title: Tree-climbing capabilities of Norway and ship rats

authors: Foster, Stacey Patricia

subjects: invasive rats

abstract: Norway and ship rats (Rattus norvegicus and Rattus rattus) have invaded many habitats of conservation value worldwide, but Norway rats are widely assumed to be less of a threat to tree-nesting biota than are ship rats because they are less adept at climbing. We tested this assumption by measuring the capabilities of wild-caught captive rats of both species in reaching food rewards above ground, placed at fixed sites of increasingly difficult access. We confirmed that Norway rats were much slower and less agile than ship rats, but could in fact, given enough time, reach the same height above ground, run across the same thin ropes fixed at both ends and climb a real tree. However, they were more easily defeated by obstacles, more dependent on the availability of footholds, more vulnerable to falls, and those of >200 g body weight were significantly less likely to reach food rewards at the unsupported ends of small branches. We conclude that Norway rats seldom forage above ground, not because they cannot climb but because arboreal foraging is more risky and less likely to be rewarding for them.

text: Tree-climbing capabilities of Norway and ship rats Norway and ship rats (Rattus norvegicus and Rattus rattus) have invaded many habitats of conservation value worldwide, but Norway rats are widely assumed to be less of a threat to tree-nesting biota than are ship rats because they are less adept at climbing. We tested this assumption by measuring the capabilities of wild-caught captive rats of both species in reaching food rewards above ground, placed at fixed sites of increasingly difficult access. We confirmed that Norway rats were much slower and less agile than ship rats, but could in fact, given enough time, reach the same height above ground, run across the same thin ropes fixed at both ends and climb a real tree. However, they were more easily defeated by obstacles, more dependent on the availability of footholds, more vulnerable to falls, and those of >200 g body weight were significantly less likely to reach food rewards at the unsupported ends of small branches. We conclude that Norway rats seldom forage above ground, not because they cannot climb but because arboreal foraging is more risky and less likely to be rewarding for them.

year: 2011

title: Developing a quality workforce: Linking a strategic research agenda to industry
training; and Higher level skill needs and worker voice: Exploring new ground in skills
analysis.

authors: Cochrane, William

subjects: industrial relations

abstract: This presentation will pivot around the relationship between industry training, workplace productivity, worker voice, and the role of unions. Two, linked mini-papers will be presented. Both built on material presented to last year’s forum. The first minipaper summarises a template developed by the researchers in response to approaches from Industry Training Organisations. Its focus is on labour market skills forecasting. The second mini-paper breaks new ground. It outlines the broad thrust of a new research project that explores the more advanced skills required by workers in order to participate effectively in high performance (manufacturing) workplace schemes. Underpinning both mini-papers is the researchers’ central focus on the ways in which on-the-job union activity, the redesign of work, workers’ education and training, and employee involvement at the workplace can come together in order to provide workers with a ‘voice’ both in their work and in the wider society.
The mini-papers assume that workplace productivity is central not only to the growth of the New Zealand economy, but also to union renewal and the achievement of the union movement’s social agenda. But they also recognise that for unions and workers the present emphasis on the ‘knowledge society’ will fall short of their economic and social aspirations unless it looks well beyond the myopic horizon of narrow, inherently self-limiting, skills training. The presentation will end with an integrative conclusion.

text: Developing a quality workforce: Linking a strategic research agenda to industry
training; and Higher level skill needs and worker voice: Exploring new ground in skills
analysis. This presentation will pivot around the relationship between industry training, workplace productivity, worker voice, and the role of unions. Two, linked mini-papers will be presented. Both built on material presented to last year’s forum. The first minipaper summarises a template developed by the researchers in response to approaches from Industry Training Organisations. Its focus is on labour market skills forecasting. The second mini-paper breaks new ground. It outlines the broad thrust of a new research project that explores the more advanced skills required by workers in order to participate effectively in high performance (manufacturing) workplace schemes. Underpinning both mini-papers is the researchers’ central focus on the ways in which on-the-job union activity, the redesign of work, workers’ education and training, and employee involvement at the workplace can come together in order to provide workers with a ‘voice’ both in their work and in the wider society.
The mini-papers assume that workplace productivity is central not only to the growth of the New Zealand economy, but also to union renewal and the achievement of the union movement’s social agenda. But they also recognise that for unions and workers the present emphasis on the ‘knowledge society’ will fall short of their economic and social aspirations unless it looks well beyond the myopic horizon of narrow, inherently self-limiting, skills training. The presentation will end with an integrative conclusion.

year: 2005

title: Mā Te Wai - Ka Piki Ake Te Hauora

authors: Rollo, Te Manaaroha Pirihira

abstract: This paper researched traditional Māori forms of music therapy focusing on waiata¹ and taonga pūoro² . Linking cultures: collaborative partnerships in music therapy and related disciplines is the main objective of this research. In support, this paper examined past and current Māori practices that aim to heal and promote ‘well-being’ amongst people, thus resulting in linking the Māori culture and therapeutic values and practices in contemporary New Zealand

text: Mā Te Wai - Ka Piki Ake Te Hauora This paper researched traditional Māori forms of music therapy focusing on waiata¹ and taonga pūoro² . Linking cultures: collaborative partnerships in music therapy and related disciplines is the main objective of this research. In support, this paper examined past and current Māori practices that aim to heal and promote ‘well-being’ amongst people, thus resulting in linking the Māori culture and therapeutic values and practices in contemporary New Zealand

year: 2013-11-23