title: Game changer competition

authors: Steff, Reuben

abstract: An increasingly complex arms competition is underway between the United States, Russia and China. While the United States is in the lead across a range of current and emerging systems, it can no longer take its position for granted, and there is an urgent need for greater attention to be paid to this competition as the strategic consequences are unknown. Further more, an opportunity exists for countries like New Zealand to seize the initiative and play a role in advancing arms control programmes that promote collective reassurance and will enhance international security.

text: Game changer competition An increasingly complex arms competition is underway between the United States, Russia and China. While the United States is in the lead across a range of current and emerging systems, it can no longer take its position for granted, and there is an urgent need for greater attention to be paid to this competition as the strategic consequences are unknown. Further more, an opportunity exists for countries like New Zealand to seize the initiative and play a role in advancing arms control programmes that promote collective reassurance and will enhance international security.

year: 2016

title: Music Education in New Zealand Society: Exploring a Meaningful Education

authors: Browne, Jade

subjects: music

abstract: Music has been embedded in cultures throughout history, becoming integral to everyday life. During the last century, scientists have discovered an astonishing link between musical exposure and neurological function. Scientific studies demonstrate that listening to and performing music engages nearly every area of the brain, improving cognitive function, memory and general well-being, suggesting neurological, social and psychological benefits. Despite these discoveries, research indicates that the role of music within New Zealand’s education system has stagnated, being underfunded and undervalued by successive governments. Music is now often perceived as an extracurricular activity, and meaningful music education has become a luxury activity for those who can afford it.

This thesis will outline an account of the role of music in ancient and contemporary cultures, providing historical proof of music’s pre-eminence in the thinking, philosophy and educational activities of civilisations. The benefits of a meaningful musical education will be explored through a comprehensive literature review based on scientific and statistical research. Governmental and public attitudes towards music will also be explored, in order to question the role and value of music education in New Zealand and more broadly in Western society.

text: Music Education in New Zealand Society: Exploring a Meaningful Education Music has been embedded in cultures throughout history, becoming integral to everyday life. During the last century, scientists have discovered an astonishing link between musical exposure and neurological function. Scientific studies demonstrate that listening to and performing music engages nearly every area of the brain, improving cognitive function, memory and general well-being, suggesting neurological, social and psychological benefits. Despite these discoveries, research indicates that the role of music within New Zealand’s education system has stagnated, being underfunded and undervalued by successive governments. Music is now often perceived as an extracurricular activity, and meaningful music education has become a luxury activity for those who can afford it.

This thesis will outline an account of the role of music in ancient and contemporary cultures, providing historical proof of music’s pre-eminence in the thinking, philosophy and educational activities of civilisations. The benefits of a meaningful musical education will be explored through a comprehensive literature review based on scientific and statistical research. Governmental and public attitudes towards music will also be explored, in order to question the role and value of music education in New Zealand and more broadly in Western society.

year: 2017

title: Indigenising the screen: Screenplay and critical analysis for The Prophet

authors: Bristowe, Joseph Curtis

subjects: indiginization

abstract: This thesis tests the hypothesis that it is possible to both decolonise and indigenise the New Zealand cinema screen. Secondary research reveals how those discourses that promoted roles and expectations for Māori within the New Zealand film industry were based principally upon historical colonial ideologies imposed by various means upon the native populous, and subsequently reproduced. These discourses of race, gender and religion perpetuate negative belief systems about Māori and contribute to the reproduction of stereotypical images of Māori, such as the irrational, naive, simpleminded and warlike Māori man, or the domesticated, lustful and sexually available Māori woman. 

Research by creative practice advances the project of decolonising the New Zealand screen through the writing of a feature length screenplay based on careful research and intimate cultural knowledge, and by working according to an appropriate kaupapa Māori framework. The resulting screenplay, The Prophet, brings to life the multitude of forces that coalesced to shape the life of 19th century Māori warrior and prophet, Te Kooti Arikirangi Te Tūruki. In his death, as in his life, he remains an enigmatic figure. In written accounts and in Pākehā memories he appears as a violent rebel, mass murderer and religious fanatic. This epic re-telling focuses on the character of Te Kooti, showing him to be a man who accomplished great feats in the face of injustice, adversity and hardship. 
A critical analysis of the screenplay reveals how I adopted a unique cross cultural writing approach drawing upon both the 'classic' western narrative structure as well as kaupapa Māori pūrākau oral tradition. I argue that this approach combines effectively to materialise strong anti-colonial perspectives aimed specifically at subverting long-held and dominant colonial discourses. Such an approach to scriptwriting rejects the tradition of being defined, constructed and represented through discourses that serve to promote the interests of the Pākehā majority and, in doing so, urges the utilisation of Māori philosophies, concepts and practices in the scriptwriting/film production process.

text: Indigenising the screen: Screenplay and critical analysis for The Prophet This thesis tests the hypothesis that it is possible to both decolonise and indigenise the New Zealand cinema screen. Secondary research reveals how those discourses that promoted roles and expectations for Māori within the New Zealand film industry were based principally upon historical colonial ideologies imposed by various means upon the native populous, and subsequently reproduced. These discourses of race, gender and religion perpetuate negative belief systems about Māori and contribute to the reproduction of stereotypical images of Māori, such as the irrational, naive, simpleminded and warlike Māori man, or the domesticated, lustful and sexually available Māori woman. 

Research by creative practice advances the project of decolonising the New Zealand screen through the writing of a feature length screenplay based on careful research and intimate cultural knowledge, and by working according to an appropriate kaupapa Māori framework. The resulting screenplay, The Prophet, brings to life the multitude of forces that coalesced to shape the life of 19th century Māori warrior and prophet, Te Kooti Arikirangi Te Tūruki. In his death, as in his life, he remains an enigmatic figure. In written accounts and in Pākehā memories he appears as a violent rebel, mass murderer and religious fanatic. This epic re-telling focuses on the character of Te Kooti, showing him to be a man who accomplished great feats in the face of injustice, adversity and hardship. 
A critical analysis of the screenplay reveals how I adopted a unique cross cultural writing approach drawing upon both the 'classic' western narrative structure as well as kaupapa Māori pūrākau oral tradition. I argue that this approach combines effectively to materialise strong anti-colonial perspectives aimed specifically at subverting long-held and dominant colonial discourses. Such an approach to scriptwriting rejects the tradition of being defined, constructed and represented through discourses that serve to promote the interests of the Pākehā majority and, in doing so, urges the utilisation of Māori philosophies, concepts and practices in the scriptwriting/film production process.

year: 2009