title: Remediating small-scale migratory fish barriers with floating fish ramps

authors: Fake, Daniel Ryan

subjects: fish barriers

abstract: Instream barriers are a well-documented stressor for diadromous fish species, and can be numerous and costly to remediate. In New Zealand, previous experiments have investigated the swimming ability of indigenous migratory fish over small ramps, but this work has not led to the development of cost-effective ramps that can be deployed by river managers. This study built on previous research and investigated the effect of ramp surface type on the swimming ability of two species of diadromous fish; inanga (Galaxias maculatus) a weak swimmer, and redfin bully (Gobiomorphus huttoni) a moderate climber, in an effort to inform the design of a floating plastic ramp that could be installed at low head instream barriers. Three phases of tank trials in the Hawke’s Bay tested different ramp substrates, including rock climbing holds, and small and large raised Miradrain® cusps. The results indicated that a linear arrangement of small cusps provided an optimal surface for swimming species such as inanga while redfin bully passage rates did not differ between the surfaces tested. The addition of spat rope reduced velocities and increased depth on all surfaces, and increased passage rates for inanga on ramps with large cusps, and redfin bullies on both cusp sizes. Fish surveys were conducted at 4 lowland streams in Hawke’s Bay in order to characterise fish communities, investigate the impact of barriers on their distribution, and evaluate the success of ramp installations in facilitating passage. Fish communities were impacted by barriers to varying degrees depending on the climbing ability of different species present. Inanga and redfin bully abundances were lower above the barriers, whereas eel abundances were similar between upstream and downstream reaches. Rotomoulded plastic floating ramps lined with small cusps were installed at barriers on 2 streams, the Awanui and the Irongate. Inanga were found above the barrier in the Awanui Stream 12 months after a ramp was installed, but fish did not pass over the wooden weir on the Irongate Stream. Buoyancy issues with the Irongate ramp are thought to have reduced its utility and potentially hindered fish passage. The buoyancy issues have since been overcome, and further monitoring is required to assess whether fish passage is consequently improved. These results show that floating rotomoulded ramps can be an effective and cost-effective tool for remediating small scale instream barriers to migratory fish.

text: Remediating small-scale migratory fish barriers with floating fish ramps Instream barriers are a well-documented stressor for diadromous fish species, and can be numerous and costly to remediate. In New Zealand, previous experiments have investigated the swimming ability of indigenous migratory fish over small ramps, but this work has not led to the development of cost-effective ramps that can be deployed by river managers. This study built on previous research and investigated the effect of ramp surface type on the swimming ability of two species of diadromous fish; inanga (Galaxias maculatus) a weak swimmer, and redfin bully (Gobiomorphus huttoni) a moderate climber, in an effort to inform the design of a floating plastic ramp that could be installed at low head instream barriers. Three phases of tank trials in the Hawke’s Bay tested different ramp substrates, including rock climbing holds, and small and large raised Miradrain® cusps. The results indicated that a linear arrangement of small cusps provided an optimal surface for swimming species such as inanga while redfin bully passage rates did not differ between the surfaces tested. The addition of spat rope reduced velocities and increased depth on all surfaces, and increased passage rates for inanga on ramps with large cusps, and redfin bullies on both cusp sizes. Fish surveys were conducted at 4 lowland streams in Hawke’s Bay in order to characterise fish communities, investigate the impact of barriers on their distribution, and evaluate the success of ramp installations in facilitating passage. Fish communities were impacted by barriers to varying degrees depending on the climbing ability of different species present. Inanga and redfin bully abundances were lower above the barriers, whereas eel abundances were similar between upstream and downstream reaches. Rotomoulded plastic floating ramps lined with small cusps were installed at barriers on 2 streams, the Awanui and the Irongate. Inanga were found above the barrier in the Awanui Stream 12 months after a ramp was installed, but fish did not pass over the wooden weir on the Irongate Stream. Buoyancy issues with the Irongate ramp are thought to have reduced its utility and potentially hindered fish passage. The buoyancy issues have since been overcome, and further monitoring is required to assess whether fish passage is consequently improved. These results show that floating rotomoulded ramps can be an effective and cost-effective tool for remediating small scale instream barriers to migratory fish.

year: 2018

title: Visiting friends and relatives (VFR) in the Bay of Plenty

authors: Cave, Jennifer Barbara Jane

abstract: Tourism Bay of Plenty is interested to know whether local hosts of visiting friends and relatives (VFR) might be encouraged to play a larger part in the tourism economy of the Bay.
This survey of 699 individuals gives a 4-week snapshot of VFR activity in the Bay of Plenty in summer 2016 including Auckland Anniversary and Waitangi Days; and a week at Easter during the Tauranga Jazz Festival.
Issues investigated are: VFR profile, social dynamics which affect participation; activity patterns; the image of the Bay of Plenty; destination management issues that affect image; and the impact that VFR have on the visitor economy.

text: Visiting friends and relatives (VFR) in the Bay of Plenty Tourism Bay of Plenty is interested to know whether local hosts of visiting friends and relatives (VFR) might be encouraged to play a larger part in the tourism economy of the Bay.
This survey of 699 individuals gives a 4-week snapshot of VFR activity in the Bay of Plenty in summer 2016 including Auckland Anniversary and Waitangi Days; and a week at Easter during the Tauranga Jazz Festival.
Issues investigated are: VFR profile, social dynamics which affect participation; activity patterns; the image of the Bay of Plenty; destination management issues that affect image; and the impact that VFR have on the visitor economy.

year: 2016

title: A community psychology-based evaluation of the you good? You Good! program delivered by Jade speaks up educational trust in Aotearoa. Empowering tamariki emotional literacy, supporting mental health and encouraging well-being.

authors: Webbon, Abigail

abstract: This evaluation was completed for Jade Speaks Up (JSU) Educational Trust to provide feedback from school teachers and whānau who were involved in the You Good? You Good! (YG?YG!) program, delivered by JSU Educational Trust to schools across Aotearoa. The evaluation goal was to collate the narratives of participating school staff, whānau, and JSU Educational Trust trainers, contrasting experiences and perspectives to determine program effectiveness.
This program is for schools, management, and teachers who work with tamariki, to help teachers and students understand anxiety and develop skills and strategies to have self-agency. JSU Educational Trust developed YG?YG! in 2021, and in 2022 the YG?YG! pilot program was implemented.
This evaluation had three research objectives: 1) Identify and collate the experiences of school staff and other key stakeholders when implementing the YG?YG!, 2) Identify the strengths and barriers to inclusion for tamariki in schools where the program was delivered, and 3) Draw on the stakeholder narratives to assess the program's ability to achieve its goal: enable tamariki to be more agentic in responding to early signs of anxiety in themselves and others.
Information for this evaluation was collected from four sources: 1) Focus groups with JSU trainers, 2) Interviews with school staff, 3) Online surveys with school staff, 4) Archival supervision, and 5) Literature review. Data collected was interpreted through the use of thematic analysis, informed by Community Psychology principles, and the “Six C” framework, guided by He Awa Whiria.
Thematic analysis was completed by coding themes and categories from data sources. The findings from this empirical research engagement informed the analysis and discussion on program effectiveness. 
The findings and analysis found that forming a program design and approach informed with respect for the community’s needs and world-views can enable recognition, awareness and inclusion. A way for the program to begin to do so is to collaborate with communities.
Including researchers from a local community can enable empowerment, build social power, and create responses that promote the needs of the involved communities. The program can champion the field and those they work with by being accountable and enabling transparency.
The program can take an inclusive approach to sustaining its relationships, content relevance, and development for tamariki emotional well-being. The program can work on cultivating and empowering participants to be active partners, enabling the program to be shaped with equity in mind.
Key to program efficacy is acknowledging change and encompassing adaptation. The way to do this is to consider local health issues driven by who experience them, elevating the voice of the community.
Change and need cannot be determined without considering the voice of involved communities. By taking participants feedback, the program can create change for tamariki mental health, whilst acknowledging system and structural barriers, striving for community competence.
Importance lies within the work the program does to enable and support those affected by external factors. The program can acknowledge these challenges, and provide hope that community competence can be achieved.
To conclude, recommendations are presented for JSU Educational Trust to consider.

text: A community psychology-based evaluation of the you good? You Good! program delivered by Jade speaks up educational trust in Aotearoa. Empowering tamariki emotional literacy, supporting mental health and encouraging well-being. This evaluation was completed for Jade Speaks Up (JSU) Educational Trust to provide feedback from school teachers and whānau who were involved in the You Good? You Good! (YG?YG!) program, delivered by JSU Educational Trust to schools across Aotearoa. The evaluation goal was to collate the narratives of participating school staff, whānau, and JSU Educational Trust trainers, contrasting experiences and perspectives to determine program effectiveness.
This program is for schools, management, and teachers who work with tamariki, to help teachers and students understand anxiety and develop skills and strategies to have self-agency. JSU Educational Trust developed YG?YG! in 2021, and in 2022 the YG?YG! pilot program was implemented.
This evaluation had three research objectives: 1) Identify and collate the experiences of school staff and other key stakeholders when implementing the YG?YG!, 2) Identify the strengths and barriers to inclusion for tamariki in schools where the program was delivered, and 3) Draw on the stakeholder narratives to assess the program's ability to achieve its goal: enable tamariki to be more agentic in responding to early signs of anxiety in themselves and others.
Information for this evaluation was collected from four sources: 1) Focus groups with JSU trainers, 2) Interviews with school staff, 3) Online surveys with school staff, 4) Archival supervision, and 5) Literature review. Data collected was interpreted through the use of thematic analysis, informed by Community Psychology principles, and the “Six C” framework, guided by He Awa Whiria.
Thematic analysis was completed by coding themes and categories from data sources. The findings from this empirical research engagement informed the analysis and discussion on program effectiveness. 
The findings and analysis found that forming a program design and approach informed with respect for the community’s needs and world-views can enable recognition, awareness and inclusion. A way for the program to begin to do so is to collaborate with communities.
Including researchers from a local community can enable empowerment, build social power, and create responses that promote the needs of the involved communities. The program can champion the field and those they work with by being accountable and enabling transparency.
The program can take an inclusive approach to sustaining its relationships, content relevance, and development for tamariki emotional well-being. The program can work on cultivating and empowering participants to be active partners, enabling the program to be shaped with equity in mind.
Key to program efficacy is acknowledging change and encompassing adaptation. The way to do this is to consider local health issues driven by who experience them, elevating the voice of the community.
Change and need cannot be determined without considering the voice of involved communities. By taking participants feedback, the program can create change for tamariki mental health, whilst acknowledging system and structural barriers, striving for community competence.
Importance lies within the work the program does to enable and support those affected by external factors. The program can acknowledge these challenges, and provide hope that community competence can be achieved.
To conclude, recommendations are presented for JSU Educational Trust to consider.

year: 2024-11-14