title: Pre-conference tephra data workshop: Hands-on session II: Tephra excursion, Okareka loop road (29 January 2023)

authors: Lowe, David J.

subjects: Okareka embayment

abstract: General stratigraphy of Okareka Loop Road section.
The following units are evident in the sequence from the base upwards:
(1) early tephras (Te Rere, 25.1 cal ka; Okareka, 23.5 cal ka) and thin interbedded loess within the remnant top of a small, buried hill-top at the base of the sequence;
(2) the buried hill itself, the formation of which represents a period of erosion that occurred during the last glacial period, and remnants of a (reworked?) tephra draping the (paleo)hillslope (Rerewhakaaitu, 17.6 cal ka);
(3) the thick (~4.5 m), bedded pumice lapilli tephra (with lithics) mantling the hill (Rotorua, 15.6 cal ka), the top of which is pedogenically modified to form a distinct orange soil (this orange soil material is evident throughout Rotorua basin and in road cuttings such as along SH 5 to the west of Rotorua); and
(4) at least four younger tephras and soil horizons overlying the buried soil on the Rotorua tephra: Waiohau (14.0 cal ka), Rotomā (9.4 cal ka), Kaharoa (c. 1314 ± 10 CE/AD), and Rotomahana Mud (of the Tarawera eruption, 10 June 1886).

text: Pre-conference tephra data workshop: Hands-on session II: Tephra excursion, Okareka loop road (29 January 2023) General stratigraphy of Okareka Loop Road section.
The following units are evident in the sequence from the base upwards:
(1) early tephras (Te Rere, 25.1 cal ka; Okareka, 23.5 cal ka) and thin interbedded loess within the remnant top of a small, buried hill-top at the base of the sequence;
(2) the buried hill itself, the formation of which represents a period of erosion that occurred during the last glacial period, and remnants of a (reworked?) tephra draping the (paleo)hillslope (Rerewhakaaitu, 17.6 cal ka);
(3) the thick (~4.5 m), bedded pumice lapilli tephra (with lithics) mantling the hill (Rotorua, 15.6 cal ka), the top of which is pedogenically modified to form a distinct orange soil (this orange soil material is evident throughout Rotorua basin and in road cuttings such as along SH 5 to the west of Rotorua); and
(4) at least four younger tephras and soil horizons overlying the buried soil on the Rotorua tephra: Waiohau (14.0 cal ka), Rotomā (9.4 cal ka), Kaharoa (c. 1314 ± 10 CE/AD), and Rotomahana Mud (of the Tarawera eruption, 10 June 1886).

year: 2023-01-29

title: Identification and structure elucidation of epoxyjanthitrems from Lolium perenne infected with the endophytic fungus Epichloë festucae var. lolii and determination of the tremorgenic and anti-insect activity of epoxyjanthitrem I.

authors: Finch, Sarah C.

subjects: AR37

abstract: Epoxyjanthitrems I-IV (1-4) and epoxyjanthitriol (5) were isolated from seed of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) infected with the endophytic fungus Epichloë festucae var. lolii. Although structures for epoxyjanthitrems I-IV have previously been proposed in the literature, this is the first report of a full structural elucidation yielding NMR (Nuclear magnetic resonance) assignments for all five epoxyjanthitrem compounds, and additionally, it is the first isolation of epoxyjanthitriol (5). Epoxyjanthitrem I induced tremors in mice and gave a dose dependent reduction in weight gain and feeding for porina (Wiseana cervinata), a common pasture pest in New Zealand. These data suggest that epoxyjanthitrems are involved in the observed effects of the AR37 endophyte on livestock and insect pests.

text: Identification and structure elucidation of epoxyjanthitrems from Lolium perenne infected with the endophytic fungus Epichloë festucae var. lolii and determination of the tremorgenic and anti-insect activity of epoxyjanthitrem I. Epoxyjanthitrems I-IV (1-4) and epoxyjanthitriol (5) were isolated from seed of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) infected with the endophytic fungus Epichloë festucae var. lolii. Although structures for epoxyjanthitrems I-IV have previously been proposed in the literature, this is the first report of a full structural elucidation yielding NMR (Nuclear magnetic resonance) assignments for all five epoxyjanthitrem compounds, and additionally, it is the first isolation of epoxyjanthitriol (5). Epoxyjanthitrem I induced tremors in mice and gave a dose dependent reduction in weight gain and feeding for porina (Wiseana cervinata), a common pasture pest in New Zealand. These data suggest that epoxyjanthitrems are involved in the observed effects of the AR37 endophyte on livestock and insect pests.

year: 2020-08-17

title: Whakapiki Wairua: Co-designing and implementing a Māori mindfulness mental health intervention in a Wharekura.

authors: McDonald, Marama

abstract: This article explores the process of co-designing a mātauranga-Māori-informed mindfulness intervention with rangatahi in a wharekura and examines the effects on wellbeing. Mahitahi co-design methodology underpinned the design, implementation and evaluation of the intervention, and quantitative psychological tests measured improvements in wellbeing and dispositional mindfulness. Findings showed positive indications for a decrease in levels of psychological distress, improvements in Māori quality of life domains, and higher levels of dispositional mindfulness. The effective mātaurangaMāori-informed wellbeing components of the intervention were he āhuru mōwai, mahi a ngā tīpuna, ngā kaitiaki, te taiao, whanaungatanga, and hohou te rongo. Future application of the intervention in mainstream schools and communities is needed to assess the efficacy of the intervention for rangatahi in other environments, the sustainability of mindfulness practice for rangatahi, and the long-term effects on wellbeing.

text: Whakapiki Wairua: Co-designing and implementing a Māori mindfulness mental health intervention in a Wharekura. This article explores the process of co-designing a mātauranga-Māori-informed mindfulness intervention with rangatahi in a wharekura and examines the effects on wellbeing. Mahitahi co-design methodology underpinned the design, implementation and evaluation of the intervention, and quantitative psychological tests measured improvements in wellbeing and dispositional mindfulness. Findings showed positive indications for a decrease in levels of psychological distress, improvements in Māori quality of life domains, and higher levels of dispositional mindfulness. The effective mātaurangaMāori-informed wellbeing components of the intervention were he āhuru mōwai, mahi a ngā tīpuna, ngā kaitiaki, te taiao, whanaungatanga, and hohou te rongo. Future application of the intervention in mainstream schools and communities is needed to assess the efficacy of the intervention for rangatahi in other environments, the sustainability of mindfulness practice for rangatahi, and the long-term effects on wellbeing.

year: 2021