title: The comfort zone: Reflection on a taken-for-granted model

authors: Brown, Mike

subjects: outdoor adventure education

abstract: Reference to the comfort zone model is widespread within outdoor adventure education. It is based on the belief that when placed in a stressful situation people will respond by overcoming their hesitancy and grow. This model is often presented to students prior to activities with a perceived sense of risk and challenge which arouses strong emotional and physical responses to novel tasks (e.g., a ropes course). Students are encouraged to ‘stretch themselves’, to move outside their comfort zone and expand their preconceived limits and by inference learn. This article briefly explores the theories that underpin the comfort zone model and suggests that it is time to rethink how it is used.

text: The comfort zone: Reflection on a taken-for-granted model Reference to the comfort zone model is widespread within outdoor adventure education. It is based on the belief that when placed in a stressful situation people will respond by overcoming their hesitancy and grow. This model is often presented to students prior to activities with a perceived sense of risk and challenge which arouses strong emotional and physical responses to novel tasks (e.g., a ropes course). Students are encouraged to ‘stretch themselves’, to move outside their comfort zone and expand their preconceived limits and by inference learn. This article briefly explores the theories that underpin the comfort zone model and suggests that it is time to rethink how it is used.

year: 2008

title: The strike at Waiorongomai in 1884

authors: Hart, Philip

abstract: After the initial crushing produced lower returns than expected, the decision of mine owners to reduce costs by cutting wages provoked a strike to retain the former rates of pay. A particular cause of the sense of injustice was the unexpected manner in which this decision was announced. The owners’ justification of having no alternative was accepted by some but challenged by others, with some newspapers supporting the miners. A widely predicted outcome, that the best miners would leave the field, would be fulfilled. The strike gradually faded, leaving some strikers facing retribution, although the miner who chaired the meeting that voted to strike was not one of those.
Wages were also cut in the battery and on the tramway, provoking a strike on the latter. Although the employers won, the strike and the resultant loss of good workers meant another lowering of the reputation of the field.

text: The strike at Waiorongomai in 1884 After the initial crushing produced lower returns than expected, the decision of mine owners to reduce costs by cutting wages provoked a strike to retain the former rates of pay. A particular cause of the sense of injustice was the unexpected manner in which this decision was announced. The owners’ justification of having no alternative was accepted by some but challenged by others, with some newspapers supporting the miners. A widely predicted outcome, that the best miners would leave the field, would be fulfilled. The strike gradually faded, leaving some strikers facing retribution, although the miner who chaired the meeting that voted to strike was not one of those.
Wages were also cut in the battery and on the tramway, provoking a strike on the latter. Although the employers won, the strike and the resultant loss of good workers meant another lowering of the reputation of the field.

year: 2016

title: What land is included?

authors: Oppatt, Neil

abstract: Neil has served the Rotorua District as both a Rotorua District Councillor for 15 years and now 9 years as a BOP Regional Councillor. Throughout this time Neil has been actively involved in the cleanup of Rotorua's lakes. He is presently a BOPRC appointee on the Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group and was an RDC appointee on its predecessor.
He has held positions as Chairman of RDC’s Finance Committee, BOPRC’s Operations and Regulations Committee and the Special Projects Committee set up to address Rotorua lake issues. Neil chaired the Lake Okareka Action Plan Committee and was a BOPRC appointee on the Lake Tarawera Action Plan Committee. Presently he is the BOPRC appointee on the Rotorua catchment Stakeholders Advisory Group.

text: What land is included? Neil has served the Rotorua District as both a Rotorua District Councillor for 15 years and now 9 years as a BOP Regional Councillor. Throughout this time Neil has been actively involved in the cleanup of Rotorua's lakes. He is presently a BOPRC appointee on the Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group and was an RDC appointee on its predecessor.
He has held positions as Chairman of RDC’s Finance Committee, BOPRC’s Operations and Regulations Committee and the Special Projects Committee set up to address Rotorua lake issues. Neil chaired the Lake Okareka Action Plan Committee and was a BOPRC appointee on the Lake Tarawera Action Plan Committee. Presently he is the BOPRC appointee on the Rotorua catchment Stakeholders Advisory Group.

year: 2013