title: An exploratory faunal survey of New Zealand temperate rainforest epiphytes

authors: Kirby, Catherine Louise

abstract: Epiphyte communities and their corresponding faunal assemblages were quantified on the canopy trees Agathis australis and Metrosideros robusta. A diverse community of native fauna that included invertebrates, reptiles and birds was associated with the nest epiphytes Collospermum hastatum and Astelia solandri as well as mats of small, mantling epiphytic plants. The first record of the copepod Attheyella lewisae in epiphyte phytotelmata is reported as well as the second New Zealand report of geckos in epiphytes. Alongside 1,003 video sightings and 794 collected specimens from only four host trees, these records signal the significant potential of canopy studies to reveal unknown communities and relationships in New Zealand’s forest canopies. The study of epiphyte-fauna associations in New Zealand and elsewhere is constrained by complications inherent with accessing forest canopies. Canopy video cameras and substrate sampling were successfully employed in the first all-taxa exploratory survey of epiphyte communities in a temperate rainforest in northern New Zealand. An evaluation of different research methods indicates that a range of surveying techniques should be employed to sample diversity and abundance of different microhabitats. Key words: epiphyte; fauna; invertebrate; reptile; canopy; habitat

text: An exploratory faunal survey of New Zealand temperate rainforest epiphytes Epiphyte communities and their corresponding faunal assemblages were quantified on the canopy trees Agathis australis and Metrosideros robusta. A diverse community of native fauna that included invertebrates, reptiles and birds was associated with the nest epiphytes Collospermum hastatum and Astelia solandri as well as mats of small, mantling epiphytic plants. The first record of the copepod Attheyella lewisae in epiphyte phytotelmata is reported as well as the second New Zealand report of geckos in epiphytes. Alongside 1,003 video sightings and 794 collected specimens from only four host trees, these records signal the significant potential of canopy studies to reveal unknown communities and relationships in New Zealand’s forest canopies. The study of epiphyte-fauna associations in New Zealand and elsewhere is constrained by complications inherent with accessing forest canopies. Canopy video cameras and substrate sampling were successfully employed in the first all-taxa exploratory survey of epiphyte communities in a temperate rainforest in northern New Zealand. An evaluation of different research methods indicates that a range of surveying techniques should be employed to sample diversity and abundance of different microhabitats. Key words: epiphyte; fauna; invertebrate; reptile; canopy; habitat

year: 2014-06-01

title: The impact of social networking mediums on the decision making process of tourists: A case study of Stray Ltd and Spaceships New Zealand Ltd

authors: Jenkin, Hamish John

subjects: Social Networking Mediums

abstract: This thesis examines tourist decision making in relation to the use of blogs and social networking sites. Specifically, the research examines the tourist behaviour involving these mediums in the pre-experience decision making phase of the travel experience through case studies of two New Zealand tourism businesses which involve backpacker and fully independent tourists as their customers (Stray Ltd and Spaceships New Zealand Ltd). The thesis research used both quantitative and qualitative research methods in order to examine the influence of blogs and social networking sites on tourists‘ decision making. The quantitative data comprised of 206 semi-structured surveys completed by customers of the two companies. Qualitative data consisted of the collection of 330 photographs posted on the companies‘ websites which had been taken by customers, 19 customer videos, customer comments from both companies‘ websites, the content of the companies‘ Facebook and Twitter social networking sites, and a semi-structured interview with a representative from both companies. Analysis of the data revealed that Facebook is the most commonly used social networking site, with the usage of social networking sites being higher than that of blogs. However, neither Facebook nor blogs featured strongly when used by customers to make decisions, with travel ratings websites and official destination websites being more commonly used. Analysis of the qualitative data showed a difference in language, structure and time between the social networking site content and customer comment data. Customer comment data features more descriptions of a customers‘ trips and why they would recommend the company, rather than when the customers are going on the trip and what they are looking forward to, which was a characteristic of social networking site content. Analysis of the photographic and video data revealed differences between the two customer types, suggesting there is a clear difference between backpackers and fully independent travellers and their motivations for travel. This thesis contributes to the previous attention given to the role of technology in tourist decision making and trip bookings through focusing on the use of social networking sites and blogs and how this applies to tourism businesses.

text: The impact of social networking mediums on the decision making process of tourists: A case study of Stray Ltd and Spaceships New Zealand Ltd This thesis examines tourist decision making in relation to the use of blogs and social networking sites. Specifically, the research examines the tourist behaviour involving these mediums in the pre-experience decision making phase of the travel experience through case studies of two New Zealand tourism businesses which involve backpacker and fully independent tourists as their customers (Stray Ltd and Spaceships New Zealand Ltd). The thesis research used both quantitative and qualitative research methods in order to examine the influence of blogs and social networking sites on tourists‘ decision making. The quantitative data comprised of 206 semi-structured surveys completed by customers of the two companies. Qualitative data consisted of the collection of 330 photographs posted on the companies‘ websites which had been taken by customers, 19 customer videos, customer comments from both companies‘ websites, the content of the companies‘ Facebook and Twitter social networking sites, and a semi-structured interview with a representative from both companies. Analysis of the data revealed that Facebook is the most commonly used social networking site, with the usage of social networking sites being higher than that of blogs. However, neither Facebook nor blogs featured strongly when used by customers to make decisions, with travel ratings websites and official destination websites being more commonly used. Analysis of the qualitative data showed a difference in language, structure and time between the social networking site content and customer comment data. Customer comment data features more descriptions of a customers‘ trips and why they would recommend the company, rather than when the customers are going on the trip and what they are looking forward to, which was a characteristic of social networking site content. Analysis of the photographic and video data revealed differences between the two customer types, suggesting there is a clear difference between backpackers and fully independent travellers and their motivations for travel. This thesis contributes to the previous attention given to the role of technology in tourist decision making and trip bookings through focusing on the use of social networking sites and blogs and how this applies to tourism businesses.

year: 2010

title: Māori in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences: An analysis of the Faculty of Arts and Social Science data records from 1997-2002

authors: Ashwell, Allanah

subjects: Maori students

abstract: The Ministry of Education has compiled annual reports on the participation of Maori in
tertiary education. The 2002 report presented a comprehensive description of Maori
participation across all tertiary institutions within New Zealand in that year. The figures
show that Maori are markedly under-represented in tertiary institutions, particularly
universities.
The barriers encountered by Maori students can either directly or indirectly impact on
Maori participation, retention and success. The more disturbing outcome is that of
withdrawal or dropping out of higher education, is more likely when a Maori student
experiences and has to confront multiple rather than single barriers.
With this in mind, the aim of this study was to examine and identify trends apparent in
data records of Maori students enrolled in courses offered by the Faculty of Arts and
Social Sciences at the University of Waikato between 1997 and 2002 and to make
recommendations to the Faculty about how negative trends might be addressed. Specific
areas for analysis are detailed in the report.

text: Māori in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences: An analysis of the Faculty of Arts and Social Science data records from 1997-2002 The Ministry of Education has compiled annual reports on the participation of Maori in
tertiary education. The 2002 report presented a comprehensive description of Maori
participation across all tertiary institutions within New Zealand in that year. The figures
show that Maori are markedly under-represented in tertiary institutions, particularly
universities.
The barriers encountered by Maori students can either directly or indirectly impact on
Maori participation, retention and success. The more disturbing outcome is that of
withdrawal or dropping out of higher education, is more likely when a Maori student
experiences and has to confront multiple rather than single barriers.
With this in mind, the aim of this study was to examine and identify trends apparent in
data records of Maori students enrolled in courses offered by the Faculty of Arts and
Social Sciences at the University of Waikato between 1997 and 2002 and to make
recommendations to the Faculty about how negative trends might be addressed. Specific
areas for analysis are detailed in the report.

year: 2003-06