title: A Study of the length weight relationships and diets of non-indigenous Poecillids in New Zealand geothermal Streams

authors: Houlihan, David

abstract: Poecillids are highly specialised and well adapted to surviving in highly undesirable conditions. Because of this they have been able to establish populations in many areas where have been released. There are two species of poecillids in New Zealand that have established populations in thermal waters. Sailfin mollies (Poecilia latapinna) are found the South Taupo wetlands near Tokaanu, and the Guppies (Poecilia reticulata) are found at multiple sites in and near Reporoa. These fish were known to have been present in New Zealand since at least the 1930s. However, there has been very little study carried out on their ecology in New Zealand. In order to fill this knowledge gap, a study was carried out to assess the approximate population numbers and the health of each of these species. As well as this it was unknown what exactly these species were feeding on in the thermal waters; therefore a gut analysis was carried out to find out which species of invertebrates if any are part of the diets. It was found that both species have very healthy populations in New Zealand thermal waters; as well as this their diets vary considerably between both species. The sex ratios for both species in New Zealand are quite different from those found in other feral populations. The current populations are found to be of reasonable size especially the Sailfin Mollies; which shows just how well adapted these species have become to the New Zealand conditions. Because of the apparent lack of knowledge of these species numbers and feeding habits in New Zealand and the well-known ability of these species to colonise new habitats; it is important to understand the current population health to allow for any potential management programs in the future.

text: A Study of the length weight relationships and diets of non-indigenous Poecillids in New Zealand geothermal Streams Poecillids are highly specialised and well adapted to surviving in highly undesirable conditions. Because of this they have been able to establish populations in many areas where have been released. There are two species of poecillids in New Zealand that have established populations in thermal waters. Sailfin mollies (Poecilia latapinna) are found the South Taupo wetlands near Tokaanu, and the Guppies (Poecilia reticulata) are found at multiple sites in and near Reporoa. These fish were known to have been present in New Zealand since at least the 1930s. However, there has been very little study carried out on their ecology in New Zealand. In order to fill this knowledge gap, a study was carried out to assess the approximate population numbers and the health of each of these species. As well as this it was unknown what exactly these species were feeding on in the thermal waters; therefore a gut analysis was carried out to find out which species of invertebrates if any are part of the diets. It was found that both species have very healthy populations in New Zealand thermal waters; as well as this their diets vary considerably between both species. The sex ratios for both species in New Zealand are quite different from those found in other feral populations. The current populations are found to be of reasonable size especially the Sailfin Mollies; which shows just how well adapted these species have become to the New Zealand conditions. Because of the apparent lack of knowledge of these species numbers and feeding habits in New Zealand and the well-known ability of these species to colonise new habitats; it is important to understand the current population health to allow for any potential management programs in the future.

year: 2016

title: Community understanding and preparedness for tsunami risk in the eastern North Island, New Zealand

authors: Pishief, Katharine Sophie

subjects: tsunami

abstract: The Indian Ocean tsunami on 26 December 2004 made many New Zealanders more aware of the devastating affects that a tsunami can have on coastal communities, and highlighted the need for people living in the coastal zone to be prepared for natural hazard events. The east coast of New Zealand is at high risk from both local and distantly generated tsunami, and Poverty Bay and Hawke Bay have been identified among the most at risk areas from tsunamis in the country. Three surveys were conducted between January and November 2006 to assess community understanding of, and preparedness for tsunami risk in the eastern North Island, New Zealand. These surveys were a camping ground visitor survey; a tourism sector preparedness survey; and the 2006 National Coastal Survey.
Findings of all three surveys show that the general public does not appear to have sufficient knowledge of tsunami risk in their area. Also, there does not appear to be adequate information on tsunamis available to the public. Understanding of official tsunami warnings was high amongst residents surveyed in the 2006 National Coastal Survey. However, it was low amongst visitors surveyed in the camping grounds, with the majority of camping ground survey respondents indicating that they do not know what makes up the New Zealand public notification system. It is encouraging to find that overall the public are aware of the correct actions to take in the event of a tsunami warning being issued.
Staff in hotels/motels in the Napier area were not well prepared for managing natural hazard events, with the majority of respondents having no training for dealing with emergencies, and none of those who had received training had received training for tsunami hazards.
It is recommended that steps be taken to better educate and prepare the public and tourism managers in eastern North Island communities. This will require not only public education but a range of activities that engage, empower and motivate at-risk communities to respond effectively and appropriately to tsunami warnings.

text: Community understanding and preparedness for tsunami risk in the eastern North Island, New Zealand The Indian Ocean tsunami on 26 December 2004 made many New Zealanders more aware of the devastating affects that a tsunami can have on coastal communities, and highlighted the need for people living in the coastal zone to be prepared for natural hazard events. The east coast of New Zealand is at high risk from both local and distantly generated tsunami, and Poverty Bay and Hawke Bay have been identified among the most at risk areas from tsunamis in the country. Three surveys were conducted between January and November 2006 to assess community understanding of, and preparedness for tsunami risk in the eastern North Island, New Zealand. These surveys were a camping ground visitor survey; a tourism sector preparedness survey; and the 2006 National Coastal Survey.
Findings of all three surveys show that the general public does not appear to have sufficient knowledge of tsunami risk in their area. Also, there does not appear to be adequate information on tsunamis available to the public. Understanding of official tsunami warnings was high amongst residents surveyed in the 2006 National Coastal Survey. However, it was low amongst visitors surveyed in the camping grounds, with the majority of camping ground survey respondents indicating that they do not know what makes up the New Zealand public notification system. It is encouraging to find that overall the public are aware of the correct actions to take in the event of a tsunami warning being issued.
Staff in hotels/motels in the Napier area were not well prepared for managing natural hazard events, with the majority of respondents having no training for dealing with emergencies, and none of those who had received training had received training for tsunami hazards.
It is recommended that steps be taken to better educate and prepare the public and tourism managers in eastern North Island communities. This will require not only public education but a range of activities that engage, empower and motivate at-risk communities to respond effectively and appropriately to tsunami warnings.

year: 2007

title: Food insecurity in urban New Zealand. The case of the Kopa family

authors: Graham, Rebekah Sarah

abstract: Poverty brings insecurity and chaos into the home, forcing families to develop strategies for navigating the difficulties of food insecurity. We document how one household, the Kopa family, responds to poverty in ad hoc and agentive ways that assist and hinder their attempts to keep themselves fed. This study is based on a series of eight qualitative interviews with family members, including photo-elicitation and go-along techniques, as well as extensive field notes from more casual research interactions such as shared meals. Our analysis demonstrates how food insecurity shapes this family’s culturally patterned social practices surrounding the procurement, consumption, and sharing of food.

text: Food insecurity in urban New Zealand. The case of the Kopa family Poverty brings insecurity and chaos into the home, forcing families to develop strategies for navigating the difficulties of food insecurity. We document how one household, the Kopa family, responds to poverty in ad hoc and agentive ways that assist and hinder their attempts to keep themselves fed. This study is based on a series of eight qualitative interviews with family members, including photo-elicitation and go-along techniques, as well as extensive field notes from more casual research interactions such as shared meals. Our analysis demonstrates how food insecurity shapes this family’s culturally patterned social practices surrounding the procurement, consumption, and sharing of food.

year: 2018