title: Access to Marriage for Same-Sex Couples in New Zealand: A Matter of Human Rights

authors: Christie, Nigel

subjects: same-sex marriage

abstract: Scope of work undertaken:
This thesis focuses on access to marriage as a fundamental human right, and the premise that there is no justifiable reason, in terms of New Zealand law, why same-sex couples should be excluded from this right.
Method of investigation:
This thesis is the result of participatory action research and academic analysis.
I have been centrally involved with the issue of equal access to same-sex marriage and, therefore, this thesis has been an experiential exercise involving engagement with key protagonists in human rights issues in New Zealand - proponents and detractors.
However, I have also considered a great deal of primary and secondary material, particularly in relation to human rights law and family law, and have considered key developments regarding relationship recognition in a range of overseas jurisdictions.
Main divisions of the thesis:
Part I provides introductory information, setting the objectives and the parameters of the thesis. This part also includes the methodology used in the gathering and analysis of information in the writing of this thesis.
In Part II, I provide a range of information to set the context in which I have considered the issue of same-sex marriage. This includes a personal perspective, an analysis of the human rights imperatives, and a commentary on a range of issues relating to New Zealand's constitutional and social arrangements.
In Part III, I consider developments in the law in New Zealand and overseas. I examine the response of the New Zealand courts, the United Nations Human Rights Committee, and the Government and Parliament of New Zealand to the call for same-sex marriage in New Zealand. I also examine legislative initiatives and court challenges in a range of overseas jurisdictions and the extent to which these have been successful in providing equal access to marriage for same-sex couples and the impact these might have on future developments in New Zealand.
Finally, Part IV provides a summary of the key themes of the thesis, a consideration of options for possible future action, and suggestions with regard to ensuring future success.
Conclusions reached:
My conclusion is that there is no valid justification for denying full marriage equality to same-sex couples in New Zealand, and that there are steps that we can take to ensure the achievement of full and equal treatment under the law.
It is my thesis that there is no valid justification for denying full marriage equality to same-sex couples in New Zealand.
Contribution to knowledge of the subject
This thesis provides a comprehensive analysis of law and historical fact relating to the recognition of lesbian and gay relationships in New Zealand, and in that sense, provides a cultural and historical tool for immediate use.
The thesis also, however, provides a platform for future progress. I consider that it will be able to be used as a reference to shift attitudes.
Much of the material in this thesis has been used already, both in New Zealand and internationally, in helping to bring about change.

text: Access to Marriage for Same-Sex Couples in New Zealand: A Matter of Human Rights Scope of work undertaken:
This thesis focuses on access to marriage as a fundamental human right, and the premise that there is no justifiable reason, in terms of New Zealand law, why same-sex couples should be excluded from this right.
Method of investigation:
This thesis is the result of participatory action research and academic analysis.
I have been centrally involved with the issue of equal access to same-sex marriage and, therefore, this thesis has been an experiential exercise involving engagement with key protagonists in human rights issues in New Zealand - proponents and detractors.
However, I have also considered a great deal of primary and secondary material, particularly in relation to human rights law and family law, and have considered key developments regarding relationship recognition in a range of overseas jurisdictions.
Main divisions of the thesis:
Part I provides introductory information, setting the objectives and the parameters of the thesis. This part also includes the methodology used in the gathering and analysis of information in the writing of this thesis.
In Part II, I provide a range of information to set the context in which I have considered the issue of same-sex marriage. This includes a personal perspective, an analysis of the human rights imperatives, and a commentary on a range of issues relating to New Zealand's constitutional and social arrangements.
In Part III, I consider developments in the law in New Zealand and overseas. I examine the response of the New Zealand courts, the United Nations Human Rights Committee, and the Government and Parliament of New Zealand to the call for same-sex marriage in New Zealand. I also examine legislative initiatives and court challenges in a range of overseas jurisdictions and the extent to which these have been successful in providing equal access to marriage for same-sex couples and the impact these might have on future developments in New Zealand.
Finally, Part IV provides a summary of the key themes of the thesis, a consideration of options for possible future action, and suggestions with regard to ensuring future success.
Conclusions reached:
My conclusion is that there is no valid justification for denying full marriage equality to same-sex couples in New Zealand, and that there are steps that we can take to ensure the achievement of full and equal treatment under the law.
It is my thesis that there is no valid justification for denying full marriage equality to same-sex couples in New Zealand.
Contribution to knowledge of the subject
This thesis provides a comprehensive analysis of law and historical fact relating to the recognition of lesbian and gay relationships in New Zealand, and in that sense, provides a cultural and historical tool for immediate use.
The thesis also, however, provides a platform for future progress. I consider that it will be able to be used as a reference to shift attitudes.
Much of the material in this thesis has been used already, both in New Zealand and internationally, in helping to bring about change.

year: 2009

title: Construction of Good Rank-1 Lattice Rules Based on the Weighted Star Discrepancy

authors: Joe, Stephen

subjects: mathematics

abstract: The ‘goodness’ of a set of quadrature points in [0, 1]d may be measured by the weighted star discrepancy. If the weights for the weighted star discrepancy are summable, then we show that for n prime there exist n-point rank-1 lattice rules whose weighted star discrepancy is O(n−1+δ) for any δ>0, where the implied constant depends on δ and the weights, but is independent of d and n. Further, we show that the generating vector z for such lattice rules may be obtained using a component-by-component construction. The results given here for the weighted star discrepancy are used to derive corresponding results for a weighted Lp discrepancy.

text: Construction of Good Rank-1 Lattice Rules Based on the Weighted Star Discrepancy The ‘goodness’ of a set of quadrature points in [0, 1]d may be measured by the weighted star discrepancy. If the weights for the weighted star discrepancy are summable, then we show that for n prime there exist n-point rank-1 lattice rules whose weighted star discrepancy is O(n−1+δ) for any δ>0, where the implied constant depends on δ and the weights, but is independent of d and n. Further, we show that the generating vector z for such lattice rules may be obtained using a component-by-component construction. The results given here for the weighted star discrepancy are used to derive corresponding results for a weighted Lp discrepancy.

year: 2006

title: The Impact of Colonisation on the Maori community: An exploration of the attitudes and perspectives held by Maori in relation to the active reclamation of Maori sovereignty/tino rangatiratanga.

authors: Baty, Tina Amy

subjects: Maori

abstract: Whāia te iti kahurangi ki te tūohu koe me he maunga teitei
Seek the treasure you value most dearly: If you bow your head, let it be to a lofty mountain
The purpose of my research was twofold. I first sort to explore the attitudes and perspectives held by Māori in relation to the active reclamation of Māori sovereignty, tino rangatiratanga. I further wanted to know how Māori sovereignty, tino rangatiratanga could lead to the improvement of Māori health.
My research collected information pertinent to these two inquiries from current literature and from interviews I conducted with five Māori individuals from different iwi, hapu groups. All whom were actively engaged with the Māori community in some form. My research data found that colonisalism has and continues to negatively impact the Māori community. This negative impact manifests in a variety of behaviours that effect Māori health and leads to poor outcomes for Māori. Māori sovereignty, tino rangatiratanga was thought of as the solution to overcome and neutralise the negative effects of colonialism experienced by Māori. Māori sovereignty, tino rangatiratanga was found to be related with Māori idenity and instrumental in all things pertinent to the Māori communities.
My research found that Māori sovereignty, tino rangatiratanga can be identified as existing on a philosophical level, governance-structural level, and on a day-to-day basis. This research found that the reclamation of Māori sovereignty, tino rangatiratanga is a process that is currently in motion. Finally, the exercising of Māori sovereignty, tino rangatiratanga in relation to Māori health provides a well-established argument that it can produce positive health benefits to the Māori community, because it is responsive to Māori and better meets the needs of our Māori community simply because it is a Māori way of being, doing and knowing.

text: The Impact of Colonisation on the Maori community: An exploration of the attitudes and perspectives held by Maori in relation to the active reclamation of Maori sovereignty/tino rangatiratanga. Whāia te iti kahurangi ki te tūohu koe me he maunga teitei
Seek the treasure you value most dearly: If you bow your head, let it be to a lofty mountain
The purpose of my research was twofold. I first sort to explore the attitudes and perspectives held by Māori in relation to the active reclamation of Māori sovereignty, tino rangatiratanga. I further wanted to know how Māori sovereignty, tino rangatiratanga could lead to the improvement of Māori health.
My research collected information pertinent to these two inquiries from current literature and from interviews I conducted with five Māori individuals from different iwi, hapu groups. All whom were actively engaged with the Māori community in some form. My research data found that colonisalism has and continues to negatively impact the Māori community. This negative impact manifests in a variety of behaviours that effect Māori health and leads to poor outcomes for Māori. Māori sovereignty, tino rangatiratanga was thought of as the solution to overcome and neutralise the negative effects of colonialism experienced by Māori. Māori sovereignty, tino rangatiratanga was found to be related with Māori idenity and instrumental in all things pertinent to the Māori communities.
My research found that Māori sovereignty, tino rangatiratanga can be identified as existing on a philosophical level, governance-structural level, and on a day-to-day basis. This research found that the reclamation of Māori sovereignty, tino rangatiratanga is a process that is currently in motion. Finally, the exercising of Māori sovereignty, tino rangatiratanga in relation to Māori health provides a well-established argument that it can produce positive health benefits to the Māori community, because it is responsive to Māori and better meets the needs of our Māori community simply because it is a Māori way of being, doing and knowing.

year: 2018