title: Portfolio of compositions

authors: Hoadley, Benjamin Russell

subjects: New Zealand composition

abstract: The music in this portfolio of original compositions is steeped in the Western tradition of tonal music. The pieces were written while also pursuing a professional career as a bassoonist touring internationally and performing a wide variety of western art music, from Renaissance to contemporary. I have responded to these influences consciously and unconsciously in my music. The overarching focus of this composition portfolio is to provide an answer to the question — to what extent do musical influences impact on the compositions of an international touring performer?

Underpinning the portfolio is the fact that the pieces were all written in New Zealand during periods of intense reflection and study. While I am constantly collecting ideas and inspiration for my music while travelling, I consolidate and realise these ideas only when I am home.

I identify with being a New Zealand composer, with cosmopolitan influences on my music reflecting the global influences on New Zealand’s culture and art. Working closely with composers performing their music has also informed my composition. I mention Gillian Whitehead in particular, whose music I have performed widely.

The two outer pieces in the portfolio, Huia and Manaia 4 are the most directly associated with New Zealand in their subject matter. Other pieces have foreign themes, from my nocturnal impressions of New York in Night Music to the Ancient Greece of Ostrakon to the West African poetry of Four Songs.

All of the pieces were written for professional musicians to perform, including the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra and the Sydney Omega Ensemble. Having these outstanding performers in mind while writing, and interacting with these musicians during the composition process, has informed my writing.

text: Portfolio of compositions The music in this portfolio of original compositions is steeped in the Western tradition of tonal music. The pieces were written while also pursuing a professional career as a bassoonist touring internationally and performing a wide variety of western art music, from Renaissance to contemporary. I have responded to these influences consciously and unconsciously in my music. The overarching focus of this composition portfolio is to provide an answer to the question — to what extent do musical influences impact on the compositions of an international touring performer?

Underpinning the portfolio is the fact that the pieces were all written in New Zealand during periods of intense reflection and study. While I am constantly collecting ideas and inspiration for my music while travelling, I consolidate and realise these ideas only when I am home.

I identify with being a New Zealand composer, with cosmopolitan influences on my music reflecting the global influences on New Zealand’s culture and art. Working closely with composers performing their music has also informed my composition. I mention Gillian Whitehead in particular, whose music I have performed widely.

The two outer pieces in the portfolio, Huia and Manaia 4 are the most directly associated with New Zealand in their subject matter. Other pieces have foreign themes, from my nocturnal impressions of New York in Night Music to the Ancient Greece of Ostrakon to the West African poetry of Four Songs.

All of the pieces were written for professional musicians to perform, including the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra and the Sydney Omega Ensemble. Having these outstanding performers in mind while writing, and interacting with these musicians during the composition process, has informed my writing.

year: 2016

title: An Evaluation of an Impaired Driver Treatment Programme Facilitated by Tūhoe Hauora

authors: Waru, Nicole Arihia

subjects: Tuhoe Hauora

abstract: Driving while impaired is a substantial issue in Aotearoa.  It has the potential to result in loss of life and cause significant health and economic strain on society.  Recidivist impaired drivers are major contributors to this problem.  Countermeasures of impaired driving have previously included liquor licencing, drinking age restrictions, health promotion campaigns and health rehabilitation therapies.  The Ministry of Health offer an Impaired Driving therapy throughout Aotearoa as countermeasure to this issue.  The programme is administered through the funder-contract system. Participation is compulsory for those mandated by court order.  
This study evaluates an Impaired Driver programme facilitated by Tūhoe Hauora; a kaupapa Māori mental health and addiction provider based in Taneatua, Eastern Bay of Plenty.  The course is delivered once weekly over a period of ten weeks to a group of twelve or less recidivist impaired drivers or first time offenders who were convicted of driving with excessive levels of breath alcohol.    
The evaluation draws from a community psychology paradigm in exploration of the lived experiences of programme participants, in the context of course 2 of the 2014 Tūhoe Hauora Impaired Driving course.  
The experiences of five individuals were explored using in-depth face to face interviews and presented using a case-by-case approach.  Participant observation, document review, evaluation visits and participant surveys were used as supplement methods of inquiry.  The findings illustrated that Tūhoe Hauora met contract requirements by addressing impaired driving recidivism to date of interview.  The evaluation also found the course actualising the mission of Tūhoe Hauora which was to address the holistic well-being of programme participants.  The research did present areas in the programme that could be improved particularly pertaining to the referral process and a need for agency collaboration.  Recommendations were formulated in attempt to address the programme gaps and discussion is offered in addressing the multi-layered oppression that was experienced throughout the evaluation process by both Tūhoe Hauora and the evaluation participants.

text: An Evaluation of an Impaired Driver Treatment Programme Facilitated by Tūhoe Hauora Driving while impaired is a substantial issue in Aotearoa.  It has the potential to result in loss of life and cause significant health and economic strain on society.  Recidivist impaired drivers are major contributors to this problem.  Countermeasures of impaired driving have previously included liquor licencing, drinking age restrictions, health promotion campaigns and health rehabilitation therapies.  The Ministry of Health offer an Impaired Driving therapy throughout Aotearoa as countermeasure to this issue.  The programme is administered through the funder-contract system. Participation is compulsory for those mandated by court order.  
This study evaluates an Impaired Driver programme facilitated by Tūhoe Hauora; a kaupapa Māori mental health and addiction provider based in Taneatua, Eastern Bay of Plenty.  The course is delivered once weekly over a period of ten weeks to a group of twelve or less recidivist impaired drivers or first time offenders who were convicted of driving with excessive levels of breath alcohol.    
The evaluation draws from a community psychology paradigm in exploration of the lived experiences of programme participants, in the context of course 2 of the 2014 Tūhoe Hauora Impaired Driving course.  
The experiences of five individuals were explored using in-depth face to face interviews and presented using a case-by-case approach.  Participant observation, document review, evaluation visits and participant surveys were used as supplement methods of inquiry.  The findings illustrated that Tūhoe Hauora met contract requirements by addressing impaired driving recidivism to date of interview.  The evaluation also found the course actualising the mission of Tūhoe Hauora which was to address the holistic well-being of programme participants.  The research did present areas in the programme that could be improved particularly pertaining to the referral process and a need for agency collaboration.  Recommendations were formulated in attempt to address the programme gaps and discussion is offered in addressing the multi-layered oppression that was experienced throughout the evaluation process by both Tūhoe Hauora and the evaluation participants.

year: 2016

title: Wetland biodiversity in Aotearoa New Zealand: an eDNA perspective on exotic and non-exotic species

authors: Bird, Starsha

abstract: Invasive species threaten biodiversity in Aotearoa New Zealand. In wetlands − significant sites that provide an array of ecosystem and cultural services but represent <10% of their original extent − invasive species can affect hydrological function, nutrient regimes and overall ecological functionality. Environmental DNA (eDNA) has emerged as a valuable biomonitoring technique for cataloguing biodiversity and detecting biological incursions, but little is known about how biodiversity varies in wetlands over fine and broad spatial scales. Here, we examined the publicly available eDNA database of Wilderlab New Zealand, retrieving data from 26 sites across the country to characterise taxonomic diversity patterns, including the extent of exotic and non-exotic (native and endemic) species. We found significant spatial variation in biodiversity–even among neighbouring sites–and a pattern whereby all sites had ≥50% exotic species in their total species tally. Our results provide new information on the current state of wetland biodiversity in Aotearoa New Zealand and highlight the value of eDNA databases for generating new insights from publicly shared data. They also emphasise an urgent need for greater resource allocation to conservation and restoration initiatives in Aotearoa New Zealand that will ensure the persistence of treasured native and endemic wetland species.

text: Wetland biodiversity in Aotearoa New Zealand: an eDNA perspective on exotic and non-exotic species Invasive species threaten biodiversity in Aotearoa New Zealand. In wetlands − significant sites that provide an array of ecosystem and cultural services but represent <10% of their original extent − invasive species can affect hydrological function, nutrient regimes and overall ecological functionality. Environmental DNA (eDNA) has emerged as a valuable biomonitoring technique for cataloguing biodiversity and detecting biological incursions, but little is known about how biodiversity varies in wetlands over fine and broad spatial scales. Here, we examined the publicly available eDNA database of Wilderlab New Zealand, retrieving data from 26 sites across the country to characterise taxonomic diversity patterns, including the extent of exotic and non-exotic (native and endemic) species. We found significant spatial variation in biodiversity–even among neighbouring sites–and a pattern whereby all sites had ≥50% exotic species in their total species tally. Our results provide new information on the current state of wetland biodiversity in Aotearoa New Zealand and highlight the value of eDNA databases for generating new insights from publicly shared data. They also emphasise an urgent need for greater resource allocation to conservation and restoration initiatives in Aotearoa New Zealand that will ensure the persistence of treasured native and endemic wetland species.

year: 2024-06-05