title: Haumanu Hauora: refining public health institution policy to include Māori and climate change

authors: Masters-Awatere, Bridgette

abstract: The deepening climate crisis generates specific impacts that will exacerbate the already disproportionately negative health outcomes experienced by Indigenous people. Disparate health outcomes have not spontaneously emerged, but rather have been foreshadowed by existing inequities. This article summarizes a sample of the work from a two-year research project in Aotearoa New Zealand to understand existing policy processes and ascertain the extent to which health institutions give serious consideration to climate change impacts on Māori (Indigenous people) with health vulnerabilities. Speaking to tāngata whenua (Indigenous Māori), District Health Board (DHB) employees, and subject matter experts (SMEs), it was clear that policy processes were ad hoc and problematically silenced consistent Māori input. While research participants expressed their experiences of, and aspirations for, dealing with climate change, their voices were not evident in DHB policy development processes. The deficit within existing policy process reflects a lack of preparedness in the face of climate change. Despite clear resilience and adaptation strategies, structural change is needed to address identified disadvantages. Through a co-designed policy framework (“Haumanu Hauora”), we guide policy formation to mitigate climate change risk to Māori (and others). Central to the revised policy framework is the creation of space for both internal and external Māori voices to ensure consistent Māori input throughout the policy process. We also introduce a commissioning, refining, and monitoring stage (that includes evaluation). Haumanu Hauora considers whānau-centered healthcare knowledge, needs, resources, and aspirations, to contribute to a transformed and responsive health system. Above all, we believe that strengthening health institution responsiveness to Māori health needs is essential.

text: Haumanu Hauora: refining public health institution policy to include Māori and climate change The deepening climate crisis generates specific impacts that will exacerbate the already disproportionately negative health outcomes experienced by Indigenous people. Disparate health outcomes have not spontaneously emerged, but rather have been foreshadowed by existing inequities. This article summarizes a sample of the work from a two-year research project in Aotearoa New Zealand to understand existing policy processes and ascertain the extent to which health institutions give serious consideration to climate change impacts on Māori (Indigenous people) with health vulnerabilities. Speaking to tāngata whenua (Indigenous Māori), District Health Board (DHB) employees, and subject matter experts (SMEs), it was clear that policy processes were ad hoc and problematically silenced consistent Māori input. While research participants expressed their experiences of, and aspirations for, dealing with climate change, their voices were not evident in DHB policy development processes. The deficit within existing policy process reflects a lack of preparedness in the face of climate change. Despite clear resilience and adaptation strategies, structural change is needed to address identified disadvantages. Through a co-designed policy framework (“Haumanu Hauora”), we guide policy formation to mitigate climate change risk to Māori (and others). Central to the revised policy framework is the creation of space for both internal and external Māori voices to ensure consistent Māori input throughout the policy process. We also introduce a commissioning, refining, and monitoring stage (that includes evaluation). Haumanu Hauora considers whānau-centered healthcare knowledge, needs, resources, and aspirations, to contribute to a transformed and responsive health system. Above all, we believe that strengthening health institution responsiveness to Māori health needs is essential.

year: 2023-05-05

title: Lake weed and the Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes then and now

authors: Burton, Tracy

abstract: This afternoon we will be looking beneath the surface of the Rotorua
Te Arawa lakes at the submerged aquatic plants that grow within them – the good the bad and the ugly. We will have a look at the special native aquatic plants that occur naturally in the lakes, familiarise ourselves with the weed species that have invaded them and look at how these weeds have (and are) changed the natural condition of the lakes. We will also look at how submerged plants are being used to report on the condition of our lakes and what these plant communities can tell us about the state of the lakes yesterday and today.

text: Lake weed and the Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes then and now This afternoon we will be looking beneath the surface of the Rotorua
Te Arawa lakes at the submerged aquatic plants that grow within them – the good the bad and the ugly. We will have a look at the special native aquatic plants that occur naturally in the lakes, familiarise ourselves with the weed species that have invaded them and look at how these weeds have (and are) changed the natural condition of the lakes. We will also look at how submerged plants are being used to report on the condition of our lakes and what these plant communities can tell us about the state of the lakes yesterday and today.

year: 2017

title: Fabrication and properties of thin-walled SOFC electrolyte tubes

authors: Hatchwell, Charles Edward

abstract: The object of this thesis was to fabricate tubular solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) systems operating with both high and medium temperature electrolytes, and then to study their electrical behaviour using various current collection methods. The research has demonstrated that yttria-stabilised zirconia (YSZ) and Ce₀.₈Gd₀.₂O₁.₉ tubular electrolytes can be used as a basis for fabricating excellent high thermal shock resistant, rapid start up SOFC systems. The feasibility of using current collection materials with the Ce₀.₈Gd₀.₂O₁.₉ electrolyte system at operational and co-firing temperatures has also been established via chemical compatibility studies. 

Three methods of cathode current collection were investigated. These included silver coatings applied as strips along the cathode, Nimonic 90 alloy wires, and grooved metal Cr5Fe1Y₂O₃ plates. 

Conductive coatings were applied to the surface of the Nimonic 90 wires and Cr5Fe1Y₂O₃ plates. The effect these coatings had on cell performance was studied. For example, an 8 mol % YSZ tubular based SOFC was used in combination with an Ag-La₀.₈Sr₀.₂CrO₃ coated Cr5Fe1Y₂O₃ metal plate. At 900°C and 0.7 V, using H₂ bubbled through H₂O at 25 cm³ min⁻¹, a current density of 40 mA cm⁻² was achieved for the coated Cr5Fe1Y₂O₃ as compared to 16 mA cm⁻² for the non-coated. 

Dense (98% relative to theoretical), gas-tight, Ce₀.₈Gd₀.₂O₁.₉ electrolyte tubes were successfully fabricated using an extrusion process. Processing parameters, such as the modification of the Ce₀.₈Gd₀.₂O₁.₉ particle size by heat-treatment and addition of the correct proportions of organic extrusion aids, were shown to determine the quality of the final sintered tube. Electrodes were added to the electrolyte tube and the cell tested. At 600°C, using H₂ bubbled through H₂O at 25 cm³ min⁻¹, an open circuit voltage of 0.911 V was achieved. 

The chemical compatibility of the Ce₀.₈Gd₀.₂O₂ electrolyte with perovskite current collect coatings and Cr₂O₃ (the scale formed on the surface of Cr-based metal interconnects) was studied. The Cr₂O₃ and phase pure (La,Sr)CrO₃ perovskite were shown to be chemically compatible with the electrolyte at typical operating temperatures, and at co-firing temperatures. Second phases associated with the perovskite coatings were, however, shown to react with Ce₀.₈Gd₀.₂O₁.₉ at co-firing temperatures, digesting and reacting with the electrolyte. The reaction products formed were considered to be Cr based perovskite phases.

This thesis concludes with recommendations for future study.

text: Fabrication and properties of thin-walled SOFC electrolyte tubes The object of this thesis was to fabricate tubular solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) systems operating with both high and medium temperature electrolytes, and then to study their electrical behaviour using various current collection methods. The research has demonstrated that yttria-stabilised zirconia (YSZ) and Ce₀.₈Gd₀.₂O₁.₉ tubular electrolytes can be used as a basis for fabricating excellent high thermal shock resistant, rapid start up SOFC systems. The feasibility of using current collection materials with the Ce₀.₈Gd₀.₂O₁.₉ electrolyte system at operational and co-firing temperatures has also been established via chemical compatibility studies. 

Three methods of cathode current collection were investigated. These included silver coatings applied as strips along the cathode, Nimonic 90 alloy wires, and grooved metal Cr5Fe1Y₂O₃ plates. 

Conductive coatings were applied to the surface of the Nimonic 90 wires and Cr5Fe1Y₂O₃ plates. The effect these coatings had on cell performance was studied. For example, an 8 mol % YSZ tubular based SOFC was used in combination with an Ag-La₀.₈Sr₀.₂CrO₃ coated Cr5Fe1Y₂O₃ metal plate. At 900°C and 0.7 V, using H₂ bubbled through H₂O at 25 cm³ min⁻¹, a current density of 40 mA cm⁻² was achieved for the coated Cr5Fe1Y₂O₃ as compared to 16 mA cm⁻² for the non-coated. 

Dense (98% relative to theoretical), gas-tight, Ce₀.₈Gd₀.₂O₁.₉ electrolyte tubes were successfully fabricated using an extrusion process. Processing parameters, such as the modification of the Ce₀.₈Gd₀.₂O₁.₉ particle size by heat-treatment and addition of the correct proportions of organic extrusion aids, were shown to determine the quality of the final sintered tube. Electrodes were added to the electrolyte tube and the cell tested. At 600°C, using H₂ bubbled through H₂O at 25 cm³ min⁻¹, an open circuit voltage of 0.911 V was achieved. 

The chemical compatibility of the Ce₀.₈Gd₀.₂O₂ electrolyte with perovskite current collect coatings and Cr₂O₃ (the scale formed on the surface of Cr-based metal interconnects) was studied. The Cr₂O₃ and phase pure (La,Sr)CrO₃ perovskite were shown to be chemically compatible with the electrolyte at typical operating temperatures, and at co-firing temperatures. Second phases associated with the perovskite coatings were, however, shown to react with Ce₀.₈Gd₀.₂O₁.₉ at co-firing temperatures, digesting and reacting with the electrolyte. The reaction products formed were considered to be Cr based perovskite phases.

This thesis concludes with recommendations for future study.

year: 1999