title: The nature of natural: defining natural character for the New Zealand context

authors: Froude, Victoria A.

subjects: baselines

abstract: New Zealand has a long-standing statutory policy goal to preserve the natural character of the coastal environment and various freshwater environments and their margins. In the absence of an authoritative definition, it has not been possible to develop a method to measure natural character and its change, nor the outcomes of the long-standing national policy goal. Here we develop a definition of natural character that is relevant and useful in the New Zealand environmental, cultural and legal/policy context. Literature-derived interpretations of natural character and equivalent concepts are evaluated as to their potential suitability for developing a biophysical definition of natural character. Using a set of carefully designed criteria a subset of interpretations are condensed into a definition of natural character. The application of this definition is qualified following consideration of the literature addressing human perception and experiences of natural character. Appropriate reference conditions and baselines for evaluating natural character in different contexts are discussed.

text: The nature of natural: defining natural character for the New Zealand context New Zealand has a long-standing statutory policy goal to preserve the natural character of the coastal environment and various freshwater environments and their margins. In the absence of an authoritative definition, it has not been possible to develop a method to measure natural character and its change, nor the outcomes of the long-standing national policy goal. Here we develop a definition of natural character that is relevant and useful in the New Zealand environmental, cultural and legal/policy context. Literature-derived interpretations of natural character and equivalent concepts are evaluated as to their potential suitability for developing a biophysical definition of natural character. Using a set of carefully designed criteria a subset of interpretations are condensed into a definition of natural character. The application of this definition is qualified following consideration of the literature addressing human perception and experiences of natural character. Appropriate reference conditions and baselines for evaluating natural character in different contexts are discussed.

year: 2010

title: Playing videos in an augmented reality setting on an Android mobile platform

authors: Li, Shuzu

abstract: Augmented Reality (AR) is typically used to superimpose pictures, texts or 3D models on a camera view of the surrounding reality. In this thesis, we use the video in an AR environment as a rich way to present information. This thesis explored the feasibility of playing elements of videos via Augmented Reality on an Android mobile phone platform. Our prototype, VideoAR, is introduced in this thesis. VideoAR presents the capability to manipulate videos in AR such as playing, shaping and background sub- tracting. It has been developed based on the Persona and Scenario method, and evaluated via observation and measurement methods. Overall, we were successful in overlaying elements of videos with camera views in an AR-like fashion. However, we identified a number of factors that can affect the quality of video playing in AR such as distance, angle, light, cover, texture, colour and shape. The observed results encour- age the use of video in AR type environments on end-user mobile phones for industries like tourism, film, academia and architecture.

text: Playing videos in an augmented reality setting on an Android mobile platform Augmented Reality (AR) is typically used to superimpose pictures, texts or 3D models on a camera view of the surrounding reality. In this thesis, we use the video in an AR environment as a rich way to present information. This thesis explored the feasibility of playing elements of videos via Augmented Reality on an Android mobile phone platform. Our prototype, VideoAR, is introduced in this thesis. VideoAR presents the capability to manipulate videos in AR such as playing, shaping and background sub- tracting. It has been developed based on the Persona and Scenario method, and evaluated via observation and measurement methods. Overall, we were successful in overlaying elements of videos with camera views in an AR-like fashion. However, we identified a number of factors that can affect the quality of video playing in AR such as distance, angle, light, cover, texture, colour and shape. The observed results encour- age the use of video in AR type environments on end-user mobile phones for industries like tourism, film, academia and architecture.

year: 2018

title: Whiti te rā: A guide to connecting Māori to traditional wellbeing pathways.

authors: McLachlan, Andre David

abstract: Māori health models, introduced in the 1980s, brought needed cultural worldviews to an otherwise monocultural health system. However, minimal changes have occurred. In mainstream practice, deeper cultural understandings and action-orientations of these models can be overlooked, to the detriment of Māori wellbeing.
In particular, Māori cultural concepts such as mauri ora (an active state of wellbeing) and a secure cultural identity are notable core wellbeing pathways that need further exploration. Using a systematic narrative literature review, 36 papers identified pathways that used core cultural activities for Māori wellbeing. A thematic analysis produced six themes or pathways towards wellbeing for Māori – te reo Māori: Māori language, taiao: connection with the environment, wairua: Māori spiritual beliefs and practices, mahi-a-toi:
Māori expressive art forms, take pū whānau: Māori relational values, and whakapapa: intergenerational relationships. Forty experienced Māori psychologists analysed the themes and offered expert examples practice pathways for Māori wellbeing. The six themes and feedback is presented in a visual image Whiti Te Rā with instructions for Māori practitioners to guide whai ora Māori (Māori clients) to explore their level of knowledge and comfort, and active engagement with Māori pathways to wellbeing. The model has potential for mental health policy, future research, curriculum development, and synthesising Māori knowledge towards wellbeing pathways.

text: Whiti te rā: A guide to connecting Māori to traditional wellbeing pathways. Māori health models, introduced in the 1980s, brought needed cultural worldviews to an otherwise monocultural health system. However, minimal changes have occurred. In mainstream practice, deeper cultural understandings and action-orientations of these models can be overlooked, to the detriment of Māori wellbeing.
In particular, Māori cultural concepts such as mauri ora (an active state of wellbeing) and a secure cultural identity are notable core wellbeing pathways that need further exploration. Using a systematic narrative literature review, 36 papers identified pathways that used core cultural activities for Māori wellbeing. A thematic analysis produced six themes or pathways towards wellbeing for Māori – te reo Māori: Māori language, taiao: connection with the environment, wairua: Māori spiritual beliefs and practices, mahi-a-toi:
Māori expressive art forms, take pū whānau: Māori relational values, and whakapapa: intergenerational relationships. Forty experienced Māori psychologists analysed the themes and offered expert examples practice pathways for Māori wellbeing. The six themes and feedback is presented in a visual image Whiti Te Rā with instructions for Māori practitioners to guide whai ora Māori (Māori clients) to explore their level of knowledge and comfort, and active engagement with Māori pathways to wellbeing. The model has potential for mental health policy, future research, curriculum development, and synthesising Māori knowledge towards wellbeing pathways.

year: 2021