title: Netball in the lives of New Zealand Women: An Intergenerational Study

authors: Marfell, Amy Elizabeth

subjects: netball

abstract: This thesis explores the netball experiences of a selection of New Zealand women whom have participated or continue to participate in netball during four distinct historical periods. Adopting an interdisciplinary approach, it sheds light on the broader socio-cultural and political changes that have influenced and shaped women’s experiences of netball throughout history. Drawing upon data gathered from primary and secondary sources and four focus groups, I examine the lived experiences of women who played netball during the 1940’s, 1970’s, 1990’s and the early 21st century. In so doing I reveal how broader shifts in gender relations have impacted women’s netball experiences, focusing particularly on their initial involvement, participation at recreational and competitive levels, and ultimate withdrawal. Moreover, an intergenerational discussion of these women’s experiences reveals some of the differences evident between the experiences of women during these four historical junctures. Exploring women’s netball experiences in relation to broader social change, time and context both within and across generations, this thesis provides unique insights into the changing nature and dynamics of netball in New Zealand, shifting social constructions of femininity and women’s sporting identities, as well as women’s unique and diverse experiences and understandings of their participation.

text: Netball in the lives of New Zealand Women: An Intergenerational Study This thesis explores the netball experiences of a selection of New Zealand women whom have participated or continue to participate in netball during four distinct historical periods. Adopting an interdisciplinary approach, it sheds light on the broader socio-cultural and political changes that have influenced and shaped women’s experiences of netball throughout history. Drawing upon data gathered from primary and secondary sources and four focus groups, I examine the lived experiences of women who played netball during the 1940’s, 1970’s, 1990’s and the early 21st century. In so doing I reveal how broader shifts in gender relations have impacted women’s netball experiences, focusing particularly on their initial involvement, participation at recreational and competitive levels, and ultimate withdrawal. Moreover, an intergenerational discussion of these women’s experiences reveals some of the differences evident between the experiences of women during these four historical junctures. Exploring women’s netball experiences in relation to broader social change, time and context both within and across generations, this thesis provides unique insights into the changing nature and dynamics of netball in New Zealand, shifting social constructions of femininity and women’s sporting identities, as well as women’s unique and diverse experiences and understandings of their participation.

year: 2011

title: Microplastics in freshwaters: Comparing effects of particle properties and an invertebrate consumer on microbial communities and ecosystem functions

authors: Kong, ZH

subjects: Chironomid larvae

abstract: The effects of microplastic (MP) accumulation in freshwaters on organisms and ecosystem functions are poorly understood, as are the roles of MP particle properties in regulating these effects. In freshwater microcosms, we quantified variation in microbial communities and ecosystem functions and compared effects of MP concentration (0, 1000, 50000 particles/kgsediment), shape (sphere, fragment, fibre), and polymer (polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, polystyrene) with those of a model invertebrate consumer (Chironomus riparius). We detected multiple effects of specific MP properties, especially associated with MP fragments and fibres, and the polymer polypropylene. These effects included increases in microbial abundance, consumer biomass and ecosystem respiration, as well as decreases in microbial enzyme activity and water chlorophyll-a. MP presence was also associated with increased relative abundance of microbial taxa reported to degrade plastics. However, consumer presence mostly had stronger effects (effect sizes ranging from ± 11 −313 %) than MP exposure (effect sizes ranging from ± 1–89 %) on microbial communities and ecosystem functions. Furthermore, several MP effects were only detected when chironomid consumers were absent. Overall, our findings suggest that MP effects on microbes and ecosystem functions are often relatively small and variable, depending on particle properties and consumer presence. Nevertheless, the number of MP effects detected highlights the need for further investigations of interactions between MPs and other environmental drivers, to more thoroughly assess the risks of MP pollution for freshwater ecosystems.

text: Microplastics in freshwaters: Comparing effects of particle properties and an invertebrate consumer on microbial communities and ecosystem functions The effects of microplastic (MP) accumulation in freshwaters on organisms and ecosystem functions are poorly understood, as are the roles of MP particle properties in regulating these effects. In freshwater microcosms, we quantified variation in microbial communities and ecosystem functions and compared effects of MP concentration (0, 1000, 50000 particles/kgsediment), shape (sphere, fragment, fibre), and polymer (polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, polystyrene) with those of a model invertebrate consumer (Chironomus riparius). We detected multiple effects of specific MP properties, especially associated with MP fragments and fibres, and the polymer polypropylene. These effects included increases in microbial abundance, consumer biomass and ecosystem respiration, as well as decreases in microbial enzyme activity and water chlorophyll-a. MP presence was also associated with increased relative abundance of microbial taxa reported to degrade plastics. However, consumer presence mostly had stronger effects (effect sizes ranging from ± 11 −313 %) than MP exposure (effect sizes ranging from ± 1–89 %) on microbial communities and ecosystem functions. Furthermore, several MP effects were only detected when chironomid consumers were absent. Overall, our findings suggest that MP effects on microbes and ecosystem functions are often relatively small and variable, depending on particle properties and consumer presence. Nevertheless, the number of MP effects detected highlights the need for further investigations of interactions between MPs and other environmental drivers, to more thoroughly assess the risks of MP pollution for freshwater ecosystems.

year: 2025

title: Explaining Maori under-achievement in standardised reading tests: The role of social and individual characteristics

authors: Lock, Kelly J.

subjects: education

abstract: In New Zealand, Maori students have lower educational attainment levels than their Pakeha counterparts, which is a major contributor to the earnings inequality between these two groups. This study attempts to identify determinants of the gap in educational attainment using data on reading test scores for a sample of 3031 15‐year‐old Maori and Pakeha students. Using a decomposition method that is commonly applied to income inequality analyses, the determinants of the reading literacy test score gap between Maori and Pakeha students are identified. The main contributors to this gap are family factors, student's opinions, and school factors (including decile). An understanding of the determinants of the test score gap provides insights into how effective policy makers can be at reducing this inequality.

text: Explaining Maori under-achievement in standardised reading tests: The role of social and individual characteristics In New Zealand, Maori students have lower educational attainment levels than their Pakeha counterparts, which is a major contributor to the earnings inequality between these two groups. This study attempts to identify determinants of the gap in educational attainment using data on reading test scores for a sample of 3031 15‐year‐old Maori and Pakeha students. Using a decomposition method that is commonly applied to income inequality analyses, the determinants of the reading literacy test score gap between Maori and Pakeha students are identified. The main contributors to this gap are family factors, student's opinions, and school factors (including decile). An understanding of the determinants of the test score gap provides insights into how effective policy makers can be at reducing this inequality.

year: 2008