title: A time-varying beta approach to measuring New Zealand's country risk

authors: Tourani-Rad, Alireza

subjects: international investments

abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to estimate New Zealand's country level risk using a time-varying country beta market model. Country beta is allowed to vary as a function of several macro-economic variables, including the net government overseas borrowing, 90-day bill rate, ten-year bill rate, wool price, trade-weighted index, manufacturers’ price index, retail trade, current account balance, and money supply. 
Design/methodology/approach – Multivariate regression analysis is used to test the relation between country volatility and the macro-economic variables for the period September 1985 to March 2000. 
Findings – It is found that the US dollar exchange rate (USD) and the monetary conditions index (MCI) have a significant impact on New Zealand's country beta. The temporal variance of New Zealand's country beta displayed a great deal of volatility prior to and immediately following the 1987 stock market crash. The beta was far less volatile during the 1990s. 
Research limitations/implications – The variable set is restricted by the availability of data concerning the key macro-economic statistics. 
Practical implications – Risk at the country level is of increasing importance in the evaluation of offshore investments. Practical implications relate to the evaluation of investments in foreign markets, specifically the appropriate cost of capital, given increased integration of financial markets. 
Originality/value – The study provides a better appreciation of the relationship between the country beta and several macro-economic variables that has not been applied to the New Zealand economy before.

text: A time-varying beta approach to measuring New Zealand's country risk Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to estimate New Zealand's country level risk using a time-varying country beta market model. Country beta is allowed to vary as a function of several macro-economic variables, including the net government overseas borrowing, 90-day bill rate, ten-year bill rate, wool price, trade-weighted index, manufacturers’ price index, retail trade, current account balance, and money supply. 
Design/methodology/approach – Multivariate regression analysis is used to test the relation between country volatility and the macro-economic variables for the period September 1985 to March 2000. 
Findings – It is found that the US dollar exchange rate (USD) and the monetary conditions index (MCI) have a significant impact on New Zealand's country beta. The temporal variance of New Zealand's country beta displayed a great deal of volatility prior to and immediately following the 1987 stock market crash. The beta was far less volatile during the 1990s. 
Research limitations/implications – The variable set is restricted by the availability of data concerning the key macro-economic statistics. 
Practical implications – Risk at the country level is of increasing importance in the evaluation of offshore investments. Practical implications relate to the evaluation of investments in foreign markets, specifically the appropriate cost of capital, given increased integration of financial markets. 
Originality/value – The study provides a better appreciation of the relationship between the country beta and several macro-economic variables that has not been applied to the New Zealand economy before.

year: 2006

title: Contributions to technology education through funds of knowledge

authors: Fox-Turnbull, Wendy

subjects: technology education

abstract: The value and place of cultural knowledge, particularly that of minority groups, is frequently overlooked in school settings. However, when teachers are aware of students’ backgrounds, and cultural practices, the likelihood of students making use of this knowledge increases. This article reports on a study that explored the contribution of students’ Funds of Knowledge in undertaking technological activity. It explores the Funds of Knowledge deployed in technological practice and the role these played when students collaboratively developed their technological outcomes.


Set in a primary school with six and ten year old students, this study revealed that students deployed home and community knowledge when developing technological outcomes. The article introduces two sub-categories of Funds of Knowledge and compares the use of Funds of Knowledge between the two year levels and across a unit of work.


This study highlights the use of Funds of Knowledge in technology education and examines aspects within Funds of Knowledge that are applicable to it.

text: Contributions to technology education through funds of knowledge The value and place of cultural knowledge, particularly that of minority groups, is frequently overlooked in school settings. However, when teachers are aware of students’ backgrounds, and cultural practices, the likelihood of students making use of this knowledge increases. This article reports on a study that explored the contribution of students’ Funds of Knowledge in undertaking technological activity. It explores the Funds of Knowledge deployed in technological practice and the role these played when students collaboratively developed their technological outcomes.


Set in a primary school with six and ten year old students, this study revealed that students deployed home and community knowledge when developing technological outcomes. The article introduces two sub-categories of Funds of Knowledge and compares the use of Funds of Knowledge between the two year levels and across a unit of work.


This study highlights the use of Funds of Knowledge in technology education and examines aspects within Funds of Knowledge that are applicable to it.

year: 2015

title: On equality and colourblindness

authors: Robertson, Neville

subjects: Maori

abstract: "I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." So said Martin Luther King, Jr, just over 40 years ago, in a speech that galvanised the US civil rights movement. King spoke of the United States but his dream is equally relevant in New Zealand. Has it been achieved? Some people would argue that not only has it been achieved but that the tables have been turned and now white folk are the ones who are oppressed. What is needed, they argue, is a level playing field. But how level is the playing field?

text: On equality and colourblindness "I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." So said Martin Luther King, Jr, just over 40 years ago, in a speech that galvanised the US civil rights movement. King spoke of the United States but his dream is equally relevant in New Zealand. Has it been achieved? Some people would argue that not only has it been achieved but that the tables have been turned and now white folk are the ones who are oppressed. What is needed, they argue, is a level playing field. But how level is the playing field?

year: 2004