title: New Zealand financial management reform: organizational changes in secondary schools focusing on structure, resourcing, budgeting, and reporting

authors: Isa, Shami Bin Mohammed

abstract: School reform associated with Tomorrow’s Schools was ostensibly mobilised to engender various changes, the major ones being changes in financial management and accounting practices in schools. The reform sought, on the face of it, to give greater autonomy to the local administrators and, at the same time, impose on them a much wider accountability network. Its apparent mission was the inculcation of a culture of ‘economic efficiency’ and an associated traditional financial accounting measurement culture: forces seemingly alien to schools.

This study attempts to provide an insight into changes in the above practices engendered by the reforms - in particular, financial and accounting related changes associated with structure, resourcing, budgeting and reporting. It seeks to explore the changes and responses from case studies in four schools in the Waikato region. The case studies are supported by a questionnaire survey, the aim of which is to gain some preliminary insights for the subsequent, more in-depth case studies. In interpreting such empirical data, I discuss and analyse the various changes and the impacts (or issues) arising from the reform.

The thesis is consistent with a naturalistic and interpretive perspective which provides the basis for the description of the responses to the changes in the four technologies. It also pursues themes and raises questions consistent with critical theoretical analysis of organizational change.

Among the findings were the different impacts of the reform upon the schools, which arose mainly from the differences in their socio-economic backgrounds. There were also several similarities, for example, while the changes did have a significant impact upon the various structures and practices in the schools studied, many of the changes were absorbed by a small group consisting mainly of the administrative group, leaving the teachers to carry on undisturbed.

Finally, I also discuss the implications of the reform upon the future of the schools in terms of economic, social and cultural issues and their possible impacts upon the educational objectives.

text: New Zealand financial management reform: organizational changes in secondary schools focusing on structure, resourcing, budgeting, and reporting School reform associated with Tomorrow’s Schools was ostensibly mobilised to engender various changes, the major ones being changes in financial management and accounting practices in schools. The reform sought, on the face of it, to give greater autonomy to the local administrators and, at the same time, impose on them a much wider accountability network. Its apparent mission was the inculcation of a culture of ‘economic efficiency’ and an associated traditional financial accounting measurement culture: forces seemingly alien to schools.

This study attempts to provide an insight into changes in the above practices engendered by the reforms - in particular, financial and accounting related changes associated with structure, resourcing, budgeting and reporting. It seeks to explore the changes and responses from case studies in four schools in the Waikato region. The case studies are supported by a questionnaire survey, the aim of which is to gain some preliminary insights for the subsequent, more in-depth case studies. In interpreting such empirical data, I discuss and analyse the various changes and the impacts (or issues) arising from the reform.

The thesis is consistent with a naturalistic and interpretive perspective which provides the basis for the description of the responses to the changes in the four technologies. It also pursues themes and raises questions consistent with critical theoretical analysis of organizational change.

Among the findings were the different impacts of the reform upon the schools, which arose mainly from the differences in their socio-economic backgrounds. There were also several similarities, for example, while the changes did have a significant impact upon the various structures and practices in the schools studied, many of the changes were absorbed by a small group consisting mainly of the administrative group, leaving the teachers to carry on undisturbed.

Finally, I also discuss the implications of the reform upon the future of the schools in terms of economic, social and cultural issues and their possible impacts upon the educational objectives.

year: 1998

title: Sequencing the New Zealand dawn chorus: can song playback alter the timing of song initiation?

authors: MacDougall, Mark

subjects: Dawn chorus

abstract: The dawn chorus of songbirds is a behavioural phenomenon occurring prior to sunrise; birds of many different species sing simultaneously at rapid rates. Avian physiology, social behaviours and local environment all influence the onset of dawn song. The influence of social cues on dawn chorus singing is poorly delineated relative to the effect of environmental or physiological factors; in particular, our knowledge of the role of heterospecific cues is limited. In this study, I aimed to determine if New Zealand songbirds would chorus in a distinct order, like those seen in other countries. I investigated whether the timing of song onset relative to sunrise would change as the breeding season progressed. I also assessed if conspecific and heterospecific acoustic cues influence a species’ start time. Finally, I explored the influence of acoustic cues from an early singer, the Tui (Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae) and a late singer, the Riroriro (Grey Warbler; Gerygone igata) on start time. I recorded the dawn chorus at nine sites at the Maungatautari reserve between September and November 2016, using arrays of time-synchronised autonomous recording devices. I broadcast different playback stimuli at three arrays per morning; an early singer, a late singer, and noise.  My results suggest that New Zealand dawn choruses follow an order and that the timing of chorus start time changes over time as the breeding season progresses. Tui began singing earliest, and their start time shifted much earlier as the breeding season progressed. Most species joined the chorus in a highly interchangeable order within the same 12 minute window, while Pōpokatea (Whitehead; Mohoua albicilla) sang last. Start time was not found to shift in response to any playback stimuli for any species. The onset of Tui or Riroriro song is unlikely to be used as a cue by either con- or heterospecific neighbours to initiate their own dawn song.

text: Sequencing the New Zealand dawn chorus: can song playback alter the timing of song initiation? The dawn chorus of songbirds is a behavioural phenomenon occurring prior to sunrise; birds of many different species sing simultaneously at rapid rates. Avian physiology, social behaviours and local environment all influence the onset of dawn song. The influence of social cues on dawn chorus singing is poorly delineated relative to the effect of environmental or physiological factors; in particular, our knowledge of the role of heterospecific cues is limited. In this study, I aimed to determine if New Zealand songbirds would chorus in a distinct order, like those seen in other countries. I investigated whether the timing of song onset relative to sunrise would change as the breeding season progressed. I also assessed if conspecific and heterospecific acoustic cues influence a species’ start time. Finally, I explored the influence of acoustic cues from an early singer, the Tui (Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae) and a late singer, the Riroriro (Grey Warbler; Gerygone igata) on start time. I recorded the dawn chorus at nine sites at the Maungatautari reserve between September and November 2016, using arrays of time-synchronised autonomous recording devices. I broadcast different playback stimuli at three arrays per morning; an early singer, a late singer, and noise.  My results suggest that New Zealand dawn choruses follow an order and that the timing of chorus start time changes over time as the breeding season progresses. Tui began singing earliest, and their start time shifted much earlier as the breeding season progressed. Most species joined the chorus in a highly interchangeable order within the same 12 minute window, while Pōpokatea (Whitehead; Mohoua albicilla) sang last. Start time was not found to shift in response to any playback stimuli for any species. The onset of Tui or Riroriro song is unlikely to be used as a cue by either con- or heterospecific neighbours to initiate their own dawn song.

year: 2017

title: Planning for the protection and enhancement of marine environments' wellbeing

authors: Barnsdall, Aaron

subjects: marine

abstract: The wellbeing of marine environments has a direct relationship with the types of whenua (land, placenta) use and management practices that go from the mountains to the sea. In Aotearoa, activities that are carried out in this land-marine interface, including those related to Nature-based Solutions (NbSs), are regulated by national, regional, and district policies (e.g., New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement, regional plans, and district plans). However, due to its novel character, not all current policies account for the realisation of NbSs nor are NbSs’ potential for addressing the wellbeing of our marine environments well understood.

This dissertation focuses on Tauranga Moana (the seas of Tauranga) as the chosen locality for the case study area, to:

i) investigate how the Ngapeke 7 Trust’s community participants in the Ngāti Pūkenga area of Tauranga Moana understand and value NbSs for addressing the wellbeing of their marine systems; and,
ii) review current planning policies and mechanisms to identify barriers, enablers, and gaps that support or hinder the implementation of NbSs in Tauranga Moana, observing through a Kaupapa Māori lens.

Findings emphasize that integrating mātauranga Māori and Māori Ecological Knowledge (MEK) with scientific knowledge offers a holistic approach to environmental management, enhancing decision-making, education, and policy. Key Māori values, including whakapapa, mauri, and kaitiakitanga, are central to this approach.

The research identifies gaps in policies regarding NbS realization and a need for greater understanding of NbS potential and Māori perspectives. Implications include the necessity of integrating MEK into environmental practices and policies, and the value of NbSs for effective and equitable environmental outcomes. Limitations include sample size and scope, which focused on the Ngapeke 7 block. This research contributes valuable insights for environmental planning and management by centring mātauranga Māori and values in NbS implementation for marine health.

text: Planning for the protection and enhancement of marine environments' wellbeing The wellbeing of marine environments has a direct relationship with the types of whenua (land, placenta) use and management practices that go from the mountains to the sea. In Aotearoa, activities that are carried out in this land-marine interface, including those related to Nature-based Solutions (NbSs), are regulated by national, regional, and district policies (e.g., New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement, regional plans, and district plans). However, due to its novel character, not all current policies account for the realisation of NbSs nor are NbSs’ potential for addressing the wellbeing of our marine environments well understood.

This dissertation focuses on Tauranga Moana (the seas of Tauranga) as the chosen locality for the case study area, to:

i) investigate how the Ngapeke 7 Trust’s community participants in the Ngāti Pūkenga area of Tauranga Moana understand and value NbSs for addressing the wellbeing of their marine systems; and,
ii) review current planning policies and mechanisms to identify barriers, enablers, and gaps that support or hinder the implementation of NbSs in Tauranga Moana, observing through a Kaupapa Māori lens.

Findings emphasize that integrating mātauranga Māori and Māori Ecological Knowledge (MEK) with scientific knowledge offers a holistic approach to environmental management, enhancing decision-making, education, and policy. Key Māori values, including whakapapa, mauri, and kaitiakitanga, are central to this approach.

The research identifies gaps in policies regarding NbS realization and a need for greater understanding of NbS potential and Māori perspectives. Implications include the necessity of integrating MEK into environmental practices and policies, and the value of NbSs for effective and equitable environmental outcomes. Limitations include sample size and scope, which focused on the Ngapeke 7 block. This research contributes valuable insights for environmental planning and management by centring mātauranga Māori and values in NbS implementation for marine health.

year: 2025-04-16