title: Variability of physical and biological parameters in Lake Taupo: Bio-fish survey 2004-5

authors: Hamilton, David P.

abstract: This project was initiated by the Lakes and Waterways Action Group (LWAG) in response to declining water quality of Lake Taupo (Gibbs, 2004). Information was sought on variability of physical and biological parameters across different parts of the lake particularly in relation to use of only one profiling site (Station A) or three profiling sites (Stations A, B, and C) used in previous studies (e.g. Gibbs, 2004). Furthermore, the Taupo District Council (TDC) has a concern that some taste and odour problems (e.g. geosmin) experienced in its water supply may be due to cyanobacteria that accumulate in the near-shore region where water supply intakes are located. The TDC also sought information about variability of phytoplankton biomass across Lake Taupo.

The objective of this study was to carry out a series of BIO-FISH transects of Lake Taupo, to observe the variability of temperature, chlorophyll a, dissolved oxygen and conductivity.

text: Variability of physical and biological parameters in Lake Taupo: Bio-fish survey 2004-5 This project was initiated by the Lakes and Waterways Action Group (LWAG) in response to declining water quality of Lake Taupo (Gibbs, 2004). Information was sought on variability of physical and biological parameters across different parts of the lake particularly in relation to use of only one profiling site (Station A) or three profiling sites (Stations A, B, and C) used in previous studies (e.g. Gibbs, 2004). Furthermore, the Taupo District Council (TDC) has a concern that some taste and odour problems (e.g. geosmin) experienced in its water supply may be due to cyanobacteria that accumulate in the near-shore region where water supply intakes are located. The TDC also sought information about variability of phytoplankton biomass across Lake Taupo.

The objective of this study was to carry out a series of BIO-FISH transects of Lake Taupo, to observe the variability of temperature, chlorophyll a, dissolved oxygen and conductivity.

year: 2005-12

title: Privileging our future hedonic states

authors: Weijers, Dan M.

abstract: As Parfit famously claims in Reasons and Persons, we would prefer to hear that our painful surgery is 5 hours long and finished than that it is 1 hour long and about to start. If true, this claim means that our judgments about the value of future suffering are very different to our judgements about past suffering. But, surely past and future suffering have (at least roughly) equal disvalue. Is this privileging of future suffering an irrational bias? I attempt to shed light on this question by reporting on severalexperiments on Parfit’s surgery case and a host of cases that assess the comparative value of past and future goods in various contexts. I will argue that the experimental data show that people (at least 2,000+ WEIRD undergraduate students from California and Waikato) exhibit judgments that routinely privilege future hedonic states for themselves, but not other people or for non-hedonic goods. I attempt to make sense of the results, but we are left with more questions than answers.

text: Privileging our future hedonic states As Parfit famously claims in Reasons and Persons, we would prefer to hear that our painful surgery is 5 hours long and finished than that it is 1 hour long and about to start. If true, this claim means that our judgments about the value of future suffering are very different to our judgements about past suffering. But, surely past and future suffering have (at least roughly) equal disvalue. Is this privileging of future suffering an irrational bias? I attempt to shed light on this question by reporting on severalexperiments on Parfit’s surgery case and a host of cases that assess the comparative value of past and future goods in various contexts. I will argue that the experimental data show that people (at least 2,000+ WEIRD undergraduate students from California and Waikato) exhibit judgments that routinely privilege future hedonic states for themselves, but not other people or for non-hedonic goods. I attempt to make sense of the results, but we are left with more questions than answers.

year: 2016

title: Māori and medications: What happens when the pills go home?

authors: Nikora, Linda Waimarie

subjects: Māori

abstract: Chronic illnesses are a feature of many Māori homescapes. These illnesses are often managed at home through the use of health technologies, particularly medications. This article explores the meanings given to medications and the use of this health technology in four Māori households. We use a range of qualitative methods to engage with householders and to document how medications are acculturated into Māori homescapes and everyday lives. From our discussions with householders about the procurement, storage, emplacement and administration of medications emerged five culturally patterned orientations to treating with medications. They are: 1) storage and administration practices that corresponded with the Māori hygiene practices of tapu (prohibited) and noa (permitted); 2) reminder strategies, or ngā pūrere whakamāharahara; 3) the enactment of the value of manaakitanga (kindness) in care relationships; 4) pōharatanga, or attitudes towards medication procurement and administration in households textured by low socio-economic status; and 5) rangatiratanga, the right of people to manage and make decisions about their own lives and health status. This study presents a view of how medications are acculturated into Māori homescapes, relationships and daily routines. The use of health technologies by health professionals to interrupt illness and improve quality of life must be cognisant of the cultural contexts into which medications are prescribed.

text: Māori and medications: What happens when the pills go home? Chronic illnesses are a feature of many Māori homescapes. These illnesses are often managed at home through the use of health technologies, particularly medications. This article explores the meanings given to medications and the use of this health technology in four Māori households. We use a range of qualitative methods to engage with householders and to document how medications are acculturated into Māori homescapes and everyday lives. From our discussions with householders about the procurement, storage, emplacement and administration of medications emerged five culturally patterned orientations to treating with medications. They are: 1) storage and administration practices that corresponded with the Māori hygiene practices of tapu (prohibited) and noa (permitted); 2) reminder strategies, or ngā pūrere whakamāharahara; 3) the enactment of the value of manaakitanga (kindness) in care relationships; 4) pōharatanga, or attitudes towards medication procurement and administration in households textured by low socio-economic status; and 5) rangatiratanga, the right of people to manage and make decisions about their own lives and health status. This study presents a view of how medications are acculturated into Māori homescapes, relationships and daily routines. The use of health technologies by health professionals to interrupt illness and improve quality of life must be cognisant of the cultural contexts into which medications are prescribed.

year: 2011