title: [n] infants, [n] votes

authors: Munn, Nicholas

abstract: The inclusive presumption suggests that we should only disenfranchise those whose inclusion will undermine democratic values. Most people think we ought not to enfranchise infants. What harm would enfranchised infants do to our democratic institutions? At worst, they would systematically vote badly, choosing the worst of the available options. More plausibly, they would (mostly) fail to cast valid votes, and those who did successfully cast ballots would select randomly among the available options (as do some enfranchised adults). Neither of these possibilities provides good reason to disenfranchise them. I argue that in a well-constructed democratic system, the inclusion of infants (and all other currently disenfranchised citizens) will on balance be positive. To the extent that in extant democratic systems, enfranchising infants will do harm, that is an issue not with the infants, but with the system, and ought to be addressed from that side.

text: [n] infants, [n] votes The inclusive presumption suggests that we should only disenfranchise those whose inclusion will undermine democratic values. Most people think we ought not to enfranchise infants. What harm would enfranchised infants do to our democratic institutions? At worst, they would systematically vote badly, choosing the worst of the available options. More plausibly, they would (mostly) fail to cast valid votes, and those who did successfully cast ballots would select randomly among the available options (as do some enfranchised adults). Neither of these possibilities provides good reason to disenfranchise them. I argue that in a well-constructed democratic system, the inclusion of infants (and all other currently disenfranchised citizens) will on balance be positive. To the extent that in extant democratic systems, enfranchising infants will do harm, that is an issue not with the infants, but with the system, and ought to be addressed from that side.

year: 2016

title: New Zealand regions, 1986-2001: Population geography

authors: Pool, Ian

subjects: urban

abstract: This paper is primarily concerned with the spatial aspects of population, namely with: (i) patterns of settlement (urban, rural) and attendant population size variations by region, (ii) changes over time between rural and urban areas at a Regional Council level, (iii) and between regions in New Zealand. It is important to look at this because many trends in human capital, social equity, families and health that are seen at a regional level may be gaps between more urbanised and more isolated areas. There are, in fact, significant differences in levels of urbanisation between regions and these have major implications for policy.

text: New Zealand regions, 1986-2001: Population geography This paper is primarily concerned with the spatial aspects of population, namely with: (i) patterns of settlement (urban, rural) and attendant population size variations by region, (ii) changes over time between rural and urban areas at a Regional Council level, (iii) and between regions in New Zealand. It is important to look at this because many trends in human capital, social equity, families and health that are seen at a regional level may be gaps between more urbanised and more isolated areas. There are, in fact, significant differences in levels of urbanisation between regions and these have major implications for policy.

year: 2005-10

title: Current state of the Rotorua Lakes

authors: Hamilton, David P.

abstract: The Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes’ programme of restoration has arguably been the most ambitious and effective of any for a group of lakes around the world. It has been characterised by willingness to ‘try things’, to be guided closely by scientific input, and to
now have excellent structures for monitoring and implementation of actions. Still, major challenges remain. One of these is the potential for a sense of complacency, particularly when some lakes have responded extremely positively to in-lake treatments (e.g. Rotorua) or major one-off actions (e.g. Rotoiti). It is essential that these improvements in lake water quality, some of which may not be able to be maintained indefinitely in their current mode, not delay further catchment management actions.
Another challenge is exotic oxygen weeds, particularly where it is difficult to harvest large accumulations. The final challenge relates to climate. Recent years have been characterised by droughts and intense rainfall events that challenge land management practices. Further, surface water temperatures in the lakes in 2015 have been greater than at any time in the past. If these changes are symptomatic of a future climate, then there will need to be greater effort put into building resilience in the lakes and their catchments.

text: Current state of the Rotorua Lakes The Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes’ programme of restoration has arguably been the most ambitious and effective of any for a group of lakes around the world. It has been characterised by willingness to ‘try things’, to be guided closely by scientific input, and to
now have excellent structures for monitoring and implementation of actions. Still, major challenges remain. One of these is the potential for a sense of complacency, particularly when some lakes have responded extremely positively to in-lake treatments (e.g. Rotorua) or major one-off actions (e.g. Rotoiti). It is essential that these improvements in lake water quality, some of which may not be able to be maintained indefinitely in their current mode, not delay further catchment management actions.
Another challenge is exotic oxygen weeds, particularly where it is difficult to harvest large accumulations. The final challenge relates to climate. Recent years have been characterised by droughts and intense rainfall events that challenge land management practices. Further, surface water temperatures in the lakes in 2015 have been greater than at any time in the past. If these changes are symptomatic of a future climate, then there will need to be greater effort put into building resilience in the lakes and their catchments.

year: 2015