title: Policy and practice: funding and strategies for short film in New Zealand 1994-1998

authors: Yeatman, Bevin

abstract: This research foregrounds funding influences on the strategies of short film practice in New Zealand. It seeks to connect the processes of policy and practice and the relationships of institutions and individuals as they impinge on short film. It also illustrates some of these processes as they jointly influence the types of short film that are finally produced. The research was based on the responses, from questionnaires and interviews, of over forty funders, producers and directors engaged in the relationships required for funding short film as well as an analysis of appropriate documents relevant to this funding area. The theoretical approach is context based and adapts Hall’s concept of articulation in conjunction with Wartenburg’s concept of alignment. Hall’s theory links the collective influences in a particular context without requiring a dominant determining element as a focus for explanation. This approach characterises short film practices as part of a cultural formation - a formation of contexts - and implies that there are different combinations of influences within each of these contexts. This group of contexts and their respective influences together shape the funding influences on the strategies of short film. Wartenburg theorises the nature of the collaborative relationships involved in the cultural contexts in terms of alignments and these focus on the mutual discursive relationships that are necessary in order for individuals or institutions to achieve their goals. It assumes that the collective influence on these discursive strategies constrains the degree to which any one individual can establish a relationship of dominance. The foregrounding of discourse is important for this research, but only when it is integrated with the idea of “voice” which is based on an idea developed from Shohat and Stam. The concept of “voice” refers to the plurality of discourses individuals utilise to establish their own positions within any context. This helps to explain the dynamic nature of contexts with individual “voices” influencing the discourses of contexts by introducing elements of other discursive experiences. Taking a top-down approach, moving from the political agenda for funding to film makers and their strategies for funding application, this research foregrounds the importance of both the macropolitical and micropolitical insisting that while political and economic conditions have important consequences for funding the alignments established in the funding process are also influenced by a myriad of other social relationships. The research considers the discursive alignments involved in funding regimes of Creative New Zealand and the New Zealand Film Commission especially in terms of the contexts of the Screen Innovation Production Fund and the Talent Development Initiative. It outlines the different displacements and re-alignments that have occurred in these funding contexts. It concludes that the intersection of funding policy and film practice is an important area of research and illustrates the various ways these contexts play their own roles in the shaping of the actual films produced. This thesis also offers a method of researching the contexts of other related film practices such as the contexts of reception, critical interpretation, exhibition and marketing, and film pedagogy, and this is an approach suitable for other cultural practices outside the domain of film as it is useful in examining the ways contexts influence cultural artefacts.

text: Policy and practice: funding and strategies for short film in New Zealand 1994-1998 This research foregrounds funding influences on the strategies of short film practice in New Zealand. It seeks to connect the processes of policy and practice and the relationships of institutions and individuals as they impinge on short film. It also illustrates some of these processes as they jointly influence the types of short film that are finally produced. The research was based on the responses, from questionnaires and interviews, of over forty funders, producers and directors engaged in the relationships required for funding short film as well as an analysis of appropriate documents relevant to this funding area. The theoretical approach is context based and adapts Hall’s concept of articulation in conjunction with Wartenburg’s concept of alignment. Hall’s theory links the collective influences in a particular context without requiring a dominant determining element as a focus for explanation. This approach characterises short film practices as part of a cultural formation - a formation of contexts - and implies that there are different combinations of influences within each of these contexts. This group of contexts and their respective influences together shape the funding influences on the strategies of short film. Wartenburg theorises the nature of the collaborative relationships involved in the cultural contexts in terms of alignments and these focus on the mutual discursive relationships that are necessary in order for individuals or institutions to achieve their goals. It assumes that the collective influence on these discursive strategies constrains the degree to which any one individual can establish a relationship of dominance. The foregrounding of discourse is important for this research, but only when it is integrated with the idea of “voice” which is based on an idea developed from Shohat and Stam. The concept of “voice” refers to the plurality of discourses individuals utilise to establish their own positions within any context. This helps to explain the dynamic nature of contexts with individual “voices” influencing the discourses of contexts by introducing elements of other discursive experiences. Taking a top-down approach, moving from the political agenda for funding to film makers and their strategies for funding application, this research foregrounds the importance of both the macropolitical and micropolitical insisting that while political and economic conditions have important consequences for funding the alignments established in the funding process are also influenced by a myriad of other social relationships. The research considers the discursive alignments involved in funding regimes of Creative New Zealand and the New Zealand Film Commission especially in terms of the contexts of the Screen Innovation Production Fund and the Talent Development Initiative. It outlines the different displacements and re-alignments that have occurred in these funding contexts. It concludes that the intersection of funding policy and film practice is an important area of research and illustrates the various ways these contexts play their own roles in the shaping of the actual films produced. This thesis also offers a method of researching the contexts of other related film practices such as the contexts of reception, critical interpretation, exhibition and marketing, and film pedagogy, and this is an approach suitable for other cultural practices outside the domain of film as it is useful in examining the ways contexts influence cultural artefacts.

year: 1998

title: Improving water allocation law and policy in New Zealand: Lessons from Australia

authors: Singh-Ladhar, Jagdeepkaur

subjects: Water

abstract: The main research question in this thesis is what lessons can New Zealand learn from the Australian experience in water allocation? In order to answer this question the thesis first examines the current water allocation law and policy problems in New Zealand. New Zealand has problems with over allocation and a lack of mechanisms to transfer water. There are also more complex issues relating to the lack of systematic planning for water allocation across New Zealand catchments and the consequences of the “first come, first served” method of water allocation that applies under the administrative provisions of the Resource Management Act 1991.
Much of the water allocation literature has an economic or scientific perspective. For that reason the thesis also examines key terms such as “scarcity” in order to fully understand its various dimensions within the literature. The thesis also makes it clear that legal problems relating to how to regulate water allocation require legal analysis. Hence the economic and scientific literature inform the analysis but do not form the primary basis for the analysis. The method of analysis is conventional legal analysis between New Zealand and Australia.
The thesis continues by examining the key characteristics of the recent Australian water law reforms of the last 20 years. The analysis shows that implementing law reform for water allocation has been fraught with constitutional barriers as it tried to work across political state boundaries within the Murray Darling Basin. The Australian approach of co-operative federalism has played a key role in supporting the implementation of the reforms in the National Water Initiative 2004 and Water Act 2007 (Cth). The implementation of the reforms are also examined at the state level.
The analysis of the Australian water law reform provides a rich source of lessons for New Zealand. The analysis shows that Australian reform was based on firm legal foundations. There was independent oversight of the reform implementation by the National Water Commission. Water allocation information was recorded on a water register which could include information relating to water securities. The actual water allocation was aided by the creation of many water products. Water allocations could be distinguished on the basis of a right to receive water at a site, a delivery right to use water infrastructure, temporary allocations and allocation based on a percentage of the total amount of water available in a catchment. These innovative features of water law and policy ought to be considered as possible features to introduce in New Zealand water law.
There are also cautionary lessons from Australia. More recent reviews of the changes to water law reform, including the disestablishment of the National Water Commission, are critical of the Australian government in undermining the progress that has been made. Allegations of water theft and a lack of compliance monitoring are so serious that there has been a Royal Commission by the South Australian government. There is the potential that the reforms could be undermined significantly if state support falls. The lesson from New Zealand from these points is equally if not more important. It shows that regardless of how much is invested in water law reform, compliance and monitoring of water allocation need to be addressed urgently whenever the issue arises. New Zealand also has allegations of water theft and a lack of compliance with the water metering regulations. A strong compliance culture for measuring water takes is essential to the long-term success of water allocation law reform.

text: Improving water allocation law and policy in New Zealand: Lessons from Australia The main research question in this thesis is what lessons can New Zealand learn from the Australian experience in water allocation? In order to answer this question the thesis first examines the current water allocation law and policy problems in New Zealand. New Zealand has problems with over allocation and a lack of mechanisms to transfer water. There are also more complex issues relating to the lack of systematic planning for water allocation across New Zealand catchments and the consequences of the “first come, first served” method of water allocation that applies under the administrative provisions of the Resource Management Act 1991.
Much of the water allocation literature has an economic or scientific perspective. For that reason the thesis also examines key terms such as “scarcity” in order to fully understand its various dimensions within the literature. The thesis also makes it clear that legal problems relating to how to regulate water allocation require legal analysis. Hence the economic and scientific literature inform the analysis but do not form the primary basis for the analysis. The method of analysis is conventional legal analysis between New Zealand and Australia.
The thesis continues by examining the key characteristics of the recent Australian water law reforms of the last 20 years. The analysis shows that implementing law reform for water allocation has been fraught with constitutional barriers as it tried to work across political state boundaries within the Murray Darling Basin. The Australian approach of co-operative federalism has played a key role in supporting the implementation of the reforms in the National Water Initiative 2004 and Water Act 2007 (Cth). The implementation of the reforms are also examined at the state level.
The analysis of the Australian water law reform provides a rich source of lessons for New Zealand. The analysis shows that Australian reform was based on firm legal foundations. There was independent oversight of the reform implementation by the National Water Commission. Water allocation information was recorded on a water register which could include information relating to water securities. The actual water allocation was aided by the creation of many water products. Water allocations could be distinguished on the basis of a right to receive water at a site, a delivery right to use water infrastructure, temporary allocations and allocation based on a percentage of the total amount of water available in a catchment. These innovative features of water law and policy ought to be considered as possible features to introduce in New Zealand water law.
There are also cautionary lessons from Australia. More recent reviews of the changes to water law reform, including the disestablishment of the National Water Commission, are critical of the Australian government in undermining the progress that has been made. Allegations of water theft and a lack of compliance monitoring are so serious that there has been a Royal Commission by the South Australian government. There is the potential that the reforms could be undermined significantly if state support falls. The lesson from New Zealand from these points is equally if not more important. It shows that regardless of how much is invested in water law reform, compliance and monitoring of water allocation need to be addressed urgently whenever the issue arises. New Zealand also has allegations of water theft and a lack of compliance with the water metering regulations. A strong compliance culture for measuring water takes is essential to the long-term success of water allocation law reform.

year: 2019

title: He Pikinga Waiora: Supporting Maori health organisations to respond to pre-diabetes

authors: Beaton, Angela

subjects: Science & Technology

abstract: Background
Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) is a common long-term condition affecting the health and wellbeing of New Zealanders; one in every four New Zealanders is pre-diabetic. Māori, the Indigenous people of New Zealand, are at an increased risk of developing pre-diabetes and T2D and there are significant inequities between Māori and non-Māori for T2D complications. The purpose of this study was to explore the questions of how the strengths of Māori heath organisations may be leveraged, and how the barriers and constraints experienced by Māori health organisations may be negotiated, for the benefit of Māori; and from a systems perspective, to identify strategic opportunities that may be considered and applied by Māori health organisations, funders and policy makers to respond more effectively to pre-diabetes and reduce health inequities between Māori and non-Māori.

Methods
Utilising case study methodology, a range of data sources were triangulated including nine semi-structured interviews, documents, and a diabetes system map to identify possible strategic opportunities for key stakeholders to respond more effectively to pre-diabetes.

Results
Key themes and possible actions to improve health outcomes for Māori with pre-diabetes include: (1) Recognising Māori health organisations as conduits for the community voice and influential partners in the community to effect change; (2) Strengthened partnerships with Māori health organisations for community benefit and to support measurable, evidence-based change and service delivery, particularly when Māori knowledge systems are viewed alongside a Western scientific approach; and (3) Intersectoral integration of health and social services to support provision of whānau-centred care and influence the social determinants of health and local environment.
Conclusions
Māori health organisations are important actors in systems seeking to improve outcomes and eliminate health inequities. Support from funders and policy makers will be required to build on the strengths of these organisations and to overcome system challenges. To realise improved health outcomes for Māori, the value placed on whānau and community perspectives not only needs to be acknowledged in the implementation of health interventions, health and social policies and funding arrangements, but performance measures, service design and delivery must evolve to accommodate these perspectives in practice.

text: He Pikinga Waiora: Supporting Maori health organisations to respond to pre-diabetes Background
Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) is a common long-term condition affecting the health and wellbeing of New Zealanders; one in every four New Zealanders is pre-diabetic. Māori, the Indigenous people of New Zealand, are at an increased risk of developing pre-diabetes and T2D and there are significant inequities between Māori and non-Māori for T2D complications. The purpose of this study was to explore the questions of how the strengths of Māori heath organisations may be leveraged, and how the barriers and constraints experienced by Māori health organisations may be negotiated, for the benefit of Māori; and from a systems perspective, to identify strategic opportunities that may be considered and applied by Māori health organisations, funders and policy makers to respond more effectively to pre-diabetes and reduce health inequities between Māori and non-Māori.

Methods
Utilising case study methodology, a range of data sources were triangulated including nine semi-structured interviews, documents, and a diabetes system map to identify possible strategic opportunities for key stakeholders to respond more effectively to pre-diabetes.

Results
Key themes and possible actions to improve health outcomes for Māori with pre-diabetes include: (1) Recognising Māori health organisations as conduits for the community voice and influential partners in the community to effect change; (2) Strengthened partnerships with Māori health organisations for community benefit and to support measurable, evidence-based change and service delivery, particularly when Māori knowledge systems are viewed alongside a Western scientific approach; and (3) Intersectoral integration of health and social services to support provision of whānau-centred care and influence the social determinants of health and local environment.
Conclusions
Māori health organisations are important actors in systems seeking to improve outcomes and eliminate health inequities. Support from funders and policy makers will be required to build on the strengths of these organisations and to overcome system challenges. To realise improved health outcomes for Māori, the value placed on whānau and community perspectives not only needs to be acknowledged in the implementation of health interventions, health and social policies and funding arrangements, but performance measures, service design and delivery must evolve to accommodate these perspectives in practice.

year: 2019