title: Improving cyber defence for critical national infrastructure in New Zealand

authors: Parmar, Bhojraj

subjects: Critical National Infrastructure Cybersecurity

abstract: The challenge of securing comprehensive services enabled by cyber-physical technologies is becoming increasingly acute. Industrial Control Systems (ICS) and Operational Technology (OT) environments have been in place for several decades. With a combination of computer software, hardware components and industrial/commercial use, these systems are essential in the control and automation of countless industrial procedures and processes that provide indispensable human services in most countries; they make it possible to operate and maintain such operations as the flow of energy through power grids, the treatment and supply of clean water to billions of people, and the maintenance of life saving medical facilities around the world.  

This research aims to critically analyse New Zealand's existing cybersecurity strategies and approaches in its defence of Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) organisations operating OT and ICS environments.  In this regard, the research draws on international best practices, and proposes a set of hypotheses and actionable insights to fortify cyber resilience for CNIs. It also explores how government-enforced frameworks and standards improve cyber defence for CNIs along with improved accountability.  Learnings from this research may be used by policy makers, cyber security leaders, and the government of New Zealand in their consideration of and consultations on academic and pragmatic application, for the development or adoption and enforcement of cyber security standards for CNIs in New Zealand. The essence of this thesis lies in its commitment to contributing to the broader discourse on cybersecurity for OT and ICS environments--particularly in safeguarding critical infrastructures--thereby enhancing the security and welfare of nations in a dynamically changing threat landscape.  

To achieve the aforementioned aim, this thesis undertakes an analysis of cyber security standards and frameworks that governments around the globe--especially within the countries represented in the Five Eyes intelligence alliance comprising Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States--have enforced for CNIs operating OT and ICS environments. Additionally, the thesis examines whether there are other geographies that are a closer fit culturally and economically for New Zealand to learn from and to emulate when it comes to considering future strategies for improving cyber defence for CNIs.  This thesis further explores how systematic, strategic, and collaborative efforts in combination with government enforced frameworks and standards improve cyber defence for CNI and OT and ICS environments. It is guided by comparative analysis, utilizing both qualitative and quantitative data, including policy document reviews, expert interviews, and studies of international best practices.

text: Improving cyber defence for critical national infrastructure in New Zealand The challenge of securing comprehensive services enabled by cyber-physical technologies is becoming increasingly acute. Industrial Control Systems (ICS) and Operational Technology (OT) environments have been in place for several decades. With a combination of computer software, hardware components and industrial/commercial use, these systems are essential in the control and automation of countless industrial procedures and processes that provide indispensable human services in most countries; they make it possible to operate and maintain such operations as the flow of energy through power grids, the treatment and supply of clean water to billions of people, and the maintenance of life saving medical facilities around the world.  

This research aims to critically analyse New Zealand's existing cybersecurity strategies and approaches in its defence of Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) organisations operating OT and ICS environments.  In this regard, the research draws on international best practices, and proposes a set of hypotheses and actionable insights to fortify cyber resilience for CNIs. It also explores how government-enforced frameworks and standards improve cyber defence for CNIs along with improved accountability.  Learnings from this research may be used by policy makers, cyber security leaders, and the government of New Zealand in their consideration of and consultations on academic and pragmatic application, for the development or adoption and enforcement of cyber security standards for CNIs in New Zealand. The essence of this thesis lies in its commitment to contributing to the broader discourse on cybersecurity for OT and ICS environments--particularly in safeguarding critical infrastructures--thereby enhancing the security and welfare of nations in a dynamically changing threat landscape.  

To achieve the aforementioned aim, this thesis undertakes an analysis of cyber security standards and frameworks that governments around the globe--especially within the countries represented in the Five Eyes intelligence alliance comprising Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States--have enforced for CNIs operating OT and ICS environments. Additionally, the thesis examines whether there are other geographies that are a closer fit culturally and economically for New Zealand to learn from and to emulate when it comes to considering future strategies for improving cyber defence for CNIs.  This thesis further explores how systematic, strategic, and collaborative efforts in combination with government enforced frameworks and standards improve cyber defence for CNI and OT and ICS environments. It is guided by comparative analysis, utilizing both qualitative and quantitative data, including policy document reviews, expert interviews, and studies of international best practices.

year: 2024

title: Assessing hydrogen intergration in steam boilers: A comparative analysis of different energy sources for decarbonisation

authors: Weicong, Chen

subjects: Hydrogen

abstract: New Zealand has a goal to achieve carbon zero emissions by year 2050. Fossil fuels are still the main energy sources for steam boilers which are important elements in the process heat sector. Therefore, it is quite important to decarbonise the process heat sector by using low carbon energy sources, such as green hydrogen, grid sourced hydrogen, blue hydrogen, hydrogen blend, wood pellets and electricity. In this research, a comparative analysis of these energy sources is conducted to find out the difference between fuel options in terms of carbon emission reduction, conversion efficiency and the levelised cost of energy. The outcome is that wood pellet boiler system has the best performance with the lowest carbon emission factor from energy delivered to plant, high overall energy conversion efficiency, and low levelised cost of energy. Further analysis was conducted to find out how the real-time prices of grid electricity impact the levelised cost carbon emissions of energy for grid sourced hydrogen systems. It found that levelised cost of energy of grid sourced hydrogen is less than the one of natural gas boiler system, when spot electricity prices are less than 37.98 NZD/MWh with carbon price at 70 NZD/tCO2-e. Also, grid sourced hydrogen brings more carbon emissions if it is generated by using the real-time grid electricity with higher prices. The real-time carbon emissions factor and annual carbon emission factor affect the annual amount of carbon emissions and carbon costs when applied to real world case studies of steam boiler systems. The total annual amount of carbon emissions calculated using the average annual carbon emissions factor from the official source was less than that calculated by real-time carbon emission factor for the case studies considered. That would have implications for the carbon costs paid for by companies. Correlations among the electricity spot price, active lake storage and real-time carbon emissions factor of grid electricity was also found. Low carbon emissions factor of grid electricity occurred most often when the electricity spot price was low and high active lake storage level were available.

text: Assessing hydrogen intergration in steam boilers: A comparative analysis of different energy sources for decarbonisation New Zealand has a goal to achieve carbon zero emissions by year 2050. Fossil fuels are still the main energy sources for steam boilers which are important elements in the process heat sector. Therefore, it is quite important to decarbonise the process heat sector by using low carbon energy sources, such as green hydrogen, grid sourced hydrogen, blue hydrogen, hydrogen blend, wood pellets and electricity. In this research, a comparative analysis of these energy sources is conducted to find out the difference between fuel options in terms of carbon emission reduction, conversion efficiency and the levelised cost of energy. The outcome is that wood pellet boiler system has the best performance with the lowest carbon emission factor from energy delivered to plant, high overall energy conversion efficiency, and low levelised cost of energy. Further analysis was conducted to find out how the real-time prices of grid electricity impact the levelised cost carbon emissions of energy for grid sourced hydrogen systems. It found that levelised cost of energy of grid sourced hydrogen is less than the one of natural gas boiler system, when spot electricity prices are less than 37.98 NZD/MWh with carbon price at 70 NZD/tCO2-e. Also, grid sourced hydrogen brings more carbon emissions if it is generated by using the real-time grid electricity with higher prices. The real-time carbon emissions factor and annual carbon emission factor affect the annual amount of carbon emissions and carbon costs when applied to real world case studies of steam boiler systems. The total annual amount of carbon emissions calculated using the average annual carbon emissions factor from the official source was less than that calculated by real-time carbon emission factor for the case studies considered. That would have implications for the carbon costs paid for by companies. Correlations among the electricity spot price, active lake storage and real-time carbon emissions factor of grid electricity was also found. Low carbon emissions factor of grid electricity occurred most often when the electricity spot price was low and high active lake storage level were available.

year: 2024

title: The Mātauranga Māori in Mathematics Directive: Exploring the place of mātauranga Māori in Mathematics teaching and learning

authors: Williams, Jessica Elizabeth

subjects: mathematics education

abstract: This thesis explores issues concerning mātauranga Māori in mathematics teaching and learning here in Aotearoa. The Ministry of Education has directed that mana ōrite mō te mātauranga Māori be embedded in teaching, learning, and assessment. Thus, this research primarily aims to understand the development leading to the directive of including mātauranga Māori in education policies. For the English-medium secondary education settings, the second and third aims of this research are to explore what mātauranga Māori means to teachers of mathematics and to consider the connections between mātauranga Māori and mathematics teaching and learning. To investigate these aims, a semi-structured group discussion with four secondary mathematics teachers from an English-medium setting was conducted. The results of this thesis highlight the confusion and challenges secondary mathematics educators have toward defining, and subsequently, implementing mātauranga Māori in their classrooms. This thesis also found that there is enthusiasm and interest around learning how to ensure indigenous and marginalised learners reach their mathematics potential. Believing that indigenous worldviews have the potential to shift education outcomes for minority learners, this thesis adds to literature related to indigenous education, secondary mathematics education, and English-medium education of Māori learners.

text: The Mātauranga Māori in Mathematics Directive: Exploring the place of mātauranga Māori in Mathematics teaching and learning This thesis explores issues concerning mātauranga Māori in mathematics teaching and learning here in Aotearoa. The Ministry of Education has directed that mana ōrite mō te mātauranga Māori be embedded in teaching, learning, and assessment. Thus, this research primarily aims to understand the development leading to the directive of including mātauranga Māori in education policies. For the English-medium secondary education settings, the second and third aims of this research are to explore what mātauranga Māori means to teachers of mathematics and to consider the connections between mātauranga Māori and mathematics teaching and learning. To investigate these aims, a semi-structured group discussion with four secondary mathematics teachers from an English-medium setting was conducted. The results of this thesis highlight the confusion and challenges secondary mathematics educators have toward defining, and subsequently, implementing mātauranga Māori in their classrooms. This thesis also found that there is enthusiasm and interest around learning how to ensure indigenous and marginalised learners reach their mathematics potential. Believing that indigenous worldviews have the potential to shift education outcomes for minority learners, this thesis adds to literature related to indigenous education, secondary mathematics education, and English-medium education of Māori learners.

year: 2023