title: Mothers, kids, and COVID: Suburban geographies of the COVID-19 pandemic

authors: Arnott, Elizabeth Charlotte

subjects: Mothers

abstract: This thesis extends pandemic, health, and maternal geographies by examining how the emotions and actions of seven mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic influence the health outcomes of their children. The research seeks to explain mothers’ responses to, and lived experiences during, the COVID-19 pandemic in a coastal Bay of Plenty suburb in Aotearoa New Zealand. The research addresses three main questions: first, how have COVID-19 public health requirements altered mothers’ relationship with their homes and suburban communities? Second, how have mothers understood COVID-19 scientific knowledge and mis/dis information in relation to the vaccine for 5 to 11-year-old children? Third, how do mothers with their vaccinated and unvaccinated children navigate their suburban movements during COVID-19 public health requirements? The thesis aims to promote awareness of the influence and impact mothers can have on geographies of disease management.

Discussion around COVID-19 has been wide-ranging and varied on the geographical consequences of the pandemic, however, there is little that accounts for the role of mothers, children and their disrupted everyday geographies. Current discourses marginalise mothers in their role as caregiver and this research seeks to re-image mothers and make space for their alternative ways of generating and sharing knowledge. Seven mothers, with at least one child aged 5 to 11-years-old, participated in semi-structured interviews with an emotional mapping activity. The methodology is theoretically and empirically innovative and seeks to open up creative ways of conducting pandemic and health research.

My findings are organised into three areas: the idea of home as being both ‘safe’ and ‘unsafe’ for mothers during the pandemic; the consequence of ‘bubble’ living on the mobility of mothers and their children; and, how mothers’ behaviours changed over the course of the pandemic in relation to the rise of mis/dis information, with particular focus on information towards the vaccine for young children. I assert that the lived experiences of mothers during the pandemic have created space for increased confidence when making health-related decisions for their children. Some mothers have challenged the public health advice. The consequences of which are visible through the low uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 5 to 11. Ultimately, this thesis shows how mothers can be at the forefront of disease management. Mothers who combine science and emotion to make decisions add to complex geographies of disease management. Understanding this may help frame effective strategies of preparedness and response to future pandemics.

text: Mothers, kids, and COVID: Suburban geographies of the COVID-19 pandemic This thesis extends pandemic, health, and maternal geographies by examining how the emotions and actions of seven mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic influence the health outcomes of their children. The research seeks to explain mothers’ responses to, and lived experiences during, the COVID-19 pandemic in a coastal Bay of Plenty suburb in Aotearoa New Zealand. The research addresses three main questions: first, how have COVID-19 public health requirements altered mothers’ relationship with their homes and suburban communities? Second, how have mothers understood COVID-19 scientific knowledge and mis/dis information in relation to the vaccine for 5 to 11-year-old children? Third, how do mothers with their vaccinated and unvaccinated children navigate their suburban movements during COVID-19 public health requirements? The thesis aims to promote awareness of the influence and impact mothers can have on geographies of disease management.

Discussion around COVID-19 has been wide-ranging and varied on the geographical consequences of the pandemic, however, there is little that accounts for the role of mothers, children and their disrupted everyday geographies. Current discourses marginalise mothers in their role as caregiver and this research seeks to re-image mothers and make space for their alternative ways of generating and sharing knowledge. Seven mothers, with at least one child aged 5 to 11-years-old, participated in semi-structured interviews with an emotional mapping activity. The methodology is theoretically and empirically innovative and seeks to open up creative ways of conducting pandemic and health research.

My findings are organised into three areas: the idea of home as being both ‘safe’ and ‘unsafe’ for mothers during the pandemic; the consequence of ‘bubble’ living on the mobility of mothers and their children; and, how mothers’ behaviours changed over the course of the pandemic in relation to the rise of mis/dis information, with particular focus on information towards the vaccine for young children. I assert that the lived experiences of mothers during the pandemic have created space for increased confidence when making health-related decisions for their children. Some mothers have challenged the public health advice. The consequences of which are visible through the low uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 5 to 11. Ultimately, this thesis shows how mothers can be at the forefront of disease management. Mothers who combine science and emotion to make decisions add to complex geographies of disease management. Understanding this may help frame effective strategies of preparedness and response to future pandemics.

year: 2023

title: Exogenous events, economic stimulus and its future trajectory

authors: Merrill, Natalie

abstract: The present worldwide COVID-19 pandemic demonstrates that our society is continuously faced with exogenous events. Looking at the past shows policy makers use monetary and fiscal policy to respond to these events; however, the jury is not out for the superior policy or combination of policies to react to exogenous events. The primary research question within this thesis is to determine the most effective and successful economic policy response to exogenous events by using insight from historical natural disasters, terrorist attacks and pandemics. The methodological approach taken within this thesis is a deductivism approach. Specifically, the analysis uses a methodological approach similar to that of an event study methodology. To analyse key macroeconomic variables within a two-year period post the exogenous event studied to analyse how macroeconomic variables responded to the economic response introduced as a result of the exogenous event or lack of, to determine any significant abnormal results. Furthermore, synthetic controls are used to study precautionary savings levels post the exogenous events. Overall, the primary conclusion of this thesis asserted that due to the indirect nature of monetary policy and its diminishing benefits it shall be treated as a defibrillator and not the rehab. Whereas fiscal policy should be the predominant tool used to recover from long-term exogenous shocks, with the key caveat being stimulus is targeted and governments are responsible for taking on debt when the economic benefits stack up.

text: Exogenous events, economic stimulus and its future trajectory The present worldwide COVID-19 pandemic demonstrates that our society is continuously faced with exogenous events. Looking at the past shows policy makers use monetary and fiscal policy to respond to these events; however, the jury is not out for the superior policy or combination of policies to react to exogenous events. The primary research question within this thesis is to determine the most effective and successful economic policy response to exogenous events by using insight from historical natural disasters, terrorist attacks and pandemics. The methodological approach taken within this thesis is a deductivism approach. Specifically, the analysis uses a methodological approach similar to that of an event study methodology. To analyse key macroeconomic variables within a two-year period post the exogenous event studied to analyse how macroeconomic variables responded to the economic response introduced as a result of the exogenous event or lack of, to determine any significant abnormal results. Furthermore, synthetic controls are used to study precautionary savings levels post the exogenous events. Overall, the primary conclusion of this thesis asserted that due to the indirect nature of monetary policy and its diminishing benefits it shall be treated as a defibrillator and not the rehab. Whereas fiscal policy should be the predominant tool used to recover from long-term exogenous shocks, with the key caveat being stimulus is targeted and governments are responsible for taking on debt when the economic benefits stack up.

year: 2021

title: Whangai: remembering, understanding and experiencing

authors: McRae, Karyn Okeroa

subjects: adoption

abstract: The Māori customary practice of whangai is often equated with adoption or foster care.
There are, however, significant differences between the institutions. Adoption or foster care, tends to be mainly focused on the interests of the child. The institution of whangai, while being cognizant of the interests of the child, is weighted more towards establishing, nurturing and cementing relationships between individuals, families and broader relational networks. In this paper we draw on the lived experiences of six people who have been raised as whangai and/or have raised whangai. We were interested in their understanding of the cultural concept of whangai, how the customary practice of whangai has changed over time, and their projected thoughts on future generations’ experience of whangai. Findings suggest that the institution of whangai remains as a strong vehicle for both the care of children and for the nurturing of whangai kinship relationships. While participants recognised that contemporary Māori social environments have contributed toward multiple manifestations of whangai, most felt it to be an institution that will be valued and carried into the future.

text: Whangai: remembering, understanding and experiencing The Māori customary practice of whangai is often equated with adoption or foster care.
There are, however, significant differences between the institutions. Adoption or foster care, tends to be mainly focused on the interests of the child. The institution of whangai, while being cognizant of the interests of the child, is weighted more towards establishing, nurturing and cementing relationships between individuals, families and broader relational networks. In this paper we draw on the lived experiences of six people who have been raised as whangai and/or have raised whangai. We were interested in their understanding of the cultural concept of whangai, how the customary practice of whangai has changed over time, and their projected thoughts on future generations’ experience of whangai. Findings suggest that the institution of whangai remains as a strong vehicle for both the care of children and for the nurturing of whangai kinship relationships. While participants recognised that contemporary Māori social environments have contributed toward multiple manifestations of whangai, most felt it to be an institution that will be valued and carried into the future.

year: 2006