title: "Let's all hold hands and cross the line together!" Competition and gifted learners

authors: Ballam, Nadine Dawn

abstract: Competition appears to have become increasingly discouraged in educational settings in New Zealand in recent years, with a push towards ‘protecting’ our children from being constantly compared with others or experiencing failure. This article reports on a study that explored the lived experiences of gifted and talented young people from low socioeconomic backgrounds. These young people reflect on the role that competition and their competitive natures played in their talent development. A number of implications for practitioners are identified in relation to how competition might enhance or limit levels of motivation and the subsequent achievements of gifted and talented young people.

text: "Let's all hold hands and cross the line together!" Competition and gifted learners Competition appears to have become increasingly discouraged in educational settings in New Zealand in recent years, with a push towards ‘protecting’ our children from being constantly compared with others or experiencing failure. This article reports on a study that explored the lived experiences of gifted and talented young people from low socioeconomic backgrounds. These young people reflect on the role that competition and their competitive natures played in their talent development. A number of implications for practitioners are identified in relation to how competition might enhance or limit levels of motivation and the subsequent achievements of gifted and talented young people.

year: 2015

title: Unravelling upbuilding pedogenesis in tephra and loess sequences in New Zealand using tephrochronology

authors: Lowe, David J.

subjects: soil-sediment

abstract: The genesis of soils developed in either tephra or loess on stable sites differs markedly from that of soils developed on rock because classical topdown processes operate in conjuction with geological processes whereby material is added to the land surface so that the soils form by upbuilding pedogenesis.
Understanding the genesis of such soils (typically Andisols and Alfisols, respectively) often requires a stratigraphic approach combined with an appreciation of buried soil horizons and polygenesis. In New Zealand, calendrically-dated tephras provide an advantage for assessing rates of upbuilding through chronostratigraphy. Many Andisol profiles form by upbuilding pedogenesis as younger tephra materials are deposited on top of older ones. The resultant profile character reflects interplay between the rate at which tephras are added to the land surface and topdown processes that produce andic materials and horizons. In loess terrains, upbuilding pedogenesis since c. 25,000 years ago is associated with maximum rates of loess accumulation c. 3 10 mm per century, sufficiently slow for soil-forming processes to continue to operate as the land surface gradually rises. Thus, Alfisol subsoil features are only weakly developed and Bw or B(x) horizons typically are formed. In contrast, topdown pedogenesis is associated with minimal or zero loess accumulation, the land surface elevation remains essentially constant, and subsoil features become more strongly developed and Bg, Bt, or Bx horizons typically are formed.

text: Unravelling upbuilding pedogenesis in tephra and loess sequences in New Zealand using tephrochronology The genesis of soils developed in either tephra or loess on stable sites differs markedly from that of soils developed on rock because classical topdown processes operate in conjuction with geological processes whereby material is added to the land surface so that the soils form by upbuilding pedogenesis.
Understanding the genesis of such soils (typically Andisols and Alfisols, respectively) often requires a stratigraphic approach combined with an appreciation of buried soil horizons and polygenesis. In New Zealand, calendrically-dated tephras provide an advantage for assessing rates of upbuilding through chronostratigraphy. Many Andisol profiles form by upbuilding pedogenesis as younger tephra materials are deposited on top of older ones. The resultant profile character reflects interplay between the rate at which tephras are added to the land surface and topdown processes that produce andic materials and horizons. In loess terrains, upbuilding pedogenesis since c. 25,000 years ago is associated with maximum rates of loess accumulation c. 3 10 mm per century, sufficiently slow for soil-forming processes to continue to operate as the land surface gradually rises. Thus, Alfisol subsoil features are only weakly developed and Bw or B(x) horizons typically are formed. In contrast, topdown pedogenesis is associated with minimal or zero loess accumulation, the land surface elevation remains essentially constant, and subsoil features become more strongly developed and Bg, Bt, or Bx horizons typically are formed.

year: 2010

title: The environmental and social impact of Kaivolution's services

authors: Paymani, Kesian Serous

subjects: food insecurity

abstract: Food insecurity and food waste are two significant issues within New Zealand. In order to address these two issues organisations like Kaivolution rescue and redistribute food to community groups who help those in need. Kaivolution rescues edible food from food retailers that would otherwise be thrown away, and redistributes this rescued food to community groups who assist whanau who are food insecure. The purpose of this thesis is to examine the social and environmental impact of Kaivolution’s food redistribution service. Three of Kaivolution’s stakeholders were chosen to participate; Kaivolution volunteers, community groups who receive the rescued food, and whanau who receive the food from the community groups. Semi-structured interviews were used in order to gather data. The key findings showed that for Kaivolution volunteers there was an increase in awareness of social issues like poverty, food insecurity, and homelessness. The findings also showed that the participants volunteering with Kaivolution had increased feelings of belonging, and increased social networks, both contributing to a heightened sense of wellbeing. The key findings from both the community groups and the whanau had significant overlap. Key findings from these participants illustrated how the process of colonisation has negatively impacted Māori who are more prone to food insecurity within Aotearoa. Other groups vulnerable to food insecurity included university students and children from various ethnicities. The findings also highlight the failings of our current social welfare system to provide enough resources for basic living. Community groups often step in to assist food insecure whanau in a culturally and social sensitive community approach to food redistribution. Such an approach promotes a sense of community, builds social relationships, and enhances whanau sense of self-worth and belonging.

text: The environmental and social impact of Kaivolution's services Food insecurity and food waste are two significant issues within New Zealand. In order to address these two issues organisations like Kaivolution rescue and redistribute food to community groups who help those in need. Kaivolution rescues edible food from food retailers that would otherwise be thrown away, and redistributes this rescued food to community groups who assist whanau who are food insecure. The purpose of this thesis is to examine the social and environmental impact of Kaivolution’s food redistribution service. Three of Kaivolution’s stakeholders were chosen to participate; Kaivolution volunteers, community groups who receive the rescued food, and whanau who receive the food from the community groups. Semi-structured interviews were used in order to gather data. The key findings showed that for Kaivolution volunteers there was an increase in awareness of social issues like poverty, food insecurity, and homelessness. The findings also showed that the participants volunteering with Kaivolution had increased feelings of belonging, and increased social networks, both contributing to a heightened sense of wellbeing. The key findings from both the community groups and the whanau had significant overlap. Key findings from these participants illustrated how the process of colonisation has negatively impacted Māori who are more prone to food insecurity within Aotearoa. Other groups vulnerable to food insecurity included university students and children from various ethnicities. The findings also highlight the failings of our current social welfare system to provide enough resources for basic living. Community groups often step in to assist food insecure whanau in a culturally and social sensitive community approach to food redistribution. Such an approach promotes a sense of community, builds social relationships, and enhances whanau sense of self-worth and belonging.

year: 2019