title: A Spatial Econometric Analysis of Selected Local Labour Market Outcomes in New Zealand

authors: Cochrane, William

abstract: This thesis analyses several aspects of local labour market performance in New Zealand. Each of these aspects represents a different feature of the local labour market that together aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of how local labour markets respond to local or external shocks, taking spatial dependencies into account. The first aspect considered is the change in regional employment outcomes in New Zealand from the 1980’s to 2006. This is examined using shiftshare techniques supplemented by exploratory spatial data analysis. The analysis finds that in general, region specific factors were more important than industry structure in explaining total employment change in a region and that productivity and/or demand shocks spill over between regions. The relationship between homeownership and unemployment is the second aspect considered. Particularly, Oswald has argued that disparities in unemployment rates maybe attributable to differences in homeownership rates, higher homeownership rates being associated with higher unemployment rates. Using spatial panel models this claim is supported in the New Zealand context. The spatial estimation strategy adopted yields parameter estimates significantly lower than the standard fixed effects model. This indicates that in the non-spatial models some of the variation in regional unemployment rates has been incorrectly attributed to the explanatory variables rather than to the presence of some spatial spillover effects of unemployment across regions. Thirdly, the thesis investigates the extent to which the spatial-temporal variation in local labour market outcomes and social security benefit uptake can be linked to the composition of the local labour force. This is investigated using spatial seemingly unrelated regression. The results indicate that three factors in particular matter in the determination of labour market participation and social security benefit uptake: the age structure of the population, the past performance of the regional labour market and the proportion of solo parents. Lastly a simultaneous equations growth model of real income, population, land rent and public infrastructure investment is developed that allows the impact of local authority infrastructure spending in New Zealand to be assessed for the 1996-2006 period. The results of the estimation of this system of equations, using a spatial three stage least squares (3SLS) procedure, show that an increase in local infrastructure spending increases population growth, real income and land values, but is itself endogenous and spatially correlated.

text: A Spatial Econometric Analysis of Selected Local Labour Market Outcomes in New Zealand This thesis analyses several aspects of local labour market performance in New Zealand. Each of these aspects represents a different feature of the local labour market that together aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of how local labour markets respond to local or external shocks, taking spatial dependencies into account. The first aspect considered is the change in regional employment outcomes in New Zealand from the 1980’s to 2006. This is examined using shiftshare techniques supplemented by exploratory spatial data analysis. The analysis finds that in general, region specific factors were more important than industry structure in explaining total employment change in a region and that productivity and/or demand shocks spill over between regions. The relationship between homeownership and unemployment is the second aspect considered. Particularly, Oswald has argued that disparities in unemployment rates maybe attributable to differences in homeownership rates, higher homeownership rates being associated with higher unemployment rates. Using spatial panel models this claim is supported in the New Zealand context. The spatial estimation strategy adopted yields parameter estimates significantly lower than the standard fixed effects model. This indicates that in the non-spatial models some of the variation in regional unemployment rates has been incorrectly attributed to the explanatory variables rather than to the presence of some spatial spillover effects of unemployment across regions. Thirdly, the thesis investigates the extent to which the spatial-temporal variation in local labour market outcomes and social security benefit uptake can be linked to the composition of the local labour force. This is investigated using spatial seemingly unrelated regression. The results indicate that three factors in particular matter in the determination of labour market participation and social security benefit uptake: the age structure of the population, the past performance of the regional labour market and the proportion of solo parents. Lastly a simultaneous equations growth model of real income, population, land rent and public infrastructure investment is developed that allows the impact of local authority infrastructure spending in New Zealand to be assessed for the 1996-2006 period. The results of the estimation of this system of equations, using a spatial three stage least squares (3SLS) procedure, show that an increase in local infrastructure spending increases population growth, real income and land values, but is itself endogenous and spatially correlated.

year: 2011

title: Statistical properties of solar wind discontinuities, intermittent turbulence, and rapid emergence of non-Gaussian distributions

authors: Greco, A.

subjects: turbulence

abstract: Recent studies have compared properties of the magnetic field in simulations of Hall MHD turbulence with spacecraft data, focusing on methods used to identify classical discontinuities and intermittency statistics. Comparison of ACE solar wind data and simulations of 2D and 3D turbulence shows good agreement in waiting‐time analysis of magnetic discontinuities, and in the related distribution of magnetic field increments. This supports the idea that the magnetic structures in the solar wind may emerge fast and locally from nonlinear dynamics that can be understood in the framework of nonlinear MHD theory. The analysis suggests that small scale current sheets form spontaneously and rapidly enough that some of the observed solar wind discontinuities may be locally generated, representing boundaries between interacting flux tubes.

text: Statistical properties of solar wind discontinuities, intermittent turbulence, and rapid emergence of non-Gaussian distributions Recent studies have compared properties of the magnetic field in simulations of Hall MHD turbulence with spacecraft data, focusing on methods used to identify classical discontinuities and intermittency statistics. Comparison of ACE solar wind data and simulations of 2D and 3D turbulence shows good agreement in waiting‐time analysis of magnetic discontinuities, and in the related distribution of magnetic field increments. This supports the idea that the magnetic structures in the solar wind may emerge fast and locally from nonlinear dynamics that can be understood in the framework of nonlinear MHD theory. The analysis suggests that small scale current sheets form spontaneously and rapidly enough that some of the observed solar wind discontinuities may be locally generated, representing boundaries between interacting flux tubes.

year: 2010

title: National Maori and Pacific psychologies symposium: Claiming spaces

authors: Levy, Michelle Patricia

subjects: Maori

abstract: In 2002 the Maori and Psychology Research Unit made a valuable contribution to the  teaching and practice of psychology in Aotearoa via the two day Maori Graduates of Psychology Symposium: Making a Difference. Mid-way through 2006, our collective memories of the hard work in 2002  diminished, so much so that we once again considered hosting a similar event. Building on the foundations laid in 2002, the theme of the 2007 symposium was "Claiming Spaces", with our focus expanding to include peoples of the Pacific. This theme reflected that the time had come for Maori and Pacific Psychologies to move from the margins and claim legitimate space within psychology. It recognized that here in Aotearoa we have the potential to be pioneers in the development of psychologies relevant and applicable to Maori and Pacific peoples, and to better understand what science, culture and practice means when indigenous and cultural world views are prioritised. It was an inclusive theme, with the programme comprising presentations led by Maori and Pacific psychologists, graduates of psychology and psychology students. These presentations reflected on and made connections to the theme of "Claiming Spaces".

text: National Maori and Pacific psychologies symposium: Claiming spaces In 2002 the Maori and Psychology Research Unit made a valuable contribution to the  teaching and practice of psychology in Aotearoa via the two day Maori Graduates of Psychology Symposium: Making a Difference. Mid-way through 2006, our collective memories of the hard work in 2002  diminished, so much so that we once again considered hosting a similar event. Building on the foundations laid in 2002, the theme of the 2007 symposium was "Claiming Spaces", with our focus expanding to include peoples of the Pacific. This theme reflected that the time had come for Maori and Pacific Psychologies to move from the margins and claim legitimate space within psychology. It recognized that here in Aotearoa we have the potential to be pioneers in the development of psychologies relevant and applicable to Maori and Pacific peoples, and to better understand what science, culture and practice means when indigenous and cultural world views are prioritised. It was an inclusive theme, with the programme comprising presentations led by Maori and Pacific psychologists, graduates of psychology and psychology students. These presentations reflected on and made connections to the theme of "Claiming Spaces".

year: 2008