title: The role of coastal marae in natural hazard response and climate change adaptation

authors: Bailey-Winiata, Akuhata

abstract: Marae are much more than infrastructure. They are spiritual places and community hubs. Marae are often positioned in places that are known to be safe based on mātauranga a whānau/hapū/iwi (often more generally referred to as mātauranga Māori - Māori knowledge), and often near waterbodies including rivers/streams, estuaries, and the ocean. Although there are many advantages to living near waterbodies, such features are prone to natural hazards such as flooding and erosion. The impact of these hazards is being exacerbated by climate change and sea level rise.

Hapū and iwi in the past adapted to the impact of natural hazards, and continue to do so, and are now adapting to climate change through a carefully considered process informed by mātauranga Māori developed through generations of observations. Coastal adaptation is generally categorised into three broad types: 1) Protect, 2) Accommodate and 3) Retreat, and many coastal marae are already adapting across all these responses.

Heading into the future, marae are likely to play an increasingly important role for communities in Aotearoa New Zealand. They are examples of mātauranga in action and will continue to protect and shelter people from hazards and following disasters.

text: The role of coastal marae in natural hazard response and climate change adaptation Marae are much more than infrastructure. They are spiritual places and community hubs. Marae are often positioned in places that are known to be safe based on mātauranga a whānau/hapū/iwi (often more generally referred to as mātauranga Māori - Māori knowledge), and often near waterbodies including rivers/streams, estuaries, and the ocean. Although there are many advantages to living near waterbodies, such features are prone to natural hazards such as flooding and erosion. The impact of these hazards is being exacerbated by climate change and sea level rise.

Hapū and iwi in the past adapted to the impact of natural hazards, and continue to do so, and are now adapting to climate change through a carefully considered process informed by mātauranga Māori developed through generations of observations. Coastal adaptation is generally categorised into three broad types: 1) Protect, 2) Accommodate and 3) Retreat, and many coastal marae are already adapting across all these responses.

Heading into the future, marae are likely to play an increasingly important role for communities in Aotearoa New Zealand. They are examples of mātauranga in action and will continue to protect and shelter people from hazards and following disasters.

year: 2022-11

title: Historical translocations by Maori may explain the distribution and genetic structure of a threatened surf clam in Aotearoa (New Zealand)

authors: Ross, Philip M.

subjects: Science & Technology

abstract: The population genetic structure of toheroa (Paphies ventricosa), an Aotearoa (New Zealand) endemic surf clam, was assessed to determine levels of inter-population connectivity and test hypotheses regarding life history, habitat distribution and connectivity in coastal vs. estuarine taxa. Ninety-eight toheroa from populations across the length of New Zealand were sequenced for the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I gene with analyses suggesting a population genetic structure unique among New Zealand marine invertebrates. Toheroa genetic diversity was high in Te Ika-a Māui (the North Island of New Zealand) but completely lacking in the south of Te Waipounamu (the South Island), an indication of recent isolation. Changes in habitat availability, long distance dispersal events or translocation of toheroa to southern New Zealand by Māori could explain the observed geographic distribution of toheroa and their genetic diversity. Given that early-Māori and their ancestors, were adept at food cultivation and relocation, the toheroa translocation hypothesis is plausible and may explain the disjointed modern distribution of this species. Translocation would also explain the limited success in restoring what may in some cases be ecologically isolated populations located outside their natural distributions and preferred niches.

text: Historical translocations by Maori may explain the distribution and genetic structure of a threatened surf clam in Aotearoa (New Zealand) The population genetic structure of toheroa (Paphies ventricosa), an Aotearoa (New Zealand) endemic surf clam, was assessed to determine levels of inter-population connectivity and test hypotheses regarding life history, habitat distribution and connectivity in coastal vs. estuarine taxa. Ninety-eight toheroa from populations across the length of New Zealand were sequenced for the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I gene with analyses suggesting a population genetic structure unique among New Zealand marine invertebrates. Toheroa genetic diversity was high in Te Ika-a Māui (the North Island of New Zealand) but completely lacking in the south of Te Waipounamu (the South Island), an indication of recent isolation. Changes in habitat availability, long distance dispersal events or translocation of toheroa to southern New Zealand by Māori could explain the observed geographic distribution of toheroa and their genetic diversity. Given that early-Māori and their ancestors, were adept at food cultivation and relocation, the toheroa translocation hypothesis is plausible and may explain the disjointed modern distribution of this species. Translocation would also explain the limited success in restoring what may in some cases be ecologically isolated populations located outside their natural distributions and preferred niches.

year: 2018

title: An exploration of Board of Trustees' perceptions of their impact on student learning

authors: Sheterline, Richard Colin

subjects: boards of trustees

abstract: The radical changes within the Tomorrow’s Schools reforms came to fruition in 1989 amid much debate about the ideology that underpinned the change and the capability and roles of boards of trustees.  The roles of boards have evolved from a primary focus on compliance to the current focus on student achievement.  This has raised the question of whether trustees, individually or collectively, have an impact on student learning through their governance roles.
 
This small-scale study sets out to explore the perceptions of a small group of trustees.  It uses a qualitative framework, based on data from semi-structured interviews with ten trustees across five primary schools.  The interview data was supplemented with school and sector-based documentation.  The study sought of trustees their perceptions of their impact on student learning through an analysis of the data, and with consideration given to participants’ context. 

The literature review provides an historical review of Tomorrow’s Schools and outlines how boards are enabled, or constrained, by aspects of the governance model.

The findings of the study suggest that trustees perceived that they had both a direct and indirect impact on student learning.  It identified challenges for trustees related to the governance-management model, and how trustees understood student learning.  It highlighted a perceived lack of support for trustees and a need for improved quality and quantity of trustee training, as well as noting the influence of compliance on trustees’ thinking.

This study raises questions about the support that the current governance model provides for student learning and concludes with a range of recommendations for policy-makers and for future research.  It suggests that, in relation to student learning, Nash’s (1989) comment that the ‘jury is still out’ about the effectiveness of the model may still be valid.

text: An exploration of Board of Trustees' perceptions of their impact on student learning The radical changes within the Tomorrow’s Schools reforms came to fruition in 1989 amid much debate about the ideology that underpinned the change and the capability and roles of boards of trustees.  The roles of boards have evolved from a primary focus on compliance to the current focus on student achievement.  This has raised the question of whether trustees, individually or collectively, have an impact on student learning through their governance roles.
 
This small-scale study sets out to explore the perceptions of a small group of trustees.  It uses a qualitative framework, based on data from semi-structured interviews with ten trustees across five primary schools.  The interview data was supplemented with school and sector-based documentation.  The study sought of trustees their perceptions of their impact on student learning through an analysis of the data, and with consideration given to participants’ context. 

The literature review provides an historical review of Tomorrow’s Schools and outlines how boards are enabled, or constrained, by aspects of the governance model.

The findings of the study suggest that trustees perceived that they had both a direct and indirect impact on student learning.  It identified challenges for trustees related to the governance-management model, and how trustees understood student learning.  It highlighted a perceived lack of support for trustees and a need for improved quality and quantity of trustee training, as well as noting the influence of compliance on trustees’ thinking.

This study raises questions about the support that the current governance model provides for student learning and concludes with a range of recommendations for policy-makers and for future research.  It suggests that, in relation to student learning, Nash’s (1989) comment that the ‘jury is still out’ about the effectiveness of the model may still be valid.

year: 2013