title: Experience machine experiments: Testing the importance of relationships and individual differences

authors: Weijers, Dan M.

abstract: Recent experiments on experience machines reveal that living in reality doesn’t always dominate our prudential preferences. Felipe de Brigard (2010) and others have suggested that our preference for the status quo is a major driver of our experience machine-related preferences, despite this preference appearing to be an irrational bias. Basil Smith (2012) has argued that our preference to maintain existing relationships may explain the status quo result and reflect a prudentially rational decision. In order to further investigate the psychological mechanisms underlying experience machine-related preferences, I report on a survey of individual differences and experience machine preferences in experience machine scenarios with varying kinds relationships available. The individual differences tested include wellbeing, personality, familiarity with technology, and demographic variables.

text: Experience machine experiments: Testing the importance of relationships and individual differences Recent experiments on experience machines reveal that living in reality doesn’t always dominate our prudential preferences. Felipe de Brigard (2010) and others have suggested that our preference for the status quo is a major driver of our experience machine-related preferences, despite this preference appearing to be an irrational bias. Basil Smith (2012) has argued that our preference to maintain existing relationships may explain the status quo result and reflect a prudentially rational decision. In order to further investigate the psychological mechanisms underlying experience machine-related preferences, I report on a survey of individual differences and experience machine preferences in experience machine scenarios with varying kinds relationships available. The individual differences tested include wellbeing, personality, familiarity with technology, and demographic variables.

year: 2018

title: Thresholds for sustainable regeneration in urban restoration plantings in Hamilton City, New Zealand

authors: Overdyck, Elizabeth

subjects: forest restoration

abstract: Urban forest patches have unique environmental and landscape characteristics which may influence the restoration of native plant communities. Urbanisation can lead to a drier and warmer climate, a prevalence of exotic seed sources and isolation from remnant native forest seed sources. This research investigates how these factors influence native species presence in different aged urban forest patches and uses life history traits to identify vulnerable species groups which may require active reintroduction. Seed rain, soil seed banks and vegetation composition was recorded within urban forest restoration plantings (10-36 years old) in Hamilton City, New Zealand with comparison to naturally regenerating forest within the city and a nearby rural forest remnant. To address dispersal limitation for several key mid to late successional forest species an experiment was also undertaken to investigate broadcast seeding as a method to reintroduce trees with large seeds and fleshy fruits into established early successional vegetation.

Seed rain, soil seed banks (fern spores inclusive) and understorey vegetation in urban forest were found to have higher exotic species richness and lower native species density and richness than rural forest. Both understorey vegetation and soil seed banks of urban sites >20 years old had lower exotic species richness than younger (10–20 years) sites, indicating a developmental threshold that provided some resistance to exotic species establishment. A prevalence of exotic species in urban seed rain, however, will allow reinvasion through edge habitat and following any disturbance to canopy vegetation. Persistent soil seed banks from both urban and rural sites were dominated by exotic herbaceous species and native fern species, while few other native forest species were found to persist for >1 year in the seed bank.

Urban native seed rain was greater in quantity than exotic seed rain (reflecting immediately surrounding vegetation) although only when native canopy species had been planted suggesting a benefit of initial planting to encourage restoration of native communities. Novel species arriving in the seed rain, but not present in the immediate vegetation, were often not abundant in quantity but represented three quarters of the native species recorded in urban seed rain providing evidence for some long-distance dispersal (particularly for wind-dispersed species) and potential for new species to establish. Urban and rural seed rain contained a similar number of novel native species arriving, although compositionally dissimilar, whereas a greater number of novel exotic species arrived in urban seed rain. Establishment for some native species arriving in urban seed rain was limited, e.g. ferns, indicating a suitable forest microclimate is still to develop. 

It was found that the native forest flora in Hamilton City represented just over half (57%) of the species present in forests of the broader Hamilton Ecological District. This suggests limited natural colonisation from beyond the urban area and the absent species are suggested as priorities for urban reintroduction. In turn only 35% of the city forest flora was found to be represented in the seed supply (annual seed rain and soil seed bank) and understorey sampling in urban forest patches. An over representation of trees in the city forest flora may reflect some relictual long-lived species that are surviving but may no longer have viable populations. Forbs and parasitic plants, highly shade tolerant (i.e. late successional) species and those with biotic pollinators were under represented in the seed supply and understorey indicating some limitation for regeneration or colonisation in young urban forests. The richness of bird-dispersed native species in urban forest patches increased with proximity and size of good quality native vegetation but no other effects of dispersal mode on urban native species presence were found. 

To facilitate dispersal, broadcast seeding was found to be a viable method of improving regeneration of large-seeded late successional trees and may be a cost-effective alternative to planting saplings. Seedling establishment can be improved with fruit flesh removal and clay ball treatments, especially in the presence of mammalian seed predators.

text: Thresholds for sustainable regeneration in urban restoration plantings in Hamilton City, New Zealand Urban forest patches have unique environmental and landscape characteristics which may influence the restoration of native plant communities. Urbanisation can lead to a drier and warmer climate, a prevalence of exotic seed sources and isolation from remnant native forest seed sources. This research investigates how these factors influence native species presence in different aged urban forest patches and uses life history traits to identify vulnerable species groups which may require active reintroduction. Seed rain, soil seed banks and vegetation composition was recorded within urban forest restoration plantings (10-36 years old) in Hamilton City, New Zealand with comparison to naturally regenerating forest within the city and a nearby rural forest remnant. To address dispersal limitation for several key mid to late successional forest species an experiment was also undertaken to investigate broadcast seeding as a method to reintroduce trees with large seeds and fleshy fruits into established early successional vegetation.

Seed rain, soil seed banks (fern spores inclusive) and understorey vegetation in urban forest were found to have higher exotic species richness and lower native species density and richness than rural forest. Both understorey vegetation and soil seed banks of urban sites >20 years old had lower exotic species richness than younger (10–20 years) sites, indicating a developmental threshold that provided some resistance to exotic species establishment. A prevalence of exotic species in urban seed rain, however, will allow reinvasion through edge habitat and following any disturbance to canopy vegetation. Persistent soil seed banks from both urban and rural sites were dominated by exotic herbaceous species and native fern species, while few other native forest species were found to persist for >1 year in the seed bank.

Urban native seed rain was greater in quantity than exotic seed rain (reflecting immediately surrounding vegetation) although only when native canopy species had been planted suggesting a benefit of initial planting to encourage restoration of native communities. Novel species arriving in the seed rain, but not present in the immediate vegetation, were often not abundant in quantity but represented three quarters of the native species recorded in urban seed rain providing evidence for some long-distance dispersal (particularly for wind-dispersed species) and potential for new species to establish. Urban and rural seed rain contained a similar number of novel native species arriving, although compositionally dissimilar, whereas a greater number of novel exotic species arrived in urban seed rain. Establishment for some native species arriving in urban seed rain was limited, e.g. ferns, indicating a suitable forest microclimate is still to develop. 

It was found that the native forest flora in Hamilton City represented just over half (57%) of the species present in forests of the broader Hamilton Ecological District. This suggests limited natural colonisation from beyond the urban area and the absent species are suggested as priorities for urban reintroduction. In turn only 35% of the city forest flora was found to be represented in the seed supply (annual seed rain and soil seed bank) and understorey sampling in urban forest patches. An over representation of trees in the city forest flora may reflect some relictual long-lived species that are surviving but may no longer have viable populations. Forbs and parasitic plants, highly shade tolerant (i.e. late successional) species and those with biotic pollinators were under represented in the seed supply and understorey indicating some limitation for regeneration or colonisation in young urban forests. The richness of bird-dispersed native species in urban forest patches increased with proximity and size of good quality native vegetation but no other effects of dispersal mode on urban native species presence were found. 

To facilitate dispersal, broadcast seeding was found to be a viable method of improving regeneration of large-seeded late successional trees and may be a cost-effective alternative to planting saplings. Seedling establishment can be improved with fruit flesh removal and clay ball treatments, especially in the presence of mammalian seed predators.

year: 2014

title: Ko te Pakiwaituhi Ko Au, Ko Au Ko te Pakiwaituhi: He Wewetenga o te Pakiwaituhi Tōra Mātātoa, He Whakapuakanga Pakiwaituhi Māori

authors: Ross, Kristin Cherie

subjects: Pakiwaituhi Māori

abstract: ARIĀ

Mai i ngā tau o te whitu tekau te pakanga a ētahi rōpū Māori kia rangona te Māori, kia kitea te Māori ki runga pouaka whakaata.  I kura takahi puni te whiua o rātou mā ki te Karauna kia whakamanahia tāna i oati ai i te Tiriti o Waitangi.  Otirā, ka tohua te Karauna ki te tiaki i ngā kura kāmehameha a te Māori, arā, ko te reo me ōna tikanga.  I kitea e rātou mā tētahi patanga oranga o tō tātou reo, o ā tātou tikanga mā te ao pāpāho.  E mara e, kua tuangahuru ngā tau e whakapāoho atu ana a Whakaata Māori mai i tōna whakarewanga i te tau 2004.  Nā aua kikopuku reo, nā aua mumu tikanga, nā aua matā mana motuhake i whai wāhi mai ai te Māori i te ao pāpāho, otirā, i te ao o te pouaka whakaata. 

Ka mutu, ko te ngako ia o tēnei tuhinga, he whakamahuki, he tirotiro, he ketuketu i te pakiwaituhi kōhungahunga, i a Dora the Explorer.  I whakamāorihia e Whakaata Māori ki a Tōra Mātātoa.  Mō te pakiwaituhi rongonui, kāhore he painga i a Tōra Mātātoa.  Kei te mātakitakihia e ngā iwi huhua ki ngā tōpito katoa o te ao.  Ko te pātai ia nā, he aha oti ngā ehunga Māori ka kitea, ka rangona rā roto mai i te pakiwaituhi kōhungahunga, i a Tōra Mātātoa?  Mā tēnei rangahau tonu e whakautu.  

Ko ngā pakiwaituhi katoa o Whakaata Māori mā te kōhungahunga he mea hanga e iwi kē atu i te Māori.  Ka mutu ka whakaarohia e tēnei rangahau ētahi huarahi e taea ai e tātou te whakaputa pakiwaituhi Māori mā te kōhungahunga.  Otirā, ka whakapua mai ai i tētahi pakiwaituhi Māori nāku tonu.  Ko tāku e whakapae nei, me kite ā tātou tamariki i a rātou anō rā roto mai i ngā pakiwaituhi.  Ko tāku e manako nei, kia kaha te iwi Māori ki te kimi huarahi e whakaputa ai i ā tātou ake pakiwaituhi nā te Māori, mā te Māori, mō te Māori. 

ABSTRACT

Since the 1970s select Māori groups have fought to be seen and heard in the broadcasting industry and particular television.  United and banded they challenged the Crown to honour what was promised to them in the Treaty of Waitangi.  They demanded that the Government maintain the Māori language and its customs.  They saw television as a means to retain and transmit our language and culture.  2014 marked the tenth year of broadcasting for Māori Television.  This prestigious achievement in Māori broadcasting was due to the efforts of our leaders who fought tirelessly to ensure our language and customs were and are maintained throughout broadcasting. 

The basis of this thesis is the analysis of the preschool animation, Dora the Explorer, which was broadcast and translated by Māori Television as Tōra Mātātoa.  Dora the Explorer is arguably the most famous preschool animation.  The show is watched by the masses all over the world. This thesis investigates the question; what representations of Māori are seen and heard in the preschool animation Tōra Mātātoa? 

All of the preschool animations shown on Māori Television have been created by non-Māori.  Therefore, the purpose of this research is to create new ways of thinking that will initiate the production of locally made preschool animation.  This thesis looks at a Māori animation example that I have created based on the findings of this research.  It is imperative that our children see themselves on the television screen.  I hope Māori actively seek avenues to ensure the production of preschool animation by Māori, for Māori and about Māori.

text: Ko te Pakiwaituhi Ko Au, Ko Au Ko te Pakiwaituhi: He Wewetenga o te Pakiwaituhi Tōra Mātātoa, He Whakapuakanga Pakiwaituhi Māori ARIĀ

Mai i ngā tau o te whitu tekau te pakanga a ētahi rōpū Māori kia rangona te Māori, kia kitea te Māori ki runga pouaka whakaata.  I kura takahi puni te whiua o rātou mā ki te Karauna kia whakamanahia tāna i oati ai i te Tiriti o Waitangi.  Otirā, ka tohua te Karauna ki te tiaki i ngā kura kāmehameha a te Māori, arā, ko te reo me ōna tikanga.  I kitea e rātou mā tētahi patanga oranga o tō tātou reo, o ā tātou tikanga mā te ao pāpāho.  E mara e, kua tuangahuru ngā tau e whakapāoho atu ana a Whakaata Māori mai i tōna whakarewanga i te tau 2004.  Nā aua kikopuku reo, nā aua mumu tikanga, nā aua matā mana motuhake i whai wāhi mai ai te Māori i te ao pāpāho, otirā, i te ao o te pouaka whakaata. 

Ka mutu, ko te ngako ia o tēnei tuhinga, he whakamahuki, he tirotiro, he ketuketu i te pakiwaituhi kōhungahunga, i a Dora the Explorer.  I whakamāorihia e Whakaata Māori ki a Tōra Mātātoa.  Mō te pakiwaituhi rongonui, kāhore he painga i a Tōra Mātātoa.  Kei te mātakitakihia e ngā iwi huhua ki ngā tōpito katoa o te ao.  Ko te pātai ia nā, he aha oti ngā ehunga Māori ka kitea, ka rangona rā roto mai i te pakiwaituhi kōhungahunga, i a Tōra Mātātoa?  Mā tēnei rangahau tonu e whakautu.  

Ko ngā pakiwaituhi katoa o Whakaata Māori mā te kōhungahunga he mea hanga e iwi kē atu i te Māori.  Ka mutu ka whakaarohia e tēnei rangahau ētahi huarahi e taea ai e tātou te whakaputa pakiwaituhi Māori mā te kōhungahunga.  Otirā, ka whakapua mai ai i tētahi pakiwaituhi Māori nāku tonu.  Ko tāku e whakapae nei, me kite ā tātou tamariki i a rātou anō rā roto mai i ngā pakiwaituhi.  Ko tāku e manako nei, kia kaha te iwi Māori ki te kimi huarahi e whakaputa ai i ā tātou ake pakiwaituhi nā te Māori, mā te Māori, mō te Māori. 

ABSTRACT

Since the 1970s select Māori groups have fought to be seen and heard in the broadcasting industry and particular television.  United and banded they challenged the Crown to honour what was promised to them in the Treaty of Waitangi.  They demanded that the Government maintain the Māori language and its customs.  They saw television as a means to retain and transmit our language and culture.  2014 marked the tenth year of broadcasting for Māori Television.  This prestigious achievement in Māori broadcasting was due to the efforts of our leaders who fought tirelessly to ensure our language and customs were and are maintained throughout broadcasting. 

The basis of this thesis is the analysis of the preschool animation, Dora the Explorer, which was broadcast and translated by Māori Television as Tōra Mātātoa.  Dora the Explorer is arguably the most famous preschool animation.  The show is watched by the masses all over the world. This thesis investigates the question; what representations of Māori are seen and heard in the preschool animation Tōra Mātātoa? 

All of the preschool animations shown on Māori Television have been created by non-Māori.  Therefore, the purpose of this research is to create new ways of thinking that will initiate the production of locally made preschool animation.  This thesis looks at a Māori animation example that I have created based on the findings of this research.  It is imperative that our children see themselves on the television screen.  I hope Māori actively seek avenues to ensure the production of preschool animation by Māori, for Māori and about Māori.

year: 2015