title: Explaining Maori under-achievement in standardised reading tests: The role of social and individual characteristics

authors: Lock, Kelly J.

subjects: education

abstract: In New Zealand, Maori students have lower educational attainment levels than their Pakeha counterparts, which is a major contributor to the earnings inequality between these two groups. This study attempts to identify determinants of the gap in educational attainment using data on reading test scores for a sample of 3031 15‐year‐old Maori and Pakeha students. Using a decomposition method that is commonly applied to income inequality analyses, the determinants of the reading literacy test score gap between Maori and Pakeha students are identified. The main contributors to this gap are family factors, student's opinions, and school factors (including decile). An understanding of the determinants of the test score gap provides insights into how effective policy makers can be at reducing this inequality.

text: Explaining Maori under-achievement in standardised reading tests: The role of social and individual characteristics In New Zealand, Maori students have lower educational attainment levels than their Pakeha counterparts, which is a major contributor to the earnings inequality between these two groups. This study attempts to identify determinants of the gap in educational attainment using data on reading test scores for a sample of 3031 15‐year‐old Maori and Pakeha students. Using a decomposition method that is commonly applied to income inequality analyses, the determinants of the reading literacy test score gap between Maori and Pakeha students are identified. The main contributors to this gap are family factors, student's opinions, and school factors (including decile). An understanding of the determinants of the test score gap provides insights into how effective policy makers can be at reducing this inequality.

year: 2008

title: A criterion referenced analysis and evaluation of the processes involved in formulating a Māori language regeneration strategy for Whakamārama marae

authors: Lewis, Roger Brian

subjects: critical success factors

abstract: The quality of the processes involved in language regeneration strategy formation is critical to the creation of an effective language regeneration strategy and this, in turn, is critical to the achievement of successful language regeneration outcomes. The overall aim of this research project was to evaluate, using a range of effectiveness criteria, the processes involved in the creation of a marae-based te reo Māori regeneration strategy in the hope that others involved in similar projects in the future would benefit and in the hope that the Whakamārama whānau will themselves derive benefit from it in reviewing what has already been achieved. In Chapter 1, the background to the research project and its rationale are outlined
and the research questions and research methods are introduced. Chapter 2 provides a critical review of selected literature in the area of strategic planning aspects of language regeneration and relevant aspects of mātauranga Māori. Using an ethnographic approach, the processes and immediate outcomes (in terms of a
survey report and a regeneration plan for Whakamārama marae) of the language regeneration project are outlined in Chapter 3. In Chapter 4, effectiveness criteria are derived on the basis of the literature review in Chapter 2. These include criteria relating to leadership, participation, Kaupapa Māori values, environmental
analysis and outcomes. The criteria are then applied to the analysis and evaluation of the processes and outcomes outlined in Chapter 3 in order to identify their strengths and weaknesses. The overall conclusion is that Whakamārama's
language regeneration activities to date can be regarded as successful in many ways, including the fact that they have resulted in the production of high quality documentation that is widely appreciated by the whānau in the form of a maraebased language survey and a marae-based te reo Māori regeneration plan. Working voluntarily and often under difficult circumstances, core group members demonstrated that they possessed the essential characteristics of commitment,
motivation and determination, in addition to the willingness and ability to use existing skills and knowledge effectively and to develop further skills and knowledge as the project proceeded. Perhaps most important, they developed a caring and effective working culture. However, the weaknesses of the project included a lack of preparation and planning prior to the commencement of the project which resulted in a build up of work at a number of stages. This, in turn, lead to delays in producing outcomes and some loss of momentum. It also led, indirectly, to the views of two or three members of the core group being overrepresented in the reo plan goals. The information and analysis provided here
have relevance to any language community involved in micro-level language regeneration activities of a similar type. It is hoped therefore that this thesis may help others to not only avoid the problems experienced by the Whakamārama whānau but also to benefit from their successes.

text: A criterion referenced analysis and evaluation of the processes involved in formulating a Māori language regeneration strategy for Whakamārama marae The quality of the processes involved in language regeneration strategy formation is critical to the creation of an effective language regeneration strategy and this, in turn, is critical to the achievement of successful language regeneration outcomes. The overall aim of this research project was to evaluate, using a range of effectiveness criteria, the processes involved in the creation of a marae-based te reo Māori regeneration strategy in the hope that others involved in similar projects in the future would benefit and in the hope that the Whakamārama whānau will themselves derive benefit from it in reviewing what has already been achieved. In Chapter 1, the background to the research project and its rationale are outlined
and the research questions and research methods are introduced. Chapter 2 provides a critical review of selected literature in the area of strategic planning aspects of language regeneration and relevant aspects of mātauranga Māori. Using an ethnographic approach, the processes and immediate outcomes (in terms of a
survey report and a regeneration plan for Whakamārama marae) of the language regeneration project are outlined in Chapter 3. In Chapter 4, effectiveness criteria are derived on the basis of the literature review in Chapter 2. These include criteria relating to leadership, participation, Kaupapa Māori values, environmental
analysis and outcomes. The criteria are then applied to the analysis and evaluation of the processes and outcomes outlined in Chapter 3 in order to identify their strengths and weaknesses. The overall conclusion is that Whakamārama's
language regeneration activities to date can be regarded as successful in many ways, including the fact that they have resulted in the production of high quality documentation that is widely appreciated by the whānau in the form of a maraebased language survey and a marae-based te reo Māori regeneration plan. Working voluntarily and often under difficult circumstances, core group members demonstrated that they possessed the essential characteristics of commitment,
motivation and determination, in addition to the willingness and ability to use existing skills and knowledge effectively and to develop further skills and knowledge as the project proceeded. Perhaps most important, they developed a caring and effective working culture. However, the weaknesses of the project included a lack of preparation and planning prior to the commencement of the project which resulted in a build up of work at a number of stages. This, in turn, lead to delays in producing outcomes and some loss of momentum. It also led, indirectly, to the views of two or three members of the core group being overrepresented in the reo plan goals. The information and analysis provided here
have relevance to any language community involved in micro-level language regeneration activities of a similar type. It is hoped therefore that this thesis may help others to not only avoid the problems experienced by the Whakamārama whānau but also to benefit from their successes.

year: 2007

title: Nectary photosynthesis contributes to the production of manuka (Leptospermum scoparium) floral nectar

authors: Clearwater, Michael J.

subjects: Science & Technology

abstract: Current models of floral nectar production do not include a contribution from photosynthesis by green nectary tissue, even though many species have green nectaries. Mānuka (Leptospermum scoparium) floral nectaries are green, and in addition to sugars, their nectar contains dihydroxyacetone (DHA), the precursor of the antimicrobial agent in the honey. We investigated causes of variation in mānuka floral nectar production, particularly the effect of light incident on the nectary.
Flower gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, and the effects on nectar of age, temperature, light, sucrose, 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU), pyridoxal phosphate, and 13CO2, were measured for attached and excised flowers.
Flower age affected all nectar traits, whilst temperature affected total nectar sugar only. Increased light reduced floral CO2 efflux, increased nectar sugar production, and affected the ratio of DHA to other nectar sugars. DCMU, an inhibitor of photosystem II, reduced nectar sugar production. Pyridoxal phosphate, an inhibitor of the chloroplast envelope triose phosphate transporter, reduced nectar DHA content. Incubation of excised flowers with 13CO2 in the light resulted in enrichment of nectar sugars, including DHA.
Photosynthesis within green nectaries contributes to nectar sugars and influences nectar composition. Mānuka nectar DHA arises from pools of triose phosphate that are modulated by nectary photosynthesis.

text: Nectary photosynthesis contributes to the production of manuka (Leptospermum scoparium) floral nectar Current models of floral nectar production do not include a contribution from photosynthesis by green nectary tissue, even though many species have green nectaries. Mānuka (Leptospermum scoparium) floral nectaries are green, and in addition to sugars, their nectar contains dihydroxyacetone (DHA), the precursor of the antimicrobial agent in the honey. We investigated causes of variation in mānuka floral nectar production, particularly the effect of light incident on the nectary.
Flower gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, and the effects on nectar of age, temperature, light, sucrose, 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU), pyridoxal phosphate, and 13CO2, were measured for attached and excised flowers.
Flower age affected all nectar traits, whilst temperature affected total nectar sugar only. Increased light reduced floral CO2 efflux, increased nectar sugar production, and affected the ratio of DHA to other nectar sugars. DCMU, an inhibitor of photosystem II, reduced nectar sugar production. Pyridoxal phosphate, an inhibitor of the chloroplast envelope triose phosphate transporter, reduced nectar DHA content. Incubation of excised flowers with 13CO2 in the light resulted in enrichment of nectar sugars, including DHA.
Photosynthesis within green nectaries contributes to nectar sugars and influences nectar composition. Mānuka nectar DHA arises from pools of triose phosphate that are modulated by nectary photosynthesis.

year: 2021-08-24