title: Participatory data design: managing data sovereignty in IoT solutions

authors: Bowen, Judy

subjects: computer science

abstract: Within the software engineering community, deciding how to collect, store and use personal data has become about more than just understanding our users. This paper considers ethical data use which includes cultural considerations and data ownership rights. We discuss indigenous data sovereignty as a concept and how it potentially impacts technological solutions that gather personal data from users. We propose an extension to typical user-centred design processes which we call participatory data design. This incorporates the use of frameworks and tools that specifically focus on managing data within the cultural context it is gathered from. We also present a specific example of how we have used this approach in the context of a data collection project from M¯aori workers in New Zealand forestry. We conclude with a discussion of the wider implications of this approach.

text: Participatory data design: managing data sovereignty in IoT solutions Within the software engineering community, deciding how to collect, store and use personal data has become about more than just understanding our users. This paper considers ethical data use which includes cultural considerations and data ownership rights. We discuss indigenous data sovereignty as a concept and how it potentially impacts technological solutions that gather personal data from users. We propose an extension to typical user-centred design processes which we call participatory data design. This incorporates the use of frameworks and tools that specifically focus on managing data within the cultural context it is gathered from. We also present a specific example of how we have used this approach in the context of a data collection project from M¯aori workers in New Zealand forestry. We conclude with a discussion of the wider implications of this approach.

year: 2022

title: He huringa āhuarangi, he huringa ao: A changing climate, a changing world

authors: Awatere, S

subjects: climate change adaptation

abstract: Iwi/hapū (tribe/subtribe) governance institutions are increasingly asserting their rangatiratanga (autonomy) to manage climate change risks and meet the well-being of whānau (family)/ hapū/iwi. Howevere, there is a shortange of specific guidance for whānau/hapū/iwi with respect to climate change adaptation and mitigation. We provide a commentary about risk and uncertainty, knowledge gaps, and options for climate change mitigation and adaptation for whānau/hapū/iwi.

text: He huringa āhuarangi, he huringa ao: A changing climate, a changing world Iwi/hapū (tribe/subtribe) governance institutions are increasingly asserting their rangatiratanga (autonomy) to manage climate change risks and meet the well-being of whānau (family)/ hapū/iwi. Howevere, there is a shortange of specific guidance for whānau/hapū/iwi with respect to climate change adaptation and mitigation. We provide a commentary about risk and uncertainty, knowledge gaps, and options for climate change mitigation and adaptation for whānau/hapū/iwi.

year: 2021-10

title: Assessing habitat suitability for karure | kakaruia | Chatham Island black robin (Petroica traversi): Integrating invertebrate surveys, DNA metabarcoding, and foraging ecology

authors: Teague, Caleb

subjects: Chatham Islands

abstract: The karure | kakaruia | Chatham Island black robin (Petroica traversi) is one of New Zealand's most remarkable conservation achievements, recovering from a mere five birds in 1980 to around 330 today. However, the species remains Nationally Critical and restricted to two small islands, making establishment of additional populations essential for long-term prosperity. A previous translocation attempt to Rangiauria | Rangiaotea |Pitt Island failed, with inadequate food resources hypothesised as a contributing factor, yet black robin dietary requirements and prey availability at potential translocation sites remain poorly understood. This study integrated invertebrate community surveys, DNA metabarcoding of faecal samples, and behavioural observations to characterise black robin diet, foraging behaviour and food availability, aiming to assess habitat suitability across the Chatham Islands. 
In Chapter Two I examined invertebrate communities across four forested sites across the Chatham Island archipelago; the currently inhabited Woolshed Bush and Top Bush on Hokorereoro | Rangatira | Southeast Island, previously failed translocation site Elizabeth Ellen Preece Conservation Covenant | Caravan Bush on Rangiauria | Rangiaotea | Pitt Island, and potential future translocation site Chudleigh Conservation Area on Rēkohu | Wharekauri | Chatham Island. Analyses revealed that predator free sites (Woolshed Bush and Top Bush) supported significantly higher ground-active invertebrate biomass. This difference was driven by large-bodied cave wētā and ground beetles, which were abundant on Rangatira Island but absent from Caravan Bush and Chudleigh Conservation Area. Surprisingly, Woolshed Bush and Top Bush showed similar invertebrate communities despite different black robin densities, indicating that prey availability alone does not determine habitat quality.
DNA metabarcoding of faecal samples in Chapter Three revealed that black robin are generalist insectivores, with Coleoptera, Diptera, and Orthoptera comprising the majority of their diet. Dietary composition showed no significant differences between sites, indicating consistent resource use across Woolshed Bush and Top Bush. Foraging observations confirmed strong ground-level preferences, with 82.2% of foraging events occurring at ground level, emphasising the importance of intact forest floor environments for future translocation sites.
This research demonstrates that black robin persistence depends on multiple interacting factors. Future translocation sites should include abundant large-bodied prey, intact forest floors with deep leaf litter supporting ground foraging, effective predator control or predator-free status, and mature forest structure. DNA metabarcoding proved essential for revealing dietary composition that would be impossible to detect through observation alone by characterising consumption of cryptic prey taxa. While food availability is necessary for translocation success, it is not a sole determining factor; other habitat features such as nest site availability and predator presence must also be considered. The methods I have established here provide a repeatable framework for evidence-based translocation planning.

text: Assessing habitat suitability for karure | kakaruia | Chatham Island black robin (Petroica traversi): Integrating invertebrate surveys, DNA metabarcoding, and foraging ecology The karure | kakaruia | Chatham Island black robin (Petroica traversi) is one of New Zealand's most remarkable conservation achievements, recovering from a mere five birds in 1980 to around 330 today. However, the species remains Nationally Critical and restricted to two small islands, making establishment of additional populations essential for long-term prosperity. A previous translocation attempt to Rangiauria | Rangiaotea |Pitt Island failed, with inadequate food resources hypothesised as a contributing factor, yet black robin dietary requirements and prey availability at potential translocation sites remain poorly understood. This study integrated invertebrate community surveys, DNA metabarcoding of faecal samples, and behavioural observations to characterise black robin diet, foraging behaviour and food availability, aiming to assess habitat suitability across the Chatham Islands. 
In Chapter Two I examined invertebrate communities across four forested sites across the Chatham Island archipelago; the currently inhabited Woolshed Bush and Top Bush on Hokorereoro | Rangatira | Southeast Island, previously failed translocation site Elizabeth Ellen Preece Conservation Covenant | Caravan Bush on Rangiauria | Rangiaotea | Pitt Island, and potential future translocation site Chudleigh Conservation Area on Rēkohu | Wharekauri | Chatham Island. Analyses revealed that predator free sites (Woolshed Bush and Top Bush) supported significantly higher ground-active invertebrate biomass. This difference was driven by large-bodied cave wētā and ground beetles, which were abundant on Rangatira Island but absent from Caravan Bush and Chudleigh Conservation Area. Surprisingly, Woolshed Bush and Top Bush showed similar invertebrate communities despite different black robin densities, indicating that prey availability alone does not determine habitat quality.
DNA metabarcoding of faecal samples in Chapter Three revealed that black robin are generalist insectivores, with Coleoptera, Diptera, and Orthoptera comprising the majority of their diet. Dietary composition showed no significant differences between sites, indicating consistent resource use across Woolshed Bush and Top Bush. Foraging observations confirmed strong ground-level preferences, with 82.2% of foraging events occurring at ground level, emphasising the importance of intact forest floor environments for future translocation sites.
This research demonstrates that black robin persistence depends on multiple interacting factors. Future translocation sites should include abundant large-bodied prey, intact forest floors with deep leaf litter supporting ground foraging, effective predator control or predator-free status, and mature forest structure. DNA metabarcoding proved essential for revealing dietary composition that would be impossible to detect through observation alone by characterising consumption of cryptic prey taxa. While food availability is necessary for translocation success, it is not a sole determining factor; other habitat features such as nest site availability and predator presence must also be considered. The methods I have established here provide a repeatable framework for evidence-based translocation planning.

year: 2026