title: Distribution of mine waste along the Waihou River flood plains

authors: Ahmed, Tofeeq

abstract: Solid waste production, in the form of mine tailings, is the result of mining of natural mineral resources. The Ohinemuri River tributary of the Waihou River was designated as an official sludge channel during the period of mining operations in the catchment as an official sludge channel during the mining period for mining operations in the catchment in 1895. The 1910 Commission recommended it be revoked and only “slimes” be discharged under a range of restrictions. Essentially processing technology had changed by 1910 and it was no longer necessary to discharge most of the waste. However, the designation remained in place as an official sludge channel during the mining period for mining operations in the catchment. Mine waste included metals such as: copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Manganese (Mn), Lead (Pb) and Arsenic (As). Regular flooding of the Ohinemuri and Waihou Rivers resulted in the rivers overtopping their banks and dispersing mine waste into the floodplain areas. The result was dispersion of metal contaminants in the Waihou River catchment area. The effects of this regular flooding had an adverse effect on stocks. The flooding destroyed the crops, the slimes and sludge from flood damaged grass paddocks. The cyanide sludge destroyed the fish stock in the lower Ohinemuri River and upper Waihou River. This continued until stop-banks were installed to reduce the occurrence of overbank flooding, mostly long after any mining disposal had ceased. It was assumed that the heavy metals were migrating downstream. However, recent studies show no strong evidence of downstream migration of contaminated sediments in the Waihou River to the Firth of Thames. This research will investigate the heavy metal concentration along the Waihou River floodplain by mapping metal concentrations from mine waste.
Field sampling has found that the mine waste has not travelled far beyond Paeroa and is concentrated on the flood plains. Some sample sites have levels of contaminants that exceed the thresholds for chronic toxicity. These results are consistent with research limited to the immediate vicinity of the river channel.
Key words: Waihou River, Ohinemuri River, mine tailings, heavy metals, contaminated sediments.

text: Distribution of mine waste along the Waihou River flood plains Solid waste production, in the form of mine tailings, is the result of mining of natural mineral resources. The Ohinemuri River tributary of the Waihou River was designated as an official sludge channel during the period of mining operations in the catchment as an official sludge channel during the mining period for mining operations in the catchment in 1895. The 1910 Commission recommended it be revoked and only “slimes” be discharged under a range of restrictions. Essentially processing technology had changed by 1910 and it was no longer necessary to discharge most of the waste. However, the designation remained in place as an official sludge channel during the mining period for mining operations in the catchment. Mine waste included metals such as: copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Manganese (Mn), Lead (Pb) and Arsenic (As). Regular flooding of the Ohinemuri and Waihou Rivers resulted in the rivers overtopping their banks and dispersing mine waste into the floodplain areas. The result was dispersion of metal contaminants in the Waihou River catchment area. The effects of this regular flooding had an adverse effect on stocks. The flooding destroyed the crops, the slimes and sludge from flood damaged grass paddocks. The cyanide sludge destroyed the fish stock in the lower Ohinemuri River and upper Waihou River. This continued until stop-banks were installed to reduce the occurrence of overbank flooding, mostly long after any mining disposal had ceased. It was assumed that the heavy metals were migrating downstream. However, recent studies show no strong evidence of downstream migration of contaminated sediments in the Waihou River to the Firth of Thames. This research will investigate the heavy metal concentration along the Waihou River floodplain by mapping metal concentrations from mine waste.
Field sampling has found that the mine waste has not travelled far beyond Paeroa and is concentrated on the flood plains. Some sample sites have levels of contaminants that exceed the thresholds for chronic toxicity. These results are consistent with research limited to the immediate vicinity of the river channel.
Key words: Waihou River, Ohinemuri River, mine tailings, heavy metals, contaminated sediments.

year: 2019

title: Towards understanding models for statistical literacy: A literature review.

authors: Sharma, Sashi

subjects: statistics education

abstract: Despite statistical literacy being relatively new in statistics education research, it needs special attention as attempts are being made to enhance the teaching, learning and assessing of this strand. It is important that teachers are aware of the challenges of teaching this literacy. The growing importance of statistics in today's information world and conceptions and components of statistical literacy are outlined. Frameworks for developing statistical literacy from research literature are considered next. Strengths and weaknesses of the models are considered. Examples of tasks used in statistics education research are provided to explain the levels of thinking. The paper concludes with some implications for teaching and research.

text: Towards understanding models for statistical literacy: A literature review. Despite statistical literacy being relatively new in statistics education research, it needs special attention as attempts are being made to enhance the teaching, learning and assessing of this strand. It is important that teachers are aware of the challenges of teaching this literacy. The growing importance of statistics in today's information world and conceptions and components of statistical literacy are outlined. Frameworks for developing statistical literacy from research literature are considered next. Strengths and weaknesses of the models are considered. Examples of tasks used in statistics education research are provided to explain the levels of thinking. The paper concludes with some implications for teaching and research.

year: 2010

title: Young Māori mothers and bed-sharing with their pēpi/baby: A case study focusing on the relevance and influence of three varying health promotion resources

authors: Haereroa, Nikki M.

subjects: Māori

abstract: Māori Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI) rates are significantly higher than non-Māori. Bed-sharing is considered to be one of the major modifiable risk factors associated with SUDI rates (Mitchell et al., 1992), although there is strong opposition that suggests bed-sharing can act as a preventative measure against SUDI (McKenna & McDade, 2005). As a result of quantitative research and statistical data, many health promotion messages now focus on discouraging the practice of bed-sharing, whether it be through policy implementation throughout hospitals or through to health promotion guidelines. Although there is a high incidence of Māori SUDI rates, there has been little emphasis on Māori perspectives and insights into the practice. Of the few qualitative studies that focus on infant sleep practices, a significant finding is the high prevalence of Māori who bed-share regularly (Tipene-Leach et al., 2010). This paper will investigate the motivations and rationale of bed-sharing amongst young urban Māori mothers to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation into the lived realities of this group. The lack of consultation with a group that has been classed by New Zealand Government bodies, the Health Quality and Safety Commission and Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee Group, as ‘most at risk’ of experiencing a SUDI, maybe a contributing factor to the high Māori SUDI rates. This has brought about the question of whether current health resources are relevant and/or influence young Māori mothers. Using a Te Whare Tapa Wha framework within a Kaupapa Māori Research methodology, this paper provides a unique and much-needed perspective into the lives of young Māori mothers. The purpose of this research overall is: if health resources and messages are not relevant to a community and they have little or no influence over infant care practices, then do health professionals and researchers need to rethink current strategies and working models to ensure we focus on the real, lived needs of our community?

text: Young Māori mothers and bed-sharing with their pēpi/baby: A case study focusing on the relevance and influence of three varying health promotion resources Māori Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI) rates are significantly higher than non-Māori. Bed-sharing is considered to be one of the major modifiable risk factors associated with SUDI rates (Mitchell et al., 1992), although there is strong opposition that suggests bed-sharing can act as a preventative measure against SUDI (McKenna & McDade, 2005). As a result of quantitative research and statistical data, many health promotion messages now focus on discouraging the practice of bed-sharing, whether it be through policy implementation throughout hospitals or through to health promotion guidelines. Although there is a high incidence of Māori SUDI rates, there has been little emphasis on Māori perspectives and insights into the practice. Of the few qualitative studies that focus on infant sleep practices, a significant finding is the high prevalence of Māori who bed-share regularly (Tipene-Leach et al., 2010). This paper will investigate the motivations and rationale of bed-sharing amongst young urban Māori mothers to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation into the lived realities of this group. The lack of consultation with a group that has been classed by New Zealand Government bodies, the Health Quality and Safety Commission and Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee Group, as ‘most at risk’ of experiencing a SUDI, maybe a contributing factor to the high Māori SUDI rates. This has brought about the question of whether current health resources are relevant and/or influence young Māori mothers. Using a Te Whare Tapa Wha framework within a Kaupapa Māori Research methodology, this paper provides a unique and much-needed perspective into the lives of young Māori mothers. The purpose of this research overall is: if health resources and messages are not relevant to a community and they have little or no influence over infant care practices, then do health professionals and researchers need to rethink current strategies and working models to ensure we focus on the real, lived needs of our community?

year: 2015