title: Two-step human−environmental impact history for northern New Zealand linked to late-Holocene climate change

authors: Newnham, Rewi M.

subjects: New Zealand

abstract: Following resolution of a long-standing debate over the timing of the initial settlement of New Zealand from Polynesia (late 13th century), a prevailing paradigm has developed that invokes rapid transformation of the landscape, principally by fire, within a few decades of the first arrivals. This model has been constructed from evidence mostly from southern and eastern regions of New Zealand, but a more complicated pattern may apply in the more humid western and northern regions where forests are more resilient to burning. We present a new pollen record from Lake Pupuke, Auckland, northern New Zealand, that charts the changing vegetation cover over the last 1000 years, before and after the arrival of people. Previous results from this site concurred with the rapid transformation model, although sampling resolution, chronology and sediment disturbance make that interpretation equivocal. Our new record is dated principally by tephrochronology together with radiocarbon dating, and includes a cryptotephra deposit identified as Kaharoa tephra, a key marker for first settlement in northern New Zealand. Its discovery and stratigraphic position below two Rangitoto-derived tephras enables a clearer picture of environmental change to be drawn. The new pollen record shows an early phase (step 1) of minor, localised forest clearance around the time of Kaharoa tephra (c. 1314 AD) followed by a later, more extensive deforestation phase (step 2) commencing at around the time of deposition of the Rangitoto tephras (c. 1400‒1450 AD). This pattern, which needs to be corroborated from other well-resolved records from northern New Zealand, concurs with an emerging hypothesis that the ‘Little Ice Age’ had a significant impact on pre-European Māori with the onset of harsher conditions causing a consolidation of populations and later environmental impact in northern New Zealand.

text: Two-step human−environmental impact history for northern New Zealand linked to late-Holocene climate change Following resolution of a long-standing debate over the timing of the initial settlement of New Zealand from Polynesia (late 13th century), a prevailing paradigm has developed that invokes rapid transformation of the landscape, principally by fire, within a few decades of the first arrivals. This model has been constructed from evidence mostly from southern and eastern regions of New Zealand, but a more complicated pattern may apply in the more humid western and northern regions where forests are more resilient to burning. We present a new pollen record from Lake Pupuke, Auckland, northern New Zealand, that charts the changing vegetation cover over the last 1000 years, before and after the arrival of people. Previous results from this site concurred with the rapid transformation model, although sampling resolution, chronology and sediment disturbance make that interpretation equivocal. Our new record is dated principally by tephrochronology together with radiocarbon dating, and includes a cryptotephra deposit identified as Kaharoa tephra, a key marker for first settlement in northern New Zealand. Its discovery and stratigraphic position below two Rangitoto-derived tephras enables a clearer picture of environmental change to be drawn. The new pollen record shows an early phase (step 1) of minor, localised forest clearance around the time of Kaharoa tephra (c. 1314 AD) followed by a later, more extensive deforestation phase (step 2) commencing at around the time of deposition of the Rangitoto tephras (c. 1400‒1450 AD). This pattern, which needs to be corroborated from other well-resolved records from northern New Zealand, concurs with an emerging hypothesis that the ‘Little Ice Age’ had a significant impact on pre-European Māori with the onset of harsher conditions causing a consolidation of populations and later environmental impact in northern New Zealand.

year: 2018

title: Whaikoorero: a study of formal Maori speech

authors: Mahuta, Robert Te Kotahi

subjects: Whaikoorero

abstract: Whaikoorero is regarded as the traditionally valued mode of communication. It is the language of the marae, the language of the chiefs and elders, and the only acceptable form of public statement in the Maori world. At the same time it is an artistic form, difficult to master, and demanding long years of practice and experience.
It is true, as I have pointed out, that one can read and listen to the myths and traditions of the Maori in books, on tapes, and through radio broadcasts. Yet it is the public rendering, the synthesising of myth and tradition, the living and the dead, and the interweaving of topical matters with the beliefs and values of the society, which hold the greatest interest for the Maori. For in whaikoorero history is relived, man reaffirmed, and status gained. The dead are recalled to participate with the living in social gatherings where tradition is orally transmitted, reaffirmed and relived. These then are some of the reasons why whaikoorero persists as a literary form and as a social feature within contemporary Maori society.

text: Whaikoorero: a study of formal Maori speech Whaikoorero is regarded as the traditionally valued mode of communication. It is the language of the marae, the language of the chiefs and elders, and the only acceptable form of public statement in the Maori world. At the same time it is an artistic form, difficult to master, and demanding long years of practice and experience.
It is true, as I have pointed out, that one can read and listen to the myths and traditions of the Maori in books, on tapes, and through radio broadcasts. Yet it is the public rendering, the synthesising of myth and tradition, the living and the dead, and the interweaving of topical matters with the beliefs and values of the society, which hold the greatest interest for the Maori. For in whaikoorero history is relived, man reaffirmed, and status gained. The dead are recalled to participate with the living in social gatherings where tradition is orally transmitted, reaffirmed and relived. These then are some of the reasons why whaikoorero persists as a literary form and as a social feature within contemporary Maori society.

year: 1974

title: Exploring the definitions and practices of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) from a corporate perspective: A case of the InterOil Corporation in Papua New Guinea

authors: George, Michael

subjects: Corporate Social Responsibility

abstract: This thesis explored the extent to which the concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) is defined and articulated by corporations in the Oil and Gas Project in Papua New Guinea, using the case of InterOil Corporation. The thesis offered a discussion on the views, understanding and practices of corporate economic, legal, ethical and philanthropic responsibilities.
The thesis has examined the ways in which the concept of CSR is broadly understood at the governmental or corporate level. The study analysed official documents, including relevant legislation such as the Oil and Gas Act (1998), the Environmental Act (2000) and corporate annual reports. In addition, in-depth interviews with the participants - managers and employees from InterOil Corporation - were also analysed. The analysis revealed an understanding that the main focus of CSR is on redistribution of economic benefits and corporate moral imperatives. This has influenced the extent to which CSR is defined and practiced. The main concern for all stakeholders, reflected in analysis of documents and interviews, was redistribution of economic benefits.
The study showed that there is a significant lack of planning and policy at institutional levels: government and corporation. As a result, it has created confusion or an overlap of responsibilities between corporate CSR and government constitutional obligations of service delivery to affected landowner communities. In essence, CSR practices, in line with Giddens (1998) third way governance has shifted political, economic, financial powers and intellectual control away from “nations into de-politicised global space” (p. 140) by creating an inappropriate development programs, which shifted responsibilities, including the state’s traditional roles in providing community services, onto the company (InterOil). On the other hand, the government has seemingly maintained a hands-off approach, while maintaining a tight approach to benefit redistribution.
The importance of this research is that it addresses a gap in the literature on corporate social responsibility from the perspective of corporations in oil and gas projects in PNG. It offers empirical evidence of a need for future research in CSR practices in oil and gas or resource development in PNG.

text: Exploring the definitions and practices of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) from a corporate perspective: A case of the InterOil Corporation in Papua New Guinea This thesis explored the extent to which the concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) is defined and articulated by corporations in the Oil and Gas Project in Papua New Guinea, using the case of InterOil Corporation. The thesis offered a discussion on the views, understanding and practices of corporate economic, legal, ethical and philanthropic responsibilities.
The thesis has examined the ways in which the concept of CSR is broadly understood at the governmental or corporate level. The study analysed official documents, including relevant legislation such as the Oil and Gas Act (1998), the Environmental Act (2000) and corporate annual reports. In addition, in-depth interviews with the participants - managers and employees from InterOil Corporation - were also analysed. The analysis revealed an understanding that the main focus of CSR is on redistribution of economic benefits and corporate moral imperatives. This has influenced the extent to which CSR is defined and practiced. The main concern for all stakeholders, reflected in analysis of documents and interviews, was redistribution of economic benefits.
The study showed that there is a significant lack of planning and policy at institutional levels: government and corporation. As a result, it has created confusion or an overlap of responsibilities between corporate CSR and government constitutional obligations of service delivery to affected landowner communities. In essence, CSR practices, in line with Giddens (1998) third way governance has shifted political, economic, financial powers and intellectual control away from “nations into de-politicised global space” (p. 140) by creating an inappropriate development programs, which shifted responsibilities, including the state’s traditional roles in providing community services, onto the company (InterOil). On the other hand, the government has seemingly maintained a hands-off approach, while maintaining a tight approach to benefit redistribution.
The importance of this research is that it addresses a gap in the literature on corporate social responsibility from the perspective of corporations in oil and gas projects in PNG. It offers empirical evidence of a need for future research in CSR practices in oil and gas or resource development in PNG.

year: 2013