title: Making history beyond neoliberalism: Response to Roper

authors: Neilson, David

subjects: New Zealand

abstract: Roper (2011a, p. 39) sums up his account of neoliberalism in New Zealand with the following conclusion: “In the absence of a major upsurge in working class and social movement struggle, the neoliberal policy regime is likely to remain firmly in place.” The bulk of his article lends weight to this conclusion in the course of offering a detailed analysis of National’s neoliberalism and New Zealand’s social inequality. In his final assessment Roper turns to list mid-range factors that underpin his conclusion. In particular, he refers to structural constraints resulting from the neoliberalisation of New Zealand’s financial regime; neoliberalisation of the outlooks of successive New Zealand Governments since 1984; and the balance of class forces in favour of capital (pp.37-8). This response focuses, first, on building a sympathetic analysis of these mid-range factors which are linked here with the form and dynamic of the ‘neoliberal model of development’ (Neilson, 2011). In his conclusion Roper also states that if there is an upsurge in social movement and working class politics ‘then the question of alternatives to neoliberalism will come to the forefront of New Zealand politics’ (Roper, 2011a, p. 39). The second theme of this essay is linked to an exploratory discussion of why this might or might not happen and how more specifically a ‘counter-hegemonic project’ could be more consciously constructed and actively pursued.

text: Making history beyond neoliberalism: Response to Roper Roper (2011a, p. 39) sums up his account of neoliberalism in New Zealand with the following conclusion: “In the absence of a major upsurge in working class and social movement struggle, the neoliberal policy regime is likely to remain firmly in place.” The bulk of his article lends weight to this conclusion in the course of offering a detailed analysis of National’s neoliberalism and New Zealand’s social inequality. In his final assessment Roper turns to list mid-range factors that underpin his conclusion. In particular, he refers to structural constraints resulting from the neoliberalisation of New Zealand’s financial regime; neoliberalisation of the outlooks of successive New Zealand Governments since 1984; and the balance of class forces in favour of capital (pp.37-8). This response focuses, first, on building a sympathetic analysis of these mid-range factors which are linked here with the form and dynamic of the ‘neoliberal model of development’ (Neilson, 2011). In his conclusion Roper also states that if there is an upsurge in social movement and working class politics ‘then the question of alternatives to neoliberalism will come to the forefront of New Zealand politics’ (Roper, 2011a, p. 39). The second theme of this essay is linked to an exploratory discussion of why this might or might not happen and how more specifically a ‘counter-hegemonic project’ could be more consciously constructed and actively pursued.

year: 2011

title: Intramolecular OH∙∙∙π interactions in alkenols and alkynols

authors: Miller, Benjamin J.

subjects: chemistry

abstract: The vibrational overtone spectra of propargyl alcohol (prop-2-yn-1-ol, PA), allyl alcohol (prop-2-en-1-ol, AA), propargyl carbinol (but-3-yn-1-ol, PC) and allyl carbinol (but-3-en-1-ol, AC) were recorded with intracavity laser photoacoustic spectroscopy (ICL-PAS) in the ΔvOH = 3, 4 and 5 regions for propargyl alcohol and allyl alcohol and in the ΔvOH = 4 and 5 regions for propargyl carbinol and allyl carbinol. Local mode anharmonic oscillator calculations were performed with explicitly correlated coupled cluster methods to guide spectral assignment. Atoms in molecules (AIM) and non-covalent interactions (NCI) calculations were carried out to analyze the interactions between the OH-group and the π-electrons of the carbon–carbon multiple bonds. We ascertain the effect of the carbon chain length and saturation on the conformation and spectroscopy of the four alcohols in relation to intramolecular hydrogen bonding interactions.

text: Intramolecular OH∙∙∙π interactions in alkenols and alkynols The vibrational overtone spectra of propargyl alcohol (prop-2-yn-1-ol, PA), allyl alcohol (prop-2-en-1-ol, AA), propargyl carbinol (but-3-yn-1-ol, PC) and allyl carbinol (but-3-en-1-ol, AC) were recorded with intracavity laser photoacoustic spectroscopy (ICL-PAS) in the ΔvOH = 3, 4 and 5 regions for propargyl alcohol and allyl alcohol and in the ΔvOH = 4 and 5 regions for propargyl carbinol and allyl carbinol. Local mode anharmonic oscillator calculations were performed with explicitly correlated coupled cluster methods to guide spectral assignment. Atoms in molecules (AIM) and non-covalent interactions (NCI) calculations were carried out to analyze the interactions between the OH-group and the π-electrons of the carbon–carbon multiple bonds. We ascertain the effect of the carbon chain length and saturation on the conformation and spectroscopy of the four alcohols in relation to intramolecular hydrogen bonding interactions.

year: 2011

title: Māori transitions into tertiary education

authors: Amundsen, Diana Leigh

subjects: Maori

abstract: This thesis critically examines Māori transitions into tertiary education. The research explored the lived transition experiences of 20 Māori tertiary education students in the Bay of Plenty region. Historical and contemporary factors in Aotearoa influencing effective Māori student transitions into tertiary education were investigated. Data were collected and analysed through repeated semistructured interviews and focus groups over the 2016-2018 period with 20 Māori students enrolled in a wānanga, a polytechnic and a university. Participants experienced their transition as a journey, continuously evolving their identities and agency in relation to the tertiary education environments and social structures they encountered.
The findings suggest that transitions to tertiary education for Māori students involve a reciprocal interplay of identity, agency and structure which support or constrain transition experiences. Effective transition experiences were underpinned by processes of continuity enabling identity growth. Support was central to how well participants perceived their transition—racism and lack of support were significant barriers; suitable support was a significant enabler.
An over-riding theme from this research related to the interplay of power relations and Māori identity. How effectively participants developed a sense of belonging (or alienation) and identity growth linked to the tertiary education environments they encountered during their transition. Within wānanga, participants felt their Māori cultural identity was highly valued; within polytechnics, there was a sense that Māori culture is included but more could be done; within universities, a need for more inclusive practices to support Māori learner requirements was identified.
Lastly, this research was conducted by a Pākehā researcher working across kaupapa Māori spaces within interpretive and critical paradigms. Unexpected moments of struggle, discomfort and vulnerability opened up new and deeper understanding of implications for Pākehā educators and researchers engaging across Māori research spaces. This thesis argues for Pākehā to use their privilege to foster more equitable social structures. Equitable social structures would be beneficial for Māori transitions into tertiary education environments.

text: Māori transitions into tertiary education This thesis critically examines Māori transitions into tertiary education. The research explored the lived transition experiences of 20 Māori tertiary education students in the Bay of Plenty region. Historical and contemporary factors in Aotearoa influencing effective Māori student transitions into tertiary education were investigated. Data were collected and analysed through repeated semistructured interviews and focus groups over the 2016-2018 period with 20 Māori students enrolled in a wānanga, a polytechnic and a university. Participants experienced their transition as a journey, continuously evolving their identities and agency in relation to the tertiary education environments and social structures they encountered.
The findings suggest that transitions to tertiary education for Māori students involve a reciprocal interplay of identity, agency and structure which support or constrain transition experiences. Effective transition experiences were underpinned by processes of continuity enabling identity growth. Support was central to how well participants perceived their transition—racism and lack of support were significant barriers; suitable support was a significant enabler.
An over-riding theme from this research related to the interplay of power relations and Māori identity. How effectively participants developed a sense of belonging (or alienation) and identity growth linked to the tertiary education environments they encountered during their transition. Within wānanga, participants felt their Māori cultural identity was highly valued; within polytechnics, there was a sense that Māori culture is included but more could be done; within universities, a need for more inclusive practices to support Māori learner requirements was identified.
Lastly, this research was conducted by a Pākehā researcher working across kaupapa Māori spaces within interpretive and critical paradigms. Unexpected moments of struggle, discomfort and vulnerability opened up new and deeper understanding of implications for Pākehā educators and researchers engaging across Māori research spaces. This thesis argues for Pākehā to use their privilege to foster more equitable social structures. Equitable social structures would be beneficial for Māori transitions into tertiary education environments.

year: 2019