title: Population Ecology of Thelymitra matthewsii  Cheeseman  Orchidaceae, in  Northern New Zealand

authors: Fraser, Elizabeth Anne

subjects: Thelymitra matthewsii

abstract: The terrestrial orchid Thelymitra matthewsii Cheeseman, uncommon in New Zealand, was studied to increase knowledge of the species life cycle, morphology and ecology. Results will enhance future conservation management for the species.

New information related to the morphology of T. matthewsii was obtained. The species was found to emerge in one of four discrete life stages of distinctive morphology and height range that remained constant for the season, not developing into a more advanced life stage. The leaf of the three pre adult life stages designated a hook, a spiral, and a non flowering stage, did not inflate at the base, but rose smoothly from the tuber. Apparent morphological differences in the column between descriptions of the Australian taxon and the small New Zealand sample examined suggested further study was needed.

Comprehensive monthly monitoring was carried out at five study sites in three locations in the Te Paki area of the Far North, from 2002 to 2004. No patterns emerged in plant life stage succession, flowering, and presence or absence at labels reinforcing the concept that variability was a common component of the population census.

Seasonal and partial absence was a major component of the populations. An average of 32.8% of plants, over five study sites, were present throughout three seasons, while 66.9% were recorded as absent (not visible) at monitoring. New plants appearing in 2003 and 2004 showed a high percentage of subsequent absence (mean 85.7%).

To determine population stability, recruitment and absence were compared. Plant absence exceeded recruitment by 7% (mean plant absence 30.5%; mean recruitment 23.4%). Plants continued to appear during the monitoring period, and labeled plants increased two-fold over commencement numbers.  

Adults recorded as 28% of labeled plants over three seasons, were out numbered by pre-flowering stages. Only 5% of population numbers exhibited succession from a smaller to a flowering plant. Life stage modeling indicated a life stage was more likely to be followed by the same stage than an expected successive stage.

Thelymitra matthewsii was found to be present in four substrates in the Far North.
The survey of vegetation found the indigenous species Kunzea ericoides and the exotic Hakea gibbosa dominant for both height, and cover. Litter and bare ground dominated ground cover. Differences in vegetation and ground cover, of sites supporting T. matthewsii and comparison sites that did not, were minor and suggested that another factor, for example a suitable fungal partner, influenced the species presence or absence.
 
The results of the study indicated the present threat classification of Thelymitra matthewsii is inadequate in the light of the species  relatively circumscribed, widely separated habitats, the small number of reproducing individuals and vulnerability to habitat modification.

text: Population Ecology of Thelymitra matthewsii  Cheeseman  Orchidaceae, in  Northern New Zealand The terrestrial orchid Thelymitra matthewsii Cheeseman, uncommon in New Zealand, was studied to increase knowledge of the species life cycle, morphology and ecology. Results will enhance future conservation management for the species.

New information related to the morphology of T. matthewsii was obtained. The species was found to emerge in one of four discrete life stages of distinctive morphology and height range that remained constant for the season, not developing into a more advanced life stage. The leaf of the three pre adult life stages designated a hook, a spiral, and a non flowering stage, did not inflate at the base, but rose smoothly from the tuber. Apparent morphological differences in the column between descriptions of the Australian taxon and the small New Zealand sample examined suggested further study was needed.

Comprehensive monthly monitoring was carried out at five study sites in three locations in the Te Paki area of the Far North, from 2002 to 2004. No patterns emerged in plant life stage succession, flowering, and presence or absence at labels reinforcing the concept that variability was a common component of the population census.

Seasonal and partial absence was a major component of the populations. An average of 32.8% of plants, over five study sites, were present throughout three seasons, while 66.9% were recorded as absent (not visible) at monitoring. New plants appearing in 2003 and 2004 showed a high percentage of subsequent absence (mean 85.7%).

To determine population stability, recruitment and absence were compared. Plant absence exceeded recruitment by 7% (mean plant absence 30.5%; mean recruitment 23.4%). Plants continued to appear during the monitoring period, and labeled plants increased two-fold over commencement numbers.  

Adults recorded as 28% of labeled plants over three seasons, were out numbered by pre-flowering stages. Only 5% of population numbers exhibited succession from a smaller to a flowering plant. Life stage modeling indicated a life stage was more likely to be followed by the same stage than an expected successive stage.

Thelymitra matthewsii was found to be present in four substrates in the Far North.
The survey of vegetation found the indigenous species Kunzea ericoides and the exotic Hakea gibbosa dominant for both height, and cover. Litter and bare ground dominated ground cover. Differences in vegetation and ground cover, of sites supporting T. matthewsii and comparison sites that did not, were minor and suggested that another factor, for example a suitable fungal partner, influenced the species presence or absence.
 
The results of the study indicated the present threat classification of Thelymitra matthewsii is inadequate in the light of the species  relatively circumscribed, widely separated habitats, the small number of reproducing individuals and vulnerability to habitat modification.

year: 2008

title: An Investigation of beliefs and attitudes of high school students in the Solomon Islands towards learning mathematics

authors: Kele, Andriane

subjects: beliefs

abstract: Mathematics is omnipresent in all walks of life in our society. For instance, every day, citizens all over the world are faced with a complex array of mathematics–from mathematics of business and employment to risks of household accidents. A knowledge of mathematics is needed to solve problems that are encountered in our everyday life. However, in reality, most people in general, and students in particular, dislike mathematics. Researchers had revealed that the majority of secondary school students in western countries find mathematics difficult because of their negative beliefs and attitudes. Research is needed that gives specific attention to beliefs and attitudes in the Pacific Islands. 
My study investigated the beliefs and attitudes of high school students in the Solomon Islands towards learning mathematics. Students from two year-12 senior national high schools were selected for the study. Two overarching paradigms that set the conceptual framework for this study were positivism and interpretivism. Research data were obtained through a mixed-method approach. A survey instrument was designed to explore students’ beliefs and attitudes towards learning mathematics. Focus group interviews were conducted with some students to solicit factors that impacted on their beliefs and attitudes. To explore factors students thought had affected their mathematics achievement, semi-structured interviews were conducted. Frequency percentage and thematic analysis were used to analyse data. 
Findings from the written survey revealed that students were very positive about learning mathematics. They seemed to believe that knowing and doing mathematics required logical thinking and applying mathematics procedures. They highly regarded the utility of mathematics in school and the practicality of it in everyday life. They were very optimistic about their self-efficacy in mathematics learning; for instance, 96% of the students thought they were confident in learning mathematics. 
Students’ attitudes toward mathematics were both positive and negative. Students who demonstrated positive attitudes tended to enjoy and learn effectively when they clearly understood mathematics well. Conversely, students with negative attitudes usually put less effort into their learning process. Most students disliked learning mathematics because it was difficult. Mathematics anxiety was ascertained as contributing negative beliefs and attitudes towards students’ mathematics learning.
Interesting findings were revealed in semi-structured and focus group interviews. Data from semi-structured interviews revealed that students’ beliefs about the nature of mathematics reflected on the aspects of mathematical content, mathematical processes, cognitive processes and the utility of mathematics. Furthermore, a major contributing factor that affected students’ mathematics achievement was the teacher. Additionally, students’ poor mathematical background was an area of concern that affected mathematics achievement. Focus group data revealed three key factors that impacted on students’ beliefs and attitudes. These are students themselves, teachers and peer groups. 
Considering the findings of this study, there is a need to advocate students’ affective domain in teaching and learning of mathematics. It is recommended to put more attention on students’ mathematics learning to provide an avenue by which teachers might better support them in nurturing their beliefs and attitudes and, in turn, enhance their mathematics achievement.

text: An Investigation of beliefs and attitudes of high school students in the Solomon Islands towards learning mathematics Mathematics is omnipresent in all walks of life in our society. For instance, every day, citizens all over the world are faced with a complex array of mathematics–from mathematics of business and employment to risks of household accidents. A knowledge of mathematics is needed to solve problems that are encountered in our everyday life. However, in reality, most people in general, and students in particular, dislike mathematics. Researchers had revealed that the majority of secondary school students in western countries find mathematics difficult because of their negative beliefs and attitudes. Research is needed that gives specific attention to beliefs and attitudes in the Pacific Islands. 
My study investigated the beliefs and attitudes of high school students in the Solomon Islands towards learning mathematics. Students from two year-12 senior national high schools were selected for the study. Two overarching paradigms that set the conceptual framework for this study were positivism and interpretivism. Research data were obtained through a mixed-method approach. A survey instrument was designed to explore students’ beliefs and attitudes towards learning mathematics. Focus group interviews were conducted with some students to solicit factors that impacted on their beliefs and attitudes. To explore factors students thought had affected their mathematics achievement, semi-structured interviews were conducted. Frequency percentage and thematic analysis were used to analyse data. 
Findings from the written survey revealed that students were very positive about learning mathematics. They seemed to believe that knowing and doing mathematics required logical thinking and applying mathematics procedures. They highly regarded the utility of mathematics in school and the practicality of it in everyday life. They were very optimistic about their self-efficacy in mathematics learning; for instance, 96% of the students thought they were confident in learning mathematics. 
Students’ attitudes toward mathematics were both positive and negative. Students who demonstrated positive attitudes tended to enjoy and learn effectively when they clearly understood mathematics well. Conversely, students with negative attitudes usually put less effort into their learning process. Most students disliked learning mathematics because it was difficult. Mathematics anxiety was ascertained as contributing negative beliefs and attitudes towards students’ mathematics learning.
Interesting findings were revealed in semi-structured and focus group interviews. Data from semi-structured interviews revealed that students’ beliefs about the nature of mathematics reflected on the aspects of mathematical content, mathematical processes, cognitive processes and the utility of mathematics. Furthermore, a major contributing factor that affected students’ mathematics achievement was the teacher. Additionally, students’ poor mathematical background was an area of concern that affected mathematics achievement. Focus group data revealed three key factors that impacted on students’ beliefs and attitudes. These are students themselves, teachers and peer groups. 
Considering the findings of this study, there is a need to advocate students’ affective domain in teaching and learning of mathematics. It is recommended to put more attention on students’ mathematics learning to provide an avenue by which teachers might better support them in nurturing their beliefs and attitudes and, in turn, enhance their mathematics achievement.

year: 2014

title: A Māori homeless woman

authors: Groot, Shiloh Ann Maree

subjects: Māori

abstract: Indigenous peoples are overrepresented in homeless populations in many countries. As part of a larger ethnographic project, this case study draws upon interviews and photoelicitation projects with a homeless Māori woman, Ariā. The actions of this Māori woman exemplify how Indigenous cultural practices can shape a person’s efforts to retain a positive sense of self and place while homeless. Māori cultural concepts relating to caring, leadership, unity, relationships, spirituality, history and place provide a basis for interpreting Ariā’s actions. This article demonstrates the appropriateness of cultural concepts indigenous to a group for conducting ethnographic research into homelessness within that group.

text: A Māori homeless woman Indigenous peoples are overrepresented in homeless populations in many countries. As part of a larger ethnographic project, this case study draws upon interviews and photoelicitation projects with a homeless Māori woman, Ariā. The actions of this Māori woman exemplify how Indigenous cultural practices can shape a person’s efforts to retain a positive sense of self and place while homeless. Māori cultural concepts relating to caring, leadership, unity, relationships, spirituality, history and place provide a basis for interpreting Ariā’s actions. This article demonstrates the appropriateness of cultural concepts indigenous to a group for conducting ethnographic research into homelessness within that group.

year: 2011-09