title: Establishing professional relationships in practicum settings

authors: Ferrier-Kerr, Jenny L.

subjects: associate teacher

abstract: The relationship between an associate teacher and student teacher is a crucial aspect of the practicum experience in pre-service teacher education.
Establishing a professional relationship is critical to the learning that occurs during the practicum and is an element that requires a professional approach by all parties. This paper discusses a study which investigated the nature and substance of the professional relationship established between associate teachers and student teachers during a final block practicum. The findings indicated that for the associate teacher and student teacher to establish and develop a successful professional relationship both must be active in it.

text: Establishing professional relationships in practicum settings The relationship between an associate teacher and student teacher is a crucial aspect of the practicum experience in pre-service teacher education.
Establishing a professional relationship is critical to the learning that occurs during the practicum and is an element that requires a professional approach by all parties. This paper discusses a study which investigated the nature and substance of the professional relationship established between associate teachers and student teachers during a final block practicum. The findings indicated that for the associate teacher and student teacher to establish and develop a successful professional relationship both must be active in it.

year: 2009

title: The influence of fire on vegetation dynamics of a New Zealand restiad bog

authors: Wilson, Clara Renée

subjects: fire

abstract: New Zealand restiad bogs have a history of natural fire, yet little is known about their fire ecology compared to other frequently burnt ecosystems. Previous research has identified general vegetation recovery trends, but it remains unclear how certain species increase their dominance following fire and what the main environmental changes associated with burning are. To address these research gaps, this study focussed on three areas of varying last burn date (2017, 2005, and 1974) within Kopuatai Bog. 

Measures of vegetation dynamics, light availability, and nutrient concentrations (in peat and foliage) were compared between burnt and adjacent unburnt sites. At the 2017 burn site, post-fire flowering of the sedge species, Machaerina teretifolia and Schoenus brevifolius, was assessed. At the same site, near-surface temperature fluctuations were monitored for almost one year, and samples collected two weeks post-fire were used to test for immediate nutrient enrichment. The role of the peat seed bank was tested experimentally, by exposing peat to heat and/or smoke and assessing germination. 

Species capable of vegetative recovery dominated within the first two years post-fire. By 14 years, vegetation had largely recovered to pre-fire composition, although percent cover of Leptospermum scoparium, Machaerina teretifolia, Schoenus brevifolius, and Epacris pauciflora were higher on the burnt area. Leptospermum’s response can be explained by its well-documented serotinous capability. The increase in sedge species is attributed to their strong fire-stimulated flowering response, particularly in Machaerina, which averaged 30.4 flowering heads m-2 at the 2017 burn site. Epacris recovered from a rich peat seed bank, as demonstrated by the response in the germination experiment of 3143 seedlings m-2, on average. The effect of heat on germination was unclear. Further research, including improved heat treatments, is required to determine the effect of heat on seeds of restiad species, Empodisma robustum and Sporadanthus ferrugineus, which were relatively common in the control and smoke treatments. 

Fire resulted in immediate increases in peat total P, S, Ca, Mg, K, Na, Fe, Mn, Cu concentrations. These effects had declined by two years post-fire, although foliar nutrients suggest that plant-available nutrients may have still been elevated at this time. Peat total N was unaffected. Near-surface maximum and average air temperatures were found to be consistently higher on the burn, while minimum temperatures were seasonally variable. Fire caused an increase in light availability from 0.1-0.2% diffuse light availability under an intact Empodisma-dominated canopy to 19.5% 16 months post-fire – an effect which had subsided completely by 14 years post-fire. 

While nutrient enhancement, particularly in P, may temporarily enhance plant productivity, the most important driver of vegetation dynamics appears to be light. Fire opens up the canopy, providing an opportunity for seedlings to become established – an opportunity which Leptospermum, Epacris, and the sedge species take advantage of.

text: The influence of fire on vegetation dynamics of a New Zealand restiad bog New Zealand restiad bogs have a history of natural fire, yet little is known about their fire ecology compared to other frequently burnt ecosystems. Previous research has identified general vegetation recovery trends, but it remains unclear how certain species increase their dominance following fire and what the main environmental changes associated with burning are. To address these research gaps, this study focussed on three areas of varying last burn date (2017, 2005, and 1974) within Kopuatai Bog. 

Measures of vegetation dynamics, light availability, and nutrient concentrations (in peat and foliage) were compared between burnt and adjacent unburnt sites. At the 2017 burn site, post-fire flowering of the sedge species, Machaerina teretifolia and Schoenus brevifolius, was assessed. At the same site, near-surface temperature fluctuations were monitored for almost one year, and samples collected two weeks post-fire were used to test for immediate nutrient enrichment. The role of the peat seed bank was tested experimentally, by exposing peat to heat and/or smoke and assessing germination. 

Species capable of vegetative recovery dominated within the first two years post-fire. By 14 years, vegetation had largely recovered to pre-fire composition, although percent cover of Leptospermum scoparium, Machaerina teretifolia, Schoenus brevifolius, and Epacris pauciflora were higher on the burnt area. Leptospermum’s response can be explained by its well-documented serotinous capability. The increase in sedge species is attributed to their strong fire-stimulated flowering response, particularly in Machaerina, which averaged 30.4 flowering heads m-2 at the 2017 burn site. Epacris recovered from a rich peat seed bank, as demonstrated by the response in the germination experiment of 3143 seedlings m-2, on average. The effect of heat on germination was unclear. Further research, including improved heat treatments, is required to determine the effect of heat on seeds of restiad species, Empodisma robustum and Sporadanthus ferrugineus, which were relatively common in the control and smoke treatments. 

Fire resulted in immediate increases in peat total P, S, Ca, Mg, K, Na, Fe, Mn, Cu concentrations. These effects had declined by two years post-fire, although foliar nutrients suggest that plant-available nutrients may have still been elevated at this time. Peat total N was unaffected. Near-surface maximum and average air temperatures were found to be consistently higher on the burn, while minimum temperatures were seasonally variable. Fire caused an increase in light availability from 0.1-0.2% diffuse light availability under an intact Empodisma-dominated canopy to 19.5% 16 months post-fire – an effect which had subsided completely by 14 years post-fire. 

While nutrient enhancement, particularly in P, may temporarily enhance plant productivity, the most important driver of vegetation dynamics appears to be light. Fire opens up the canopy, providing an opportunity for seedlings to become established – an opportunity which Leptospermum, Epacris, and the sedge species take advantage of.

year: 2020

title: Maori Te Aroha before the opening of the goldfield (mostly through Pakeha eyes)

authors: Hart, Philip

abstract: The various names of the peaks of the mountain and the legends concerning it reflected a violent past. As proof, several pa have been located, both at Te Aroha and at Waiorongomai, and the names of some of the streams indicate the nature and consequences of the battles fought in this contested area.
Ngati Rahiri was subdivided into three hapu: Ngati Tumutumu, Hgati Hue, and Ngati Kopirimau, descendents of these ancestors. In the nineteenth century, when the population was small, Hou was the senior rangatira, with Tutuki being the subordinate rangatira of the plains. A pa (later known as Tui pa) was constructed at Omahu, to the north of the hot springs, which were prized by Maori and increasingly enjoyed by Pakeha. Some of the land was cultivated, though visiting Pakeha considered that settlers could do much more to develop the agricultural potential. Most Ngati Rahiri were regarded as being ‘friendly’, welcoming (and benefiting from) visitors. Elaborate welcoming ceremonies were held for officials and rangatira, and a hotel operated by a rangatira’s son provided basic accommodation. Under Maori auspices the first race day was held in January 1878. 
Also in 1878, negotiators obtained an agreement to make a road to Paeroa, using Maori workers, and as the benefits of such improvements became apparent there was increased willingness to permit the construction of more roads, a bridge, and the snagging of the river, over the objections of a minority. Pakeha disapproved of how money raised through land sales in particular were wasted on extravagant displays of mana, which were not possible after the end of the 1870s because of lack of money, necessitating seeking paid employment. Friendly contact increased steadily, apart from occasional worries prompted by such events as the shooting of Daldy McWilliams, and a football match in May 1880 reportedly revealed ‘the utmost friendly feeling’ existing between Maori and Pakeha.

text: Maori Te Aroha before the opening of the goldfield (mostly through Pakeha eyes) The various names of the peaks of the mountain and the legends concerning it reflected a violent past. As proof, several pa have been located, both at Te Aroha and at Waiorongomai, and the names of some of the streams indicate the nature and consequences of the battles fought in this contested area.
Ngati Rahiri was subdivided into three hapu: Ngati Tumutumu, Hgati Hue, and Ngati Kopirimau, descendents of these ancestors. In the nineteenth century, when the population was small, Hou was the senior rangatira, with Tutuki being the subordinate rangatira of the plains. A pa (later known as Tui pa) was constructed at Omahu, to the north of the hot springs, which were prized by Maori and increasingly enjoyed by Pakeha. Some of the land was cultivated, though visiting Pakeha considered that settlers could do much more to develop the agricultural potential. Most Ngati Rahiri were regarded as being ‘friendly’, welcoming (and benefiting from) visitors. Elaborate welcoming ceremonies were held for officials and rangatira, and a hotel operated by a rangatira’s son provided basic accommodation. Under Maori auspices the first race day was held in January 1878. 
Also in 1878, negotiators obtained an agreement to make a road to Paeroa, using Maori workers, and as the benefits of such improvements became apparent there was increased willingness to permit the construction of more roads, a bridge, and the snagging of the river, over the objections of a minority. Pakeha disapproved of how money raised through land sales in particular were wasted on extravagant displays of mana, which were not possible after the end of the 1870s because of lack of money, necessitating seeking paid employment. Friendly contact increased steadily, apart from occasional worries prompted by such events as the shooting of Daldy McWilliams, and a football match in May 1880 reportedly revealed ‘the utmost friendly feeling’ existing between Maori and Pakeha.

year: 2016