title: The COVID-19 domestic vaccine pass: Implications for Māori

authors: Kukutai, Tahu

abstract: The New Zealand government has introduced a COVID-19 domestic vaccine pass to be used in conjunction with the COVID-19 Protection Framework. The Framework is likely to be activated soon after Cabinet meets on 29 November 2021. The pass will be necessary to access places and events that require proof of vaccination under the Framework.
This brief does not argue for or against the introduction of a domestic vaccine pass, but rather discusses key issues that it raises for Māori, and suggests actions to address them. We see four key issues:
• the lack of Māori involvement, as a Tiriti partner, on either the design or implementation of the COVID-19 domestic vaccine pass;
• disproportionate restriction on Māori mobility due to lower Māori vaccination rates;
• privacy and data security concerns;
• uneven implementation that could increase discrimination against Māori and other groups considered to pose a risk to others’ safety.
To respond to these issues we recommend that the implementation of the pass be designed in partnership with Māori and comply with Māori data sovereignty requirements. As Tiriti partners, Māori should expect that the pass will keep their communities safe, while providing opportunities to enact manaakitanga in the matrix of care, and the mana to manage their own affairs.

text: The COVID-19 domestic vaccine pass: Implications for Māori The New Zealand government has introduced a COVID-19 domestic vaccine pass to be used in conjunction with the COVID-19 Protection Framework. The Framework is likely to be activated soon after Cabinet meets on 29 November 2021. The pass will be necessary to access places and events that require proof of vaccination under the Framework.
This brief does not argue for or against the introduction of a domestic vaccine pass, but rather discusses key issues that it raises for Māori, and suggests actions to address them. We see four key issues:
• the lack of Māori involvement, as a Tiriti partner, on either the design or implementation of the COVID-19 domestic vaccine pass;
• disproportionate restriction on Māori mobility due to lower Māori vaccination rates;
• privacy and data security concerns;
• uneven implementation that could increase discrimination against Māori and other groups considered to pose a risk to others’ safety.
To respond to these issues we recommend that the implementation of the pass be designed in partnership with Māori and comply with Māori data sovereignty requirements. As Tiriti partners, Māori should expect that the pass will keep their communities safe, while providing opportunities to enact manaakitanga in the matrix of care, and the mana to manage their own affairs.

year: 2021-11-30

title: Te Kahautu Maxwell on Te Kooti and Ringatu (Interviewed by Tama Muru)

authors: Maxwell, Te Kahautu

abstract: In October 1869 musket fire erupted at Te Porere about sixty kilometres north of here, in the shadow of Mount Tongariro in the last major battle of the New Zealand wars. 

Armed constabulary and Maori fighters, clashed with the forces of the prophet Te Kooti Arikinui Te Turiki who had built an earth redoubt at Te Porere.  It was overwhelmed during the battle, but Te Kooti and his surviving followers escaped. 

Today the site is a tourist attraction but what also endured is the Ringatu Church, founded by Te Kooti. In 2018 it celebrated its 150th anniversary. 

Ringatu mixes the Bible with Maori custom and, like Matariki, follows annual cycles such as Te Huamata in June for planting and Te Pure, the harvest, each November. 

We spoke to Professor Te Kahautu Maxwell , a minister in the Ringatu Church and a senior academic in Maori and Indigenous Studies at the University of Waikato.

text: Te Kahautu Maxwell on Te Kooti and Ringatu (Interviewed by Tama Muru) In October 1869 musket fire erupted at Te Porere about sixty kilometres north of here, in the shadow of Mount Tongariro in the last major battle of the New Zealand wars. 

Armed constabulary and Maori fighters, clashed with the forces of the prophet Te Kooti Arikinui Te Turiki who had built an earth redoubt at Te Porere.  It was overwhelmed during the battle, but Te Kooti and his surviving followers escaped. 

Today the site is a tourist attraction but what also endured is the Ringatu Church, founded by Te Kooti. In 2018 it celebrated its 150th anniversary. 

Ringatu mixes the Bible with Maori custom and, like Matariki, follows annual cycles such as Te Huamata in June for planting and Te Pure, the harvest, each November. 

We spoke to Professor Te Kahautu Maxwell , a minister in the Ringatu Church and a senior academic in Maori and Indigenous Studies at the University of Waikato.

year: 2025

title: Optimising reproductive induction in yellowbelly flounder (Rhombosolea leporina): Evaluating GnRHa dosage and non-invasive gonadal assessment

authors: Colthorpe, Adam

subjects: aquaculture

abstract: This study investigates two complementary tools to address reproductive dysfunction in wild-caught yellowbelly flounder (Rhombosolea leporina), a key bottleneck in the species’ aquaculture development. First, the effects of varying doses of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue (GnRHa) on ovarian development and expression of gonadal cyp19a1a, a gene encoding aromatase, critical for 17β-estradiol synthesis were quantified at short-term timepoints. A single injection of 50 or 100 µg/kg induced transient upregulation of cyp19a1a by Day 1 post-treatment (log₂ fold-changes of +2.38 and +2.65, respectively), while the 25 µg/kg and control groups showed downregulation (−0.53 and −0.07) relative to Day 0 baselines. However, expression declined significantly in all groups by Day 5, including a drop in the 100 µg/kg group to −0.68 (p = 0.03), indicating a brief stimulatory window likely insufficient to sustain steroidogenic activity or promote meaningful oocyte development. These findings support the need for sustained-release hormone systems or improved broodstock staging to enhance treatment efficacy. 

Second, a novel, non-invasive Visual Gonadosomatic Index (VGSI) was evaluated to minimise handling stress while classifying reproductive condition and suitability for hormone treatment. Two metrics were developed using backlit imaging of the ventral gonads: gonad area relative to body area (Size GSI) and gonad length relative to body length (Length GSI). While neither metric correlated strongly with oocyte diameter or histological stage, Length GSI showed a modest but significant association with oocyte development (R² = 0.1937, p = 0.009), and both indices were positively associated with cyp19a1a expression (Size GSI: R² = 0.5045, p = 0.021; Length GSI: R² = 0.3408, p = 0.076). These results suggest VGSI may provide a coarse proxy for reproductive development, though further refinement and validation are required. 

Together, these findings represent the first report of ovarian cyp19a1a expression in R. leporina and lay the groundwork for integrated hormonal and imaging-based strategies to improve reproductive control in this culturally and economically significant flatfish.

text: Optimising reproductive induction in yellowbelly flounder (Rhombosolea leporina): Evaluating GnRHa dosage and non-invasive gonadal assessment This study investigates two complementary tools to address reproductive dysfunction in wild-caught yellowbelly flounder (Rhombosolea leporina), a key bottleneck in the species’ aquaculture development. First, the effects of varying doses of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue (GnRHa) on ovarian development and expression of gonadal cyp19a1a, a gene encoding aromatase, critical for 17β-estradiol synthesis were quantified at short-term timepoints. A single injection of 50 or 100 µg/kg induced transient upregulation of cyp19a1a by Day 1 post-treatment (log₂ fold-changes of +2.38 and +2.65, respectively), while the 25 µg/kg and control groups showed downregulation (−0.53 and −0.07) relative to Day 0 baselines. However, expression declined significantly in all groups by Day 5, including a drop in the 100 µg/kg group to −0.68 (p = 0.03), indicating a brief stimulatory window likely insufficient to sustain steroidogenic activity or promote meaningful oocyte development. These findings support the need for sustained-release hormone systems or improved broodstock staging to enhance treatment efficacy. 

Second, a novel, non-invasive Visual Gonadosomatic Index (VGSI) was evaluated to minimise handling stress while classifying reproductive condition and suitability for hormone treatment. Two metrics were developed using backlit imaging of the ventral gonads: gonad area relative to body area (Size GSI) and gonad length relative to body length (Length GSI). While neither metric correlated strongly with oocyte diameter or histological stage, Length GSI showed a modest but significant association with oocyte development (R² = 0.1937, p = 0.009), and both indices were positively associated with cyp19a1a expression (Size GSI: R² = 0.5045, p = 0.021; Length GSI: R² = 0.3408, p = 0.076). These results suggest VGSI may provide a coarse proxy for reproductive development, though further refinement and validation are required. 

Together, these findings represent the first report of ovarian cyp19a1a expression in R. leporina and lay the groundwork for integrated hormonal and imaging-based strategies to improve reproductive control in this culturally and economically significant flatfish.

year: 2025