title: Aspects of the geomorphology of the Greywacke Ranges bordering the Lower and Middle Waikato Basins

authors: Selby, Michael J.

subjects: Waikato

abstract: The fault-bounded blocks which make up the Greywacke Ranges bordering the Lower and Middle Waikato Basins have a deep red-weathered regolith and are covered by mantles of volcanic ash which can be used for dating ground surfaces. The drainage texture is exceedingly fine compared with that of Dartmoor (U.K.) and Unaka Mountains (U.S.A.) This is attributable to rainfall type, regolith, vegetation cover and soil physical properties. The major types of mass movement are deep fossil slumps on upper slopes where the regolith is deep; debris slides on mid- and lower slopes where the regolith is thin; and seepage heads controlled by ground water conditions. The valley floors show both stream incision, and aggradation resulting from infill with mass movement debris. Deforestation has increased the frequency of mass movement during high intensity rainstorms and the slopes are at present becoming adjusted to changed equilibrium conditions.

text: Aspects of the geomorphology of the Greywacke Ranges bordering the Lower and Middle Waikato Basins The fault-bounded blocks which make up the Greywacke Ranges bordering the Lower and Middle Waikato Basins have a deep red-weathered regolith and are covered by mantles of volcanic ash which can be used for dating ground surfaces. The drainage texture is exceedingly fine compared with that of Dartmoor (U.K.) and Unaka Mountains (U.S.A.) This is attributable to rainfall type, regolith, vegetation cover and soil physical properties. The major types of mass movement are deep fossil slumps on upper slopes where the regolith is deep; debris slides on mid- and lower slopes where the regolith is thin; and seepage heads controlled by ground water conditions. The valley floors show both stream incision, and aggradation resulting from infill with mass movement debris. Deforestation has increased the frequency of mass movement during high intensity rainstorms and the slopes are at present becoming adjusted to changed equilibrium conditions.

year: 1967

title: The chronology of occupation at Teouma, Vanuatu: Use of a modified chronometric hygiene protocol and Bayesian modeling to evaluate midden remains

authors: Petchey, Fiona

subjects: Teouma

abstract: A number of radiocarbon dates, both published and unpublished have been obtained from archaeological deposits across the Teouma site on the island of Efate in Vanuatu. These are on a range of materials from the midden and associated cemetery including charcoal (13) and shell (7) as well as a number of less commonly dated 14C sample types including bone from 2 terrestrial giant tortoises (?Meiolania damelipi), 8 pigs (Sus scrofa) and 2 chickens (Gallus gallus). Thirty-six human bone collagen dates and 5 Conus sp. shell ring artifacts from the cemetery context have been discussed in detail elsewhere (Petchey et al., 2014). In this paper, we evaluate the radiocarbon data according to observed contextual associations and established understandings of 14C offsets, and collate all available information in a Bayesian framework to establish the age and duration of the settlement at Teouma. This analysis provides a maximum age range for the Lapita deposits of between 3000 and 2560 cal BP and a most likely start date of 2920–2870 cal BP and end date of 2870–2750 cal BP (68.2% prob.). This is slightly younger age for the deposits than previously reported, but is in keeping with evaluation of the burials themselves, the majority of which are dated to between 2940 and 2720 cal BP. This age range indicates that the site was in use at the same time as colonization events in Tonga (2850–2830 cal BP) and Fiji (3020–2860 cal BP), and supports the hypothesis that Vanuatu was at the center of a region-wide interaction sphere for several generations after initial settlement.

text: The chronology of occupation at Teouma, Vanuatu: Use of a modified chronometric hygiene protocol and Bayesian modeling to evaluate midden remains A number of radiocarbon dates, both published and unpublished have been obtained from archaeological deposits across the Teouma site on the island of Efate in Vanuatu. These are on a range of materials from the midden and associated cemetery including charcoal (13) and shell (7) as well as a number of less commonly dated 14C sample types including bone from 2 terrestrial giant tortoises (?Meiolania damelipi), 8 pigs (Sus scrofa) and 2 chickens (Gallus gallus). Thirty-six human bone collagen dates and 5 Conus sp. shell ring artifacts from the cemetery context have been discussed in detail elsewhere (Petchey et al., 2014). In this paper, we evaluate the radiocarbon data according to observed contextual associations and established understandings of 14C offsets, and collate all available information in a Bayesian framework to establish the age and duration of the settlement at Teouma. This analysis provides a maximum age range for the Lapita deposits of between 3000 and 2560 cal BP and a most likely start date of 2920–2870 cal BP and end date of 2870–2750 cal BP (68.2% prob.). This is slightly younger age for the deposits than previously reported, but is in keeping with evaluation of the burials themselves, the majority of which are dated to between 2940 and 2720 cal BP. This age range indicates that the site was in use at the same time as colonization events in Tonga (2850–2830 cal BP) and Fiji (3020–2860 cal BP), and supports the hypothesis that Vanuatu was at the center of a region-wide interaction sphere for several generations after initial settlement.

year: 2015-12

title: Level 2 Māori medium programmes: What are the perceptions of parents and students on this form of education?

authors: Hill, Richard Kenneth

subjects: Māori medium

abstract: Māori medium education provides a range of options for families wishing to educate their children through the indigenous language of Aotearoa New Zealand. Level 2 programmes with 51–80% Māori language instruction, can play an important role in supporting students and their Māori language development, yet little is known about these programmes. This project explored the experiences of whānau (families) and students of level 2 Māori medium programmes to gauge the contribution they make to the education of students. It found that this form of education attracts whānau with wide ranging aims and expectations, but offers highly satisfactory educational options for them. However, there are some tensions, particularly in regard to the part they play in lifting students’ Māori language skills. Ensuring graduates of level 2 programmes have a pathway to learn the Māori language beyond primary school was also a cause for concern.

text: Level 2 Māori medium programmes: What are the perceptions of parents and students on this form of education? Māori medium education provides a range of options for families wishing to educate their children through the indigenous language of Aotearoa New Zealand. Level 2 programmes with 51–80% Māori language instruction, can play an important role in supporting students and their Māori language development, yet little is known about these programmes. This project explored the experiences of whānau (families) and students of level 2 Māori medium programmes to gauge the contribution they make to the education of students. It found that this form of education attracts whānau with wide ranging aims and expectations, but offers highly satisfactory educational options for them. However, there are some tensions, particularly in regard to the part they play in lifting students’ Māori language skills. Ensuring graduates of level 2 programmes have a pathway to learn the Māori language beyond primary school was also a cause for concern.

year: 2017