title: The impact of slow steaming on refrigerated exports from New Zealand

authors: Carson, James K.

abstract: The practice of slow steaming has had a significant impact on New Zealand export industries with increased transit times in some cases causing significant reductions in shelf life once the product has reached the retail stage. The longer transit times also impose the extra cost to exporters of having more inventory tied up in transit. While there is clear evidence to suggest slow steaming has reduced fuel consumption and hence fuel emissions and fuel costs, these savings have not been passed on by the liners to their customers. However, there is no indication that slow-steaming has caused a significant reduction in export earnings for New Zealand (at least up to the middle of 2014). A predicted move to super-slow steaming would put extra strain on the New Zealand meat industry especially, with their lucrative European chilled lamb market under particular threat.

text: The impact of slow steaming on refrigerated exports from New Zealand The practice of slow steaming has had a significant impact on New Zealand export industries with increased transit times in some cases causing significant reductions in shelf life once the product has reached the retail stage. The longer transit times also impose the extra cost to exporters of having more inventory tied up in transit. While there is clear evidence to suggest slow steaming has reduced fuel consumption and hence fuel emissions and fuel costs, these savings have not been passed on by the liners to their customers. However, there is no indication that slow-steaming has caused a significant reduction in export earnings for New Zealand (at least up to the middle of 2014). A predicted move to super-slow steaming would put extra strain on the New Zealand meat industry especially, with their lucrative European chilled lamb market under particular threat.

year: 2015

title: Spirituality and spiritual changes in people living with dying

authors: Du Toit, Deidre

subjects: Spirituality

abstract: This study investigated spirituality and the spiritual changes people living with dying may experience. The study was based on a phenomenological perspective where the centrality of the participant’s personal worldview and experiences was highlighted. Data was gathered through open and semi-structured interviews with three participant groups: health care professionals working in palliative care and hospices, people who had experienced a serious or life-limiting health condition, and the caregivers of terminally ill patients. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. A thematic analysis approach was used to analyse the data. The findings showed a diversity of spiritual understandings and suggested that participants understood neither religion nor spirituality in exactly the same manner. The analysis revealed that some participants used religion to describe their understandings of spirituality. Some participants regarded the terms ‘spiritual’ and ‘religious’ as synonymous while for others the terms were conceptually independent. Participants used a variety of definitions to describe spirituality. These primarily involved regarding spirituality as a belief in a God or a higher being, or as a relationship with or connection to a God or higher being. Participants also viewed spirituality either in terms of the human spirit or soul and its continued existence into an afterlife, or in terms of mysterious events and the paranormal. Findings further revealed that many people living with dying described periods of gradual spiritual growth, or sudden and unexpected spiritual transformation: however, not all people reported spiritual changes. These findings imply that people may have a dominant spiritual perspective through which they understand experiences. Identification of these perspectives in clinical settings may make it possible to tailor spiritual support resources according to individual spiritual perspectives. However, further exploration of the different spiritual perspectives is suggested as different groups may have different spiritual needs.

text: Spirituality and spiritual changes in people living with dying This study investigated spirituality and the spiritual changes people living with dying may experience. The study was based on a phenomenological perspective where the centrality of the participant’s personal worldview and experiences was highlighted. Data was gathered through open and semi-structured interviews with three participant groups: health care professionals working in palliative care and hospices, people who had experienced a serious or life-limiting health condition, and the caregivers of terminally ill patients. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. A thematic analysis approach was used to analyse the data. The findings showed a diversity of spiritual understandings and suggested that participants understood neither religion nor spirituality in exactly the same manner. The analysis revealed that some participants used religion to describe their understandings of spirituality. Some participants regarded the terms ‘spiritual’ and ‘religious’ as synonymous while for others the terms were conceptually independent. Participants used a variety of definitions to describe spirituality. These primarily involved regarding spirituality as a belief in a God or a higher being, or as a relationship with or connection to a God or higher being. Participants also viewed spirituality either in terms of the human spirit or soul and its continued existence into an afterlife, or in terms of mysterious events and the paranormal. Findings further revealed that many people living with dying described periods of gradual spiritual growth, or sudden and unexpected spiritual transformation: however, not all people reported spiritual changes. These findings imply that people may have a dominant spiritual perspective through which they understand experiences. Identification of these perspectives in clinical settings may make it possible to tailor spiritual support resources according to individual spiritual perspectives. However, further exploration of the different spiritual perspectives is suggested as different groups may have different spiritual needs.

year: 2014

title: “I learned quite a lot of the Maths stuff now that I think of it”: Māori Medium Students reflecting on their Initial Teacher Education

authors: Hawera, Ngārewa

subjects: initial teacher education

abstract: Research involving preservice or initial teacher education (ITE) indicates that mathematics education is a vital component of study. Little is known however, of indigenous student views of their compulsory mathematics education courses for a teaching degree. This research contributes to that knowledge space as it explores Māori medium ITE students’ perceptions of mathematics education in Aotearoa New Zealand. A thematic and qualitative analysis of a focused group discussion provides insights into key factors that students reported as significant links between their university and practicum experiences (teaching practice in schools). Some suggestions for strengthening that programme were also expressed. Findings indicate that factors linked to teacher ‘cultural competencies’, including an ethic of care, respectful relationships, revision of content knowledge, language learning, assessment practices, exposure to different ideas and planning and pedagogy were important. Navigating student-mentor teacher tensions as well as clarifying the significance of ideas in texts were highlighted as areas for strengthening. Mathematics educators preparing students for indigenous primary school settings may find this study useful.

text: “I learned quite a lot of the Maths stuff now that I think of it”: Māori Medium Students reflecting on their Initial Teacher Education Research involving preservice or initial teacher education (ITE) indicates that mathematics education is a vital component of study. Little is known however, of indigenous student views of their compulsory mathematics education courses for a teaching degree. This research contributes to that knowledge space as it explores Māori medium ITE students’ perceptions of mathematics education in Aotearoa New Zealand. A thematic and qualitative analysis of a focused group discussion provides insights into key factors that students reported as significant links between their university and practicum experiences (teaching practice in schools). Some suggestions for strengthening that programme were also expressed. Findings indicate that factors linked to teacher ‘cultural competencies’, including an ethic of care, respectful relationships, revision of content knowledge, language learning, assessment practices, exposure to different ideas and planning and pedagogy were important. Navigating student-mentor teacher tensions as well as clarifying the significance of ideas in texts were highlighted as areas for strengthening. Mathematics educators preparing students for indigenous primary school settings may find this study useful.

year: 2017