title: Science and technology development and the depoliticization of the public space: The case of socially and culturally sustainable biotechnology in New Zealand

authors: Macdonald, Linda R.

subjects: biotechnology

abstract: Purpose – The authors aim to review a five-year multi-study research programme on the role of public dialogue in the social and cultural sustainability of biotechnology developments in New Zealand. 
Design/methodology/approach – The authors conducted a critical review of all the published research products from a five-year government-funded study of the cultural and social aspects of sustainable biotechnology in New Zealand. 
Findings – The review research highlights how New Zealand Government policies on biotechnology, which motivated the research programme, were fore-grounded on economic progress and competitive positioning. Thus, debate on sustainable biotechnology issues became cast in economic and technical terms, while public dialogue became seen as diversionary and unsubstantiated. The analysis concludes that the programme was ineffective in influencing government policy and fell victim to the very problem of science governance that its purpose was designed to address. 
Research limitations/implications – The research develops implications regarding the ability of government-funded sustainability research to influence policy. 
Originality/value – The review focuses on the purpose, content, outcomes, and context of the research programme and identifies a number of key themes that arose from the programme that are useful for other sustainability policy researchers. The reviewers conclude that this case demonstrates that the marketization of the public sphere depoliticises the social and cultural construction of the nation's future.

text: Science and technology development and the depoliticization of the public space: The case of socially and culturally sustainable biotechnology in New Zealand Purpose – The authors aim to review a five-year multi-study research programme on the role of public dialogue in the social and cultural sustainability of biotechnology developments in New Zealand. 
Design/methodology/approach – The authors conducted a critical review of all the published research products from a five-year government-funded study of the cultural and social aspects of sustainable biotechnology in New Zealand. 
Findings – The review research highlights how New Zealand Government policies on biotechnology, which motivated the research programme, were fore-grounded on economic progress and competitive positioning. Thus, debate on sustainable biotechnology issues became cast in economic and technical terms, while public dialogue became seen as diversionary and unsubstantiated. The analysis concludes that the programme was ineffective in influencing government policy and fell victim to the very problem of science governance that its purpose was designed to address. 
Research limitations/implications – The research develops implications regarding the ability of government-funded sustainability research to influence policy. 
Originality/value – The review focuses on the purpose, content, outcomes, and context of the research programme and identifies a number of key themes that arose from the programme that are useful for other sustainability policy researchers. The reviewers conclude that this case demonstrates that the marketization of the public sphere depoliticises the social and cultural construction of the nation's future.

year: 2011

title: Nitrogen-15 isotope enrichment in benthic boundary layer gases of a stratified eutrophic iron and manganese rich lake

authors: Pearson, Lisa Kyle

subjects: nitrogen isotope

abstract: The applicability of the natural abundance of nitrogen gas isotope ratios was used to indicate the spatial distribution of nitrogen transformations in the water column and sediment pore waters of Lake Ngapouri, a small (area 0.19 km²), monomictic, eutrophic lake in the Taupo Volcanic Zone, North Island, New Zealand. Samples were collected from the epilimnion, hypolimnion, benthic boundary layer and at 5-cm intervals from the sediment pore waters at monthly intervals for 1 year. Values of δ¹⁵N [N2] ranged from -1 to 0.28%₀in the epilimnion, -1.5 to 1.25%₀ in the hypolimnion, -1.8 to 12.2%₀ in the benthic boundary layer and -0.7 to 3.5% in sediment pore waters. Values of δ¹⁵ [N₂] showed a strong seasonal pattern that was related to the loss of dissolved oxygen in the hypolimnion during seasonal stratification. Increases in 15N-enriched dinitrogen take place in the benthic boundary layer during the periods of anoxia (taken to be dissolved oxygen concentrations <6.3 µM) and may be related to abundant ammonium substrate (up to 275 µM) to support denitrification. Nitrate concentrations increased up to 36 µM with increasing duration of anoxia. We hypothesise that an alternative electron acceptor besides oxygen is required to support the nitrification needed for the production of nitrate. Iron and manganese hydroxides and oxides from material sedimenting out of the water column may have induced chemo-nitrification sufficient to oxidise ammonium in the anoxic benthic boundary layer. The nitrate formed would mostly be rapidly denitrified so that the δ¹⁵N[N₂] would continue to become enriched during the presence of anoxia, as observed in hypolimnion and benthic boundary layer of Lake Ngapouri. The changes in δ¹⁵N [N₂] values indicate the potential use of isotope ratios to identify and quantify potential chemonitrification/denitrification in the water column and sediment pore waters of lakes.

text: Nitrogen-15 isotope enrichment in benthic boundary layer gases of a stratified eutrophic iron and manganese rich lake The applicability of the natural abundance of nitrogen gas isotope ratios was used to indicate the spatial distribution of nitrogen transformations in the water column and sediment pore waters of Lake Ngapouri, a small (area 0.19 km²), monomictic, eutrophic lake in the Taupo Volcanic Zone, North Island, New Zealand. Samples were collected from the epilimnion, hypolimnion, benthic boundary layer and at 5-cm intervals from the sediment pore waters at monthly intervals for 1 year. Values of δ¹⁵N [N2] ranged from -1 to 0.28%₀in the epilimnion, -1.5 to 1.25%₀ in the hypolimnion, -1.8 to 12.2%₀ in the benthic boundary layer and -0.7 to 3.5% in sediment pore waters. Values of δ¹⁵ [N₂] showed a strong seasonal pattern that was related to the loss of dissolved oxygen in the hypolimnion during seasonal stratification. Increases in 15N-enriched dinitrogen take place in the benthic boundary layer during the periods of anoxia (taken to be dissolved oxygen concentrations <6.3 µM) and may be related to abundant ammonium substrate (up to 275 µM) to support denitrification. Nitrate concentrations increased up to 36 µM with increasing duration of anoxia. We hypothesise that an alternative electron acceptor besides oxygen is required to support the nitrification needed for the production of nitrate. Iron and manganese hydroxides and oxides from material sedimenting out of the water column may have induced chemo-nitrification sufficient to oxidise ammonium in the anoxic benthic boundary layer. The nitrate formed would mostly be rapidly denitrified so that the δ¹⁵N[N₂] would continue to become enriched during the presence of anoxia, as observed in hypolimnion and benthic boundary layer of Lake Ngapouri. The changes in δ¹⁵N [N₂] values indicate the potential use of isotope ratios to identify and quantify potential chemonitrification/denitrification in the water column and sediment pore waters of lakes.

year: 2012

title: Te Hokinga ki te Pā Harakeke

authors: Hohepa, Margie Kahukura

abstract: 'Tiakina Te Pā Harakeke' investigates the collective values that nourish and enhances the well-being of tamariki Māori as taonga within our whānau, hapū and iwi. lt explores ways in which Māori values and tikanga are harnessed in contemporary whānau contexts to provide safe, vibrant and enriched childrearing. parenting and child-focussed strategies.

text: Te Hokinga ki te Pā Harakeke 'Tiakina Te Pā Harakeke' investigates the collective values that nourish and enhances the well-being of tamariki Māori as taonga within our whānau, hapū and iwi. lt explores ways in which Māori values and tikanga are harnessed in contemporary whānau contexts to provide safe, vibrant and enriched childrearing. parenting and child-focussed strategies.

year: 2014