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The pulp and paper industry consumes enormous quality of freshwater, leading to wastewater. It must be treated to remove pollutants, particularly residual dyestuffs, before releasing them to water bodies to avoid adverse environmental effects. The traditional wastewater treatment methods used for the pulp and paper industry are less efficient in colour and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal. The current study is aimed at developing a novel catalyst for the catalytic ozonation of pulp and paper wastewater with better colour and COD removal for sustainable resources of clean water. The proposed catalyst is impregnated by iron on natural zeolites. Various parameters such as catalyst dose, pH, ozone dose, initial COD concentration, and reaction time are studied and optimized. The performance was evaluated by comparing the results with the single ozonation process (SOP) and catalytic ozonation process (COP). The highest COD and colour reduction efficiencies have been achieved, i.e., 71%, and 88% at a natural pH of 6.8. The proposed process achieved higher COD and colour efficiencies than the single ozonation process and catalytic ozonation process using raw zeolites. The improvement in efficiencies are 23% and 29% for SOP and 17% and 19% for COP, respectively. Hence, the results proposed the sustainability and applicability of COP to treat paper and pulp sector effluent. [Display omitted] • A novel Fe-zeolite catalyst was developed for catalytic ozonation process. • Performance of single ozonation process and catalytic ozonation process was evaluated. • Under optimized condition the catalyst remains efficient even after 5 cycles. • 71% of COD were eliminated using Fe/NZ as catalyst in catalytic ozonation process. • The optimum ozone dose for COD and color removal was 0.3 mg/ml of wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aotearoa New Zealand's emerging New Space economy provides an opportunity for key actors to focus on space and sustainability issues beyond space debris. The conflict between competing definitions and paradigms of sustainability highlights the importance of diverse values, assumptions, and drivers of change that shape the normative understanding of space sustainability issues. This paper recognises that Indigenous knowledges and practices are in parallel with systems-thinking and transdisciplinary approaches to space and sustainability. The aim of this paper is to describe how current actions can have long term impacts on using and accessing space commercially, scientifically, and culturally. • Space sustainability requires a transdisciplinary approach to explore the definitions and values at various scales. • Space sustainability in New Zealand involves addressing issues beyond space debris. • Space sustainability requires addressing businesses in New Zealand, where sustainability frameworks are poorly implemented. • Space sustainability requires policy interventions beyond compliance with environmental legislation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New Zealand's space sector is at the early stages of growth but already attracts 1.5% of global private investment in space and contributes NZD 1.75 billion per year in revenue to the national economy. Growth has in part been due to the country's desirable location for space operations due to a combination of geographic advantages, with its clear seas and skies and access to a wide range of launch angles, a skilled workforce, and strong government financial incentives. There are however challenges to future space activities such as the risk to long-term access and use of Earth's orbital environment, specifically from space debris and a growing challenge to the whole-of-life of space operations, from the climate emergency and biodiversity crises. Consequently, there is increasing global motivation and urgency to quantify environmental consequences of space activities, which have historically been omitted from legislative and regulatory requirements. This paper provides a summary of the commercial development of New Zealand's space sector and where appropriate environmental regulation and legislation may have been overlooked, as well as outlining broader environmental concerns of space operations. New Zealand's emerging space industry offers a unique opportunity to integrate international best practices for environment and sustainability at a foundational level, for example, the European Space Agency's Clean Space Initiative and their Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Tool and Eco-design Framework. These types of tools provide valuable sources of information to support policy and business decisions. This paper provides a case study for an environmental LCA for a New Zealand designed and launched CubeSat which is the most launched satellite type from New Zealand. The case study indicates how the LCA can be used to identify environmental hotspots during the preliminary and detailed design phases as well as the launch event. Barriers and gaps in data collection have also been identified. As a result of this work, a set of recommendations have been made for further research requirements on the application of LCA to space activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Develops and tests a conceptual framework of seasonal culture as rhythmic patterns. • Perceived seasonal patterns shift with climatic, environmental and social changes. • People maintain, recalibrate or detach from their seasonal patterns of activities. • Recalibrating seasonal cultures to shifting rhythms is sustainable adaptation. There is a growing literature on the cultural capacities influencing communities' adaptation to environmental and social change, including the temporal frameworks they draw on for timely action. This paper focuses on seasonal cultures, and how they enable communities on the Coromandel Peninsula to interpret and adapt practical timings to disrupted patterns of seasonal rhythms. The paper develops and applies a conceptual framework of seasonal cultures as perceived rhythmic patterns practiced by communities as cultural repertoires for action, emphasising the ways cultures evolve as patterns are contested and change. This concept steered critical, mixed-method ethnographic study with communities on the peninsula over two years. The research found that Coromandel communities' cultures make seasonal change visible as long-term shifts and asynchrony between rhythmic patterns, which they linked to climatic change, environmental degradation, colonisation and globalisation, and shifting relations between society and the environment. As seasonal patterns fail to hold, communities deploy a combination of strategies for re-configuring seasonal rhythms through their practices: (i) maintaining established, institutionalised schemas of activity while coping with seasonal variability; (ii) season-proofing activities from environmental rhythms; or (iii) re-learning and recalibrating cultures to mutable configurations of rhythms in a highly modified environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optimal nutrition care is important in the management of cystic fibrosis (CF). This paper summarises the '2017 Nutrition Guidelines for Cystic Fibrosis in Australia and New Zealand (NZ)'. CF dietitians formulated 68 practice questions which were used to guide a systematic literature search and review of the evidence for nutrition in CF. Identified papers underwent quality and evidence assessment using the American Dietetic Association quality criteria checklist and the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia (NHMRC) rankings. Evidence statements, graded recommendations and practice points were developed covering core nutrition topics (assessment and nutrition interventions including oral, enteral and micronutrient supplementation); nutrition-related co-morbidities (including pancreatic insufficiency, CF-related diabetes, bone health and distal intestinal obstruction syndrome); and key new topic areas (genetic modulator therapies, overweight/obesity and complementary therapies). This paper showcases highlights from the guidelines, focussing on new topic areas and geographic and climate considerations for vitamin D, salt and hydration. • This paper summarises the 2017 Nutrition guidelines for CF for Australia and NZ • A systematic approach to evidence appraisal and guideline development was used • Nutrition assessment, nutrition support and micronutrient supplementation are covered • Nutrition-related topics including CF-related co-morbidities and PERT are covered • Novel topic areas include genetic modulators, overweight/obesity and probiotics [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cultural inclusion generates a positive impact by socially increasing pride for individuals or economically increasing a country's global capital. Currently, in New Zealand (NZ), not many strategies exist that ensure inclusion of culture in new products introduced locally and globally. Further, cultural inclusion in products appears highly represented in the tourist markets, but not so much in the domestic markets. This paper examines the current NZ strategies for cultural inclusion in product development of different sized companies that supply locally and globally through three case studies and compares the findings with theoretical models used in other regions. Findings elaborate that NZ lacks in documented standardized strategies when it comes to cultural inclusion. A positive impact of having such a strategy is perceived by participating companies with a culture for open innovation to ensure they are following a process approach that can help include cultural aspects appropriately. Creating a unique position for the brand globally, increasing global capital and deeper connectivity, and increasing the understanding of culture were some key benefits identified. However, a few steps in the new product development process were found largely lacking in NZ firms, such as communication with cultural representatives and leaders. A cultural inclusion model is developed based on the study findings to include an open innovation culture that can help NZ companies be more inclusive in their design and establish a unique NZ market for generating positive impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports experimental and numerical studies on the compression resistances of aluminium alloy equal-leg angle section stub columns after exposure to fire. An experimental programme was first conducted, including heating tests, eight post-fire material coupon tests and sixteen post-fire stub column tests. Following the experimental programme, a numerical modelling programme was conducted, where finite-element models were developed and validated. The validated models were then used to perform parametric studies to derive additional numerical data. Based on the obtained test and numerical data, the relevant design rules used in Europe, China, America, Australia and New Zealand as well as the continuous strength method were assessed. The assessment results generally show that the current international standards lead to significant conservative and scattered design resistances when used for the post-fire design of aluminium alloy equal-leg angle sections under compression, particularly for those after exposure to elevated temperatures of 300 °C to 550 °C, due to the neglect of significant post-fire material strain hardening. The continuous strength method is found to provide greatly improved design accuracy and consistency over the European, Chinese, American and Australian/New Zealand standards for the post-fire design of aluminium alloy equal-leg angle sections, since it accounts for the post-fire material hardening. • Post-fire compression resistances of aluminum alloy equal-leg angle sections were studied. • Sixteen post-fire stub column tests were conducted. • FE models were developed and validated against the test results, and then used to perform parametric studies. • The European, American, Australian/New Zealand and Chinese codes and the continuous strength method were evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Economics, demographics, land use change, and transport interact in complex and dynamic ways. To inform urban policy decision-making it is important to develop tools that incorporate the interactions of these systems in meaningful ways. Historically, models of these systems have been developed in isolation, and many agencies have already invested large amounts of time and money into developing these independent models. It is thus often desirable to couple existing models, rather than to develop a completely new integrated model. Coupling together independently developed models introduces many challenges including dealing with different spatial and temporal scales, base datasets and levels of aggregation, as well as bringing up deeper questions around the underlying paradigms, assumptions and limitations of the models. This paper describes the key challenges encountered when coupling an existing integrated model of land use change, economic activity, and population (the 'Integrated Scenario Explorer' model) with an existing transport model (the 'Wellington Transport Strategy Model') for the Wellington region in New Zealand. The case study results show that the coupling produces substantial differences in the urban land use change looking forward to 2041, specifically it affects the location of the urban intensification. The paper summarises the important considerations for modellers when coupling independently developed models, highlights the importance of understanding the underlying theories of the component models, and emphasises the need to develop pragmatic solutions that are guided by the intended use of the resulting integrated model. Highlights • Two existing models, one of transport and one of land use change, economics, and population, are coupled together • Key challenges encountered by modellers when coupling independently developed models are summarised • The implementation of the loose coupling for the Wellington region in New Zealand demonstrates pragmatic solutions • Loose coupling with a transport model significantly affects the location of urban expansion, even with long timesteps [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As Covid-19 made its way to the shores of Aotearoa New Zealand in 2020, Kiwis took to Twitter to share their experiences and opinions regarding both the virus and government responses. In this paper, we examine a corpus of 1001 tweets to see just how Twitter users utilize different linguistic and politeness strategies when sharing directives conveying stance toward government Covid-19 measures. While there has been research into the use of directives in spoken and written language, there has been little exploration of how directives are used in the language of Social Media. Often considered difficult to classify even in more traditional language genres, Twitter corpora pose additional challenges. We propose a strategy to identify and classify directives using syntactic and pragmatic features, and use this strategy to identify linguistic patterns of both in relation to stance toward government Covid-19 measures. While we find that the most prototypical directive within our corpus is largely consistent with previous definitions, we also find that tweeters exhibit a striking amount of variation in directive strategy, emphasizing the need for a nuanced approach to directive identification and classification. We further note trends in the directive strategies utilized by tweeters expressing different stances toward government measures. • Analysis of directive use in a corpus of English language Twitter posts related to Covid-19 pandemic in New Zealand. • Clauses analysed for stance; clause, verb, and subject type; politeness strategies; addressees; and imperative hashtags. • Quantitative analysis reveals a prototype of the typical directive used on Twitter based on frequency of use counts. • Tweeters opposed to government measures deviate the most from the directive prototype. • Tweeters show remarkable variation in directive use; they actively adjust linguistic strategies based on their stance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forensic identification using vein patterns in standard colour images presents significant challenges due to their low visibility. Recent efforts have employed various computational techniques, including artificial neural networks and optical vein disclosure, to enhance vein pattern detection. However, these methods still face limitations in reliability when compared to Near-Infrared (NIR) reference images. One of the biggest challenges of the studies is the limited number of available datasets that have synchronised colour and NIR images from body limbs. This paper introduces a new dataset comprising 602 pairs of synchronised NIR and RGB forearm images from a diverse population, ethically approved and collected in Auckland, New Zealand. Using this dataset, we also propose a conditional Generative Adversarial Networks (cGANs) model to translate RGB images into their NIR equivalents. Our evaluations focus on matching accuracy, vein length measurements, and contrast quality, demonstrating that the translated vein patterns closely resemble their NIR counterparts. This advancement offers promising implications for forensic identification techniques. • Introducing a new dataset of synchronised NIR and RGB images compromising 301 subjects. • Development of a cGAN model for visualising vein patterns from colour (RGB) images. • The proposed model achieved promising results in terms of accuracy in vein length, contrast, and matching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the management of emerging environmental risks has received more attention recently, planning and public policy scholars have not yet generated consensus on management approaches for environmental and occupational risks that remain poorly described, unquantified, and may be potentially 'unknowable'. Our case study focuses on exposure to respirable mineral dust (RMD), a specific category of particulate air pollution which includes examples such as respirable crystalline silica and asbestos fibres, as an example of a risk that is emerging and that has often 'escaped' regulations in many countries. This article (i) reviews prevailing risk management strategies and (ii) discusses their limitations when applied to the unique characteristics of RMD. The aim of the paper is to examine the suitability of existing risk management approaches for the evaluation of emerging environmental risks, which are bounded by significant uncertainties in quantifying the likelihood of the occurrence and/or severity of the hazard. We identify potential improvements to these strategies, highlighting the value of different protection levels, strategies, measures, and proactive actions which are enabled within an adaptive management framework that responds more nimbly to future changes. • Synthesised the challenges of managing respirable mineral dust. • Seven risk management approaches are most useful for different risk characteristics. • Identified improvements to these strategies for emerging environmental risks. • Potential improvements of strategies that respond more nimbly to future changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Managing fishing threats to populations of endemic, threatened Hector’s and Māui dolphins around New Zealand is a complex and controversial issue, underpinned by uncertain scientific knowledge. As such, it can be argued that it falls into the realm of post-normal science, which advocates transparency about uncertainties and stakeholder peer review of knowledge feeding into decision-making. This paper focuses on selected examples of modelling and risk assessment research relating to Hector’s and Māui dolphin threat management. It explores how knowledge is developed, shared and utilised by decision-makers, finding that uncertain scientific knowledge may be shared in ways that make it appear more certain, with some of the subjectivities involved in knowledge production hidden from view. Interviews with stakeholders illustrate how some stakeholders are aware of the subjectivities involved when uncertain knowledge underpins decision-making, so a lack of transparency may be leading to erosion of social trust in decisions made. This in turn can lead to a lack of support for dolphin conservation measures from key stakeholders such as the commercial fishing industry. The paper concludes that while moves towards increasing transparency and stakeholder involvement are apparent, a deeper embrace of post-normal science approaches to knowledge production and dissemination would contribute to effective dolphin threat management in New Zealand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Critical reflection on the notion of relational values of nature. • Exemplifying how relational values of nature link to 'rights of nature' legislation in New Zealand. • Distinguishing between social- and nature-inclusiveness dimensions within relational valuation of nature. • Highlighting how the notion of relational values may support prescriptive, non-anthropocentric arguments for conservation. • Discussing the potential for relational values to help develop an 'ethic of care' towards, and connectedness with, nature. Increasingly, science-policy-oriented publications discuss the potential of 'relational values of nature' to bolster future conservation related decision-making. This paper unravels two meanings of relational values and elaborates on how these may add to the toolkit of conservation. Firstly, it is explained how relational values are a third axiological category and compare to instrumental and intrinsic values assigned to nature. Secondly, it is clarified how relational values appear part of a shift that seeks to improve conservation decision-making processes by mapping and recognising the multiple ways of valuing nature people have developed over time. This would allow to more comprehensively capture the context-specific perspectives on human-nature relations. It is argued that these two meanings of relational values underscore the need not to conflate the questions of how to make valuation methods more socially inclusive with prescriptive questions of why we should protect nature. To illustrate this, this paper focuses on New Zealand conservation legislation that demonstrates how relational values, rooted in place-based indigenous knowledge and traditions, are coded into rights of nature law. Partially based on this it is argued that while social inclusiveness in conservation is important, this may still allow for anthropocentrically inspired thinking. Ultimately, it is concluded that the potential of relational values can be more fully realised by using them to offer prescriptive guidance to conservation decision-making and practice. However, to facilitate this, their embeddedness in a meaningful relationship with, and care and respect towards, nature needs to be emphasized and mainstreamed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The appearance of the built environment plays an important role in people's physical, financial and psychological wellbeing. In light of this, it is important to ensure that transformation of urban streets and public spaces through individual projects can satisfy the aesthetic needs of those who regularly use them. Within projects, outcomes are regularly controlled by a steering group working on behalf of the project sponsor and other internal stakeholders. To ensure that the needs of those outside the project group are also met, some local authorities in New Zealand review project design at the planning approval stage. This process invites experts, who in some cases informed by design guides, to evaluate the architectural design. This paper addresses the question of whether the ways places are changing align with public expectations. A mixed methods approach was used to elicit people's preferences for building and streetscape characteristics, where stimuli were first presented as photographic representations and secondly as real streetscapes in two New Zealand cities. The findings identify the streetscape design characteristics that were best liked by people as well as those that were disliked. Of particular interest was a comparison between the preferences expressed by lay members of the public with those of design and planning professionals. The paper concludes with a brief discussion about the obstacles that may be limiting the achievement of well-liked streetscapes in the New Zealand context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid development of remote sensing technologies (such as airborne, unmanned aerial vehicles and terrestrial sensors) as surveillance tools to monitor the environment exposes firms, industry sectors and national economies to new levels of transparency. The veracity and timeliness of remote sensing technologies outpaces the surveillance capabilities of existing monitoring and reporting practices in organisations and their supply chains – which are often based on in situ observations and operated through processes that were largely developed in the pre-internet era. This paper provides a conceptual analysis of the impact of remote sensing on conformance systems (also referred to as assurance systems) – an infrastructure that is typical for standards, monitoring and reporting mechanisms such as ISO 14001, the GRI or ESG. The analysis is grounded against a backdrop of the Eco-index (a cross-disciplinary scientific initiative in New Zealand) that develops a surveillance system to monitor biodiversity. The socio-technical perspective is used as the theoretical underpinning. A conceptual analysis demonstrates that conformance systems need to undergo a transformational change. This change is discussed in the paper in terms of the critical socio-technical components (technological, actors, task and structure) that are needed to transform and align with the needs of the digital economy. • Remote sensing technologies radically change the process of monitoring and reporting environmental performance. • Various industry sectors are under threat of losing their licences to operate due to radical transparency offered by remote sensing technologies. • Existing conformance and assurance systems must undergo rapid transformation to remain relevant in the digitalized world and combine in situ observations with remote sensing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents experimental and numerical investigations into the web crippling behaviour and load-carrying capacity of stainless steel built-up I-section members under End-Two-Flange (ETF) concentrated transverse loading. An experimental programme was conducted on 23 austenitic and duplex stainless steel built-up I-section specimens, with each consisting of two identical press-braked channel sections assembled back-to-back by means of self-tapping screws. Following the experimental programme, a numerical modelling programme was performed, where finite element models were firstly developed to replicate the tests and then used to conduct parametric studies. Based on the test and numerical data, the existing design rules for stainless steel built-up I-section members failing by web crippling, as set out in the current European, American and Australian/New Zealand design standards, were assessed. The comparisons indicated that the European and Australian/New Zealand design standards resulted in overly conservative and rather scattered failure load predictions, while the American design standard led to less scattered failure load predictions, but with many predictions on the unsafe side. Therefore, an improved design approach was proposed and shown to provide substantially improved failure load predictions for stainless steel built-up I-section members under End-Two-Flange loading. • The web crippling behaviour of stainless steel built-up I-sections under ETF loading was studied. • Tests were conducted on 23 stainless steel built-up I-section specimens. • FE models were developed and validated against test results and then used for parametric studies. • The existing codified design rules were assessed and a new design approach was proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In geotechnical engineering, an appreciation of local geological conditions from similar sites is beneficial and can support informed decision-making during site characterization. This practice is known as "site recognition", which necessitates a rational quantification of site similarity. This paper proposes a data-driven method to quantify the similarity between two cross-sections based on the spatial variability of one soil property from a spectral perspective. Bayesian compressive sensing (BCS) is first used to obtain the discrete cosine transform (DCT) spectrum for a cross-section. Then DCT-based auto-correlation function (ACF) is calculated based on the obtained DCT spectrum using a set of newly derived ACF calculation equations. The cross-sectional similarity is subsequently reformulated as the cosine similarity of DCT-based ACFs between cross-sections. In contrast to the existing methods, the proposed method explicitly takes soil property spatial variability into account in an innovative way. The challenges of sparse investigation data, non-stationary and anisotropic spatial variability, and inconsistent spatial dimensions of different cross-sections are tackled effectively. Both numerical examples and real data examples from New Zealand are provided for illustration. Results show that the proposed method can rationally quantify cross-sectional similarity and associated statistical uncertainty from sparse investigation data. The proposed method advances data-driven site characterization, a core application area in data-centric geotechnics. • A novel method is proposed for quantifying 2D cross-sectional similarity of soil property spatial variability • An efficient formulation of 2D auto-correlation function is derived for a unified representation of 2D spatial variability • The challenges of sparse investigation data, non-stationarity, and inconsistent cross-sectional dimensions are tackled • The proposed method facilitates the quasi-regional clustering of geotechnical data [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents experimental and numerical investigations into the post-fire cross-section compressive behaviour and resistances of circular recycled aggregate concrete-filled stainless steel tube (RACFSST) stub columns. Twelve stub column specimens, fabricated from concretes with three recycled coarse aggregate replacement ratios (0%, 35% and 70%), were tested after exposure to the ISO-834 standard fire for 0 min (i.e. at ambient temperature), 15 min, 30 min and 45 min. The experimental investigation included heating and cooling of specimens, cylinder tests and post-fire tensile coupon tests and stub column tests. The test results, including load–end shortening curves, failure loads and failure modes, were fully reported and the initial compressive stiffnesses and confinement effect were discussed. The numerical investigation was subsequently conducted, where thermal and mechanical finite element models were developed and validated against the test results and then used to perform parametric studies to generate further numerical data. Given the absence of design codes for stainless steel–recycled aggregate concrete composite structures after exposure to fire, the relevant design rules for circular natural aggregate concrete-filled carbon steel tube stub columns at ambient temperature, as set out in the European code, Australia/New Zealand standard and American specification, were assessed, using post-fire material properties, for their applicability to circular RACFSST stub columns after exposure to fire, based on the test and numerical data. The assessment results generally revealed that the European code and the Australian/New Zealand standard led to an acceptable level of design accuracy and consistency, while the American specification resulted in rather conservative and scattered post-fire cross-section compression resistance predictions. • The compressive behaviour of circular RACFSST stub columns after exposure to fire is investigated. • Post-fire compression tests on twelve circular RACFSST stub column specimens are conducted. • The influences of heating durations and RCA replacement ratios are analysed. • Thermal and mechanical FE models are validated against test results and then used to conduct parametric studies. • The relevant design codes are assessed against the test and FE data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports experimental and numerical investigations into the structural behaviour and resistances of high strength concrete-filled stainless steel tube (HCFSST) beam-columns under combined compression and bending. An experimental investigation was conducted on sixteen HCFSST beam-columns specimens fabricated from stainless steel tubes with two cross-section sizes and high strength concretes with four material grades, and included concrete cylinder tests, tensile coupon tests, initial global geometric imperfection measurements and eccentric compression tests. The test setups and procedures were fully reported and the experimental observations were discussed and analysed in detail. It was found that the plane cross-section assumption was valid for eccentrically loaded HCFSST sections and the lateral deflection distribution patterns for HCFSST beam-columns were approximately half-sine wave shapes. The test results were used in a subsequent numerical investigation for the validation of finite element models, which were then employed to conduct parametric studies to generate additional numerical data over a wide range of cross-section dimensions, member lengths and loading combinations. Based on the experimental and numerical results, the relevant design rules, as set out in the European code, American specification and Australian/New Zealand standard, were evaluated for their applicability to HCFSST beam-columns. The evaluation results revealed that the European code provided accurate but scattered failure load predictions when used for HCFSST beam-columns, while the American specification and Australian/New Zealand standard resulted in conservative and scattered failure load predictions. • The behaviour of high strength concrete-filled stainless steel tube (HCFSST) beam-columns is investigated. • Eccentric compression tests on sixteen HCFSST beam-column specimens are conducted. • The ductility, strength, longitudinal strain development and lateral deflection distribution are analysed. • FE models are developed to validate against the test results and then used to conduct parametric studies. • The applicability of relevant design codes is assessed against test and FE data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The flexural buckling behaviour and resistances of press-braked stainless steel Z-section columns are investigated in this paper, based on experiments and numerical modelling. An experimental investigation was conducted on two press-braked stainless steel Z-sections and included material testing, initial geometric imperfection measurements and twelve fixed-ended column tests. Minor-axis flexural buckling was observed for all press-braked stainless steel Z-section column specimens upon testing. The key obtained fixed-ended column test results, including failure loads, load–deformation histories and failure modes, were fully reported. Following the experimental investigation, a numerical investigation was performed, with finite element models developed to validate against the fixed-ended column test results and then used to conduct parametric studies to generate additional numerical data. On the basis of the test and numerical data, the relevant buckling curves, as specified in the European code, American specification and Australian/New Zealand standard, were evaluated and shown to provide accurate and consistent flexural buckling resistance predictions for press-braked stainless steel Z-section columns. • The flexural buckling behaviour of press-braked stainless steel Z-section columns was studied. • Twelve fixed-ended column tests were conducted. • FE models were developed to validate against the test results and then used to perform parametric studies. • The codified buckling curves were assessed, showing good design accuracy and consistency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on a study examining sustainability in the New Zealand horticulture industry. Despite the growing body of sustainability literature, there remains a lack of prior research focussed on sustainability views, practices, benefits and barriers. The study contributes to the sustainability literature by providing useful insights into views, practices, benefits and barriers in a specific setting – the New Zealand horticulture industry. In particular this paper focuses on grower views of sustainability, the types of sustainability practices adopted, the achievement of benefits from implementing these practices, and the barriers to implementation of additional practices. A mixed methods approach was taken for this study. First an online survey was conducted and then several follow-up interviews were held with survey respondents. The study finds that a number of common views about the term sustainability exist; a broad range of sustainability practices have been implemented by a number of growers; few benefits are expected from growers and even fewer have been achieved; and costs and time are the main barriers to additional implementation. The low survey response rate and resulting small sample means the results may not be generalisable to the entire horticulture industry. This study highlights the need for growers in the New Zealand horticulture industry to be better informed about the adoption process of sustainability practices and the benefits that can be achieved. A number of approaches are possible including the use of education through industry networks and the sharing of best practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines farmers' ways of knowing water quality and their encounters with the science used in policy to address the cumulative effects of agriculture. Drawing on constructivist theories of knowledge and discussions with farmers in two locations of New Zealand's South Island region of Canterbury, the research identifies a significant divergence between farmers' conception of the water quality problem compared to the issue's policy framing. In theory, and increasingly in practice, ways of knowing are assumed merely out-of-sync and their integration or coproduction possible and necessary. This paper poses the question: what if the ways of knowing of farmers and science have become incompatible? The presented research indicates incompatibility that derives from epistemic practices that mobilise different ontologies at different scales. It is shown how the predictive practices of science present what appear to be insurmountable obstacles to integration or coproduction. It is argued that collaborative governance needs to find ways to work with divergent ways of knowing -- not for the purpose of integration or coproduction but co-existence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arguably the dominant discourse around sustainability today is defined within the cultural frame of modernity, in terms of a grand techno-scientific narrative. Within this narrative some scholars have observed the emergence of alternative modes of science for sustainability, including ‘sustainability science’, which have a central emphasis on ‘place-based’ knowledge that is contingent to local challenges, and produced in conjunction with local communities. But it is important to consider the implications of invoking the powerful techno-scientific narrative in a local place, and how this narrative contends with other competing ‘narratives of sustainability’ espoused by a local community. This paper presents qualitative interview-based study of one particular place – the Waikaraka Estuary in New Zealand – where the ‘Waikaraka Estuary Managers’ initiative gave effect to an approach closely resembling sustainability science. The Waikaraka case suggests that if science for sustainability is to be place-based, then it is highly important that it be produced incorporating local knowledge and resources; bridging competing narratives of sustainability in a process that challenges the dominance of techno-science. However, the case also triggers important reflections on the nature of this process, and cautions against a dominant ‘Cartesian’ approach to reconciling, or indeed subsuming, knowledge systems within a scientific framework. This paper suggests a more radical approach that departs from the scientific framework endorsed by modern resource management, in favour of an approach that recognises plurality and promotes it within ‘extended peer communities’, with reference to perspectives from post-normal science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines crying episodes from a New Zealand study that investigated pedagogical interactions in the outdoor environment between early childhood teachers and children aged 2–5 years. Specific focus is given to the ways in which teachers respond to children's crying through the use of directives that offer verbal, rather than physical, support. Directives are identified as both verbal and embodied communicative practices (Cekaite, 2010) and responses to directives can demonstrate compliance or rejection (Goodwin, 2006). In the research presented here, verbal directives are used by the early childhood teacher in response to a two-year-old child's crying to offer verbal strategies regarding moving through the rough forest terrain. Physical positioning of the child's body is minimal, and avoidance of physical contact is observable. Verbal directives as responses to the child's crying rather than tactile responses such as soothing or embodied assistance prompts the child to independently adjust her body through self-directed and autonomous actions, and so competently move through the rough terrain (virtually) unassisted. It will be argued that teachers' responses to children's crying through verbal directives afford participation frameworks that support children's empowerment and independence, demonstrating teacher's skilful pragmatic and pedagogical strategies to effectively implement their early childhood curriculum. • Teachers' responses to children's crying can be shaped as directives with minimal physical contact. • Such crying responses afford participation frameworks that support children's empowerment and independance. • Early childhood teachers use their professional vision to frame children as competent and capable in having autonomy over their bodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge-sharing strategies are used across the industry as open innovation and distributed collaboration are becoming more popular to achieve technological competencies, faster time-to-market, competitiveness and growth. Sharing of knowledge can provide benefits to manufacturing and new product development (NPD) companies in improving their product quality and enhancing business potential. This paper examines the implementation of knowledge-sharing strategies in New Zealand aimed at bridging the physical locational issues to achieve collaborative benefits in NPD firms through an in-depth case study. The analysis of this only one, but interesting, case extends a holistic multi-mediation model by Pateli and Lioukas for the effect of functional involvement in a distributed collaborative product development environment. This study explores the external and internal knowledge transfer and how it affects early-stage, late-stage, and the overall product development process. Findings present a knowledge-sharing toolset that enhances innovation in all stages of product development overcoming the environmental factors to improve early and late-stage development through a two-way knowledge-transfer loop with distributed stakeholders. An encouraging management culture is found as key for transparent knowledge transfer across cross-functional teams. The organizational structure and management style play an important role for both external and internal distribution of knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cold-formed steel (CFS) is a popular form of construction in New Zealand and the developed world because it can be cost-effective, durable, sustainable, resilient to extreme environmental and seismic loads and easy to install. When used in domestic and medium-rise buildings, T-Stub connection between CFS channel sections is formed by using self-drilling screws which connect the flanges. In the literature, no prior investigation on the tension capacity of such connection has been reported. Therefore, this paper describes a novel test procedure for determining the tension capacity of such CFS T-Stub connection and the associated mechanism of failure. An experimental test program that comprises thirty experimental tests is reported in this paper. Three channel section thicknesses were examined: 0.55 mm, 0.75 mm, and 0.95 mm. All specimens failed as a result of tilting of the screws and bearing failure. Non-linear elasto-plastic finite element (FE) models were developed, and the predictions were validated against the experimental test results. It was adjudged that there was reasonable agreement in terms of connection strength and failure mode prediction. Finally, the design strengths derived from current design standards were compared with the experimental failure loads. It was found that the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI 2016) and Australian and New Zealand Standard (AS/NZS 2018) are conservative by 6% and unconservative by 10% for the initial and final failure loads of T-Stub CFS connections, respectively. • A novel cold-formed steel T-stub connection was studied experimentally and numerically. • The results of a total of 30 new experimental tests were reported. • Finite element analysis was conducted and validated against the test results. • The prediction accuracy of current design standards was evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies have found high discomfort issues in green buildings where occupants find it too cold during the winter and too hot during the summer. Green buildings are highly climate responsive since they are usually dependent upon natural ventilation and natural daylight. In conventional buildings, occupants are not so dependent on the building design to moderate temperature and lighting. This paper investigates occupants responses to discomfort in conventional and green buildings to better understand how they behave, and whether they behave differently. This study examines what people do when they are too hot or too cold. Three coping mechanism were tested (i) environmental adjustment, (ii) personal adjustment and (iii) psychological adjustment. Results in this paper showed that in response to being cold, occupants in green buildings engaged more in personal adjustments, less environmental adjustment, and more in psychological adjustment compared to conventional buildings. While in response to being hot, these coping mechanisms were less apparent. The paper examines what adjustments people make when they are too hot or too cold, and compares these behaviours in different building types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For a variety of reasons, dairy sector indebtedness has increased in recent years. However, it is not clear whether increased debt boosts or damages the economic performance of dairy farms. This paper provides empirical evidence by exploring the effects of farm debt measured by debt-to-asset ratio on dairy productivity and profitability, using the New Zealand DairyBase data of 2,637 dairy farms for a 10-yr period 2005 to 2014. A fixed-effects panel data model is utilized for the empirical analysis. The findings show that farm debt is significantly and negatively associated with both dairy productivity and profitability. We find that dairy productivity is positively determined by production intensification, irrigation intensity, milking frequency, cattle breeds and stocking rate, whereas dairy profitability is positively affected by milk price, business type, milking frequency, and stocking rate. Further analyses reveal that the debt ratio significantly decreases both the technical efficiency of dairy farms and return on assets; a high debt ratio increased dairy productivity between 2005 and 2009, whereas it decreased dairy productivity between 2011 and 2014; the effects of the debt ratio on dairy profitability vary over time. The analysis for a 10-yr balanced panel data (250 farms) shows that debt ratio does not significantly affect both dairy productivity and profitability, which suggests that the presence of farm-specific attributes such as farm life cycle and managerial ability of dairy farmers may also affect the debt ratio and through this farm performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shore platforms are generally supply-limited environments and few studies have attempted to measure sediment transport within this rock coast setting. This paper summarises a field-based pilot study that successfully collected fine-grain sediment moving across a sub-horizontal platform at Mudstone Bay, Kaikōura, New Zealand. Two large-aperture and two small-aperture Time-Integrated Mass-sediment Samplers (TIMS) were deployed for 9-days, encompassing 2 days of storm conditions (offshore significant wave heights between 2.0 and 3.6 m, with sediment trapped in both landward and seaward facing directions. The net flux of sediment captured in large aperture samplers was greatest in a seaward-direction (15.2 g), whereas the narrow-mouth samplers, that principally collected suspended sediment had a net onshore flux (5.4 g). The sediment traps yielded sufficient sample to undertake geochemical and textural analysis. Interpretation of these data suggests that the origin of transported material was autochthonous to the platform, being >80 % silt-sized and compositionally consistent with material derived from the shore platform and/or cliff colluvium. This pilot experiment demonstrates that mass-sediment samplers can be used in supply-limited intertidal shore platform settings. Further research involving greater sampling frequency and duration and concomitant detailed hydrodynamic measurements are likely to reveal important insights into the erosion environment. • TIMS can be used on an intertidal shore platform to collect saltating and suspended sediment in bi-directional flow. • Sediment caught in sufficient amounts to conduct provenance and geochemical analysis • Storm conditions were most favourable to collect both saltating and suspended sediment at Kaikōura. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports laboratory testing and numerical modelling on the cross-sectional behaviour and resistances of press-braked S690 high strength steel slender channel section stub columns under combined compression and minor-axis bending. A testing programme, including initial geometric imperfection measurements and ten minor-axis eccentric compression tests, was firstly conducted. This was accompanied by a numerical modelling programme, including a validation study, where finite element models were developed and validated against test results, and a series of parametric studies, where the validated finite element models were used to generate further numerical data. The obtained test and numerical data were then adopted to evaluate the current codified design interaction curves for press-braked S690 high strength steel slender channel section stub columns under combined compression and minor-axis bending, as provided in the European code, North American specification and Australian/New Zealand standard. The evaluation results revealed that the codified design interaction curves led to conservative and scattered resistance predictions, mainly due to the conservative end points (i.e. the cross-section compression and bending resistances). Finally, a new design interaction curve, anchored to more accurate end points, was proposed and shown to result in a higher level of design accuracy and consistency than the codified design interaction curves. • The behaviour of S690 high strength steel slender channel sections under minor-axis combined loading was studied. • Minor-axis eccentric compression tests were carried out. • FE models were developed and validated against the test results and then used to perform parametric studies. • The codified design interaction curves were evaluated, revealing a high level of conservatism. • A new interaction curve, anchored to the CSM end points, was proposed and shown to yield higher design accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The web crippling behaviour of cold-formed steel channel section having elongated edge-stiffened web holes under interior-two-flange loading condition was studied numerically. • The results of a total of 1,227 new finite element analysis were reported. • Design formulae for the web crippling strength reduction factor were suggested. • A direct strength method (DSM) equation was also presented to evaluate web crippling strength. In the past decade, cold-formed steel (CFS) channel sections having circular edge-stiffened web holes have been developed in New Zealand. Such edge-stiffened holes increase the strength of the CFS channel sections, compared to an equivalent section having unstiffened holes, while still allowing full service integration. In the case of web crippling, previous research has found that use of edge-stiffened holes almost results in the same strength of an equivalent channel-section having a plain web. Such circular edge-stiffened web holes can now be extended to elongated edge-stiffened web holes. However, for such elongated holes, no experimental tests have been reported in the literature. In this paper, a numerical investigation was carried out, and non-linear finite element (FE) analyses were used to investigate the web crippling behaviour of CFS channel sections having edge-stiffened web holes under the interior-two-flange (ITF) loading condition. The cases of both flange fastened and flange unfastened were considered. The FE models were validated against test results of sections having circular edge-stiffened web holes; good agreement in terms of the load–displacement curves and deformed shapes was shown. Using the validated FE models, a parametric study was carried out on CFS channel sections having elongated un-stiffened and edge-stiffened web holes, comprising 1,227 finite element analyses (FEA) results. Compared to sections having a plain web, for the case of an elongated opening, without any edge-stiffener, having an aspect ratio of two and three, the average reduction in web crippling strength was 39% and 49%, respectively. However, for an edge-stiffened hole, the reduction in the web crippling strength was reduced to only 2% and 16%, respectively. Finally, the design equations in the form of the web crippling reduction factor (R p) and the equations based on the direct strength method (DSM) for CFS sections with elongated web holes were proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate multi-node load forecasting is the key to the safe, reliable, and economical operation of the power system. However, the dynamic nature of load and the coupling nature of networks are difficult to extract, making consistent and accurate forecasting of node load rather difficult. In this regard, this paper proposes a soft sharing multi-task deep learning method for multi-node load forecasting in the power system. It has the following aspects: (1) Considering the coupling characteristics of the node network, a multi-modal feature module, based on the inception strategy and gated temporal convolutional network (GTCN), is firstly designed to explore the coupling features implied in the node load data. (2) A novel multi-objective neural network model is proposed to achieve simultaneous prediction of multi-node load by integrating the multi-modal feature module and gated recurrent unit (GRU). For sharing the learning information of sub-networks, this paper uses the soft sharing mechanism to capture load features, which can better optimize the prediction task for each node load simultaneously. Load data from the New Zealand distribution network and AEMO are used to compare the proposed model's performance in various scenarios using regression metrics such as mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), Weighted Mean Accuracy (WMA), root mean squared logarithmic error (RMSLE), and Diebold–Mariano (DM). The simulation results show that the proposed method can explore the spatial–temporal coupling characteristics in multi-node load data. Compared with existing state-of-the-art multi-node load prediction methods, our proposed method's MAPE decrease 17.04% and 3.92% in Non-aggregation and Aggregation situations. • A novel deep multi-task learning method is proposed for the multi-node forecasting problem. • An IGTCN module is designed to extract the coupling features from different node loads. • The multi-task deep neural network exhibits the accuracy of multi-node load forecasting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Structural performance of cold-formed steel built-up section members under synchronous non-uniform bending and compression was investigated. • Thirty-five beam-column tests under unequal end moments were conducted to examine the effect of moment gradients. • Failure modes involving local, distortional and flexural buckling were found in the experiments. • Comparisons of experimental loading capacities with nominal strengths were performed to evaluate existing design rules. • Reliability analysis was performed to examine the appropriateness of current design codes. The experimental study presented in this paper aimed to examine the performance of cold-formed steel built-up section beam-columns experiencing non-uniform bending. The test program was performed on built-up open and closed sections that were manufactured from steel grades G500 and G550 zinc-coated sheets. The test specimens were assembled by connecting two identical channels with discrete connectors along the longitudinal direction. Two member lengths and two plate thicknesses were considered for the test specimens to investigate the stability of the newly designed thin-walled section beam-columns. In total, thirty-five beam-column tests were carried out under pinned supports. The test results including loading capacity, failure mode and axial load-lateral deflection response were obtained and are fully reported in this paper. Moreover, the comparison of experimental loading capacities with nominal strengths was conducted to evaluate the applicability of the interaction curves specified in the North American Specification AISI S100, the Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 4600, the European Code EN 1993–1-1 and the American Specification ANSI/AISC 360 with nominal bending and compression resistances calculated by direct strength method for the thin-walled section beam-column members under moment gradients. Overall, these design methods were conservative for strength predictions of the built-up open section beam-column members under unequal end moments. For the built-up closed section members experiencing synchronous non-uniform bending and compression, the aforementioned design methods generally offered slightly conservative strength predictions, except for the interactive formula in the European Code with bending and compression resistances determined by direct strength method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of seismically low-damage structures was introduced by researchers to decrease the likelihood of irreparable damage as well improving the response of the structure. The need to shift from conventional ductile design to a less ductility (damage) oriented design was emphasised by different researchers in New Zealand and across the world back in the 1990s and 2000s. Damage Avoidance Design (DAD) philosophy introduced in the early 2000s took the idea of low-damage design to another level. Self-centring is the main aspect of a DAD designed. However, the need to change the seismic design philosophy was mostly felt by the community and decisions makers after the considerable financial and social loss resulted from the 2011 Christchurch earthquake. Several damage-avoidance concepts and solutions have been introduced and developed in the past. However, most of these solutions haven't been widely implemented in practice because of the complexity and extra construction costs. This research aims to overcome this gap by introducing a new solution that can be easily adopted by the construction industry without imposing extra complexity and construction costs. This paper presents the development of a new innovative seismic device named as Self-Centring Structural Connector (SSC) as a new self-centring friction damping device. The main purpose of this device is to provide a cost-efficient yet flexible solution to achieve a range of efficient DAD structures in practice. In this paper, the principles of the force-deflection relationship for the SSC is analytically developed and validated through experimental investigation. In addition, the influence of various parameters affecting joint performance are studied through an analytical model. Finally, some possible applications of this device are introduced. As per the findings based on the analytical modelling and experimental investigation, it can be observed that the joint performs well to achieve the design and construction objectives making it a suitable solution for DAD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Built-up box sections are becoming increasingly popular for column members in cold-formed steel (CFS) construction; uses of such sections include CFS trusses, space frames, and portal frames. In this article, the built-up box sections are formed through two identical lipped channels connected at their flanges with self-drilling screws. In such an arrangement, independent buckling of the individual channels is prevented by the screws. This paper presents an experimental investigation on axial capacity of built-up CFS box sections. Tests were conducted for different values of slenderness from short to slender columns. In total, the results from 16 experimental tests are reported. Of these, 8 tests were conducted on built-up CFS box sections and the remaining 8 tests were conducted on single channel sections. Load-axial shortening relationship, and failure modes are discussed for built-up columns. Nonlinear finite element (FE) models were developed for built-up CFS box sections and single channels. FE models considered material nonlinearities, initial imperfections and modeling of intermediate fasteners. FE results showed good agreement against the test results. A parametric study was conducted which comprises 148 models to investigate the effect of fastener spacing on axial capacity of built-up CFS box sections. Both FE and test results were compared against the design strengths calculated in accordance with the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) and Australian and New Zealand Standards (AS/NZS). From the comparison, it was observed that the AISI & AS/NZS are conservative by around 17% while determining the axial capacity of such built-up CFS box columns. • Experimental tests were conducted on CFS built-up box sections under axial compression. • Results from an experimental regime and elasto-plastic finite element are reported. • Local and overall imperfections are considered in FE models • The validated FE model was used for a parametric study to investigate the effect of screw spacing. • The design strengths in accordance with the AISI & AS/NZS are conservative by around 17% for CFS built-up box columns [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) columns are adopted in many structural applications, especially for tall buildings, bridges and large infrastructure due to their substantial structural and economic benefits. However, the design guidelines for CFST columns with high strength materials and slender sections are still limited. In acknowledging these limitations, a large number of tests on high strength CFST columns have been conducted. In this paper, the most recent experimental data on CFST columns with high strength materials and slender sections are collected and merged with existing databases to establish a comprehensive database with over 3100 tests. The test results are then compared with those predicted from existing design codes, including Eurocode 4, Australian/New Zealand code AS/NZS 2327 and American code AISC 360-16 to calibrate their accuracy in strength prediction of CFST columns. In general, all codes give conservative predictions for CFST columns. Eurocode 4 and AS/NZS 2327 give the best predictions, whilst AISC 360-16 gives conservative predictions. The effects of material strengths and section slenderness on the code predictions are also investigated to evaluate the applicability of the codes beyond their material strength and section slenderness limits. • A comprehensive database of 3103 tests on CFST columns was collected. • Test results were compared with the predictions from three modern design codes. • The effects of material strengths and section slenderness on the code predictions were examined. • The applicability of the design codes beyond their material strength and section slenderness limits was evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an application of the Digital Image Correlation (DIC) based technique to investigate the block shear failure mode of bolted connections made of high strength cold-reduced G450 sheet steel. In conjunction with the conventional testing approach, the DIC provides detailed failure information on connection behaviour and its correlation with macroscopic material tests. A total number of 12 tests of 3 mm thickness specimens were tested at the University of Sydney. The experimental results provide a better understanding on how the failure of the bolted connections progress. The features of the new block shear equations recently adopted in the North American Specification for Design of Cold-Formed Steel Structural Members (AISI S100:2016) and the Australian/New Zealand Standards 4600:2018 Cold-Formed Steel Structures have been clarified. • A block shear failure experimental program of bolted connections using high strength G450 sheet steel is performed. • The Digital Image Correlation (DIC) is used to observe the failure of the bolted connections. • Test results are compared with the predictions in AISI S100:2016 and AS/NZS 4600:2018. • The average shear area used in the block shear equation in the latest AISI S100:2016 and AS/NZS 4600:2018 has been confirmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Historic exclusion and marginalisation of Indigenous peoples and knowledge contributed to the creation of path dependency in settler colonial societies. • Institutions that manage flood risk and rivers reflect hegemonic social values. • Inclusion of different types of knowledge into flood risk management can disrupt path dependency within institutions. Scholars frequently identify how path dependency serves to constrain the process of climate adaptation and is a key feature of maladaptation. Most studies, however, centre on theoretical, rather than empirical-based discussions of what path dependency is, how it occurs, and what factors assist in breaking path dependency. This paper provides a case study for the creation, maintenance, and attempts to break path dependency within the management of rivers in the Rangitāiki Plains of Aotearoa New Zealand from the 1890s until 2017. We deploy a historical institutionalist theorising on path dependency and institutional arrangements, while also incorporating ideas from indigenous and postcolonial scholarship, which extends current understandings of the factors that contribute towards path dependency at a local level. Through archival research, we demonstrate how successive generations of government policies and actions directed with a specific goal and underpinned by the hegemonic social values created a profoundly path dependent system of managing rivers and flood events. Increased flood vulnerability is one of the direct consequences of the plethora of freshwater engineering interventions which were (and are still) undertaken on the Rangitāiki Plains over the last century. The foundation of this path dependency, we argue, resides with the processes of indigenous dispossession and the marginalisation of Māori values from environmental governance and policy. Efforts to break path dependency, therefore, involve the formal recognition of Māori governance, values, and knowledge within policies, and the translation of Māori values into tangible actions that seek to destabilise Western command-and control approaches to flood risk management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Risks and challenges for the international wine industry are increasingly complex. • Novel socio-ecological resilience framework applied to assess characteristics of resilience in the wine industry. • Assessment empirically applied to recent earthquake in Marlborough wine region (New Zealand). • Critical vulnerabilities and opportunities to enhance resilience identified. • Provides the basis for further conceptual development of resilience assessment. Abstract This paper examines resilience through a case study of New Zealand's largest wine region following a damaging earthquake in late-2016. Resilience assessment for the wine industry to date has largely focused on characterising risks and responses as a function of organisational and business management practices. Less in known about socio-ecological characteristics of resilience and how these shape and influence response capabilities and capacity to low-frequency, high-magnitude events within the broader context of other risks. The research employs a resilience-based framework to identify and assess relevant properties incorporating a whole-of-value-chain perspective. The participatory approach includes semi-structured interviews with stakeholders, including wine business managers, wine researchers, industry bodies and others involved in the production and distribution of wine; document analysis (media and emergency response reports), and insurance assessments. Results show the earthquake had direct impacts on infrastructure, with indirect impacts and implications in particular for transportation and logistics, affecting the industry's ability to mitigate losses. Resilience varies across the region and the industry, in part as a function of size, scale, and ownership structure of the operation, which in turn influences future levels of preparedness. Resilience analysis provides conceptual and methodological tools for assessing the capacity of socio-ecological systems to recover from shocks and stresses. The framework developed here provides a useful conceptual and theoretical basis for further assessments and can inform the design of resilience indices to monitor organisations' capacity to absorb shocks and prepare for future uncertainty. This type of analysis can help identify system-critical vulnerabilities and sensitivities and inform the development of strategies to develop specified and general resilience in the face of multiple stressors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract This work was supported by the Woolf Fisher Trust and the Cambridge Commonwealth, European and International Trust, in the form of a Woolf Fisher Scholarship (2014). Highlights • Few studies explore the processes and possible impacts of adaptation constraints. • A lack of empirical depth means that they are often ignored in policy formulation. • This paper proposes a method for exploring the empirics of adaptation constraints. • Numerical preference functions are estimated for 15 salient constraints. • These constraints could be modelled quantitatively and should no longer be ignored. Abstract The concept of adaptation constraints has become well known in the climate change literature. It describes impediments to the process of adaptation that could in principle be overcome but often are not. Many adaptation constraints have been identified and described in the literature across a wide range of contexts, and the importance of their influence on climate change adaptation is clear. However most studies have focussed on describing constraints rather than exploring their origins, processes, and possible impacts. As a consequence, it has been difficult to operationalise the concept to provide information meaningful to decision makers. This study demonstrates an approach to estimating empirically the processes and the impacts of adaptation constraints, based on a case-study of farmers in New Zealand. It combines established social scientific methods to explore the processes underlying a range of adaptation constraints and estimate the impacts that these constraints may have. The approach can be used to explore further the social and economic impacts of adaptation constraints. This information can then be used to consider sub-optimal adaptation to climate change more fully, and paves the way for policy responses that are more conscious of the human elements of climate change adaptation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an extensive experimental investigation of the circular recycled aggregate concrete filled steel tubes (RACFST) stub columns under to axial compression to assess their cross-section behaviour. Recycled aggregate concrete is a sustainable concrete produced with recycled coarse aggregate (RAC) from demolition wastes generally used to fabricate non-structural elements. When compared with natural coarse aggregate (NCA), the recycled coarse aggregate presents lower mechanical properties due to physical and chemical changes that occurred during the recycling process, and thus the resulting RAC possess lower strength than the conventional natural aggregate concrete. However, the confinement provided by the circular steel tube can increase the strength and ductility of RAC in recycled aggregate concrete filled steel tubes (RACFST) columns. The test programme presented in this paper comprised twenty-three composite columns with replacement ratios (the mass percentages of the NCA replaced by RCA in concrete) corresponding to 0% (nature coarse aggregate), 30 and 50% (recycled aggregate concrete), plus four steel columns used for comparison. The experiments have shown that, as anticipated, the concrete core enhances the composite section load-carrying capacity. However, the control over the contents of this concrete core influences the composite section's ductility. If the fill material presents a brittle behaviour, stress redistributions occur in both steel and concrete to compensate for this effect. Since the behaviour of natural aggregate concrete filled steel tubes (NACFST) and RACFST columns are similar, the present paper starts from a study based on a comparative assessment of the recommendations presented in ABNT NBR 8800, ABNT NBR 16239, AISC 360–16, Eurocode 4 and Australian/New Zealand AS/NZS 2327 design standards. These design recommendations proved to be consistent and in line with the performed experiments. Additionally, the results indicated that the cross-section slenderness ratio (D/t) and the confinement ratio directly influence the composite section response. [Display omitted] • An experimental programme was carried out comprising recycled aggregate concrete-filled steel tubular (RACFST) columns. • Different replacement ratios of the nature coarse aggregate replaced by recycled aggregate concrete were assessed. • The steel tubes were produced using a high-frequency induction welding process minimizing the residual stress effects. • The RACFST stub columns presented similar resistances with NACFST stub columns due to confinement contribution. • EC4 and AS/NZS 2327 predictions provide a good approach to be used to RACFST stub columns' design. • NBR 8800 and AISC 360-16 presented very conservative predictions for the columns' strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper develops an approach to Manuka honey quality classification, using feature reduction and support vector machines (SVMs). We have developed a database of hyperspectral images of honey, including different quality Manuka honey. This paper focusses on machine learning techniques, specifically SVMs, to classify the quality of Manuka honey. We discuss the different types of multi-class SVMs and show the advantages of their different hierarchical structures. We look to evaluate the often overlooked tree-based multi-class SVM structures as they could have some advantages for our type of dataset. We also propose an ensemble technique for classifying the multi-class hyperspectral honey dataset, mitigating a key drawback of these tree-based methods, that they cannot correct for misclassifications. The results show that in our Manuka honey dataset, the SVMs with hierarchical structures can outperform the parallel based SVM structures and had the best performance overall when used in combination with the class embodiment autoencoder. The new ensemble technique is outperforming the benchmark SVMs for all the evaluated feature reduction techniques and is solving a drawback of the tree-based SVMs. • A new tree-based SVM ensemble technique solving a drawback of single tree-based SVMs. • Introduced a new database extracted from hyperspectral images of New Zealand honey. • Experimental results show that tree-based SVMs can out-perform parallel based SVMs. • Experimental results show the ensemble outperforming the standard multi-class SVMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigations comparing surface downwearing rates derived from photogrammetry data and the micro-erosion meters (MEM) are limited due to the former's coarse spatial resolution and the temporal scale of data collection. These space and time limitations were revisited with the possibility of simultaneously using the Structure-from-Motion (SfM) photogrammetric workflow and the MEM. Using a cross-scale nested survey approach over one year to cover micro (10−2 m2) and meso (100 m2)-spatial scales, this paper presents erosion rates on uplifted intertidal shore platforms and marine terraces at Kaikōura Peninsula, New Zealand. The survey represents one of the first investigations combining the MEM and the SfM technique to estimate erosion rates on horizontal coastal bedrock. In a unique way, we applied established methods which allowed comparative accuracy between models via similar point matching to provide a detailed representation and visualisation of the changing rock surfaces at similar spatial and temporal scales. Over one year, across a microscale area (~0.01 m2) of rock, the MEM and SfM point clouds (SfM PCs) measured the lowest and highest erosion rates on a similar rock type and erosion site. The mean annual erosion rate of 2.244 mm/yr from the MEM was lower than the rates of 2.608 mm/yr and 10.299 mm/yr estimated using the SfM micro- and mesoscale PCs, respectively. A lower range of erosion rates (0.131 to 4.750 mm/yr) was measured using the MEM compared to erosion rates estimated from the SfM microscale PCs (0.194 to 10.106 mm/yr). Across the mesoscale (1 m2) areas, higher erosion rates were recorded using the SfM mesoscale PCs on all but one erosion site showing that a significant amount of erosion was undetected by the MEM. Using the SfM-orthomosaics, we link the erosion rates measured across the micro and mesoscale areas to intense granular disintegration, flaking, micro- and polygonal cracking and biological activities. These results provide statistical evidence to argue against extrapolating MEM erosion data obtained over small areas to larger areas on shore platforms affected by recent tectonic uplift. The implications of these findings are considered within the context of techniques for measuring shore platform erosion across spatial and temporal scales. • Erosion rates were acquired at similar spatial and temporal scales using MEM and SfM • A significant amount of shore platform erosion was undetected by the MEM • SfM PC models provided higher mean erosion rates for the micro (~0.01 m2) and mesoscale areas (1 m2) • Statistically similar mean erosion rates across microscale areas support substituting techniques. • MEM efficacy at capturing maximum erosion across microscale areas on the Kaikōura shore platforms has diminished [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This empirically-based paper examines how sustainability is implemented in tourism destination management organizations. By positing a conceptual model for sustainability implementation that is grounded in the academic literature and assessed in light of the empirical findings of the study presented here, this paper combines two strands of academic inquiry. Works on sustainability and its implementation offer the theoretical and practical context; implementation theory from the political sciences provides the conceptual context. Twenty interviews with 22 destination managers in nature-based tourism destinations in the Tyrolean Oberland and the South Island of New Zealand form the empirical basis of our study. Implementation processes are found to be non-linear and non-synchronous. Discretion of individuals and communication between destination stakeholders are decisive factors that influence implementation processes. Destination managers associate a wide range of projects with sustainability, and they prioritize implementing projects for economic sustainability. Sustainability successes as measured against SDGs 8 and 12 lack in concrete and holistic measures. • Sustainability implementation processes are non-linear and non-synchronous. • The different stages of implementation are subject to different external drivers. • Stakeholder communication and discretion affect all stages of implementation. • Destination managers associate numerous and different projects with sustainability. • Destination managers prioritize implementing economic sustainability projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cumulative effects in the marine environment increase the risk of environmental, economic or social collapse because the combined effects of new and existing marine industries, climate change and other stressors are often not accounted for in the determination of environmental capacity. Ecosystem-based management and the development of tools that translate complex social-ecological processes into dynamic, adaptable management strategies are needed to avoid these pitfalls. Previous work has highlighted disconnects between how cumulative effects are interpreted and assessed by science agencies, funding agencies, and management agencies, but has largely missed how investors are interpreting them. These social-ecological boundary and threshold issues illuminate the pivotal challenge of institutional change and agency behaviors that are needed to address cumulative effects. Using scenario planning techniques, a team of researchers from the Sustainable Seas National Science Challenge in Aotearoa New Zealand engaged key decision makers and stakeholders in creative thinking and constructive conversation aimed at bridging some of these institutional and behavioral disconnects. A range of different strategies regarding how to address cumulative effects were proposed by the assembled participants, but the need for collaborative networks that enable collective thought and action across boundaries was emphasized throughout the day. This paper explores the themes that emerged and some of the barriers that must be addressed to facilitate bold action on the topic of cumulative effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses the Energy Return on Energy Invested (EROI) and Energy Return on Carbon Emissions (EROC) of current wind energy farms in New Zealand. The weighted average EROI for a New Zealand wind energy farm over a 20 year life span is 34.3, with the highest achieving 57.7, while the lowest is 6.5. These values are higher than wind energy farms in Europe and America, which average about 20, and higher than many other electricity generation methods reported in the literature with hydropower being the main exception. The above-average capacity factor of New Zealand wind energy farms is the primary reason for the higher EROI values. The average EROC value for New Zealand's existing wind energy farms is 477 GJ/t CO 2 -e, which is 56 times the EROC of a combined cycle natural gas power station. The substantial range of EROI values are chiefly driven by two factors: (1) wind speed profile for a given site and (2) the blade diameter of the turbine, where greater values are better. The main drawback of wind energy is variability causing reliability issues and needing hydro power as a renewable buffer to keep emissions low. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A novel holistic method for off-grid microgrid planning optimisation is introduced. • The potential of state-of-the-art metaheuristics in better nearing global optimality is shown. • A high penetration of EVs are integrated using specific demand response strategies. • The importance of energy resilience in isolated microgrid sizing is highlighted. • The potentially significant impact of characterising uncertainties in optimal microgrid planning is substantiated. The resilient microgrid (MG) capacity planning and optimisation problem is widely recognised as a non-deterministic polynomial time-hard (NP-hard) problem. Accordingly, metaheuristics – top-level algorithms inspired by various natural and physical processes – can be utilised to determine the near optimality in designing MGs. However, a comprehensive review of the mainstream literature has shown that the performance of several metaheuristics has not yet been evaluated. In response, this paper first systematically benchmarks the efficiencies of previously unexplored metaheuristics in MG sizing applications against the well-established metaheuristic in the literature, namely the particle swarm optimisation (PSO) algorithm. To this end, the metaheuristics are separately integrated into a novel MG sizing method, which is aware of the optimal demand response capacity procured from electric vehicle (EV)-charging loads. Two grid-independent, 100%-renewable MGs are modelled, which enable the reliable and robust supply of electrical loads in areas far removed from the grid. Furthermore, an advanced EV-charging demand response program is integrated into the overall method, whilst quantifying various sources of time-series data uncertainty and considering specific resilience constraints. The simulation results yielded from three real-world isolated community case studies in Aotearoa-New Zealand confirm the effectiveness of the proposed stochastic, resilience-oriented, EV-charging demand response-addressable MG sizing method. Importantly, the comprehensive statistics-based performance evaluations indicate that new metaheuristics have the potential to outperform the PSO by up to ∼6% in MG sizing applications. This indicates the potentially significant implications of using advanced metaheuristics for improving the economics – and, therefore, rolling out – capital-intensive grid-isolated 100%-renewable MGs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study develops a definition of political public relations that incorporates concepts from leadership communication and crisis communication. It then applies this theoretical framework to the communication strategies employed by New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison during their early responses to the COVID-19 crisis. Qualitative content analysis was used to examine the frequency of various framing strategies shared via Twitter and Facebook, which aimed to persuade apprehensive citizens to comply with unprecedented stay-at-home orders to suppress virus transmission. The findings revealed that both leaders employed communication strategies consistent with models of effective communication during a major crisis but had notable differences in style, tone, and engagement. For instance, Ardern's greater use of rational strategies, performed authenticity, and empathy in her social media posts enabled her to reach a larger audience than Morrison. Ultimately, this paper argues that political public relations should encompass leadership and leadership communication to better understand how political leaders can manage future crises. • This study develops a definition of political public relaitons, that includes leadership communication and crisis communication. • It analyzes the social media communication strategies of two Prime Ministers during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, assessing their performances. • A core finding is that performed authenticity on social media channels increases message distribution and engagement. • The study provides detailed commentary on a range of rhetorical strategies for enhancing community resilience in crisis scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The structural behaviour of cold-formed steel T -stub connections with HRC and screws was studied experimentally and numerically. • The results of a total of 15 new experimental tests were reported. • Finite element analysis was conducted and validated against the test results. • The prediction accuracy of current design standards was evaluated. Cold-formed steel (CFS) T -Stub connections are widely used in single-story buildings, and their use is increasing in multi-story and long-span buildings. Recently, an innovative CFS T -Stub connection was developed using self-drilling screws and the Howick Rivet Connector (HRC), and such a newly-developed connection demonstrated excellent structural performance in the building industry. In this paper, a comprehensive experimental and numerical investigation was conducted to investigate the failure mechanism and structural behaviour of CFS T -Stub connections with a combination of HRC and screws under tension force, considering the effects of screw numbers. Firstly, a total of 15 new experimental tests were conducted on the CFS T -Stub connections with various numbers of screws. From the experiments, it was observed that the HRC was subjected to shear failures, while screws failed primarily due to tilting and bearing failures in all investigated specimens. Then, a non-linear elasto-plastic finite element (FE) model was developed and validated against the experimental results in terms of connection strength and failure modes. Finally, the design strengths obtained from the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI 2016) & Australia/New Zealand standards (AS/NZS 2018) and Ahmadi et al. (2016) were compared with the test and FEA results, showing that the ultimate design strength of CFS T -Stub connections was overestimated by 16% and 14%, respectively. However, for T -Stub connections with HRC alone and with HRC and one screw, these design guidelines were unconservative by 5%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Granular data-driven bottom-up modelling is a path to customer-centric energy utilities. • Real-world insights from New Zealand's largest gas and electricity distributor are shown. • The insights benefit from temporal and spatial analysis and data science techniques. • This approach is the platform for new applications such as scenario planning. In the current dynamic environment of rapid technology and behaviour change, customer centricity is essential to gain granular understanding of an increasingly diverse customer base. This paper presents how New Zealand's largest electricity and gas distribution operator is embracing this new ethos by developing a bottom-up data-driven model to understand customer energy use. The paper presents some key insights gained from this granular model to demonstrate the importance of customer- centricity for utility planning and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]