title: Sediment aluminium content of Lake Okaro: 2021 monitoring survey

authors: Tempero, Grant Wayne

abstract: The application of aluminium salts such as polyaluminium chloride and aluminium sulphate has been widely used to assist in the remediation of eutrophic freshwater ecosystems. Aluminium binds to phosphorus, reducing its availability for phytoplankton growth, with the additional benefit that sediment phosphorus is reduced under anoxic lake conditions. Since 2013, alum (aluminium sulphate) has been applied twice per year to Lake Okaro to reduce dissolved reactive phosphorus availability. The lake’s annual Trophic Lake Index has decreased from 5.5 in the early 2000s to 4.5 in 2020. Alum dosing has resulted in the addition of 3.8 t of aluminium to the lake, however, the spatial distribution and sediment accumulation rate of alum derived aluminium has not been investigated.

The University of Waikato was contracted by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council to survey sediment aluminium concentrations in Lake Okaro to determine the distribution and accumulation of alum derived aluminium. In addition to sediment total aluminium content, the proportion of amorphous (non-crystalline) aluminium was assessed. Amorphous aluminium is the fraction of total aluminium able to adsorb dissolved phosphorus, sequestering it from uptake by phytoplankton. It was assumed that increased proportions of amorphous aluminium were primarily derived from alum dosing.

text: Sediment aluminium content of Lake Okaro: 2021 monitoring survey The application of aluminium salts such as polyaluminium chloride and aluminium sulphate has been widely used to assist in the remediation of eutrophic freshwater ecosystems. Aluminium binds to phosphorus, reducing its availability for phytoplankton growth, with the additional benefit that sediment phosphorus is reduced under anoxic lake conditions. Since 2013, alum (aluminium sulphate) has been applied twice per year to Lake Okaro to reduce dissolved reactive phosphorus availability. The lake’s annual Trophic Lake Index has decreased from 5.5 in the early 2000s to 4.5 in 2020. Alum dosing has resulted in the addition of 3.8 t of aluminium to the lake, however, the spatial distribution and sediment accumulation rate of alum derived aluminium has not been investigated.

The University of Waikato was contracted by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council to survey sediment aluminium concentrations in Lake Okaro to determine the distribution and accumulation of alum derived aluminium. In addition to sediment total aluminium content, the proportion of amorphous (non-crystalline) aluminium was assessed. Amorphous aluminium is the fraction of total aluminium able to adsorb dissolved phosphorus, sequestering it from uptake by phytoplankton. It was assumed that increased proportions of amorphous aluminium were primarily derived from alum dosing.

year: 2023

title: Queering public transport: Understanding access for Aotearoa queer communities

authors: Crossland, Kiri

subjects: Public transport

abstract: Queer people face inequitable access to public transport. International literature suggests that queer people are more likely to be transit dependent, but at the same time more likely to experience discrimination, harassment or violence while using it. However, little is known about what makes public transport attractive or accessible to this group. This thesis seeks to address this through a survey of 347 public transport users (half of whom are queer) to understand this issue in an Aotearoa context. The results show the main factors influencing the attractiveness and accessibility of public transport to queer people are not feeling safe, lack of transport choice, long journey times, and affordability. Straight people are also influenced by these factors, however at lower rates. Interventions that could improve public transport attractiveness and accessibility for queer people were also identified. Safety improvements such as more frequent services, safety interventions along walking routes to public transport, and staff training are key to improving queer public transport access. Improving travel times to reduce queer exposure to discrimination and harassment is also important. Engagement with queer people is key to ensuring interventions are appropriate for local contexts. The survey also showed that police presence is unlikely to improve queer feelings of safety. This research was the first study of queer people’s access to public transport in Aotearoa and offers important practical insights as to how planners can support a just transition to a low emissions transport future.

text: Queering public transport: Understanding access for Aotearoa queer communities Queer people face inequitable access to public transport. International literature suggests that queer people are more likely to be transit dependent, but at the same time more likely to experience discrimination, harassment or violence while using it. However, little is known about what makes public transport attractive or accessible to this group. This thesis seeks to address this through a survey of 347 public transport users (half of whom are queer) to understand this issue in an Aotearoa context. The results show the main factors influencing the attractiveness and accessibility of public transport to queer people are not feeling safe, lack of transport choice, long journey times, and affordability. Straight people are also influenced by these factors, however at lower rates. Interventions that could improve public transport attractiveness and accessibility for queer people were also identified. Safety improvements such as more frequent services, safety interventions along walking routes to public transport, and staff training are key to improving queer public transport access. Improving travel times to reduce queer exposure to discrimination and harassment is also important. Engagement with queer people is key to ensuring interventions are appropriate for local contexts. The survey also showed that police presence is unlikely to improve queer feelings of safety. This research was the first study of queer people’s access to public transport in Aotearoa and offers important practical insights as to how planners can support a just transition to a low emissions transport future.

year: 2023

title: Mormonism and the white possessive: Moving critical indigenous studies theory into the religious realm

authors: Simon, Hemopereki

abstract: This essay responds to the pressing need to pursue topics related to Mormonism from a research perspective that is at once critical, culturally affirming, and grounded in Indigenous views. The goal here is to provide a theoretical framework for Critical Indigenous Studies perspectives to emerge in Mormon and Lamanite Studies. I therefore submit the following questions as a contribution to and critique of Lamanite Studies within the broader fields of Mormon, Cultural, and Religious Studies:
1. Which theoretical frame(s) from Critical Indigenous 
Studies is/are best suited to address Lamanite and Mormon issues? 
2. How might we reframe current Critical Indigenous 
Studies Theory to undertake research on Mormon and 
Western religious topics? 

To address these questions, the article first outlines its 
positionality as a basis for understanding Simon’s approach to the research. The bulk of the research here focuses on describing Lamanitism in terms of its relationship to racism and whiteness. The article therefore continues with a description of the figure of 
Hagoth in The Book of Mormon, with a particular emphasis on their relationship to Te Moana-Nui-ā-Kiwa. From there the article outlines Unger’s theorem of contextuality and considers how Lamanitism might be considered an “artificial context” from a Critical Indigenous Studies perspective. A discussion of the Doctrine of Discovery, Manifest Destiny, and Moana Jackson’s idea of the culture of colonization is followed by a description of the “Racial Contract” and its speculative extension to Indigenous adherents of the Mormon Church. The article then explicates important and interrelated tikanga values from Te Ao Māori such as tapu and mana. Lastly, the article identifies the “white possessive” as a key doctrine for Critical Indigenous Studies and undertakes a reworking of the doctrine for its application to the Mormon Church. More specifically, I transmute the notion “white patriarchal sovereignty” into “white patriarchal salvation” in order to tailor it to critical Indigenous discussions of the Church. 
In my conclusion I attempt to answer the question – What is to be done? I assert that the Church is in conflict with the cultural revival of Te Ao Māori and the idea of “original instructions.” The Church’s claim to salvific truth and thinking is contradicted by my very identity and culturally informed ontology. The ensuing discussion confirms that as a colonizing entity the Church operates parallel to the government as a co-invading force in Indigenous lands. The idea of a Lamanite people as Polynesians, which includes Māori is called into question. I provide a continuum model to explain Indigenous realities in relation to religiosity and decolonization and suggest some topics as case studies for further investigation. The true purpose of this article is to facilitate the integration of critical Indigenous with Mormon and/or Lamanite Studies to bring about much-needed dialogue, discussion, and debate on the place of indigeneity in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

text: Mormonism and the white possessive: Moving critical indigenous studies theory into the religious realm This essay responds to the pressing need to pursue topics related to Mormonism from a research perspective that is at once critical, culturally affirming, and grounded in Indigenous views. The goal here is to provide a theoretical framework for Critical Indigenous Studies perspectives to emerge in Mormon and Lamanite Studies. I therefore submit the following questions as a contribution to and critique of Lamanite Studies within the broader fields of Mormon, Cultural, and Religious Studies:
1. Which theoretical frame(s) from Critical Indigenous 
Studies is/are best suited to address Lamanite and Mormon issues? 
2. How might we reframe current Critical Indigenous 
Studies Theory to undertake research on Mormon and 
Western religious topics? 

To address these questions, the article first outlines its 
positionality as a basis for understanding Simon’s approach to the research. The bulk of the research here focuses on describing Lamanitism in terms of its relationship to racism and whiteness. The article therefore continues with a description of the figure of 
Hagoth in The Book of Mormon, with a particular emphasis on their relationship to Te Moana-Nui-ā-Kiwa. From there the article outlines Unger’s theorem of contextuality and considers how Lamanitism might be considered an “artificial context” from a Critical Indigenous Studies perspective. A discussion of the Doctrine of Discovery, Manifest Destiny, and Moana Jackson’s idea of the culture of colonization is followed by a description of the “Racial Contract” and its speculative extension to Indigenous adherents of the Mormon Church. The article then explicates important and interrelated tikanga values from Te Ao Māori such as tapu and mana. Lastly, the article identifies the “white possessive” as a key doctrine for Critical Indigenous Studies and undertakes a reworking of the doctrine for its application to the Mormon Church. More specifically, I transmute the notion “white patriarchal sovereignty” into “white patriarchal salvation” in order to tailor it to critical Indigenous discussions of the Church. 
In my conclusion I attempt to answer the question – What is to be done? I assert that the Church is in conflict with the cultural revival of Te Ao Māori and the idea of “original instructions.” The Church’s claim to salvific truth and thinking is contradicted by my very identity and culturally informed ontology. The ensuing discussion confirms that as a colonizing entity the Church operates parallel to the government as a co-invading force in Indigenous lands. The idea of a Lamanite people as Polynesians, which includes Māori is called into question. I provide a continuum model to explain Indigenous realities in relation to religiosity and decolonization and suggest some topics as case studies for further investigation. The true purpose of this article is to facilitate the integration of critical Indigenous with Mormon and/or Lamanite Studies to bring about much-needed dialogue, discussion, and debate on the place of indigeneity in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

year: 2022