title: Oceans away: Sri Lankan migrants in New Zealand - Explorations of hybrid identities, distance & everyday material practices

authors: Cassim, Shemana

subjects: migration

abstract: The past 50 years have seen a remarkable increase in migration, with more people moving than ever before. In New Zealand, foreign born peoples comprised over a quarter of the population in 2013, most of whom were from Asian countries, including Sri Lanka. These developments necessitate more culture specific research with these migrant communities in order to gain a greater understanding of their settlement experiences. Accordingly, this thesis explores the ways in which eight households of Sri Lankan migrants living in New Zealand, navigate distance (geographical, social and imagined), and establish a sense of continuity between the here (host nation) and there (country of origin). I demonstrate that migrant settlement and negotiations of belonging in their new homes are more complex and dynamic than what is indicated in previous research. The theoretical framework for this research is informed by ethnography, narrative and social practice theory, complemented by indigenous research perspectives and participatory methods. Particular attention is paid to migrants’ complex and fluid cultural identities, their negotiations of space and place, material practices and objects of significance. First, this research delves into the notion of hybrid identities, and argues for the need to acknowledge both the historical and current contexts that shape migrants’ cultural identities. Second, I emphasise that spaces and places are not mere backdrops in the everyday lives of migrants. Rather, public, domestic and mediated spaces can provide transnational links between the here and there. Such spaces are actively constructed and defined by the people inhabiting them, and thus play an important role in facilitating a sense of belonging in a foreign country. Third, I explore the centrality of food related material practices to the (re)establishment of a sense of normality, familiarity and stability in migrants’ everyday lives. The present research provides a rich understanding of migrant experiences, from which to argue that migrants’ everyday lives span not only localised or national borders, but also the past, present and future. This research foregrounds the agency and resilience of migrants, and acknowledges the complexities of everyday life.

text: Oceans away: Sri Lankan migrants in New Zealand - Explorations of hybrid identities, distance & everyday material practices The past 50 years have seen a remarkable increase in migration, with more people moving than ever before. In New Zealand, foreign born peoples comprised over a quarter of the population in 2013, most of whom were from Asian countries, including Sri Lanka. These developments necessitate more culture specific research with these migrant communities in order to gain a greater understanding of their settlement experiences. Accordingly, this thesis explores the ways in which eight households of Sri Lankan migrants living in New Zealand, navigate distance (geographical, social and imagined), and establish a sense of continuity between the here (host nation) and there (country of origin). I demonstrate that migrant settlement and negotiations of belonging in their new homes are more complex and dynamic than what is indicated in previous research. The theoretical framework for this research is informed by ethnography, narrative and social practice theory, complemented by indigenous research perspectives and participatory methods. Particular attention is paid to migrants’ complex and fluid cultural identities, their negotiations of space and place, material practices and objects of significance. First, this research delves into the notion of hybrid identities, and argues for the need to acknowledge both the historical and current contexts that shape migrants’ cultural identities. Second, I emphasise that spaces and places are not mere backdrops in the everyday lives of migrants. Rather, public, domestic and mediated spaces can provide transnational links between the here and there. Such spaces are actively constructed and defined by the people inhabiting them, and thus play an important role in facilitating a sense of belonging in a foreign country. Third, I explore the centrality of food related material practices to the (re)establishment of a sense of normality, familiarity and stability in migrants’ everyday lives. The present research provides a rich understanding of migrant experiences, from which to argue that migrants’ everyday lives span not only localised or national borders, but also the past, present and future. This research foregrounds the agency and resilience of migrants, and acknowledges the complexities of everyday life.

year: 2017

title: The Value of Irrigation Water in New Zealand

authors: Kravchenko, Alexey

subjects: irrigation

abstract: The aim of this thesis is to examine issues pertaining to freshwater quantity in New Zealand agriculture. Currently, freshwater is managed under the Resource Management Act (1991) and the allocation system is essentially on a “first-come first-served” basis – whoever gains access to water rights first blocks out subsequent users, if catchment allocation limits have been reached.   One of the recommendations from a government taskforce engaged to look at the issues of freshwater management suggests that market mechanisms or charges could be viable options of demand management. For any such market or price mechanism to work, it is imperative to know the value of irrigation water in New Zealand as well as to understand wider economic ramifications of establishing such mechanisms. Currently, there is relatively little research concerning these issues and this thesis aims to fill this research gap. The methodologies used include an econometric analysis of dairy farm panel data, a stated choice experiment of irrigation consent holders and a computable general equilibrium [CGE] analysis. In addition to filling the research gap, this thesis also aims to provide improvements in each of the methodologies used. Panel data analysis imputes the water demand function without actual data on water through examining the relationship between milksolid production and output-weighted expected payout – a unique dairy price index developed that more accurately reflects farmers’ incentives than the final payout. The choice modelling section pays particular attention to the issue of attribute non-attendance [ANA], eexamining  its effects on model outputs and compares methods of data collection on ANA. The main findings of the survey suggest that the majority of farmers would be willing to pay for water instead of facing an abstraction ban. In terms of ANA, the results indicate that not accounting for ANA, particularly if it is due to heuristics or respondent fatigue, may significantly bias the welfare estimates and decrease statistical significance. A novel calibration method is presented to negate the ANA bias. Finally, the CGE modelling work modifies the well-known GTAP model to include water as factor of production, as well as to disaggregate the results to a regional level within the New Zealand economy. The findings indicate strong interconnectedness between sectors and regions, with policies in one region having the potential to affect economic activity and resource demand in other regions.

text: The Value of Irrigation Water in New Zealand The aim of this thesis is to examine issues pertaining to freshwater quantity in New Zealand agriculture. Currently, freshwater is managed under the Resource Management Act (1991) and the allocation system is essentially on a “first-come first-served” basis – whoever gains access to water rights first blocks out subsequent users, if catchment allocation limits have been reached.   One of the recommendations from a government taskforce engaged to look at the issues of freshwater management suggests that market mechanisms or charges could be viable options of demand management. For any such market or price mechanism to work, it is imperative to know the value of irrigation water in New Zealand as well as to understand wider economic ramifications of establishing such mechanisms. Currently, there is relatively little research concerning these issues and this thesis aims to fill this research gap. The methodologies used include an econometric analysis of dairy farm panel data, a stated choice experiment of irrigation consent holders and a computable general equilibrium [CGE] analysis. In addition to filling the research gap, this thesis also aims to provide improvements in each of the methodologies used. Panel data analysis imputes the water demand function without actual data on water through examining the relationship between milksolid production and output-weighted expected payout – a unique dairy price index developed that more accurately reflects farmers’ incentives than the final payout. The choice modelling section pays particular attention to the issue of attribute non-attendance [ANA], eexamining  its effects on model outputs and compares methods of data collection on ANA. The main findings of the survey suggest that the majority of farmers would be willing to pay for water instead of facing an abstraction ban. In terms of ANA, the results indicate that not accounting for ANA, particularly if it is due to heuristics or respondent fatigue, may significantly bias the welfare estimates and decrease statistical significance. A novel calibration method is presented to negate the ANA bias. Finally, the CGE modelling work modifies the well-known GTAP model to include water as factor of production, as well as to disaggregate the results to a regional level within the New Zealand economy. The findings indicate strong interconnectedness between sectors and regions, with policies in one region having the potential to affect economic activity and resource demand in other regions.

year: 2016

title: He Taonga te Ta Moko ki Tauranga Moana: A survey of attitudes, opinions, whakāro noa iho, towards ta moko during the Tauranga Moana, Tauranga Tangata Festival (Labour Weekend 2002)

authors: Cairns, Puawai

subjects: Maori

abstract: During Labour Weekend (26 – 28 October 2002) in Tauranga, a celebration called
the Tauranga Moana, Tauranga Tangata Festival was held. The festival
represented the artists, kapa haka, lectures, sports, and personalities of Tauranga
Moana. It was during this festival that a ta moko survey was conducted, with the
support of the lead ta moko artist there, with the aim to canvass opinions and
attitudes towards ta moko. The basis of the survey was to broadly examine the
extent to which ta moko has become a form of inscribed identity for Māori. This is
a first stage in a wider research project to examine Māori attitudes towards ta
moko, but it happens that this initial step was taken in the author’s own rohe.

text: He Taonga te Ta Moko ki Tauranga Moana: A survey of attitudes, opinions, whakāro noa iho, towards ta moko during the Tauranga Moana, Tauranga Tangata Festival (Labour Weekend 2002) During Labour Weekend (26 – 28 October 2002) in Tauranga, a celebration called
the Tauranga Moana, Tauranga Tangata Festival was held. The festival
represented the artists, kapa haka, lectures, sports, and personalities of Tauranga
Moana. It was during this festival that a ta moko survey was conducted, with the
support of the lead ta moko artist there, with the aim to canvass opinions and
attitudes towards ta moko. The basis of the survey was to broadly examine the
extent to which ta moko has become a form of inscribed identity for Māori. This is
a first stage in a wider research project to examine Māori attitudes towards ta
moko, but it happens that this initial step was taken in the author’s own rohe.

year: 2003