title: Test of AMS 14C dating of pollen concentrates using tephrochronology

authors: Newnham, Rewi M.

subjects: AMS radiocarbon dating

abstract: Previous attempts to radiocarbon date sediments >10 kyr from the high rainfall region of Westland, New Zealand, a critical location for investigation of interhemispheric patterns of climate change, have been problematic. This study, building on recent work by Vandergoes and Prior (2003), shows that AMS 14C dating of pollen concentrates has potential to provide more reliable ages than other sediment constituents, including plant macrofossils. The method was applied to sediments from three sites containing the 22.6k 14C yr Kawakawa Tephra, which provided an independent test of the 14C ages. Although some minor laboratory contamination was detected in tests on background standards, the modelled relationship between sample mass and measured 14C content permitted an appropriate correction to be determined. Improved pollen concentrations derived by density separation between 1.4 and 1.2 specific gravity and sieving in the range 10-50  m provided either older ages than other fractions of the same sample or, where in situ contamination was not evident, equivalent ages. Differences in degree of in situ contamination between depositional environments indicated that, in Westland, lake sites may be less susceptible to contamination by younger carbon than peat sites, where this process may be facilitated by root penetration into underlying sediments.

text: Test of AMS 14C dating of pollen concentrates using tephrochronology Previous attempts to radiocarbon date sediments >10 kyr from the high rainfall region of Westland, New Zealand, a critical location for investigation of interhemispheric patterns of climate change, have been problematic. This study, building on recent work by Vandergoes and Prior (2003), shows that AMS 14C dating of pollen concentrates has potential to provide more reliable ages than other sediment constituents, including plant macrofossils. The method was applied to sediments from three sites containing the 22.6k 14C yr Kawakawa Tephra, which provided an independent test of the 14C ages. Although some minor laboratory contamination was detected in tests on background standards, the modelled relationship between sample mass and measured 14C content permitted an appropriate correction to be determined. Improved pollen concentrations derived by density separation between 1.4 and 1.2 specific gravity and sieving in the range 10-50  m provided either older ages than other fractions of the same sample or, where in situ contamination was not evident, equivalent ages. Differences in degree of in situ contamination between depositional environments indicated that, in Westland, lake sites may be less susceptible to contamination by younger carbon than peat sites, where this process may be facilitated by root penetration into underlying sediments.

year: 2007-01

title: Societal expectations for functional recovery of primary and secondary school buildings

authors: Boston, Megan

abstract: In the ongoing investigation of functional recovery requirements, the spectrum of functional requirements for different facility types is necessary to ensure buildings are designed, constructed, and maintained to meet society's expectations. Schools are essential to communities, providing education and shelter to children. Education facilities that remain functional enable the community to recover quickly as parents can return to work or focus on rebuilding. However, functional recovery levels and expectations for schools could be better defined. Using interview responses, this pilot study, focusing on Hamilton, New Zealand, has constructed a five-level functionality continuum for school buildings addressing the societal expectations of community members, including parents, teachers, principals, civil defence, and the ministry of education. The five levels of functionality include life safety, reoccupancy, partial functionality, mostly functional, and fully functional. Each level has been defined in terms of available teaching and community expectations, acceptable damage and infrastructure requirements, and expectations for achievable timelines.

text: Societal expectations for functional recovery of primary and secondary school buildings In the ongoing investigation of functional recovery requirements, the spectrum of functional requirements for different facility types is necessary to ensure buildings are designed, constructed, and maintained to meet society's expectations. Schools are essential to communities, providing education and shelter to children. Education facilities that remain functional enable the community to recover quickly as parents can return to work or focus on rebuilding. However, functional recovery levels and expectations for schools could be better defined. Using interview responses, this pilot study, focusing on Hamilton, New Zealand, has constructed a five-level functionality continuum for school buildings addressing the societal expectations of community members, including parents, teachers, principals, civil defence, and the ministry of education. The five levels of functionality include life safety, reoccupancy, partial functionality, mostly functional, and fully functional. Each level has been defined in terms of available teaching and community expectations, acceptable damage and infrastructure requirements, and expectations for achievable timelines.

year: 2023

title: Māori language procreation on social media

authors: Keegan, Te Taka Adrian Gregory

abstract: The Māori language has taken seed and grown on social media. This presentation will examine this presence, exploring the forms it has taken and the influence it is having. It will look at Facebook groups devoted to the Māori language and the birth of the 'Māhuru Māori' (Māori September) movement. It will consider the increasing use of the Māori language on Twitter especially Tweets around a 'kaupapa' (shared purpose). It will also report some anecdotal evidence regarding the use of the Māori language on SnapChat, WhatsApp, and Messenger.

text: Māori language procreation on social media The Māori language has taken seed and grown on social media. This presentation will examine this presence, exploring the forms it has taken and the influence it is having. It will look at Facebook groups devoted to the Māori language and the birth of the 'Māhuru Māori' (Māori September) movement. It will consider the increasing use of the Māori language on Twitter especially Tweets around a 'kaupapa' (shared purpose). It will also report some anecdotal evidence regarding the use of the Māori language on SnapChat, WhatsApp, and Messenger.

year: 2019