title: Te Ira Atua: The spiritual spark of the child

authors: Rameka, Lesley Kay

abstract: “E ai ki tā te Māori he atua tonu kei roto i te mokopuna ina whānau mai ana ia ki tēnei ao” (Ministry of Education, 1996, p. 35). This quote is from the New Zealand Ministry of Education’s early childhood curriculum policy statement, Te Whāriki: He Whāriki Matauranga mo ngā Mokopuna o Aotearoa/Early Childhood Curriculum (Ministry of Education, 1996). It speaks of the godliness or spiritual essence each child inherits from their ancestors when they are born (Early Childhood Development, 1999; Reedy, 2003). From a traditional Māori perspective, not only is the child endowed with spiritual potential or a divine spirit, but the world the child is born into is also endowed with spiritual influences.

text: Te Ira Atua: The spiritual spark of the child “E ai ki tā te Māori he atua tonu kei roto i te mokopuna ina whānau mai ana ia ki tēnei ao” (Ministry of Education, 1996, p. 35). This quote is from the New Zealand Ministry of Education’s early childhood curriculum policy statement, Te Whāriki: He Whāriki Matauranga mo ngā Mokopuna o Aotearoa/Early Childhood Curriculum (Ministry of Education, 1996). It speaks of the godliness or spiritual essence each child inherits from their ancestors when they are born (Early Childhood Development, 1999; Reedy, 2003). From a traditional Māori perspective, not only is the child endowed with spiritual potential or a divine spirit, but the world the child is born into is also endowed with spiritual influences.

year: 2015

title: Te kawa whakauru ora: Transformative pathways to flourishing whānau

authors: Raharuhi, Te Urukeiha

subjects: flourishing whānau

abstract: Flourishing is more than a combination of wellbeing factors or the absence of disease. It is a state of vitality, optimism and potential. We flourish when we feel positive about our ability to make choices to improve our lives. We flourish when we have opportunities to make valuable contributions to those we care most about, in ways that are meaningful to us. 

There is a wealth of research about whānau wellbeing. However, it is difficult to discern how it directly benefits whānau. Furthermore, deficit approaches to whānau wellbeing research publicise negative stereotypes that are alienating for Māori and detrimental to our flourishing. Te Kawa Whakauru Ora explores a process of identifying transformative pathways to flourishing whānau. It is not a generic approach that represents whānau as homogenous. Nor does it equate whānau with household or nuclear family. This research inquiry into flourishing whānau occurs within the scope of whakapapa and explores diversity within my whānau. 

This research inquiry compares whānau participation in individual wellbeing activities with participation in whānau events. Whānau events are identified by whānau as the only occasions where we experience whakapapa, whanaungatanga and aspects of flourishing that are unique to our collective wellbeing. The research inquiry then focuses on trialling a process of identifying pathways to flourishing whānau through participation in whānau events. When we participate in whānau events, we simultaneously access many aspects of flourishing to varying degrees. Te reo Māori and Māori concepts that are accessible to all whānau regardless of our level of proficiency, are tools to raise our awareness about these. When coupled with an existing research framework, a process for time series analysis of flourishing whānau is created, allowing us to document and compare the contexts of flourishing experienced at different events. 

The trial process of identifying transformative pathways to flourishing whānau is described in detail throughout this thesis to engage with whānau wanting to document the contexts within which they access flourishing. The research process recognises that the potential for pathways to be transformative increases when these are identified by each whānau. This thesis is thus different from existing research about whānau wellbeing because it demonstrates and strengthens whānau research capability.

text: Te kawa whakauru ora: Transformative pathways to flourishing whānau Flourishing is more than a combination of wellbeing factors or the absence of disease. It is a state of vitality, optimism and potential. We flourish when we feel positive about our ability to make choices to improve our lives. We flourish when we have opportunities to make valuable contributions to those we care most about, in ways that are meaningful to us. 

There is a wealth of research about whānau wellbeing. However, it is difficult to discern how it directly benefits whānau. Furthermore, deficit approaches to whānau wellbeing research publicise negative stereotypes that are alienating for Māori and detrimental to our flourishing. Te Kawa Whakauru Ora explores a process of identifying transformative pathways to flourishing whānau. It is not a generic approach that represents whānau as homogenous. Nor does it equate whānau with household or nuclear family. This research inquiry into flourishing whānau occurs within the scope of whakapapa and explores diversity within my whānau. 

This research inquiry compares whānau participation in individual wellbeing activities with participation in whānau events. Whānau events are identified by whānau as the only occasions where we experience whakapapa, whanaungatanga and aspects of flourishing that are unique to our collective wellbeing. The research inquiry then focuses on trialling a process of identifying pathways to flourishing whānau through participation in whānau events. When we participate in whānau events, we simultaneously access many aspects of flourishing to varying degrees. Te reo Māori and Māori concepts that are accessible to all whānau regardless of our level of proficiency, are tools to raise our awareness about these. When coupled with an existing research framework, a process for time series analysis of flourishing whānau is created, allowing us to document and compare the contexts of flourishing experienced at different events. 

The trial process of identifying transformative pathways to flourishing whānau is described in detail throughout this thesis to engage with whānau wanting to document the contexts within which they access flourishing. The research process recognises that the potential for pathways to be transformative increases when these are identified by each whānau. This thesis is thus different from existing research about whānau wellbeing because it demonstrates and strengthens whānau research capability.

year: 2025

title: Microbial diversity in relation to human activity in historic areas of Ross Dependency, Antarctica

authors: Minasaki, Ryuji

abstract: The goal of this study was to undertake a relatively broad microbiological investigation at historic areas of Cape Evans and Ross Island. The two phylogenetically diverse targets were Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent for anthrax disease, and filamentous micro-fungi associated food products. The human activities were presumed to have played a significant contribution to the introduction of non-indigenous Bacillus anthracis and many filamentous micro-fungi at the historic areas on Ross Island. 

Bacillus anthracis was suspected to be present at Cape Evans based on a circumstantial clinical analysis of the death of the member in Captain Robert F Scott's Terra Nova Expedition in 1912. Detection methods based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting B. anthracis specific genes on chromosome and two plasmids were employed. DNA extraction was performed by a bead-beating technique from 74 environmental samples. PCR efficiency was compromised probably due to inhibitors in DNA extracts, but improved with higher concentrations of Taq polymerase. Initially a total of 74 environmental samples were screened with one set of primers before positively tested 19 samples were rigorously investigated with seven sets of primers. Nested PCR also increased the target specificity and detection levels. Sequence analyses of the several positive samples from PCR reactions were characteristic to B. anthracis. 

A diverse range of filamentous micro-fungi were isolated on three different media at two different temperatures, 15 °C and 25 °C, and identified by classical morphological taxonomy from the foodstuffs and internal environmental samples of Captain Robert F Scott's historic hut at Hut Point built in 1901. In total, there were 22 taxa and 14 genera recorded including many cosmopolitan species isolated from the samples, in particular Penicillium species. An extensive literature review of the :filamentous micro-fungi found in Antarctica identified that 7 taxa isolated in the study were not reported previously. Many isolates were obtained at 15 °C while some isolates grew in the presence of antibiotics.

text: Microbial diversity in relation to human activity in historic areas of Ross Dependency, Antarctica The goal of this study was to undertake a relatively broad microbiological investigation at historic areas of Cape Evans and Ross Island. The two phylogenetically diverse targets were Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent for anthrax disease, and filamentous micro-fungi associated food products. The human activities were presumed to have played a significant contribution to the introduction of non-indigenous Bacillus anthracis and many filamentous micro-fungi at the historic areas on Ross Island. 

Bacillus anthracis was suspected to be present at Cape Evans based on a circumstantial clinical analysis of the death of the member in Captain Robert F Scott's Terra Nova Expedition in 1912. Detection methods based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting B. anthracis specific genes on chromosome and two plasmids were employed. DNA extraction was performed by a bead-beating technique from 74 environmental samples. PCR efficiency was compromised probably due to inhibitors in DNA extracts, but improved with higher concentrations of Taq polymerase. Initially a total of 74 environmental samples were screened with one set of primers before positively tested 19 samples were rigorously investigated with seven sets of primers. Nested PCR also increased the target specificity and detection levels. Sequence analyses of the several positive samples from PCR reactions were characteristic to B. anthracis. 

A diverse range of filamentous micro-fungi were isolated on three different media at two different temperatures, 15 °C and 25 °C, and identified by classical morphological taxonomy from the foodstuffs and internal environmental samples of Captain Robert F Scott's historic hut at Hut Point built in 1901. In total, there were 22 taxa and 14 genera recorded including many cosmopolitan species isolated from the samples, in particular Penicillium species. An extensive literature review of the :filamentous micro-fungi found in Antarctica identified that 7 taxa isolated in the study were not reported previously. Many isolates were obtained at 15 °C while some isolates grew in the presence of antibiotics.

year: 2003