title: Causes of diurnal ground movements at Omokoroa, New Zealand

authors: Manderson, Tyler Peter

subjects: ground movement

abstract: This study investigated processes acting on the Bramley Drive Landslide, located on the Omokoroa Peninsula. The landslide, first failed in 1979, and has become an important field site for assessing the processes affecting sensitive volcanic soils in the Bay of Plenty region that contribute to slope failure. Researchers from the University of Waikato and the University of Bremen, Germany observed daily displacements in a borehole inclinometer located on site that were attributed to amplification of Earth tide movements.

Potential factors contributing to exaggerated diurnal solid Earth tide strains were investigated, primarily: temperature, rainfall, Earth tides and microseisms. Measurements of displacements and forcing processes were obtained using a 3-axis 0.65 g precision accelerometer/seismometer, borehole inclinometer and weather station.

The accelerometer data indicate that microseisms, consistent with breaking waves on the open coast of Matakana Island, and a diurnal thermal component occur within the top 5cm of the ground profile. The measured ground accelerations are greatest in warmer summer months due to the larger changes in temperature throughout a day associated with higher insolation and reduced soil moisture. 

The displacements within the borehole are a linear function of depth, but involve a series of sharp deviations, or steps, throughout the 42 m length measured. These steps coincide with boundaries between different stratigraphic units, usually where there is a change in soil type and soil strength. Therefore, the effects of the horizontal strain due to the solid Earth tide is exaggerated by differential and lagged displacement of the units.

This suggests that Earth tidal stress, may cause minor (usually temporary) shear surfaces at depths that may be the final trigger for an “at risk” slope that is already preloaded and ready to fail. Several examples where this may be a factor were identified, including all the events at Bramley Drive with a known time of failure. Failure occurred when the rate of vertical Earth tide displacement peaked close to the time of maximum horizontal displacement, which corresponds to a change in the direction of the stress caused by the combined Moon and Sun tide generating potential. Predicting the time of slope failure may be beneficial both locally and globally.

text: Causes of diurnal ground movements at Omokoroa, New Zealand This study investigated processes acting on the Bramley Drive Landslide, located on the Omokoroa Peninsula. The landslide, first failed in 1979, and has become an important field site for assessing the processes affecting sensitive volcanic soils in the Bay of Plenty region that contribute to slope failure. Researchers from the University of Waikato and the University of Bremen, Germany observed daily displacements in a borehole inclinometer located on site that were attributed to amplification of Earth tide movements.

Potential factors contributing to exaggerated diurnal solid Earth tide strains were investigated, primarily: temperature, rainfall, Earth tides and microseisms. Measurements of displacements and forcing processes were obtained using a 3-axis 0.65 g precision accelerometer/seismometer, borehole inclinometer and weather station.

The accelerometer data indicate that microseisms, consistent with breaking waves on the open coast of Matakana Island, and a diurnal thermal component occur within the top 5cm of the ground profile. The measured ground accelerations are greatest in warmer summer months due to the larger changes in temperature throughout a day associated with higher insolation and reduced soil moisture. 

The displacements within the borehole are a linear function of depth, but involve a series of sharp deviations, or steps, throughout the 42 m length measured. These steps coincide with boundaries between different stratigraphic units, usually where there is a change in soil type and soil strength. Therefore, the effects of the horizontal strain due to the solid Earth tide is exaggerated by differential and lagged displacement of the units.

This suggests that Earth tidal stress, may cause minor (usually temporary) shear surfaces at depths that may be the final trigger for an “at risk” slope that is already preloaded and ready to fail. Several examples where this may be a factor were identified, including all the events at Bramley Drive with a known time of failure. Failure occurred when the rate of vertical Earth tide displacement peaked close to the time of maximum horizontal displacement, which corresponds to a change in the direction of the stress caused by the combined Moon and Sun tide generating potential. Predicting the time of slope failure may be beneficial both locally and globally.

year: 2017

title: The real ethical problem with metaverses

authors: Munn, Nicholas

abstract: Many philosophers hold that the human risks associated with the development and use of metaverses arise primarily from their status—they are unreal in ways that make the experiences within them meaningless and thereby less prudentially valuable. This purported unreality is not merely a result of the virtual or intangible nature of metaverses. Rather, it arises from the idea that, regardless of the experiences, interactions, and affordances of metaverses, what we do in these spaces is somehow different and impoverished compared to what we do in the physical world. Those who think this believe that our behavior and interactions within metaverses are inferior to our behaviors and interactions in the physical world in a way that confers less value on the lives of those engaging regularly within metaverses. Some commentators worry that repeated exposure to these impoverished virtual experiences will somehow dehumanize us or make us worse at offline interactions, and certainly reduce the amount of time we have for more meaningful real-world pursuits. If true, this would be a serious concern for metaverse-evangelists and users. However, in this article we will argue that it is not so— in fact, metaverses are morally relevantly similar to the physical world, and capable of providing most of the experiences and interactions we find in the physical world – whether positive or negative. However, metaverses are not without risks. We claim that the real ethical problem with metaverses arises, in their current instantiation, from the risks involved in their development as commercial enterprises, locking users into particular infrastructures and placing power over the continuation or termination of the metaverse in the hands of a corporate entity that has goals and motivations independent of those of the users of the metaverse.

text: The real ethical problem with metaverses Many philosophers hold that the human risks associated with the development and use of metaverses arise primarily from their status—they are unreal in ways that make the experiences within them meaningless and thereby less prudentially valuable. This purported unreality is not merely a result of the virtual or intangible nature of metaverses. Rather, it arises from the idea that, regardless of the experiences, interactions, and affordances of metaverses, what we do in these spaces is somehow different and impoverished compared to what we do in the physical world. Those who think this believe that our behavior and interactions within metaverses are inferior to our behaviors and interactions in the physical world in a way that confers less value on the lives of those engaging regularly within metaverses. Some commentators worry that repeated exposure to these impoverished virtual experiences will somehow dehumanize us or make us worse at offline interactions, and certainly reduce the amount of time we have for more meaningful real-world pursuits. If true, this would be a serious concern for metaverse-evangelists and users. However, in this article we will argue that it is not so— in fact, metaverses are morally relevantly similar to the physical world, and capable of providing most of the experiences and interactions we find in the physical world – whether positive or negative. However, metaverses are not without risks. We claim that the real ethical problem with metaverses arises, in their current instantiation, from the risks involved in their development as commercial enterprises, locking users into particular infrastructures and placing power over the continuation or termination of the metaverse in the hands of a corporate entity that has goals and motivations independent of those of the users of the metaverse.

year: 2023

title: Youth Development Circles: A Report on a School Trial

authors: Hannah, Belinda Anne

subjects: Youth Development Circles

abstract: This research traces the development and trial of the Youth Development Circle (YDC) process in a low decile secondary school in a rural community in Aotearoa New Zealand. Youth Development Circles are an intervention based on restorative justice principles initially proposed by Braithwaite (2004). They were originally suggested as a strategy for use in an alternative education centre or “activity centre”.  Increasing use of restorative approaches has enabled many schools to make significant progress in reducing suspensions, but there remains a concern for students whose behaviour is at the more serious end of the spectrum - who are at risk of suspension, or exclusion, after multiple stand-downs from school.  The possibilities for the use of YDC were proposed to the school by the researcher, who is a Deputy Principal responsible for behaviour management and pastoral care.  This proposal was supported fully by the school’s staff and Board of Trustees.  The YDC process documented in this study was developed by the researcher, informed by a range of sources including Youth Development Circles, Judge McElrea’s proposed School Community Conference (1996), and Hui Whakatika, developed at the University of Waikato (2003).  Participation in the circles was a condition for the student to remain at the school. The school is a state school, with a roll of approximately 800. The ethnic breakdown of the students is 56% Māori and 39% NZ European with 5% of Pasifika, Asian and other.  

The YDC is a deliberate and careful process which aims to bring increased focus on the individual student and their educational outcomes, through engaging a community of care in supporting them. There were many anticipated benefits of the YDC for the student. Such benefits included an opportunity to establish and maintain healthy relationships of trust (within which negative experiences can be learned from), a re-establishment of trust, improved self-confidence and improved educational outcomes. The circles included members of the student’s whānau/family, a kaumātua/elder who cared about them, and representatives from local Police, Social Welfare, and the school.  The circles were studied over a period of one year.  Circles met regularly throughout this time, at increasing intervals.

A mixed method case study approach was used for this research which includes the collection of both quantitative and qualitative data. The study evaluated the effectiveness of the YDCs by analysing student behaviour, attendance and achievement KAMAR data, minutes of each circle meeting, and interviews with circle participants.


Three student case studies are presented.  The stories have had details altered and pseudonyms used to protect the persons involved. All the students completed the academic year without receiving a further stand down or suspension.  The data showed an improvement in student attendance, achievement and engagement in all three case studies.  Other outcomes include reflections on the process used, strategies for implementation in the school, and factors that either hindered or supported student, family or community involvement in YDCs. 

This exploratory study suggests that the Youth Development Circle could offer a unique possibility for inter-sectorial collaboration in the field of restorative justice.

text: Youth Development Circles: A Report on a School Trial This research traces the development and trial of the Youth Development Circle (YDC) process in a low decile secondary school in a rural community in Aotearoa New Zealand. Youth Development Circles are an intervention based on restorative justice principles initially proposed by Braithwaite (2004). They were originally suggested as a strategy for use in an alternative education centre or “activity centre”.  Increasing use of restorative approaches has enabled many schools to make significant progress in reducing suspensions, but there remains a concern for students whose behaviour is at the more serious end of the spectrum - who are at risk of suspension, or exclusion, after multiple stand-downs from school.  The possibilities for the use of YDC were proposed to the school by the researcher, who is a Deputy Principal responsible for behaviour management and pastoral care.  This proposal was supported fully by the school’s staff and Board of Trustees.  The YDC process documented in this study was developed by the researcher, informed by a range of sources including Youth Development Circles, Judge McElrea’s proposed School Community Conference (1996), and Hui Whakatika, developed at the University of Waikato (2003).  Participation in the circles was a condition for the student to remain at the school. The school is a state school, with a roll of approximately 800. The ethnic breakdown of the students is 56% Māori and 39% NZ European with 5% of Pasifika, Asian and other.  

The YDC is a deliberate and careful process which aims to bring increased focus on the individual student and their educational outcomes, through engaging a community of care in supporting them. There were many anticipated benefits of the YDC for the student. Such benefits included an opportunity to establish and maintain healthy relationships of trust (within which negative experiences can be learned from), a re-establishment of trust, improved self-confidence and improved educational outcomes. The circles included members of the student’s whānau/family, a kaumātua/elder who cared about them, and representatives from local Police, Social Welfare, and the school.  The circles were studied over a period of one year.  Circles met regularly throughout this time, at increasing intervals.

A mixed method case study approach was used for this research which includes the collection of both quantitative and qualitative data. The study evaluated the effectiveness of the YDCs by analysing student behaviour, attendance and achievement KAMAR data, minutes of each circle meeting, and interviews with circle participants.


Three student case studies are presented.  The stories have had details altered and pseudonyms used to protect the persons involved. All the students completed the academic year without receiving a further stand down or suspension.  The data showed an improvement in student attendance, achievement and engagement in all three case studies.  Other outcomes include reflections on the process used, strategies for implementation in the school, and factors that either hindered or supported student, family or community involvement in YDCs. 

This exploratory study suggests that the Youth Development Circle could offer a unique possibility for inter-sectorial collaboration in the field of restorative justice.

year: 2015