title: Lake Rotokakahi: The kakahi (Hyridella menziesi) in a general framework of lake health

authors: Butterworth, Joseph

subjects: Rotokakahi

abstract: Lake Rotokakahi is a mesotrophic lake located within the Rotorua Lakes District, North Island, New Zealand. Under the legal guardianship of the Tuhourangi and Ngati Tumatawera tribes of Te Arawa it has remained closed to the public since 1948. 

Lake Rotokakahi was last monitored regularly in 1996 under the Environment Bay of Plenty (EBOP) water quality monitoring programme with only the lake outlet (Te Wairoa Stream) being monitored since that time. Water quality data collected up to 1996 suggests that there may be degradation of water quality in the lake, as indicated by declining levels of dissolved oxygen in the bottom waters.

 Lake Rotokakahi steeped in historical significance, as well as having major cultural and recreational values was well known for its abundant resources and as the name suggests, particularly for its massive supply of the freshwater mussel or kakahi (Hyridella menziesi). Freshwater mussel species worldwide are in decline however little is known on factors controlling kakahi abundance and distribution. 

The overarching objective of this thesis is update water quality data last monitored in Lake Rotokakahi in 1996 while also identifying key environmental variables thought to influence kakahi populations.  This objective is underpinned by a number of aims that include:
 	Establishment of a 12-13 month water quality programme within Lake Rotokakahi so that data is obtained for comparisons with previous water quality data (pre-1997) to allow assessment of whether there have been water quality changes in the lake.
 	Conduct a population survey of the resident kakahi population examining possible environmental factors influencing their populations.
 	Present an oral history of Lake Rotokakahi focusing on its historical significance, water quality, and collection of kairoto (food collected form lakes).

from the 18 September 2006 to 14 September 2007 monthly water sampling was carried out at a mid lake station, the lake outflow and inflow for measures of nutrients, phytoplankton, zooplankton and chlorophyll a. Vertical profiles of temperature dissolved oxygen and chlorophyll fluorescence were also taken on various part of Lake Rotokakahi.

A lengthened period of anoxia in the bottom waters during thermal stratification was recorded with increased levels of chlorophyll a in winter and reduced secchi disk depth indicating an increase in phytoplankton biomass. Nutrient concentrations remain moderate relative to historical data. On going water quality monitoring on Lake Rotokakahi is recommended to further evaluate the extent of which water quality change is occurring. This will provide a better understanding of how Lake Rotokakahi can be best managed to further preserve the lake.

On 1 March and 20 April kakahi were sampled at five sites. Large kakahi densities were distributed predominantly in depths above the hypolimnion. Chlorophyll a fluorescence and dissolved oxygen were found to be the best correlates for kakahi density and biomass respectively. Low dissolved oxygen concentrations in the hypolimnion are thought to restrict kakahi distributions to above the thermocline in periods of hypolimnetic anoxia.

text: Lake Rotokakahi: The kakahi (Hyridella menziesi) in a general framework of lake health Lake Rotokakahi is a mesotrophic lake located within the Rotorua Lakes District, North Island, New Zealand. Under the legal guardianship of the Tuhourangi and Ngati Tumatawera tribes of Te Arawa it has remained closed to the public since 1948. 

Lake Rotokakahi was last monitored regularly in 1996 under the Environment Bay of Plenty (EBOP) water quality monitoring programme with only the lake outlet (Te Wairoa Stream) being monitored since that time. Water quality data collected up to 1996 suggests that there may be degradation of water quality in the lake, as indicated by declining levels of dissolved oxygen in the bottom waters.

 Lake Rotokakahi steeped in historical significance, as well as having major cultural and recreational values was well known for its abundant resources and as the name suggests, particularly for its massive supply of the freshwater mussel or kakahi (Hyridella menziesi). Freshwater mussel species worldwide are in decline however little is known on factors controlling kakahi abundance and distribution. 

The overarching objective of this thesis is update water quality data last monitored in Lake Rotokakahi in 1996 while also identifying key environmental variables thought to influence kakahi populations.  This objective is underpinned by a number of aims that include:
 	Establishment of a 12-13 month water quality programme within Lake Rotokakahi so that data is obtained for comparisons with previous water quality data (pre-1997) to allow assessment of whether there have been water quality changes in the lake.
 	Conduct a population survey of the resident kakahi population examining possible environmental factors influencing their populations.
 	Present an oral history of Lake Rotokakahi focusing on its historical significance, water quality, and collection of kairoto (food collected form lakes).

from the 18 September 2006 to 14 September 2007 monthly water sampling was carried out at a mid lake station, the lake outflow and inflow for measures of nutrients, phytoplankton, zooplankton and chlorophyll a. Vertical profiles of temperature dissolved oxygen and chlorophyll fluorescence were also taken on various part of Lake Rotokakahi.

A lengthened period of anoxia in the bottom waters during thermal stratification was recorded with increased levels of chlorophyll a in winter and reduced secchi disk depth indicating an increase in phytoplankton biomass. Nutrient concentrations remain moderate relative to historical data. On going water quality monitoring on Lake Rotokakahi is recommended to further evaluate the extent of which water quality change is occurring. This will provide a better understanding of how Lake Rotokakahi can be best managed to further preserve the lake.

On 1 March and 20 April kakahi were sampled at five sites. Large kakahi densities were distributed predominantly in depths above the hypolimnion. Chlorophyll a fluorescence and dissolved oxygen were found to be the best correlates for kakahi density and biomass respectively. Low dissolved oxygen concentrations in the hypolimnion are thought to restrict kakahi distributions to above the thermocline in periods of hypolimnetic anoxia.

year: 2008

title: Beyond Pākehā paralysis: Exploring the journeys & experiences of Pākehā allyship in psychology

authors: Stolte, Ottilie Emma Elisabeth

abstract: The monocultural foundation of psychology is interwoven with the colonial history of Aotearoa New Zealand. Not all of the mahi of decolonising psychology is the responsibility of Māori. In Aotearoa, there is currently less literature around the development of racial justice allyship and how Pākehā (as the dominant majority) can work towards honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi. This paper draws on interviews with three Pākehā allies who have taken actions towards greater inclusion of Māori and raising awareness of systemic injustices and racial disparities. The objective of this paper is to document the understandings shared by these ‘reluctant allies’, focusing on the challenges, possibilities, and suggestions for a more culturally relevant psychological education and practice for Aotearoa New Zealand.

text: Beyond Pākehā paralysis: Exploring the journeys & experiences of Pākehā allyship in psychology The monocultural foundation of psychology is interwoven with the colonial history of Aotearoa New Zealand. Not all of the mahi of decolonising psychology is the responsibility of Māori. In Aotearoa, there is currently less literature around the development of racial justice allyship and how Pākehā (as the dominant majority) can work towards honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi. This paper draws on interviews with three Pākehā allies who have taken actions towards greater inclusion of Māori and raising awareness of systemic injustices and racial disparities. The objective of this paper is to document the understandings shared by these ‘reluctant allies’, focusing on the challenges, possibilities, and suggestions for a more culturally relevant psychological education and practice for Aotearoa New Zealand.

year: 2025

title: Scholarly discourse on the visuality of ethics in Gaming: An opening conversation

authors: Redder, Ben Dorrington

subjects: gaming ethics

abstract: This article offers perspectives into some of the key intersections between ethics in representation and game design by showcasing an extended ten-minute version of the presenters’ original video about the provocation of visual ethics in gaming, first shown at the summit ‘Re/Sponse-able Visual Ethics.’ This version particularly divulges further detail into the ludic and congruent real-world dynamics that come into play in coding and facilitating both the game’s system of rules and mechanics as well as the player’s immersion in its game world. Topics principally addressed included the relationship and function of violence in procedural-based game activity, and game developer intentions or responses to their chosen subjects and themes embedded into their game. While the video and its topics primarily aligned to the presenters’ respective disciplines, it is still a valuable platform to instigate new or expand existing avenues of research into the relationship of ethics and gaming.

text: Scholarly discourse on the visuality of ethics in Gaming: An opening conversation This article offers perspectives into some of the key intersections between ethics in representation and game design by showcasing an extended ten-minute version of the presenters’ original video about the provocation of visual ethics in gaming, first shown at the summit ‘Re/Sponse-able Visual Ethics.’ This version particularly divulges further detail into the ludic and congruent real-world dynamics that come into play in coding and facilitating both the game’s system of rules and mechanics as well as the player’s immersion in its game world. Topics principally addressed included the relationship and function of violence in procedural-based game activity, and game developer intentions or responses to their chosen subjects and themes embedded into their game. While the video and its topics primarily aligned to the presenters’ respective disciplines, it is still a valuable platform to instigate new or expand existing avenues of research into the relationship of ethics and gaming.

year: 2023