title: Composition Portfolio

authors: Cao, YunQi

abstract: This portfolio consist of five works: an octet (for flute, erhu, yangqin, guzheng, two violins, viola and cello), a trio (for violin, cello and piano), a piano suite, a song cycle and a duet (for flute and harp). The aim was to demonstrate an ability to write in different genres, utilizing different styles and musical techniques, and to find ways of exploring how to combine some elements of Chinese music with Western composition techniques.

The octet for mixes the traditional Chinese musical instruments erhu, yangqin and guzheng with Western flute, violin, viola and cello. Chinese folk music elements are the main thematic materials, but the aim was to fuse the elements of folk music with techniques of modern Western music. 

The Piano Trio traverses a spectrum of musical emotion ranging from gracefulness and lyrical melody to sadness before emerging again into lightness. The second movement uses Chinese heptatonic modes.

The Piano Suite consists of five short pieces. Contrasting moods are evoked including passion, liveliness, comedy, naughtiness and dreaminess. Technically these pieces were inspired by the piano music of Debussy and Ligeti.

The vocal work is a song cycle with four components. Two of the songs use a combination of voice, Chinese instruments and Western instruments. 


Falling Maple Leaves in Autumn is a duet for flute and harp, evoking a scene of leaves falling slowly in the autumn frost and wind.

Cultural interaction is a feature of contemporary concert music. The works in this portfolio aim to show how blending Western contemporary techniques with traditional Chinese instruments and techniques can generate a new artistic vitality.

text: Composition Portfolio This portfolio consist of five works: an octet (for flute, erhu, yangqin, guzheng, two violins, viola and cello), a trio (for violin, cello and piano), a piano suite, a song cycle and a duet (for flute and harp). The aim was to demonstrate an ability to write in different genres, utilizing different styles and musical techniques, and to find ways of exploring how to combine some elements of Chinese music with Western composition techniques.

The octet for mixes the traditional Chinese musical instruments erhu, yangqin and guzheng with Western flute, violin, viola and cello. Chinese folk music elements are the main thematic materials, but the aim was to fuse the elements of folk music with techniques of modern Western music. 

The Piano Trio traverses a spectrum of musical emotion ranging from gracefulness and lyrical melody to sadness before emerging again into lightness. The second movement uses Chinese heptatonic modes.

The Piano Suite consists of five short pieces. Contrasting moods are evoked including passion, liveliness, comedy, naughtiness and dreaminess. Technically these pieces were inspired by the piano music of Debussy and Ligeti.

The vocal work is a song cycle with four components. Two of the songs use a combination of voice, Chinese instruments and Western instruments. 


Falling Maple Leaves in Autumn is a duet for flute and harp, evoking a scene of leaves falling slowly in the autumn frost and wind.

Cultural interaction is a feature of contemporary concert music. The works in this portfolio aim to show how blending Western contemporary techniques with traditional Chinese instruments and techniques can generate a new artistic vitality.

year: 2016

title: Time to vote?

authors: Gibson, John

subjects: opportunity cost

abstract: Despite the centrality of voting costs to the paradox of voting, little effort has been made to measure these costs accurately, outside of a few spatially limited case studies. In this paper, we apply Geographic Information Systems (GIS) tools to validated national election survey data from New Zealand. We calculate distance and travel time by road from the place of residence to the nearest polling place and combine our time estimate with imputed wages for all sample members. Using this new measure of the opportunity cost of voting to predict turnout at the individual level, we find that small increases in the opportunity costs of time can have large effects in reducing voter turnout.

text: Time to vote? Despite the centrality of voting costs to the paradox of voting, little effort has been made to measure these costs accurately, outside of a few spatially limited case studies. In this paper, we apply Geographic Information Systems (GIS) tools to validated national election survey data from New Zealand. We calculate distance and travel time by road from the place of residence to the nearest polling place and combine our time estimate with imputed wages for all sample members. Using this new measure of the opportunity cost of voting to predict turnout at the individual level, we find that small increases in the opportunity costs of time can have large effects in reducing voter turnout.

year: 2012

title: Engaging Māori in Biobanking and Genetic Research: Legal, Ethical and Policy Challenges

authors: Beaton, Angela

subjects: Indigenous

abstract: Publically funded biobanking initiatives and genetic research should contribute towards reducing inequalities in health by reducing the prevalence and burden of disease. It is essential that Maori and other Indigenous populations share in health gains derived from these activities. The Health Research Council of New Zealand has funded a research project (2012-2015) to identify Maori perspectives on biobanking and genetic research, and to develop cultural guidelines for ethical biobanking and genetic research involving biospecimens. This review describes relevant values and ethics embedded in Maori indigenous knowledge, and how they may be applied to culturally safe interactions between biobanks, researchers, individual participants, and communities. Key issues of ownership, privacy, and consent are also considered within the legal and policy context that guides biobanking and genetic research practices within New Zealand. Areas of concern are highlighted and recommendations of international relevance are provided. To develop a productive environment for "next-generation" biobanking and genomic research,"‘next-generation" regulatory solutions will be required.

text: Engaging Māori in Biobanking and Genetic Research: Legal, Ethical and Policy Challenges Publically funded biobanking initiatives and genetic research should contribute towards reducing inequalities in health by reducing the prevalence and burden of disease. It is essential that Maori and other Indigenous populations share in health gains derived from these activities. The Health Research Council of New Zealand has funded a research project (2012-2015) to identify Maori perspectives on biobanking and genetic research, and to develop cultural guidelines for ethical biobanking and genetic research involving biospecimens. This review describes relevant values and ethics embedded in Maori indigenous knowledge, and how they may be applied to culturally safe interactions between biobanks, researchers, individual participants, and communities. Key issues of ownership, privacy, and consent are also considered within the legal and policy context that guides biobanking and genetic research practices within New Zealand. Areas of concern are highlighted and recommendations of international relevance are provided. To develop a productive environment for "next-generation" biobanking and genomic research,"‘next-generation" regulatory solutions will be required.

year: 2015