title: Mechanenzymatic production of natural fibre from harakeke (New Zealand flax) and its characterization for potential use in composites for building and construction applications

authors: Akindoyo, John O.

abstract: Mechanical processing of natural fibres can be used to produce large quantities of clean and refined fibres. However, this often results in fibre damage when used alone, thereby affecting the quality of fibres produced, and it generally makes them of insufficient quality for high-performance composite applications. In contrast, the use of biological agents such as enzymes have become a rapidly expanding area of research for producing high quality fibres, but this is still limited to pilot scales. This paper reports the effect of synergizing the salient features of mechanical processing (using a super masscolloider) and enzymatic treatment, on the structure and properties of harakeke (indigenous New Zealand flax) fibre. The cellulose fibres produced are characterized for their potential use as reinforcement in composites. Results show that the combination of mechanical processing with enzymatic treatment could help to overcome the limitations of both processes.

text: Mechanenzymatic production of natural fibre from harakeke (New Zealand flax) and its characterization for potential use in composites for building and construction applications Mechanical processing of natural fibres can be used to produce large quantities of clean and refined fibres. However, this often results in fibre damage when used alone, thereby affecting the quality of fibres produced, and it generally makes them of insufficient quality for high-performance composite applications. In contrast, the use of biological agents such as enzymes have become a rapidly expanding area of research for producing high quality fibres, but this is still limited to pilot scales. This paper reports the effect of synergizing the salient features of mechanical processing (using a super masscolloider) and enzymatic treatment, on the structure and properties of harakeke (indigenous New Zealand flax) fibre. The cellulose fibres produced are characterized for their potential use as reinforcement in composites. Results show that the combination of mechanical processing with enzymatic treatment could help to overcome the limitations of both processes.

year: 2024

title: The impact of social networking mediums on the decision making process of tourists: A case study of Stray Ltd and Spaceships New Zealand Ltd

authors: Jenkin, Hamish John

subjects: Social Networking Mediums

abstract: This thesis examines tourist decision making in relation to the use of blogs and social networking sites. Specifically, the research examines the tourist behaviour involving these mediums in the pre-experience decision making phase of the travel experience through case studies of two New Zealand tourism businesses which involve backpacker and fully independent tourists as their customers (Stray Ltd and Spaceships New Zealand Ltd). The thesis research used both quantitative and qualitative research methods in order to examine the influence of blogs and social networking sites on tourists‘ decision making. The quantitative data comprised of 206 semi-structured surveys completed by customers of the two companies. Qualitative data consisted of the collection of 330 photographs posted on the companies‘ websites which had been taken by customers, 19 customer videos, customer comments from both companies‘ websites, the content of the companies‘ Facebook and Twitter social networking sites, and a semi-structured interview with a representative from both companies. Analysis of the data revealed that Facebook is the most commonly used social networking site, with the usage of social networking sites being higher than that of blogs. However, neither Facebook nor blogs featured strongly when used by customers to make decisions, with travel ratings websites and official destination websites being more commonly used. Analysis of the qualitative data showed a difference in language, structure and time between the social networking site content and customer comment data. Customer comment data features more descriptions of a customers‘ trips and why they would recommend the company, rather than when the customers are going on the trip and what they are looking forward to, which was a characteristic of social networking site content. Analysis of the photographic and video data revealed differences between the two customer types, suggesting there is a clear difference between backpackers and fully independent travellers and their motivations for travel. This thesis contributes to the previous attention given to the role of technology in tourist decision making and trip bookings through focusing on the use of social networking sites and blogs and how this applies to tourism businesses.

text: The impact of social networking mediums on the decision making process of tourists: A case study of Stray Ltd and Spaceships New Zealand Ltd This thesis examines tourist decision making in relation to the use of blogs and social networking sites. Specifically, the research examines the tourist behaviour involving these mediums in the pre-experience decision making phase of the travel experience through case studies of two New Zealand tourism businesses which involve backpacker and fully independent tourists as their customers (Stray Ltd and Spaceships New Zealand Ltd). The thesis research used both quantitative and qualitative research methods in order to examine the influence of blogs and social networking sites on tourists‘ decision making. The quantitative data comprised of 206 semi-structured surveys completed by customers of the two companies. Qualitative data consisted of the collection of 330 photographs posted on the companies‘ websites which had been taken by customers, 19 customer videos, customer comments from both companies‘ websites, the content of the companies‘ Facebook and Twitter social networking sites, and a semi-structured interview with a representative from both companies. Analysis of the data revealed that Facebook is the most commonly used social networking site, with the usage of social networking sites being higher than that of blogs. However, neither Facebook nor blogs featured strongly when used by customers to make decisions, with travel ratings websites and official destination websites being more commonly used. Analysis of the qualitative data showed a difference in language, structure and time between the social networking site content and customer comment data. Customer comment data features more descriptions of a customers‘ trips and why they would recommend the company, rather than when the customers are going on the trip and what they are looking forward to, which was a characteristic of social networking site content. Analysis of the photographic and video data revealed differences between the two customer types, suggesting there is a clear difference between backpackers and fully independent travellers and their motivations for travel. This thesis contributes to the previous attention given to the role of technology in tourist decision making and trip bookings through focusing on the use of social networking sites and blogs and how this applies to tourism businesses.

year: 2010

title: Activating whanau (extended family) processes within a community and school literacy partnership

authors: Glynn, Ted

subjects: Maori Education

abstract: "The paper describes the positive outcomes of a home and school literacy partnership in one mainstream primary school where the principal and the large majority of students, teachers, and whānau belong to one Māori hapū (sub-tribe), Ngāti Whakaue. Participating students were identified by teachers as experiencing difficulties with reading and writing. They were assigned randomly to one of two conditions: (1) participating in their school’s regular reading programme (school group) or (2) participating also in the home tutored reading and writing programme (home and school group).

Students in the home and school group improved their reading and writing outcomes over and above the outcomes achieved by students participating only in the regular school programme. There were two key reasons for the success of this partnership. The first was parents and whānau members successful implementation of both a Māori language reading tutoring programme, Tatari, Tautoko Tauawhi, and the two components of the writing programme, Tuhi Atu Tui Mai and Whakaputa Whakaaro. The second was the professional educational and cultural expertise of the home and school liaison worker, Hiro. Because of her language and cultural expertise and her mana (acknowledged authority and standing), Hiro was able to engage Māori parents and whānau actively in the home and school project. The co-constructed narrative between Hiro and Mere (the second author) provided a salient context for understanding the power of culturally preferred pedagogy in establishing effective home and school partnerships."

text: Activating whanau (extended family) processes within a community and school literacy partnership "The paper describes the positive outcomes of a home and school literacy partnership in one mainstream primary school where the principal and the large majority of students, teachers, and whānau belong to one Māori hapū (sub-tribe), Ngāti Whakaue. Participating students were identified by teachers as experiencing difficulties with reading and writing. They were assigned randomly to one of two conditions: (1) participating in their school’s regular reading programme (school group) or (2) participating also in the home tutored reading and writing programme (home and school group).

Students in the home and school group improved their reading and writing outcomes over and above the outcomes achieved by students participating only in the regular school programme. There were two key reasons for the success of this partnership. The first was parents and whānau members successful implementation of both a Māori language reading tutoring programme, Tatari, Tautoko Tauawhi, and the two components of the writing programme, Tuhi Atu Tui Mai and Whakaputa Whakaaro. The second was the professional educational and cultural expertise of the home and school liaison worker, Hiro. Because of her language and cultural expertise and her mana (acknowledged authority and standing), Hiro was able to engage Māori parents and whānau actively in the home and school project. The co-constructed narrative between Hiro and Mere (the second author) provided a salient context for understanding the power of culturally preferred pedagogy in establishing effective home and school partnerships."

year: 2004