title: Exploring Women's Leadership Journeys

authors: Loeffen, Olivia

subjects: Leadership

abstract: Women comprise a very small proportion (28%) of senior managers and leaders in New Zealand organisations and statistics reveal a plateauing in their numbers over the last decade (Grant Thornton, 2012). The dearth of women business leaders has significant organisational consequences. Previous research has shown that women bring a variety of skills and talents to organisations due to their diversity of skills, and decision-making abilities (McKinsey & Company, 2010; Deloitte Australia, 2011). In addition, a series of Catalyst studies from 2004 to 2011 has shown that companies that have more women in their management ranks and on their boards have significantly better revenue and profitability (Catalyst, 2011). Women’s active participation in senior leadership is therefore good not only for New Zealand’s economy but also for their organisations’ bottom lines. This underutilised resource is too valuable for New Zealand to ignore. In this research, I sought to understand how existing women leaders had moved into senior leadership roles in New Zealand organisations and how they had succeeded, in order to find ways of increasing the number of women leaders in the future. Taking an Appreciative Inquiry research approach, I aimed to discover ways of raising the percentage above 28% by interviewing a number of women business leaders about the stories, methods, and strategies that they believed underpinned their transition to top leadership roles. To give the study breadth, I selected women leaders from areas as diverse as public relations, publicly listed companies and not-for-profit organisations and then interviewed them individually to learn about the successes and challenges of their leadership journeys. One unexpected but welcome finding was the lack of evidence from any of the participants of the famous “glass ceiling.” Nevertheless, the participants did provide insight into many other challenges women have to face in order to obtain senior leadership positions. While they didn’t find a glass ceiling, the women often indicated signs of continuing gender discrimination. Many of the participants expressed their frustration that getting to the top is a lot harder for women than men and many participants noted that work/life balance was one of the biggest obstacles they had to negotiate. The thesis closes by deriving practical recommendations for the advancement of women to influential leadership positions.

text: Exploring Women's Leadership Journeys Women comprise a very small proportion (28%) of senior managers and leaders in New Zealand organisations and statistics reveal a plateauing in their numbers over the last decade (Grant Thornton, 2012). The dearth of women business leaders has significant organisational consequences. Previous research has shown that women bring a variety of skills and talents to organisations due to their diversity of skills, and decision-making abilities (McKinsey & Company, 2010; Deloitte Australia, 2011). In addition, a series of Catalyst studies from 2004 to 2011 has shown that companies that have more women in their management ranks and on their boards have significantly better revenue and profitability (Catalyst, 2011). Women’s active participation in senior leadership is therefore good not only for New Zealand’s economy but also for their organisations’ bottom lines. This underutilised resource is too valuable for New Zealand to ignore. In this research, I sought to understand how existing women leaders had moved into senior leadership roles in New Zealand organisations and how they had succeeded, in order to find ways of increasing the number of women leaders in the future. Taking an Appreciative Inquiry research approach, I aimed to discover ways of raising the percentage above 28% by interviewing a number of women business leaders about the stories, methods, and strategies that they believed underpinned their transition to top leadership roles. To give the study breadth, I selected women leaders from areas as diverse as public relations, publicly listed companies and not-for-profit organisations and then interviewed them individually to learn about the successes and challenges of their leadership journeys. One unexpected but welcome finding was the lack of evidence from any of the participants of the famous “glass ceiling.” Nevertheless, the participants did provide insight into many other challenges women have to face in order to obtain senior leadership positions. While they didn’t find a glass ceiling, the women often indicated signs of continuing gender discrimination. Many of the participants expressed their frustration that getting to the top is a lot harder for women than men and many participants noted that work/life balance was one of the biggest obstacles they had to negotiate. The thesis closes by deriving practical recommendations for the advancement of women to influential leadership positions.

year: 2016

title: 2024 Moana Oceania soil judging competition handbook

authors: Smith, Carol

subjects: Allophanic Soils

abstract: Welcome to the 2024 Moana Oceania Soil Judging Competition, jointly hosted by the New Zealand Society of Soil Science (NZSSS) and Soil Science Australia (SSA) and held this year in the stunning volcanic landscape of Rotorua, New Zealand.

This prestigious competition has become a much-anticipated event on both of our Societies’ calendars. This year's event provides an unparalleled opportunity to learn alongside participants from various soil-related backgrounds, including university students, regional council scientists, land managers, consultants, and general soil enthusiasts. Participants have travelled from every Australian state, across New Zealand and from a number of Pacific Island nations.

Soil judging is one of the best possible training grounds for aspiring soil professionals and those working professionals who wish to add a string to their bow of skills. Whether you have an interest in research, teaching, or consultancy, within academia, government or the private sector, there is no shortage of career possibilities in soils.

Students are our next generation of soil scientists and land managers and for that reason you play a critical role in both the NZSSS and SSA. Both nationally, and through our branches, our societies support students through a range of initiatives:
• Travel grants to attend the biennial national soil science conference.
• Financial support to attend the national soil judging competition and for the absolute best competitors, to attend the World Congress of Soil Science.
• Awards, presented at national conferences and by our branches.
• Reduced membership fees for our societies and registration fees for events.
• Great opportunities for mentoring and networking.

Over 3 days, we aim to equip participants with the soil description and classification skills that are vital for interpreting the best management and land use for any given soils. The practice and competition days will be intense, as your problem-solving skills, academic credentials and practical experience will be put to the test. This is your opportunity to show how much you have learned about soil description and classification and how you apply that knowledge in the field, often under pressure. Make the most of the training sessions, in the lead up to the competition day, and the chance to learn from some of our finest soil scientists as well as your fellow entrants.

Remember, beyond the technical challenges, you will also discover the value of ongoing education and professional development and the satisfaction that comes from strong teamwork. Most importantly, we hope this experience reinforces your commitment to sustainable land management and to protecting one of our nation’s most precious natural assets - our soil.

text: 2024 Moana Oceania soil judging competition handbook Welcome to the 2024 Moana Oceania Soil Judging Competition, jointly hosted by the New Zealand Society of Soil Science (NZSSS) and Soil Science Australia (SSA) and held this year in the stunning volcanic landscape of Rotorua, New Zealand.

This prestigious competition has become a much-anticipated event on both of our Societies’ calendars. This year's event provides an unparalleled opportunity to learn alongside participants from various soil-related backgrounds, including university students, regional council scientists, land managers, consultants, and general soil enthusiasts. Participants have travelled from every Australian state, across New Zealand and from a number of Pacific Island nations.

Soil judging is one of the best possible training grounds for aspiring soil professionals and those working professionals who wish to add a string to their bow of skills. Whether you have an interest in research, teaching, or consultancy, within academia, government or the private sector, there is no shortage of career possibilities in soils.

Students are our next generation of soil scientists and land managers and for that reason you play a critical role in both the NZSSS and SSA. Both nationally, and through our branches, our societies support students through a range of initiatives:
• Travel grants to attend the biennial national soil science conference.
• Financial support to attend the national soil judging competition and for the absolute best competitors, to attend the World Congress of Soil Science.
• Awards, presented at national conferences and by our branches.
• Reduced membership fees for our societies and registration fees for events.
• Great opportunities for mentoring and networking.

Over 3 days, we aim to equip participants with the soil description and classification skills that are vital for interpreting the best management and land use for any given soils. The practice and competition days will be intense, as your problem-solving skills, academic credentials and practical experience will be put to the test. This is your opportunity to show how much you have learned about soil description and classification and how you apply that knowledge in the field, often under pressure. Make the most of the training sessions, in the lead up to the competition day, and the chance to learn from some of our finest soil scientists as well as your fellow entrants.

Remember, beyond the technical challenges, you will also discover the value of ongoing education and professional development and the satisfaction that comes from strong teamwork. Most importantly, we hope this experience reinforces your commitment to sustainable land management and to protecting one of our nation’s most precious natural assets - our soil.

year: 2024

title: Computational thinking for young indigenous learners in New Zealand

authors: Fox-Turnbull, Wendy

subjects: authentic technological practice

abstract: This article presents the findings from a study aimed to investigate how the computational thinking aspect of digital technologies can be embedded authentically into students’ technological practice. The project explored teaching and learning computational thinking in context and particularly focus on technological needs and practice for young Māori learners.
There is recognition internationally about the need for digital technologies within the curriculum. Computational thinking is a critical component of this and is defined as an approach to problem-solving, designing computer systems, and understanding related human behaviours, while drawing on fundamental ideas of computing. Therefore, it is critical that all students acquire computational thinking skills. Technology practice is most successful when embedded within authentic contexts, thus this paper presents a study that facilitated the learning of two concepts of computational thinking: sequencing and orientation within culturally embedded technology practice. The study’s vision is to assist mainstream Māori learners from low socio-economic backgrounds to develop an understanding of related concepts of computational thinking. The research design drew on Māori values and practice that situates learning within authentic Māori contexts. Kaupapa Māori pedagogies were used in our design-based intervention programme to achieve the research goal. The focus of the project was to improve digital technologies learning outcomes to ensure Māori tamariki (children) see themselves as comfortably situated in a digital world.

text: Computational thinking for young indigenous learners in New Zealand This article presents the findings from a study aimed to investigate how the computational thinking aspect of digital technologies can be embedded authentically into students’ technological practice. The project explored teaching and learning computational thinking in context and particularly focus on technological needs and practice for young Māori learners.
There is recognition internationally about the need for digital technologies within the curriculum. Computational thinking is a critical component of this and is defined as an approach to problem-solving, designing computer systems, and understanding related human behaviours, while drawing on fundamental ideas of computing. Therefore, it is critical that all students acquire computational thinking skills. Technology practice is most successful when embedded within authentic contexts, thus this paper presents a study that facilitated the learning of two concepts of computational thinking: sequencing and orientation within culturally embedded technology practice. The study’s vision is to assist mainstream Māori learners from low socio-economic backgrounds to develop an understanding of related concepts of computational thinking. The research design drew on Māori values and practice that situates learning within authentic Māori contexts. Kaupapa Māori pedagogies were used in our design-based intervention programme to achieve the research goal. The focus of the project was to improve digital technologies learning outcomes to ensure Māori tamariki (children) see themselves as comfortably situated in a digital world.

year: 2024