title: New Zealand’s National Standards policy: How should we view it a decade on?

authors: Thrupp, Martin

abstract: In this short article, I consider how teachers might judge the National Standards system these days and also how the policy might be understood more generally. These are important questions coming up to the 2017 election because the National Standards system has been such a central feature of the current Government’s approach to education. Teachers will be aware of teacher and principal colleagues who are supportive of National Standards while others are much less so. Conflicting views amongst teachers and principals about the value of the National Standards is also apparent from a recent New Zealand Council for Educational Research (NZCER) national survey (Bonne, 2016). School websites indicate diverse views as well. There are some primary school websites that reflect enthusiasm about National Standards and some that barely mention them.

text: New Zealand’s National Standards policy: How should we view it a decade on? In this short article, I consider how teachers might judge the National Standards system these days and also how the policy might be understood more generally. These are important questions coming up to the 2017 election because the National Standards system has been such a central feature of the current Government’s approach to education. Teachers will be aware of teacher and principal colleagues who are supportive of National Standards while others are much less so. Conflicting views amongst teachers and principals about the value of the National Standards is also apparent from a recent New Zealand Council for Educational Research (NZCER) national survey (Bonne, 2016). School websites indicate diverse views as well. There are some primary school websites that reflect enthusiasm about National Standards and some that barely mention them.

year: 2017

title: Biogeochemistry of denitrifying bioreactors to enhance phosphorus removal from agricultural subsurface drainage

authors: Perera, Maddhumage Gimhani Nuwanthika

abstract: Degradation of water quality due to nutrient over-enrichment has become a global environmental concern. In Aotearoa, agricultural pollution of freshwaters by nutrients is increasing. Therefore, strategies need to be implemented to minimize nutrient pollution in surface waters. Denitrifying bioreactors (DBRs) are a prominent edge-of-field treatment technology to mitigate surface water nitrate loadings from agricultural subsurface drainage. Recent studies have identified that subsurface drainage can also contribute to the loss of phosphorus from agricultural soil. Therefore, this thesis investigates the potential of DBRs to incorporate iron-based materials to sequester phosphorus and reduce pollution of waterways.
There is some evidence suggesting low-level phosphorus removal by woodchip bioreactors alone. However, it is inevitable that woodchips alone do not abiotically remove phosphorus due to the incompatibility between the surface charge of wood at neutral-to-acidic pH values. In this study, raw pinus radiata, and, thermally modified pyrolyzed woodchips were employed for surface modification, with view to enhancing P binding in DBRs.
We were mindful in the design of material functionalization to avoid complicated preparation steps, exotic or harmful reagents, and impractical particle sizes to ensure compatibility for large-scale applications in the agricultural landscape. Results indicated that the functionalization of wood media successfully inversed the surface charge, leading to a net positive charge within the favorable range for phosphorus adsorption under reactor-specific conditions (pH 5.5 − 6). The maximum adsorption capacity of functionalized wood and functionalized biochar corresponded to 65.8 mg g-1 and 31.4 mg g-1, respectively, comparing well to values reported in the literature.
DBRs operate under varying hydraulic conditions, which results in variable flow rates, nutrient concentrations, redox status, pH, and many other variables that affect the operation of the bioreactor. The stability of iron hydr(oxide) composites is expected to be sensitive to some of these conditions, especially acidic and anaerobic conditions, which favor dissolution of iron hydr(oxide)s and therefore could adversely affect P removal. Furthermore, there are other likely products of reduced Fe2+ and orthophosphate (HPO42-) that could form under the conditions anticipated. Therefore, the biogeochemical environment in the DBR was characterized to understand the stability of iron hydr(oxide)s and their ability to subsequently remove of phosphorus.
To date, there have been only limited investigations into the stability of iron hydr(oxide)s under real-world bioreactor conditions, and functionalisation studies often neglect the impact of oscillating redox conditions on the stability of Fe-based adsorbents. In light of this, bench-scale woodchip bioreactors were established, both with and without MnO2, to evaluate the redox buffering capacity of MnO2 with view to mitigating the reductive dissolution of iron oxide. This approach aimed to improve the retention of dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP) on the introduced iron oxide surfaces. It was concluded that iron oxides effectively remove DRP and MnO2 enhances nitrogen (N) removal, with slightly better performance observed in the treatment incorporating Fe oxides and MnO2. Hence, it can be inferred that the addition of manganese and iron oxides proves advantageous as an amendment to the conventional woodchip substrate in DBRs to enhance nutrient removal.
This thesis has demonstrated that Fe-functionalized media can effectively remove DRP in agricultural drainage water. In addition, by incorporating MnO2, Fe oxides can be stabilised under oscillating redox conditions, and therefore the combination of MnO2 and Fe oxides could serve as a practical solution for DBRs to mitigate diffuse pollution in New Zealand. These findings offer insights for redesigning DBRs, providing a clearer understanding of the dynamics of P removal in DBRs, and how functionalized media can be employed in the long term to remove phosphorus from agricultural drainage water, meeting water quality objectives while minimizing P releases.

text: Biogeochemistry of denitrifying bioreactors to enhance phosphorus removal from agricultural subsurface drainage Degradation of water quality due to nutrient over-enrichment has become a global environmental concern. In Aotearoa, agricultural pollution of freshwaters by nutrients is increasing. Therefore, strategies need to be implemented to minimize nutrient pollution in surface waters. Denitrifying bioreactors (DBRs) are a prominent edge-of-field treatment technology to mitigate surface water nitrate loadings from agricultural subsurface drainage. Recent studies have identified that subsurface drainage can also contribute to the loss of phosphorus from agricultural soil. Therefore, this thesis investigates the potential of DBRs to incorporate iron-based materials to sequester phosphorus and reduce pollution of waterways.
There is some evidence suggesting low-level phosphorus removal by woodchip bioreactors alone. However, it is inevitable that woodchips alone do not abiotically remove phosphorus due to the incompatibility between the surface charge of wood at neutral-to-acidic pH values. In this study, raw pinus radiata, and, thermally modified pyrolyzed woodchips were employed for surface modification, with view to enhancing P binding in DBRs.
We were mindful in the design of material functionalization to avoid complicated preparation steps, exotic or harmful reagents, and impractical particle sizes to ensure compatibility for large-scale applications in the agricultural landscape. Results indicated that the functionalization of wood media successfully inversed the surface charge, leading to a net positive charge within the favorable range for phosphorus adsorption under reactor-specific conditions (pH 5.5 − 6). The maximum adsorption capacity of functionalized wood and functionalized biochar corresponded to 65.8 mg g-1 and 31.4 mg g-1, respectively, comparing well to values reported in the literature.
DBRs operate under varying hydraulic conditions, which results in variable flow rates, nutrient concentrations, redox status, pH, and many other variables that affect the operation of the bioreactor. The stability of iron hydr(oxide) composites is expected to be sensitive to some of these conditions, especially acidic and anaerobic conditions, which favor dissolution of iron hydr(oxide)s and therefore could adversely affect P removal. Furthermore, there are other likely products of reduced Fe2+ and orthophosphate (HPO42-) that could form under the conditions anticipated. Therefore, the biogeochemical environment in the DBR was characterized to understand the stability of iron hydr(oxide)s and their ability to subsequently remove of phosphorus.
To date, there have been only limited investigations into the stability of iron hydr(oxide)s under real-world bioreactor conditions, and functionalisation studies often neglect the impact of oscillating redox conditions on the stability of Fe-based adsorbents. In light of this, bench-scale woodchip bioreactors were established, both with and without MnO2, to evaluate the redox buffering capacity of MnO2 with view to mitigating the reductive dissolution of iron oxide. This approach aimed to improve the retention of dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP) on the introduced iron oxide surfaces. It was concluded that iron oxides effectively remove DRP and MnO2 enhances nitrogen (N) removal, with slightly better performance observed in the treatment incorporating Fe oxides and MnO2. Hence, it can be inferred that the addition of manganese and iron oxides proves advantageous as an amendment to the conventional woodchip substrate in DBRs to enhance nutrient removal.
This thesis has demonstrated that Fe-functionalized media can effectively remove DRP in agricultural drainage water. In addition, by incorporating MnO2, Fe oxides can be stabilised under oscillating redox conditions, and therefore the combination of MnO2 and Fe oxides could serve as a practical solution for DBRs to mitigate diffuse pollution in New Zealand. These findings offer insights for redesigning DBRs, providing a clearer understanding of the dynamics of P removal in DBRs, and how functionalized media can be employed in the long term to remove phosphorus from agricultural drainage water, meeting water quality objectives while minimizing P releases.

year: 2023-12-16

title: Investment in Authentic Sustainable Cultural Tourism : Planning for the Future Benefit of Waikato-Tainui along the Waikato River, Case Studies at Tūrangawaewae and Te Awamārahi Marae

authors: Cooper, Mei Te Werawera Te Reokaha

abstract: “Tērā ōkū hoa kei ngā tōpito e whā o te ao - My friends will come from all parts of the world” – Kīngi Tāwhiao 1822-1894

This doctorate is guided by the visions of the second Māori king, Kīngi Tāwhiao, which reflect the importance of global connections, relationships (Turongo House, 2000:109) and investment to achieve the ultimate goal of authentic or ‘true’ sustainability throughout the world.  The strategic process will require a balance between humans and the natural environment to ensure long-term growth and survival.  This research will investigate whether investment in Authentic Sustainable Cultural Tourism (ASCT) will provide long-term and sustainable benefits for tribes throughout New Zealand, using a study of Waikato-Tainui.  ASCT, if practiced correctly, must be driven by whānau of marae, hapū and iwi alongside ideal long-term partners to ultimately achieve indigenous autonomy. ASCT prioritises the wellbeing of indigenous and local communities, cultural preservation and environmental sustainability while providing secure economic returns to key stakeholders. 

Today, tourism is New Zealand’s largest and fastest growing industry; total tourism expenditure is forecast to increase from $34.7b in 2016, an increase of 12.2% from the previous year, to $41b by 2025.  The natural landscape is the main reason why international travellers visit New Zealand, followed by an interest in Māori culture (Tourism Industry Association, 2015).  Unfortunately, there is sparse funding for Māori tourism development (New Zealand Māori Tourism, 2015; Goulter, 2015) compared to mainstream tourism and Māori are the most impoverished people in New Zealand (Statistics New Zealand, 2011).  Cultural tourism has existed in New Zealand for more than 150 years and has a vital role in New Zealand’s tourism industry.  Te Kīngitanga and the Waikato River are the main aspects that make Waikato unique in New Zealand, however, there is very little cultural tourism in the region.  As a descendant of Waikato-Tainui, I work with my people at the marae level to inform tribal governance about the significant opportunities available to whānau compared to current mainstream investments by the tribe. 

Using Kaupapa Māori and critical realism, the methods used in this research include an investigation of government tourism organisations, interviews with Waikato-Tainui governance groups, case studies at Tūrangawaewae and Te Awamārahi Marae, case studies at fourteen successful Māori tourism providers throughout New Zealand, and an international comparison of best practices in indigenous tourism.

text: Investment in Authentic Sustainable Cultural Tourism : Planning for the Future Benefit of Waikato-Tainui along the Waikato River, Case Studies at Tūrangawaewae and Te Awamārahi Marae “Tērā ōkū hoa kei ngā tōpito e whā o te ao - My friends will come from all parts of the world” – Kīngi Tāwhiao 1822-1894

This doctorate is guided by the visions of the second Māori king, Kīngi Tāwhiao, which reflect the importance of global connections, relationships (Turongo House, 2000:109) and investment to achieve the ultimate goal of authentic or ‘true’ sustainability throughout the world.  The strategic process will require a balance between humans and the natural environment to ensure long-term growth and survival.  This research will investigate whether investment in Authentic Sustainable Cultural Tourism (ASCT) will provide long-term and sustainable benefits for tribes throughout New Zealand, using a study of Waikato-Tainui.  ASCT, if practiced correctly, must be driven by whānau of marae, hapū and iwi alongside ideal long-term partners to ultimately achieve indigenous autonomy. ASCT prioritises the wellbeing of indigenous and local communities, cultural preservation and environmental sustainability while providing secure economic returns to key stakeholders. 

Today, tourism is New Zealand’s largest and fastest growing industry; total tourism expenditure is forecast to increase from $34.7b in 2016, an increase of 12.2% from the previous year, to $41b by 2025.  The natural landscape is the main reason why international travellers visit New Zealand, followed by an interest in Māori culture (Tourism Industry Association, 2015).  Unfortunately, there is sparse funding for Māori tourism development (New Zealand Māori Tourism, 2015; Goulter, 2015) compared to mainstream tourism and Māori are the most impoverished people in New Zealand (Statistics New Zealand, 2011).  Cultural tourism has existed in New Zealand for more than 150 years and has a vital role in New Zealand’s tourism industry.  Te Kīngitanga and the Waikato River are the main aspects that make Waikato unique in New Zealand, however, there is very little cultural tourism in the region.  As a descendant of Waikato-Tainui, I work with my people at the marae level to inform tribal governance about the significant opportunities available to whānau compared to current mainstream investments by the tribe. 

Using Kaupapa Māori and critical realism, the methods used in this research include an investigation of government tourism organisations, interviews with Waikato-Tainui governance groups, case studies at Tūrangawaewae and Te Awamārahi Marae, case studies at fourteen successful Māori tourism providers throughout New Zealand, and an international comparison of best practices in indigenous tourism.

year: 2018