title: Weeds and the Rotorua Lakes

authors: Clayton, John

abstract: The Rotorua Lakes are of volcanic origin and they form an integral feature of the regions landscape. No other region in New Zealand has such an interesting combination of lakes in close proximity, each of which offers unique cultural values and a diversity of
recreational activities.
Rotorua lake weeds rose to public and political prominence in the 1960s and the first seminar addressing this issue was held in 1964. A second meeting followed in 1966 with a ‘Seminar on Water Weeds’. These seminars involved outside experts and many will
remember Prof Val Chapman, University of Auckland, who had a prominent role supervising research on these weed problems with his students. I was his last PhD student before he retired in c. 1975.
This talk will provide an outline of key changes in the Rotorua Lakes over time by focusing on the aquatic plants. The aquatic plants in a lake provide a window into understanding the health and condition of each lake and this talk explains how native and invasive plants can be used to assess or describe lake condition, enabling lakes to be ranked, monitored and compared. The native condition of each lake has been compromised by two key impacts; invasive plant species and declining water clarity. Other potential impacts are also discussed. Key invasive weed species will be illustrated and discussed, including their spread and ecological impacts. Some of the history of management response will be discussed along with some thoughts about the future.

text: Weeds and the Rotorua Lakes The Rotorua Lakes are of volcanic origin and they form an integral feature of the regions landscape. No other region in New Zealand has such an interesting combination of lakes in close proximity, each of which offers unique cultural values and a diversity of
recreational activities.
Rotorua lake weeds rose to public and political prominence in the 1960s and the first seminar addressing this issue was held in 1964. A second meeting followed in 1966 with a ‘Seminar on Water Weeds’. These seminars involved outside experts and many will
remember Prof Val Chapman, University of Auckland, who had a prominent role supervising research on these weed problems with his students. I was his last PhD student before he retired in c. 1975.
This talk will provide an outline of key changes in the Rotorua Lakes over time by focusing on the aquatic plants. The aquatic plants in a lake provide a window into understanding the health and condition of each lake and this talk explains how native and invasive plants can be used to assess or describe lake condition, enabling lakes to be ranked, monitored and compared. The native condition of each lake has been compromised by two key impacts; invasive plant species and declining water clarity. Other potential impacts are also discussed. Key invasive weed species will be illustrated and discussed, including their spread and ecological impacts. Some of the history of management response will be discussed along with some thoughts about the future.

year: 2015

title: Ultra-Brief Clinical Outcome Evaluations in New Zealand: A New Zealand Perspective on the Outcome Rating Scale and Session Rating Scale

authors: Pay, Rebecca Ngaire

subjects: Outcome Evaluations

abstract: Outcome evaluations are becoming a routine aspect of psychotherapy, yet many measures are deemed inappropriate for everyday clinical use. Outcome evaluations help to inform clinical decision making and enhance treatment effects, whilst guiding therapy and tracking the client’s progress. Many current outcome evaluations are overly complex, lengthy and are not providing information in the most effective format possible. Given that mental health services nationally are increasingly being accessed, it is essential that the most effective and feasible outcome evaluations are being administered to maintain the meaningfulness of therapy. 

The present study explored an ultra-brief treatment session outcome measure called the Outcome Rating Scale (ORS), and compared it to the current New Zealand mandated outcome evaluation Health of Our Nation Outcome Scale (HoNOSCA) (N = 98). A quantitative, non-experimental correlational approach was taken, as studied in a clinical sample. Data was obtained through Lakes District Health Board, Infant, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.

The findings suggest that the ORS measures change and that it is comparable to HoNOSCA on 4 of the 13 HoNOSCA items. Interestingly, these 4 HoNOSCA items all significantly correlate with ORS’s ‘Overall’ measure. Higher ORS scores positively correlate with higher SRS scores, highlighting the importance of therapeutic alliance. Maori intake scores are slightly lower than European intake scores, but even out following therapy. Implications for future clinical directions and future research are discussed.

text: Ultra-Brief Clinical Outcome Evaluations in New Zealand: A New Zealand Perspective on the Outcome Rating Scale and Session Rating Scale Outcome evaluations are becoming a routine aspect of psychotherapy, yet many measures are deemed inappropriate for everyday clinical use. Outcome evaluations help to inform clinical decision making and enhance treatment effects, whilst guiding therapy and tracking the client’s progress. Many current outcome evaluations are overly complex, lengthy and are not providing information in the most effective format possible. Given that mental health services nationally are increasingly being accessed, it is essential that the most effective and feasible outcome evaluations are being administered to maintain the meaningfulness of therapy. 

The present study explored an ultra-brief treatment session outcome measure called the Outcome Rating Scale (ORS), and compared it to the current New Zealand mandated outcome evaluation Health of Our Nation Outcome Scale (HoNOSCA) (N = 98). A quantitative, non-experimental correlational approach was taken, as studied in a clinical sample. Data was obtained through Lakes District Health Board, Infant, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.

The findings suggest that the ORS measures change and that it is comparable to HoNOSCA on 4 of the 13 HoNOSCA items. Interestingly, these 4 HoNOSCA items all significantly correlate with ORS’s ‘Overall’ measure. Higher ORS scores positively correlate with higher SRS scores, highlighting the importance of therapeutic alliance. Maori intake scores are slightly lower than European intake scores, but even out following therapy. Implications for future clinical directions and future research are discussed.

year: 2017

title: Coastal communities, leisure and wellbeing: Advancing a trans-disciplinary agenda for understanding ocean-human relationships in Aotearoa New Zealand

authors: Wheaton, Belinda

subjects: Science & Technology

abstract: Commentators are advocating for research to better understand relationships between healthy coastal ecosystems and human wellbeing. Doing so requires inter- and transdisciplinary approaches across humanities, arts, social sciences, and science and technology disciplines. These approaches include culturally diverse knowledge systems, such as indigenous ones, that locate sustainable use of and relationships to marine ecosystems. This paper contributes to this agenda through a case-study of relationships between coastal ecosystems and human wellbeing in Aotearoa New Zealand. This article highlights interconnected cultural and wellbeing benefits of, and socio-ecological relationships between, these coastal ecosystems drawing on a case study of one ocean-based, ‘immersive’ leisure activity, surfing. Further, it examines how these relationships impact human physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing, and the wellbeing of communities and ecosystems. The research illustrates that surfing creates strong bonds between practitioners and coastal places, linking the health of marine environments and people. We demonstrate the value of a transdisciplinary place-based approach that integrates research across the humanities and social sciences and engages with Indigenous knowledge (Mātauranga Māori). This argument for multicultural co-learning shows the value of Western and Māori vantage points for how we understand coastal blue spaces. Indigenous perspectives, we conclude, deepen appreciation, as well as equity considerations, of how we understand place, wellbeing, and long-term sustainable relationships with marine ecosystems.

text: Coastal communities, leisure and wellbeing: Advancing a trans-disciplinary agenda for understanding ocean-human relationships in Aotearoa New Zealand Commentators are advocating for research to better understand relationships between healthy coastal ecosystems and human wellbeing. Doing so requires inter- and transdisciplinary approaches across humanities, arts, social sciences, and science and technology disciplines. These approaches include culturally diverse knowledge systems, such as indigenous ones, that locate sustainable use of and relationships to marine ecosystems. This paper contributes to this agenda through a case-study of relationships between coastal ecosystems and human wellbeing in Aotearoa New Zealand. This article highlights interconnected cultural and wellbeing benefits of, and socio-ecological relationships between, these coastal ecosystems drawing on a case study of one ocean-based, ‘immersive’ leisure activity, surfing. Further, it examines how these relationships impact human physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing, and the wellbeing of communities and ecosystems. The research illustrates that surfing creates strong bonds between practitioners and coastal places, linking the health of marine environments and people. We demonstrate the value of a transdisciplinary place-based approach that integrates research across the humanities and social sciences and engages with Indigenous knowledge (Mātauranga Māori). This argument for multicultural co-learning shows the value of Western and Māori vantage points for how we understand coastal blue spaces. Indigenous perspectives, we conclude, deepen appreciation, as well as equity considerations, of how we understand place, wellbeing, and long-term sustainable relationships with marine ecosystems.

year: 2021