title: Bicycles of perception: Motivations and meanings that promote long-term engagement with mountain biking in Queenstown, Aotearoa New Zealand

authors: Franklin, John

subjects: mountain biking

abstract: This research explores the motivations and meanings of mountain bikers living in the Queenstown Lake District, Aotearoa New Zealand. Through a phenomenological paradigm, this research follows a qualitative methodology. Data for this research was gained through an ethnographic process, involving interviews, observations, and a self-practice of mountain biking. Semi-structured interviews were used to gain insight into mountain bikers' personal experiences. Observations were conducted to examine numerous aspects of mountain bikers' lifestyles. Observations were conducted at mountain bike tracks, mountain biking events, and social events; e.g. barbecues and bars. Self-practice by myself, the researcher, was used as an attempt to gain further insight into the subjective experiences of embodied action. The data was analysed via grounded theory to allow themes to emerge. Numerous themes came to light during data analysis. They reveal some of the ways mountain biking affects participants' lives. Some of the prominent themes to emerge were physical and mental health, connection to nature, stress relief, social connection and identity. The state of flow and deep embodied action mountain bikers experience, appears to promote long-term engagement. The above themes are strongly associated with overall wellbeing. They indicate that mountain biking offers a holistic approach to maintaining a well-balanced life. This research will give some insight into why mountain bikers continue to participate in a risky and physically demanding sport over long periods of time.

text: Bicycles of perception: Motivations and meanings that promote long-term engagement with mountain biking in Queenstown, Aotearoa New Zealand This research explores the motivations and meanings of mountain bikers living in the Queenstown Lake District, Aotearoa New Zealand. Through a phenomenological paradigm, this research follows a qualitative methodology. Data for this research was gained through an ethnographic process, involving interviews, observations, and a self-practice of mountain biking. Semi-structured interviews were used to gain insight into mountain bikers' personal experiences. Observations were conducted to examine numerous aspects of mountain bikers' lifestyles. Observations were conducted at mountain bike tracks, mountain biking events, and social events; e.g. barbecues and bars. Self-practice by myself, the researcher, was used as an attempt to gain further insight into the subjective experiences of embodied action. The data was analysed via grounded theory to allow themes to emerge. Numerous themes came to light during data analysis. They reveal some of the ways mountain biking affects participants' lives. Some of the prominent themes to emerge were physical and mental health, connection to nature, stress relief, social connection and identity. The state of flow and deep embodied action mountain bikers experience, appears to promote long-term engagement. The above themes are strongly associated with overall wellbeing. They indicate that mountain biking offers a holistic approach to maintaining a well-balanced life. This research will give some insight into why mountain bikers continue to participate in a risky and physically demanding sport over long periods of time.

year: 2024

title: A rainfall loading response recorded at 300 meters depth: implications for geological weighing lysimeters

authors: Sophocleous, Marios

subjects: pore water pressure

abstract: Static pore water pressures in confined aquifers vary in response to ground surface loading changes, including precipitation and evaporation. Under certain hydrogeological conditions such aquifers can function as giant natural weighing lysimeters, referenced here as ‘geological weighing lysimeters’. The extent of the land area ‘weighed’ increases with aquifer depth and it is of interest to establish at what depth it is still possible to monitor surface water budgets. An 86 mm rainfall event produced a clear loading signal in a well in western Kansas at 300 m depth. The loading effect is quantitatively consistent with elastic deformation induced by the rainfall mass and suggests that geological weighing lysimeters could operate at considerably greater depths, thereby monitoring water budgets over a significant land area.

text: A rainfall loading response recorded at 300 meters depth: implications for geological weighing lysimeters Static pore water pressures in confined aquifers vary in response to ground surface loading changes, including precipitation and evaporation. Under certain hydrogeological conditions such aquifers can function as giant natural weighing lysimeters, referenced here as ‘geological weighing lysimeters’. The extent of the land area ‘weighed’ increases with aquifer depth and it is of interest to establish at what depth it is still possible to monitor surface water budgets. An 86 mm rainfall event produced a clear loading signal in a well in western Kansas at 300 m depth. The loading effect is quantitatively consistent with elastic deformation induced by the rainfall mass and suggests that geological weighing lysimeters could operate at considerably greater depths, thereby monitoring water budgets over a significant land area.

year: 2006

title: Māori language research

authors: Barbour, Julie Renee

subjects: Māori language research

abstract: The theme of this special issue is Māori language research. Contributions to the special issue cover linguistic topics surrounding language revitalisation and pedagogy topics, ranging from acoustic to morphosyntactic analysis. At its heart, each paper is concerned with te reo Māori, as it is learned, taught, spoken and valued in Aotearoa New Zealand in the 21st century. The inspiration for this special issue came from the global events surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic (2020–2022), and the realisation that the linguistic community in Aotearoa New Zealand could, and should, be doing more to support our Indigenous language.

text: Māori language research The theme of this special issue is Māori language research. Contributions to the special issue cover linguistic topics surrounding language revitalisation and pedagogy topics, ranging from acoustic to morphosyntactic analysis. At its heart, each paper is concerned with te reo Māori, as it is learned, taught, spoken and valued in Aotearoa New Zealand in the 21st century. The inspiration for this special issue came from the global events surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic (2020–2022), and the realisation that the linguistic community in Aotearoa New Zealand could, and should, be doing more to support our Indigenous language.

year: 2024