title: A biodiversity jigsaw: A review of current New Zealand legislation and initiatives

authors: Schneider, Annika Barbara Sabine

subjects: biodiversity

abstract: Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to review the current legislation and initiatives surrounding biodiversity management, protection and sustainable use related to the New Zealand local government sector.
Design/methodology/approach: This paper takes the form of an archival review of the academic databases, legislation and biodiversity related websites to ascertain the current legislation and initiatives in place in New Zealand surrounding biodiversity.
Findings: The paper found biodiversity to be managed through a combination of legislation, national policies, strategies, trusts and contestable funds. The majority of biodiversity protection on private land is the responsibility of the 78 local authorities that comprise the local government sector through their administration of the Resource Management Act 1991. Despite the legislative requirement to protect and manage biodiversity the paper confirmed that no statutory framework currently exists to guide biodiversity reporting.
Research limitations/implications: This study is limited to New Zealand biodiversity related legislation and initiatives. As such it may not necessarily be applicable to any other jurisdictions.
Practical implications:This review illustrates the difficulty that exists in navigating the disjointed legislation and other initiatives relating to biodiversity. This currently hinders the development of framework for reporting on biodiversity by local government. However the development of such a framework is crucial to the conservation and sustainable use of New Zealand’s unique biodiversity for the benefit of current and future generations.
Originality/value: This paper adds to the limited literature in the field of biodiversity reporting and extends it to the local government sector in New Zealand.

text: A biodiversity jigsaw: A review of current New Zealand legislation and initiatives Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to review the current legislation and initiatives surrounding biodiversity management, protection and sustainable use related to the New Zealand local government sector.
Design/methodology/approach: This paper takes the form of an archival review of the academic databases, legislation and biodiversity related websites to ascertain the current legislation and initiatives in place in New Zealand surrounding biodiversity.
Findings: The paper found biodiversity to be managed through a combination of legislation, national policies, strategies, trusts and contestable funds. The majority of biodiversity protection on private land is the responsibility of the 78 local authorities that comprise the local government sector through their administration of the Resource Management Act 1991. Despite the legislative requirement to protect and manage biodiversity the paper confirmed that no statutory framework currently exists to guide biodiversity reporting.
Research limitations/implications: This study is limited to New Zealand biodiversity related legislation and initiatives. As such it may not necessarily be applicable to any other jurisdictions.
Practical implications:This review illustrates the difficulty that exists in navigating the disjointed legislation and other initiatives relating to biodiversity. This currently hinders the development of framework for reporting on biodiversity by local government. However the development of such a framework is crucial to the conservation and sustainable use of New Zealand’s unique biodiversity for the benefit of current and future generations.
Originality/value: This paper adds to the limited literature in the field of biodiversity reporting and extends it to the local government sector in New Zealand.

year: 2012

title: Abundance and diversity of epibenthic amphipods (Crustacea) from contrasting bathyal habitats

authors: Knox, Matthew Andrew

subjects: Challenger Plateau

abstract: To investigate relationships between epibenthic macrofauna and bathyal habitat characteristics, we examined the abundance, diversity and community composition of amphipod crustaceans relative to environmental variables on two major bathymetric features of New Zealand – the Chatham Rise and Challenger Plateau. An epibenthic (Brenke) sledge was used to sample depths ranging from 200 to 1200 m. Fifteen stations were sampled on the Chatham Rise, which is an extensive submarine ridge, east of New Zealand, characterised by high productivity in surface waters, associated with the Subtropical Front. Five stations were sampled on the Challenger Plateau, west of New Zealand, a region with a similar depth range, but less topographical relief and lower pelagic productivity relative to the Chatham Rise. Over 12,500 amphipods were recovered and identified. We found high abundance (range: 44–2074 individuals 1000 m−2) and taxonomic richness (27 families) in both regions. Amphipod assemblages at all stations were largely dominated by the same families, particularly the Phoxocephalidae. Chatham Rise stations were mostly similar in family composition to one another and to the two closest Challenger Plateau stations. However, the remaining three, more distal, western Challenger Plateau stations were highly differentiated from other stations and from one another, despite being relatively similar habitats. Overall, amphipod community composition correlated most strongly with surface chlorophyll a, suggesting strong benthic–pelagic coupling and emphasising the importance of benthic–pelagic links in bathyal ecosystems.

text: Abundance and diversity of epibenthic amphipods (Crustacea) from contrasting bathyal habitats To investigate relationships between epibenthic macrofauna and bathyal habitat characteristics, we examined the abundance, diversity and community composition of amphipod crustaceans relative to environmental variables on two major bathymetric features of New Zealand – the Chatham Rise and Challenger Plateau. An epibenthic (Brenke) sledge was used to sample depths ranging from 200 to 1200 m. Fifteen stations were sampled on the Chatham Rise, which is an extensive submarine ridge, east of New Zealand, characterised by high productivity in surface waters, associated with the Subtropical Front. Five stations were sampled on the Challenger Plateau, west of New Zealand, a region with a similar depth range, but less topographical relief and lower pelagic productivity relative to the Chatham Rise. Over 12,500 amphipods were recovered and identified. We found high abundance (range: 44–2074 individuals 1000 m−2) and taxonomic richness (27 families) in both regions. Amphipod assemblages at all stations were largely dominated by the same families, particularly the Phoxocephalidae. Chatham Rise stations were mostly similar in family composition to one another and to the two closest Challenger Plateau stations. However, the remaining three, more distal, western Challenger Plateau stations were highly differentiated from other stations and from one another, despite being relatively similar habitats. Overall, amphipod community composition correlated most strongly with surface chlorophyll a, suggesting strong benthic–pelagic coupling and emphasising the importance of benthic–pelagic links in bathyal ecosystems.

year: 2012-04

title: An Evaluation of an Impaired Driver Treatment Programme Facilitated by Tūhoe Hauora

authors: Waru, Nicole Arihia

subjects: Tuhoe Hauora

abstract: Driving while impaired is a substantial issue in Aotearoa.  It has the potential to result in loss of life and cause significant health and economic strain on society.  Recidivist impaired drivers are major contributors to this problem.  Countermeasures of impaired driving have previously included liquor licencing, drinking age restrictions, health promotion campaigns and health rehabilitation therapies.  The Ministry of Health offer an Impaired Driving therapy throughout Aotearoa as countermeasure to this issue.  The programme is administered through the funder-contract system. Participation is compulsory for those mandated by court order.  
This study evaluates an Impaired Driver programme facilitated by Tūhoe Hauora; a kaupapa Māori mental health and addiction provider based in Taneatua, Eastern Bay of Plenty.  The course is delivered once weekly over a period of ten weeks to a group of twelve or less recidivist impaired drivers or first time offenders who were convicted of driving with excessive levels of breath alcohol.    
The evaluation draws from a community psychology paradigm in exploration of the lived experiences of programme participants, in the context of course 2 of the 2014 Tūhoe Hauora Impaired Driving course.  
The experiences of five individuals were explored using in-depth face to face interviews and presented using a case-by-case approach.  Participant observation, document review, evaluation visits and participant surveys were used as supplement methods of inquiry.  The findings illustrated that Tūhoe Hauora met contract requirements by addressing impaired driving recidivism to date of interview.  The evaluation also found the course actualising the mission of Tūhoe Hauora which was to address the holistic well-being of programme participants.  The research did present areas in the programme that could be improved particularly pertaining to the referral process and a need for agency collaboration.  Recommendations were formulated in attempt to address the programme gaps and discussion is offered in addressing the multi-layered oppression that was experienced throughout the evaluation process by both Tūhoe Hauora and the evaluation participants.

text: An Evaluation of an Impaired Driver Treatment Programme Facilitated by Tūhoe Hauora Driving while impaired is a substantial issue in Aotearoa.  It has the potential to result in loss of life and cause significant health and economic strain on society.  Recidivist impaired drivers are major contributors to this problem.  Countermeasures of impaired driving have previously included liquor licencing, drinking age restrictions, health promotion campaigns and health rehabilitation therapies.  The Ministry of Health offer an Impaired Driving therapy throughout Aotearoa as countermeasure to this issue.  The programme is administered through the funder-contract system. Participation is compulsory for those mandated by court order.  
This study evaluates an Impaired Driver programme facilitated by Tūhoe Hauora; a kaupapa Māori mental health and addiction provider based in Taneatua, Eastern Bay of Plenty.  The course is delivered once weekly over a period of ten weeks to a group of twelve or less recidivist impaired drivers or first time offenders who were convicted of driving with excessive levels of breath alcohol.    
The evaluation draws from a community psychology paradigm in exploration of the lived experiences of programme participants, in the context of course 2 of the 2014 Tūhoe Hauora Impaired Driving course.  
The experiences of five individuals were explored using in-depth face to face interviews and presented using a case-by-case approach.  Participant observation, document review, evaluation visits and participant surveys were used as supplement methods of inquiry.  The findings illustrated that Tūhoe Hauora met contract requirements by addressing impaired driving recidivism to date of interview.  The evaluation also found the course actualising the mission of Tūhoe Hauora which was to address the holistic well-being of programme participants.  The research did present areas in the programme that could be improved particularly pertaining to the referral process and a need for agency collaboration.  Recommendations were formulated in attempt to address the programme gaps and discussion is offered in addressing the multi-layered oppression that was experienced throughout the evaluation process by both Tūhoe Hauora and the evaluation participants.

year: 2016