title: New Zealand Industry Training Policy in the 2008-2010 Environment

authors: Batters, Taryn

subjects: Industry Training

abstract: This study is broadly concerned with the changing nature of industry training policy in New Zealand between the mid-1980s and mid-2010. It sets the two-year period subsequent to the 2008 election against this broader background. Using key elements of the process of change within industry training policy – ideology and prevailing perceptions of skills and their contribution to economic and social goals – this research sought to investigate the extent to which the National-led Government’s policy approach and practices demonstrate ideological and policy change from the previous two decades. This study used a qualitative approach involving in-depth interviews with representatives of key organisations in industry training. These organisations include the Department of Labour, Ministry of Education, Tertiary Education Commission, Business NZ, Council of Trade Unions and the Industry Training Federation. Thematic analysis of interview data was combined with a review of existing literature in order to argue that the National-led Government’s claims of pragmatic orientation were not substantiated. Rather, it is argued here that the Government’s industry training policies aligned more closely with the neo-liberal policies of the 1990s, than with the Third Way of 1999-2008. For example, there was a deliberate retrenchment of government funding for industry training in some respects, and a significantly lessened role of the non-governmental key organisations in policy development. In addition, it is argued here that the National-led Government has demonstrated a narrow focus on skill development that contradicts wider advice and trends in favour of a multi-faceted view of skill that prioritises skill utilisation as well. Overall, it is argued that the National-led Government’s policy approach and practices are likely to be ineffective at addressing enduring issues in industry training as well as new issues.

text: New Zealand Industry Training Policy in the 2008-2010 Environment This study is broadly concerned with the changing nature of industry training policy in New Zealand between the mid-1980s and mid-2010. It sets the two-year period subsequent to the 2008 election against this broader background. Using key elements of the process of change within industry training policy – ideology and prevailing perceptions of skills and their contribution to economic and social goals – this research sought to investigate the extent to which the National-led Government’s policy approach and practices demonstrate ideological and policy change from the previous two decades. This study used a qualitative approach involving in-depth interviews with representatives of key organisations in industry training. These organisations include the Department of Labour, Ministry of Education, Tertiary Education Commission, Business NZ, Council of Trade Unions and the Industry Training Federation. Thematic analysis of interview data was combined with a review of existing literature in order to argue that the National-led Government’s claims of pragmatic orientation were not substantiated. Rather, it is argued here that the Government’s industry training policies aligned more closely with the neo-liberal policies of the 1990s, than with the Third Way of 1999-2008. For example, there was a deliberate retrenchment of government funding for industry training in some respects, and a significantly lessened role of the non-governmental key organisations in policy development. In addition, it is argued here that the National-led Government has demonstrated a narrow focus on skill development that contradicts wider advice and trends in favour of a multi-faceted view of skill that prioritises skill utilisation as well. Overall, it is argued that the National-led Government’s policy approach and practices are likely to be ineffective at addressing enduring issues in industry training as well as new issues.

year: 2010

title: Development of an Ion Chromatography Method for the Analysis of Nitric Acid Oxidation Reactions of Common Sugars

authors: Davey, Cara-Lee

subjects: nitric acid oxidation

abstract: The large scale nitric acid oxidation of common sugars into their corresponding aldaric acids is being investigated as an important source of potentially useful components for industrial applications such as polymers. 

This thesis details the development of an Ion Chromatography (IC) method for the analysis of these oxidation mixtures and related samples from the work-up and purification processes. The method was developed for use with a Dionex ICS2000 IC system equipped with an AS11-HC column and utilising suppressed conductivity detection. IC proved to be a useful, versatile and straightforward method of studying the reactions and their products. 

The detected ions include but are not restricted to the anionic salt forms of: D-Glucaric acid, Xylaric acid, Mannaric acid,  D-gluconic acid and both keto forms of the same, D-xylonic acid, D-mannonic acid, glycolic acid, oxalic acid, tartaric acid and tartronic acid. Nitrate from the nitric acid used in the oxidation is often observed.  The results compare favorably to GC-MS and HPLC analysis of similar samples. An overview of the theory and operation of the instrument along with the method development and results from application to the oxidation mixtures and related samples are presented. 

As part of the investigation into the range of utility of IC for studying these reactions, a study was made of the retention behaviour of a large number of simple and low molecular weight (LMW) carboxylic acids eluted by the ion chromatography system in use. The results of this study are included with an explanation of the major factors affecting anion retention on the column

text: Development of an Ion Chromatography Method for the Analysis of Nitric Acid Oxidation Reactions of Common Sugars The large scale nitric acid oxidation of common sugars into their corresponding aldaric acids is being investigated as an important source of potentially useful components for industrial applications such as polymers. 

This thesis details the development of an Ion Chromatography (IC) method for the analysis of these oxidation mixtures and related samples from the work-up and purification processes. The method was developed for use with a Dionex ICS2000 IC system equipped with an AS11-HC column and utilising suppressed conductivity detection. IC proved to be a useful, versatile and straightforward method of studying the reactions and their products. 

The detected ions include but are not restricted to the anionic salt forms of: D-Glucaric acid, Xylaric acid, Mannaric acid,  D-gluconic acid and both keto forms of the same, D-xylonic acid, D-mannonic acid, glycolic acid, oxalic acid, tartaric acid and tartronic acid. Nitrate from the nitric acid used in the oxidation is often observed.  The results compare favorably to GC-MS and HPLC analysis of similar samples. An overview of the theory and operation of the instrument along with the method development and results from application to the oxidation mixtures and related samples are presented. 

As part of the investigation into the range of utility of IC for studying these reactions, a study was made of the retention behaviour of a large number of simple and low molecular weight (LMW) carboxylic acids eluted by the ion chromatography system in use. The results of this study are included with an explanation of the major factors affecting anion retention on the column

year: 2008

title: Rebel discourses: Colonial violence, Pai Marire resistance and land allocation at Tauranga

authors: Kahotea, Des Tatana

abstract: This thesis is a study of resistance and power in a colonial situation, based on the ethnography of a confiscated-land claim of three hapu who had been Kingitanga supporters and Pai Marire adherents in the 19th century. It draws on archival material and insider ethnography and is arranged into four parts. The first part looks at the relationship between anthropology and colonialism, particularly the role of Sir George Grey, a Governor who used anthropological knowledge to facilitate colonial domination of Maori. Grey instigated the establishment of learned societies which introduced the use of ethnology and anthropology to study Maori. This led to the development of colonial anthropology and its emphasis on salvage anthropology in the late nineteenth century, which in turn gave rise to an intellectual tradition of Maori anthropology. The first proponents of Maori anthropology, Te Rangihiroa and Apirana Ngata, emphasised the role of anthropology for cultural recovery and 'insider' ethnographer. The second part examines the Kingitanga and Pai Marire political and religious expressions of resistance. Political resistance to colonialism was met by legislation by the settler colonial government to punish 'rebellion', a system of collaboration or cultivation of 'loyalty' amongst 'friendly' Maori, and other policies directed at suppressing indigenous expressions of rebel consciousness. This programme had a major bearing on the ongoing existence of these hapu into the twentieth century. Pai Marire was a rebel religious phenomenon that became the object of a campaign of coercion, surveillance, and violence by the settler colonial government. The adherents were subject to policies of exclusion from the redistribution and allocation of confiscated land by local government officials and civil commissioners. The government supported, instead, the land claims of 'friendly' and 'surrendered rebel' chiefs. The third part is hapu ethnography. Key transformations in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries related to changing political and kin alliances for one hapu, Ngati Kahu, while another hapu, Ngati Pango which was involved with Pai Marire, suffered from claims on their traditional lands leading to the undermining of its identity and existence as a socially operating hapu. The fourth part uses historical and ethnographic fragments to consider what Pai Marire meant to its adherents. The colonial construct of Pai Marire and Hauhau was forms of savagery and a mix of Christian syncretism, an image that has little changed from the nineteenth century.

text: Rebel discourses: Colonial violence, Pai Marire resistance and land allocation at Tauranga This thesis is a study of resistance and power in a colonial situation, based on the ethnography of a confiscated-land claim of three hapu who had been Kingitanga supporters and Pai Marire adherents in the 19th century. It draws on archival material and insider ethnography and is arranged into four parts. The first part looks at the relationship between anthropology and colonialism, particularly the role of Sir George Grey, a Governor who used anthropological knowledge to facilitate colonial domination of Maori. Grey instigated the establishment of learned societies which introduced the use of ethnology and anthropology to study Maori. This led to the development of colonial anthropology and its emphasis on salvage anthropology in the late nineteenth century, which in turn gave rise to an intellectual tradition of Maori anthropology. The first proponents of Maori anthropology, Te Rangihiroa and Apirana Ngata, emphasised the role of anthropology for cultural recovery and 'insider' ethnographer. The second part examines the Kingitanga and Pai Marire political and religious expressions of resistance. Political resistance to colonialism was met by legislation by the settler colonial government to punish 'rebellion', a system of collaboration or cultivation of 'loyalty' amongst 'friendly' Maori, and other policies directed at suppressing indigenous expressions of rebel consciousness. This programme had a major bearing on the ongoing existence of these hapu into the twentieth century. Pai Marire was a rebel religious phenomenon that became the object of a campaign of coercion, surveillance, and violence by the settler colonial government. The adherents were subject to policies of exclusion from the redistribution and allocation of confiscated land by local government officials and civil commissioners. The government supported, instead, the land claims of 'friendly' and 'surrendered rebel' chiefs. The third part is hapu ethnography. Key transformations in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries related to changing political and kin alliances for one hapu, Ngati Kahu, while another hapu, Ngati Pango which was involved with Pai Marire, suffered from claims on their traditional lands leading to the undermining of its identity and existence as a socially operating hapu. The fourth part uses historical and ethnographic fragments to consider what Pai Marire meant to its adherents. The colonial construct of Pai Marire and Hauhau was forms of savagery and a mix of Christian syncretism, an image that has little changed from the nineteenth century.

year: 2005