title: Mill wives: a study of gender relations, family and work in a single-industry town

authors: James, Beverley L.

abstract: The experiences and everyday practices of wives of production workers in a town with one dominant industry that imposes a variety of demands on workers and their spouses is the focus of this thesis. The town is Kawerau, established for the milling and manufacture of timber, pulp and paper, and situated in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand. It has a specifically masculine character on account of restricted employment opportunities and traditionally male occupations. 

I am concerned with the ways in which the women are engaged in maintaining home and family. Marriage constitutes the ground for establishing a household, and the complementary relationship between spouses is central to creating a home. This complementarity is expressed through male employment, for many involving shiftwork, and the primary involvement of women with domesticity. Those women who were also employed modified their involvement according to domestic and family obligations, which were given prior importance. Though both may be wage earners, wives and husbands have different obligations and orientations to the family.

Complementarity is made visible through gender distinctions; a major one being the wife and ‘home’s’ reliance on the husband’s job. His job provides the necessary financial basis for the home. Its contractual and disciplined character pervades the home and furnishes the conditions under which the women as wives are expected to cope domestically. A wife’s access to housing and income sufficient to maintain personally acceptable standards are influenced by the husband’s contract with the mill. 

Creating a home and maintaining family life are continual processes, achieved through managing the consequences of the husband’s job by the wife, in the confines of their home. This thesis highlights three aspects of his job which, as ‘givens’, constrain the woman’s organisation of the household in significant ways: the husband’s wage, hours of work (especially shiftwork) and industrial disputes. It is the contradictions and ambivalence involved in coping with these aspects that I explore. The study is influenced by feminist theoretical work concerning the relationship between ‘home’ and ‘work’ and ‘public’ and ‘private’ as symbols and experience.

text: Mill wives: a study of gender relations, family and work in a single-industry town The experiences and everyday practices of wives of production workers in a town with one dominant industry that imposes a variety of demands on workers and their spouses is the focus of this thesis. The town is Kawerau, established for the milling and manufacture of timber, pulp and paper, and situated in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand. It has a specifically masculine character on account of restricted employment opportunities and traditionally male occupations. 

I am concerned with the ways in which the women are engaged in maintaining home and family. Marriage constitutes the ground for establishing a household, and the complementary relationship between spouses is central to creating a home. This complementarity is expressed through male employment, for many involving shiftwork, and the primary involvement of women with domesticity. Those women who were also employed modified their involvement according to domestic and family obligations, which were given prior importance. Though both may be wage earners, wives and husbands have different obligations and orientations to the family.

Complementarity is made visible through gender distinctions; a major one being the wife and ‘home’s’ reliance on the husband’s job. His job provides the necessary financial basis for the home. Its contractual and disciplined character pervades the home and furnishes the conditions under which the women as wives are expected to cope domestically. A wife’s access to housing and income sufficient to maintain personally acceptable standards are influenced by the husband’s contract with the mill. 

Creating a home and maintaining family life are continual processes, achieved through managing the consequences of the husband’s job by the wife, in the confines of their home. This thesis highlights three aspects of his job which, as ‘givens’, constrain the woman’s organisation of the household in significant ways: the husband’s wage, hours of work (especially shiftwork) and industrial disputes. It is the contradictions and ambivalence involved in coping with these aspects that I explore. The study is influenced by feminist theoretical work concerning the relationship between ‘home’ and ‘work’ and ‘public’ and ‘private’ as symbols and experience.

year: 1985

title: The Physical Work Environment in relation to the Physical and Psychological Symptoms of Sick Building Syndrome

authors: Meikle, Sarah Marie

subjects: Sick Building Syndrome

abstract: This study investigated the relationship between perceptions of a poor physical work environment (PWE) and sick building syndrome (SBS), and with various psychological variables that impact organizational productivity. 164 employees working in medium to large office buildings in New Zealand completed an online questionnaire. Overall, the results supported the relationships that were predicted. Ratings of a poor PWE were strongly and positively related to SBS symptoms. Both ratings of a poor PWE and SBS symptoms were positively related to absenteeism, turnover intentions, and continuance commitment; and were negatively related to affective commitment, perceived organizational support, and job satisfaction. SBS mediated the relationship between PWE and most of these variables, except for continuance commitment. Contrary to prior research self-rated job performance was not found to be related to PWE or SBS. The major implications of this research are that it is important for researchers and managers alike to consider the physical aspects of the work environment as well as managerial and interpersonal aspects. This research also showed that New Zealand employees are experiencing SBS symptoms, indicating SBS is just as important for New Zealand organizations as it is for organizations overseas. Further implications of this study, and directions for future research are discussed in the final chapter.

text: The Physical Work Environment in relation to the Physical and Psychological Symptoms of Sick Building Syndrome This study investigated the relationship between perceptions of a poor physical work environment (PWE) and sick building syndrome (SBS), and with various psychological variables that impact organizational productivity. 164 employees working in medium to large office buildings in New Zealand completed an online questionnaire. Overall, the results supported the relationships that were predicted. Ratings of a poor PWE were strongly and positively related to SBS symptoms. Both ratings of a poor PWE and SBS symptoms were positively related to absenteeism, turnover intentions, and continuance commitment; and were negatively related to affective commitment, perceived organizational support, and job satisfaction. SBS mediated the relationship between PWE and most of these variables, except for continuance commitment. Contrary to prior research self-rated job performance was not found to be related to PWE or SBS. The major implications of this research are that it is important for researchers and managers alike to consider the physical aspects of the work environment as well as managerial and interpersonal aspects. This research also showed that New Zealand employees are experiencing SBS symptoms, indicating SBS is just as important for New Zealand organizations as it is for organizations overseas. Further implications of this study, and directions for future research are discussed in the final chapter.

year: 2011

title: Tū Māori Ake: Seeking which is above.

authors: Maxwell, Te Kahautu

abstract: Te Waka Āwhina 2015 Seeking that which is above Kaupapa - Philosophy o Aotearoa “Tū Māori ake” E ngā mana, e ngā reo, e ngā karangatanga, nei rā te powhiri ki a koutou katoa ‘MĀ TE MĀORI, MŌ TE MĀORI’ Te Waka Āwhina o Aotearoa National Training Hui by Māori for Māori within local government Āwhea: 2 – 4 February 2015 Ki whea: The Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts, The University of Waikato, Hamilton Hau kāinga: Te Puku o te Ika.

text: Tū Māori Ake: Seeking which is above. Te Waka Āwhina 2015 Seeking that which is above Kaupapa - Philosophy o Aotearoa “Tū Māori ake” E ngā mana, e ngā reo, e ngā karangatanga, nei rā te powhiri ki a koutou katoa ‘MĀ TE MĀORI, MŌ TE MĀORI’ Te Waka Āwhina o Aotearoa National Training Hui by Māori for Māori within local government Āwhea: 2 – 4 February 2015 Ki whea: The Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts, The University of Waikato, Hamilton Hau kāinga: Te Puku o te Ika.

year: 2015-02-03