title: Locating whitebait (Galaxias argenteus) eggs via canine scent detection

authors: Cooper, Ashlee Jane

subjects: Dog

abstract: The New Zealand whitebait fishery consists of five species of Galaxiidae fish and constitutes a culturally important commercial and recreational resource for New Zealand. Despite efforts by the Department of Conservation and regional councils, there has been a significant decline in whitebait over the past several decades, with three of the five whitebait species (īnanga, giant kōkopu, kōaro) now classified as 'declining’ and one (shortjaw kōkopu) considered ‘threatened’. Adult fish spawn on riparian vegetation near river mouths during spring tides, the eggs then develop aerially until the following spring tide when they hatch, and the larvae disperse into coastal estuaries. Anthropogenic activities such as flood management, vegetation removal and reduced water quality have led to widespread loss of suitable spawning habitat. Identification of spawning habitat is a key aspect to conserving whitebait species. However, visual surveys for spawning sites are time consuming and spawning areas difficult to predict, as most species do not return to the same spawning site each year. Scent-detection dogs may provide an efficient and effective way of locating whitebait nests, allowing increased protection of spawning areas against disturbance. Four dogs were trained to reliably detect and discriminate giant kōkopu (Galaxias argenteus) eggs from garden snail (Cantareus aspersus) eggs, grass, and blank (no scent) samples within a laboratory-based line-up with a high level of accuracy (≥90% hit rate and ≤10% false alarm rate). Progressing from this, one dog worked on scent line-ups outdoors and demonstrated the ability to reliably detect giant kōkopu eggs (≥90% hit rate and ≤10% false alarm rate), with increasing environmental complexity, as a progression towards application of these dogs for whitebait egg detection in the field. This research provides an opportunity to further explore the use of dogs to detect whitebait spawning sites in the field, potentially providing a new tool for whitebait conservation in New Zealand.

text: Locating whitebait (Galaxias argenteus) eggs via canine scent detection The New Zealand whitebait fishery consists of five species of Galaxiidae fish and constitutes a culturally important commercial and recreational resource for New Zealand. Despite efforts by the Department of Conservation and regional councils, there has been a significant decline in whitebait over the past several decades, with three of the five whitebait species (īnanga, giant kōkopu, kōaro) now classified as 'declining’ and one (shortjaw kōkopu) considered ‘threatened’. Adult fish spawn on riparian vegetation near river mouths during spring tides, the eggs then develop aerially until the following spring tide when they hatch, and the larvae disperse into coastal estuaries. Anthropogenic activities such as flood management, vegetation removal and reduced water quality have led to widespread loss of suitable spawning habitat. Identification of spawning habitat is a key aspect to conserving whitebait species. However, visual surveys for spawning sites are time consuming and spawning areas difficult to predict, as most species do not return to the same spawning site each year. Scent-detection dogs may provide an efficient and effective way of locating whitebait nests, allowing increased protection of spawning areas against disturbance. Four dogs were trained to reliably detect and discriminate giant kōkopu (Galaxias argenteus) eggs from garden snail (Cantareus aspersus) eggs, grass, and blank (no scent) samples within a laboratory-based line-up with a high level of accuracy (≥90% hit rate and ≤10% false alarm rate). Progressing from this, one dog worked on scent line-ups outdoors and demonstrated the ability to reliably detect giant kōkopu eggs (≥90% hit rate and ≤10% false alarm rate), with increasing environmental complexity, as a progression towards application of these dogs for whitebait egg detection in the field. This research provides an opportunity to further explore the use of dogs to detect whitebait spawning sites in the field, potentially providing a new tool for whitebait conservation in New Zealand.

year: 2021

title: A chemical comparison of snows from Mt Ruapehu, New Zealand and the Polar Plateau, East Antarctica

authors: McAdam, Mary Kay

abstract: The chemistry of surface, snowpit and ice core samples from Mt Ruapehu, New Zealand, was compared to surface snow samples from Mt Egmont-Taranaki, New Zealand, and to snowpit samples from the Polar Plateau, East Antarctica. Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺ were determined by atomic absorbtion spectrophotometry, and the anion contribution of Cl⁻, Br⁻, NO₃⁻, PO₄³⁻, and SO₄²⁻ was determined by ion chromatography using a Dionex QIC II. 
Marine aerosols dominate in Antarctic snow, with significant enrichment of Ca from crustal sources, consistent with the location at the head of the Dry Valleys. 
On Mt Ruapehu, a marine background with superimposed volcanically derived concentrations of SO₄²⁻ is present in precipitation, with enrichment of all ions with phreatomagmatic and major phreatic activity, and enrichment of Ca²⁺ and SO₄²⁻ associated with minor phreatic activity. Na⁺ and Cl⁻ concentrations are significantly increased during southerly and westerly winds, but are also increased by volcanic activity. All New Zealand samples are enriched in K⁺ relative to bulk sea water, consistent with a crustal input. 
On Ruapehu, the dominant mechanisms of concentration are dry deposition and adsorbtion of gases for the volcanic components, and in-cloud scavenging of the marine components; while in Antarctica, the coastal region is dominated by scavenging and the Plateau is dominated by dry deposition and adsorbtion of gases.

text: A chemical comparison of snows from Mt Ruapehu, New Zealand and the Polar Plateau, East Antarctica The chemistry of surface, snowpit and ice core samples from Mt Ruapehu, New Zealand, was compared to surface snow samples from Mt Egmont-Taranaki, New Zealand, and to snowpit samples from the Polar Plateau, East Antarctica. Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺ were determined by atomic absorbtion spectrophotometry, and the anion contribution of Cl⁻, Br⁻, NO₃⁻, PO₄³⁻, and SO₄²⁻ was determined by ion chromatography using a Dionex QIC II. 
Marine aerosols dominate in Antarctic snow, with significant enrichment of Ca from crustal sources, consistent with the location at the head of the Dry Valleys. 
On Mt Ruapehu, a marine background with superimposed volcanically derived concentrations of SO₄²⁻ is present in precipitation, with enrichment of all ions with phreatomagmatic and major phreatic activity, and enrichment of Ca²⁺ and SO₄²⁻ associated with minor phreatic activity. Na⁺ and Cl⁻ concentrations are significantly increased during southerly and westerly winds, but are also increased by volcanic activity. All New Zealand samples are enriched in K⁺ relative to bulk sea water, consistent with a crustal input. 
On Ruapehu, the dominant mechanisms of concentration are dry deposition and adsorbtion of gases for the volcanic components, and in-cloud scavenging of the marine components; while in Antarctica, the coastal region is dominated by scavenging and the Plateau is dominated by dry deposition and adsorbtion of gases.

year: 1990

title: Beyond Pākehā paralysis: Exploring the journeys & experiences of Pākehā allyship in psychology

authors: Stolte, Ottilie Emma Elisabeth

abstract: The monocultural foundation of psychology is interwoven with the colonial history of Aotearoa New Zealand. Not all of the mahi of decolonising psychology is the responsibility of Māori. In Aotearoa, there is currently less literature around the development of racial justice allyship and how Pākehā (as the dominant majority) can work towards honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi. This paper draws on interviews with three Pākehā allies who have taken actions towards greater inclusion of Māori and raising awareness of systemic injustices and racial disparities. The objective of this paper is to document the understandings shared by these ‘reluctant allies’, focusing on the challenges, possibilities, and suggestions for a more culturally relevant psychological education and practice for Aotearoa New Zealand.

text: Beyond Pākehā paralysis: Exploring the journeys & experiences of Pākehā allyship in psychology The monocultural foundation of psychology is interwoven with the colonial history of Aotearoa New Zealand. Not all of the mahi of decolonising psychology is the responsibility of Māori. In Aotearoa, there is currently less literature around the development of racial justice allyship and how Pākehā (as the dominant majority) can work towards honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi. This paper draws on interviews with three Pākehā allies who have taken actions towards greater inclusion of Māori and raising awareness of systemic injustices and racial disparities. The objective of this paper is to document the understandings shared by these ‘reluctant allies’, focusing on the challenges, possibilities, and suggestions for a more culturally relevant psychological education and practice for Aotearoa New Zealand.

year: 2025