title: Refugee status and religious conversion: The significance of refugee appeal number 76204

authors: Tennent, Douglas

abstract: Doug Tennent from Waikato University considers the effect of adverse findings of credibility in a refugee claim involving religious conversion and cautions the need for support agencies to act with care when assisting people with refugee determinations

text: Refugee status and religious conversion: The significance of refugee appeal number 76204 Doug Tennent from Waikato University considers the effect of adverse findings of credibility in a refugee claim involving religious conversion and cautions the need for support agencies to act with care when assisting people with refugee determinations

year: 2010

title: Uncovering meanings: The discourses of New Zealand secondary teachers in context

authors: Alcorn, Noeline

subjects: context

abstract: Recent official policy discourses on student achievement have stressed the importance of teachers and the impact that effective teaching can have on student life chances and on national economic performance. There is also a body of research on the way teaching and learning are affected by school context. This article discusses research designed to investigate how and to what extent the contextual features of schools impacted on the beliefs New Zealand secondary teachers and principals held about teaching and learning, the extent to which they believed their agency could influence outcomes for their students, and the aspirations and goals they pursued. We interviewed principals and teachers in six secondary schools, two each in high, mid and low socio-economic areas. The findings show considerable commonality in teachers' pedagogical discourses and that the rhetoric of formal policy discourses is pervasive and normalized in schools. All the teachers believed they could make a difference to student achievement and life chances, tried to address diversity among their student bodies, and saw success as much wider than academic achievement. Concurrently we found that the institutional habitus of each school largely determined how discourses were enacted and that relationships, confidence, student-centredness and success were interpreted differently between schools. We argue that these differences must be taken into account if school policies and interventions are to be successful.

text: Uncovering meanings: The discourses of New Zealand secondary teachers in context Recent official policy discourses on student achievement have stressed the importance of teachers and the impact that effective teaching can have on student life chances and on national economic performance. There is also a body of research on the way teaching and learning are affected by school context. This article discusses research designed to investigate how and to what extent the contextual features of schools impacted on the beliefs New Zealand secondary teachers and principals held about teaching and learning, the extent to which they believed their agency could influence outcomes for their students, and the aspirations and goals they pursued. We interviewed principals and teachers in six secondary schools, two each in high, mid and low socio-economic areas. The findings show considerable commonality in teachers' pedagogical discourses and that the rhetoric of formal policy discourses is pervasive and normalized in schools. All the teachers believed they could make a difference to student achievement and life chances, tried to address diversity among their student bodies, and saw success as much wider than academic achievement. Concurrently we found that the institutional habitus of each school largely determined how discourses were enacted and that relationships, confidence, student-centredness and success were interpreted differently between schools. We argue that these differences must be taken into account if school policies and interventions are to be successful.

year: 2012

title: Why do Maori Disconnect?  From their tikanga and legal associated rights and responsibilities within a contemporary world

authors: Jones, Mary Te Kuini

subjects: Ahi Kaa

abstract: This thesis examines some of the reasons why Māori disconnect from their legal and tikanga rights and responsibilities within the contemporary world of today.  The aim of this research project is to identify some of the associated rights and responsibilities of Māori - as land owners, shareholders, Whānau, hapū and tribal members.  Whilst it seeks to reveal some of the desires and visions of the interview participants, the objective is not to seek resolution.  The focus is to identify what deters or dissuades owners from returning and/or participating.  It also seeks to identify whether the assumption or label of disconnection is a reality or myth. 

‘Māori Diaspora’ particularly refers to the substantial increase in outward migration (also referred to as out migration) of Māori leaving New Zealand, and more significantly migrating to Australia, which was in direct response to the neo-liberal reforms of the late 1980’s (Smith L. , 2006).   With the New Zealand government refusing to acknowledge the negative impact their legislation and policy had on Māori, they continued to introduce new systems that were ultimately designed to push many to breaking point.  
Māori who could no longer bear the cumulative effects of such oppression emigrated in search of better economic opportunities and a higher standard of living for their families.  Meanwhile, back home in Aotearoa, the Māori Diaspora left behind a complex set of problems in its wake with diminishing hapū and tribal members driven from their homeland who are gradually becoming dis-connected and estranged from their whenua tipu.   

Whilst repatriation is an uncomfortable topic for many Māori who wish to retain their overseas residency, many continue to dismiss the compounding effects of their absence and the heavy burden carried by those who remain in Aotearoa to keep the home fires burning (or the ‘ahi kaa’).

text: Why do Maori Disconnect?  From their tikanga and legal associated rights and responsibilities within a contemporary world This thesis examines some of the reasons why Māori disconnect from their legal and tikanga rights and responsibilities within the contemporary world of today.  The aim of this research project is to identify some of the associated rights and responsibilities of Māori - as land owners, shareholders, Whānau, hapū and tribal members.  Whilst it seeks to reveal some of the desires and visions of the interview participants, the objective is not to seek resolution.  The focus is to identify what deters or dissuades owners from returning and/or participating.  It also seeks to identify whether the assumption or label of disconnection is a reality or myth. 

‘Māori Diaspora’ particularly refers to the substantial increase in outward migration (also referred to as out migration) of Māori leaving New Zealand, and more significantly migrating to Australia, which was in direct response to the neo-liberal reforms of the late 1980’s (Smith L. , 2006).   With the New Zealand government refusing to acknowledge the negative impact their legislation and policy had on Māori, they continued to introduce new systems that were ultimately designed to push many to breaking point.  
Māori who could no longer bear the cumulative effects of such oppression emigrated in search of better economic opportunities and a higher standard of living for their families.  Meanwhile, back home in Aotearoa, the Māori Diaspora left behind a complex set of problems in its wake with diminishing hapū and tribal members driven from their homeland who are gradually becoming dis-connected and estranged from their whenua tipu.   

Whilst repatriation is an uncomfortable topic for many Māori who wish to retain their overseas residency, many continue to dismiss the compounding effects of their absence and the heavy burden carried by those who remain in Aotearoa to keep the home fires burning (or the ‘ahi kaa’).

year: 2018