title: Relationships between cyanobacteria and water colour in Central North Island lakes of contrasting trophic status

authors: Reed, Lisa

subjects: Cyanobacteria

abstract: Nutrient enrichment of lakes and rising global temperatures promote the proliferation of cyanobacteria. Cyanobacterial blooms are becoming more widespread and increasing in frequency, size and duration, causing a cascade of detrimental changes to freshwater ecosystems. Improved lake monitoring techniques are required for early detection of bloom initiation to allow mitigation measures to be better targeted. Recent studies suggest remote sensing of the reflectance spectra of lakes can be a valuable tool to map the distribution of potentially toxic cyanobacteria in near-real time, though as yet, these are not widely used in New Zealand. In this study, three Rotorua and five Waikato Lakes were sampled to determine hyperspectral reflectance, phytoplankton composition and biovolume, chlorophyll a, phycocyanin concentrations, and optically active constituents. The data obtained were used to develop algorithms to examine the utility of reflectance data to aid in estimations of chlorophyll a and phycocyanin concentrations and phytoplankton composition with a particular focus on cyanobacteria. Results show that relationships amongst reflectance-related attributes, including chromophoric dissolved organic material, suspended solids and absorption properties of phytoplankton and pigment concentrations varied among the lakes and, to varying extents, over time. Properties of specific regions of reflectance spectra could be used to predict concentrations of these two pigments, but reflectance was not effective in separating the effects of phytoplankton composition from the other optically active variables. The two algorithms best suited these lakes for estimation of chlorophyll a and phycocyanin showed strong relations with the observed pigments at R2 = 0.83 and R2 = 0.92, respectively. This suggests reflectance spectra and the appropriate algorithm can be used to yield estimations of chlorophyll a and phycocyanin concentrations within inland waters with a wide variation of bio-optical characteristics. Such information could contribute to the development of an early warning system to predict cyanobacterial biovolume in New Zealand lakes using remote sensing.

text: Relationships between cyanobacteria and water colour in Central North Island lakes of contrasting trophic status Nutrient enrichment of lakes and rising global temperatures promote the proliferation of cyanobacteria. Cyanobacterial blooms are becoming more widespread and increasing in frequency, size and duration, causing a cascade of detrimental changes to freshwater ecosystems. Improved lake monitoring techniques are required for early detection of bloom initiation to allow mitigation measures to be better targeted. Recent studies suggest remote sensing of the reflectance spectra of lakes can be a valuable tool to map the distribution of potentially toxic cyanobacteria in near-real time, though as yet, these are not widely used in New Zealand. In this study, three Rotorua and five Waikato Lakes were sampled to determine hyperspectral reflectance, phytoplankton composition and biovolume, chlorophyll a, phycocyanin concentrations, and optically active constituents. The data obtained were used to develop algorithms to examine the utility of reflectance data to aid in estimations of chlorophyll a and phycocyanin concentrations and phytoplankton composition with a particular focus on cyanobacteria. Results show that relationships amongst reflectance-related attributes, including chromophoric dissolved organic material, suspended solids and absorption properties of phytoplankton and pigment concentrations varied among the lakes and, to varying extents, over time. Properties of specific regions of reflectance spectra could be used to predict concentrations of these two pigments, but reflectance was not effective in separating the effects of phytoplankton composition from the other optically active variables. The two algorithms best suited these lakes for estimation of chlorophyll a and phycocyanin showed strong relations with the observed pigments at R2 = 0.83 and R2 = 0.92, respectively. This suggests reflectance spectra and the appropriate algorithm can be used to yield estimations of chlorophyll a and phycocyanin concentrations within inland waters with a wide variation of bio-optical characteristics. Such information could contribute to the development of an early warning system to predict cyanobacterial biovolume in New Zealand lakes using remote sensing.

year: 2022

title: An examination of disciplinary culture: Two professional accounting associations in New Zealand

authors: Mataira, Kelvin

subjects: professions

abstract: The purpose of this project is to evaluate the disciplinary culture of two professional accounting associations. The study is concerned with teasing out distinctions between associations that are, in other and more apparent respects, quite similar. The contribution is in considering the implications of that which may be otherwise obscured within normative isomorphic practices. The associations – the Institute of Chartered Accountants of New Zealand (NZICA) and CPA Australia (CPAA) – both operate in New Zealand. Using a textual analysis, all text they publish pertaining to professional sanction is analysed and classified into social categories. This is made possible by using Hart's (2001) DICTION package which has been applied to similar purpose in studies primarily outside accounting. The years 1992–2002 are used to represent lesser-regulated eras. We look to the sociology of professions and to Fairclough's (1995) reflections on discourse and semiotics to derive cultural implications from the ‘tone’ and ‘force’ of language used. Conclusions are drawn as to the implications of distinctions found.

text: An examination of disciplinary culture: Two professional accounting associations in New Zealand The purpose of this project is to evaluate the disciplinary culture of two professional accounting associations. The study is concerned with teasing out distinctions between associations that are, in other and more apparent respects, quite similar. The contribution is in considering the implications of that which may be otherwise obscured within normative isomorphic practices. The associations – the Institute of Chartered Accountants of New Zealand (NZICA) and CPA Australia (CPAA) – both operate in New Zealand. Using a textual analysis, all text they publish pertaining to professional sanction is analysed and classified into social categories. This is made possible by using Hart's (2001) DICTION package which has been applied to similar purpose in studies primarily outside accounting. The years 1992–2002 are used to represent lesser-regulated eras. We look to the sociology of professions and to Fairclough's (1995) reflections on discourse and semiotics to derive cultural implications from the ‘tone’ and ‘force’ of language used. Conclusions are drawn as to the implications of distinctions found.

year: 2010

title: Ngā Pakanga mō Wāhi Tapu: Battles over sacred places

authors: Joseph, Robert

abstract: Wāhi tapu are the sacred places of Māori in Aotearoa New Zealand. All cultures have sacred sites such as cemeteries, significant battlefields, and places of spiritual significance. Standout examples internationally include the ‘Weeping Wall’ in the Holy Land, Stonehenge in Britain, Maraeātea in the Pacific, and Intihuatana at Macchu Picchu in Peru. But unlike these sites, wāhi tapu are rarely a visible structure but rather a site or area within the landscape with values so significant that restrictions are warranted. In law, wāhi tapu are defined as a ‘place of special significance according to tikanga Māori’
 and ‘a place sacred to Māori in the traditional, spiritual, religious, ritual, or mythological sense’.
As the aphorism above emphasises, Māori historically were willing to die for land (and for women of course!), and wāhi tapu are the most sacred of places. Many battles have been fought over actual or proposed transgressions of their sacredness. In earlier years, blood was shed and men did die; today battles tend to occur in the Environment Court, but are just as passionate. Recent decades have seen conflicts where wāhi tapu were threatened by new highways, railroads, airports, prisons, residential and commercial developments, wind farms, power stations and waste dumps.
In this chapter, I discuss a number of the battles that have been fought over the development or preservation of wāhi tapu from first European contact up until the present time. I highlight the growing legal recognition of tikanga Māori in relation to these sacred landscapes, and conclude with a proposed pragmatic solution for all New Zealanders when negotiating developments over wāhi tapu. Having a
background in law and tribal affiliations, I discuss these tensions from both legal and kaupapa Māori perspectives.

text: Ngā Pakanga mō Wāhi Tapu: Battles over sacred places Wāhi tapu are the sacred places of Māori in Aotearoa New Zealand. All cultures have sacred sites such as cemeteries, significant battlefields, and places of spiritual significance. Standout examples internationally include the ‘Weeping Wall’ in the Holy Land, Stonehenge in Britain, Maraeātea in the Pacific, and Intihuatana at Macchu Picchu in Peru. But unlike these sites, wāhi tapu are rarely a visible structure but rather a site or area within the landscape with values so significant that restrictions are warranted. In law, wāhi tapu are defined as a ‘place of special significance according to tikanga Māori’
 and ‘a place sacred to Māori in the traditional, spiritual, religious, ritual, or mythological sense’.
As the aphorism above emphasises, Māori historically were willing to die for land (and for women of course!), and wāhi tapu are the most sacred of places. Many battles have been fought over actual or proposed transgressions of their sacredness. In earlier years, blood was shed and men did die; today battles tend to occur in the Environment Court, but are just as passionate. Recent decades have seen conflicts where wāhi tapu were threatened by new highways, railroads, airports, prisons, residential and commercial developments, wind farms, power stations and waste dumps.
In this chapter, I discuss a number of the battles that have been fought over the development or preservation of wāhi tapu from first European contact up until the present time. I highlight the growing legal recognition of tikanga Māori in relation to these sacred landscapes, and conclude with a proposed pragmatic solution for all New Zealanders when negotiating developments over wāhi tapu. Having a
background in law and tribal affiliations, I discuss these tensions from both legal and kaupapa Māori perspectives.

year: 2011