title: Migration and mental health: Evidence from a natural experiment

authors: Stillman, Steven

subjects: migration

abstract: People migrate to improve their well-being, whether through an expansion of economic and social opportunities or a reduction in persecution. Yet a large literature suggests that migration can be a very stressful process, with potentially negative impacts on mental health reducing the net benefits of migration. However, to truly understand the effect of migration on mental health one must compare the mental health of migrants to what their mental health would have been had they stayed in their home country. The existing literature is not able to do this and typically settles for comparing the mental health of migrants to that of natives in the destination country,which takes no account of any pre-existing differences between these groups. This paper overcomes the selection problems affecting previous studies of the effect of migration on mental health by examining a migrant lottery program. New Zealand allows a quota of Tongans to immigrate each year with a lottery used to choose amongst the excess number of applicants. A unique survey conducted by the authors in these two countries allows experimental estimates of the mental health effects of migration to be obtained by comparing the mental health of migrants who were successful applicants in the lottery to the mental health of those who applied to migrate under the quota, but whose names were not drawn in the lottery. Migration is found to lead to improvements in mental health, particularly for women and those with poor mental health in their home country.

text: Migration and mental health: Evidence from a natural experiment People migrate to improve their well-being, whether through an expansion of economic and social opportunities or a reduction in persecution. Yet a large literature suggests that migration can be a very stressful process, with potentially negative impacts on mental health reducing the net benefits of migration. However, to truly understand the effect of migration on mental health one must compare the mental health of migrants to what their mental health would have been had they stayed in their home country. The existing literature is not able to do this and typically settles for comparing the mental health of migrants to that of natives in the destination country,which takes no account of any pre-existing differences between these groups. This paper overcomes the selection problems affecting previous studies of the effect of migration on mental health by examining a migrant lottery program. New Zealand allows a quota of Tongans to immigrate each year with a lottery used to choose amongst the excess number of applicants. A unique survey conducted by the authors in these two countries allows experimental estimates of the mental health effects of migration to be obtained by comparing the mental health of migrants who were successful applicants in the lottery to the mental health of those who applied to migrate under the quota, but whose names were not drawn in the lottery. Migration is found to lead to improvements in mental health, particularly for women and those with poor mental health in their home country.

year: 2006-03

title: A symbiotic model for transforming public healthcare in New Zealand

authors: Green, Craig J.

abstract: Given the poor state of public healthcare in New Zealand, this study challenges researchers and practitioners to expand their conceptual repertoire beyond mere cost-cutting and piecemeal improvements to consider potentially transformative business models. It invites stakeholders to consider how they ascribe meaning to behaviour, events, and environments when participating in every aspect of healthcare provision.  

A Delphi study garnered expert opinion on the ideal healthcare system for New Zealand, which senior District Health Board interviewees confirmed should involve equitable access, patient-centred care, service integration, and shared resources. To deliver this ideal, traditional pipeline model elements and an emergent platform ecosystem were merged, creating a symbiotic, hybrid healthcare concept in which the pipeline’s efficient methodical processes and the platform’s flexible facilitation of patient/provider engagements combine to offer a context-specific approach to healthcare provision, superior value-based outcomes and fair distribution of resources. Model validation extended to consideration of a comprehensive implementation roadmap that emerged from the main mechanisms and stakeholder behaviours required to transform today’s healthcare system.  

As the healthcare landscape evolves, embracing dynamic and inclusive approaches that prioritise patients and harness the potential of technological advancements is crucial. By inviting practitioners to reflect on their participation in healthcare provision, this study contributes to the ongoing discourse on healthcare delivery models. It provides valuable insights for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners navigating the complex world of contemporary healthcare.

text: A symbiotic model for transforming public healthcare in New Zealand Given the poor state of public healthcare in New Zealand, this study challenges researchers and practitioners to expand their conceptual repertoire beyond mere cost-cutting and piecemeal improvements to consider potentially transformative business models. It invites stakeholders to consider how they ascribe meaning to behaviour, events, and environments when participating in every aspect of healthcare provision.  

A Delphi study garnered expert opinion on the ideal healthcare system for New Zealand, which senior District Health Board interviewees confirmed should involve equitable access, patient-centred care, service integration, and shared resources. To deliver this ideal, traditional pipeline model elements and an emergent platform ecosystem were merged, creating a symbiotic, hybrid healthcare concept in which the pipeline’s efficient methodical processes and the platform’s flexible facilitation of patient/provider engagements combine to offer a context-specific approach to healthcare provision, superior value-based outcomes and fair distribution of resources. Model validation extended to consideration of a comprehensive implementation roadmap that emerged from the main mechanisms and stakeholder behaviours required to transform today’s healthcare system.  

As the healthcare landscape evolves, embracing dynamic and inclusive approaches that prioritise patients and harness the potential of technological advancements is crucial. By inviting practitioners to reflect on their participation in healthcare provision, this study contributes to the ongoing discourse on healthcare delivery models. It provides valuable insights for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners navigating the complex world of contemporary healthcare.

year: 2025

title: Boat electrofishing survey of fish populations in the Ohau Channel in December 2010

authors: Hicks, Brendan J.

abstract: The original purpose of this series of surveys was to apply an independent method to estimate the densities of common smelt and bullies in the Ohau Channel at fixed points along the bank which coincided with trap netting sites used by the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA). Since the low number of smelt captured by a single day’s boat electrofishing became apparent compared to the numbers captured by seasonal trapping, the aim of the survey has been modified to provide on-going monitoring of the fish communities and abundance in the Ohau Channel, especially fish species that are taonga to Maori (eels, goldfish, and koura).

text: Boat electrofishing survey of fish populations in the Ohau Channel in December 2010 The original purpose of this series of surveys was to apply an independent method to estimate the densities of common smelt and bullies in the Ohau Channel at fixed points along the bank which coincided with trap netting sites used by the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA). Since the low number of smelt captured by a single day’s boat electrofishing became apparent compared to the numbers captured by seasonal trapping, the aim of the survey has been modified to provide on-going monitoring of the fish communities and abundance in the Ohau Channel, especially fish species that are taonga to Maori (eels, goldfish, and koura).

year: 2011-11-15