title: Children’s knowledge and experience of compost/ing

authors: Tsang, Sophia WR

abstract: The Soilsafe Kids education and research programme conducted focus groups about compost/ing in eight primary school classes in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand in 2022 to understand what students learning at New Zealand Curriculum Level 2 (generally students aged 5-11 years old) know about compost/ing. Here, we present a qualitative content analysis of focus groups focusing on children’s knowledge about the process of composting and the resulting material. In general, children (n = 117) demonstrated a broad understanding of the typical process of composting and the materials that make up compost. Our findings contrast previous studies which have indicated children’s comprehension of composting was poor. Despite participating in composting activities in schools, respondents more commonly associated compost/ing activities with their home systems where they compost with their families. Although these results demonstrate a considerable baseline knowledge of compost/ing understood by children, they also had many questions about compost/ing, mainly focused on the timing necessary to biodegrade, the underlying processes, and why we compost. These encouraging findings mean educators have a strong base on which to build lessons, but educators should also be mindful of bridging gaps in retention for greatest pedagogical impact, given our findings suggest that students recall off-campus composting experiences more strongly than on-campus ones. This should be further explored to ensure children have equitable access to composting experiences and knowledge.

text: Children’s knowledge and experience of compost/ing The Soilsafe Kids education and research programme conducted focus groups about compost/ing in eight primary school classes in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand in 2022 to understand what students learning at New Zealand Curriculum Level 2 (generally students aged 5-11 years old) know about compost/ing. Here, we present a qualitative content analysis of focus groups focusing on children’s knowledge about the process of composting and the resulting material. In general, children (n = 117) demonstrated a broad understanding of the typical process of composting and the materials that make up compost. Our findings contrast previous studies which have indicated children’s comprehension of composting was poor. Despite participating in composting activities in schools, respondents more commonly associated compost/ing activities with their home systems where they compost with their families. Although these results demonstrate a considerable baseline knowledge of compost/ing understood by children, they also had many questions about compost/ing, mainly focused on the timing necessary to biodegrade, the underlying processes, and why we compost. These encouraging findings mean educators have a strong base on which to build lessons, but educators should also be mindful of bridging gaps in retention for greatest pedagogical impact, given our findings suggest that students recall off-campus composting experiences more strongly than on-campus ones. This should be further explored to ensure children have equitable access to composting experiences and knowledge.

year: 2025

title: Bacteriological control food equipment by cleaning systems

authors: Dunsmore, David George

abstract: This study was undertaken to examine the performance of cleaning systems applied to food equipment. The contribution by the components of those systems to the performance of the total system was determined.
A cleaning simulator was constructed in which test pieces in 4 test cells were subjected to 25 to 35 cycles, each of 12h. Each cycle the test pieces were: soiled for 45 min. in pasteurised milk (at 30°c) dosed with 10⁶ bacteria/ml of Streptococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli or Enterobacter aerogenes; serially treated with the rinses, detergents and sanitizers of the experimental cleaning system; and left for 9.5h intercycle (rest) period. The changes in the soil mass with time on stainless steel, rubber and glass test pieces were determined gravimetrically. The changes in the numbers of the dosed and non-dosed organisms on the surfaces, after components of the cleaning system had been applied, were determined by a swab-recovery/ plate-counting system. The surfaces were also examined by scanning electron microscopy. Four experiments were performed using this technique.
A field experiment examined the performance of 5 cleaning systems over experimental periods of 5 weeks on 15 milking machines. 
The nature of the changes in the performance of the cleaning system over time were determined. Both detergents and sanitizers could, under varying conditions, contribute significantly to the bacteriological performance achieved by the system. A sanitizer applied for the complete intercycle period was more efficient than those applied for short contact-times. A post-wash sanitizer was slightly more efficient than a sanitizer applied before milking. 
The cycle of bacterial deposition onto the equipment surfaces, attachment, depletion by the cleaning system, growth during the intercycle period, and subsequent contamination of the milk at the next milking was studied. All three dose organisms attached actively, and were then largely removed by the cleaning system. Despite there being a large amount of soil on the surfaces of the test pieces, the intercycle conditions (30°c at up to 90% RH for 9.5h) were insufficient for growth. The effect of the amount of soil on the surface on the ability of bacteria to survive the application of a system or system component was examined. The minimum soil levels necessary for an organism to survive a treatment (Total Effect Maximum) and the minimum soil necessary for all organisms to survive a treatment (Zero Effect Minimum) were determined for systems and system components. 
The data was used to discuss the principles to be followed in designing a cleaning system. The principles were applied to the design of a system to clean a milking machine with cold solutions by soak techniques.

text: Bacteriological control food equipment by cleaning systems This study was undertaken to examine the performance of cleaning systems applied to food equipment. The contribution by the components of those systems to the performance of the total system was determined.
A cleaning simulator was constructed in which test pieces in 4 test cells were subjected to 25 to 35 cycles, each of 12h. Each cycle the test pieces were: soiled for 45 min. in pasteurised milk (at 30°c) dosed with 10⁶ bacteria/ml of Streptococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli or Enterobacter aerogenes; serially treated with the rinses, detergents and sanitizers of the experimental cleaning system; and left for 9.5h intercycle (rest) period. The changes in the soil mass with time on stainless steel, rubber and glass test pieces were determined gravimetrically. The changes in the numbers of the dosed and non-dosed organisms on the surfaces, after components of the cleaning system had been applied, were determined by a swab-recovery/ plate-counting system. The surfaces were also examined by scanning electron microscopy. Four experiments were performed using this technique.
A field experiment examined the performance of 5 cleaning systems over experimental periods of 5 weeks on 15 milking machines. 
The nature of the changes in the performance of the cleaning system over time were determined. Both detergents and sanitizers could, under varying conditions, contribute significantly to the bacteriological performance achieved by the system. A sanitizer applied for the complete intercycle period was more efficient than those applied for short contact-times. A post-wash sanitizer was slightly more efficient than a sanitizer applied before milking. 
The cycle of bacterial deposition onto the equipment surfaces, attachment, depletion by the cleaning system, growth during the intercycle period, and subsequent contamination of the milk at the next milking was studied. All three dose organisms attached actively, and were then largely removed by the cleaning system. Despite there being a large amount of soil on the surfaces of the test pieces, the intercycle conditions (30°c at up to 90% RH for 9.5h) were insufficient for growth. The effect of the amount of soil on the surface on the ability of bacteria to survive the application of a system or system component was examined. The minimum soil levels necessary for an organism to survive a treatment (Total Effect Maximum) and the minimum soil necessary for all organisms to survive a treatment (Zero Effect Minimum) were determined for systems and system components. 
The data was used to discuss the principles to be followed in designing a cleaning system. The principles were applied to the design of a system to clean a milking machine with cold solutions by soak techniques.

year: 1978

title: Māori wards in Tauranga Moana and Aotearoa: Liminal local government democracy

authors: Des Forges, Sandra

subjects: Māori wards

abstract: This thesis focuses on Māori representation within the highly contested arena of local government democracy in Aotearoa New Zealand. Limitations of the current Eurocentric model of local government democracy are considered at various spatial scales. Legislative changes to enable councils to establish Māori wards were launched in the early 2000s. Māori wards are defined locations where those on the Māori electoral roll vote for Māori ward candidates, resulting in dedicated Māori representation at elected member level. Until 2021 when the legislation was amended to remove the ability for public referenda to challenge council decisions on establishing Māori wards, however, little change occurred. Since then, 35 councils have established Māori wards for the 2022 local body elections.
The research asks how, and in what ways, do Māori wards decolonise local government and encourage greater Māori representation? To explore this question, the empirical chapters are framed around three key aspects of liminality; the in-between positioning of Māori wards reflecting a time of change; this liminal space being a time where unease and discomfort is experienced by some as Indigenous disparity is addressed; and the threshold positioning of Māori wards as a place of opportunity and creativity, where new ideas and practices may be considered. Geographical concepts of (un)belonging, exclusion and deep colonising reveal challenges for Māori participation at the level of local government decision-making. 
The research uses an Indigenous methodological framework, Te Ara Tika, based on a framework of Kaupapa Māori, and developed specifically for non-Māori researchers. Māori wards have been widely debated in the media, particularly at the time of changes to the Māori ward legislation in 2021. Thematic analysis of 122 media representations of the Māori ward debate constitutes part of the empirical evidence. Fourteen individual interviews with local government representatives, including elected Council members from Tauranga Moana and members of Te Rangapū Mana Whenua o Tauranga Moana Partnership, were conducted. Additionally, participant observations took place at three public meetings on Māori wards.
The way the current form of local government representative democracy impacts Māori representation is identified. The research demonstrates how local government continues to act as a tool of colonialism by privileging Western worldviews, institutions, and systems. The research finds that Māori wards are liminal democratic options that are both decolonising and deep colonising. Evidence shows that the liminal space of Māori wards is an opportunity to consider options for a way forward to reimagine local government as a place of belonging underpinned by Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Te Ao Māori principles. 
The research builds on decolonisation literatures that seek to unsettle the hegemony of Eurocentric institutions and systems within colonised countries such as Aotearoa. Providing a critical spatial perspective on the intersection of democracy, colonisation and Indigeneity, this thesis advances decolonising geographical knowledges. In particular, this research advances debates about democratic processes, exposing ways in which colonially-based local authority democratic mechanisms contribute to under-representation issues. A reimagined local government allows current hegemonic approaches to be rethought and provides insights for a shift towards genuine decolonising processes.

text: Māori wards in Tauranga Moana and Aotearoa: Liminal local government democracy This thesis focuses on Māori representation within the highly contested arena of local government democracy in Aotearoa New Zealand. Limitations of the current Eurocentric model of local government democracy are considered at various spatial scales. Legislative changes to enable councils to establish Māori wards were launched in the early 2000s. Māori wards are defined locations where those on the Māori electoral roll vote for Māori ward candidates, resulting in dedicated Māori representation at elected member level. Until 2021 when the legislation was amended to remove the ability for public referenda to challenge council decisions on establishing Māori wards, however, little change occurred. Since then, 35 councils have established Māori wards for the 2022 local body elections.
The research asks how, and in what ways, do Māori wards decolonise local government and encourage greater Māori representation? To explore this question, the empirical chapters are framed around three key aspects of liminality; the in-between positioning of Māori wards reflecting a time of change; this liminal space being a time where unease and discomfort is experienced by some as Indigenous disparity is addressed; and the threshold positioning of Māori wards as a place of opportunity and creativity, where new ideas and practices may be considered. Geographical concepts of (un)belonging, exclusion and deep colonising reveal challenges for Māori participation at the level of local government decision-making. 
The research uses an Indigenous methodological framework, Te Ara Tika, based on a framework of Kaupapa Māori, and developed specifically for non-Māori researchers. Māori wards have been widely debated in the media, particularly at the time of changes to the Māori ward legislation in 2021. Thematic analysis of 122 media representations of the Māori ward debate constitutes part of the empirical evidence. Fourteen individual interviews with local government representatives, including elected Council members from Tauranga Moana and members of Te Rangapū Mana Whenua o Tauranga Moana Partnership, were conducted. Additionally, participant observations took place at three public meetings on Māori wards.
The way the current form of local government representative democracy impacts Māori representation is identified. The research demonstrates how local government continues to act as a tool of colonialism by privileging Western worldviews, institutions, and systems. The research finds that Māori wards are liminal democratic options that are both decolonising and deep colonising. Evidence shows that the liminal space of Māori wards is an opportunity to consider options for a way forward to reimagine local government as a place of belonging underpinned by Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Te Ao Māori principles. 
The research builds on decolonisation literatures that seek to unsettle the hegemony of Eurocentric institutions and systems within colonised countries such as Aotearoa. Providing a critical spatial perspective on the intersection of democracy, colonisation and Indigeneity, this thesis advances decolonising geographical knowledges. In particular, this research advances debates about democratic processes, exposing ways in which colonially-based local authority democratic mechanisms contribute to under-representation issues. A reimagined local government allows current hegemonic approaches to be rethought and provides insights for a shift towards genuine decolonising processes.

year: 2023