title: The impact on Hamilton Abuse Intervention Project of government policy changes-an investigation

authors: Haley, Caryl Rosemary

subjects: Pol400 project

abstract: This research investigates the perceptions and viewpoints of staff working for the Hamilton Abuse Intervention Project (HAIP) as to the impact of changes in government policy. Established in 1991 HAIP is a coordinated community response to domestic violence based on the Duluth Model. Over the last two decades governments in New Zealand have introduced policies and strategies to combat violent crime in the community predicated on the understanding that addressing violence within the family/whanau setting will assist in breaking the cycle. This research focuses on the impact of strategies which advocated inter-agency collaboration such as the VIP Pol400 Project (Pol400 Project) established in 2001 with HAIP as the lead agency. (VIP is an abbreviation standing for Violence Intervention Project). The research also set out to test the hypothesis that working within an environment marked by the introduction of policy changes and new strategies has a significant impact upon a social services agency such as HAIP.
  In view of the inherent complexity of investigating perceptions and viewpoints qualitative methodology was chosen for this research. Ten of the fourteen people employed by HAIP contributed to the research. Semi-structured face to face interviews and the written answers from questionnaires provided a detailed body of information which informed the narrative and descriptions of this study. An outline of relevant legislation, policy initiatives and strategies introduced over the last two decades was provided to give a framework for the study.
  Each of the respondents commented on issues related to funding and workload. Inadequate funding was seen to be adding to already heavy workload which continued to grow aggravated by the demands of compliance and accountability. Respondents identified some aspects of HAIP which had been affected by lack of adequate funding such as the loss of the 24/7 Crisis Line and difficulties with maintaining the parallel development policy. However, In spite of funding shortfalls respondents noted that HAIP's services continued to expand and examples were given of recent initiatives such as the establishment of home support groups. Several respondents identified the Pol400 Project as being significant development in HAIP's services. Respondents commented on its value in closing gaps in the criminal justice system's response to incidents of family violence. A detailed analysis of the Pol400 Project using archival material and using statistics from the HAIP Pol400 database demonstrated the comprehensive extent of the inter-agency collaboration. 
  The findings of this investigation showed that respondents regarded inadequate funding and increased workload as impacting significantly on their work. However, apart from comments made in relation to some negative impacts on HAIP of the Domestic Violence Act of 1995, respondents rarely made a specific connection between these issues and their relationship to changes in government policies. This study showed that since the Pol400Project began in 2001 reported incidents of family violence and subsequent referrals rose steadily but the data showed a marked increase in activity following the involvement in 2005 of a Family Safety Team. The increase in the intake of reports was attributed, in part, to the police addressing gaps and shortfalls in their own systems. The impact of the Pol400 Project on HAIP was seen, in the main, to be contributing positively to HAIP's role in providing a seamless coordinated community response to family violence.

text: The impact on Hamilton Abuse Intervention Project of government policy changes-an investigation This research investigates the perceptions and viewpoints of staff working for the Hamilton Abuse Intervention Project (HAIP) as to the impact of changes in government policy. Established in 1991 HAIP is a coordinated community response to domestic violence based on the Duluth Model. Over the last two decades governments in New Zealand have introduced policies and strategies to combat violent crime in the community predicated on the understanding that addressing violence within the family/whanau setting will assist in breaking the cycle. This research focuses on the impact of strategies which advocated inter-agency collaboration such as the VIP Pol400 Project (Pol400 Project) established in 2001 with HAIP as the lead agency. (VIP is an abbreviation standing for Violence Intervention Project). The research also set out to test the hypothesis that working within an environment marked by the introduction of policy changes and new strategies has a significant impact upon a social services agency such as HAIP.
  In view of the inherent complexity of investigating perceptions and viewpoints qualitative methodology was chosen for this research. Ten of the fourteen people employed by HAIP contributed to the research. Semi-structured face to face interviews and the written answers from questionnaires provided a detailed body of information which informed the narrative and descriptions of this study. An outline of relevant legislation, policy initiatives and strategies introduced over the last two decades was provided to give a framework for the study.
  Each of the respondents commented on issues related to funding and workload. Inadequate funding was seen to be adding to already heavy workload which continued to grow aggravated by the demands of compliance and accountability. Respondents identified some aspects of HAIP which had been affected by lack of adequate funding such as the loss of the 24/7 Crisis Line and difficulties with maintaining the parallel development policy. However, In spite of funding shortfalls respondents noted that HAIP's services continued to expand and examples were given of recent initiatives such as the establishment of home support groups. Several respondents identified the Pol400 Project as being significant development in HAIP's services. Respondents commented on its value in closing gaps in the criminal justice system's response to incidents of family violence. A detailed analysis of the Pol400 Project using archival material and using statistics from the HAIP Pol400 database demonstrated the comprehensive extent of the inter-agency collaboration. 
  The findings of this investigation showed that respondents regarded inadequate funding and increased workload as impacting significantly on their work. However, apart from comments made in relation to some negative impacts on HAIP of the Domestic Violence Act of 1995, respondents rarely made a specific connection between these issues and their relationship to changes in government policies. This study showed that since the Pol400Project began in 2001 reported incidents of family violence and subsequent referrals rose steadily but the data showed a marked increase in activity following the involvement in 2005 of a Family Safety Team. The increase in the intake of reports was attributed, in part, to the police addressing gaps and shortfalls in their own systems. The impact of the Pol400 Project on HAIP was seen, in the main, to be contributing positively to HAIP's role in providing a seamless coordinated community response to family violence.

year: 2008

title: Epoxy-janthitrems, effects of temperature on in planta expression and their bioactivity against porina larvae

authors: Hennessy, Louise

subjects: Epoxy-janthitrem

abstract: Ryegrass infected with the endophyte AR37 is of significant value to New Zealand’s pastoral sector. It provides superior protection against a range of ryegrass pest insects, and added an estimated $42 million dollars to New Zealand’s economy between 2007 and 2011. Epoxy-janthitrem alkaloids, produced by AR37, are thought to provide this bioactivity, but limited experiments investigating this have been conducted to date. A porina larval bioassay was undertaken to investigate the bioactivity of epoxy-janthitrem I, the major epoxy-janthitrem compound expressed by AR37. The alkaloid was found to be a feeding deterrent at all three concentrations tested (1, 2.5 and 5 μg/g wet weight), with stronger deterrence observed at the two higher concentrations. Some evidence of toxicity of epoxy-janthitrem I was also identified; future work to resolve this is discussed.
Temperature and ryegrass cultivar are two factors known to affect the concentration of alkaloids in ryegrass. How these factors affect epoxy-janthitrem concentrations in AR37-infetced ryegrass has never before been examined. Perennial and Italian ryegrass were grown in high (20°C) and low (7°C) temperature controlled environment rooms for 10-12 weeks, ryegrass was then freeze dried, ground and incorporated in a semi-synthetic diet which was fed to porina larvae to examine how these variations in alkaloid concentration would affect larvae. AR37-infected ryegrass grown at high temperature was found to contain higher concentrations of epoxy-janthitrem, which when fed to porina larvae had a strong anti-feedant effect and reduced larval survival. In comparison, AR37-infected ryegrass grown at low temperature had a small anti-feedant effect on larvae and only when in perennial ryegrass. Epoxy-janthitrem concentrations were slightly affected by plant cultivar and concentrations were identified to be higher in the pseudostems when compared to the leaves of ryegrass plants.
Findings from this thesis improve on the understanding of the bioactivity of epoxy-janthitrem and explain reports from colder areas of the country, that AR37 is not able to adequately control porina populations. Further research should clarify the limitations of the AR37 endophyte in cooler regions by first identifying whether these results are replicated in the field and then by identifying the temperature ranges the AR37 endophyte may not be as effective in.

text: Epoxy-janthitrems, effects of temperature on in planta expression and their bioactivity against porina larvae Ryegrass infected with the endophyte AR37 is of significant value to New Zealand’s pastoral sector. It provides superior protection against a range of ryegrass pest insects, and added an estimated $42 million dollars to New Zealand’s economy between 2007 and 2011. Epoxy-janthitrem alkaloids, produced by AR37, are thought to provide this bioactivity, but limited experiments investigating this have been conducted to date. A porina larval bioassay was undertaken to investigate the bioactivity of epoxy-janthitrem I, the major epoxy-janthitrem compound expressed by AR37. The alkaloid was found to be a feeding deterrent at all three concentrations tested (1, 2.5 and 5 μg/g wet weight), with stronger deterrence observed at the two higher concentrations. Some evidence of toxicity of epoxy-janthitrem I was also identified; future work to resolve this is discussed.
Temperature and ryegrass cultivar are two factors known to affect the concentration of alkaloids in ryegrass. How these factors affect epoxy-janthitrem concentrations in AR37-infetced ryegrass has never before been examined. Perennial and Italian ryegrass were grown in high (20°C) and low (7°C) temperature controlled environment rooms for 10-12 weeks, ryegrass was then freeze dried, ground and incorporated in a semi-synthetic diet which was fed to porina larvae to examine how these variations in alkaloid concentration would affect larvae. AR37-infected ryegrass grown at high temperature was found to contain higher concentrations of epoxy-janthitrem, which when fed to porina larvae had a strong anti-feedant effect and reduced larval survival. In comparison, AR37-infected ryegrass grown at low temperature had a small anti-feedant effect on larvae and only when in perennial ryegrass. Epoxy-janthitrem concentrations were slightly affected by plant cultivar and concentrations were identified to be higher in the pseudostems when compared to the leaves of ryegrass plants.
Findings from this thesis improve on the understanding of the bioactivity of epoxy-janthitrem and explain reports from colder areas of the country, that AR37 is not able to adequately control porina populations. Further research should clarify the limitations of the AR37 endophyte in cooler regions by first identifying whether these results are replicated in the field and then by identifying the temperature ranges the AR37 endophyte may not be as effective in.

year: 2015

title: A trans-national analysis of equitable utilisation and minimisation of environmental harm under environmental laws at international, federal and national levels

authors: Hasan, Qaraman

subjects: International Environmental Law

abstract: Due to increasing demand for various human needs and climate change issues, rivers are now under enormous pressure. With increasing pressure on these valuable natural resources, responses among state and non-state actors are insufficient in the Anthropocene. To fill the gap, International Environmental Law (IEL) provides several principles for better management of these resources. Equitable utilisation and minimisation of environmental harm are among the most important principles of the IEL. From a theoretical perspective, these principles should lead to the sustainability of these resources and promote cooperation among relevant actors.

However, many river basins are still not allocated equitably and suffer from environmental damage. By using comparative, doctrinal, and empirical research methods, this thesis evaluates the two principles at the international level in Tigris and Euphrates River Basin, the federal level in Murray Darling Basin and at the local level in the Waikato River catchment. The research discovered major challenges for implementing the two principles. One major challenge is sovereignty, another is a lack or weakness of local voices and transparency. As the nature and status of all basins are different, the challenges are not exactly the same. For example, hearing local voices and better information transparency have significantly improved in the Waikato River.

As the challenges for implementing the two principles are not purely legal, the responses should blend legal solutions with political and socio-economic solutions. Therefore, this thesis strongly supports shared sovereignty among states at the international level as well as shared sovereignty with indigenous and minority groups at the national level. Cooperation among national and international actors in the river basins is also crucial for implementing the two principles effectively. Finally, there is the opportunity to establish basin institutions or organisations to manage river basins integrated and sustainable. This is vital in the case of TE-RB because the basin still lacks an institution. Furthermore, the basin institution in the MDB requires more robust compliance and monitoring power because the provisions of the Water Act 2007 and the basin plan still have not been implemented effectively.

Finally, the thesis concludes with two common lessons in comparing these cases. The first lesson is that equitable utilisation cannot be implemented effectively if it is not accepted by the local community in a broad and deep meaning. It means that the equitable allocation should be extended from only the riparian states to equitable allocation among the people within each state. The second lesson is that the minimisation of environmental harm cannot be implemented without determining the minimum flow of rivers, particularly transboundary rivers. Determining an environmental impact assessment for water projects and taking advantage of available solutions of nature contributes significantly in implementing the two principles and sustainable management of our rivers.

text: A trans-national analysis of equitable utilisation and minimisation of environmental harm under environmental laws at international, federal and national levels Due to increasing demand for various human needs and climate change issues, rivers are now under enormous pressure. With increasing pressure on these valuable natural resources, responses among state and non-state actors are insufficient in the Anthropocene. To fill the gap, International Environmental Law (IEL) provides several principles for better management of these resources. Equitable utilisation and minimisation of environmental harm are among the most important principles of the IEL. From a theoretical perspective, these principles should lead to the sustainability of these resources and promote cooperation among relevant actors.

However, many river basins are still not allocated equitably and suffer from environmental damage. By using comparative, doctrinal, and empirical research methods, this thesis evaluates the two principles at the international level in Tigris and Euphrates River Basin, the federal level in Murray Darling Basin and at the local level in the Waikato River catchment. The research discovered major challenges for implementing the two principles. One major challenge is sovereignty, another is a lack or weakness of local voices and transparency. As the nature and status of all basins are different, the challenges are not exactly the same. For example, hearing local voices and better information transparency have significantly improved in the Waikato River.

As the challenges for implementing the two principles are not purely legal, the responses should blend legal solutions with political and socio-economic solutions. Therefore, this thesis strongly supports shared sovereignty among states at the international level as well as shared sovereignty with indigenous and minority groups at the national level. Cooperation among national and international actors in the river basins is also crucial for implementing the two principles effectively. Finally, there is the opportunity to establish basin institutions or organisations to manage river basins integrated and sustainable. This is vital in the case of TE-RB because the basin still lacks an institution. Furthermore, the basin institution in the MDB requires more robust compliance and monitoring power because the provisions of the Water Act 2007 and the basin plan still have not been implemented effectively.

Finally, the thesis concludes with two common lessons in comparing these cases. The first lesson is that equitable utilisation cannot be implemented effectively if it is not accepted by the local community in a broad and deep meaning. It means that the equitable allocation should be extended from only the riparian states to equitable allocation among the people within each state. The second lesson is that the minimisation of environmental harm cannot be implemented without determining the minimum flow of rivers, particularly transboundary rivers. Determining an environmental impact assessment for water projects and taking advantage of available solutions of nature contributes significantly in implementing the two principles and sustainable management of our rivers.

year: 2023