title: 'Fish of New Zealand'

authors: McBreen, Liam

abstract: ‘Get off the road you lycra-clad cunt!’ 

A bond is formed with a foul-mouthed kahawai hitchhiking along Surf Highway 45. A penis-riddled espionage colours a Catholic School’s swimming sports. A group of children trek down the coast on the hunt for a washed-up whale carcass. A boat-stand attendant fetishizes a neon-lit performance artist. A Toyota Corolla cruises through Hamilton fog on its way to pick up the morning-after pill. Two feuding sisters take turns on a young boy’s lizard. 

Fish of New Zealand is a collection of short stories, constructed in shifting points of view and various formats — flash, stream-of-consciousness, instructional landscaping tips, medication fine print, email chains, and euthanasia consent forms. The collection plays out like a series of kiwiana vignettes, focusing and honing in on the unique experience of growing up in Aotearoa. The landscapes are familiar, the characters recognizable, and the tone of voice is matter-of-fact kiwi. 

Although presented as a work of fiction, most of the stories here actually took place in some shape or form — as hard as that may be to believe. They have been plucked from my childhood, teenage experiences, and glimpses into the adult world, and molded into a literary mountain range. Fish of New Zealand traverses the strange, the wry, and the grotesque, in a story collection that reads like a black sand fever dream. 

The stories in this collection are at once instantly recognizable, and yet entirely foreign. Picture the driver, cruising around the coast, who spots a kahawai without luggage and his flipper in the air. Or the disillusioned accountant in a board meeting, who floats up in a cloud of nicotine and hovers over the conference room table. The collection praises the kiwi utopia of friendly geckos and Weet-Bix cards, fresh-aired bush walks and ocean-side pōhutukawas — but doesn’t shy away from the violence hidden within its roots.

At its core, Fish of New Zealand is a personal account of growing up in Aotearoa, although I hope the reader sees themselves somewhere within this collection. It shows what it means to be a New Zealander; the lives we lead and the relationships we form. How we are shaped by the place we grow up in.

text: 'Fish of New Zealand' ‘Get off the road you lycra-clad cunt!’ 

A bond is formed with a foul-mouthed kahawai hitchhiking along Surf Highway 45. A penis-riddled espionage colours a Catholic School’s swimming sports. A group of children trek down the coast on the hunt for a washed-up whale carcass. A boat-stand attendant fetishizes a neon-lit performance artist. A Toyota Corolla cruises through Hamilton fog on its way to pick up the morning-after pill. Two feuding sisters take turns on a young boy’s lizard. 

Fish of New Zealand is a collection of short stories, constructed in shifting points of view and various formats — flash, stream-of-consciousness, instructional landscaping tips, medication fine print, email chains, and euthanasia consent forms. The collection plays out like a series of kiwiana vignettes, focusing and honing in on the unique experience of growing up in Aotearoa. The landscapes are familiar, the characters recognizable, and the tone of voice is matter-of-fact kiwi. 

Although presented as a work of fiction, most of the stories here actually took place in some shape or form — as hard as that may be to believe. They have been plucked from my childhood, teenage experiences, and glimpses into the adult world, and molded into a literary mountain range. Fish of New Zealand traverses the strange, the wry, and the grotesque, in a story collection that reads like a black sand fever dream. 

The stories in this collection are at once instantly recognizable, and yet entirely foreign. Picture the driver, cruising around the coast, who spots a kahawai without luggage and his flipper in the air. Or the disillusioned accountant in a board meeting, who floats up in a cloud of nicotine and hovers over the conference room table. The collection praises the kiwi utopia of friendly geckos and Weet-Bix cards, fresh-aired bush walks and ocean-side pōhutukawas — but doesn’t shy away from the violence hidden within its roots.

At its core, Fish of New Zealand is a personal account of growing up in Aotearoa, although I hope the reader sees themselves somewhere within this collection. It shows what it means to be a New Zealander; the lives we lead and the relationships we form. How we are shaped by the place we grow up in.

year: 2022

title: An investigation of beryllium coordination chemistry using electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry

authors: Raymond, Onyekachi

subjects: Electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry

abstract: The electrospray ionisation mass spectrometric behaviour of various complexes of beryllium have been investigated in this thesis. These beryllium complexes were prepared in situ on a small scale by preparing appropriate molar mixtures of the Be²⁺ ion with ligands in a range of solvent systems. In view of the toxicity of beryllium compounds, this combinatorial type screening, involving miniscule amounts of material in solution, proved to be a safe strategy to pursue the coordination chemistry of beryllium. 
          Starting from simple beryllium compounds which include the metal salts (Chapter 2), the speciation and hydrolysis of beryllium ions in aqueous solution have been studied over a pH range of 2.5-6.0 using electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Ions observed by ESI-MS revealed that the speciation of beryllium with hydroxide ligands in solution was preserved into the gas phase via charge reduction by ion pairing with the salt anion. The pH-dependent hydrolytic tendencies of the Be²⁺ cation presented as an ESI-MS speciation diagram for beryllium hydrolysis is in good agreement with previous speciation data which indicates the ability of ESI-MS as a quick, sensitive and safe screening technique for observing beryllium speciation with ligands of interest at low concentrations. Collision induced dissociation patterns further confirmed that the trimer [Be₃(OH)₃]³⁺ is the most stable beryllium hydroxido-aggregate arrangement while the pronounced ion pairing of the beryllium cation with the sulfato ligand yielded additional beryllium ion cluster arrangements such as Be₃ (μ₃-O) aggregate and mixed sulfato-/hydroxido- species. These ions were further investigated using computational techniques simulated in the gas and aqueous environment which allowed for the first time, the molecular dynamics simulations of the ligand exchange processes of the Be²⁺ cation (Chapter 3). A major finding from the ab initio molecular simulations was that hydrogen bonding was relevant in stabilising the tetraaquaberyllium complex in beryllium solutions. Therefore, in the gas phase where the solvation shell of such beryllium species is very much compromised, the formation of inner-sphere complexes is commonplace as observed from the ion signal assignment in the ESI mass spectra. While these extraneous species may not be an exact representation of the solution state, these ions provided insight into plausible modes of beryllium aggregation that are not otherwise easily investigated. 
          Building on these results, a variety of beryllium complexes was generated with various ligands in solutions and subjected to detailed characterisation by ESIMS. These ligands containing functional groups or architecture of interest, varied from simple monodentate ligands such as the acetate ion to more common beryllium chelators including 1,3-diketone, hydroxy keto, malonic acid, chromotropic acid and crown ethers (Chapter 4). Generally, there was an excellent correlation between the species observed in the mass spectrum and those confirmed to exist in solution by other techniques. This lent strong credence to the ESI-MS methodology used as an efficient analytical technique for the easy screening of a diverse range of potential ligands for the divalent beryllium ion.  
          A fundamental issue in beryllium research is the search for suitable chelating ligands for environmental and biomedical application. Therefore, the ESIMS methodology was further employed to investigate several multidentate aminopolycarboxylic acids which are well-known commercial and biomedical chelating agents (Chapter 5). Notable among these are the nitrilotripropionic acid (NTP) and related tetradentate ligands designed towards the full encapsulation of the Be²⁺ cation. Stoichiometric information which was readily obtained from the ESI mass spectra was found to be effective for the preliminary screening of potential encapsulation by tetradentate coordination from a single ligand. Lastly, to corroborate ESI-MS speciation results, beryllium complexes with these class of ligands were synthesised on a larger scale and characterised by ⁹Be NMR and single-crystal X-ray crystallography.

text: An investigation of beryllium coordination chemistry using electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry The electrospray ionisation mass spectrometric behaviour of various complexes of beryllium have been investigated in this thesis. These beryllium complexes were prepared in situ on a small scale by preparing appropriate molar mixtures of the Be²⁺ ion with ligands in a range of solvent systems. In view of the toxicity of beryllium compounds, this combinatorial type screening, involving miniscule amounts of material in solution, proved to be a safe strategy to pursue the coordination chemistry of beryllium. 
          Starting from simple beryllium compounds which include the metal salts (Chapter 2), the speciation and hydrolysis of beryllium ions in aqueous solution have been studied over a pH range of 2.5-6.0 using electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Ions observed by ESI-MS revealed that the speciation of beryllium with hydroxide ligands in solution was preserved into the gas phase via charge reduction by ion pairing with the salt anion. The pH-dependent hydrolytic tendencies of the Be²⁺ cation presented as an ESI-MS speciation diagram for beryllium hydrolysis is in good agreement with previous speciation data which indicates the ability of ESI-MS as a quick, sensitive and safe screening technique for observing beryllium speciation with ligands of interest at low concentrations. Collision induced dissociation patterns further confirmed that the trimer [Be₃(OH)₃]³⁺ is the most stable beryllium hydroxido-aggregate arrangement while the pronounced ion pairing of the beryllium cation with the sulfato ligand yielded additional beryllium ion cluster arrangements such as Be₃ (μ₃-O) aggregate and mixed sulfato-/hydroxido- species. These ions were further investigated using computational techniques simulated in the gas and aqueous environment which allowed for the first time, the molecular dynamics simulations of the ligand exchange processes of the Be²⁺ cation (Chapter 3). A major finding from the ab initio molecular simulations was that hydrogen bonding was relevant in stabilising the tetraaquaberyllium complex in beryllium solutions. Therefore, in the gas phase where the solvation shell of such beryllium species is very much compromised, the formation of inner-sphere complexes is commonplace as observed from the ion signal assignment in the ESI mass spectra. While these extraneous species may not be an exact representation of the solution state, these ions provided insight into plausible modes of beryllium aggregation that are not otherwise easily investigated. 
          Building on these results, a variety of beryllium complexes was generated with various ligands in solutions and subjected to detailed characterisation by ESIMS. These ligands containing functional groups or architecture of interest, varied from simple monodentate ligands such as the acetate ion to more common beryllium chelators including 1,3-diketone, hydroxy keto, malonic acid, chromotropic acid and crown ethers (Chapter 4). Generally, there was an excellent correlation between the species observed in the mass spectrum and those confirmed to exist in solution by other techniques. This lent strong credence to the ESI-MS methodology used as an efficient analytical technique for the easy screening of a diverse range of potential ligands for the divalent beryllium ion.  
          A fundamental issue in beryllium research is the search for suitable chelating ligands for environmental and biomedical application. Therefore, the ESIMS methodology was further employed to investigate several multidentate aminopolycarboxylic acids which are well-known commercial and biomedical chelating agents (Chapter 5). Notable among these are the nitrilotripropionic acid (NTP) and related tetradentate ligands designed towards the full encapsulation of the Be²⁺ cation. Stoichiometric information which was readily obtained from the ESI mass spectra was found to be effective for the preliminary screening of potential encapsulation by tetradentate coordination from a single ligand. Lastly, to corroborate ESI-MS speciation results, beryllium complexes with these class of ligands were synthesised on a larger scale and characterised by ⁹Be NMR and single-crystal X-ray crystallography.

year: 2018

title: Microplastics in the marine environment: Sediment contaminant and bioaccumulation rates in bivalves within the Bay of Plenty

authors: Lewis, Anita

subjects: Microplastic

abstract: Microplastic pollution is recognised as a significant anthropogenic issue in coastal ecosystems around the world. The accumulation of microplastics in coastal environments causes both direct and indirect effects on these already vulnerable ecosystems. Limited information was available of the scale of microplastic pollution across New Zealand, including the Bay of Plenty. To enable a greater understanding of microplastic accumulation in sediment and bioaccumulation in bivalves sampling  within the Bay of Plenty area was conducted.
The presence of  microplastic particles was investigated from sediment and shellfish samples collected across the Bay of Plenty, from Waihī Beach in the West, to Ōpōtiki in the East. Three species of shellfish were collected that differed in their functional feeding modes (filter feeder vs deposit feeder): tuangi (cockle: Austrovenus stuchburyi), hanikura (wedge shell: Macomona liliana), and tuatua (surf clam: Paphies subtriangulata). Microplastic particles from sediment and bivalves were separated from the sediment and shellfish samples in the laboratory and identified using visual light stereomicroscopy. Microplastic particles were identified and quantified into three categories: fragments, fibres, and films. 
Significant numbers of fibres, as well as some fragments and films were found to be present in the sediment throughout all sampling locations. The highest density of microplastic particles in sediment (up to 11,087.9 per m²) were observed at sites that were closed to municipal sewage outfalls and populated areas, and the lowest densities were observed at Matakana Island (63 particles per m²). Sites in Ōhiwa Harbour showed an average of 504.6 particles per m² at the high tide zone and 477.6 particles per m² at the intertidal zone in the sediment. Ohiwa Harbour showed similar levels of microplastic accumulation in sediment compared to Tauranga Harbour. However, higher levels of microplastic particles were found in the sediment at open coast sites.
All shellfish sampled had at least one microplastic particle found in their tissues. The highest number of microplastics in shellfish were found in the wedge shell (23 particles), with the least from the cockles (1). Statistical analysis reveal that the deep burrowing deposit feeder (Macomona liliana) demonstrated an elevated amount of microplastic particles ingested relative to the shallow burrowing suspension feeding cockle (Austrovenus stutchburyi). A notable amount of microplastic particles were also found at all sampling locations for the culturally important tuatua (Paphies subtriangulata). However, comparing all three bivalve species, the deposit feeding M. liliana, ingested higher amounts than both the A. stutchburyi and P. subtriangulata, which could be related to their different functional feeding modes in the marine environment. This research provides baseline information to assess the extent of microplastic pollution in sediments and the potential for bioaccumulation in bivalve species with differentiated feeding modes and functional roles in the marine environment. 
The problem with microplastics is a global emerging contaminant. Preventing the problem of plastic wastes in New Zealand will require change across all aspects of society, along with policy regulations to mitigate the issue of microplastic pollution.

text: Microplastics in the marine environment: Sediment contaminant and bioaccumulation rates in bivalves within the Bay of Plenty Microplastic pollution is recognised as a significant anthropogenic issue in coastal ecosystems around the world. The accumulation of microplastics in coastal environments causes both direct and indirect effects on these already vulnerable ecosystems. Limited information was available of the scale of microplastic pollution across New Zealand, including the Bay of Plenty. To enable a greater understanding of microplastic accumulation in sediment and bioaccumulation in bivalves sampling  within the Bay of Plenty area was conducted.
The presence of  microplastic particles was investigated from sediment and shellfish samples collected across the Bay of Plenty, from Waihī Beach in the West, to Ōpōtiki in the East. Three species of shellfish were collected that differed in their functional feeding modes (filter feeder vs deposit feeder): tuangi (cockle: Austrovenus stuchburyi), hanikura (wedge shell: Macomona liliana), and tuatua (surf clam: Paphies subtriangulata). Microplastic particles from sediment and bivalves were separated from the sediment and shellfish samples in the laboratory and identified using visual light stereomicroscopy. Microplastic particles were identified and quantified into three categories: fragments, fibres, and films. 
Significant numbers of fibres, as well as some fragments and films were found to be present in the sediment throughout all sampling locations. The highest density of microplastic particles in sediment (up to 11,087.9 per m²) were observed at sites that were closed to municipal sewage outfalls and populated areas, and the lowest densities were observed at Matakana Island (63 particles per m²). Sites in Ōhiwa Harbour showed an average of 504.6 particles per m² at the high tide zone and 477.6 particles per m² at the intertidal zone in the sediment. Ohiwa Harbour showed similar levels of microplastic accumulation in sediment compared to Tauranga Harbour. However, higher levels of microplastic particles were found in the sediment at open coast sites.
All shellfish sampled had at least one microplastic particle found in their tissues. The highest number of microplastics in shellfish were found in the wedge shell (23 particles), with the least from the cockles (1). Statistical analysis reveal that the deep burrowing deposit feeder (Macomona liliana) demonstrated an elevated amount of microplastic particles ingested relative to the shallow burrowing suspension feeding cockle (Austrovenus stutchburyi). A notable amount of microplastic particles were also found at all sampling locations for the culturally important tuatua (Paphies subtriangulata). However, comparing all three bivalve species, the deposit feeding M. liliana, ingested higher amounts than both the A. stutchburyi and P. subtriangulata, which could be related to their different functional feeding modes in the marine environment. This research provides baseline information to assess the extent of microplastic pollution in sediments and the potential for bioaccumulation in bivalve species with differentiated feeding modes and functional roles in the marine environment. 
The problem with microplastics is a global emerging contaminant. Preventing the problem of plastic wastes in New Zealand will require change across all aspects of society, along with policy regulations to mitigate the issue of microplastic pollution.

year: 2021