title: Research note: Empirical analysis of ethnic pay gaps in New Zealand

authors: Cochrane, William

abstract: This research note explores the factors contributing to ethnic pay gaps in New Zealand. The emphasis here is on description, as a causal analysis is beyond the capability of the methods used. The gaps between the average (as well as median) hourly wages for the European workforce relative to Māori and Pacific workers are substantial. A statistical analysis by Treasury in 2018 also showed that the ratio in average hourly wages (based on published survey estimates by Stats NZ) for both ethnic groups relative to European had stayed at a similar level for the last decade; as they state “there has been movement from year to year but no consistent upward or downward trend” (Treasury, 2018, p.1).

text: Research note: Empirical analysis of ethnic pay gaps in New Zealand This research note explores the factors contributing to ethnic pay gaps in New Zealand. The emphasis here is on description, as a causal analysis is beyond the capability of the methods used. The gaps between the average (as well as median) hourly wages for the European workforce relative to Māori and Pacific workers are substantial. A statistical analysis by Treasury in 2018 also showed that the ratio in average hourly wages (based on published survey estimates by Stats NZ) for both ethnic groups relative to European had stayed at a similar level for the last decade; as they state “there has been movement from year to year but no consistent upward or downward trend” (Treasury, 2018, p.1).

year: 2023-10-19

title: Gendered geographies of resistance, resilience and reworking in Aotearoa feminist geography scholarship

authors: Adams-Hutcheson, Gail

abstract: Aotearoa New Zealand feminist geographies involve alliances of connected and vibrant researchers who pay close attention to the politics of knowledge production, power, intersectionality and decolonisation. Safe spaces to speak and write together have been nurtured over time ‘down under’ due to a collective politics of care and mentoring. This special issue demonstrates the strength of collective thinking on resistance, resilience and reworking contemporary geographical practice in Aotearoa. The four empirically based and theoretically informed articles develop new thinking about resistance to colonialism, patriarchy, racism, metricisation and oppression. These critical articles contribute to feminist geographical knowledges both locally and globally.

text: Gendered geographies of resistance, resilience and reworking in Aotearoa feminist geography scholarship Aotearoa New Zealand feminist geographies involve alliances of connected and vibrant researchers who pay close attention to the politics of knowledge production, power, intersectionality and decolonisation. Safe spaces to speak and write together have been nurtured over time ‘down under’ due to a collective politics of care and mentoring. This special issue demonstrates the strength of collective thinking on resistance, resilience and reworking contemporary geographical practice in Aotearoa. The four empirically based and theoretically informed articles develop new thinking about resistance to colonialism, patriarchy, racism, metricisation and oppression. These critical articles contribute to feminist geographical knowledges both locally and globally.

year: 2022-11-22

title: Analysis of Amino Acids in Mānuka Honey

authors: Lloyd, Alicia Marie

subjects: Amino acid

abstract: Honey, a natural product produced by honeybees, has a complex matrix of sugars proteins, minerals, vitamins, enzymes and free amino acids. Amino acids, obtained from the nectar of plants, account for 50-30 mg/kg of honey, the most abundant of which is proline, a secondary amino acid originating mainly from the haemolymph of bees.
Three methods were investigated for the analysis of amino acids in honey. The first used HPLC-UV with pre-column derivatisation, the second HPLC-MS with hydrophobic interaction chromatography, and finally HPLC-MS with aTRAQ™ derivatisation.
The HPLC-UV method involves derivatisation of amino acids by OPA-MPA and FMOC. A fully automated injection program analysed seventeen primary amino acids in 19 minutes. Ultimately, the detection by UV had inadequate sensitivity, and the secondary amino acid proline could not be detected. The method was rejected for these main reasons.
ZIC-pHILIC chromatography paired with LC-MS-MS gave high-quality separation of twenty one amino acids, detected using scheduled MRM, in 10 minutes. Amino acid recovery out of vial was low for the majority, this variation originating from sample preparation. In vial loss of amino acids could not be recovered and so investigation into the last method was initiated.
The final method used an aTRAQ™ kit which labels amino acids with a Δ8 reagent for analysis and also provides Δ0 labelled internal standards for comparison. Forty eight amino acids and internal standards can be accurately detected by MRM’s in 18 minutes. Sample preparation was optimised for honey and the method was validated.
The amino acid content of ten honeys were compared to values obtained from Massey University. Small differences in the majority of amino acids were observed. Mānuka and clover honeys from this data set were also compared, it was found that phenylalanine and tyrosine were at much higher concentrations in clover honey.
Seven mānuka honeys stored in different conditions, warm and cold, were analysed. Applied statistical analysis with the hypothesis that the warm honeys would have lower amino acid concentrations than the cold, found this to be true for seventeen amino acids. Glutamine and then lysine were at decreased concentrations after warm storage in the most honey samples.
The amino acid content of honey, analysed by this method can be used to investigate: botanical origin of honey, speed of honey production/harvest, effect on DHA conversion, inaccurate labelling, and sugar syrup addition.

text: Analysis of Amino Acids in Mānuka Honey Honey, a natural product produced by honeybees, has a complex matrix of sugars proteins, minerals, vitamins, enzymes and free amino acids. Amino acids, obtained from the nectar of plants, account for 50-30 mg/kg of honey, the most abundant of which is proline, a secondary amino acid originating mainly from the haemolymph of bees.
Three methods were investigated for the analysis of amino acids in honey. The first used HPLC-UV with pre-column derivatisation, the second HPLC-MS with hydrophobic interaction chromatography, and finally HPLC-MS with aTRAQ™ derivatisation.
The HPLC-UV method involves derivatisation of amino acids by OPA-MPA and FMOC. A fully automated injection program analysed seventeen primary amino acids in 19 minutes. Ultimately, the detection by UV had inadequate sensitivity, and the secondary amino acid proline could not be detected. The method was rejected for these main reasons.
ZIC-pHILIC chromatography paired with LC-MS-MS gave high-quality separation of twenty one amino acids, detected using scheduled MRM, in 10 minutes. Amino acid recovery out of vial was low for the majority, this variation originating from sample preparation. In vial loss of amino acids could not be recovered and so investigation into the last method was initiated.
The final method used an aTRAQ™ kit which labels amino acids with a Δ8 reagent for analysis and also provides Δ0 labelled internal standards for comparison. Forty eight amino acids and internal standards can be accurately detected by MRM’s in 18 minutes. Sample preparation was optimised for honey and the method was validated.
The amino acid content of ten honeys were compared to values obtained from Massey University. Small differences in the majority of amino acids were observed. Mānuka and clover honeys from this data set were also compared, it was found that phenylalanine and tyrosine were at much higher concentrations in clover honey.
Seven mānuka honeys stored in different conditions, warm and cold, were analysed. Applied statistical analysis with the hypothesis that the warm honeys would have lower amino acid concentrations than the cold, found this to be true for seventeen amino acids. Glutamine and then lysine were at decreased concentrations after warm storage in the most honey samples.
The amino acid content of honey, analysed by this method can be used to investigate: botanical origin of honey, speed of honey production/harvest, effect on DHA conversion, inaccurate labelling, and sugar syrup addition.

year: 2015