrast, mice were detected much less frequently at Te Tapui and only on the ground. Rats and possums were detected at all forest levels. The presence of other mammals clearly constrains mouse activity through predation and/or resource competition.
Chapter Two also examined how mice use the hood of the predator proof fences at Maungatautari in the presence (external) and absence (internal) of other mammals. Cameras and tracking card were installed within the hood of the fence with tracking card also installed at the base of the fence in two areas (i.e. one with mice only present and one with all small pest mammals present) at Maungatautari Sanctuary. Mice were only found to use the base of the internal fence and were never detected in the fence hood. However both rats and mice were detected in the external fence-hood. The hood of the predator-proof fence likely provides invertebrate resources as well as a source of cover.
Chapter Three considered the impact of mice on bird nesting success when mice are the sole mammalian predator present. Bird nests were located and monitored until either chicks were fledged or they failed. Nests that were located with eggs already present were monitored for 30 days with a camera capturing any activity. These cameras were set to take an image every 5 seconds nocturnally or could be triggered at any time by movement. Of 17 nests that were found, only 2 were successful. 4 nests were found with eggs that were already deserted and 11 were abandoned during the building stage prior to egg laying. One mouse was filmed on one occasion at a song thrush (Turdus philomelos) nest, but it was not seen to interact with the nest contents.

Chapter Four summarises the results from the previous chapters and also makes recommendations for future research. The results presented in this thesis are consistent with the prediction that mice will occupy different forest spaces when they are the sole mammalian pest than when other mammalian predators were present. However no further evidence for active mouse predation on bird nests was found.

text: House mouse (Mus musculus) use of vertical space and impact on bird nesting success Prior to human arrival, New Zealand was dominated by birds that had evolved in the absence of mammalian predators. Early Polynesian settlers brought with them the kiore (Rattus exulans), which subsequently decimated many native species. Following this, Europeans brought ship rats (Rattus rattus), Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus), house mice (Mus musculus) and an array of other mammalian predators causing even more damage to the native flora and fauna. Present day conservation strategies seek to control or eliminate invasive predator populations to give the native birds a chance to recover.
At Maungatautari – a pest-fenced reserve in the Waikato, New Zealand, mice remain as the sole invasive mammal following extensive eradication programmes. When left on their own, mouse populations are known to greatly increase. On some offshore islands in the South Atlantic and sub-Antarctic, their diet has been shown to include bird eggs and chicks, and on other islands they have used resources that were previously unavailable to them (by predator or competitive exclusion). Therefore, the aims of the present study were to examine how mice; (1) use vertical space in the presence and absence of other mammalian predators and (2) impact bird nesting success when they are the sole predator.
Chapter Two examines how mice use vertical space in the presence and absence of other mammalian predators while also quantifying how other small mammals use vertical space. Tracking devices (that included chew tags) were placed at different forest heights within two separate patches of bush, one with only mice present (Maungatautari Sanctuary) and one where all pest mammals were present

(Te Tapui Reserve). Mice were found to frequently use the lower (<5m) levels of the native bush; however, they were not detected in the canopy. In contrast, mice were detected much less frequently at Te Tapui and only on the ground. Rats and possums were detected at all forest levels. The presence of other mammals clearly constrains mouse activity through predation and/or resource competition.
Chapter Two also examined how mice use the hood of the predator proof fences at Maungatautari in the presence (external) and absence (internal) of other mammals. Cameras and tracking card were installed within the hood of the fence with tracking card also installed at the base of the fence in two areas (i.e. one with mice only present and one with all small pest mammals present) at Maungatautari Sanctuary. Mice were only found to use the base of the internal fence and were never detected in the fence hood. However both rats and mice were detected in the external fence-hood. The hood of the predator-proof fence likely provides invertebrate resources as well as a source of cover.
Chapter Three considered the impact of mice on bird nesting success when mice are the sole mammalian predator present. Bird nests were located and monitored until either chicks were fledged or they failed. Nests that were located with eggs already present were monitored for 30 days with a camera capturing any activity. These cameras were set to take an image every 5 seconds nocturnally or could be triggered at any time by movement. Of 17 nests that were found, only 2 were successful. 4 nests were found with eggs that were already deserted and 11 were abandoned during the building stage prior to egg laying. One mouse was filmed on one occasion at a song thrush (Turdus philomelos) nest, but it was not seen to interact with the nest contents.

Chapter Four summarises the results from the previous chapters and also makes recommendations for future research. The results presented in this thesis are consistent with the prediction that mice will occupy different forest spaces when they are the sole mammalian pest than when other mammalian predators were present. However no further evidence for active mouse predation on bird nests was found.

year: 2016

title: Poverty, women and development: Evaluating women's perspectives and experiences of participation in World Vision area development programmes in rural Bangladesh

authors: Limmer, Nicole Diane

abstract: The study aimed to evaluate the impact on women of development initiatives by World Vision (WV), one of the world's largest development-focused Non Government Organisations (NGOs). Evidence of the impact on poverty through development initiatives is weak because many agencies have not monitored the impact of their interventions. This study evolved out of the need to evaluate individual programmes to understand and assess their impact on communities and their impact on some of the most marginalised members of communities, women. Gender inequity is endemic amongst the world's poorest people; the majority of whom are women and girls. This research provides the link between organisational ethos, theory and praxis and evaluates the impact of development from within the programme through the perspectives and experiences of participating women. 
Development initiatives evaluated were New Zealand funded programmes known as Area Development Programmes (ADPs). The ADP is a new development initiative originating within World Vision New Zealand (WVNZ) and applied globally. An ADP is a long term initiative (approximately 17 years) based on principles of empowerment, participation and partnership to facilitate transformative sustainable community based development. Community based initiatives are aimed at addressing the physical needs of community members and at supporting their increased access to health care, basic education, income generation and small business development. Human rights issues are addressed to promote social justice and the transformation of unjust systems and structures within communities. This empowerment based model of development is in contrast to WVs previous Community Development Projects (CDPs). CDPs were characterised by external control by WV staff and reflected a relief based welfare approach to development. No previous external evaluation of these ADPs had been conducted. 
A qualitative evaluation paradigm was chosen to explain the complex interrelationship between process, impact and change. Key questions this study answered were whether: WV addressed the needs of the poor, WV ethos and theory met with praxis, and women's lives were empowered and transformed. Background knowledge on WV s organisational ethos and their new development model was sought through archival data gathering and individual interviews with WV staff in Auckland, Dhaka and ADP communities in Bangladesh. I conducted a programme evaluation in three ADP communities enabling me to compare the impact of the programme on participating women in different regions. 
Two site visits were made to Bangladesh, the first to conduct a pilot study in which the research focus and methods were refined, and the second to gather data to evaluate the process and impact of participation in the programme for women. All the operational arms of the wider ADP programme were observed and semi formal discussions were had with other participating groups. This enabled me to gain an overview of the wider programme and to contextualise the smaller group processes. Bangladeshi ADPs involved Child Sponsorships, Women's Development Groups (WDGs), Men's development Groups (MDGs), New Mothers Groups, Adolescent Girls and Boys Groups and Nutrition Groups. 
Semi-structured community group interviews were conducted with members of the WDGs. WDGs are an important aspect of the broader ADP programme. Women were asked open-ended questions about the process of their involvement in the development programme and about their perspectives and experiences of personal, family and community change. Qualitative methods enabled an in-depth analysis into the social and psychological changes taking place for women. 
Results showed that participation in a WDG had a significantly positive impact on the lives of women. Participation in a WDG began a process of coming out, gaining voice, increased social cohesion and expanded opportunities. Women reported that their sense of isolation and powerlessness reduced and that WDG participation introduced or increased a sense of hope, caring and friendship. Knowledge was increased and skills were developed through the group education programmes. WDG members also participated in microfinance: Group saving schemes, revolving loan schemes and small business development (managed and operated by women) were a much valued aspect of the programme. Women reported that their ability to increase family income improved quality of life and family relationships (particularly amongst men).
Participating women had a strong sense of community ownership and competence enhancement. Participation in a WDG introduced change into the physical, material, economic, psychological and social domains of women's lives. Synergy between ADP community members, WV programme staff, local NGOs, Government initiatives, the wider national community and the international sponsors were all important aspect of programme success. Overall, the ADP model provided a holistic, broad based approach to tackling poverty. WV succeeded in providing a development programme which began a process of empowerment and transformation for marginalised women within their rural communities. Women's hopes and dreams were being realised. Women's voices were being heard.
A significant finding was that women's experiences of poverty and development were similar in all ADP regions. Prior research indicates that although people's backgrounds are diverse, the psychological and social impacts of poverty are similar for the poor across national boundaries. My findings show that women's experiences of poverty and development were similar within national boundaries; therefore, further research must explore the impact of empowering development models applied across national boundaries. 
Addressing the physical, material and economic aspects of poverty through empowering models of development is necessary; equally important is the need to address the psychological and social impacts of poverty. Unjust structures and systems must be addressed through the introduction of human rights and social justice education within oppressed communities and people groups. The application of socially just and rights based practices is necessary in order to introduce and maintain empowering, just, structural Global change within nations and across borders.

text: Poverty, women and development: Evaluating women's perspectives and experiences of participation in World Vision area development programmes in rural Bangladesh The study aimed to evaluate the impact on women of development initiatives by World Vision (WV), one of the world's largest development-focused Non Government Organisations (NGOs). Evidence of the impact on poverty through development initiatives is weak because many agencies have not monitored the impact of their interventions. This study evolved out of the need to evaluate individual programmes to understand and assess their impact on communities and their impact on some of the most marginalised members of communities, women. Gender inequity is endemic amongst the world's poorest people; the majority of whom are women and girls. This research provides the link between organisational ethos, theory and praxis and evaluates the impact of development from within the programme through the perspectives and experiences of participating women. 
Development initiatives evaluated were New Zealand funded programmes known as Area Development Programmes (ADPs). The ADP is a new development initiative originating within World Vision New Zealand (WVNZ) and applied globally. An ADP is a long term initiative (approximately 17 years) based on principles of empowerment, participation and partnership to facilitate transformative sustainable community based development. Community based initiatives are aimed at addressing the physical needs of community members and at supporting their increased access to health care, basic education, income generation and small business development. Human rights issues are addressed to promote social justice and the transformation of unjust systems and structures within communities. This empowerment based model of development is in contrast to WVs previous Community Development Projects (CDPs). CDPs were characterised by external control by WV staff and reflected a relief based welfare approach to development. No previous external evaluation of these ADPs had been conducted. 
A qualitative evaluation paradigm was chosen to explain the complex interrelationship between process, impact and change. Key questions this study answered were whether: WV addressed the needs of the poor, WV ethos and theory met with praxis, and women's lives were empowered and transformed. Background knowledge on WV s organisational ethos and their new development model was sought through archival data gathering and individual interviews with WV staff in Auckland, Dhaka and ADP communities in Bangladesh. I conducted a programme evaluation in three ADP communities enabling me to compare the impact of the programme on participating women in different regions. 
Two site visits were made to Bangladesh, the first to conduct a pilot study in which the research focus and methods were refined, and the second to gather data to evaluate the process and impact of participation in the programme for women. All the operational arms of the wider ADP programme were observed and semi formal discussions were had with other participating groups. This enabled me to gain an overview of the wider programme and to contextualise the smaller group processes. Bangladeshi ADPs involved Child Sponsorships, Women's Development Groups (WDGs), Men's development Groups (MDGs), New Mothers Groups, Adolescent Girls and Boys Groups and Nutrition Groups. 
Semi-structured community group interviews were conducted with members of the WDGs. WDGs are an important aspect of the broader ADP programme. Women were asked open-ended questions about the process of their involvement in the development programme and about their perspectives and experiences of personal, family and community change. Qualitative methods enabled an in-depth analysis into the social and psychological changes taking place for women. 
Results showed that participation in a WDG had a significantly positive impact on the lives of women. Participation in a WDG began a process of coming out, gaining voice, increased social cohesion and expanded opportunities. Women reported that their sense of isolation and powerlessness reduced and that WDG participation introduced or increased a sense of hope, caring and friendship. Knowledge was increased and skills were developed through the group education programmes. WDG members also participated in microfinance: Group saving schemes, revolving loan schemes and small business development (managed and operated by women) were a much valued aspect of the programme. Women reported that their ability to increase family income improved quality of life and family relationships (particularly amongst men).
Participating women had a strong sense of community ownership and competence enhancement. Participation in a WDG introduced change into the physical, material, economic, psychological and social domains of women's lives. Synergy between ADP community members, WV programme staff, local NGOs, Government initiatives, the wider national community and the international sponsors were all important aspect of programme success. Overall, the ADP model provided a holistic, broad based approach to tackling poverty. WV succeeded in providing a development programme which began a process of empowerment and transformation for marginalised women within their rural communities. Women's hopes and dreams were being realised. Women's voices were being heard.
A significant finding was that women's experiences of poverty and development were similar in all ADP regions. Prior research indicates that although people's backgrounds are diverse, the psychological and social impacts of poverty are similar for the poor across national boundaries. My findings show that women's experiences of poverty and development were similar within national boundaries; therefore, further research must explore the impact of empowering development models applied across national boundaries. 
Addressing the physical, material and economic aspects of poverty through empowering models of development is necessary; equally important is the need to address the psychological and social impacts of poverty. Unjust structures and systems must be addressed through the introduction of human rights and social justice education within oppressed communities and people groups. The application of socially just and rights based practices is necessary in order to introduce and maintain empowering, just, structural Global change within nations and across borders.

year: 2006

title: Māori and medications: What happens when the pills go home?

authors: Nikora, Linda Waimarie

subjects: Māori

abstract: Chronic illnesses are a feature of many Māori homescapes. These illnesses are often managed at home through the use of health technologies, particularly medications. This article explores the meanings given to medications and the use of this health technology in four Māori households. We use a range of qualitative methods to engage with householders and to document how medications are acculturated into Māori homescapes and everyday lives. From our discussions with householders about the procurement, storage, emplacement and administration of medications emerged five culturally patterned orientations to treating with medications. They are: 1) storage and administration practices that corresponded with the Māori hygiene practices of tapu (prohibited) and noa (permitted); 2) reminder strategies, or ngā pūrere whakamāharahara; 3) the enactment of the value of manaakitanga (kindness) in care relationships; 4) pōharatanga, or attitudes towards medication procurement and administration in households textured by low socio-economic status; and 5) rangatiratanga, the right of people to manage and make decisions about their own lives and health status. This study presents a view of how medications are acculturated into Māori homescapes, relationships and daily routines. The use of health technologies by health professionals to interrupt illness and improve quality of life must be cognisant of the cultural contexts into which medications are prescribed.

text: Māori and medications: What happens when the pills go home? Chronic illnesses are a feature of many Māori homescapes. These illnesses are often managed at home through the use of health technologies, particularly medications. This article explores the meanings given to medications and the use of this health technology in four Māori households. We use a range of qualitative methods to engage with householders and to document how medications are acculturated into Māori homescapes and everyday lives. From our discussions with householders about the procurement, storage, emplacement and administration of medications emerged five culturally patterned orientations to treating with medications. They are: 1) storage and administration practices that corresponded with the Māori hygiene practices of tapu (prohibited) and noa (permitted); 2) reminder strategies, or ngā pūrere whakamāharahara; 3) the enactment of the value of manaakitanga (kindness) in care relationships; 4) pōharatanga, or attitudes towards medication procurement and administration in households textured by low socio-economic status; and 5) rangatiratanga, the right of people to manage and make decisions about their own lives and health status. This study presents a view of how medications are acculturated into Māori homescapes, relationships and daily routines. The use of health technologies by health professionals to interrupt illness and improve quality of life must be cognisant of the cultural contexts into which medications are prescribed.

year: 2011