title: Exploring the nature of psychological wellness of renal patients on dialysis under the care of the Waikato Regional Renal Centre

authors: Pepperell, Cherie Susan

subjects: renal

abstract: In New Zealand, there has been limited enquiry into the experiences of dialysis patients and the health professionals who work with these patients. The number of people requiring dialysis is increasing every year and the support they require to manage end stage kidney disease is complex. It involves the invasive physical intervention of dialysis, as well as psychological support to cope with the significant life changes and social support to help patients to manage this disease.
The purpose of this research is to explore the nature of psychological well-being of patients under the care of the Waikato Regional Renal Unit. The level of psychological support that the patients have access to is investigated and suggested improvements rationalised against prior research findings are presented. The intent of this research is to create an awareness of the psychological needs of dialysis patients. It aims to give insight into the participants’ lived experience as they openly describe their lives as dialysis patients, and endeavours to open up discussion for change.
Two data gathering approaches were used to engage with patients and health professional. I completed interviews with 11 renal patients and 14 health professionals, and administered a mail out questionnaire to 197 patient respondents. Thematic analysis of the interview data identified the following themes; the impacts of end stage kidney disease on the psychological well-being of renal patients, the need for psychological support for patients with end stage kidney disease, and the need for improved communication between and across all parties; the support people, the health professionals and the renal patient.

text: Exploring the nature of psychological wellness of renal patients on dialysis under the care of the Waikato Regional Renal Centre In New Zealand, there has been limited enquiry into the experiences of dialysis patients and the health professionals who work with these patients. The number of people requiring dialysis is increasing every year and the support they require to manage end stage kidney disease is complex. It involves the invasive physical intervention of dialysis, as well as psychological support to cope with the significant life changes and social support to help patients to manage this disease.
The purpose of this research is to explore the nature of psychological well-being of patients under the care of the Waikato Regional Renal Unit. The level of psychological support that the patients have access to is investigated and suggested improvements rationalised against prior research findings are presented. The intent of this research is to create an awareness of the psychological needs of dialysis patients. It aims to give insight into the participants’ lived experience as they openly describe their lives as dialysis patients, and endeavours to open up discussion for change.
Two data gathering approaches were used to engage with patients and health professional. I completed interviews with 11 renal patients and 14 health professionals, and administered a mail out questionnaire to 197 patient respondents. Thematic analysis of the interview data identified the following themes; the impacts of end stage kidney disease on the psychological well-being of renal patients, the need for psychological support for patients with end stage kidney disease, and the need for improved communication between and across all parties; the support people, the health professionals and the renal patient.

year: 2017

title: Assessing dispersal among habitats for three New Zealand aquatic insects using mitochondrial DNA (COI) sequences

authors: Riding, Morgan Alexandra

subjects: Dispersal

abstract: Dispersal of aquatic insects is a key process allowing colonization of new habitat and linking existing populations among habitats. Studying the dispersal of freshwater taxa directly is logistically challenging and assessments of population genetic structure using DNA sequence fragments have provided an alternative means to examine the dispersal and connectivity of natural populations. Here, I used mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) DNA sequences to assess the genetic similarity for aquatic insect species across both small (<50km) and large (>1000km) spatial scales. For the first study, I examined genetic similarity among source and restored stream habitats in Taranaki Region, New Zealand. Three common species were targeted based on differences in dispersal capabilities: Archichauliodes diversus (Megaloptera; active larvae, weak flight), and Hydropsyche colonica and Pycnocentrodes aeris (Trichoptera; sessile larvae, strong flight). Archichauliodes diversus showed the greatest sequence diversity (19 haplotypes) followed by P. aeris (14 haplotypes) and H. colonica (4 haplotypes). Despite relatively high levels of genetic diversity, A. diversus was genetically similar throughout the study area, suggesting adequate dispersal among source and restored habitats. Individuals of H. colonica, with much lower levels of haplotype diversity, were also genetically similar between source and restored habitats. In contrast, P. aeris had one haplotype that was more common in source versus restored habitats. I concluded that taxa were relatively well connected between source and restored habitats and that COI sequences can provide a useful indicator for tracking restoration efforts within relatively small geographic areas. In the second study, I focused on large-scale patterns of diversity for A. diversus which is widespread throughout both the North and the South Islands of New Zealand and compared this with available sequences from a congeneric Australian species. I found sequence divergences between the New Zealand A. diversus and Australian Archichauliodes sp (11.8% divergence), and between New Zealand North Island and South Island A. diversus (3% divergence). In the South Island, there were 8 haplotypes restricted to individual sites and 4 haplotypes that were shared among sites. For the North Island, individuals there were 21 haplotypes restricted to one of more sites and 1 common haplotype shared among Taranaki sites. There were 12 missing mutational steps between haplotypes from the North Island and the South Islands. The Australian Archichauliodes sp was further separated by 70 missing mutational steps from the South Island of New Zealand. Differentiation was also observed within the South Island with shared haplotypes observed at distances of > 150 km. On this basis, I suggested that despite potentially weak flight, individuals of A. diversus can regularly disperse distances of up to 150 km. However, they also appear limited by geographic barriers such as the Cook Strait between the North and South Islands (<25 km). Molecular clock estimates between New Zealand and Australian Archichauliodes sp. suggested that isolation of individuals occurred around 5 Mya and isolation between the North and South A. diversus occurred within the last 2 Mya; corresponding with the Pliocene and Pleistocene, respectively.  On the basis of both studies, I concluded that COI gene sequences can provide a useful method for assessing the genetic similarity of aquatic insect populations on both small (<50km) and large (>1000km) spatial scales and that these data can then be used to test ecological and evolutionary hypotheses.

text: Assessing dispersal among habitats for three New Zealand aquatic insects using mitochondrial DNA (COI) sequences Dispersal of aquatic insects is a key process allowing colonization of new habitat and linking existing populations among habitats. Studying the dispersal of freshwater taxa directly is logistically challenging and assessments of population genetic structure using DNA sequence fragments have provided an alternative means to examine the dispersal and connectivity of natural populations. Here, I used mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) DNA sequences to assess the genetic similarity for aquatic insect species across both small (<50km) and large (>1000km) spatial scales. For the first study, I examined genetic similarity among source and restored stream habitats in Taranaki Region, New Zealand. Three common species were targeted based on differences in dispersal capabilities: Archichauliodes diversus (Megaloptera; active larvae, weak flight), and Hydropsyche colonica and Pycnocentrodes aeris (Trichoptera; sessile larvae, strong flight). Archichauliodes diversus showed the greatest sequence diversity (19 haplotypes) followed by P. aeris (14 haplotypes) and H. colonica (4 haplotypes). Despite relatively high levels of genetic diversity, A. diversus was genetically similar throughout the study area, suggesting adequate dispersal among source and restored habitats. Individuals of H. colonica, with much lower levels of haplotype diversity, were also genetically similar between source and restored habitats. In contrast, P. aeris had one haplotype that was more common in source versus restored habitats. I concluded that taxa were relatively well connected between source and restored habitats and that COI sequences can provide a useful indicator for tracking restoration efforts within relatively small geographic areas. In the second study, I focused on large-scale patterns of diversity for A. diversus which is widespread throughout both the North and the South Islands of New Zealand and compared this with available sequences from a congeneric Australian species. I found sequence divergences between the New Zealand A. diversus and Australian Archichauliodes sp (11.8% divergence), and between New Zealand North Island and South Island A. diversus (3% divergence). In the South Island, there were 8 haplotypes restricted to individual sites and 4 haplotypes that were shared among sites. For the North Island, individuals there were 21 haplotypes restricted to one of more sites and 1 common haplotype shared among Taranaki sites. There were 12 missing mutational steps between haplotypes from the North Island and the South Islands. The Australian Archichauliodes sp was further separated by 70 missing mutational steps from the South Island of New Zealand. Differentiation was also observed within the South Island with shared haplotypes observed at distances of > 150 km. On this basis, I suggested that despite potentially weak flight, individuals of A. diversus can regularly disperse distances of up to 150 km. However, they also appear limited by geographic barriers such as the Cook Strait between the North and South Islands (<25 km). Molecular clock estimates between New Zealand and Australian Archichauliodes sp. suggested that isolation of individuals occurred around 5 Mya and isolation between the North and South A. diversus occurred within the last 2 Mya; corresponding with the Pliocene and Pleistocene, respectively.  On the basis of both studies, I concluded that COI gene sequences can provide a useful method for assessing the genetic similarity of aquatic insect populations on both small (<50km) and large (>1000km) spatial scales and that these data can then be used to test ecological and evolutionary hypotheses.

year: 2016

title: Māori data governance model

authors: Kukutai, Tahu

abstract: This report describes the Māori Data Governance Model that has been designed by Māori data experts for use across the Aotearoa New Zealand public service. Māori data is a taonga that requires culturally grounded models of protection and care. The Model provides guidance for the system-wide governance of Māori data, consistent with the Government’s responsibilities under te Tiriti o Waitangi. The Model is intended to assist all agencies to undertake Māori data governance in a way that is values-led, centred on Māori needs and priorities, and informed by research. This is important because existing government data processes and practices are failing to meet Māori informational needs.

The Vision, Tuia te korowai o Hine-Raraunga – Data for self-determination, enables iwi, hapū and Māori organisations, businesses and communities to pursue their own goals for cultural, social, economic and environmental wellbeing. Eight Data Pou or pillars define critical areas of data governance and specify the actions that should be undertaken to realise six desired outcomes. The Model does not cover every element of data governance; instead, it focuses on key priorities and actions, against which agencies can assess their level of data maturity. The Model explicitly recognises the need for changes to system leadership, policies and legal settings so that Māori can exercise authority over Māori data to reduce unethical data use and strengthen outcomes for individuals, whānau and communities. The report also identifies the need for strategic investment in a Mana Motuhake data system that sits outside of the public sector to ensure iwi and hapū sovereignty over iwi and hapū data.

text: Māori data governance model This report describes the Māori Data Governance Model that has been designed by Māori data experts for use across the Aotearoa New Zealand public service. Māori data is a taonga that requires culturally grounded models of protection and care. The Model provides guidance for the system-wide governance of Māori data, consistent with the Government’s responsibilities under te Tiriti o Waitangi. The Model is intended to assist all agencies to undertake Māori data governance in a way that is values-led, centred on Māori needs and priorities, and informed by research. This is important because existing government data processes and practices are failing to meet Māori informational needs.

The Vision, Tuia te korowai o Hine-Raraunga – Data for self-determination, enables iwi, hapū and Māori organisations, businesses and communities to pursue their own goals for cultural, social, economic and environmental wellbeing. Eight Data Pou or pillars define critical areas of data governance and specify the actions that should be undertaken to realise six desired outcomes. The Model does not cover every element of data governance; instead, it focuses on key priorities and actions, against which agencies can assess their level of data maturity. The Model explicitly recognises the need for changes to system leadership, policies and legal settings so that Māori can exercise authority over Māori data to reduce unethical data use and strengthen outcomes for individuals, whānau and communities. The report also identifies the need for strategic investment in a Mana Motuhake data system that sits outside of the public sector to ensure iwi and hapū sovereignty over iwi and hapū data.

year: 2023