title: Narratives of ageing: experiences of older women

authors: Ridley, Sally Fenwick

subjects: Ageing

abstract: The aim of this research was to contribute to the growing body of academic literature regarding older women's stories of ageing. The initial impetus for the thesis came out of the disparity I observed between the way old women were often portrayed and the way older ageing was being lived by women I knew.  Six women were recruited using an age range of 65 years and over and an association with a particular community organisation as recruitment guides. Two methods of data collection were used: diaries and semi-structured interviews. A qualitative narrative approach was taken to the data collection and analysis.  The analysis revealed that the women viewed their ageing in a positive light. They constructed themselves as family orientated, as being and having friends and as active, independent participants within their own lives. Participants had clear ideas and expectations surrounding what they wanted from community participation and life in general. They spoke of the expectations of others and how these expectations sometimes lead to ageism and discrimination. Despite this it was apparent that being older had brought with it, for them, confidence, freedom, self-awareness and assertiveness. In short, these women required, actively sought, and usually accomplished, control of their own lives which involved places to go, people to see, things to do and most importantly the right to make their own choices.

text: Narratives of ageing: experiences of older women The aim of this research was to contribute to the growing body of academic literature regarding older women's stories of ageing. The initial impetus for the thesis came out of the disparity I observed between the way old women were often portrayed and the way older ageing was being lived by women I knew.  Six women were recruited using an age range of 65 years and over and an association with a particular community organisation as recruitment guides. Two methods of data collection were used: diaries and semi-structured interviews. A qualitative narrative approach was taken to the data collection and analysis.  The analysis revealed that the women viewed their ageing in a positive light. They constructed themselves as family orientated, as being and having friends and as active, independent participants within their own lives. Participants had clear ideas and expectations surrounding what they wanted from community participation and life in general. They spoke of the expectations of others and how these expectations sometimes lead to ageism and discrimination. Despite this it was apparent that being older had brought with it, for them, confidence, freedom, self-awareness and assertiveness. In short, these women required, actively sought, and usually accomplished, control of their own lives which involved places to go, people to see, things to do and most importantly the right to make their own choices.

year: 2006

title: Patterns of past and recent conversion of indigenous grasslands in the South Island, New Zealand

authors: Weeks, Emily Sherra

subjects: Land tenure

abstract: We used recent satellite imagery to quantify the extent, type, and rate of conversion of remaining indigenous grasslands in the inland eastern South Island of New Zealand in recent years. We describe the pattern of conversion in relation to national classifications of land use capability and land environments, and ecological and administrative districts and regions. We show that although large areas of indigenous grasslands remain, grassland loss has been ongoing. Indigenous grassland was reduced in the study area by 3% (70 200 ha) between 1990 and 2008. Almost two-thirds of post-1990 conversion occurred in threatened environments with less than 30% of indigenous cover remaining, primarily in the Waitaki, Mackenzie and Central Otago administrative districts. This conversion occurred primarily on non-arable land. In the Mackenzie and Waitaki districts the rate of conversion in 2001-2008 was approximately twice that in 1990-2001. Opportunities to protect more of the full range of indigenous grasslands lie with the continuing tenure review process in these districts.

text: Patterns of past and recent conversion of indigenous grasslands in the South Island, New Zealand We used recent satellite imagery to quantify the extent, type, and rate of conversion of remaining indigenous grasslands in the inland eastern South Island of New Zealand in recent years. We describe the pattern of conversion in relation to national classifications of land use capability and land environments, and ecological and administrative districts and regions. We show that although large areas of indigenous grasslands remain, grassland loss has been ongoing. Indigenous grassland was reduced in the study area by 3% (70 200 ha) between 1990 and 2008. Almost two-thirds of post-1990 conversion occurred in threatened environments with less than 30% of indigenous cover remaining, primarily in the Waitaki, Mackenzie and Central Otago administrative districts. This conversion occurred primarily on non-arable land. In the Mackenzie and Waitaki districts the rate of conversion in 2001-2008 was approximately twice that in 1990-2001. Opportunities to protect more of the full range of indigenous grasslands lie with the continuing tenure review process in these districts.

year: 2012

title: Keepa Te Wharau: a Ngati Rahiri rangatira

authors: Hart, Philip

abstract: Keepa Te Wharau’s whakapapa linked him, unusually, to both Ngati Maru and Ngati Haua. Through these connections he was associated with the Te Aroha district from an early age, visiting it on several occasions and even cultivating there, briefly. When the block was before the land court he gave evidence – though his evidence in a later succession case was clearly wrong, deliberately so. Having interests in several blocks of land, he falsely claimed not to have received money for the Aroha Block, using the excuse of drunkenness, for which he was before the court on several occasions. He would sell land, as would his children, to meet living expenses. He invested in two goldfields, Thames and Te Aroha, very modestly. A leading rangatira, he was notable for his loyalty to the Crown.

text: Keepa Te Wharau: a Ngati Rahiri rangatira Keepa Te Wharau’s whakapapa linked him, unusually, to both Ngati Maru and Ngati Haua. Through these connections he was associated with the Te Aroha district from an early age, visiting it on several occasions and even cultivating there, briefly. When the block was before the land court he gave evidence – though his evidence in a later succession case was clearly wrong, deliberately so. Having interests in several blocks of land, he falsely claimed not to have received money for the Aroha Block, using the excuse of drunkenness, for which he was before the court on several occasions. He would sell land, as would his children, to meet living expenses. He invested in two goldfields, Thames and Te Aroha, very modestly. A leading rangatira, he was notable for his loyalty to the Crown.

year: 2016