title: The vegetation of the Te Aroha district

authors: Hart, Philip

abstract: Pakeha settlers universally admired the mountain’s vegetation, and several enthusiasts made botanical surveys. Both because of its intrinsic beauty and also to attract tourists, portions of the mountain were removed from the goldfield and attempts were made to preserve the original vegetation. In contrast, few admired the vegetation in the swamps, which were quickly drained for farming. 
As thick bush handicapped prospectors, it was burnt to expose outcrops. Miners were permitted to cut the trees on their claims for mining purposes, and settlers required timber for a multitude of purposes. Despite some attempts to control timber cutting, which in the case of kauri required a (small) payment, much valuable timber was wasted because of its abundance. Vegetation was either deliberately or carelessly set on fire, was vandalized by illegal cutting, and was damaged by cattle, deer, goats, and possums. As the bush line retreated up the mountainside, damaged or destroyed areas were replanted in exotic vegetation; in the case of the tramway, gorse (!) was planted to prevent landslips. By the late twentieth century, efforts were being made to protect and restore the original vegetation.

text: The vegetation of the Te Aroha district Pakeha settlers universally admired the mountain’s vegetation, and several enthusiasts made botanical surveys. Both because of its intrinsic beauty and also to attract tourists, portions of the mountain were removed from the goldfield and attempts were made to preserve the original vegetation. In contrast, few admired the vegetation in the swamps, which were quickly drained for farming. 
As thick bush handicapped prospectors, it was burnt to expose outcrops. Miners were permitted to cut the trees on their claims for mining purposes, and settlers required timber for a multitude of purposes. Despite some attempts to control timber cutting, which in the case of kauri required a (small) payment, much valuable timber was wasted because of its abundance. Vegetation was either deliberately or carelessly set on fire, was vandalized by illegal cutting, and was damaged by cattle, deer, goats, and possums. As the bush line retreated up the mountainside, damaged or destroyed areas were replanted in exotic vegetation; in the case of the tramway, gorse (!) was planted to prevent landslips. By the late twentieth century, efforts were being made to protect and restore the original vegetation.

year: 2016

title: National identity and environmentalism: Why national narcissism might undermine pro-environmental efforts

authors: Cislak, Aleksandra

subjects: collective narcissism

abstract: The extant literature recognizes national identity as a pivotal factor motivating both individual and collective actions to tackle environmental problems. Yet, prior research shows mixed evidence for the relationship between national identity and environmentalism. Here, we propose a theoretical approach that articulates distinctions between different forms of national identity and their differential associations with environmental attitudes and behaviors. Specifically, we argue that it is key to differentiate national identification, which reflects a positive attachment to one's country and ties to other compatriots, from national narcissism, which reflects viewing one's country as exceptional and deserving of special treatment. In contrast to national identification, national narcissism is consistently associated with lower environmental concern and predicts support for anti-environmental policies. We show that this is likely due to national narcissism being linked to belief in climate-related conspiracy theories, support for policies that challenge external pressures yet present the nation in a positive light (e.g., greenwashing), and focusing on short-term benefits for the nation. Extending past individual-level findings, we report a pre-registered analysis across 56 countries examining whether national narcissism is also linked to objective indices of lower environmental protection at the country level of analysis. Results revealed a negative relationship between countries' environmental performance and country-level national narcissism (while adjusting for national identification and GDP per capita). We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of our approach and the country-level findings for advancing research in the field.

text: National identity and environmentalism: Why national narcissism might undermine pro-environmental efforts The extant literature recognizes national identity as a pivotal factor motivating both individual and collective actions to tackle environmental problems. Yet, prior research shows mixed evidence for the relationship between national identity and environmentalism. Here, we propose a theoretical approach that articulates distinctions between different forms of national identity and their differential associations with environmental attitudes and behaviors. Specifically, we argue that it is key to differentiate national identification, which reflects a positive attachment to one's country and ties to other compatriots, from national narcissism, which reflects viewing one's country as exceptional and deserving of special treatment. In contrast to national identification, national narcissism is consistently associated with lower environmental concern and predicts support for anti-environmental policies. We show that this is likely due to national narcissism being linked to belief in climate-related conspiracy theories, support for policies that challenge external pressures yet present the nation in a positive light (e.g., greenwashing), and focusing on short-term benefits for the nation. Extending past individual-level findings, we report a pre-registered analysis across 56 countries examining whether national narcissism is also linked to objective indices of lower environmental protection at the country level of analysis. Results revealed a negative relationship between countries' environmental performance and country-level national narcissism (while adjusting for national identification and GDP per capita). We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of our approach and the country-level findings for advancing research in the field.

year: 2024

title: A step into the light: developing a culturally appropriate research prcoess to study Maori Rangatahi perspectives of leisure in one setting.

authors: Harvey, Geraldine

subjects: research -- methodology

abstract: There is little knowledge of Maori peoples' leisure understandings, experiences and participation. This article reports on the development of a culturally appropriate research process that investigated the leisure participation, perspectives, and experiences of five Rotorua Maori Rangatahi in one research setting'. Within this exploration there is a focus on the need to conduct leisure research with Maori people in culturally appropriate ways. This research approach incorporates focus group methodology within a Kaupapa Maori research framework which addresses issues of research for Maori. The research process revealed that focus group methodology can be adapted into a Kaupapa Maori research framework and that this research approach could be an important tool when conducting research with Maori Rangatahi, including in educational contexts.

text: A step into the light: developing a culturally appropriate research prcoess to study Maori Rangatahi perspectives of leisure in one setting. There is little knowledge of Maori peoples' leisure understandings, experiences and participation. This article reports on the development of a culturally appropriate research process that investigated the leisure participation, perspectives, and experiences of five Rotorua Maori Rangatahi in one research setting'. Within this exploration there is a focus on the need to conduct leisure research with Maori people in culturally appropriate ways. This research approach incorporates focus group methodology within a Kaupapa Maori research framework which addresses issues of research for Maori. The research process revealed that focus group methodology can be adapted into a Kaupapa Maori research framework and that this research approach could be an important tool when conducting research with Maori Rangatahi, including in educational contexts.

year: 2002