title: Exploring the nature of psychological wellness of renal patients on dialysis under the care of the Waikato Regional Renal Centre

authors: Pepperell, Cherie Susan

subjects: renal

abstract: In New Zealand, there has been limited enquiry into the experiences of dialysis patients and the health professionals who work with these patients. The number of people requiring dialysis is increasing every year and the support they require to manage end stage kidney disease is complex. It involves the invasive physical intervention of dialysis, as well as psychological support to cope with the significant life changes and social support to help patients to manage this disease.
The purpose of this research is to explore the nature of psychological well-being of patients under the care of the Waikato Regional Renal Unit. The level of psychological support that the patients have access to is investigated and suggested improvements rationalised against prior research findings are presented. The intent of this research is to create an awareness of the psychological needs of dialysis patients. It aims to give insight into the participants’ lived experience as they openly describe their lives as dialysis patients, and endeavours to open up discussion for change.
Two data gathering approaches were used to engage with patients and health professional. I completed interviews with 11 renal patients and 14 health professionals, and administered a mail out questionnaire to 197 patient respondents. Thematic analysis of the interview data identified the following themes; the impacts of end stage kidney disease on the psychological well-being of renal patients, the need for psychological support for patients with end stage kidney disease, and the need for improved communication between and across all parties; the support people, the health professionals and the renal patient.

text: Exploring the nature of psychological wellness of renal patients on dialysis under the care of the Waikato Regional Renal Centre In New Zealand, there has been limited enquiry into the experiences of dialysis patients and the health professionals who work with these patients. The number of people requiring dialysis is increasing every year and the support they require to manage end stage kidney disease is complex. It involves the invasive physical intervention of dialysis, as well as psychological support to cope with the significant life changes and social support to help patients to manage this disease.
The purpose of this research is to explore the nature of psychological well-being of patients under the care of the Waikato Regional Renal Unit. The level of psychological support that the patients have access to is investigated and suggested improvements rationalised against prior research findings are presented. The intent of this research is to create an awareness of the psychological needs of dialysis patients. It aims to give insight into the participants’ lived experience as they openly describe their lives as dialysis patients, and endeavours to open up discussion for change.
Two data gathering approaches were used to engage with patients and health professional. I completed interviews with 11 renal patients and 14 health professionals, and administered a mail out questionnaire to 197 patient respondents. Thematic analysis of the interview data identified the following themes; the impacts of end stage kidney disease on the psychological well-being of renal patients, the need for psychological support for patients with end stage kidney disease, and the need for improved communication between and across all parties; the support people, the health professionals and the renal patient.

year: 2017

title: Zero Waste Education: An evaluation of an environmental education programme

authors: Jones, Benjamin

subjects: environmental

abstract: The Ministry of Education's Guidelines for Environmental Education in New Zealand Schools (1999) names five aims of what environmental education should achieve in New Zealand. These aims are for students to develop: "awareness and sensitivity to the environment and related issues; knowledge and understanding of the environment and the impact of people on it; attitudes and values that reflect feelings of concern for the environment; skills involved in identifying, investigating, and problem solving associated with environmental issues; and a sense of responsibility through participation and action as individuals, or members of groups whanau, or iwi, in addressing environmental issues" (Ministry of Education, 1999, p. 9).
The research reported in this thesis describes the evaluation of the Zero Waste Education (ZWE) programme against these aims, as well as the goals of the programme itself. The ZWE programme is based in Tauranga and operates in primary schools around New Zealand delivering waste education to students. 
This research was conducted within the interpretivist paradigm. Data was collected using the case study method in one school in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, through interviews, parent questionnaires, student questionnaires, observations, and a focus group. Participants in this case study were students who had gone through the ZWE programme, their teachers and other members of the school staff, the ZWE educator, and the parents of the students who went through the programme. Data was organised by initially transcribing interview data, entering student questionnaire and parent questionnaire data into MS Excel spreadsheets and typing observational data. The organised data was then coded in a deductive approach based on the desired outcomes of EE and ZWE, and analysed for common themes that emerged in relation to these outcomes. 
The findings of this study indicate that the ZWE programme appears to be meetingits desired goals in general terms, as well as those of environmental education as a whole. The findings appeared to show a raise in student’s knowledge of composting and worms, as well as a raise in attitudes and awareness towards the waste issue. The findings also appeared show a level of intergenerational transfer and action taking occurring, with a few participating households reporting a change in their waste management practices and teachers commenting on observed actions of the students.
One key recommendation to emerge from this study is for ZWE to further tighten its goals and discuss these with educators in order to enhance consistent achievement of the goals. Another recommendation discusses ways to further develop the action taking skills of participating students through the action competence approach and to ensure that these action taking skills have enough of an impact to last in the long term.

text: Zero Waste Education: An evaluation of an environmental education programme The Ministry of Education's Guidelines for Environmental Education in New Zealand Schools (1999) names five aims of what environmental education should achieve in New Zealand. These aims are for students to develop: "awareness and sensitivity to the environment and related issues; knowledge and understanding of the environment and the impact of people on it; attitudes and values that reflect feelings of concern for the environment; skills involved in identifying, investigating, and problem solving associated with environmental issues; and a sense of responsibility through participation and action as individuals, or members of groups whanau, or iwi, in addressing environmental issues" (Ministry of Education, 1999, p. 9).
The research reported in this thesis describes the evaluation of the Zero Waste Education (ZWE) programme against these aims, as well as the goals of the programme itself. The ZWE programme is based in Tauranga and operates in primary schools around New Zealand delivering waste education to students. 
This research was conducted within the interpretivist paradigm. Data was collected using the case study method in one school in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, through interviews, parent questionnaires, student questionnaires, observations, and a focus group. Participants in this case study were students who had gone through the ZWE programme, their teachers and other members of the school staff, the ZWE educator, and the parents of the students who went through the programme. Data was organised by initially transcribing interview data, entering student questionnaire and parent questionnaire data into MS Excel spreadsheets and typing observational data. The organised data was then coded in a deductive approach based on the desired outcomes of EE and ZWE, and analysed for common themes that emerged in relation to these outcomes. 
The findings of this study indicate that the ZWE programme appears to be meetingits desired goals in general terms, as well as those of environmental education as a whole. The findings appeared to show a raise in student’s knowledge of composting and worms, as well as a raise in attitudes and awareness towards the waste issue. The findings also appeared show a level of intergenerational transfer and action taking occurring, with a few participating households reporting a change in their waste management practices and teachers commenting on observed actions of the students.
One key recommendation to emerge from this study is for ZWE to further tighten its goals and discuss these with educators in order to enhance consistent achievement of the goals. Another recommendation discusses ways to further develop the action taking skills of participating students through the action competence approach and to ensure that these action taking skills have enough of an impact to last in the long term.

year: 2014

title: Haumanu hauora: A commentary on strengthening health institution responsiveness to Māori health in the face of climate change

authors: Masters-Awatere, Bridgette

abstract: Climate change is the biggest threat to humanity through compounding ecological disasters. A focus on global averages tends to hide dramatic differences and mask health disparities that exist for Indigenous people. For 21 years, district health boards (DHBs) were responsible for providing or funding the provision of health services across Aotearoa. The introduction of the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022 disestablished DHBs and offered an opportunity to reshape health in ways that give serious consideration to climate change impacts. The need to give greater consideration to Indigenous people in climate change conversations is essential. The Waitangi Tribunal highlights areas where the Crown needs to work to improve Māori health outcomes. A clear deficit in existing policy process means a lack of preparedness for the intersecting health crises vulnerable Māori will experience in the face of climate change. Structural change is needed to strengthen health institution responsiveness to Māori health needs.

text: Haumanu hauora: A commentary on strengthening health institution responsiveness to Māori health in the face of climate change Climate change is the biggest threat to humanity through compounding ecological disasters. A focus on global averages tends to hide dramatic differences and mask health disparities that exist for Indigenous people. For 21 years, district health boards (DHBs) were responsible for providing or funding the provision of health services across Aotearoa. The introduction of the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022 disestablished DHBs and offered an opportunity to reshape health in ways that give serious consideration to climate change impacts. The need to give greater consideration to Indigenous people in climate change conversations is essential. The Waitangi Tribunal highlights areas where the Crown needs to work to improve Māori health outcomes. A clear deficit in existing policy process means a lack of preparedness for the intersecting health crises vulnerable Māori will experience in the face of climate change. Structural change is needed to strengthen health institution responsiveness to Māori health needs.

year: 2025