title: Cycling Safety in New Zealand: An Analysis of Law and Policy

authors: Purusram, Vashini T.S.

subjects: cycling

abstract: After a number of cyclist deaths over recent years in New Zealand, cycle advocates and policy makers have been pondering the issues relating to safety of cyclists on New Zealand roads. Press reports have highlighted a number of recent cyclist deaths and the subsequent public dismay as to how guilty motorists often walk off with a lenient sentence. There is strong public feeling that, in the absence of an appropriate penalty system, the roads are not safe to cyclists.

The present New Zealand law provides for specific offences and related penalties when the driver, who drives carelessly or dangerously, kills or injures another road user. This thesis investigates whether the law as understood through both the legislative regime and the interpretation of the law by the courts, is sending the right deterrent message against careless or dangerous driving, hence making the roads safer to the cyclist. This is explored through an analysis of the legislative provisions on road safety and their interpretation by the courts in cases of collisions by the careless or dangerous driver and an assessment of the severity of the penalties and consistency of the penalties imposed in similar cases. The study draws on existing literature which indicates that safety, real and perceived, or rather a lack of safety, remains a significant barrier to cycling. It then explores the extent to which road safety is made a top priority on the agenda of different stakeholders, particularly, policy makers, legislators and judges. The study also draws a comparison with the policy and legislative regime in more cycle friendly countries like the Netherlands. The severity of the penalties imposed on the careless or dangerous driver in England is also addressed.

This study concludes that the promotion of road safety is key to a modal shift in New Zealand. To allow this, it is not merely the right policies that are called for, but also for all stakeholders to have a shared contribution.  The study comes up with a number of recommendations that would help pave the way towards law reform with a view to promoting cyclist safety on New Zealand roads.

text: Cycling Safety in New Zealand: An Analysis of Law and Policy After a number of cyclist deaths over recent years in New Zealand, cycle advocates and policy makers have been pondering the issues relating to safety of cyclists on New Zealand roads. Press reports have highlighted a number of recent cyclist deaths and the subsequent public dismay as to how guilty motorists often walk off with a lenient sentence. There is strong public feeling that, in the absence of an appropriate penalty system, the roads are not safe to cyclists.

The present New Zealand law provides for specific offences and related penalties when the driver, who drives carelessly or dangerously, kills or injures another road user. This thesis investigates whether the law as understood through both the legislative regime and the interpretation of the law by the courts, is sending the right deterrent message against careless or dangerous driving, hence making the roads safer to the cyclist. This is explored through an analysis of the legislative provisions on road safety and their interpretation by the courts in cases of collisions by the careless or dangerous driver and an assessment of the severity of the penalties and consistency of the penalties imposed in similar cases. The study draws on existing literature which indicates that safety, real and perceived, or rather a lack of safety, remains a significant barrier to cycling. It then explores the extent to which road safety is made a top priority on the agenda of different stakeholders, particularly, policy makers, legislators and judges. The study also draws a comparison with the policy and legislative regime in more cycle friendly countries like the Netherlands. The severity of the penalties imposed on the careless or dangerous driver in England is also addressed.

This study concludes that the promotion of road safety is key to a modal shift in New Zealand. To allow this, it is not merely the right policies that are called for, but also for all stakeholders to have a shared contribution.  The study comes up with a number of recommendations that would help pave the way towards law reform with a view to promoting cyclist safety on New Zealand roads.

year: 2015

title: A case for adapting and applying continuance theory to education: Understanding the role of student feedback in motivating teachers to persist with including digital technologies in learning

authors: Wright, Noeline

subjects: initial teacher education

abstract: In New Zealand schools, the adoption and persistent use of digital tools to aid learning is a growing but uneven, trend, often linked to the practices of early adopters and/or robust wifi infrastructure. The Technology Adoption Model is used internationally to gauge levels of uptake of technological tools, particularly in commerce and also in education. However, this model is inadequate when it is used to attribute reasons for teachers adopting technologies for learning. This article offers an alternative view to understanding why teachers continue using digital technologies for learning. It focuses on the role of student voice and teachers’ pedagogical purposes as motivators, even when teachers have technological hurdles to overcome. The article engages with continuance theory as a lens for understanding these motivations via a qualitative thematic analysis of Moodle postings made by a 2012 cohort of initial teacher education students. The intention is to signpost ideas that might better explain teachers’ continued use of digital technologies in classrooms even if conditions for use are not optimal.

text: A case for adapting and applying continuance theory to education: Understanding the role of student feedback in motivating teachers to persist with including digital technologies in learning In New Zealand schools, the adoption and persistent use of digital tools to aid learning is a growing but uneven, trend, often linked to the practices of early adopters and/or robust wifi infrastructure. The Technology Adoption Model is used internationally to gauge levels of uptake of technological tools, particularly in commerce and also in education. However, this model is inadequate when it is used to attribute reasons for teachers adopting technologies for learning. This article offers an alternative view to understanding why teachers continue using digital technologies for learning. It focuses on the role of student voice and teachers’ pedagogical purposes as motivators, even when teachers have technological hurdles to overcome. The article engages with continuance theory as a lens for understanding these motivations via a qualitative thematic analysis of Moodle postings made by a 2012 cohort of initial teacher education students. The intention is to signpost ideas that might better explain teachers’ continued use of digital technologies in classrooms even if conditions for use are not optimal.

year: 2015

title: In your face: wearing Moko - Maori facial marking in today's world

authors: Nikora, Linda Waimarie

subjects: Moko

abstract: The early voyagers, missionaries, settlers all reacted to the pukanohi, to the marked
faces of the Maori people during the period of first contact, and the century following
it. Their accounts are vivid, judgemental, revealing, telling us as much about them, as
it does about the people they described. Curiosity and horror are mixed with a
genuine fascination; where sternly evangelizing words failed, armed confrontation
occurred; and we now live with the results, te ao hou, a new world.
In this world, today, wahine mau kauae, tangata mau moko, pukanohi - wearers - are
speaking for themselves, about themselves, and commenting on how others view
them. Unanimously, they insist the decision to take the marking is about continuity,
affirmation, identity, and commitment. It is also about wearing those ancestors,
carrying them into the future; as their moko become a companion, a salient being with
its own life force, its own integrity and power, beyond the face.

text: In your face: wearing Moko - Maori facial marking in today's world The early voyagers, missionaries, settlers all reacted to the pukanohi, to the marked
faces of the Maori people during the period of first contact, and the century following
it. Their accounts are vivid, judgemental, revealing, telling us as much about them, as
it does about the people they described. Curiosity and horror are mixed with a
genuine fascination; where sternly evangelizing words failed, armed confrontation
occurred; and we now live with the results, te ao hou, a new world.
In this world, today, wahine mau kauae, tangata mau moko, pukanohi - wearers - are
speaking for themselves, about themselves, and commenting on how others view
them. Unanimously, they insist the decision to take the marking is about continuity,
affirmation, identity, and commitment. It is also about wearing those ancestors,
carrying them into the future; as their moko become a companion, a salient being with
its own life force, its own integrity and power, beyond the face.

year: 2003-08-01