title: The aquatic ecology of Lake Rotokare

authors: Smith, Dylan Ross

subjects: Conservation

abstract: The biology of three endemic and one exotic species of fish (banded kokopu, Galaxias fasciatus; shortfin eel, Anguilla australis; longfin eel, Anguilla dieffenbachii; and the European perch, Perca fluviatilis) was investigated in Lake Rotokare. Little is currently known regarding the local ecology of the lake. This study improves the understanding of the biological processes in Lake Rotokare and investigates the characteristics of the lake’s water quality.

Fish sampling occurred in the lake using a combination of boat electrofishing, gill netting, and fyke netting. The tributary was sampled using night time spotlighting. Fish taken from the lake were used to determine length-weight relationships, size frequencies, CPUE, abundance estimations, fish biomass, stable isotope analyses, trophic levels, and perch diet. Water quality sampling was also undertaken to further build upon data from previous studies. 

The majority of fish sampled in Lake Rotokare were perch, with a mixture of size classes, but dominated by a large juvenile size class. Perch density was high (16.55 fish 100 m-2). Longfin eels showed a cohort of large individuals with no evidence of recruitment occurring; while shortfin eels exhibited a distribution of size ranges with evidence of juvenile recruitment occuring. 

Electrofishing showed evidence of banded kokopu inhabiting the lake, even at distance from the tributary outlet, suggesting the possibility of a lake fringe population of kokopu. Spotlight sampling in June and December revealed a stable kokopu and kōura population residing in the lakes’ main tributary. Water quality data showed an overall decrease in total nitrogen and phosphorous loads within the lake since 1979. However, the lake has shown strong thermal stratification over summer over multiple years (1977, 2013, February 2017 and December 2017), and remains in poor condition, with a eutrophic TLI 4 rating of 4.1. Frequent cyanobacterial blooms continue to occur during the summer season, resulting in closure of the lake for contact recreation. 

Both dietary and stable isotope analyses showed indications that chironomid larvae and Daphnia sp. constituted the bulk of the primary production of the food web; juvenile perch were found to be the predominant food source of the three resident fish species. A three-end member mixing model was created to duplicate the theoretical food-web within the lake with chironomid larvae, dragonfly larvae, and juvenile perch at the base. Lipid treatment techniques were examined in this study for eel fin and muscle tissue. The results indicate that lipid treatment is needed for 13C isotope values for both longfin and shortfin muscle, and longfin fin tissue for accurate results. Mathematical equations were constructed to correct untreated fin tissue values into treated muscle values for 13C and 15N; avoiding the necessity for future lethal sampling methods.

text: The aquatic ecology of Lake Rotokare The biology of three endemic and one exotic species of fish (banded kokopu, Galaxias fasciatus; shortfin eel, Anguilla australis; longfin eel, Anguilla dieffenbachii; and the European perch, Perca fluviatilis) was investigated in Lake Rotokare. Little is currently known regarding the local ecology of the lake. This study improves the understanding of the biological processes in Lake Rotokare and investigates the characteristics of the lake’s water quality.

Fish sampling occurred in the lake using a combination of boat electrofishing, gill netting, and fyke netting. The tributary was sampled using night time spotlighting. Fish taken from the lake were used to determine length-weight relationships, size frequencies, CPUE, abundance estimations, fish biomass, stable isotope analyses, trophic levels, and perch diet. Water quality sampling was also undertaken to further build upon data from previous studies. 

The majority of fish sampled in Lake Rotokare were perch, with a mixture of size classes, but dominated by a large juvenile size class. Perch density was high (16.55 fish 100 m-2). Longfin eels showed a cohort of large individuals with no evidence of recruitment occurring; while shortfin eels exhibited a distribution of size ranges with evidence of juvenile recruitment occuring. 

Electrofishing showed evidence of banded kokopu inhabiting the lake, even at distance from the tributary outlet, suggesting the possibility of a lake fringe population of kokopu. Spotlight sampling in June and December revealed a stable kokopu and kōura population residing in the lakes’ main tributary. Water quality data showed an overall decrease in total nitrogen and phosphorous loads within the lake since 1979. However, the lake has shown strong thermal stratification over summer over multiple years (1977, 2013, February 2017 and December 2017), and remains in poor condition, with a eutrophic TLI 4 rating of 4.1. Frequent cyanobacterial blooms continue to occur during the summer season, resulting in closure of the lake for contact recreation. 

Both dietary and stable isotope analyses showed indications that chironomid larvae and Daphnia sp. constituted the bulk of the primary production of the food web; juvenile perch were found to be the predominant food source of the three resident fish species. A three-end member mixing model was created to duplicate the theoretical food-web within the lake with chironomid larvae, dragonfly larvae, and juvenile perch at the base. Lipid treatment techniques were examined in this study for eel fin and muscle tissue. The results indicate that lipid treatment is needed for 13C isotope values for both longfin and shortfin muscle, and longfin fin tissue for accurate results. Mathematical equations were constructed to correct untreated fin tissue values into treated muscle values for 13C and 15N; avoiding the necessity for future lethal sampling methods.

year: 2018

title: After the Civilian: Compassion in a changing politico-military context

authors: McKeogh, Colm

abstract: This paper looks at political, military and technological challenges to the rule against targeting civilians in war. Neither the concept nor the reality of the civilian offer the clarity once assumed. The paper argues that the category of the civilian is now collapsing and that new expressions of practical compassion in armed conflict must rise to take its place. Religions have a role to play in promoting the restraint of violence although that role will be more one of motivation than overtly religious argument.

text: After the Civilian: Compassion in a changing politico-military context This paper looks at political, military and technological challenges to the rule against targeting civilians in war. Neither the concept nor the reality of the civilian offer the clarity once assumed. The paper argues that the category of the civilian is now collapsing and that new expressions of practical compassion in armed conflict must rise to take its place. Religions have a role to play in promoting the restraint of violence although that role will be more one of motivation than overtly religious argument.

year: 2017

title: Kaumatua Mana Motuhake: peer education intervention to help Maori elders during later-stage life transitions

authors: Oetzel, John G.

subjects: Science & Technology

abstract: Background
Aotearoa/New Zealand has a population that is ageing and there are challenges to health and social outcomes related to related to key life transitions (e.g., retirement, change in health conditions, loss of spouse). Further, there are significant inequities between Māori (Indigenous people) and non-Māori in ageing outcomes. The purpose of this study was to test the impacts and cost effectiveness of a tuakana/teina (peer education) intervention on kaumātua (elders) receiving the intervention. This study was framed by a strengths-based approach based on the key cultural concept of mana motuhake (autonomy and self-actualisation).

Methods
This study was grounded in principles of Kaupapa Māori and community-based participatory research to bring together a diverse group of stakeholders to co-develop and co-evaluate the intervention. The intervention had tuakana (peer educators) having conversations with up to six teina (recipients) and providing information related to health and social services. The research design was a pre- and post-test, clustered staggered design. Participants completed a baseline assessment of health and mana motuhake measures consistent with Māori worldviews along with two follow-up assessments (one after the first intervention group completed its activities and a second after the second intervention group completed its activities). Additionally, five focus groups and open-ended questions on the assessments were used to provide qualitative evaluation.

Findings
A total of 180 kaumātua were recruited to the intervention with 121 completing it. The analysis revealed improvements over time in the expected direction on most of the variables. However, only three of the variables had statistically significant intervention effects: received support, tribal identity, and trouble paying bills. Qualitative results supported impacts of the intervention on mana motuhake, social connectedness, and tangible/information support related to services. Cost-effectiveness analysis showed that the intervention is cost effective, with a cost per QALY of less than the conventional threshold of three times gross domestic product per capita.

Conclusions
The findings support the relevancy and importance of kaumātua knowledge to create a strengths-based approach to improve health and social outcomes. This study demonstrates that a contextually based and culturally safe age-friendly environments can facilitate engagement and participation by kaumātua for kaumātua.

Trial registry
Australia New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (ACTRN12617001396314); Date Registered: 3 October 2017 (retrospectively registered); https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=373733&isClinicalTrial=False

text: Kaumatua Mana Motuhake: peer education intervention to help Maori elders during later-stage life transitions Background
Aotearoa/New Zealand has a population that is ageing and there are challenges to health and social outcomes related to related to key life transitions (e.g., retirement, change in health conditions, loss of spouse). Further, there are significant inequities between Māori (Indigenous people) and non-Māori in ageing outcomes. The purpose of this study was to test the impacts and cost effectiveness of a tuakana/teina (peer education) intervention on kaumātua (elders) receiving the intervention. This study was framed by a strengths-based approach based on the key cultural concept of mana motuhake (autonomy and self-actualisation).

Methods
This study was grounded in principles of Kaupapa Māori and community-based participatory research to bring together a diverse group of stakeholders to co-develop and co-evaluate the intervention. The intervention had tuakana (peer educators) having conversations with up to six teina (recipients) and providing information related to health and social services. The research design was a pre- and post-test, clustered staggered design. Participants completed a baseline assessment of health and mana motuhake measures consistent with Māori worldviews along with two follow-up assessments (one after the first intervention group completed its activities and a second after the second intervention group completed its activities). Additionally, five focus groups and open-ended questions on the assessments were used to provide qualitative evaluation.

Findings
A total of 180 kaumātua were recruited to the intervention with 121 completing it. The analysis revealed improvements over time in the expected direction on most of the variables. However, only three of the variables had statistically significant intervention effects: received support, tribal identity, and trouble paying bills. Qualitative results supported impacts of the intervention on mana motuhake, social connectedness, and tangible/information support related to services. Cost-effectiveness analysis showed that the intervention is cost effective, with a cost per QALY of less than the conventional threshold of three times gross domestic product per capita.

Conclusions
The findings support the relevancy and importance of kaumātua knowledge to create a strengths-based approach to improve health and social outcomes. This study demonstrates that a contextually based and culturally safe age-friendly environments can facilitate engagement and participation by kaumātua for kaumātua.

Trial registry
Australia New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (ACTRN12617001396314); Date Registered: 3 October 2017 (retrospectively registered); https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=373733&isClinicalTrial=False

year: 2020