title: Cognitive functions associated with consumption of traditional volumes of kava (Piper methysticum): A feasibility study

authors: Aporosa, S. 'Apo'

abstract: Kava (Piper methysticum) is a traditional and culturally significant Pacific Island beverage, which contains active compounds called kavalactones that produce soporific relaxant effects similar to Benzodiazepine (Sarris et al, 2012, Human Psychopharmacology Clinical and Experimental, 27:262-9). Traditional kava drinkers frequently exceed the pharmacologically recommended amount of ≤300mg of kavalactones/day by 30 times (Aporosa & Tomlinson, 2014, Anthropologica, 56:163-75). Little is known about cognitive function at this high consumption rate. With Pacific peoples in New Zealand over represented in motor vehicle accidents, Police suspect traditional kava use may be a contributing factor. Previous research (Aporosa, 2017, Journal of Psychopharmacology, 31[8], A84) used an industry standard measure of drug driving to examine cognitive functions of kava users in a naturalistic setting. The industry standard measure revealed no statistical differences in cognitive functioning between kava users and control participants, despite observation of slowed movement and slurred speech by the kava users. Consequently, with full study utility as a goal, the feasibility of using a new psychometric measure of cognitive functioning – the Brain Gauge (BG) – was examined in a naturalistic setting.

text: Cognitive functions associated with consumption of traditional volumes of kava (Piper methysticum): A feasibility study Kava (Piper methysticum) is a traditional and culturally significant Pacific Island beverage, which contains active compounds called kavalactones that produce soporific relaxant effects similar to Benzodiazepine (Sarris et al, 2012, Human Psychopharmacology Clinical and Experimental, 27:262-9). Traditional kava drinkers frequently exceed the pharmacologically recommended amount of ≤300mg of kavalactones/day by 30 times (Aporosa & Tomlinson, 2014, Anthropologica, 56:163-75). Little is known about cognitive function at this high consumption rate. With Pacific peoples in New Zealand over represented in motor vehicle accidents, Police suspect traditional kava use may be a contributing factor. Previous research (Aporosa, 2017, Journal of Psychopharmacology, 31[8], A84) used an industry standard measure of drug driving to examine cognitive functions of kava users in a naturalistic setting. The industry standard measure revealed no statistical differences in cognitive functioning between kava users and control participants, despite observation of slowed movement and slurred speech by the kava users. Consequently, with full study utility as a goal, the feasibility of using a new psychometric measure of cognitive functioning – the Brain Gauge (BG) – was examined in a naturalistic setting.

year: 2019

title: Mountain areas and visitor usage - motivations and determinants of satisfaction: The case of Pirongia Forest Park, New Zealand

authors: Pan, Steve

subjects: forest parks

abstract: This paper reports on visitor motivations and satisfaction at Pirongia Forest Park, New Zealand. The study used a derivative of the Leisure Motivation Scale to assess motives, and a factor analysis confirmed five dimensions of ‘relaxation’, ‘social needs’, ‘a sense of belonging’, ‘mastery skills’, and ‘intellectual needs’. From the scales, five clusters were identified; ‘active social relaxers’, ‘enthusiastic visitors’, ‘nature isolates’, ‘relaxers’, and ‘reluctant visitors’. Using regression analysis, it appears that ‘pull’ factors are better predictors of overall satisfaction than motivational ‘push’ factors, but a key aspect is that among local residents who use the Park there is a high level of repeat usage. Management implications are explored.

text: Mountain areas and visitor usage - motivations and determinants of satisfaction: The case of Pirongia Forest Park, New Zealand This paper reports on visitor motivations and satisfaction at Pirongia Forest Park, New Zealand. The study used a derivative of the Leisure Motivation Scale to assess motives, and a factor analysis confirmed five dimensions of ‘relaxation’, ‘social needs’, ‘a sense of belonging’, ‘mastery skills’, and ‘intellectual needs’. From the scales, five clusters were identified; ‘active social relaxers’, ‘enthusiastic visitors’, ‘nature isolates’, ‘relaxers’, and ‘reluctant visitors’. Using regression analysis, it appears that ‘pull’ factors are better predictors of overall satisfaction than motivational ‘push’ factors, but a key aspect is that among local residents who use the Park there is a high level of repeat usage. Management implications are explored.

year: 2007

title: The teaching and learning of te reo Māori in a higher education context: Intensive fast track immersion versus gradual progressive language exposure

authors: Nock, Sophie

subjects: grading of students

abstract: I report here on a comparison of the course grades of Bachelors degree students who are following two different pathways towards a major in te reo Māori - a traditional pathway in which language courses at different levels are spread over three or four years, and an intensive, fast-track, language immersion pathway in which courses in te reo Māori are concentrated into the first year of the degree programme. My findings are that, overall, in terms of course grades at level three, students following the intensive, fast-track, language-immersion pathway out-perform other students in te reo Māori course assessments. Thus, so far as course grades are concerned, many students appear to benefit from the fast track pathway. Whether course grades can be related to proficiency achievements and whether immediate gains are reflected in long-term gains is something that remains to be investigated.

text: The teaching and learning of te reo Māori in a higher education context: Intensive fast track immersion versus gradual progressive language exposure I report here on a comparison of the course grades of Bachelors degree students who are following two different pathways towards a major in te reo Māori - a traditional pathway in which language courses at different levels are spread over three or four years, and an intensive, fast-track, language immersion pathway in which courses in te reo Māori are concentrated into the first year of the degree programme. My findings are that, overall, in terms of course grades at level three, students following the intensive, fast-track, language-immersion pathway out-perform other students in te reo Māori course assessments. Thus, so far as course grades are concerned, many students appear to benefit from the fast track pathway. Whether course grades can be related to proficiency achievements and whether immediate gains are reflected in long-term gains is something that remains to be investigated.

year: 2006