title: Monogenean Parasites of Non-Native Freshwater Fish in New Zealand: Ecology and New Distributional Records

authors: Renner, Ethan

abstract: Monogeneans are common aquatic ectoparasites within the phylum Platyhelminthes. Freshwater monogeneans have been little studied in New Zealand, with only three taxa having been recognised in the country until recently, including only two to species level. Twenty-one non-native freshwater fish species have established populations in New Zealand, yet only one of these has been reported with monogenean infestations. Based on the diversity of monogenean species known from these fish species globally, it is likely that many monogenean species will have established populations in New Zealand that remain unreported. The prevalence and intensity of parasite infection and infestation are known to vary with season and in relation to host factors such as size and sex, but little is known of their ecology in New Zealand freshwater fish species.

I report for the first time the presence of eleven monogenean species infesting non-native freshwater fish in New Zealand. Two of these species belong to the family Ancyrocephalidae, a family new to New Zealand. A seasonal study of two species infesting Gambusia affinis (Baird & Girard, 1853) in two interconnected ponds in Hamilton, Salsuginus seculus (Mizelle & Arcadi, 1945) and Gyrodactylus gambusiae Rogers and Wellborn, 1965, represents the first ecological study of monogeneans undertaken in New Zealand, a country with a mild climate and narrow annual temperature range relative to better studied northern temperate populations. The prevalence of S. seculus changed significantly over the course of a year, reaching a peak during the summer. However, no significant correlation with temperature was found for either the prevalence or mean intensity of S. seculus. Prevalence was instead correlated with the concentration of chlorophyll a and pH. However, it is likely these correlations were simply due to chlorophyll a concentrations similarly increasing over summer affecting the pH, rather than either variable being causative. As G. affinis is known to experience large increases and decreases in population density annually, with individuals coming into physical contact during breeding, this was likely the cause of the increase in monogenean prevalence. A greater number of hosts would provide more habitat for monogeneans and their increased density would facilitate transmission of the parasites. The sex of fish was found to be a significant predictor of prevalence and intensity of monogeneans S. seculus, but this was on the basis of size. Longer and heavier fish had higher prevalence and mean intensity of S. seculus, and as female G. affinis are typically larger than males, this led to the difference in infestation between the sexes. Larger individuals represent larger habitat patches and for this may be the reason that prevalence and intensity of monogeneans was higher on these individuals. A similar test was conducted on Carassius auratus (L.), where two size classes were observed, representing juveniles and adults. The juvenile fish had significantly higher prevalence and intensities of Dactylogyrus spp., indicating a parasite vulnerability in juveniles. This thesis contributes to the knowledge of the species diversity and ecology of freshwater monogeneans in New Zealand.

text: Monogenean Parasites of Non-Native Freshwater Fish in New Zealand: Ecology and New Distributional Records Monogeneans are common aquatic ectoparasites within the phylum Platyhelminthes. Freshwater monogeneans have been little studied in New Zealand, with only three taxa having been recognised in the country until recently, including only two to species level. Twenty-one non-native freshwater fish species have established populations in New Zealand, yet only one of these has been reported with monogenean infestations. Based on the diversity of monogenean species known from these fish species globally, it is likely that many monogenean species will have established populations in New Zealand that remain unreported. The prevalence and intensity of parasite infection and infestation are known to vary with season and in relation to host factors such as size and sex, but little is known of their ecology in New Zealand freshwater fish species.

I report for the first time the presence of eleven monogenean species infesting non-native freshwater fish in New Zealand. Two of these species belong to the family Ancyrocephalidae, a family new to New Zealand. A seasonal study of two species infesting Gambusia affinis (Baird & Girard, 1853) in two interconnected ponds in Hamilton, Salsuginus seculus (Mizelle & Arcadi, 1945) and Gyrodactylus gambusiae Rogers and Wellborn, 1965, represents the first ecological study of monogeneans undertaken in New Zealand, a country with a mild climate and narrow annual temperature range relative to better studied northern temperate populations. The prevalence of S. seculus changed significantly over the course of a year, reaching a peak during the summer. However, no significant correlation with temperature was found for either the prevalence or mean intensity of S. seculus. Prevalence was instead correlated with the concentration of chlorophyll a and pH. However, it is likely these correlations were simply due to chlorophyll a concentrations similarly increasing over summer affecting the pH, rather than either variable being causative. As G. affinis is known to experience large increases and decreases in population density annually, with individuals coming into physical contact during breeding, this was likely the cause of the increase in monogenean prevalence. A greater number of hosts would provide more habitat for monogeneans and their increased density would facilitate transmission of the parasites. The sex of fish was found to be a significant predictor of prevalence and intensity of monogeneans S. seculus, but this was on the basis of size. Longer and heavier fish had higher prevalence and mean intensity of S. seculus, and as female G. affinis are typically larger than males, this led to the difference in infestation between the sexes. Larger individuals represent larger habitat patches and for this may be the reason that prevalence and intensity of monogeneans was higher on these individuals. A similar test was conducted on Carassius auratus (L.), where two size classes were observed, representing juveniles and adults. The juvenile fish had significantly higher prevalence and intensities of Dactylogyrus spp., indicating a parasite vulnerability in juveniles. This thesis contributes to the knowledge of the species diversity and ecology of freshwater monogeneans in New Zealand.

year: 2023

title: Edwin Henry Hardy: a Waiorongomai mine owner

authors: Hart, Philip

abstract: Edwin Henry Hardy worked as a surveyor before going to England to study mining. Upon his return in 1896 he was a representative in Hauraki of English mining companies and supervised several Coromandel mines in addition to acquiring mines in several districts for overseas interests. In late 1898 he purchased the former Aroha Gold Mines’ property at Waiorongomai, which he developed using his own financial resources but probably backed by his wider family. Using his surveying skills, he traced a reef missed by previous owners, and commenced to develop the mines systematically. He also spent several years improving the battery, experimenting with new treatment processes and seeking a patent for a gold saving method.
Like all mine owners, Hardy tried to work his property as cheaply as possible, resulting in conflicts with the Thames High School and the county council as he tried to reduce costs. He proved to be very determined in his rows with those he considered his enemies. In addition to developing the Premier mine, profitably, he tested other ground, notable the Big Blow. He supervised both battery and mines, but as he did not have a mine manager’s certificate had to employ a series of managers for the latter. After obtaining a good return for several years, in 1904 he formed Hardy’s Mines Ltd, retaining a financial interest and for a time supervising its work before becoming involved with other mines and clashing with the company he had formed.
Hardy also held interests in mining companies in other districts. After leaving Waiorongomai, he settled in Te Kuiti and worked as a surveyor, a purchaser of Maori land, and a farmer. As at Coromandel and Waiorongomai, he was prominent in the local community, notably as a member of the borough council and Te Kuiti’s second mayor. Over time, his financial state deteriorated, partly through being involved with some very dubious businessmen and their schemes. In 1931 he returned to Waiorongomai to show his son Malcolm where he knew of some good ore, but died in dramatic circumstances before he could show him the location. 
For some time Hardy profited from mining, partly because he took over existing workings and partly because he was able to find ore that others had missed, but as with all mining, profits faded and he had to find other ways to earn a living. But compared with other mine owners at Waiorongomai, he was, for a time, very successful.

text: Edwin Henry Hardy: a Waiorongomai mine owner Edwin Henry Hardy worked as a surveyor before going to England to study mining. Upon his return in 1896 he was a representative in Hauraki of English mining companies and supervised several Coromandel mines in addition to acquiring mines in several districts for overseas interests. In late 1898 he purchased the former Aroha Gold Mines’ property at Waiorongomai, which he developed using his own financial resources but probably backed by his wider family. Using his surveying skills, he traced a reef missed by previous owners, and commenced to develop the mines systematically. He also spent several years improving the battery, experimenting with new treatment processes and seeking a patent for a gold saving method.
Like all mine owners, Hardy tried to work his property as cheaply as possible, resulting in conflicts with the Thames High School and the county council as he tried to reduce costs. He proved to be very determined in his rows with those he considered his enemies. In addition to developing the Premier mine, profitably, he tested other ground, notable the Big Blow. He supervised both battery and mines, but as he did not have a mine manager’s certificate had to employ a series of managers for the latter. After obtaining a good return for several years, in 1904 he formed Hardy’s Mines Ltd, retaining a financial interest and for a time supervising its work before becoming involved with other mines and clashing with the company he had formed.
Hardy also held interests in mining companies in other districts. After leaving Waiorongomai, he settled in Te Kuiti and worked as a surveyor, a purchaser of Maori land, and a farmer. As at Coromandel and Waiorongomai, he was prominent in the local community, notably as a member of the borough council and Te Kuiti’s second mayor. Over time, his financial state deteriorated, partly through being involved with some very dubious businessmen and their schemes. In 1931 he returned to Waiorongomai to show his son Malcolm where he knew of some good ore, but died in dramatic circumstances before he could show him the location. 
For some time Hardy profited from mining, partly because he took over existing workings and partly because he was able to find ore that others had missed, but as with all mining, profits faded and he had to find other ways to earn a living. But compared with other mine owners at Waiorongomai, he was, for a time, very successful.

year: 2016

title: Teaching Maori in English-medium schools in New Zealand: Teacher responses to aspects of the curriculum guidelines for 'te reo' Maori in English-medium school

authors: Takurua, Nātana

subjects: Maori

abstract: Opinions are divided about how the content of language courses should be specified and whether educational authorities should include specifications/ suggestions about language content in national curriculum documents. Issues associated with language content are, however, not ones that can be avoided, particularly as teachers are expected to prepare students for national examinations at the upper levels of schooling and these examinations are necessarily predicated on general expectations about proficiency achievements and more specific expectations about the types of language with which students will be familiar. In this article, we explore the complex nature of some of the issues involved and the ways in which the New Zealand Ministry of Education has sought/ is seeking to resolve them in the case of the curriculum for Maori in English-medium schools. We also report on the responses of a sample of teachers of Maori in secondary schools in New Zealand to the omission of language examples from the final version of the curriculum guidelines document.

text: Teaching Maori in English-medium schools in New Zealand: Teacher responses to aspects of the curriculum guidelines for 'te reo' Maori in English-medium school Opinions are divided about how the content of language courses should be specified and whether educational authorities should include specifications/ suggestions about language content in national curriculum documents. Issues associated with language content are, however, not ones that can be avoided, particularly as teachers are expected to prepare students for national examinations at the upper levels of schooling and these examinations are necessarily predicated on general expectations about proficiency achievements and more specific expectations about the types of language with which students will be familiar. In this article, we explore the complex nature of some of the issues involved and the ways in which the New Zealand Ministry of Education has sought/ is seeking to resolve them in the case of the curriculum for Maori in English-medium schools. We also report on the responses of a sample of teachers of Maori in secondary schools in New Zealand to the omission of language examples from the final version of the curriculum guidelines document.

year: 2009