title: The Taxonomy of Demospongiae (Porifera) from the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand - Connecting Linnaean and Phylogenetic Classification

authors: Mc Cormack, Samuel Patrick

abstract: The ability to accurately identify species is prerequisite for assessing levels of biological diversity and a fundamental requirement for ecological research. In recent times, there has been a shortfall in biologists who practice traditional alpha taxonomy, leading to difficulties in assessment of biodiversity in some taxonomic groups. The use of a molecular DNA barcoding approach has been suggested as a tool that can be used to complement and accelerate traditional alpha taxonomy, without supplanting or invalidating existing taxonomic practices.
Two different techniques were used to identify organisms, molecular and alpha taxonomy. This thesis addressees several questions relating to sponge systematics. Research was focused on three areas; (1) record sponge biodiversity from the Bay of Plenty region, (2) undertake a systematic revision of the fauna correlating ‘historical’ taxonomy with a modern phylogenetic assessment (3) determine whether identifications based on genetic barcoding are congruent with those produced via traditional morphological methods (alpha taxonomy), and to assess the use of molecular techniques for Demospongiae species identifications.
This was the first focused research on sponge diversity in the Bay of Plenty region. Fifty five species are described in this research. Of these, there are up to three new families, three new genera and thirty four species which are un-described and deemed new to science. However, a more conservative estimate with grouped specimens suggests that there is a minimum of at least one new family, one new genus, and eighteen new species that are un-described and deemed new to science. In summary, we conclude that for New Zealand Demospongiae, sequence variation present in the barcoding region of the COI gene is sufficient to allow for the identification individuals to their nominate species. The use of mtDNA barcoding can without doubt complement classical morphological taxonomy and accelerate the identification process and may in fact revive an interest classical morphological taxonomy.

text: The Taxonomy of Demospongiae (Porifera) from the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand - Connecting Linnaean and Phylogenetic Classification The ability to accurately identify species is prerequisite for assessing levels of biological diversity and a fundamental requirement for ecological research. In recent times, there has been a shortfall in biologists who practice traditional alpha taxonomy, leading to difficulties in assessment of biodiversity in some taxonomic groups. The use of a molecular DNA barcoding approach has been suggested as a tool that can be used to complement and accelerate traditional alpha taxonomy, without supplanting or invalidating existing taxonomic practices.
Two different techniques were used to identify organisms, molecular and alpha taxonomy. This thesis addressees several questions relating to sponge systematics. Research was focused on three areas; (1) record sponge biodiversity from the Bay of Plenty region, (2) undertake a systematic revision of the fauna correlating ‘historical’ taxonomy with a modern phylogenetic assessment (3) determine whether identifications based on genetic barcoding are congruent with those produced via traditional morphological methods (alpha taxonomy), and to assess the use of molecular techniques for Demospongiae species identifications.
This was the first focused research on sponge diversity in the Bay of Plenty region. Fifty five species are described in this research. Of these, there are up to three new families, three new genera and thirty four species which are un-described and deemed new to science. However, a more conservative estimate with grouped specimens suggests that there is a minimum of at least one new family, one new genus, and eighteen new species that are un-described and deemed new to science. In summary, we conclude that for New Zealand Demospongiae, sequence variation present in the barcoding region of the COI gene is sufficient to allow for the identification individuals to their nominate species. The use of mtDNA barcoding can without doubt complement classical morphological taxonomy and accelerate the identification process and may in fact revive an interest classical morphological taxonomy.

year: 2015

title: Economic development and charitable status

authors: Chevalier-Watts, Juliet

abstract: This article considers the issue of whether economic and community development can be a charitable purpose under New Zealand law and debates whether authorities reflect too restrictive an approach, thus limiting the expansion of the law of charities. 
The origin of the meaning of charity is to be found in the Statute of Elizabeth, or the Charitable Uses Act 1601. The preamble of this Act provides purposes that are deemed to be charitable, including the relief of the aged, impotent or poor people, maintenance of sick and maimed soldiers and mariners; the repair of bridges and churches; and the marriage of poor maids, to note but a few. This is not an exhaustive list, and other purposes may be charitable where “those purposes are charitable which that statute enumerates or which by analogies are deemed within its spirit and intendment.”

text: Economic development and charitable status This article considers the issue of whether economic and community development can be a charitable purpose under New Zealand law and debates whether authorities reflect too restrictive an approach, thus limiting the expansion of the law of charities. 
The origin of the meaning of charity is to be found in the Statute of Elizabeth, or the Charitable Uses Act 1601. The preamble of this Act provides purposes that are deemed to be charitable, including the relief of the aged, impotent or poor people, maintenance of sick and maimed soldiers and mariners; the repair of bridges and churches; and the marriage of poor maids, to note but a few. This is not an exhaustive list, and other purposes may be charitable where “those purposes are charitable which that statute enumerates or which by analogies are deemed within its spirit and intendment.”

year: 2010

title: Action for improvement in our own contexts

authors: Bruce Ferguson, Pip

subjects: education

abstract: Discusses: The pedagogy of Paulo Freire – importance of emancipatory, not ‘banking’, education. Who needs emancipatory education in NZ, and why? Consideration of issues affecting Māori success in the New Zealand education system.

text: Action for improvement in our own contexts Discusses: The pedagogy of Paulo Freire – importance of emancipatory, not ‘banking’, education. Who needs emancipatory education in NZ, and why? Consideration of issues affecting Māori success in the New Zealand education system.

year: 2012