title: Action on the ground: A review of community environmental groups’ restoration objectives, activities and partnerships in New Zealand

authors: Peters, Monica A.

subjects: Biodiversity

abstract: More than 600 community environmental groups across New Zealand are engaged in restoring degraded sites and improving and protecting habitat for native species. In the face of ongoing biodiversity declines, resource management agencies are increasing their reliance on these groups to enhance conservation outcomes nationally. However, little is known about community groups and their activities beyond local or regional studies. Our aim was to develop a profile of community groups and their projects through examining group and project characteristics, objectives, activities and the support provided by project partners. A total of 296 community groups from all mainland regions of New Zealand responded to an online questionnaire. Nearly 80% of these groups were established for ≥6 years and 72% operated with ≤20 participants (e.g. staff, members, and unpaid volunteers). For over half (54%) of groups, participants were mostly aged 51–65 years. Small groupsizes, combined with ageing participants, may threaten groups’ longevity. More than 20% of groups’ projects covered areas > 501 ha. Ecosystems represented within groups’ project areas included forests (64.0%), streams (42.0%) and freshwater wetlands (33.2%). Over one-third (37.2%) of freshwater wetland restoration projects occurred on private or Maori-owned land. Nearly 70% of groups carried out weed/pest control, native tree planting and advocacy/educational activities, underscoring the combination of social and ecological dimensions shaping most groups’ projects. Over 90% of groups were supported by project partners (e.g. resource management agencies for site visits, funding and technical support), highlighting the interdependence between groups and their partners. Developing a more complete profile of New Zealand community groups and their projects will assist with improving the delivery of support to groups by project partners and developing an inclusive and cohesive sector based on meaningful partnerships. These two factors combined will ultimately enhance groups’ environmental outcomes at the local level, while contributing to national biodiversity conservation goals.

text: Action on the ground: A review of community environmental groups’ restoration objectives, activities and partnerships in New Zealand More than 600 community environmental groups across New Zealand are engaged in restoring degraded sites and improving and protecting habitat for native species. In the face of ongoing biodiversity declines, resource management agencies are increasing their reliance on these groups to enhance conservation outcomes nationally. However, little is known about community groups and their activities beyond local or regional studies. Our aim was to develop a profile of community groups and their projects through examining group and project characteristics, objectives, activities and the support provided by project partners. A total of 296 community groups from all mainland regions of New Zealand responded to an online questionnaire. Nearly 80% of these groups were established for ≥6 years and 72% operated with ≤20 participants (e.g. staff, members, and unpaid volunteers). For over half (54%) of groups, participants were mostly aged 51–65 years. Small groupsizes, combined with ageing participants, may threaten groups’ longevity. More than 20% of groups’ projects covered areas > 501 ha. Ecosystems represented within groups’ project areas included forests (64.0%), streams (42.0%) and freshwater wetlands (33.2%). Over one-third (37.2%) of freshwater wetland restoration projects occurred on private or Maori-owned land. Nearly 70% of groups carried out weed/pest control, native tree planting and advocacy/educational activities, underscoring the combination of social and ecological dimensions shaping most groups’ projects. Over 90% of groups were supported by project partners (e.g. resource management agencies for site visits, funding and technical support), highlighting the interdependence between groups and their partners. Developing a more complete profile of New Zealand community groups and their projects will assist with improving the delivery of support to groups by project partners and developing an inclusive and cohesive sector based on meaningful partnerships. These two factors combined will ultimately enhance groups’ environmental outcomes at the local level, while contributing to national biodiversity conservation goals.

year: 2015

title: Geologically controlled sandy beaches: Their geomorphology, morphodynamics and classification

authors: Gallop, Shari L.

subjects: Science & Technology

abstract: Beaches that are geologically controlled by rock and coral formations are the rule, not the exception. This paper reviews the current understanding of geologically controlled beaches, bringing together a range of terminologies (including embayed beaches, shore platform beaches, relict beaches, and perched beaches, among others) and processes, with the aim of exploring the multiple ways in which geology influences beach morphology and morphodynamics. We show how in addition to sediment supply, the basement geology influences where beaches will form by providing accommodation, and in the cross-shore, aspects of rock platform morphology such as elevation and slope are also important. Geologically controlled beaches can have significant variations in sediment coverage with seasons and storms, and geological controls have fundamental influences on their contemporary morphodynamics. This includes wave shadowing by headlands and rock/coral formations inducing strong alongshore gradients in wave energy, resulting in corresponding variations in morphodynamic beach state and storm response. Geologically-induced rip currents including shadow rips, deflection rips and mega-rips that can develop on embayed beaches during storms, are an integral feature of the nearshore circulation and morphodynamics of geologically controlled beaches. We bring these processes together by presenting a conceptual model of alongshore and cross-shore levels of geological control. In the longshore dimension, this ranges from beaches that are slightly embayed, through to highly embayed beaches where headlands dominate the entire beach morphodynamic response. In the cross-shore dimension, this ranges from beaches without discernible geological controls, through to relict beaches above the influence of the contemporary littoral zone. Given the prevalence of geologically controlled beaches along the world's coasts, it is paramount for coastal management to consider how these beaches differ from unconstrained beaches and avoid applying inappropriate models and tools, especially with our uncertain future climate.

text: Geologically controlled sandy beaches: Their geomorphology, morphodynamics and classification Beaches that are geologically controlled by rock and coral formations are the rule, not the exception. This paper reviews the current understanding of geologically controlled beaches, bringing together a range of terminologies (including embayed beaches, shore platform beaches, relict beaches, and perched beaches, among others) and processes, with the aim of exploring the multiple ways in which geology influences beach morphology and morphodynamics. We show how in addition to sediment supply, the basement geology influences where beaches will form by providing accommodation, and in the cross-shore, aspects of rock platform morphology such as elevation and slope are also important. Geologically controlled beaches can have significant variations in sediment coverage with seasons and storms, and geological controls have fundamental influences on their contemporary morphodynamics. This includes wave shadowing by headlands and rock/coral formations inducing strong alongshore gradients in wave energy, resulting in corresponding variations in morphodynamic beach state and storm response. Geologically-induced rip currents including shadow rips, deflection rips and mega-rips that can develop on embayed beaches during storms, are an integral feature of the nearshore circulation and morphodynamics of geologically controlled beaches. We bring these processes together by presenting a conceptual model of alongshore and cross-shore levels of geological control. In the longshore dimension, this ranges from beaches that are slightly embayed, through to highly embayed beaches where headlands dominate the entire beach morphodynamic response. In the cross-shore dimension, this ranges from beaches without discernible geological controls, through to relict beaches above the influence of the contemporary littoral zone. Given the prevalence of geologically controlled beaches along the world's coasts, it is paramount for coastal management to consider how these beaches differ from unconstrained beaches and avoid applying inappropriate models and tools, especially with our uncertain future climate.

year: 2020

title: Kua takoto te maanuka: Te tiimatanga o teetahi Kura Kaupapa Maaori

authors: Douglas, Vianney Gaye

subjects: Kura Kaupapa Maori

abstract: There is a paucity of literature on the establishment of new schools, and more particularly, the establishment of Kura Kaupapa Maaori. In addition, there is even less literature concerning the experiences and perspectives of whaanau and hapuu within Kaupapa Maaori initiatives. 

This thesis, therefore, illustrates the experience of a whaanau in the establishment of their Kura Kaupapa Maaori. The assertion within this thesis is that there are unique issues and challenges that Maaori communities encounter when pursuing the establishment of a Kura Kaupapa Maaori. Furthermore, a key factor in the success of establishing and sustaining the school is in the leadership.

Thus, the cognisance of Kaupapa Maaori and the development of Kura Kaupapa Maaori are explored. In addition, the key characteristics, roles and responsibilities of Maaori leadership both within the wider community and within schools are explored.

This case study included an interview with the Principal, and several focus group interviews with parents, staff and students of the new Kura Kaupapa who were involved with the school’s establishment during its first three years. In 2013, in its eleventh year, the school was identified as one of the top five successful Kura Kaupapa Maaori. 

The findings of this research will assist whaanau and leaders within schools to develop an understanding and appreciation of five key issues and challenges that a new school may face, and avenues that may take to address these.

text: Kua takoto te maanuka: Te tiimatanga o teetahi Kura Kaupapa Maaori There is a paucity of literature on the establishment of new schools, and more particularly, the establishment of Kura Kaupapa Maaori. In addition, there is even less literature concerning the experiences and perspectives of whaanau and hapuu within Kaupapa Maaori initiatives. 

This thesis, therefore, illustrates the experience of a whaanau in the establishment of their Kura Kaupapa Maaori. The assertion within this thesis is that there are unique issues and challenges that Maaori communities encounter when pursuing the establishment of a Kura Kaupapa Maaori. Furthermore, a key factor in the success of establishing and sustaining the school is in the leadership.

Thus, the cognisance of Kaupapa Maaori and the development of Kura Kaupapa Maaori are explored. In addition, the key characteristics, roles and responsibilities of Maaori leadership both within the wider community and within schools are explored.

This case study included an interview with the Principal, and several focus group interviews with parents, staff and students of the new Kura Kaupapa who were involved with the school’s establishment during its first three years. In 2013, in its eleventh year, the school was identified as one of the top five successful Kura Kaupapa Maaori. 

The findings of this research will assist whaanau and leaders within schools to develop an understanding and appreciation of five key issues and challenges that a new school may face, and avenues that may take to address these.

year: 2014