title: Biological Olfactory Repellents and their Potential to Deter Domestic Dogs (Canis familiaris) from Anticoagulant Rodenticides

authors: Collins, Melissa Anne

abstract: The rapid decline in New Zealand’s terrestrial biodiversity from the impacts of exotic mammalian predators has prompted the nationwide application of anticoagulant rodenticides. However, this application has increased the occurrence of accidental poisonings in non-target species, particularly the domestic dog (Canis familiaris). Odour excretions from predators can induce long-term feeding avoidance in prey species, however, predator odours and their potential as a dog repellent have not been investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential for biologically-derived olfactory repellents to deter dogs from consuming toxic baits, in particular, rat poison. To complete this aim two experiments were conducted where dogs and rats were presented repellent-treated kibble and rat chow via a series of two-choice preference tests. The first experiment examined the repellent effects of African lion (Panthera leo), tiger (Pantera tigris), baboon (Papio hamadryas), domestic dog (Canis familiaris) faeces, and a commercial repellent, on dogs’ feeding behaviour (N = 21). The second experiment examined if the repellents deterred rats (N = 10), the poison’s target species. The results revealed that (1) the dogs ate significantly less when presented with lion or dog faeces; (2) baboon faeces, tiger faeces, and the commercial repellent had virtually no repellent effect on the dogs; and (3) overall food consumption by the rats did not differ between repellent types. In summary, this study demonstrates the potential use of animal faeces as a repellent, deterring dogs, but not rats, from poison.

text: Biological Olfactory Repellents and their Potential to Deter Domestic Dogs (Canis familiaris) from Anticoagulant Rodenticides The rapid decline in New Zealand’s terrestrial biodiversity from the impacts of exotic mammalian predators has prompted the nationwide application of anticoagulant rodenticides. However, this application has increased the occurrence of accidental poisonings in non-target species, particularly the domestic dog (Canis familiaris). Odour excretions from predators can induce long-term feeding avoidance in prey species, however, predator odours and their potential as a dog repellent have not been investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential for biologically-derived olfactory repellents to deter dogs from consuming toxic baits, in particular, rat poison. To complete this aim two experiments were conducted where dogs and rats were presented repellent-treated kibble and rat chow via a series of two-choice preference tests. The first experiment examined the repellent effects of African lion (Panthera leo), tiger (Pantera tigris), baboon (Papio hamadryas), domestic dog (Canis familiaris) faeces, and a commercial repellent, on dogs’ feeding behaviour (N = 21). The second experiment examined if the repellents deterred rats (N = 10), the poison’s target species. The results revealed that (1) the dogs ate significantly less when presented with lion or dog faeces; (2) baboon faeces, tiger faeces, and the commercial repellent had virtually no repellent effect on the dogs; and (3) overall food consumption by the rats did not differ between repellent types. In summary, this study demonstrates the potential use of animal faeces as a repellent, deterring dogs, but not rats, from poison.

year: 2019

title: Holding Out For a Heroine: Representations of Voice, Silence and Adolescent Girls’ Identity in Young Adult Dystopian Fiction

authors: Wilkinson, Melody Julianne May

subjects: Heroines

abstract: Today, teenage girls are told they can do anything. However, this is not reflected in the images they see and the books they read, which often reinforce messages of passivity, weakness, objectification, and undermine the need for girls to develop a strong voice and autonomous sense of self. This thesis explores these issues through an analysis of heroines in Young Adult dystopian fiction. With its popularity and its exaggeration of real-world issues, this literature is in a unique position to address not only wider political and social contexts but also the lack of representation of young girls.
Using developmental psychology as a frame and Girl’s Studies as theoretical lens, this thesis analyses two popular Young Adult series. The first, ‘The Selection’ series by Kiera Cass, offers an example of a passive heroine in the protagonist America Singer. America is a problematic heroine who embodies deep-rooted tropes of passivity and submission to her male counterparts. In contrast, Katniss Everdeen in ‘The Hunger Games’ trilogy by Suzanne Collins offers a positive example of what it means to find your voice when your world demands your silence.
This thesis has a creative component which seeks to construct a Young Adult dystopian heroine who, like Katniss, is a positive role model of strength and empowerment. However, this heroine is ordinary rather than exceptional, makes mistakes and yet has the courage to fight for herself and others. The Choice specifically addresses many of the themes explored in the exegesis: the toxic effect of the media; the potential for girls to support each other rather than fighting with each other; and the importance of maintaining identity, even if you fall in love.

text: Holding Out For a Heroine: Representations of Voice, Silence and Adolescent Girls’ Identity in Young Adult Dystopian Fiction Today, teenage girls are told they can do anything. However, this is not reflected in the images they see and the books they read, which often reinforce messages of passivity, weakness, objectification, and undermine the need for girls to develop a strong voice and autonomous sense of self. This thesis explores these issues through an analysis of heroines in Young Adult dystopian fiction. With its popularity and its exaggeration of real-world issues, this literature is in a unique position to address not only wider political and social contexts but also the lack of representation of young girls.
Using developmental psychology as a frame and Girl’s Studies as theoretical lens, this thesis analyses two popular Young Adult series. The first, ‘The Selection’ series by Kiera Cass, offers an example of a passive heroine in the protagonist America Singer. America is a problematic heroine who embodies deep-rooted tropes of passivity and submission to her male counterparts. In contrast, Katniss Everdeen in ‘The Hunger Games’ trilogy by Suzanne Collins offers a positive example of what it means to find your voice when your world demands your silence.
This thesis has a creative component which seeks to construct a Young Adult dystopian heroine who, like Katniss, is a positive role model of strength and empowerment. However, this heroine is ordinary rather than exceptional, makes mistakes and yet has the courage to fight for herself and others. The Choice specifically addresses many of the themes explored in the exegesis: the toxic effect of the media; the potential for girls to support each other rather than fighting with each other; and the importance of maintaining identity, even if you fall in love.

year: 2018

title: Through the eyes of whānau: Destruction of cultural identity through education

authors: Ngaamo, Raewyn Brenda

subjects: Māori

abstract: This thesis examines how the schooling experiences of a dual cultural heritage whānau influenced the development of their identity, their language and culture across three generations. Koro, Tuakana, Teina and Moko share their experiences with us and through these stories reveal how they were forced through the colonising beliefs and practices of schooling to reshape themselves in a bid to belong. The compromise and abuse of cultural identity in wider society, replicated and validated in schooling, created a vicious and dehumanising experience for each of them. School was a major site of assimilation for this whānau. They experienced racism, rejection, low expectations and cultural disconnection across the three generations. They suffered particularly as dual heritage children who experienced rejection and racial micro aggressions from both Pākehā and Māori alike. Instead of education being a means to realise their potential and to achieve success it was actually the vehicle for the destruction of their cultural identity.

text: Through the eyes of whānau: Destruction of cultural identity through education This thesis examines how the schooling experiences of a dual cultural heritage whānau influenced the development of their identity, their language and culture across three generations. Koro, Tuakana, Teina and Moko share their experiences with us and through these stories reveal how they were forced through the colonising beliefs and practices of schooling to reshape themselves in a bid to belong. The compromise and abuse of cultural identity in wider society, replicated and validated in schooling, created a vicious and dehumanising experience for each of them. School was a major site of assimilation for this whānau. They experienced racism, rejection, low expectations and cultural disconnection across the three generations. They suffered particularly as dual heritage children who experienced rejection and racial micro aggressions from both Pākehā and Māori alike. Instead of education being a means to realise their potential and to achieve success it was actually the vehicle for the destruction of their cultural identity.

year: 2019