title: Heavy Metal Contamination from Landfills in Coastal Marine Sediments:  Kiribati and New Zealand.

authors: Redfern, Farran Mack

subjects: Landfill leachate

abstract: Landfill leachates are a concern in the Pacific Region where they may contribute contaminants to the coastal marine environment.  Poor waste management and pollution of coastal waters are amongst the major environmental problems in Kiribati, particularly in South Tarawa.  An investigation of areas adjacent to coastal landfill sites; Betio, Kiribati and Auckland, New Zealand was undertaken.  The Kiribati case study investigated metal contamination in marine sediments at an operational landfill while the New Zealand study was adjacent to a coastal landfill decommissioned in the 1970s. Surficial sediments (top 15 cm) were collected along transects.  At both the New Zealand and Kiribati sites, 3 transects adjacent to the landfill and 1 control transect were sampled.  The sediments were analyzed for particle size distribution, organic matter content, and Cd, As, Cr, Cu, Pb, Hg, Ni and Zn concentrations.  The pH was also measured.

The Kiribati study site had a groundwater pH of 7.14 - 8.85, and sediment materials were dominated by sand with a low organic matter content (1.60 - 2.21 %). At the Kiribati sites Cd, As, and Ni were below the detection limits.  The Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn concentrations were lower at the Kiribati control transect than the landfill transects.  Cr level decreased away from the landfill indicating the landfill as a possible source.  However, Cu and Zn did not show any distribution pattern suggesting other potential sources (port and shipwrecks) may have contributed to the elevated levels.  At the Kiribati landfill and control transects the Cr, As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Ni, and Zn concentration were below the Effects Range-Low (ERL) and the threshold Effects levels (TEL) of the Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQCs) of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, indicating no potential adverse ecological effects on the biota.  At the Kiribati control site the Cr, As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Ni and Zn concentrations were within the background ranges published for clean reef sediment but the concentration at the landfill transects exceeded the background ranges. The concentration of mercury at both the control and landfill transects in Kiribati exceeded the Effects Range-Median (ERM) and the Probable Effects Level (PEL) of the SQGs indicating potential adverse ecological effects on the local benthic communities.

The New Zealand study site sediments had a pH of 6.22 - 7.24, and comprised up to 90 % clay/silt, with an organic matter content of 5 - 22 %.  At the New Zealand landfill transects Arsenic concentrations decreased away from the landfill indicating the landfill as a possible source.  Other metals such as Cr did not show a pattern of distribution along the transects, or with depth, suggesting that the landfill was not the only source of these metals.  There was a weak correlation between organic matter content, particle size distribution, and metal enrichment.

At the New Zealand site, there were no marked differences in metal concentrations between the landfill and control transects suggesting the landfill was not the only source of metals and that the wider urban or industrial run-off may have contributed.  All the metal concentrations, except Hg and Zn, exceeded the ERL and the TEL values indicating the potential for adverse ecological effects of metals on the benthic communities.  At the New Zealand site the Hg and Zn concentrations exceeded both the ERM and PEL of the SQGs and are considered highly contaminated.

text: Heavy Metal Contamination from Landfills in Coastal Marine Sediments:  Kiribati and New Zealand. Landfill leachates are a concern in the Pacific Region where they may contribute contaminants to the coastal marine environment.  Poor waste management and pollution of coastal waters are amongst the major environmental problems in Kiribati, particularly in South Tarawa.  An investigation of areas adjacent to coastal landfill sites; Betio, Kiribati and Auckland, New Zealand was undertaken.  The Kiribati case study investigated metal contamination in marine sediments at an operational landfill while the New Zealand study was adjacent to a coastal landfill decommissioned in the 1970s. Surficial sediments (top 15 cm) were collected along transects.  At both the New Zealand and Kiribati sites, 3 transects adjacent to the landfill and 1 control transect were sampled.  The sediments were analyzed for particle size distribution, organic matter content, and Cd, As, Cr, Cu, Pb, Hg, Ni and Zn concentrations.  The pH was also measured.

The Kiribati study site had a groundwater pH of 7.14 - 8.85, and sediment materials were dominated by sand with a low organic matter content (1.60 - 2.21 %). At the Kiribati sites Cd, As, and Ni were below the detection limits.  The Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn concentrations were lower at the Kiribati control transect than the landfill transects.  Cr level decreased away from the landfill indicating the landfill as a possible source.  However, Cu and Zn did not show any distribution pattern suggesting other potential sources (port and shipwrecks) may have contributed to the elevated levels.  At the Kiribati landfill and control transects the Cr, As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Ni, and Zn concentration were below the Effects Range-Low (ERL) and the threshold Effects levels (TEL) of the Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQCs) of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, indicating no potential adverse ecological effects on the biota.  At the Kiribati control site the Cr, As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Ni and Zn concentrations were within the background ranges published for clean reef sediment but the concentration at the landfill transects exceeded the background ranges. The concentration of mercury at both the control and landfill transects in Kiribati exceeded the Effects Range-Median (ERM) and the Probable Effects Level (PEL) of the SQGs indicating potential adverse ecological effects on the local benthic communities.

The New Zealand study site sediments had a pH of 6.22 - 7.24, and comprised up to 90 % clay/silt, with an organic matter content of 5 - 22 %.  At the New Zealand landfill transects Arsenic concentrations decreased away from the landfill indicating the landfill as a possible source.  Other metals such as Cr did not show a pattern of distribution along the transects, or with depth, suggesting that the landfill was not the only source of these metals.  There was a weak correlation between organic matter content, particle size distribution, and metal enrichment.

At the New Zealand site, there were no marked differences in metal concentrations between the landfill and control transects suggesting the landfill was not the only source of metals and that the wider urban or industrial run-off may have contributed.  All the metal concentrations, except Hg and Zn, exceeded the ERL and the TEL values indicating the potential for adverse ecological effects of metals on the benthic communities.  At the New Zealand site the Hg and Zn concentrations exceeded both the ERM and PEL of the SQGs and are considered highly contaminated.

year: 2006

title: Counting ourselves: Findings from the 2022 Aotearoa New Zealand trans and non-binary health survey

authors: Yee, Ashe

abstract: Counting Ourselves is a comprehensive national survey of the health and wellbeing of trans and non-binary people aged 14 and older living in Aotearoa New Zealand. The survey takes place every four years.

We report findings from 2,631 trans and non-binary people who completed our second survey in 2022. This is more than double the 1,178 survey participants from our first survey in 2018 and gives us very strong data about a range of trans and non-binary people living in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The 2022 survey participants lived in all regions of Aotearoa New Zealand and ranged in age from 14 to 86. Most were either youth aged 14–24 (53%) or adults aged 25–54 (43%). Over half (56%) of participants were non-binary, with an equal mix of trans men (22%) and trans women (22%). Compared with the general population, the survey had a higher proportion of European participants (77%), a similar proportion of Māori (14%), and a lower proportion of Asian (7%) and Pasifika (2%) participants.

More than two out of five (42%) of our participants were disabled. This included people who identified as Deaf or disabled (29%) and/or who met the definition of disability used in Stats NZ’s population surveys (38%). This was higher than the Stats NZ measure of disability in the general population (10%).

Throughout the report we identify statistically significant differences between participants based on age, gender, ethnicity, location, or disability. In 2025, the Counting Ourselves team hopes to produce fact sheets, articles, and other resources looking at the key findings for Māori, Pasifika, Asian, and disabled trans and non-binary people.

In this report we use the term gender affirming healthcare to refer to any healthcare interventions that trans or non-binary people may require to affirm their gender. We also use the term unmet need to describe the percentage of all participants who wanted but had not had a type of gender affirming healthcare.

text: Counting ourselves: Findings from the 2022 Aotearoa New Zealand trans and non-binary health survey Counting Ourselves is a comprehensive national survey of the health and wellbeing of trans and non-binary people aged 14 and older living in Aotearoa New Zealand. The survey takes place every four years.

We report findings from 2,631 trans and non-binary people who completed our second survey in 2022. This is more than double the 1,178 survey participants from our first survey in 2018 and gives us very strong data about a range of trans and non-binary people living in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The 2022 survey participants lived in all regions of Aotearoa New Zealand and ranged in age from 14 to 86. Most were either youth aged 14–24 (53%) or adults aged 25–54 (43%). Over half (56%) of participants were non-binary, with an equal mix of trans men (22%) and trans women (22%). Compared with the general population, the survey had a higher proportion of European participants (77%), a similar proportion of Māori (14%), and a lower proportion of Asian (7%) and Pasifika (2%) participants.

More than two out of five (42%) of our participants were disabled. This included people who identified as Deaf or disabled (29%) and/or who met the definition of disability used in Stats NZ’s population surveys (38%). This was higher than the Stats NZ measure of disability in the general population (10%).

Throughout the report we identify statistically significant differences between participants based on age, gender, ethnicity, location, or disability. In 2025, the Counting Ourselves team hopes to produce fact sheets, articles, and other resources looking at the key findings for Māori, Pasifika, Asian, and disabled trans and non-binary people.

In this report we use the term gender affirming healthcare to refer to any healthcare interventions that trans or non-binary people may require to affirm their gender. We also use the term unmet need to describe the percentage of all participants who wanted but had not had a type of gender affirming healthcare.

year: 2025

title: Māori women’s perspectives of leadership and wellbeing

authors: Ruru, Stacey Mariu

subjects: Māori women leadership

abstract: This research sought to understand how Māori women leaders maintain their wellbeing within their leadership roles. Semi-structured interviews acknowledging kaupapa Māori theory (Māori philosophy, framework) principles were used to gather the leadership journeys of five Māori women leaders from academic and business backgrounds across the North Island, New Zealand. Kaupapa Māori principles such as kānohi kitea (greeting, meeting face to face), ako Māori (learning, teaching, reciprocity, cultural pedagogy) and manāki ki te tangata (caring, hosting people) provided a methodological framework to follow during interviews with Māori women leaders. From the interviews, thematic analysis was undertaken and patterns, similarities and differences were uncovered that led to the identification of eight main themes: Humility, collective work, the influence of others, overcoming boundaries, balance between te taha hinengaro (mental or psychological wellbeing) and te taha tinana (physical wellbeing), fostering pathways, quieting the mind, and whānau (family) connections. Secondary analysis further developed and explored the themes using indigenous whakataukī Māori (Māori proverbs), which became the overarching theme and connected the eight themes to the five whakataukī. The study found that balance between te taha hinengaro (the psychological, mental wellbeing dimension) and te taha tinana (the physical dimension) from Te Whare Tapa Whā (the four corners of a house) and Te Wheke (the octopus) Māori wellbeing models supported Māori women leaders’ waiora (health, wellbeing). Central to the success of these Māori women leaders was being connected to whānau and friends, and being influenced by tāmariki (children), tauira (students) and employees. These social connections made Māori women leaders strong and resilient to change and challenges. Māori leadership practices and values such as hūmarie (humility), mana wahine (Māori women’s leadership style), manākitanga (caring) and aroha (compassion, love) contributed to leadership drivers that enhanced Māori women within their leadership roles. Finally, recommendations include enhancing practices such as those that encourage mana (influence, power, and identity), mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge) and ako Māori for future generations to follow.

text: Māori women’s perspectives of leadership and wellbeing This research sought to understand how Māori women leaders maintain their wellbeing within their leadership roles. Semi-structured interviews acknowledging kaupapa Māori theory (Māori philosophy, framework) principles were used to gather the leadership journeys of five Māori women leaders from academic and business backgrounds across the North Island, New Zealand. Kaupapa Māori principles such as kānohi kitea (greeting, meeting face to face), ako Māori (learning, teaching, reciprocity, cultural pedagogy) and manāki ki te tangata (caring, hosting people) provided a methodological framework to follow during interviews with Māori women leaders. From the interviews, thematic analysis was undertaken and patterns, similarities and differences were uncovered that led to the identification of eight main themes: Humility, collective work, the influence of others, overcoming boundaries, balance between te taha hinengaro (mental or psychological wellbeing) and te taha tinana (physical wellbeing), fostering pathways, quieting the mind, and whānau (family) connections. Secondary analysis further developed and explored the themes using indigenous whakataukī Māori (Māori proverbs), which became the overarching theme and connected the eight themes to the five whakataukī. The study found that balance between te taha hinengaro (the psychological, mental wellbeing dimension) and te taha tinana (the physical dimension) from Te Whare Tapa Whā (the four corners of a house) and Te Wheke (the octopus) Māori wellbeing models supported Māori women leaders’ waiora (health, wellbeing). Central to the success of these Māori women leaders was being connected to whānau and friends, and being influenced by tāmariki (children), tauira (students) and employees. These social connections made Māori women leaders strong and resilient to change and challenges. Māori leadership practices and values such as hūmarie (humility), mana wahine (Māori women’s leadership style), manākitanga (caring) and aroha (compassion, love) contributed to leadership drivers that enhanced Māori women within their leadership roles. Finally, recommendations include enhancing practices such as those that encourage mana (influence, power, and identity), mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge) and ako Māori for future generations to follow.

year: 2016