title: Biology of mustelids: reviews and future directions

authors: Mcdonald, Robbie A.

subjects: Carnivora

abstract: The mustelidae is the largest and most diverse family of the Carnivora. The family is unified by an ancestral long-thin body plan, and the physical, physiological and ecological consequences this has for them. Yet within the family, even within species, life history patterns can be surprisingly variable. From the world’s smallest carnivore, the Weasel (Mustela nivalis), the family ranges almost a thousand-fold in weight to the Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris). Whereas Stoats (Mustela ermine)rank among the most numerous of carnivores and are common throughout the northern Holarctic, Black-footed Ferrets (M. nigripes)live at the brink of extinction, supported only by high-profile reintroductions.

text: Biology of mustelids: reviews and future directions The mustelidae is the largest and most diverse family of the Carnivora. The family is unified by an ancestral long-thin body plan, and the physical, physiological and ecological consequences this has for them. Yet within the family, even within species, life history patterns can be surprisingly variable. From the world’s smallest carnivore, the Weasel (Mustela nivalis), the family ranges almost a thousand-fold in weight to the Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris). Whereas Stoats (Mustela ermine)rank among the most numerous of carnivores and are common throughout the northern Holarctic, Black-footed Ferrets (M. nigripes)live at the brink of extinction, supported only by high-profile reintroductions.

year: 2000

title: The ‘problem’ of Asian women’s sexuality: public discourses in Aotearoa/New Zealand

authors: Simon-Kumar, Rachel

subjects: Asian

abstract: Public health research in New Zealand views Asian health - particularly, Asian women's sexual health issues - as a priority problem. In recent years, high rates of abortion and the growing incidence of unsafe sex among younger age Asian migrants have been publicised as a health concern. Public health research implicates migrant experiences and cultural factors as responsible for these trends. Loneliness and isolation among international students, inability to communicate effectively in English and lack of knowledge of available services are highlighted as reasons for the growing sexual ill-health in the Asian population in New Zealand. Extending from these, public health measures aim at improving culture-sensitive services, including targeted education. The present paper offers a critical commentary on these accepted public health perceptions that inform policy in New Zealand. It takes a Third World feminist approach to critique dominant public health discourses on Asian women's sexuality and questions the construction of knowledges about what are 'normal' and 'pathological' sexual practices. The paper revisits the data used to describe the 'problem' of Asian sexuality and argues that in order to understand sexual practices, it is important to query the cultural lenses that are used to describe and define them.

text: The ‘problem’ of Asian women’s sexuality: public discourses in Aotearoa/New Zealand Public health research in New Zealand views Asian health - particularly, Asian women's sexual health issues - as a priority problem. In recent years, high rates of abortion and the growing incidence of unsafe sex among younger age Asian migrants have been publicised as a health concern. Public health research implicates migrant experiences and cultural factors as responsible for these trends. Loneliness and isolation among international students, inability to communicate effectively in English and lack of knowledge of available services are highlighted as reasons for the growing sexual ill-health in the Asian population in New Zealand. Extending from these, public health measures aim at improving culture-sensitive services, including targeted education. The present paper offers a critical commentary on these accepted public health perceptions that inform policy in New Zealand. It takes a Third World feminist approach to critique dominant public health discourses on Asian women's sexuality and questions the construction of knowledges about what are 'normal' and 'pathological' sexual practices. The paper revisits the data used to describe the 'problem' of Asian sexuality and argues that in order to understand sexual practices, it is important to query the cultural lenses that are used to describe and define them.

year: 2009

title: Māori women and intimate partner violence: Some sociocultural influences

authors: Hoeata, Chloe

subjects: intimate partner violence

abstract: Intimate partner violence (IPV) has recently been acknowledged as a worldwide phenomenon, with approximately one in four intimate relationships containing some form of violence. This study explores the interaction between relationship dynamics, IPV and whānau and community influences. We completed narrative interviews with two Māori women in December 2010. Our findings confirm the results of earlier studies which have found that childhood experiences of violence, actual or witnessed, have a powerful effect that reverberate within adult lives and into the formation of intimate relationships. Our interviews show that Māori whānau and women are textured by the same patriarchal expectations that privilege men in the Pākehā world. We also found that seeking help from whānau to escape a violent relationship may not be the most welcomed course of action. We conclude with a discussion of future research directions.

text: Māori women and intimate partner violence: Some sociocultural influences Intimate partner violence (IPV) has recently been acknowledged as a worldwide phenomenon, with approximately one in four intimate relationships containing some form of violence. This study explores the interaction between relationship dynamics, IPV and whānau and community influences. We completed narrative interviews with two Māori women in December 2010. Our findings confirm the results of earlier studies which have found that childhood experiences of violence, actual or witnessed, have a powerful effect that reverberate within adult lives and into the formation of intimate relationships. Our interviews show that Māori whānau and women are textured by the same patriarchal expectations that privilege men in the Pākehā world. We also found that seeking help from whānau to escape a violent relationship may not be the most welcomed course of action. We conclude with a discussion of future research directions.

year: 2011