title: What about the violent offenders?: The possibilities and problems of prison abolition in New Zealand

authors: Hoek, Katherine

subjects: Prison abolition

abstract: This thesis engages with the issues of mass incarceration and violence in the developing field of research on post-prison societies.  Rather than restating the abolitionist argument, this thesis seeks to address three key questions, all with a specific New Zealand focus.  Questions one and two broadly explore the barriers to prison abolition and what strategies, policies, and interventions are necessary for New Zealand to become a post-prison society.  The third question explores alternative approaches to violent offending in New Zealand, discounting the current system of imprisonment.  The research involved nine semi-structured qualitative interviews (six were face-to-face, two through video call, and one through audio call) with academics, advocates, and persons with relevant experience with the criminal justice system through employment, advocacy, or in a research capacity.  

Much like the previous literature, this thesis problematises the ‘place’ of prisons and the current approaches to general and violent offending.  This thesis highlights public attitudes, structural or macro-level barriers, and the absence of an abolitionist plan as significant barriers to prison abolition in New Zealand.  This thesis also found that early intervention and prevention, the establishment of a consistent and identifiable abolitionist framework, and greater use of in-community alternatives and treatments are considered integral strategies within the incremental steps required to move New Zealand towards a post-prison society.  Moreover, this thesis highlights the importance of recognising that violence is deeply contextual and should thus be a vital factor in decision making for how to respond to these forms of harmful behaviour.  Finally, demonstrated by the spectrum of perspectives, this thesis argues that those at the centre illustrate the potential for a future reformist and abolitionist collaboration, and a significant possibility for movement towards a New Zealand without prisons.

text: What about the violent offenders?: The possibilities and problems of prison abolition in New Zealand This thesis engages with the issues of mass incarceration and violence in the developing field of research on post-prison societies.  Rather than restating the abolitionist argument, this thesis seeks to address three key questions, all with a specific New Zealand focus.  Questions one and two broadly explore the barriers to prison abolition and what strategies, policies, and interventions are necessary for New Zealand to become a post-prison society.  The third question explores alternative approaches to violent offending in New Zealand, discounting the current system of imprisonment.  The research involved nine semi-structured qualitative interviews (six were face-to-face, two through video call, and one through audio call) with academics, advocates, and persons with relevant experience with the criminal justice system through employment, advocacy, or in a research capacity.  

Much like the previous literature, this thesis problematises the ‘place’ of prisons and the current approaches to general and violent offending.  This thesis highlights public attitudes, structural or macro-level barriers, and the absence of an abolitionist plan as significant barriers to prison abolition in New Zealand.  This thesis also found that early intervention and prevention, the establishment of a consistent and identifiable abolitionist framework, and greater use of in-community alternatives and treatments are considered integral strategies within the incremental steps required to move New Zealand towards a post-prison society.  Moreover, this thesis highlights the importance of recognising that violence is deeply contextual and should thus be a vital factor in decision making for how to respond to these forms of harmful behaviour.  Finally, demonstrated by the spectrum of perspectives, this thesis argues that those at the centre illustrate the potential for a future reformist and abolitionist collaboration, and a significant possibility for movement towards a New Zealand without prisons.

year: 2020

title: Performance of Sustainable Insulated Wall Panels with Geopolymer Concrete.

authors: Kanagaraj, B

subjects: axial strength

abstract: The increase in the population creates an increased demand for construction activities with eco-friendly, sustainable, and high-performance materials. Insulated concrete form (ICF) is an emerging technology that satisfies the sustainability demands of the construction sector. ICF is a composite material (a combination of expanded polystyrene (EPS) and geopolymer concrete (GPC)) that enhances the performance of concrete (such as thermal insulation and mechanical properties). To investigate the axial strength performance, five different types of prototypes were created and tested. Type I (without reinforcement): (a) hollow EPS without concrete, (b) alternative cells of EPS filled with concrete, (c) and all the cells of EPS filled with concrete; and Type II (with reinforcement): (d) alternative cells of EPS filled with concrete; (e) and all the cells of EPS filled with concrete. Amongst all the five prototypes, two grades of GPC were employed. M15 and M20 grades are used to examine the effectiveness in terms of cost. For comparing the test results, a reference masonry unit was constructed with conventional clay bricks. The main aim of the investigation is to examine the physical and mechanical performance of sandwich-type ICFs. The presence of polystyrene in ICF changes the failure pattern from brittle to ductile. The result from the study reveals that the Type II prototype, i.e., the specimen with all the cells of EPS filled with concrete and reinforcement, possesses a maximum load-carrying capacity greater than the reference masonry unit. Therefore, the proposed ICF is recommended to replace the conventional load-bearing system and non-load-bearing walls.

text: Performance of Sustainable Insulated Wall Panels with Geopolymer Concrete. The increase in the population creates an increased demand for construction activities with eco-friendly, sustainable, and high-performance materials. Insulated concrete form (ICF) is an emerging technology that satisfies the sustainability demands of the construction sector. ICF is a composite material (a combination of expanded polystyrene (EPS) and geopolymer concrete (GPC)) that enhances the performance of concrete (such as thermal insulation and mechanical properties). To investigate the axial strength performance, five different types of prototypes were created and tested. Type I (without reinforcement): (a) hollow EPS without concrete, (b) alternative cells of EPS filled with concrete, (c) and all the cells of EPS filled with concrete; and Type II (with reinforcement): (d) alternative cells of EPS filled with concrete; (e) and all the cells of EPS filled with concrete. Amongst all the five prototypes, two grades of GPC were employed. M15 and M20 grades are used to examine the effectiveness in terms of cost. For comparing the test results, a reference masonry unit was constructed with conventional clay bricks. The main aim of the investigation is to examine the physical and mechanical performance of sandwich-type ICFs. The presence of polystyrene in ICF changes the failure pattern from brittle to ductile. The result from the study reveals that the Type II prototype, i.e., the specimen with all the cells of EPS filled with concrete and reinforcement, possesses a maximum load-carrying capacity greater than the reference masonry unit. Therefore, the proposed ICF is recommended to replace the conventional load-bearing system and non-load-bearing walls.

year: 2022-12-09

title: Important lessons for trust governance from trusts that benefit New Zealand's Indigenous Maori – Recent developments

authors: Manyam, Joel

abstract: The landmark New Zealand Court of Appeal decision in New Zealand Maori Council v AttorneyGeneral [1987] 1 NZLR 641[SOE Case] marked a watershed in New Zealand's jurisprudence concerning the relationship between the Government of New Zealand('the Crown') and the indigenous Maori peoples of New Zealand. Very recently , New Zealand's highest Court, the Supreme Court in its decision in New Zealand Maori Council v Attorney-General[2013] 3 NZLR 31 referred to the SOE case as follows:
'The SOE case by the Court of Appeal is a judgment of great authority and importance to the law concerning the relationship between the Crown and Maori" (emphasis added)[S3].

text: Important lessons for trust governance from trusts that benefit New Zealand's Indigenous Maori – Recent developments The landmark New Zealand Court of Appeal decision in New Zealand Maori Council v AttorneyGeneral [1987] 1 NZLR 641[SOE Case] marked a watershed in New Zealand's jurisprudence concerning the relationship between the Government of New Zealand('the Crown') and the indigenous Maori peoples of New Zealand. Very recently , New Zealand's highest Court, the Supreme Court in its decision in New Zealand Maori Council v Attorney-General[2013] 3 NZLR 31 referred to the SOE case as follows:
'The SOE case by the Court of Appeal is a judgment of great authority and importance to the law concerning the relationship between the Crown and Maori" (emphasis added)[S3].

year: 2015