title: Renewable energy perspectives

authors: Daya-Winterbottom, Trevor

abstract: From the mountains to the sea, the Waikato region of New Zealand stretches from the snowcapped mountains of the North Island’s volcanic plateau surrounding Lake Taupo, through the broad Waikato River valley to the Tasman Sea. The region has the “capacity to power” up to 50 per cent of New Zealand, and exports over 75 per cent of the “electricity generated … to other regions”. The primary sources of electricity generation in the Waikato region are hydro, geothermal, and thermal (coal and gas); and recent growth in electricity development in the region has focused on geothermal and gas-fired generation. However, with “peaking” production from the Maui gas field offshore from the Taranaki coast, and the increased emphasis on a 90 per cent renewable electricity generation target by 2025: 
… the region is likely to play an important role in the development of future renewable electricity generation nationally. 
For example, limited capacity for new hydro dams along the Waikato River and constraints on further “assimilating discharges” for cooling from thermal power stations due to increasing demand for freshwater underpins the continued interest in geothermal and wind power and the interest in “emerging” technologies such as “underground coal gasification” and “marine energy”. In particular, accessing north Waikato coal reserves (over one billion tonnes), that is currently impractical and uneconomic using “conventional” open cast or deep mining methods, could become “a real possibility” using these new technologies. Against this background the Royal Society of New Zealand recommended that electricity generation should make the “transition” to renewable energy sources by 2020, including the use of less carbon intense bridging fuels, and with a “commitment to zero carbon emissions” from fossil-fuel generation through capture and storage techniques.

text: Renewable energy perspectives From the mountains to the sea, the Waikato region of New Zealand stretches from the snowcapped mountains of the North Island’s volcanic plateau surrounding Lake Taupo, through the broad Waikato River valley to the Tasman Sea. The region has the “capacity to power” up to 50 per cent of New Zealand, and exports over 75 per cent of the “electricity generated … to other regions”. The primary sources of electricity generation in the Waikato region are hydro, geothermal, and thermal (coal and gas); and recent growth in electricity development in the region has focused on geothermal and gas-fired generation. However, with “peaking” production from the Maui gas field offshore from the Taranaki coast, and the increased emphasis on a 90 per cent renewable electricity generation target by 2025: 
… the region is likely to play an important role in the development of future renewable electricity generation nationally. 
For example, limited capacity for new hydro dams along the Waikato River and constraints on further “assimilating discharges” for cooling from thermal power stations due to increasing demand for freshwater underpins the continued interest in geothermal and wind power and the interest in “emerging” technologies such as “underground coal gasification” and “marine energy”. In particular, accessing north Waikato coal reserves (over one billion tonnes), that is currently impractical and uneconomic using “conventional” open cast or deep mining methods, could become “a real possibility” using these new technologies. Against this background the Royal Society of New Zealand recommended that electricity generation should make the “transition” to renewable energy sources by 2020, including the use of less carbon intense bridging fuels, and with a “commitment to zero carbon emissions” from fossil-fuel generation through capture and storage techniques.

year: 2014

title: Teacher understanding and management of students with anxiety in New Zealand primary schools

authors: Margon, Carla Lee

subjects: Psychology

abstract: New Zealand has increasing rates of anxiety with 1 in 5 young people meeting the diagnostic criteria for an anxiety disorder by the age of 19 (Ministry of Health, 2018). As of June 2023, over 666,000 children aged between 5 and 14 years old were diagnosed with anxiety, equating to 12.8% of the total population of New Zealand (Stats NZ, 2022). As these children are likely to be engaged in formal education, this study investigated teachers understanding and management of students with anxiety in New Zealand primary schools. Twenty-three teachers from three primary schools completed a questionnaire exploring their definitions of anxiety, the training and support they received, and their identification of the manifestations of anxiety in primary school students. Teachers were also asked about their perceptions of the impacts of COVID-19 on student anxiety. Results revealed that while teachers had a general understanding of anxiety and could identify mild and severe anxiety symptoms, they reported a lack of training and confidence in the area and could not consistently distinguish normal anxiety from excessive anxiety, often defining all anxiety to be a generally negative experience. This study provides a first look into teachers understanding of anxiety in New Zealand primary school students.

text: Teacher understanding and management of students with anxiety in New Zealand primary schools New Zealand has increasing rates of anxiety with 1 in 5 young people meeting the diagnostic criteria for an anxiety disorder by the age of 19 (Ministry of Health, 2018). As of June 2023, over 666,000 children aged between 5 and 14 years old were diagnosed with anxiety, equating to 12.8% of the total population of New Zealand (Stats NZ, 2022). As these children are likely to be engaged in formal education, this study investigated teachers understanding and management of students with anxiety in New Zealand primary schools. Twenty-three teachers from three primary schools completed a questionnaire exploring their definitions of anxiety, the training and support they received, and their identification of the manifestations of anxiety in primary school students. Teachers were also asked about their perceptions of the impacts of COVID-19 on student anxiety. Results revealed that while teachers had a general understanding of anxiety and could identify mild and severe anxiety symptoms, they reported a lack of training and confidence in the area and could not consistently distinguish normal anxiety from excessive anxiety, often defining all anxiety to be a generally negative experience. This study provides a first look into teachers understanding of anxiety in New Zealand primary school students.

year: 2023

title: Te Pūtahitanga: A Tiriti-led science-policy approach for Aotearoa New Zealand

authors: Kukutai, Tahu

abstract: This paper examines the interface between science and policymaking and calls for a policy approach that is enabled by, and responsive to, Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Mātauranga Māori. For a science sector to have its greatest reach and impact for all citizens, it must demonstrate relevance, accessibility and inclusion. In Aotearoa, there has been concern about the exclusion of Māori and Pacific expertise from science advice and key decision-making roles. Te Tiriti offers a powerful framework for connecting systems and communities of knowledge in ways that are mutually beneficial and future focused.

text: Te Pūtahitanga: A Tiriti-led science-policy approach for Aotearoa New Zealand This paper examines the interface between science and policymaking and calls for a policy approach that is enabled by, and responsive to, Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Mātauranga Māori. For a science sector to have its greatest reach and impact for all citizens, it must demonstrate relevance, accessibility and inclusion. In Aotearoa, there has been concern about the exclusion of Māori and Pacific expertise from science advice and key decision-making roles. Te Tiriti offers a powerful framework for connecting systems and communities of knowledge in ways that are mutually beneficial and future focused.

year: 2021-04-28