title: Rototuna, 2024

authors: Apiata, Hāwea

abstract: Bilingual poetry in response to the public sculpture 'Te Ohomauri o Matariki' by Dion Hitchens in collaboration with James Ormsby.

text: Rototuna, 2024 Bilingual poetry in response to the public sculpture 'Te Ohomauri o Matariki' by Dion Hitchens in collaboration with James Ormsby.

year: 2024-03-29

title: The importance of Māori identity for athletes and sportspeople within sporting contexts

authors: Westrupp, Maia Takamoana

subjects: Māori

abstract: Identity is an important concept within psychology given its influence upon how we perceive ourselves, who we are as people, and how it can impact behaviour. For Māori, colonisation has had a detrimental impact on the maintenance and flourishing of a strong cultural identity. Sport is an area where Māori have not only contributed successfully nationally and internationally alongside Pakeha, but have been able to either affirm or rebuild their sense of cultural identity and connectedness. The purpose of this thesis is to examine the importance of Māori identity for athletes and sports people within a sporting context. This research project encompassed a qualitative approach, drawing upon a kaupapa Māori research paradigm. Semi-structured interviews were employed to ascertain in depth knowledge of participant’s experiences. A total of six participants took part in this study, all of whom were made up of athletes, coaches, and sports psychologists. When interpreting participants understanding of Māori identity within a sporting context, participants indicated a desire to configure their Māori identity based on Māori cultural concepts such as whakapapa, manaakitanga, and pēpeha. The key findings also identified a link between Māori identity and sport as participants illustrated how important Māori identity was within their sports team and organisation. Participants also indicated an unconscious link to enhanced sporting behaviours given the essence of Māori identity and the significance it places on serving the collective. Ultimately, for Māori athletes and sports people, the sporting realm offers an opportunity to engage and reaffirm Māori identity. Additionally, the value sporting teams and organisations place on Māori identity, can lead to flourishing in sport given the behaviours that may transpire by connecting the individual beyond purely, the physical domain.

text: The importance of Māori identity for athletes and sportspeople within sporting contexts Identity is an important concept within psychology given its influence upon how we perceive ourselves, who we are as people, and how it can impact behaviour. For Māori, colonisation has had a detrimental impact on the maintenance and flourishing of a strong cultural identity. Sport is an area where Māori have not only contributed successfully nationally and internationally alongside Pakeha, but have been able to either affirm or rebuild their sense of cultural identity and connectedness. The purpose of this thesis is to examine the importance of Māori identity for athletes and sports people within a sporting context. This research project encompassed a qualitative approach, drawing upon a kaupapa Māori research paradigm. Semi-structured interviews were employed to ascertain in depth knowledge of participant’s experiences. A total of six participants took part in this study, all of whom were made up of athletes, coaches, and sports psychologists. When interpreting participants understanding of Māori identity within a sporting context, participants indicated a desire to configure their Māori identity based on Māori cultural concepts such as whakapapa, manaakitanga, and pēpeha. The key findings also identified a link between Māori identity and sport as participants illustrated how important Māori identity was within their sports team and organisation. Participants also indicated an unconscious link to enhanced sporting behaviours given the essence of Māori identity and the significance it places on serving the collective. Ultimately, for Māori athletes and sports people, the sporting realm offers an opportunity to engage and reaffirm Māori identity. Additionally, the value sporting teams and organisations place on Māori identity, can lead to flourishing in sport given the behaviours that may transpire by connecting the individual beyond purely, the physical domain.

year: 2022

title: Root Biomass under Range of Pasture Swards -Implications for Soil Carbon Stocks

authors: Jordan, Olivia Margaret

subjects: root biomass

abstract: Soil carbon (C) is the largest terrestrial store of carbon, greater than all other pools combined. Root biomass is recognised as an important contributor to the accumulation of soil C and recent studies have suggested that a higher diversity of plant species with higher root biomass may increase soil C content. Maintenance of soil C stocks is important as losses can contribute to increased greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore soil C is important for maintaining soil quality. Much of New Zealand agricultural land is under pastoral grazing and is the greatest contributor to national greenhouse gas emissions from land. The potential for storing additional soil C in pasture soils is poorly understood. This study has assessed root biomass and carbon contents of soils under a range of pasture diversities and species composition to determine whether (i) there is greater root biomass under increasing plant diversity, (ii) changes in root properties between diversity treatments are evident and (iii) there is variation in root biomass between seasons. 
Soil samples were collected from an existing small plot trial managed by DairyNZ and Landcare Research containing 14 different mixtures of pasture species (three replicates per treatment). From each plot, fifteen soil cores were taken to a depth of 60cm, and bulked by 10cm depth increments. Root characteristics were determined after removing soil via scanning and analysing with WinRHIZO©, and subsequently root biomass determined following oven drying and weighing. A sub-sample of soil was also taken for C and nitrogen (N) analysis by combustion furnace. 
While there were no significant differences in root biomass with individual treatments, plots which had a presence of herb species chicory and plantain, resulted in a lesser root biomass when compared with plots without herb species. This would imply that while the use of herb species is desirable for above-ground production and drought tolerance, they provide limited potential for increasing C input to soil. Root characteristics determined that the use of tall fescue as a base grass resulted in a reduced root length density (RLD, root length per volume of soil to 60 cm), specific root length (SRL) and an increased average diameter compared with ryegrass based pastures. These characteristics promote increased root longevity in soil.

text: Root Biomass under Range of Pasture Swards -Implications for Soil Carbon Stocks Soil carbon (C) is the largest terrestrial store of carbon, greater than all other pools combined. Root biomass is recognised as an important contributor to the accumulation of soil C and recent studies have suggested that a higher diversity of plant species with higher root biomass may increase soil C content. Maintenance of soil C stocks is important as losses can contribute to increased greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore soil C is important for maintaining soil quality. Much of New Zealand agricultural land is under pastoral grazing and is the greatest contributor to national greenhouse gas emissions from land. The potential for storing additional soil C in pasture soils is poorly understood. This study has assessed root biomass and carbon contents of soils under a range of pasture diversities and species composition to determine whether (i) there is greater root biomass under increasing plant diversity, (ii) changes in root properties between diversity treatments are evident and (iii) there is variation in root biomass between seasons. 
Soil samples were collected from an existing small plot trial managed by DairyNZ and Landcare Research containing 14 different mixtures of pasture species (three replicates per treatment). From each plot, fifteen soil cores were taken to a depth of 60cm, and bulked by 10cm depth increments. Root characteristics were determined after removing soil via scanning and analysing with WinRHIZO©, and subsequently root biomass determined following oven drying and weighing. A sub-sample of soil was also taken for C and nitrogen (N) analysis by combustion furnace. 
While there were no significant differences in root biomass with individual treatments, plots which had a presence of herb species chicory and plantain, resulted in a lesser root biomass when compared with plots without herb species. This would imply that while the use of herb species is desirable for above-ground production and drought tolerance, they provide limited potential for increasing C input to soil. Root characteristics determined that the use of tall fescue as a base grass resulted in a reduced root length density (RLD, root length per volume of soil to 60 cm), specific root length (SRL) and an increased average diameter compared with ryegrass based pastures. These characteristics promote increased root longevity in soil.

year: 2015