title: Adolescent Māori mothers experiences with social support during pregnancy, birth and motherhood and their participation in education

authors: Rawiri, Casey

subjects: social support

abstract: The purpose of this research was to investigate the role of social support in helping
adolescent Māori mothers cope with pregnancy, birth and motherhood, with a
particular emphasis on its role in enabling them to continue at school. The aim of this
research is to understand and make sense of these experiences and to perhaps identify
gaps within an individual's social network. The analysis and methodology of the
research was underpinned by a community psychology framework.
Nine interviews were conducted with young Māori women who had become pregnant
and continued with their pregnancy, all before the age of 20. The in depth interviews
included questions focusing on the young women learning of pregnancy, the
pregnancy, birth, caring for their child and their experiences with education and future
plans.
Negative experiences were usually those which involved unsupportive people.
Positive interactions were those where support, of all types, was offered and useful to
my participants and their children. Education was highlighted as the most effective
way of providing a better life for adolescent mothers and their children.
The research highlights the importance of social support and the continuation of
education. Combining the efforts of positive social networks and social support
services can improve the lives of adolescent Māori mothers and their children.

text: Adolescent Māori mothers experiences with social support during pregnancy, birth and motherhood and their participation in education The purpose of this research was to investigate the role of social support in helping
adolescent Māori mothers cope with pregnancy, birth and motherhood, with a
particular emphasis on its role in enabling them to continue at school. The aim of this
research is to understand and make sense of these experiences and to perhaps identify
gaps within an individual's social network. The analysis and methodology of the
research was underpinned by a community psychology framework.
Nine interviews were conducted with young Māori women who had become pregnant
and continued with their pregnancy, all before the age of 20. The in depth interviews
included questions focusing on the young women learning of pregnancy, the
pregnancy, birth, caring for their child and their experiences with education and future
plans.
Negative experiences were usually those which involved unsupportive people.
Positive interactions were those where support, of all types, was offered and useful to
my participants and their children. Education was highlighted as the most effective
way of providing a better life for adolescent mothers and their children.
The research highlights the importance of social support and the continuation of
education. Combining the efforts of positive social networks and social support
services can improve the lives of adolescent Māori mothers and their children.

year: 2007

title: Māori and kava: New drug fashion or re-engagement with 'kawa'?

authors: Aporosa, S. 'Apo'

subjects: kava

abstract: The Pacific “cultural keystone species” (Garibaldi & Turner, 2004, pp.1,5) kava is uniquely linked with notions of mana (spiritual power) and used to infuse efficacy into celebrations and life events. The drink, made from this potent icon of identity, brings on feelings of relaxation without marked euphoria, aiding clear-minded talanoa (discussion) to facilitate important and/or contentious dialogue. The sharing and drinking of kava as part of host/guest formalities is used in bringing about mutuality and unity (Aporosa, 2019). It is estimated there are more than 20,000 kava users in Aotearoa/New Zealand on an average Friday or Saturday night, with increasing interest and uptake of this indigenous drink by Māori. Crowley (1994) reports that the Māori word ‘kawa’, literally meaning ‘marae protocol’, has its linguistic foundations in ‘kava’ and the practices associated with this cultural keystone species. This paper explores that linguistic union to ask whether increased kava use by Māori has greater significance than simply a new interaction with a foreign drug substance. Further, due to the use of kava in facilitating talanoa (discussion), the possibility of kava playing a similar role for Māori is considered, one linked to ancestral Pacific connections aimed at assisting kōrero (talanoa), cultural connectedness and practice.

text: Māori and kava: New drug fashion or re-engagement with 'kawa'? The Pacific “cultural keystone species” (Garibaldi & Turner, 2004, pp.1,5) kava is uniquely linked with notions of mana (spiritual power) and used to infuse efficacy into celebrations and life events. The drink, made from this potent icon of identity, brings on feelings of relaxation without marked euphoria, aiding clear-minded talanoa (discussion) to facilitate important and/or contentious dialogue. The sharing and drinking of kava as part of host/guest formalities is used in bringing about mutuality and unity (Aporosa, 2019). It is estimated there are more than 20,000 kava users in Aotearoa/New Zealand on an average Friday or Saturday night, with increasing interest and uptake of this indigenous drink by Māori. Crowley (1994) reports that the Māori word ‘kawa’, literally meaning ‘marae protocol’, has its linguistic foundations in ‘kava’ and the practices associated with this cultural keystone species. This paper explores that linguistic union to ask whether increased kava use by Māori has greater significance than simply a new interaction with a foreign drug substance. Further, due to the use of kava in facilitating talanoa (discussion), the possibility of kava playing a similar role for Māori is considered, one linked to ancestral Pacific connections aimed at assisting kōrero (talanoa), cultural connectedness and practice.

year: 2019

title: Cumulative impacts assessment along a large river, using brown bullhead catfish (ameiurus nebulosus) populations

authors: West, David William

subjects: fish health

abstract: The effects of point-source and diffuse discharges on resident populations of brown bullhead catfish (Ameiurus nebulosus (LeSueur, 1819)) in the Waikato River (New Zealand) were assessed at sites both upstream and downstream of point-source discharges. At each site, the population parameters, relative abundance, age structure, and individual indices, such as condition factor, organ (gonad, liver, and spleen) to somatic weight ratios, and number and size of follicles per female, were assessed. Physiological (blood), biochemical (hepatic ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase [EROD] and plasma steroids), and other indicators (bile chemistry and liver metals) of exposure or response also were measured. No impacts on brown bullhead health were obvious at individual geothermal, municipal sewage, or thermal discharge sites or cumulatively along the river. Brown bullhead from the bleached kraft mill effluent site showed elevated levels of EROD, decreased numbers of red blood cells, increased numbers of white blood cells, and depressed levels of sex steroids. However, growth rates, condition factor, age structure, and gonadosomatic index suggest that discharges with significant heat or nutrients benefit catfish despite physiological impairment at one site. Consideration of brown bullhead population-level responses to discharges in a monitoring framework revealed three different population-level response patterns resulting from the point-source discharges.

text: Cumulative impacts assessment along a large river, using brown bullhead catfish (ameiurus nebulosus) populations The effects of point-source and diffuse discharges on resident populations of brown bullhead catfish (Ameiurus nebulosus (LeSueur, 1819)) in the Waikato River (New Zealand) were assessed at sites both upstream and downstream of point-source discharges. At each site, the population parameters, relative abundance, age structure, and individual indices, such as condition factor, organ (gonad, liver, and spleen) to somatic weight ratios, and number and size of follicles per female, were assessed. Physiological (blood), biochemical (hepatic ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase [EROD] and plasma steroids), and other indicators (bile chemistry and liver metals) of exposure or response also were measured. No impacts on brown bullhead health were obvious at individual geothermal, municipal sewage, or thermal discharge sites or cumulatively along the river. Brown bullhead from the bleached kraft mill effluent site showed elevated levels of EROD, decreased numbers of red blood cells, increased numbers of white blood cells, and depressed levels of sex steroids. However, growth rates, condition factor, age structure, and gonadosomatic index suggest that discharges with significant heat or nutrients benefit catfish despite physiological impairment at one site. Consideration of brown bullhead population-level responses to discharges in a monitoring framework revealed three different population-level response patterns resulting from the point-source discharges.

year: 2006