title: The shape of curriculum change: A short discussion of key findings from the Curriculum Implementation Studies (CIES) project

authors: Cowie, Bronwen

subjects: Curriculum Implementation Exploratory Studies

abstract: This short report discusses the overall shape of curriculum change as experienced by the schools we tracked over a period of several years as part of the Curriculum Implementation Exploratory Studies (CIES) project. Some interesting change dynamics appear over this longer time frame. We would not have found these dynamics if we had stopped at the end of the first round of CIES, at which point we had visited some “early adopter” schools twice in a period of 18 months or so.

text: The shape of curriculum change: A short discussion of key findings from the Curriculum Implementation Studies (CIES) project This short report discusses the overall shape of curriculum change as experienced by the schools we tracked over a period of several years as part of the Curriculum Implementation Exploratory Studies (CIES) project. Some interesting change dynamics appear over this longer time frame. We would not have found these dynamics if we had stopped at the end of the first round of CIES, at which point we had visited some “early adopter” schools twice in a period of 18 months or so.

year: 2011

title: Taranaki Biodiversity Priorities Forum discussion report

authors: Kirby, Catherine Louise

abstract: On February 26th 2016 the Taranaki Biodiversity forum for regional priority setting was attended by around 75 people who represented Taranaki Biodiversity Trust members and interested parties. The objective of the forum was to identify priority areas for, and approaches to, the protection and enhancement of native biodiversity in the Taranaki region on a landscape scale. These priorities will inform and direct the work of the Taranaki Biodiversity Trust members.
The forum discussions were framed by the four following focus questions and responses were
analysed using a basic framework analysis.
1. What are our priority places/locations in Taranaki?
2. What types of ecosystems are a priority in Taranaki?
3. Where and how can we make connections?
4. Project ideas
The number of recorded responses for each question ranged from 28 to 96 with many common themes. The key recommendation from analysis of these responses is that the Taranaki Biodiversity Trust coordinates a regional, collaborative project that protects and enhances native biodiversity in a range of ecosystems, links existing projects across the landscape, and connects with local people and communities.

text: Taranaki Biodiversity Priorities Forum discussion report On February 26th 2016 the Taranaki Biodiversity forum for regional priority setting was attended by around 75 people who represented Taranaki Biodiversity Trust members and interested parties. The objective of the forum was to identify priority areas for, and approaches to, the protection and enhancement of native biodiversity in the Taranaki region on a landscape scale. These priorities will inform and direct the work of the Taranaki Biodiversity Trust members.
The forum discussions were framed by the four following focus questions and responses were
analysed using a basic framework analysis.
1. What are our priority places/locations in Taranaki?
2. What types of ecosystems are a priority in Taranaki?
3. Where and how can we make connections?
4. Project ideas
The number of recorded responses for each question ranged from 28 to 96 with many common themes. The key recommendation from analysis of these responses is that the Taranaki Biodiversity Trust coordinates a regional, collaborative project that protects and enhances native biodiversity in a range of ecosystems, links existing projects across the landscape, and connects with local people and communities.

year: 2016

title: The cultural and ecological health of the Tokaanu Stream

authors: Eastwood, Kevin

abstract: Freshwater ecosystems worldwide face increasing threats from human activities like land development and altered flow regimes. These pressures, along with climate change, jeopardize water quality and quantity. Despite these challenges, effective management can improve water quality and habitat, thus sustaining biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Lake Taupō, Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest freshwater lake, holds immense significance for the local iwi, Ngāti Tūwharetoa. The Tokaanu Stream is a tributary of Lake Taupō that was once considered a premier fly-fishing spot. However, the stream has been severely impacted by the Tongariro Power Scheme, which required it to be bisected and channelized to accommodate the Tokaanu tailrace. Coupled with land-use changes in the catchment, these alterations have caused the local hapū, Ngāti Kurauia, who have mana whenua over the lower stream, to raise concerns about its ecological and cultural degradation. To address this problem, I developed a cultural monitoring framework (CMF) in collaboration with Ngāti Kurauia, alongside conventional stream monitoring, at six sites in the lower Tokaanu Stream.
The bespoke CMF was developed through kōrero and wānanga (discussions and workshops) with Ngāti Kurauia. This participatory approach resulted in a CMF with 16 attributes covering vegetation, birdlife, water quality, pollution, engineering, and substrate. Regular assessments revealed a longitudinal decline in stream condition from the most upstream site (Site 1) to the most downstream (Site 6). The state of Site 3 was identified as the most desirable, whilst Site 5 was the most degraded.
Alongside the CMF, I assessed stream health using conventional scientific measures. This monitoring also showed a longitudinal decline in stream ecosystem health moving downstream. Water quality worsened, with indicator bacteria increasing from 45 to 190 CFU/100 ml and total ammoniacal nitrogen from 0.029 to 0.125 g/m3 over the 4 km segment. Deposited fine sediment cover was high, increasing from 69% cover at Site 1 to 83% at Site 6. Cellulose degradation rates (a functional indicator) were diminished at Sites 5 and 6 in both years, even with warming from geothermal springs. Macroinvertebrate communities, monitored in 2023 and 2024, initially showed a linear decline moving downstream in 2023. However, in-stream remediation in early 2024, undertaken by a private contractor, significantly improved macroinvertebrate indicators at impacted sites (Sites 4-6).
The challenges facing the Tokaanu Stream are complex, stemming from geothermal inputs, urbanisation, upstream agriculture, and channelization. Declining water quality may be linked to faulty sewage infrastructure in Tokaanu Village. The stream's diversion includes a tailrace spillway that prevents larger downstream flows, potentially reducing scouring events crucial for natural sediment dynamics. These changes have significant ecological and cultural ramifications for Ngāti Kurauia.
To better understand and address these issues, I argue for an additional downstream State of the Environment (SOE) monitoring site. The current site, near the upstream spring, fails to capture the full impact of catchment inputs, including diffuse pollution from Tokaanu Village and altered sediment dynamics from the diversion. An additional SOE site, coupled with the findings of my thesis, would provide crucial knowledge to support efforts in restoring the Tokaanu Stream's ecological health and the mana of Ngāti Kurauia.

text: The cultural and ecological health of the Tokaanu Stream Freshwater ecosystems worldwide face increasing threats from human activities like land development and altered flow regimes. These pressures, along with climate change, jeopardize water quality and quantity. Despite these challenges, effective management can improve water quality and habitat, thus sustaining biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Lake Taupō, Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest freshwater lake, holds immense significance for the local iwi, Ngāti Tūwharetoa. The Tokaanu Stream is a tributary of Lake Taupō that was once considered a premier fly-fishing spot. However, the stream has been severely impacted by the Tongariro Power Scheme, which required it to be bisected and channelized to accommodate the Tokaanu tailrace. Coupled with land-use changes in the catchment, these alterations have caused the local hapū, Ngāti Kurauia, who have mana whenua over the lower stream, to raise concerns about its ecological and cultural degradation. To address this problem, I developed a cultural monitoring framework (CMF) in collaboration with Ngāti Kurauia, alongside conventional stream monitoring, at six sites in the lower Tokaanu Stream.
The bespoke CMF was developed through kōrero and wānanga (discussions and workshops) with Ngāti Kurauia. This participatory approach resulted in a CMF with 16 attributes covering vegetation, birdlife, water quality, pollution, engineering, and substrate. Regular assessments revealed a longitudinal decline in stream condition from the most upstream site (Site 1) to the most downstream (Site 6). The state of Site 3 was identified as the most desirable, whilst Site 5 was the most degraded.
Alongside the CMF, I assessed stream health using conventional scientific measures. This monitoring also showed a longitudinal decline in stream ecosystem health moving downstream. Water quality worsened, with indicator bacteria increasing from 45 to 190 CFU/100 ml and total ammoniacal nitrogen from 0.029 to 0.125 g/m3 over the 4 km segment. Deposited fine sediment cover was high, increasing from 69% cover at Site 1 to 83% at Site 6. Cellulose degradation rates (a functional indicator) were diminished at Sites 5 and 6 in both years, even with warming from geothermal springs. Macroinvertebrate communities, monitored in 2023 and 2024, initially showed a linear decline moving downstream in 2023. However, in-stream remediation in early 2024, undertaken by a private contractor, significantly improved macroinvertebrate indicators at impacted sites (Sites 4-6).
The challenges facing the Tokaanu Stream are complex, stemming from geothermal inputs, urbanisation, upstream agriculture, and channelization. Declining water quality may be linked to faulty sewage infrastructure in Tokaanu Village. The stream's diversion includes a tailrace spillway that prevents larger downstream flows, potentially reducing scouring events crucial for natural sediment dynamics. These changes have significant ecological and cultural ramifications for Ngāti Kurauia.
To better understand and address these issues, I argue for an additional downstream State of the Environment (SOE) monitoring site. The current site, near the upstream spring, fails to capture the full impact of catchment inputs, including diffuse pollution from Tokaanu Village and altered sediment dynamics from the diversion. An additional SOE site, coupled with the findings of my thesis, would provide crucial knowledge to support efforts in restoring the Tokaanu Stream's ecological health and the mana of Ngāti Kurauia.

year: 2025