title: The Matanga project: Professional learning and development for technology teachers in New Zealand: The teachers’ perspectives.

authors: Fox-Turnbull, Wendy

subjects: Meaning Making:

abstract: This article presents findings from the Mātanga (Māori term for expert) professional learning and development (PLD) project in New Zealand, designed to foster teachers’ engagement with and enactment of the technology education curriculum, to develop teachers’ identity by focusing on notions of technological and technical thinking, by matching teachers with Mātanga experts. The PLD targeted teachers in remote areas, or those who had limited access to curriculum support, and was designed to reposition teachers’ agency, whilst being supported by their professional community. The developers of the PLD programme envisaged that once a community of Mātanga and teachers were established, teachers would feel more connected to local, regional, and national support through digital networks, in self-sustaining ways. 
The reported findings indicate that teachers experienced significant learning during the PLD. Participants developed a deeper understanding of the benefits of authentic technological practice, deeper insight into both the theoretical and historical perspectives of technology education, and increased curriculum knowledge. Some participants also gained a deeper appreciation of culturally responsive pedagogies. The Mātanga programme motivated these teachers to try new things in the classroom, which in turn, translated into a more positive learning environment for their students. Participants found the year-long approach beneficial, particularly because they had access to technology education experts (Mātanga), but identified some limitations for the first iteration of the PLD, and suggested improvements for the future.

text: The Matanga project: Professional learning and development for technology teachers in New Zealand: The teachers’ perspectives. This article presents findings from the Mātanga (Māori term for expert) professional learning and development (PLD) project in New Zealand, designed to foster teachers’ engagement with and enactment of the technology education curriculum, to develop teachers’ identity by focusing on notions of technological and technical thinking, by matching teachers with Mātanga experts. The PLD targeted teachers in remote areas, or those who had limited access to curriculum support, and was designed to reposition teachers’ agency, whilst being supported by their professional community. The developers of the PLD programme envisaged that once a community of Mātanga and teachers were established, teachers would feel more connected to local, regional, and national support through digital networks, in self-sustaining ways. 
The reported findings indicate that teachers experienced significant learning during the PLD. Participants developed a deeper understanding of the benefits of authentic technological practice, deeper insight into both the theoretical and historical perspectives of technology education, and increased curriculum knowledge. Some participants also gained a deeper appreciation of culturally responsive pedagogies. The Mātanga programme motivated these teachers to try new things in the classroom, which in turn, translated into a more positive learning environment for their students. Participants found the year-long approach beneficial, particularly because they had access to technology education experts (Mātanga), but identified some limitations for the first iteration of the PLD, and suggested improvements for the future.

year: 2022-06-15

title: Brown bullhead catfish (ameiurus nebulosus) in Lake Taupo

authors: Barnes, Grant E.

subjects: brown bullhead catfish

abstract: Brown bullhead catfish (Ameiurus nebulosus) were first discovered in Lake Taupo during the early 1980s and are believed to have originated from an illegal liberation into the southern end of the lake. A native of the southern and eastern states of America, these catfish have been in New Zealand since 1878 and are now widespread throughout the Waikato region. In 1995 the population structure, abundance, age, growth rate and diet of catfish in the littoral zone (<5 m deep) of Lake Taupo were examined by setting fyke nets overnight in three different habitat types. A total of 6247 catfish was caught from 269 fyke-net sets (mean CPUE 23 fish net–1 night–1). Catfish abundance was greatest in shallow, sheltered, macrophyte-dominated bays, where the population was skewed towards small catfish (<150 mm FL). Adjacent rocky headlands and escarpments supported populations of large fish (>150 mm FL) and small fish. Low numbers of catfish across all size classes were caught from exposed sandy sites. The diet of catfish was size and habitat dependent. Small catfish (<150 mm FL) fed predominantly on chironomids, Cladocera, gastropods, caddisfly larvae, plant material and detritus. Larger catfish were found to prey to a greater extent on koura (Paranephrops planifrons), fish and terrestrial invertebrates.

text: Brown bullhead catfish (ameiurus nebulosus) in Lake Taupo Brown bullhead catfish (Ameiurus nebulosus) were first discovered in Lake Taupo during the early 1980s and are believed to have originated from an illegal liberation into the southern end of the lake. A native of the southern and eastern states of America, these catfish have been in New Zealand since 1878 and are now widespread throughout the Waikato region. In 1995 the population structure, abundance, age, growth rate and diet of catfish in the littoral zone (<5 m deep) of Lake Taupo were examined by setting fyke nets overnight in three different habitat types. A total of 6247 catfish was caught from 269 fyke-net sets (mean CPUE 23 fish net–1 night–1). Catfish abundance was greatest in shallow, sheltered, macrophyte-dominated bays, where the population was skewed towards small catfish (<150 mm FL). Adjacent rocky headlands and escarpments supported populations of large fish (>150 mm FL) and small fish. Low numbers of catfish across all size classes were caught from exposed sandy sites. The diet of catfish was size and habitat dependent. Small catfish (<150 mm FL) fed predominantly on chironomids, Cladocera, gastropods, caddisfly larvae, plant material and detritus. Larger catfish were found to prey to a greater extent on koura (Paranephrops planifrons), fish and terrestrial invertebrates.

year: 2003

title: The cost of aquatic weed control in the Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes

authors: Champion, Paul

abstract: We will present information on the costs of aquatic weed control in the Rotorua, Te Arawa Lakes and thank all of the people who have willingly given us their estimated costs. Hopefully, this provides guidance on what current activities cost and what future scenarios might be feasible.

text: The cost of aquatic weed control in the Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes We will present information on the costs of aquatic weed control in the Rotorua, Te Arawa Lakes and thank all of the people who have willingly given us their estimated costs. Hopefully, this provides guidance on what current activities cost and what future scenarios might be feasible.

year: 2017