title: The environmental and social impact of Kaivolution's services

authors: Paymani, Kesian Serous

subjects: food insecurity

abstract: Food insecurity and food waste are two significant issues within New Zealand. In order to address these two issues organisations like Kaivolution rescue and redistribute food to community groups who help those in need. Kaivolution rescues edible food from food retailers that would otherwise be thrown away, and redistributes this rescued food to community groups who assist whanau who are food insecure. The purpose of this thesis is to examine the social and environmental impact of Kaivolution’s food redistribution service. Three of Kaivolution’s stakeholders were chosen to participate; Kaivolution volunteers, community groups who receive the rescued food, and whanau who receive the food from the community groups. Semi-structured interviews were used in order to gather data. The key findings showed that for Kaivolution volunteers there was an increase in awareness of social issues like poverty, food insecurity, and homelessness. The findings also showed that the participants volunteering with Kaivolution had increased feelings of belonging, and increased social networks, both contributing to a heightened sense of wellbeing. The key findings from both the community groups and the whanau had significant overlap. Key findings from these participants illustrated how the process of colonisation has negatively impacted Māori who are more prone to food insecurity within Aotearoa. Other groups vulnerable to food insecurity included university students and children from various ethnicities. The findings also highlight the failings of our current social welfare system to provide enough resources for basic living. Community groups often step in to assist food insecure whanau in a culturally and social sensitive community approach to food redistribution. Such an approach promotes a sense of community, builds social relationships, and enhances whanau sense of self-worth and belonging.

text: The environmental and social impact of Kaivolution's services Food insecurity and food waste are two significant issues within New Zealand. In order to address these two issues organisations like Kaivolution rescue and redistribute food to community groups who help those in need. Kaivolution rescues edible food from food retailers that would otherwise be thrown away, and redistributes this rescued food to community groups who assist whanau who are food insecure. The purpose of this thesis is to examine the social and environmental impact of Kaivolution’s food redistribution service. Three of Kaivolution’s stakeholders were chosen to participate; Kaivolution volunteers, community groups who receive the rescued food, and whanau who receive the food from the community groups. Semi-structured interviews were used in order to gather data. The key findings showed that for Kaivolution volunteers there was an increase in awareness of social issues like poverty, food insecurity, and homelessness. The findings also showed that the participants volunteering with Kaivolution had increased feelings of belonging, and increased social networks, both contributing to a heightened sense of wellbeing. The key findings from both the community groups and the whanau had significant overlap. Key findings from these participants illustrated how the process of colonisation has negatively impacted Māori who are more prone to food insecurity within Aotearoa. Other groups vulnerable to food insecurity included university students and children from various ethnicities. The findings also highlight the failings of our current social welfare system to provide enough resources for basic living. Community groups often step in to assist food insecure whanau in a culturally and social sensitive community approach to food redistribution. Such an approach promotes a sense of community, builds social relationships, and enhances whanau sense of self-worth and belonging.

year: 2019

title: Speaking the unspoken: Maori experiences of racism in New Zealand sport

authors: Hippolite, Holly Raima

subjects: Maori

abstract: This research explores how being Maori influences Maori participants’ sport experiences and offers a critical Maori perspective on New Zealand sport. Ten experienced Maori sport participants were interviewed using Kaupapa Maori Research Methods which involved research performed by Maori, about Maori being Maori. This research grew out of discussions with Maori participants and explores their experiences as athletes, coaches, administrators and spectators, focusing on their interactions with Pakeha in Pakeha-dominated sport. Their experiences demonstrate personal, cultural and institutional racism in New Zealand sport and indicate how the power differentials in society impact on the ability of Maori to practice important cultural values in Pakeha-dominated contexts. I argue that racism is a factor affecting the relationships of Maori with Pakeha in key functionary positions in sport and identify a culture of denial that operates to marginalise discussions about racism generally. These participants’ experiences reflect cultural incapacity and blindness (Cross, Bazron, Dennis & Isaacs, 1989) by the dominant culture which have negative effects on the Maori participants including decisions to opt out of sport, feelings of hurt and frustration, a reduction in their commitment to national identity and a general sense that they are not considered as equals. The conclusion considers what is needed for New Zealand sport to become fully culturally inclusive; a situation desired by the participants and which has the potential to benefit everyone in sport.

text: Speaking the unspoken: Maori experiences of racism in New Zealand sport This research explores how being Maori influences Maori participants’ sport experiences and offers a critical Maori perspective on New Zealand sport. Ten experienced Maori sport participants were interviewed using Kaupapa Maori Research Methods which involved research performed by Maori, about Maori being Maori. This research grew out of discussions with Maori participants and explores their experiences as athletes, coaches, administrators and spectators, focusing on their interactions with Pakeha in Pakeha-dominated sport. Their experiences demonstrate personal, cultural and institutional racism in New Zealand sport and indicate how the power differentials in society impact on the ability of Maori to practice important cultural values in Pakeha-dominated contexts. I argue that racism is a factor affecting the relationships of Maori with Pakeha in key functionary positions in sport and identify a culture of denial that operates to marginalise discussions about racism generally. These participants’ experiences reflect cultural incapacity and blindness (Cross, Bazron, Dennis & Isaacs, 1989) by the dominant culture which have negative effects on the Maori participants including decisions to opt out of sport, feelings of hurt and frustration, a reduction in their commitment to national identity and a general sense that they are not considered as equals. The conclusion considers what is needed for New Zealand sport to become fully culturally inclusive; a situation desired by the participants and which has the potential to benefit everyone in sport.

year: 2010

title: Queering public transport: Understanding access for Aotearoa queer communities

authors: Crossland, Kiri

subjects: Public transport

abstract: Queer people face inequitable access to public transport. International literature suggests that queer people are more likely to be transit dependent, but at the same time more likely to experience discrimination, harassment or violence while using it. However, little is known about what makes public transport attractive or accessible to this group. This thesis seeks to address this through a survey of 347 public transport users (half of whom are queer) to understand this issue in an Aotearoa context. The results show the main factors influencing the attractiveness and accessibility of public transport to queer people are not feeling safe, lack of transport choice, long journey times, and affordability. Straight people are also influenced by these factors, however at lower rates. Interventions that could improve public transport attractiveness and accessibility for queer people were also identified. Safety improvements such as more frequent services, safety interventions along walking routes to public transport, and staff training are key to improving queer public transport access. Improving travel times to reduce queer exposure to discrimination and harassment is also important. Engagement with queer people is key to ensuring interventions are appropriate for local contexts. The survey also showed that police presence is unlikely to improve queer feelings of safety. This research was the first study of queer people’s access to public transport in Aotearoa and offers important practical insights as to how planners can support a just transition to a low emissions transport future.

text: Queering public transport: Understanding access for Aotearoa queer communities Queer people face inequitable access to public transport. International literature suggests that queer people are more likely to be transit dependent, but at the same time more likely to experience discrimination, harassment or violence while using it. However, little is known about what makes public transport attractive or accessible to this group. This thesis seeks to address this through a survey of 347 public transport users (half of whom are queer) to understand this issue in an Aotearoa context. The results show the main factors influencing the attractiveness and accessibility of public transport to queer people are not feeling safe, lack of transport choice, long journey times, and affordability. Straight people are also influenced by these factors, however at lower rates. Interventions that could improve public transport attractiveness and accessibility for queer people were also identified. Safety improvements such as more frequent services, safety interventions along walking routes to public transport, and staff training are key to improving queer public transport access. Improving travel times to reduce queer exposure to discrimination and harassment is also important. Engagement with queer people is key to ensuring interventions are appropriate for local contexts. The survey also showed that police presence is unlikely to improve queer feelings of safety. This research was the first study of queer people’s access to public transport in Aotearoa and offers important practical insights as to how planners can support a just transition to a low emissions transport future.

year: 2023