title: Lessons for teachers through intergenerational Māori experiences in Aotearoa’s education system

authors: Virtue, Katie

abstract: The intention of this research is to serve as professional development for myself and fellow teachers who work with tamariki Māori (Māori children) within mainstream education contexts in Aotearoa. This research explores historical factors that have contributed to the academic disparities of Māori including colonisation, the doctrine of discovery and contention over the differing versions of the Treaty of Waitangi. This research then shifts from holding the coloniser at the centre of the narrative to positioning Māori at the centre as exemplary examples of relentless Māori resistance. More contemporary examples of educational policies are then presented and analysed as an attempt to better understand these contexts.
What is blatantly clear through the exploration of educational policies throughout Aotearoa’s post-colonial history is the absence of Māori voice. For this reason, the findings of this thesis are centred on the voices of four wāhine Māori (Māori Women), across three generations, and their experiences with different teachers through Aotearoa’s education system.  
These stories provide invaluable lessons for all educators in Aotearoa.

text: Lessons for teachers through intergenerational Māori experiences in Aotearoa’s education system The intention of this research is to serve as professional development for myself and fellow teachers who work with tamariki Māori (Māori children) within mainstream education contexts in Aotearoa. This research explores historical factors that have contributed to the academic disparities of Māori including colonisation, the doctrine of discovery and contention over the differing versions of the Treaty of Waitangi. This research then shifts from holding the coloniser at the centre of the narrative to positioning Māori at the centre as exemplary examples of relentless Māori resistance. More contemporary examples of educational policies are then presented and analysed as an attempt to better understand these contexts.
What is blatantly clear through the exploration of educational policies throughout Aotearoa’s post-colonial history is the absence of Māori voice. For this reason, the findings of this thesis are centred on the voices of four wāhine Māori (Māori Women), across three generations, and their experiences with different teachers through Aotearoa’s education system.  
These stories provide invaluable lessons for all educators in Aotearoa.

year: 2021

title: Unorthodox assistance: Novalis, Māori, scientism, and an uncertain approach to 'Whakapapa'

authors: Mika, Carl Te Hira

abstract: The reductionism of Western science is well noted among several Maori academics, who describe in various ways its methodical tendency to dissemble an organism and isolate its parts. The reductionist nature of the method of science then informs the practice, so that the manifestations of science - its latest innovations, evidenced in biotechnology, cloning, stem cell therapy and so on - become an overriding concern for these academics. Rightly, the effects of those innovations on Maori spiritual and phYSical realms are addressed, to the extent that they may constitute extensive submissions to governmental bodies. How effective these submissions are is open to considerable speculation, particularly when it is acknowledged by many of these same writers that those ministerial and judicial bodies are incapable of understanding the dilemmas posed by the effects of reductionist scientific practice on the Maori world. The Maori world, in the main, is left to wait until it is confronted with yet another scientific advancement or technology, and the rush to counter its modus operandi begins again.

text: Unorthodox assistance: Novalis, Māori, scientism, and an uncertain approach to 'Whakapapa' The reductionism of Western science is well noted among several Maori academics, who describe in various ways its methodical tendency to dissemble an organism and isolate its parts. The reductionist nature of the method of science then informs the practice, so that the manifestations of science - its latest innovations, evidenced in biotechnology, cloning, stem cell therapy and so on - become an overriding concern for these academics. Rightly, the effects of those innovations on Maori spiritual and phYSical realms are addressed, to the extent that they may constitute extensive submissions to governmental bodies. How effective these submissions are is open to considerable speculation, particularly when it is acknowledged by many of these same writers that those ministerial and judicial bodies are incapable of understanding the dilemmas posed by the effects of reductionist scientific practice on the Maori world. The Maori world, in the main, is left to wait until it is confronted with yet another scientific advancement or technology, and the rush to counter its modus operandi begins again.

year: 2011

title: Chemical modification of Dendrocalamus asper bamboo with citric acid and boron compounds: Effects on the physical-chemical, mechanical and thermal properties

authors: Gauss, Christian

abstract: The effect of environmentally friendly treatment using citric acid and boron compounds on the physical-chemical and mechanical properties and thermal degradation of D. asper bamboo was investigated. The chemical modification using citric acid reduced the moisture uptake of bamboo by 32%, the water absorption by 26%, and thickness and width swelling by 43% and 31%, respectively, in comparison with the reference. FTIR analysis revealed the effect of the esterification process with an increase of the carbonyl/hydroxyl absorbance ratio, which explains the reductions in water absorption and swelling. No significant change was identified on the cellulose crystallinity determined by XRD, with only a small increase of the boron-treated samples. TG/DSC measurements showed that boron compounds cause a reduction of weight loss and decrease the exothermic heat flow upon heating under synthetic air flow. However, the modification with citric acid caused slightly higher thermal degradation in the same conditions of testing, which was overcome by the addition of boron compounds in the treatment solution. Enhanced mechanical performance was observed on bamboo samples treated only with boron compounds, while samples chemically modified by citric acid presented no changes or a small increase in compression and bending properties. Nevertheless, fibre detachment and structural changes on hemicellulose/cellulose caused a small decrease in shear strength and a considerable decrease, about 30%, in tensile strength. The overall results provided an insightful understanding regarding the chemical modification of bamboo, revealing new possibilities of treatment for the improvements of dimensional and thermal stability without the use of hazardous chemicals.

text: Chemical modification of Dendrocalamus asper bamboo with citric acid and boron compounds: Effects on the physical-chemical, mechanical and thermal properties The effect of environmentally friendly treatment using citric acid and boron compounds on the physical-chemical and mechanical properties and thermal degradation of D. asper bamboo was investigated. The chemical modification using citric acid reduced the moisture uptake of bamboo by 32%, the water absorption by 26%, and thickness and width swelling by 43% and 31%, respectively, in comparison with the reference. FTIR analysis revealed the effect of the esterification process with an increase of the carbonyl/hydroxyl absorbance ratio, which explains the reductions in water absorption and swelling. No significant change was identified on the cellulose crystallinity determined by XRD, with only a small increase of the boron-treated samples. TG/DSC measurements showed that boron compounds cause a reduction of weight loss and decrease the exothermic heat flow upon heating under synthetic air flow. However, the modification with citric acid caused slightly higher thermal degradation in the same conditions of testing, which was overcome by the addition of boron compounds in the treatment solution. Enhanced mechanical performance was observed on bamboo samples treated only with boron compounds, while samples chemically modified by citric acid presented no changes or a small increase in compression and bending properties. Nevertheless, fibre detachment and structural changes on hemicellulose/cellulose caused a small decrease in shear strength and a considerable decrease, about 30%, in tensile strength. The overall results provided an insightful understanding regarding the chemical modification of bamboo, revealing new possibilities of treatment for the improvements of dimensional and thermal stability without the use of hazardous chemicals.

year: 2021