title: Natural Amenities and Age Related Population Change in New Zealand.

authors: Simone, Francisca Rosa

abstract: Modern day migration literature suggests that natural amenities play a significant role in attracting migrants and thereby influencing population change. Empirical studies however, often find natural amenities of little significance. It can be argued that these conflicting findings are a result of the empirical complexity of representing amenities as well as the way in which causal relationships have been identified. 

The effects of population change are not evenly distributed across New Zealand, with growth typically being focused on the main metropolitan areas, while other areas are experiencing population stagnation or decline. Queenstown is experiencing rapid population growth in all ages (with the exception of 20-29). This uncharacteristic migration is argued to partially be due to the regions high level of natural amenity. 

This study uses three separate natural amenity indices as well as proxies for the main migration related drivers of population change in order to answer our central question; Are natural amenities a significant factor in determining age related population change in New Zealand? Global and exploratory local models have been run for six age groups each representing a demographic group in New Zealand. While there is much room to improve these models in the future the local models have identified several significant areas in New Zealand where there is predominately a positive relationship between natural amenities and population change.

text: Natural Amenities and Age Related Population Change in New Zealand. Modern day migration literature suggests that natural amenities play a significant role in attracting migrants and thereby influencing population change. Empirical studies however, often find natural amenities of little significance. It can be argued that these conflicting findings are a result of the empirical complexity of representing amenities as well as the way in which causal relationships have been identified. 

The effects of population change are not evenly distributed across New Zealand, with growth typically being focused on the main metropolitan areas, while other areas are experiencing population stagnation or decline. Queenstown is experiencing rapid population growth in all ages (with the exception of 20-29). This uncharacteristic migration is argued to partially be due to the regions high level of natural amenity. 

This study uses three separate natural amenity indices as well as proxies for the main migration related drivers of population change in order to answer our central question; Are natural amenities a significant factor in determining age related population change in New Zealand? Global and exploratory local models have been run for six age groups each representing a demographic group in New Zealand. While there is much room to improve these models in the future the local models have identified several significant areas in New Zealand where there is predominately a positive relationship between natural amenities and population change.

year: 2016

title: Wave-frequency flows within a near-bed vegetation canopy

authors: Henderson, Stephen M.

subjects: Science & Technology

abstract: We study water flows and wave dissipation within near-bed pneumatophore canopies at the wave-exposed fringe of a mangrove forest on Cù Lao Dung Island, in the Mekong Delta. To evaluate canopy drag, the three-dimensional geometry of pneumatophore stems growing upward from the buried lateral roots of Sonneratia caseolaris mangroves was reconstructed from photogrammetric surveys. In cases where hydrodynamic measurements were obtained, up to 84 stems per square meter were observed, with stem heights <  0.6 m, and basal diameters 0.01–0.02 m. The parameter α =(frontal area of pneumatophores blocking the flow)/(canopy volume) ranged from zero to 1.8m−¹. Within-canopy water velocity displayed a phase lead and slight attenuation relative to above-canopy flows. The phase lead was frequency-dependent, ranging from 0 to 30 degrees at the frequencies of energetic waves ( >0.1 Hz), and up to 90 degrees at lower frequencies. A model is developed for wave-induced flows within the vertically variable canopy. Scaling suggests that acceleration-induced forces and vertical mixing were negligible at wave frequencies. Consistent with theory, drag-induced vertical variability in velocity scaled with ꓥ = Tw/(2πTf) , where Tw=wave period, Tf=2/(CD₍ₐ|ᵤ|₎) is the frictional time scale, CD≈2 is the drag coefficient, and  |ᵤ| is a typical flow speed. For fixed wave conditions ( |ᵤ| and Tw), theory predicts increasing dissipation with increasing vegetation density (i.e. increasing a), until a maximum is reached for order-one Λ. For larger Λ, within-canopy flow is so inhibited by drag that further increases in a reduce within-canopy dissipation. For observed cases, Λ≤0.38 at energetic wave frequencies, so wave dissipation near the forest edge is expected to increase with increasing pneumatophore canopy density. However, under different wave conditions, the most dense canopies may occasionally approach the dissipation maximum (Λ≈1). Predicted dissipation by the pneumatophore canopy was sufficient to attenuate most wave energy over distances slightly less (more) than 100 m into the marsh in 1 m (2 m) water depth.

text: Wave-frequency flows within a near-bed vegetation canopy We study water flows and wave dissipation within near-bed pneumatophore canopies at the wave-exposed fringe of a mangrove forest on Cù Lao Dung Island, in the Mekong Delta. To evaluate canopy drag, the three-dimensional geometry of pneumatophore stems growing upward from the buried lateral roots of Sonneratia caseolaris mangroves was reconstructed from photogrammetric surveys. In cases where hydrodynamic measurements were obtained, up to 84 stems per square meter were observed, with stem heights <  0.6 m, and basal diameters 0.01–0.02 m. The parameter α =(frontal area of pneumatophores blocking the flow)/(canopy volume) ranged from zero to 1.8m−¹. Within-canopy water velocity displayed a phase lead and slight attenuation relative to above-canopy flows. The phase lead was frequency-dependent, ranging from 0 to 30 degrees at the frequencies of energetic waves ( >0.1 Hz), and up to 90 degrees at lower frequencies. A model is developed for wave-induced flows within the vertically variable canopy. Scaling suggests that acceleration-induced forces and vertical mixing were negligible at wave frequencies. Consistent with theory, drag-induced vertical variability in velocity scaled with ꓥ = Tw/(2πTf) , where Tw=wave period, Tf=2/(CD₍ₐ|ᵤ|₎) is the frictional time scale, CD≈2 is the drag coefficient, and  |ᵤ| is a typical flow speed. For fixed wave conditions ( |ᵤ| and Tw), theory predicts increasing dissipation with increasing vegetation density (i.e. increasing a), until a maximum is reached for order-one Λ. For larger Λ, within-canopy flow is so inhibited by drag that further increases in a reduce within-canopy dissipation. For observed cases, Λ≤0.38 at energetic wave frequencies, so wave dissipation near the forest edge is expected to increase with increasing pneumatophore canopy density. However, under different wave conditions, the most dense canopies may occasionally approach the dissipation maximum (Λ≈1). Predicted dissipation by the pneumatophore canopy was sufficient to attenuate most wave energy over distances slightly less (more) than 100 m into the marsh in 1 m (2 m) water depth.

year: 2017

title: Blood Quantum  “A Pūrākau approach to understanding the impact of ‘Blood Quantum’ in Māori Identity”

authors: Edwards, Alvina Jean

subjects: Blood quantum

abstract: “The master’s tools will never dismantle the master’s house” (Lorde, 1984, p.94)

This thesis begins and ends with being Ngāi Tahu, the two fundamental questions that generated this topic are: Who determines Indigenous legal identity? Who defines tribal membership and affiliation? Although the idea of defining Indigenous Peoples, for political purposes originated in colonial times, the complications, and complexities of defining who an Indigenous individual remains a truly contentious issue. This thesis will draw on the Indigenous Māori methodology of pūrākau, or story work for its structure and method to explore the above questions relating to Indigenous identity. The pūrākau approach enables the research to harness mātauranga Māori knowledge such as whakapapa and korero tuku iho alongside western thought, which is now inked in academic disciplines such as in the study of law. This thesis explores notions such as Indigenous ‘blood’ and our Indigenous ‘DNA.’ It is argued that to understand the history, the politics, the laws of blood quantum and DNA, it is important to understand the mind of the coloniser and the tools they continue to use. 

The study of blood quantum has become an important aspect of the tino rangatiratanga (self-determination) of many Indigenous peoples. From a historical and cultural perspective, blood quantum standards divide and alienate communities, and perpetuate a discourse that promotes internalised self-hatred, alienation, and fractionation. This research will develop pūrākau as a pedagogy through creating learning tools. These new learning tools will counteract the possibility of our Indigenous Peoples from being trapped within these social constructions. The thesis will explore possible self-determination techniques which emphasize pūrākau in establishing identity through creating a journey of recovery through the application of pūrākau in decolonising blood quantum ideology. Ultimately, Indigenous Peoples of Canada, New Zealand and the United States of America need to be the ones in control of their identity, tribal affiliation, cultural continuity, destiny, and the way they are legally defined.

Let's reclaim our stolen tools (Lorde, 1979)

text: Blood Quantum  “A Pūrākau approach to understanding the impact of ‘Blood Quantum’ in Māori Identity” “The master’s tools will never dismantle the master’s house” (Lorde, 1984, p.94)

This thesis begins and ends with being Ngāi Tahu, the two fundamental questions that generated this topic are: Who determines Indigenous legal identity? Who defines tribal membership and affiliation? Although the idea of defining Indigenous Peoples, for political purposes originated in colonial times, the complications, and complexities of defining who an Indigenous individual remains a truly contentious issue. This thesis will draw on the Indigenous Māori methodology of pūrākau, or story work for its structure and method to explore the above questions relating to Indigenous identity. The pūrākau approach enables the research to harness mātauranga Māori knowledge such as whakapapa and korero tuku iho alongside western thought, which is now inked in academic disciplines such as in the study of law. This thesis explores notions such as Indigenous ‘blood’ and our Indigenous ‘DNA.’ It is argued that to understand the history, the politics, the laws of blood quantum and DNA, it is important to understand the mind of the coloniser and the tools they continue to use. 

The study of blood quantum has become an important aspect of the tino rangatiratanga (self-determination) of many Indigenous peoples. From a historical and cultural perspective, blood quantum standards divide and alienate communities, and perpetuate a discourse that promotes internalised self-hatred, alienation, and fractionation. This research will develop pūrākau as a pedagogy through creating learning tools. These new learning tools will counteract the possibility of our Indigenous Peoples from being trapped within these social constructions. The thesis will explore possible self-determination techniques which emphasize pūrākau in establishing identity through creating a journey of recovery through the application of pūrākau in decolonising blood quantum ideology. Ultimately, Indigenous Peoples of Canada, New Zealand and the United States of America need to be the ones in control of their identity, tribal affiliation, cultural continuity, destiny, and the way they are legally defined.

Let's reclaim our stolen tools (Lorde, 1979)

year: 2020