title: Fish biomass and gonad development in the Rotopiko (Serpentine) lakes

authors: Wu, Nicholas

abstract: The Rotopiko (Serpentine) lake complex is one of the Waikato region’s few peat lake systems that contains primarily native aquatic plants. Retaining the natural state of the lakes has been considered a high priority by the Department of Conservation (DOC) and extensive efforts have taken place to prevent nutrient leaching and to control invasive organisms in the lakes. The University of Waikato was contracted to investigate the biomass of introduced and native fish in the Rotopiko lakes in order to determine if the fish removal with rotenone, a chemical piscicide, was required as proposed by DOC. Fish were collected using a variety of traps and nets prior to marking and release. Following a dispersal period, each lake was then fished a second time and fish biomass was estimated using a capture-mark-release-recapture study design; population estimates were derived using the Lincoln-Petersen method (Nichols 1992) Overall, there was low observed invasive fish biomass (1.37 kg ha-1) and comparatively high native fish (31.9 kg ha-1) biomass in the Rotopiko lakes. The introduced brown bullhead catfish (Ameiurus nebulosus) had the highest biomass and the native shortfin eel (Anguilla australis) was the species with the highest biomass. Rudd (Scardinius erythrophthalmus) are considered the main threat to the aquatic macrophyte community in the Rotopiko lakes, but no rudd were captured during this study. In comparison, rudd were successfully captured using pod traps in Lake Kaituna (mean catch per unit effort (CPUE) 18 fish net-1 night-1) at similar water temperatures to those in the Rotopiko lakes. It was therefore concluded that rudd are at very low biomass in the Rotopiko lakes based on the results of this and previous netting surveys. Based on the low estimated invasive fish biomass (< 2.5 kg ha-1) from mark-recapture data, factors other than invasive fish seem to be responsible for influencing the loss of water quality in the Rotopiko lakes. Treating the lakes with rotenone is not likely to dramatically improve water quality or macrophyte regeneration and would eliminate the native fish community, requiring restocking of native species into the lakes. The current invasive fish reduction programme appears to be sufficient to keep the invasive fish population in check. In addition, implementing both human and physical barriers to prevent future invasions of additional invasive species would be highly recommended. These barriers should include limiting human access and blocking the lake outlet with a fish barrier to restrict movement of invasive species into the lake while allowing passage of native species. Monitoring of sediment and nutrients inputs from inflows to the Rotopiko lakes is currently being conducted by the University of Waikato as part of a contracted research for the Waikato Regional Council; this research may provide insights into the causes of the declining lake water quality.

text: Fish biomass and gonad development in the Rotopiko (Serpentine) lakes The Rotopiko (Serpentine) lake complex is one of the Waikato region’s few peat lake systems that contains primarily native aquatic plants. Retaining the natural state of the lakes has been considered a high priority by the Department of Conservation (DOC) and extensive efforts have taken place to prevent nutrient leaching and to control invasive organisms in the lakes. The University of Waikato was contracted to investigate the biomass of introduced and native fish in the Rotopiko lakes in order to determine if the fish removal with rotenone, a chemical piscicide, was required as proposed by DOC. Fish were collected using a variety of traps and nets prior to marking and release. Following a dispersal period, each lake was then fished a second time and fish biomass was estimated using a capture-mark-release-recapture study design; population estimates were derived using the Lincoln-Petersen method (Nichols 1992) Overall, there was low observed invasive fish biomass (1.37 kg ha-1) and comparatively high native fish (31.9 kg ha-1) biomass in the Rotopiko lakes. The introduced brown bullhead catfish (Ameiurus nebulosus) had the highest biomass and the native shortfin eel (Anguilla australis) was the species with the highest biomass. Rudd (Scardinius erythrophthalmus) are considered the main threat to the aquatic macrophyte community in the Rotopiko lakes, but no rudd were captured during this study. In comparison, rudd were successfully captured using pod traps in Lake Kaituna (mean catch per unit effort (CPUE) 18 fish net-1 night-1) at similar water temperatures to those in the Rotopiko lakes. It was therefore concluded that rudd are at very low biomass in the Rotopiko lakes based on the results of this and previous netting surveys. Based on the low estimated invasive fish biomass (< 2.5 kg ha-1) from mark-recapture data, factors other than invasive fish seem to be responsible for influencing the loss of water quality in the Rotopiko lakes. Treating the lakes with rotenone is not likely to dramatically improve water quality or macrophyte regeneration and would eliminate the native fish community, requiring restocking of native species into the lakes. The current invasive fish reduction programme appears to be sufficient to keep the invasive fish population in check. In addition, implementing both human and physical barriers to prevent future invasions of additional invasive species would be highly recommended. These barriers should include limiting human access and blocking the lake outlet with a fish barrier to restrict movement of invasive species into the lake while allowing passage of native species. Monitoring of sediment and nutrients inputs from inflows to the Rotopiko lakes is currently being conducted by the University of Waikato as part of a contracted research for the Waikato Regional Council; this research may provide insights into the causes of the declining lake water quality.

year: 2013

title: Access to Marriage for Same-Sex Couples in New Zealand: A Matter of Human Rights

authors: Christie, Nigel

subjects: same-sex marriage

abstract: Scope of work undertaken:
This thesis focuses on access to marriage as a fundamental human right, and the premise that there is no justifiable reason, in terms of New Zealand law, why same-sex couples should be excluded from this right.
Method of investigation:
This thesis is the result of participatory action research and academic analysis.
I have been centrally involved with the issue of equal access to same-sex marriage and, therefore, this thesis has been an experiential exercise involving engagement with key protagonists in human rights issues in New Zealand - proponents and detractors.
However, I have also considered a great deal of primary and secondary material, particularly in relation to human rights law and family law, and have considered key developments regarding relationship recognition in a range of overseas jurisdictions.
Main divisions of the thesis:
Part I provides introductory information, setting the objectives and the parameters of the thesis. This part also includes the methodology used in the gathering and analysis of information in the writing of this thesis.
In Part II, I provide a range of information to set the context in which I have considered the issue of same-sex marriage. This includes a personal perspective, an analysis of the human rights imperatives, and a commentary on a range of issues relating to New Zealand's constitutional and social arrangements.
In Part III, I consider developments in the law in New Zealand and overseas. I examine the response of the New Zealand courts, the United Nations Human Rights Committee, and the Government and Parliament of New Zealand to the call for same-sex marriage in New Zealand. I also examine legislative initiatives and court challenges in a range of overseas jurisdictions and the extent to which these have been successful in providing equal access to marriage for same-sex couples and the impact these might have on future developments in New Zealand.
Finally, Part IV provides a summary of the key themes of the thesis, a consideration of options for possible future action, and suggestions with regard to ensuring future success.
Conclusions reached:
My conclusion is that there is no valid justification for denying full marriage equality to same-sex couples in New Zealand, and that there are steps that we can take to ensure the achievement of full and equal treatment under the law.
It is my thesis that there is no valid justification for denying full marriage equality to same-sex couples in New Zealand.
Contribution to knowledge of the subject
This thesis provides a comprehensive analysis of law and historical fact relating to the recognition of lesbian and gay relationships in New Zealand, and in that sense, provides a cultural and historical tool for immediate use.
The thesis also, however, provides a platform for future progress. I consider that it will be able to be used as a reference to shift attitudes.
Much of the material in this thesis has been used already, both in New Zealand and internationally, in helping to bring about change.

text: Access to Marriage for Same-Sex Couples in New Zealand: A Matter of Human Rights Scope of work undertaken:
This thesis focuses on access to marriage as a fundamental human right, and the premise that there is no justifiable reason, in terms of New Zealand law, why same-sex couples should be excluded from this right.
Method of investigation:
This thesis is the result of participatory action research and academic analysis.
I have been centrally involved with the issue of equal access to same-sex marriage and, therefore, this thesis has been an experiential exercise involving engagement with key protagonists in human rights issues in New Zealand - proponents and detractors.
However, I have also considered a great deal of primary and secondary material, particularly in relation to human rights law and family law, and have considered key developments regarding relationship recognition in a range of overseas jurisdictions.
Main divisions of the thesis:
Part I provides introductory information, setting the objectives and the parameters of the thesis. This part also includes the methodology used in the gathering and analysis of information in the writing of this thesis.
In Part II, I provide a range of information to set the context in which I have considered the issue of same-sex marriage. This includes a personal perspective, an analysis of the human rights imperatives, and a commentary on a range of issues relating to New Zealand's constitutional and social arrangements.
In Part III, I consider developments in the law in New Zealand and overseas. I examine the response of the New Zealand courts, the United Nations Human Rights Committee, and the Government and Parliament of New Zealand to the call for same-sex marriage in New Zealand. I also examine legislative initiatives and court challenges in a range of overseas jurisdictions and the extent to which these have been successful in providing equal access to marriage for same-sex couples and the impact these might have on future developments in New Zealand.
Finally, Part IV provides a summary of the key themes of the thesis, a consideration of options for possible future action, and suggestions with regard to ensuring future success.
Conclusions reached:
My conclusion is that there is no valid justification for denying full marriage equality to same-sex couples in New Zealand, and that there are steps that we can take to ensure the achievement of full and equal treatment under the law.
It is my thesis that there is no valid justification for denying full marriage equality to same-sex couples in New Zealand.
Contribution to knowledge of the subject
This thesis provides a comprehensive analysis of law and historical fact relating to the recognition of lesbian and gay relationships in New Zealand, and in that sense, provides a cultural and historical tool for immediate use.
The thesis also, however, provides a platform for future progress. I consider that it will be able to be used as a reference to shift attitudes.
Much of the material in this thesis has been used already, both in New Zealand and internationally, in helping to bring about change.

year: 2009

title: Culture is our business: Issues and challenges for forensic and correctional psychologists

authors: Tamatea, Armon J.

subjects: Science & Technology

abstract: Psychology has made significant advances in the development of more empirical, standardized, and consistent approaches to the prediction, assessment, and treatment of offending behaviour. However, crime occurs in a cultural context. Similarly, forensic and correctional psychology derive from a cultural basis that privileges certain types of knowledge and promotes certain forms of practice that are incommensurate with the outlook and realities of some offenders and their communities. While there is an emerging literature on ethnicity and race in criminal justice psychology, very little research that addresses culture is published. The reasons for this knowledge gap are complex, not least because the worldviews of indigenous and diverse communities do not superimpose neatly onto current best-practice models of risk assessment or offender rehabilitation. Given Australia and New Zealand’s commitment to the involvement and wellbeing of indigenous peoples as well as the shared experience of progressively more pluralistic societies, it is argued that there is a critical need to bring the somewhat disparate domains of forensic psychology and culture into conversation with a view to informing policy and practice. The example of risk assessment is used to illustrate some of the complexities of working with cultural difference. Central to this article is a call for a culturally-engaged and proactive philosophy of practice that embraces the needs of diverse offenders, victims and communities.

text: Culture is our business: Issues and challenges for forensic and correctional psychologists Psychology has made significant advances in the development of more empirical, standardized, and consistent approaches to the prediction, assessment, and treatment of offending behaviour. However, crime occurs in a cultural context. Similarly, forensic and correctional psychology derive from a cultural basis that privileges certain types of knowledge and promotes certain forms of practice that are incommensurate with the outlook and realities of some offenders and their communities. While there is an emerging literature on ethnicity and race in criminal justice psychology, very little research that addresses culture is published. The reasons for this knowledge gap are complex, not least because the worldviews of indigenous and diverse communities do not superimpose neatly onto current best-practice models of risk assessment or offender rehabilitation. Given Australia and New Zealand’s commitment to the involvement and wellbeing of indigenous peoples as well as the shared experience of progressively more pluralistic societies, it is argued that there is a critical need to bring the somewhat disparate domains of forensic psychology and culture into conversation with a view to informing policy and practice. The example of risk assessment is used to illustrate some of the complexities of working with cultural difference. Central to this article is a call for a culturally-engaged and proactive philosophy of practice that embraces the needs of diverse offenders, victims and communities.

year: 2017