title: The Late Miocene Southern and Central Taranaki Inversion Phase (SCTIP) and related sequence stratigraphy and paleogeography

authors: Vonk, Adam J.

subjects: Sequence stratigraphy

abstract: We present a new sequence stratigraphic scheme for Taranaki Basin that identifies four 3rd order duration (3 - 4 m.y.) sequences of Middle Miocene to Pleistocene age. These include: (i) the late-Middle Miocene (upper Lillburnian to uppermost Waiauan) Otunui Sequence; (ii) the Late Miocene (lower and lowermost-upper Tongaporutuan) Mt Messenger Sequence; (iii) the latest Miocene (uppermost-upper Tongaporutuan) to Early Pliocene (lower Opoitian) Matemateaonga Sequence, and (iv), the Late Pliocene (upper Opoitian) to Late Pleistocene (Castlecliffian) Rangitikei Sequence, which includes the Giant Foresets Formation offshore in northern Taranaki Basin. Full sequence development can be observed in the parts of these four sequences exposed on land in eastern Taranaki Basin and in Wanganui Basin, including the sequence boundaries and component systems tracts; the character of the various depositional systems and their linkage to correlatives in subsurface parts of Taranaki Basin can be reasonably inferred, although we do not develop the detail here. Our sequence framework, with its independent age control, is integrated with established evidence for the timing of Late Miocene structure development in southern Taranaki (the Southern Inversion Zone of King & Thrasher (1996)) and new evidence presented here for the extent of Late Miocene unconformity development in central Taranaki. This shows that the Mt Messenger Sequence, particularly its regressive systems tract, results from a major phase of tectonism in the plate boundary zone, the crustal shortening then extending into the basin at c. 8.5 Ma and differentially exhuming parts of the sequence and underlying units in southern and central Taranaki Basin. This Southern and Central Taranaki Inversion Phase (SCTIP) peaked at around 7.5 Ma (mid-upper Tongaporutuan). At that time it extended across the whole of the area presently covered by Wanganui Basin, all of southern Taranaki Basin (Southern Inversion Zone), west to the Whitiki and Kahurangi Faults, and across southern parts of Taranaki Peninsula. We have also identified in outcrop sections, wireline logs for Peninsula exploration holes, and selected seismic reflection profiles, the occurrence of forced regressive deposits of the Mt Messenger Sequence. These deposits are mainly preserved beneath distal parts of the unconformity and basinward of it in central Taranaki Peninsula and west to the Tui Field, and need to be distinguished from the much younger Giant Forests Formation within the 3rd-order Rangitikei Sequence, which also shows clinoform development. The new sequence framework with its inferred stratal patterns also helps clarify understanding of the lithostratigraphic nomenclature for Late Miocene – Pliocene units beneath Taranaki Peninsula.

text: The Late Miocene Southern and Central Taranaki Inversion Phase (SCTIP) and related sequence stratigraphy and paleogeography We present a new sequence stratigraphic scheme for Taranaki Basin that identifies four 3rd order duration (3 - 4 m.y.) sequences of Middle Miocene to Pleistocene age. These include: (i) the late-Middle Miocene (upper Lillburnian to uppermost Waiauan) Otunui Sequence; (ii) the Late Miocene (lower and lowermost-upper Tongaporutuan) Mt Messenger Sequence; (iii) the latest Miocene (uppermost-upper Tongaporutuan) to Early Pliocene (lower Opoitian) Matemateaonga Sequence, and (iv), the Late Pliocene (upper Opoitian) to Late Pleistocene (Castlecliffian) Rangitikei Sequence, which includes the Giant Foresets Formation offshore in northern Taranaki Basin. Full sequence development can be observed in the parts of these four sequences exposed on land in eastern Taranaki Basin and in Wanganui Basin, including the sequence boundaries and component systems tracts; the character of the various depositional systems and their linkage to correlatives in subsurface parts of Taranaki Basin can be reasonably inferred, although we do not develop the detail here. Our sequence framework, with its independent age control, is integrated with established evidence for the timing of Late Miocene structure development in southern Taranaki (the Southern Inversion Zone of King & Thrasher (1996)) and new evidence presented here for the extent of Late Miocene unconformity development in central Taranaki. This shows that the Mt Messenger Sequence, particularly its regressive systems tract, results from a major phase of tectonism in the plate boundary zone, the crustal shortening then extending into the basin at c. 8.5 Ma and differentially exhuming parts of the sequence and underlying units in southern and central Taranaki Basin. This Southern and Central Taranaki Inversion Phase (SCTIP) peaked at around 7.5 Ma (mid-upper Tongaporutuan). At that time it extended across the whole of the area presently covered by Wanganui Basin, all of southern Taranaki Basin (Southern Inversion Zone), west to the Whitiki and Kahurangi Faults, and across southern parts of Taranaki Peninsula. We have also identified in outcrop sections, wireline logs for Peninsula exploration holes, and selected seismic reflection profiles, the occurrence of forced regressive deposits of the Mt Messenger Sequence. These deposits are mainly preserved beneath distal parts of the unconformity and basinward of it in central Taranaki Peninsula and west to the Tui Field, and need to be distinguished from the much younger Giant Forests Formation within the 3rd-order Rangitikei Sequence, which also shows clinoform development. The new sequence framework with its inferred stratal patterns also helps clarify understanding of the lithostratigraphic nomenclature for Late Miocene – Pliocene units beneath Taranaki Peninsula.

year: 2008

title: Challenges for e-learning for university instructors in Taiwan

authors: Wang, Su-Chen

subjects: e-learning

abstract: Blended courses that include both face-to-face and e-learning have been offered  in many universities in Taiwan but very little research has been undertaken on instructor  perspectives of the challenges they faced in their e-learning teaching. This paper explores the challenges faced by university instructors in a national research-based university in Taiwan. An interpretive paradigm utilizing qualitative and quantitative methods was adopted. The paper outlines the findings from 27 e-learning instructors in in-depth interviews and 55 of 69 e-learning instructors who responded to this open-ended question in the questionnaire. Instructors noted they faced pedagogical, personal, and technological challenges. The findings suggested instructors needed to adopt different pedagogical approaches to work with new media in developing their e-learning courses so new curriculum design, new teaching methods, new ways of assessment, and new interaction approaches were needed. The instructors faced personal challenges in time management and role change if they needed to provide course materials online and respond in time. Instructors noted they also encountered four categories of technological challenges: easy access to necessary computer equipment, technical skills to access computer technology and the e-learning system, technical skills for communication, and the quality of e-learning computer facilities and technology. University administrators interested in solving the issue of the under-use of e-learning would be wise to recognize the challenges instructors face and to provide the necessary policy and practical support to help overcome these challenges if they wish to promote the use of e-learning as a part of the blended delivery of courses.

text: Challenges for e-learning for university instructors in Taiwan Blended courses that include both face-to-face and e-learning have been offered  in many universities in Taiwan but very little research has been undertaken on instructor  perspectives of the challenges they faced in their e-learning teaching. This paper explores the challenges faced by university instructors in a national research-based university in Taiwan. An interpretive paradigm utilizing qualitative and quantitative methods was adopted. The paper outlines the findings from 27 e-learning instructors in in-depth interviews and 55 of 69 e-learning instructors who responded to this open-ended question in the questionnaire. Instructors noted they faced pedagogical, personal, and technological challenges. The findings suggested instructors needed to adopt different pedagogical approaches to work with new media in developing their e-learning courses so new curriculum design, new teaching methods, new ways of assessment, and new interaction approaches were needed. The instructors faced personal challenges in time management and role change if they needed to provide course materials online and respond in time. Instructors noted they also encountered four categories of technological challenges: easy access to necessary computer equipment, technical skills to access computer technology and the e-learning system, technical skills for communication, and the quality of e-learning computer facilities and technology. University administrators interested in solving the issue of the under-use of e-learning would be wise to recognize the challenges instructors face and to provide the necessary policy and practical support to help overcome these challenges if they wish to promote the use of e-learning as a part of the blended delivery of courses.

year: 2008

title: Pushing the process: A whānau journey through the Treaty of Waitangi claims process

authors: Harrison, Reece David

subjects: Whanau Claims

abstract: This thesis follows the journey of a Whānau (ngā uri a Arama Whakatau) in its Claim to the Waitangi Tribunal under the Treaty of Waitangi Act 1986. In particular, it looks at inter-Whānau dynamics before, during and after the Claims process. The connections to the claimant area through whakapapa and establishing ahi kaa rights are identified, as are problems faced by lodging a Claim at the Whānau level. Aspects of inter-Whānau, inter-Hapū and inter-iwi politics are considered along with Crown agencies' processes. The primary question posed in the thesis is whether a Whānau Claim is the more appropriate avenue compared to making a Claim through the Hapū or iwi. However, the inter-Whānau dynamics are the core focus of the thesis in this 'warts-and-all' discussion from the perspective of the participant-observer.

text: Pushing the process: A whānau journey through the Treaty of Waitangi claims process This thesis follows the journey of a Whānau (ngā uri a Arama Whakatau) in its Claim to the Waitangi Tribunal under the Treaty of Waitangi Act 1986. In particular, it looks at inter-Whānau dynamics before, during and after the Claims process. The connections to the claimant area through whakapapa and establishing ahi kaa rights are identified, as are problems faced by lodging a Claim at the Whānau level. Aspects of inter-Whānau, inter-Hapū and inter-iwi politics are considered along with Crown agencies' processes. The primary question posed in the thesis is whether a Whānau Claim is the more appropriate avenue compared to making a Claim through the Hapū or iwi. However, the inter-Whānau dynamics are the core focus of the thesis in this 'warts-and-all' discussion from the perspective of the participant-observer.

year: 2007