title: Postnatal depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic: The needs and experiences of New Zealand mothers and health care providers

authors: Ryan, Amelia

subjects: Maternal mental health

abstract: The postnatal period is a vulnerable time for women’s mental health, particularly within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, there have been no studies based in New Zealand that have asked mothers who gave birth during the pandemic about their needs and experiences with postnatal depression and/or anxiety. 

The aim of this study was to interview Auckland-based mothers and health care providers to find out their needs and experiences with postnatal mental health within the pandemic context. Eleven semi-structured interviews were conducted, consisting of eight mothers who gave birth during the pandemic and self-identified as experiencing postnatal depression/anxiety, and three healthcare providers who support women with postnatal mental illness. Overall, the participants’ stories reflected a period of uncertainty, anxiety, and isolation. A lack of focus on mothers’ mental health during postnatal healthcare appointments was evident, as well as a lack of support services to refer the women to, should 
they reach out for help. 

Recommendations based on this study are to prioritise safe, in-person access to important sources of support and healthcare for postnatal women during the pandemic. Improving accessibility to a range of treatment options for those with mild to moderate mental illness also needs to be a priority. A dedicated postnatal mental health support line for New Zealand women could be beneficial to broaden the support options available to mothers, both within and outside the pandemic context. More focus on maternal mental health training for midwives and other postnatal health care providers such as Plunket nurses is also warranted, to increase their ability to support women struggling with postnatal mental illness.

text: Postnatal depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic: The needs and experiences of New Zealand mothers and health care providers The postnatal period is a vulnerable time for women’s mental health, particularly within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, there have been no studies based in New Zealand that have asked mothers who gave birth during the pandemic about their needs and experiences with postnatal depression and/or anxiety. 

The aim of this study was to interview Auckland-based mothers and health care providers to find out their needs and experiences with postnatal mental health within the pandemic context. Eleven semi-structured interviews were conducted, consisting of eight mothers who gave birth during the pandemic and self-identified as experiencing postnatal depression/anxiety, and three healthcare providers who support women with postnatal mental illness. Overall, the participants’ stories reflected a period of uncertainty, anxiety, and isolation. A lack of focus on mothers’ mental health during postnatal healthcare appointments was evident, as well as a lack of support services to refer the women to, should 
they reach out for help. 

Recommendations based on this study are to prioritise safe, in-person access to important sources of support and healthcare for postnatal women during the pandemic. Improving accessibility to a range of treatment options for those with mild to moderate mental illness also needs to be a priority. A dedicated postnatal mental health support line for New Zealand women could be beneficial to broaden the support options available to mothers, both within and outside the pandemic context. More focus on maternal mental health training for midwives and other postnatal health care providers such as Plunket nurses is also warranted, to increase their ability to support women struggling with postnatal mental illness.

year: 2021

title: Waituna Lagoon modelling: Developing quantitative assessments to assist with lagoon management

authors: Hamilton, David P.

abstract: A decision support tool has been developed to assist with managing Ruppia beds and maintaining the biological diversity of Waituna Lagoon. The results from this tool are presented as outputs from model simulations of physical, chemical and biological variables within the lagoon. Input data for the model simulations were adjusted to simulate sensitivity of the model to (i) input data quality and quantity, (ii) complexity and formulations used in the model itself, (iii) parameters used to adjust physical and biogeochemical environmental responses in the model, and (iv) potential management options. Parts i-iii were necessary to assure a level of confidence in the model so that part iv, the management options, could be used to provide a basis for what might be required to sustain persistent, productive Ruppia beds in the lagoon.

text: Waituna Lagoon modelling: Developing quantitative assessments to assist with lagoon management A decision support tool has been developed to assist with managing Ruppia beds and maintaining the biological diversity of Waituna Lagoon. The results from this tool are presented as outputs from model simulations of physical, chemical and biological variables within the lagoon. Input data for the model simulations were adjusted to simulate sensitivity of the model to (i) input data quality and quantity, (ii) complexity and formulations used in the model itself, (iii) parameters used to adjust physical and biogeochemical environmental responses in the model, and (iv) potential management options. Parts i-iii were necessary to assure a level of confidence in the model so that part iv, the management options, could be used to provide a basis for what might be required to sustain persistent, productive Ruppia beds in the lagoon.

year: 2012

title: Culture and collaborative conservation? Inter-cultural difference and the Maungatautari Project

authors: Harms, Matthew

subjects: Inter-cultural navigation

abstract: This thesis situates and examines the role of sociocultural difference and biculturalism in the Maungatautari Sanctuary Mountain project, a multi-stakeholder community-based biodiversity conservation project in the Waikato region of New Zealand’s North Island. In the project, Mana Whenua (local indigenous Māori groups) and Pākehā (New Zealanders of British and European descent) from the area endeavour to interact and partner in the non-profit Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust (MEIT) as its primary stakeholder groups. Utilizing sociocultural anthropology, three years of participant observation, participant interviews, fieldwork data and contextualizing history, the role of culture and issues of biculturalism and partnership are examined in relation to the respective sociocultural backgrounds and identity of project participants. Findings indicate that sociocultural difference in the form of varying beliefs, values, attitudes, practices and protocol, and identity/cultural politics have led to dissonance and strained stakeholder interrelations that negatively affected the project. In some instances, a post-colonial ‘neo-paternalism’ marginalised local Māori cultural input and needs in the project. At other times project participants successfully bridged inter-cultural differences. In these occurrences they created a collaborative, complementary, bicultural partnership which valued, sought to understand, and incorporated differing sociocultural aspects, advancing project goals. Further analysis identified an ongoing risk of future multi-stakeholder dissonance relative to culturally-derived disparate views on such issues as cultural harvesting, species reintroductions and care, ecotourism, development on the mountain, and biodiversity research. Normative solutions are identified which can aid Maungatautari stakeholders and other culturally-heterogeneous multi-stakeholder conservation groups work toward and produce inclusive, inter-cultural partnership.

text: Culture and collaborative conservation? Inter-cultural difference and the Maungatautari Project This thesis situates and examines the role of sociocultural difference and biculturalism in the Maungatautari Sanctuary Mountain project, a multi-stakeholder community-based biodiversity conservation project in the Waikato region of New Zealand’s North Island. In the project, Mana Whenua (local indigenous Māori groups) and Pākehā (New Zealanders of British and European descent) from the area endeavour to interact and partner in the non-profit Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust (MEIT) as its primary stakeholder groups. Utilizing sociocultural anthropology, three years of participant observation, participant interviews, fieldwork data and contextualizing history, the role of culture and issues of biculturalism and partnership are examined in relation to the respective sociocultural backgrounds and identity of project participants. Findings indicate that sociocultural difference in the form of varying beliefs, values, attitudes, practices and protocol, and identity/cultural politics have led to dissonance and strained stakeholder interrelations that negatively affected the project. In some instances, a post-colonial ‘neo-paternalism’ marginalised local Māori cultural input and needs in the project. At other times project participants successfully bridged inter-cultural differences. In these occurrences they created a collaborative, complementary, bicultural partnership which valued, sought to understand, and incorporated differing sociocultural aspects, advancing project goals. Further analysis identified an ongoing risk of future multi-stakeholder dissonance relative to culturally-derived disparate views on such issues as cultural harvesting, species reintroductions and care, ecotourism, development on the mountain, and biodiversity research. Normative solutions are identified which can aid Maungatautari stakeholders and other culturally-heterogeneous multi-stakeholder conservation groups work toward and produce inclusive, inter-cultural partnership.

year: 2018