title: Partitioning the influence of anthropogenic and oceanic nutrient fluxes in the coastal ocean, and the question of cultural eutrophication

authors: Lee, Randall

abstract: A multi-disciplinary study was implemented in the mid 1990’s in order to address concerns about apparent increases in the frequency and magnitude of marine phytoplankton blooms along the eastern Australian coast off New South Wales. This coastal region is frequently impacted by the western boundary flow of the East Australian Current (EAC), and anthropogenic discharges from major estuaries, and sewage outfalls within the Newcastle-Sydney-Wollongong conurbation. These coastal waters are typically nitrogen limited with respect to idealised Redfield ratios for optimal phytoplankton growth, indicating plankton sensitivity to nitrogen loading. Three deepwater outfalls servicing the city of Sydney represented the principal (~80%), continuous, anthropogenic source of nutrients to NSW coastal waters, predominantly in the form of ammonia nitrogen. The discharged effluent typically dilutes to 1:1000 to form plumes that remain trapped (~90%) by thermal stratification (≥1°C), and are dispersed by the prevailing alongshore currents. Of the eleven coastal catchments in this study region, the large Hunter and Hawkesbury catchments account for ~80% of the total catchment area and account for the majority of catchment nutrient loads discharged into the ocean. These discharges only produced significant increases to coastal waters (mainly as silica) when major flooding breached strong salinity gradients in the lower estuary. Episodic slope water intrusions were identified as the principal source of nitrogen in the form of nitrate to coastal waters. These shelf encroachments occurred seasonally associated with strong thermal dynamics observed during spring and summer. An understanding of mechanisms of slope water intrusion emerged from the deployment extensive mooring arrays, modelling exercises and responsive sampling transects triggered by synoptic monitoring of telemetered moorings and satellite imagery. Slope water intrusions operated over (alongshore) length scales of hundreds of kilometres and over time scales of a few days to a few weeks. Intrusions were related to coherent alongshore wind induced upwellings and EAC shelf encroachments, and localised baroclinic instabilities on the shoreward edge of EAC formed by perturbations in shelf topography. Phytoplankton blooms were correlated to these slope water intrusions irrespective of proximity to other major anthropogenic nutrient sources. However, the high frequency of occurrence of both the chain-forming diatom Thalassiosira spp. and the ‘red tide’ heterotrophic dinoflagellate Noctiluca scintillans during the study period was unprecedented in these waters. Long-term monitoring data indicated these anomalous conditions were associated with the strong El Niño episode of 1997/98, where warmer conditions prevailed. Corresponding studies along the New Zealand east-coast indicated a similarly unusual phytoplankton responses to El Niño episodes.

text: Partitioning the influence of anthropogenic and oceanic nutrient fluxes in the coastal ocean, and the question of cultural eutrophication A multi-disciplinary study was implemented in the mid 1990’s in order to address concerns about apparent increases in the frequency and magnitude of marine phytoplankton blooms along the eastern Australian coast off New South Wales. This coastal region is frequently impacted by the western boundary flow of the East Australian Current (EAC), and anthropogenic discharges from major estuaries, and sewage outfalls within the Newcastle-Sydney-Wollongong conurbation. These coastal waters are typically nitrogen limited with respect to idealised Redfield ratios for optimal phytoplankton growth, indicating plankton sensitivity to nitrogen loading. Three deepwater outfalls servicing the city of Sydney represented the principal (~80%), continuous, anthropogenic source of nutrients to NSW coastal waters, predominantly in the form of ammonia nitrogen. The discharged effluent typically dilutes to 1:1000 to form plumes that remain trapped (~90%) by thermal stratification (≥1°C), and are dispersed by the prevailing alongshore currents. Of the eleven coastal catchments in this study region, the large Hunter and Hawkesbury catchments account for ~80% of the total catchment area and account for the majority of catchment nutrient loads discharged into the ocean. These discharges only produced significant increases to coastal waters (mainly as silica) when major flooding breached strong salinity gradients in the lower estuary. Episodic slope water intrusions were identified as the principal source of nitrogen in the form of nitrate to coastal waters. These shelf encroachments occurred seasonally associated with strong thermal dynamics observed during spring and summer. An understanding of mechanisms of slope water intrusion emerged from the deployment extensive mooring arrays, modelling exercises and responsive sampling transects triggered by synoptic monitoring of telemetered moorings and satellite imagery. Slope water intrusions operated over (alongshore) length scales of hundreds of kilometres and over time scales of a few days to a few weeks. Intrusions were related to coherent alongshore wind induced upwellings and EAC shelf encroachments, and localised baroclinic instabilities on the shoreward edge of EAC formed by perturbations in shelf topography. Phytoplankton blooms were correlated to these slope water intrusions irrespective of proximity to other major anthropogenic nutrient sources. However, the high frequency of occurrence of both the chain-forming diatom Thalassiosira spp. and the ‘red tide’ heterotrophic dinoflagellate Noctiluca scintillans during the study period was unprecedented in these waters. Long-term monitoring data indicated these anomalous conditions were associated with the strong El Niño episode of 1997/98, where warmer conditions prevailed. Corresponding studies along the New Zealand east-coast indicated a similarly unusual phytoplankton responses to El Niño episodes.

year: 2002

title: The long-run impact of New Zealand’s structural reform on local communities

authors: Stillman, Steven

subjects: structural reform

abstract: New Zealand underwent a period of comprehensive market-oriented economic reforms from 1984 to 1993. In this paper, we use data from the 1986, 1991, 1996 and 2001 New Zealand census to examine the long-run impact that these reforms had on local communities. We analyse the adjustment process in 140 local labour market areas by creating three measures of the impact of structural reform on local communities and examining the persistence of these shocks over time. We find that communities which experienced smaller employment shocks have higher employment rates and a more skilled workforce in the medium and long-term. Population shocks also have positive, sizeable and persistent effect on future population size. Overall, the initial impacts of the reforms undertaken in New Zealand on local communities appear to still endure more than a decade later.

text: The long-run impact of New Zealand’s structural reform on local communities New Zealand underwent a period of comprehensive market-oriented economic reforms from 1984 to 1993. In this paper, we use data from the 1986, 1991, 1996 and 2001 New Zealand census to examine the long-run impact that these reforms had on local communities. We analyse the adjustment process in 140 local labour market areas by creating three measures of the impact of structural reform on local communities and examining the persistence of these shocks over time. We find that communities which experienced smaller employment shocks have higher employment rates and a more skilled workforce in the medium and long-term. Population shocks also have positive, sizeable and persistent effect on future population size. Overall, the initial impacts of the reforms undertaken in New Zealand on local communities appear to still endure more than a decade later.

year: 2010

title: Te Rau Puawai 2002-2004: An evaluation

authors: Nikora, Linda Waimarie

subjects: evaluation

abstract: Established in 1999 as a joint workforce initiative between the former Health Funding Authority and Massey University, Te Rau Puawai aimed to support 100 Maori students to graduate with mental health qualifications within a five year period. The goal of Te Rau Puawai is to contribute to the building of capacity for Maori in the mental health workforce. The programme exceeded its performance expectations in the first two years (1999-2001) with 56 bursars completing their qualifications. Bursars achieved an 80% pass rate compared with 65% for all students at Massey University as a whole. In 2004, this pass rate has continued, a significant achievement in light of increasing numbers of bursars being accepted and many without previously studying at the tertiary level.

In 2001 the Maori & Psychology Research Unit (MPRU) at the University of Waikato undertook an evaluation of Te Rau Puawai reporting on the programme's success and identifying any barriers the programme needed to address. The 2002 evaluation report outlines critical success factors and recommendations for improvement. In 2003 Te Rau Puawai negotiated further funding from the Mental Health Directorate (MeHD) of the Ministry of Health under the Mental Health Workforce Development Strategy (2002). Workforce development is critical in building capacity and capability in the mental health workforce to increase appropriately skilled workers required to meet the mental health needs of Maori communities. In 2004 the Ministry of Health requested a follow-up evaluation to provide a descriptive record of programme activities and progress from April 2002 to December 2004. This report provides an overview of Te Rau Puawai activities between 2002 and 2004; the progress and contributions made by bursars to the mental health workforce; and a reassessment of the programme's critical success factors.

text: Te Rau Puawai 2002-2004: An evaluation Established in 1999 as a joint workforce initiative between the former Health Funding Authority and Massey University, Te Rau Puawai aimed to support 100 Maori students to graduate with mental health qualifications within a five year period. The goal of Te Rau Puawai is to contribute to the building of capacity for Maori in the mental health workforce. The programme exceeded its performance expectations in the first two years (1999-2001) with 56 bursars completing their qualifications. Bursars achieved an 80% pass rate compared with 65% for all students at Massey University as a whole. In 2004, this pass rate has continued, a significant achievement in light of increasing numbers of bursars being accepted and many without previously studying at the tertiary level.

In 2001 the Maori & Psychology Research Unit (MPRU) at the University of Waikato undertook an evaluation of Te Rau Puawai reporting on the programme's success and identifying any barriers the programme needed to address. The 2002 evaluation report outlines critical success factors and recommendations for improvement. In 2003 Te Rau Puawai negotiated further funding from the Mental Health Directorate (MeHD) of the Ministry of Health under the Mental Health Workforce Development Strategy (2002). Workforce development is critical in building capacity and capability in the mental health workforce to increase appropriately skilled workers required to meet the mental health needs of Maori communities. In 2004 the Ministry of Health requested a follow-up evaluation to provide a descriptive record of programme activities and progress from April 2002 to December 2004. This report provides an overview of Te Rau Puawai activities between 2002 and 2004; the progress and contributions made by bursars to the mental health workforce; and a reassessment of the programme's critical success factors.

year: 2005-01-01