title: Community composition and distribution of macroinvertebrates on natural and artificial substrates in North Island lakes and ponds

authors: Taitibe, Heather

subjects: Community composition

abstract: Artificial structures in freshwater ecosystems are becoming increasingly common. The introduction of these structures in marine systems lead to changes in the physical structure and the biotic assemblages. Even though artificial structures provide hard substrates for species to colonize and settle on, they are commonly shown to support a smaller number of taxa than natural substrates and are also known to facilitate the settlement of disproportionate numbers of non-native species. Nevertheless, little is known of their effects in freshwaters. 
In the second chapter of my thesis, I compare macroinvertebrate communities on three substrate types, macrophytes, sediments and artificial structures, among twenty-two ponds, to identify differences in community composition and distribution of macroinvertebrates between natural and artificial substrates. In addition, I investigated whether non-native macroinvertebrates prefer artificial substrates more than natural substrates. The similarities between artificial substrates and macrophytes can be attributed to the habitat structure, i.e., hard surfaces and the provision of refugia for macroinvertebrates from their predators. The differences between sediments and macrophytes, and artificial substrates were attributed to the difference in habitat structure and the fauna they supported (i.e., sediments contained large proportions of infauna). Non-native species that were collected in my study did not show preference for any of the habitats that were sampled.  
In the third chapter of my thesis, I identified important environmental factors that affect the distribution of macroinvertebrates communities across the twenty-two ponds sampled. The most important factor identified was temperature, nutrient gradients, pH and dissolved oxygen levels.  
Both chapters of my thesis offer an understanding of how existing artificial substrates and environmental variables in lakes and ponds on the North Island, New Zealand, affect macroinvertebrate community composition and distribution in relation to natural substrates.

text: Community composition and distribution of macroinvertebrates on natural and artificial substrates in North Island lakes and ponds Artificial structures in freshwater ecosystems are becoming increasingly common. The introduction of these structures in marine systems lead to changes in the physical structure and the biotic assemblages. Even though artificial structures provide hard substrates for species to colonize and settle on, they are commonly shown to support a smaller number of taxa than natural substrates and are also known to facilitate the settlement of disproportionate numbers of non-native species. Nevertheless, little is known of their effects in freshwaters. 
In the second chapter of my thesis, I compare macroinvertebrate communities on three substrate types, macrophytes, sediments and artificial structures, among twenty-two ponds, to identify differences in community composition and distribution of macroinvertebrates between natural and artificial substrates. In addition, I investigated whether non-native macroinvertebrates prefer artificial substrates more than natural substrates. The similarities between artificial substrates and macrophytes can be attributed to the habitat structure, i.e., hard surfaces and the provision of refugia for macroinvertebrates from their predators. The differences between sediments and macrophytes, and artificial substrates were attributed to the difference in habitat structure and the fauna they supported (i.e., sediments contained large proportions of infauna). Non-native species that were collected in my study did not show preference for any of the habitats that were sampled.  
In the third chapter of my thesis, I identified important environmental factors that affect the distribution of macroinvertebrates communities across the twenty-two ponds sampled. The most important factor identified was temperature, nutrient gradients, pH and dissolved oxygen levels.  
Both chapters of my thesis offer an understanding of how existing artificial substrates and environmental variables in lakes and ponds on the North Island, New Zealand, affect macroinvertebrate community composition and distribution in relation to natural substrates.

year: 2019

title: Local Implications of International Human Rights Treaties: The Impact of a CEDAW Right to Public Life in the Republic of Maldives

authors: Jabyn, Marium

abstract: In 1979, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) codified women’s rights to equality in both private and public spheres of life, and introduced it as a global norm. It stipulated not only that women should not be discriminated against, but also that women should be equal recipients in the allocation and enjoyment of human rights. To this end, it imposed obligations on States Parties and provided multiple approaches towards achieving women’s equality. In general, the international community has invested over six decades in constructing a ‘global’ system of human rights where consenting sovereign States Parties have agreed on a ‘universal’ standard of rights to be protected and promoted within and beyond their national borders. Despite ‘universal’ commitments to human rights treaties, expressed through ratification, and many times through creating the required national legislation and policy changes, human rights goals are yet to be achieved. 

Using a CEDAW right to public life, this thesis examines the two aspects of treaty implementation: integration into domestic norms and enforcement of treaty norms through treaty enforcement mechanisms established by the UN. By illustrating gaps in ‘rights-in-principle’ and ‘rights-in-practice’, this thesis offers an insider's perspective on the tensions between a CEDAW right to public life and the domestic situation in the Republic of Maldives. Rights-in-principle is measured through an analysis of domestic legal instruments, identifying the extent to which CEDAW has been incorporated into legislation, government policy and initiatives. Data for the rights-in-practice measure was collected through semi-structured interviews conducted with purposively selected participants, representing both State and non-State actors. The information gathered through interviews was analysed both manually and using the NVivo-10 Software. The data was then interpreted using the capabilities theory, examining how limited capabilities arising out of gendered practices, cultures and structures affect the successful local implementation of a CEDAW right to public life.  

The findings from the rights-in-practice segment of the research demonstrate a highly gendered world, where links between political power and male leadership are seen as natural and women ideally suited to roles either within the domestic sphere or a care-taking role. Participation in public life is also dependent on class (family status), property ownership and resources, and affiliations with political parties. However, the belief in socially distinct roles is a dominant feature within the local, and heavily affects women’s lives and their autonomy. Gender based differences, it is argued, is rooted in deep cultural and religious beliefs and change is often resisted by the local community. It is also anticipated that fast growing religious fundamentalism in the Maldives will significantly impact women’s rights in the near future. Thus, while CEDAW, and its articulation of a right to public life, embodies a framework for substantive equality that aims to entitle, enable and empower women to pursue the CEDAW right to public life, the State has yet to ensure a right to public life, as envisaged by the Convention. 

The thesis acknowledges that a CEDAW right to public life has had an impact, but mainly at a formal level, changing domestic law and policy, but has had limited impact on the achievement of equality for women. The situation in the Maldives is further compounded by the nature of the international human rights platform, which is primarily based on State consent, leading to limited intercultural dialogue between CEDAW and its States Parties and little pressure on the States Party, which further cements the status quo. Ad hoc procedures, lack of committed personnel to draft treaty reports, and low level of civil society engagement in the process, also significantly affects effective treaty implementation. Thus, both ‘local struggles’ and the existing structure of the international human rights treaty enforcement mechanisms poses challenges for the pursuit of a CEDAW right to public life. 

This thesis is a much-needed exploration of how local cultures appropriate and enact international human rights law, and will be of enormous value to persons working with international human rights particularly in the Maldivian context, and also at the global level. It makes both theoretical and methodological contributions to international human rights law in the area of human rights and treaty compliance.

text: Local Implications of International Human Rights Treaties: The Impact of a CEDAW Right to Public Life in the Republic of Maldives In 1979, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) codified women’s rights to equality in both private and public spheres of life, and introduced it as a global norm. It stipulated not only that women should not be discriminated against, but also that women should be equal recipients in the allocation and enjoyment of human rights. To this end, it imposed obligations on States Parties and provided multiple approaches towards achieving women’s equality. In general, the international community has invested over six decades in constructing a ‘global’ system of human rights where consenting sovereign States Parties have agreed on a ‘universal’ standard of rights to be protected and promoted within and beyond their national borders. Despite ‘universal’ commitments to human rights treaties, expressed through ratification, and many times through creating the required national legislation and policy changes, human rights goals are yet to be achieved. 

Using a CEDAW right to public life, this thesis examines the two aspects of treaty implementation: integration into domestic norms and enforcement of treaty norms through treaty enforcement mechanisms established by the UN. By illustrating gaps in ‘rights-in-principle’ and ‘rights-in-practice’, this thesis offers an insider's perspective on the tensions between a CEDAW right to public life and the domestic situation in the Republic of Maldives. Rights-in-principle is measured through an analysis of domestic legal instruments, identifying the extent to which CEDAW has been incorporated into legislation, government policy and initiatives. Data for the rights-in-practice measure was collected through semi-structured interviews conducted with purposively selected participants, representing both State and non-State actors. The information gathered through interviews was analysed both manually and using the NVivo-10 Software. The data was then interpreted using the capabilities theory, examining how limited capabilities arising out of gendered practices, cultures and structures affect the successful local implementation of a CEDAW right to public life.  

The findings from the rights-in-practice segment of the research demonstrate a highly gendered world, where links between political power and male leadership are seen as natural and women ideally suited to roles either within the domestic sphere or a care-taking role. Participation in public life is also dependent on class (family status), property ownership and resources, and affiliations with political parties. However, the belief in socially distinct roles is a dominant feature within the local, and heavily affects women’s lives and their autonomy. Gender based differences, it is argued, is rooted in deep cultural and religious beliefs and change is often resisted by the local community. It is also anticipated that fast growing religious fundamentalism in the Maldives will significantly impact women’s rights in the near future. Thus, while CEDAW, and its articulation of a right to public life, embodies a framework for substantive equality that aims to entitle, enable and empower women to pursue the CEDAW right to public life, the State has yet to ensure a right to public life, as envisaged by the Convention. 

The thesis acknowledges that a CEDAW right to public life has had an impact, but mainly at a formal level, changing domestic law and policy, but has had limited impact on the achievement of equality for women. The situation in the Maldives is further compounded by the nature of the international human rights platform, which is primarily based on State consent, leading to limited intercultural dialogue between CEDAW and its States Parties and little pressure on the States Party, which further cements the status quo. Ad hoc procedures, lack of committed personnel to draft treaty reports, and low level of civil society engagement in the process, also significantly affects effective treaty implementation. Thus, both ‘local struggles’ and the existing structure of the international human rights treaty enforcement mechanisms poses challenges for the pursuit of a CEDAW right to public life. 

This thesis is a much-needed exploration of how local cultures appropriate and enact international human rights law, and will be of enormous value to persons working with international human rights particularly in the Maldivian context, and also at the global level. It makes both theoretical and methodological contributions to international human rights law in the area of human rights and treaty compliance.

year: 2016

title: On the stage Māori medium ITE: Listening to students’ voices

authors: Lee-Morgan, Jenny Bol Jun

subjects: Māori medium education

abstract: Māori-medium initial teacher education (ITE) is a small but highly important group ‘on stage’ in te ao Māori and New Zealand education. While education plays a major role in Māori language revitalisation, Māori language is also pivotal to Māori education if the aspiration ‘to live as Māori’ (Durie, 2001) is to be fulfilled. Māori-medium teachers are critical to the success of learners and their whānau who select a Māori-medium pathway and who can make a meaningful difference to the educational outcomes of Māori (Hōhepa, Hāwea, Tamatea, & Heaton, 2014). This article draws on the students’ voices in a two-year research project that centered on the development of a teaching and learning initiative within one Māori-medium ITE programme. Building on previous work by Hōhepa et al. (2014), this study adds another layer of students’ voices to understand more clearly language related issues and student experiences in Māori-medium ITE programmes. The article presents some of the complexities associated with Māori language regeneration facing students of Māori-medium ITE, with the understanding that whatever appears on the stage is always part of a greater narrative behind the scenes.

text: On the stage Māori medium ITE: Listening to students’ voices Māori-medium initial teacher education (ITE) is a small but highly important group ‘on stage’ in te ao Māori and New Zealand education. While education plays a major role in Māori language revitalisation, Māori language is also pivotal to Māori education if the aspiration ‘to live as Māori’ (Durie, 2001) is to be fulfilled. Māori-medium teachers are critical to the success of learners and their whānau who select a Māori-medium pathway and who can make a meaningful difference to the educational outcomes of Māori (Hōhepa, Hāwea, Tamatea, & Heaton, 2014). This article draws on the students’ voices in a two-year research project that centered on the development of a teaching and learning initiative within one Māori-medium ITE programme. Building on previous work by Hōhepa et al. (2014), this study adds another layer of students’ voices to understand more clearly language related issues and student experiences in Māori-medium ITE programmes. The article presents some of the complexities associated with Māori language regeneration facing students of Māori-medium ITE, with the understanding that whatever appears on the stage is always part of a greater narrative behind the scenes.

year: 2017