title: Effective professional learning in physical activity

authors: Petrie, Kirsten Culhane

subjects: education

abstract: This milestone report is the fourth and final for the research project ‘Evaluative research on the impact of effective professional learning in curricular and co-curricular physical activity in primary schools.’ The research was commissioned by the Ministry of Education and conducted from December 2005 to March 2007.
The broader context of the research was the Physical Activity Initiative, a joint Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, and Sport and Recreation New Zealand initiative, encompassing the provision for professional development of primary teachers in curricular and co-curricular physical activity. Schools involved in Model 2of the Physical Activity Initiative, were expected to engage in professional development delivered by School Support Services and Regional Sports Trusts during 2006. The specific purpose of the research was to explore the impacts of professional learning (Model 2), in physical activity, curricular and co-curricular, on primary school teachers, students, and wider school community. In addition, a literature review was developed to explore the national and international literature on physical activity in primary school. Furthermore, gaps in the literature and research evidence were identified, and suggestions were made to enhance the effectiveness of physical activity, curricular and co-curricular in primary school settings.

text: Effective professional learning in physical activity This milestone report is the fourth and final for the research project ‘Evaluative research on the impact of effective professional learning in curricular and co-curricular physical activity in primary schools.’ The research was commissioned by the Ministry of Education and conducted from December 2005 to March 2007.
The broader context of the research was the Physical Activity Initiative, a joint Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, and Sport and Recreation New Zealand initiative, encompassing the provision for professional development of primary teachers in curricular and co-curricular physical activity. Schools involved in Model 2of the Physical Activity Initiative, were expected to engage in professional development delivered by School Support Services and Regional Sports Trusts during 2006. The specific purpose of the research was to explore the impacts of professional learning (Model 2), in physical activity, curricular and co-curricular, on primary school teachers, students, and wider school community. In addition, a literature review was developed to explore the national and international literature on physical activity in primary school. Furthermore, gaps in the literature and research evidence were identified, and suggestions were made to enhance the effectiveness of physical activity, curricular and co-curricular in primary school settings.

year: 2007-03

title: Spirituality in principal leadership and its influence on teachers and teaching

authors: Gibson, Alaster Raymond

subjects: spirituality

abstract: Spirituality in educational leadership has received renewed interest in the past decade. A growing body of literature claims that spirituality can make a difference in leadership practice. Spirituality is a complex and controversial human phenomenon, the meaning of which may be shaped and re-shaped by diverse perspectives and experiences. It includes personal, social-cultural and transcendent connectedness, meaning making about life and living, and a desire to move towards greater authenticity between beliefs, moral-values, attitudes and actions. My interest in spirituality in educational leadership relates to my professional background as a primary school teacher, lecturer in teacher education, and because of who I am as a Christian. The focus of my research inquiry was, ‘What might the phenomenon of spirituality in principal leadership and its influence on teachers and teaching be perceived to mean, in three public primary school contexts? Based on my literature review I decided to take an open position on the definition of spirituality. I chose an interpretive constructivist paradigm and a singular case study to explore my research question. My field work involved twelve participants, comprising three principals and nine teachers from three public primary schools in the North Island of New Zealand. This qualitative and triangulated research design enabled me to explore spirituality in principal leadership from the lived experiences of the participants. Data was gathered through three procedures across a one year period, namely semi-structured interviews, supported by overt non-participant observations, and principal reflective journals. A cyclical, inductive and reflexive method of analysis was applied to the data resulting in four key themes being identified. The findings showed that the principals believed their personal meanings of spirituality were integrated, filtered and fitted into a range of professional tasks, the modelling of leadership styles and contributed to their resilience. They also believed their spirituality was reciprocally influenced by their school contexts. Teacher participants affirmed that spirituality in principal leadership could be positively influential when expressed appropriately and accompanied with integrity, quality care for others and professional competence. Teacher participants attributed predominantly positive emotional and practical effects to spirituality in their principal’s leadership with some teachers expressing ambivalence and a few describing incidences which resulted in some negative feelings. These findings affirm claims in the literature regarding the integrated nature of spirituality and its positive contribution to leader resilience. The findings also reveal nuanced insights into the effects of school contexts and the ways that spirituality in principal leadership was perceived by teachers to be influential. Identified through the research process was the difficulty teacher participants had in apportioning influence to spirituality in principal leadership as an integrated dimension of the person who leads. One implication from the findings is that educational leaders might find spirituality useful as another lens or learning tool through which they can critically examine their professional practice. The thesis concludes with a recommendation that further research be conducted into exploring the meaning of teachers’ spirituality and the influence this might have on their teaching.

text: Spirituality in principal leadership and its influence on teachers and teaching Spirituality in educational leadership has received renewed interest in the past decade. A growing body of literature claims that spirituality can make a difference in leadership practice. Spirituality is a complex and controversial human phenomenon, the meaning of which may be shaped and re-shaped by diverse perspectives and experiences. It includes personal, social-cultural and transcendent connectedness, meaning making about life and living, and a desire to move towards greater authenticity between beliefs, moral-values, attitudes and actions. My interest in spirituality in educational leadership relates to my professional background as a primary school teacher, lecturer in teacher education, and because of who I am as a Christian. The focus of my research inquiry was, ‘What might the phenomenon of spirituality in principal leadership and its influence on teachers and teaching be perceived to mean, in three public primary school contexts? Based on my literature review I decided to take an open position on the definition of spirituality. I chose an interpretive constructivist paradigm and a singular case study to explore my research question. My field work involved twelve participants, comprising three principals and nine teachers from three public primary schools in the North Island of New Zealand. This qualitative and triangulated research design enabled me to explore spirituality in principal leadership from the lived experiences of the participants. Data was gathered through three procedures across a one year period, namely semi-structured interviews, supported by overt non-participant observations, and principal reflective journals. A cyclical, inductive and reflexive method of analysis was applied to the data resulting in four key themes being identified. The findings showed that the principals believed their personal meanings of spirituality were integrated, filtered and fitted into a range of professional tasks, the modelling of leadership styles and contributed to their resilience. They also believed their spirituality was reciprocally influenced by their school contexts. Teacher participants affirmed that spirituality in principal leadership could be positively influential when expressed appropriately and accompanied with integrity, quality care for others and professional competence. Teacher participants attributed predominantly positive emotional and practical effects to spirituality in their principal’s leadership with some teachers expressing ambivalence and a few describing incidences which resulted in some negative feelings. These findings affirm claims in the literature regarding the integrated nature of spirituality and its positive contribution to leader resilience. The findings also reveal nuanced insights into the effects of school contexts and the ways that spirituality in principal leadership was perceived by teachers to be influential. Identified through the research process was the difficulty teacher participants had in apportioning influence to spirituality in principal leadership as an integrated dimension of the person who leads. One implication from the findings is that educational leaders might find spirituality useful as another lens or learning tool through which they can critically examine their professional practice. The thesis concludes with a recommendation that further research be conducted into exploring the meaning of teachers’ spirituality and the influence this might have on their teaching.

year: 2011

title: Kōura (Paranephrops planifrons) populations in the Te Arawa lakes: An ecological assessment using the traditional Māori tau kōura harvesting method and recommendations for sustainable management

authors: Kusabs, Ian Andrew

subjects: Kōura

abstract: Freshwater crayfish are amongst the most influential of biota in many aquatic systems. They have various ecological functions, acting as shredders, detritivores and predators which in turn influence other macroinvertebrate fauna. Furthermore, freshwater crayfish are increasingly used as indicator species because of the important role they play in aquatic ecosystems and their iconic and heritage values. Kōura or freshwater crayfish (Paranephrops planifrons White) are endemic to New Zealand where they are an important component of freshwater ecosystems and a source of food for freshwater fish and humans. This study was undertaken to gain a better understanding of kōura populations in the Te Arawa lakes by quantifying relative kōura abundance and distribution and assessing the effects of environmental factors on kōura populations. In addition, basic biological information on sex ratios, breeding and moulting was collected as a basis for setting regulations and management policies for the sustainable management of kōura in the Te Arawa lakes.
Historically, kōura were an important food for the indigenous Māori people, particularly in the central North Island (CNI) lakes where large numbers were harvested for consumption and trading. Today, kōura are considered a ‘taonga’ species and support important customary fisheries in some CNI lakes (Rotomā, Rotoiti, Tarawera, and Taupō) where large populations of kōura still exist. Nevertheless, there is considerable anecdotal evidence of declines in populations of kōura in the Te Arawa lakes district since European settlement. A number of environmental factors have been implicated in this decline, including introductions of exotic fish and plant species as well as reduced concentrations of dissolved oxygen in the bottom waters of lakes due to eutrophication.
Although the ecology of stream-dwelling P. planifrons is well studied in New Zealand, there is limited published biological information on kōura in lakes. The lack of quantitative information on kōura abundance and ecology makes it difficult for iwi (Māori tribes) and government agencies to manage lake dwelling kōura populations. Until recently the main reason for the lack of quantitative information on lake kōura was the absence of suitable representative sampling methods. In a preliminary study of kōura sampling methods in the Te Arawa lakes, it was found that conventional sampling methods, baited traps, SCUBA and underwater video camera surveys had a number of disadvantages. Trapping was found to be highly biased towards large individuals and complicated by reductions in bait quality with time and changes in natural food abundance. SCUBA and underwater video camera surveys are also biased towards large individuals and are strongly dependent on underwater visibility. Given the disadvantages of these conventional kōura assessment methods, a traditional Māori harvesting method, the tau kōura, was adapted for the monitoring of lake kōura populations. The tau kōura captured large numbers and a wide size range (6 – 50 mm Orbit Carapace Length, OCL) of kōura in both shallow (5 m mean depth) and moderately deep water (10 – 17 m depth) in Ōkere Arm and Te Ākau, Lake Rotoiti, respectively. This method also distinguished differences in size structure and biomass between sites and provided information on sex ratios, egg-bearing and moulting. The development of the tau kōura thus enabled research and monitoring of lake kōura populations that may have not previously been representatively sampled and have generally been little studied in New Zealand despite their ecological and cultural significance.
The tau kōura was used to examine population dynamics of kōura, along a eutrophication gradient in seven Te Arawa lakes, in April, July and November 2009. Mean catch per unit effort (CPUE) and depth distribution of kōura were influenced by the combined effects of lake bed sediments, lake morphology, and hypolimnetic conditions related to trophic state. Although limited by the number of lakes that I was able to characterise, my data indicates that lake bed substrate (median sediment particle size) had a stronger influence on population characteristics than the level of enrichment/primary production as indexed by chlorophyll a (Chl-a). Nevertheless, the negative correlations between kōura abundance, with sediment carbon to nitrogen ratio (C/N), and the positive correlation between abundance and Chl-a, suggest that lake productivity does influence kōura. This component of the study indicates that eutrophication has reduced available kōura habitat in the Te Arawa lakes, particularly those that are sheltered, steep-sided and have fine lake bed sediments (with the Rotomahana mud tephra being particularly important). Lake bed substrate composition represented by sediment particle size is therefore a key factor to consider when selecting tau kōura sites for research, monitoring, restoration and harvesting, and when estimating kōura stocks in lakes. I concluded that measures to improve water quality in the Te Arawa lakes should benefit kōura populations by increasing the amount of oxygenated habitat available in the summer and autumn. 
Kōura support important customary fisheries for iwi in some Te Arawa lakes, particularly Rotoiti, Rotomā and Tarawera. However, until recently, there was limited published biological information to provide a basis for fisheries regulations. This knowledge gap has resulted in the adoption of conservative fisheries regulations and management policies by the fishery managers, the Te Arawa Lakes Trust (TALT) and Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI). A further objective of the research was therefore to examine the biological traits of lake kōura and to consider implications of these traits on the current fishing regulations and sustainable management of kōura populations in the Te Arawa lakes. 
From a review of past literature and the research findings from this study, it can be concluded that kōura populations in the Te Arawa lakes are currently not over-exploited due mostly to a low number participating in harvesting (almost exclusively Te Arawa) and because commercial harvesting is prohibited. However, the TALT wishes to encourage the revitalisation of traditional fishing practices (e.g., tau kōura) while adhering to the principles of kaitiakitanga ‒ the sustainable protection of resources. The establishment of sustainable management policies and regulations adheres to the principles of kaitiakitanga.
A number of management changes arising from the information collected in this study are suggested to protect and enhance the kōura fishery in the future. These are (1) set a slot limit with minimum size limit of 28 mm OCL and a maximum size limit of 39 mm OCL, (2) prohibit the taking of egg-bearing females, (3) limit deep-water harvest methods to the use of the tau kōura, and (4) implementing a tau kōura harvest season beginning on 1 December and ending on 31 March. These measures will protect breeding females if they are captured and the closed season will allow the majority of females to breed and release their young prior to fishing activity. Improving water quality (and thus increasing available kōura habitat) and preventing the introduction of predatory fish species such as eels (Anguilla spp.), catfish (Ameiurus nebulosus), and perch (Perca fluviatilis), that are efficient predators of kōura, are of the utmost importance in ensuring the sustainability of kōura populations in the Te Arawa lakes.

text: Kōura (Paranephrops planifrons) populations in the Te Arawa lakes: An ecological assessment using the traditional Māori tau kōura harvesting method and recommendations for sustainable management Freshwater crayfish are amongst the most influential of biota in many aquatic systems. They have various ecological functions, acting as shredders, detritivores and predators which in turn influence other macroinvertebrate fauna. Furthermore, freshwater crayfish are increasingly used as indicator species because of the important role they play in aquatic ecosystems and their iconic and heritage values. Kōura or freshwater crayfish (Paranephrops planifrons White) are endemic to New Zealand where they are an important component of freshwater ecosystems and a source of food for freshwater fish and humans. This study was undertaken to gain a better understanding of kōura populations in the Te Arawa lakes by quantifying relative kōura abundance and distribution and assessing the effects of environmental factors on kōura populations. In addition, basic biological information on sex ratios, breeding and moulting was collected as a basis for setting regulations and management policies for the sustainable management of kōura in the Te Arawa lakes.
Historically, kōura were an important food for the indigenous Māori people, particularly in the central North Island (CNI) lakes where large numbers were harvested for consumption and trading. Today, kōura are considered a ‘taonga’ species and support important customary fisheries in some CNI lakes (Rotomā, Rotoiti, Tarawera, and Taupō) where large populations of kōura still exist. Nevertheless, there is considerable anecdotal evidence of declines in populations of kōura in the Te Arawa lakes district since European settlement. A number of environmental factors have been implicated in this decline, including introductions of exotic fish and plant species as well as reduced concentrations of dissolved oxygen in the bottom waters of lakes due to eutrophication.
Although the ecology of stream-dwelling P. planifrons is well studied in New Zealand, there is limited published biological information on kōura in lakes. The lack of quantitative information on kōura abundance and ecology makes it difficult for iwi (Māori tribes) and government agencies to manage lake dwelling kōura populations. Until recently the main reason for the lack of quantitative information on lake kōura was the absence of suitable representative sampling methods. In a preliminary study of kōura sampling methods in the Te Arawa lakes, it was found that conventional sampling methods, baited traps, SCUBA and underwater video camera surveys had a number of disadvantages. Trapping was found to be highly biased towards large individuals and complicated by reductions in bait quality with time and changes in natural food abundance. SCUBA and underwater video camera surveys are also biased towards large individuals and are strongly dependent on underwater visibility. Given the disadvantages of these conventional kōura assessment methods, a traditional Māori harvesting method, the tau kōura, was adapted for the monitoring of lake kōura populations. The tau kōura captured large numbers and a wide size range (6 – 50 mm Orbit Carapace Length, OCL) of kōura in both shallow (5 m mean depth) and moderately deep water (10 – 17 m depth) in Ōkere Arm and Te Ākau, Lake Rotoiti, respectively. This method also distinguished differences in size structure and biomass between sites and provided information on sex ratios, egg-bearing and moulting. The development of the tau kōura thus enabled research and monitoring of lake kōura populations that may have not previously been representatively sampled and have generally been little studied in New Zealand despite their ecological and cultural significance.
The tau kōura was used to examine population dynamics of kōura, along a eutrophication gradient in seven Te Arawa lakes, in April, July and November 2009. Mean catch per unit effort (CPUE) and depth distribution of kōura were influenced by the combined effects of lake bed sediments, lake morphology, and hypolimnetic conditions related to trophic state. Although limited by the number of lakes that I was able to characterise, my data indicates that lake bed substrate (median sediment particle size) had a stronger influence on population characteristics than the level of enrichment/primary production as indexed by chlorophyll a (Chl-a). Nevertheless, the negative correlations between kōura abundance, with sediment carbon to nitrogen ratio (C/N), and the positive correlation between abundance and Chl-a, suggest that lake productivity does influence kōura. This component of the study indicates that eutrophication has reduced available kōura habitat in the Te Arawa lakes, particularly those that are sheltered, steep-sided and have fine lake bed sediments (with the Rotomahana mud tephra being particularly important). Lake bed substrate composition represented by sediment particle size is therefore a key factor to consider when selecting tau kōura sites for research, monitoring, restoration and harvesting, and when estimating kōura stocks in lakes. I concluded that measures to improve water quality in the Te Arawa lakes should benefit kōura populations by increasing the amount of oxygenated habitat available in the summer and autumn. 
Kōura support important customary fisheries for iwi in some Te Arawa lakes, particularly Rotoiti, Rotomā and Tarawera. However, until recently, there was limited published biological information to provide a basis for fisheries regulations. This knowledge gap has resulted in the adoption of conservative fisheries regulations and management policies by the fishery managers, the Te Arawa Lakes Trust (TALT) and Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI). A further objective of the research was therefore to examine the biological traits of lake kōura and to consider implications of these traits on the current fishing regulations and sustainable management of kōura populations in the Te Arawa lakes. 
From a review of past literature and the research findings from this study, it can be concluded that kōura populations in the Te Arawa lakes are currently not over-exploited due mostly to a low number participating in harvesting (almost exclusively Te Arawa) and because commercial harvesting is prohibited. However, the TALT wishes to encourage the revitalisation of traditional fishing practices (e.g., tau kōura) while adhering to the principles of kaitiakitanga ‒ the sustainable protection of resources. The establishment of sustainable management policies and regulations adheres to the principles of kaitiakitanga.
A number of management changes arising from the information collected in this study are suggested to protect and enhance the kōura fishery in the future. These are (1) set a slot limit with minimum size limit of 28 mm OCL and a maximum size limit of 39 mm OCL, (2) prohibit the taking of egg-bearing females, (3) limit deep-water harvest methods to the use of the tau kōura, and (4) implementing a tau kōura harvest season beginning on 1 December and ending on 31 March. These measures will protect breeding females if they are captured and the closed season will allow the majority of females to breed and release their young prior to fishing activity. Improving water quality (and thus increasing available kōura habitat) and preventing the introduction of predatory fish species such as eels (Anguilla spp.), catfish (Ameiurus nebulosus), and perch (Perca fluviatilis), that are efficient predators of kōura, are of the utmost importance in ensuring the sustainability of kōura populations in the Te Arawa lakes.

year: 2015