title: Dwelling in the city: A qualitative exploration of the human-nature relationship in three types of urban greenspace

authors: Elliot Noe, Elizabeth Emma

subjects: Connection to nature

abstract: The combination of increasing numbers of people in cities, coupled with decreasing levels of biodiversity, is hypothesised to result in the extinction of experience, or the continued disintegration of the human relationship with the natural world. We use the concepts of sense of place and dwelling to investigate the human relationship with nature in cities by considering the emotional connections between people and places. We conducted ‘go-along’ interviews with 21 residents of Hamilton, New Zealand, to explore the significance of neighbourhood parks and home gardens in the lives of urban residents. Our study highlights the importance of greenspaces in cities to the physical, mental and social health of local residents. Bush parks provided the best opportunities for respondents to observe nature and thereby escape the stress of city life. Participants wanted a variety of parks which would meet the range of their community’s needs and provide habitat for wildlife. Proximity and frequent use of parks resulted in a sense of ownership and responsibility which led to concrete action, such as participation in ecological restoration of valued greenspaces. Providing high quality natural greenspaces within walking distance of residents’ homes disrupts the extinction of experience by fostering positive personal experiences of nature, crucial for the health and wellbeing of people and for native biodiversity.

text: Dwelling in the city: A qualitative exploration of the human-nature relationship in three types of urban greenspace The combination of increasing numbers of people in cities, coupled with decreasing levels of biodiversity, is hypothesised to result in the extinction of experience, or the continued disintegration of the human relationship with the natural world. We use the concepts of sense of place and dwelling to investigate the human relationship with nature in cities by considering the emotional connections between people and places. We conducted ‘go-along’ interviews with 21 residents of Hamilton, New Zealand, to explore the significance of neighbourhood parks and home gardens in the lives of urban residents. Our study highlights the importance of greenspaces in cities to the physical, mental and social health of local residents. Bush parks provided the best opportunities for respondents to observe nature and thereby escape the stress of city life. Participants wanted a variety of parks which would meet the range of their community’s needs and provide habitat for wildlife. Proximity and frequent use of parks resulted in a sense of ownership and responsibility which led to concrete action, such as participation in ecological restoration of valued greenspaces. Providing high quality natural greenspaces within walking distance of residents’ homes disrupts the extinction of experience by fostering positive personal experiences of nature, crucial for the health and wellbeing of people and for native biodiversity.

year: 2023-02-01

title: Young women in the youth justice system: Insights into the inner workings of New Zealand’s approach

authors: Main, Jade

abstract: Young women who engage in offending behaviour are often forgotten within the youth justice system despite identification that their pathways to offending are unique and characterised by significant challenges and trauma (Smith et al., 2020). Research and interventions often focus on the needs of young men due to their majority status among youth offenders (Braithwaite, 2023), leaving young women fighting in a system that was not designed for them. This research seeks to explore inside perspectives to examine how young women experience and interact with the youth justice system in New Zealand. Recent research has identified that young women who are offending in New Zealand have backgrounds characterised by abuse, neglect and mental health difficulties, outlining a need for further research and support to be targeted towards this group (Best et al., 2021). The aim of this study is to identify and explore the barriers and facilitators that young women face within the system, guided by Erikson’s (1950) psychosocial theory of development to determine if the current system is developmentally informed. Semi-structured interviews of 12 professionals and one young woman with lived experience of the Youth Court were conducted to explore the barriers and facilitators that young women face. The data was analysed using a reflective thematic analysis approach that identified a number of barriers, facilitators and precipitating factors for young women. The results showed that systemic factors along with significant complexities and trauma serve as barriers for young women in the system. Healthy developmental trajectories and responsive, integrated support systems were identified as facilitators for positive change in young women Additionally, precipitating factors were identified to impact young women's pathways to offending including offending as a means for survival and disruption in identity development. This research identifies and draws attention to the gender-specific needs of young women and demonstrates that adequate care is not being provided within the current youth justice system. The findings also provide a developmental framework to understand the challenges young women face in adolescence that coincide with their offending and youth justice involvement.

text: Young women in the youth justice system: Insights into the inner workings of New Zealand’s approach Young women who engage in offending behaviour are often forgotten within the youth justice system despite identification that their pathways to offending are unique and characterised by significant challenges and trauma (Smith et al., 2020). Research and interventions often focus on the needs of young men due to their majority status among youth offenders (Braithwaite, 2023), leaving young women fighting in a system that was not designed for them. This research seeks to explore inside perspectives to examine how young women experience and interact with the youth justice system in New Zealand. Recent research has identified that young women who are offending in New Zealand have backgrounds characterised by abuse, neglect and mental health difficulties, outlining a need for further research and support to be targeted towards this group (Best et al., 2021). The aim of this study is to identify and explore the barriers and facilitators that young women face within the system, guided by Erikson’s (1950) psychosocial theory of development to determine if the current system is developmentally informed. Semi-structured interviews of 12 professionals and one young woman with lived experience of the Youth Court were conducted to explore the barriers and facilitators that young women face. The data was analysed using a reflective thematic analysis approach that identified a number of barriers, facilitators and precipitating factors for young women. The results showed that systemic factors along with significant complexities and trauma serve as barriers for young women in the system. Healthy developmental trajectories and responsive, integrated support systems were identified as facilitators for positive change in young women Additionally, precipitating factors were identified to impact young women's pathways to offending including offending as a means for survival and disruption in identity development. This research identifies and draws attention to the gender-specific needs of young women and demonstrates that adequate care is not being provided within the current youth justice system. The findings also provide a developmental framework to understand the challenges young women face in adolescence that coincide with their offending and youth justice involvement.

year: 2026

title: Cultural vehicles and the Māori print media: What cultural concepts are used to communicate health messages to Māori?

authors: Groot, Shiloh Ann Maree

subjects: health

abstract: Existing research indicates that vaccination programmes to prevent Meningococcal disease have low response rates from Māori which contributes to a belief that Māori are apathetic and irresponsible. Our research question was: How do the Māori and community print media facilitate the promotion of Māori cultural concepts as generators of new meaning, particularly with regard to positive Māori health? This study focuses on the recent health
concern of Meningococcal disease. Twenty-four months of Māori and community print media was scanned to identify how Māori cultural concepts are being applied, modified, and operationalised in order to convey and promote positive health in Māori communities. Contrary to what was expected, the Western medical model with integrated Māori concepts was the main cultural frame employed.

text: Cultural vehicles and the Māori print media: What cultural concepts are used to communicate health messages to Māori? Existing research indicates that vaccination programmes to prevent Meningococcal disease have low response rates from Māori which contributes to a belief that Māori are apathetic and irresponsible. Our research question was: How do the Māori and community print media facilitate the promotion of Māori cultural concepts as generators of new meaning, particularly with regard to positive Māori health? This study focuses on the recent health
concern of Meningococcal disease. Twenty-four months of Māori and community print media was scanned to identify how Māori cultural concepts are being applied, modified, and operationalised in order to convey and promote positive health in Māori communities. Contrary to what was expected, the Western medical model with integrated Māori concepts was the main cultural frame employed.

year: 2006