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Auckland is New Zealand's largest city and is the main international entry point to New Zealand, with most of the nation's Managed Isolation and Quarantine Facilities. Consequently, it is the place most likely for a COVID-19 outbreak to occur and, accordingly, has been the focus of efforts to monitor SARS-CoV-2 via wastewater-based epidemiology. Historically, wastewater-based epidemiology has mainly been applied at the catchment or sewershed scale, with samples collected at wastewater treatment plants. COVID-19 has necessitated a re-evaluation of this broad-scale approach to wastewaterbased epidemiology in New Zealand, where there is a need for more detailed information to better target the public health response. Using Auckland as a case study, this paper assesses the spatial and temporal extent of the city's wastewater network to inform the selection of strategic neighbourhoodscale sampling sites for wastewater-based epidemiology. Sample site selection criteria included topology and connectivity of the sewer network, the capacity to record sewer flow, limited rain infiltration, resident population, and accessibility. Six sites were identified that provide an immediate opportunity for neighbourhood-scale monitoring. Reflecting on the analysis required for selecting appropriate monitoring locations, the paper moves to critically discuss the key unknowns and research needs associated with conducting neighbourhoodscale wastewater-based epidemiology. Population mobility poses challenges for estimating population size and for capturing a positive SARS-CoV-2 signal in wastewater at this scale. There is a need to determine the full spectrum of residence times within the sewer network to design representative sampling and the implications of disregarding residence times in the current sampling regimes are poorly understood. Hydraulic models require refinement to accurately account for variable residence times and topological features in the network (e.g., holding tanks and pumping stations). Addressing these challenges is urgent and ongoing to realise the benefits of neighbourhood-scale wastewater-based epidemiology in response to COVID-19 and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance of identifying and improving the distinctiveness of historical urban landscapes as a means of reinforcing place identity and supporting economic development has been widely acknowledged. However, research on the economic and social performance of heritage conservation areas is slow to develop, especially in New Zealand. In connection to the examination of Special Character Areas (SCAs) in Auckland, this paper seeks to quantify the value of the historical urban landscape and improve its management. A property value analysis is used to assess the impact of SCA designation on property values and an online questionnaire survey gathers information on homeowners' experiences of living in an SCA. The results indicate that designated SCA properties have higher average values than non-designated properties and homeowners are appreciative of a sense of community and having certainty about the look and feel of their neighbourhood in the future. However, the majority of people who had gone through the processes of building and planning applications found it to be a negative experience because of the high cost in terms of time and money. A historic urban landscape approach to the development of management plans and design guidelines is recommended to improve the implementation of the Special Character Areas in Auckland and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the fight against the COVID‐19 pandemic, New Zealand stood out with its ambitious elimination goal and the small death count per capita. The country's strategy included full lockdown measures that were strict by international standards. In this paper we investigate whether New Zealand's strict lockdowns brought significant changes to the dwelling price capitalisation of environmental amenities. Our results show a nuanced landscape. While before the pandemic, Auckland homebuyers were willing to pay a premium for dwellings located adjacent to open spaces, such premium either vanished or became a penalty during the lockdown phases. There was also a significant premium for dwellings within 300 m of beaches. But again such premium either decreases or becomes a penalty across the lockdown phases. In addition, we find a preference for dwellings located further away from Auckland CBD. Hence, some amenities that used to have a positive (or neutral) impact on the price of a property have now become disamenities from homebuyers' perspective after the experience of the pandemic. This paper informs planners, policy‐makers and private actors with a better understanding of the behaviour of Auckland's housing market under the disruptions due to the pandemic and lockdowns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inhalation of asbestos fibres can cause lung inflammation and the later development of asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma, and the use of asbestos is banned in many countries. In most countries, large amounts of asbestos exists within building stock, buried in landfills, and in contaminated soil. Mechanical, thermal, and chemical treatment options do exist, but these are expensive, and they are not effective for contaminated soil, where only small numbers of asbestos fibres may be present in a large volume of soil. Research has been underway for the last 20 years into the potential use of microbial action to remove iron and other metal cations from the surface of asbestos fibres to reduce their toxicity. To access sufficient iron for metabolism, many bacteria and fungi produce organic acids, or iron-chelating siderophores, and in a growing number of experiments these have been found to degrade asbestos fibres in vitro. This paper uses the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and 16S amplicon sequencing to investigate the fungal and bacterial diversity found on naturally-occurring asbestos minerals, asbestos-containing building materials, and asbestos-contaminated soils with a view to later selectively culturing promising species, screening them for siderophore production, and testing them with asbestos fibres in vitro. After filtering, 895 ITS and 1265 16S amplicon sequencing variants (ASVs) were detected across the 38 samples, corresponding to a range of fungal, bacteria, cyanobacterial, and lichenized fungal species. Samples from Auckland (North Island, New Zealand) asbestos cement, Auckland asbestos-contaminated soils, and raw asbestos rocks from Kahurangi National Park (South Island, New Zealand) were comprised of very different microbial communities. Five of the fungal species detected in this study are known to produce siderophores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The age–period–cohort problem has been studied for decades but without resolution. There have been many suggested solutions to make the three effects estimable, but these solutions mostly exploit non-linear specifications. Yet, these approaches may suffer from misspecification or omitted variable bias. This paper is a practical-oriented study with an aim to empirically disentangle age–period–cohort effects by providing external information on the actual depreciation of housing structure rather than taking age as a proxy. It is based on appraisals of the improvement values of properties in New Zealand to estimate the age-depreciation effect. This research method provides a novel means of solving the identification problem of the age, period, and cohort trilemma. Based on about half a million housing transactions from 1990 to 2019 in the Auckland Region of New Zealand, the results show that traditional hedonic prices models using age and time dummy variables can result, ceteris paribus, in unreasonable positive depreciation rates. The use of the improvement values model can help improve the accuracy of home value assessment and reduce estimation biases. This method also has important practical implications for property valuations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Governments around the world are seeking to slow the spread of Covid-19 by implementing measures that encourage, or mandate, changes in people's behaviour. These changes include the wearing of face masks, social distancing, and testing and self-isolating when unwell. The success of these measures depends on the commitment of individuals to change their behaviour accordingly. Understanding and predicting the motivation of individuals to change their behaviour is therefore critical in assessing the likely effectiveness of these measures in slowing the spread of the virus. In this paper we draw on a novel framework, the I3 Compliance Response Framework, to understand and predict the motivation of residents in Auckland, New Zealand, to comply with measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19. The Framework is based on two concepts. The first uses the involvement construct to predict the motivation of individuals to comply. The second separates the influence of the policy measure from the influence of the policy outcome on the motivation of individuals to comply. In short, the Framework differentiates between the strength of individuals' motivation and their beliefs about the advantages and disadvantages of policy outcomes and policy measures. We found this differentiation was useful in predicting an individual's possible behavioural responses to a measure and discuss how it could assist government agencies to develop strategies to enhance compliance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global and national policy frameworks emphasize the importance of people's participation and volunteers' role in disaster risk reduction. While research has extensively focused on volunteers in disaster response and recovery, less attention has been paid on how organizations involved in disaster risk management can support volunteers in leading and coordinating community-based disaster risk reduction. In 2019, the New Zealand Red Cross piloted the Good and Ready initiative in Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand, with the objective to empower local people in resilience building with a focus on volunteers and community participation. This research examined the positive and negative outcomes of Good and Ready and investigated volunteers' experiences in the disaster resilience initiative. It involved the codesign of a questionnaire-based survey using participatory methods with Good and Ready volunteers, the dissemination of the survey to gather volunteers' viewpoints, and a focus group discussion with participatory activities with Red Cross volunteers. The findings highlight that a key challenge lies in finding a balance between a program that provides flexibility to address contextual issues and fosters communities' ownership, versus a prescriptive and standardized approach that leaves little room for creativity and self-initiative. It pinpoints that supporting volunteers with technical training is critical but that soft skills training such as coordinating, communicating, or facilitating activities at the local level are needed. It concludes that the sustainability of Good and Ready requires understanding and meeting volunteers' motivations and expectations and that enhancing partnerships with local emergency management agencies would strengthen the program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increase in geoheritage studies has secured recognition globally regarding the importance of abiotic natural features. Prominent in geoheritage screening practices follows a multicriteria assessment framework; however, the complexity of interest in values often causes decision making to overlook geoeducation, one of the primary facets of geosystem services. Auckland volcanic field in New Zealand stretches through the whole area of metropolitan Auckland, which helps preserve volcanic cones and their cultural heritage around its central business district (CBD). They are important sites for developing tourist activities. Geoeducation is becoming a significant factor for tourists and others visiting geomorphological features, but it cannot be achieved without sound planning. This paper investigates the use of big data (FlickR), Geopreservation Inventory, and Geographic Information System for identifying geoeducation capacity of tourist attractions. Through landform classification using the Topographic Position Index and integrated with geological and the inventory data, the underpromoted important geoeducation sites can be mapped and added to the spatial database Auckland Council uses for urban planning. The use of the Geoeducation Capacity Map can help resolve conflicts between the multiple objectives that a bicultural, metropolitan city council need to tackle in the planning of upgrading open spaces while battling of growing demand for land. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lung cancer screening can significantly reduce mortality from lung cancer. Further evidence about how to optimize lung cancer screening for specific populations, including Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ)'s Indigenous Māori (who experience disproportionately higher rates of lung cancer), is needed to ensure it is equitable. This community-based, pragmatic cluster randomized trial aims to determine whether a lung cancer screening invitation from a patient's primary care physician, compared to from a centralized screening service, will optimize screening uptake for Māori. Participating primary care practices (clinics) in Auckland, Aotearoa NZ will be randomized to either the primary care-led or centralized service for delivery of the screening invitation. Clinic patients who meet the following criteria will be eligible: Māori; aged 55–74 years; enrolled in participating clinics in the region; ever-smokers; and have at least a 2% risk of developing lung cancer within six years (determined using the PLCOM2012 risk prediction model). Eligible patients who respond positively to the invitation will undertake shared decision-making with a nurse about undergoing a low dose CT scan (LDCT) and an assessment for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The primary outcomes are: 1) the proportion of eligible population who complete a risk assessment and 2) the proportion of people eligible for a CT scan who complete the CT scan. Secondary outcomes include evaluating the contextual factors needed to inform the screening process, such as including assessment for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). We will also use the RE-AIM framework to evaluate specific implementation factors. This study is a world-first, Indigenous-led lung cancer screening trial for Māori participants. The study will provide policy-relevant information on a key policy parameter, invitation method. In addition, the trial includes a nested analysis of COPD in the screened Indigenous population, and it provides baseline (T0 screen round) data using RE-AIM implementation outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To prevent disease outbreaks, refugee children must be age-appropriately immunised. This qualitative study gained an in-depth understanding of refugee mothers' vaccine decision-making and experiences accessing immunisation services for their children post-resettlement in Aotearoa New Zealand. Methods: An interpretive description methodology involving focus groups with refugee mothers (N = 45) was conducted in Auckland, one of the resettlement locations. Mothers were asked about their perceptions of vaccine-preventable diseases and vaccines, their experiences of attending immunisation events, and their suggestions for improvements to immunisation services. Data were analysed following the phases of reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Four themes were constructed. Do I have a choice? Mothers displayed pro-vaccination sentiments and parental obligation to vaccinate their children to protect their health, which underpinned their compliance with the national vaccine schedule. Transnational vaccine perceptions and behaviours It was evident that comparing their health experiences in their origin countries reinforced their positive perceptions of and trust in vaccines, health providers and their recommendations, the health system and government in New Zealand. Information sharing with their transnational networks had the potential to influence vaccine perceptions and behaviours in home and host countries. Unanswered questions and concerns Mothers discussed how many of their questions and concerns about immunisations and post-vaccine management went unanswered. Relationships and experiences matter Mothers stressed the importance of who vaccinated their child and how it was administered, highlighting that health providers' demeanour and competence influence their immunisation experiences. Conclusions: Health providers are encouraged to focus on creating a positive immunisation experience for refugee background families. Qualified interpreters and provision of culturally and linguistically appropriate information are required. Transnationalism at the individual level appears to influence vaccine perceptions and behaviours among refugee-background mothers. Future research focusing on caregivers with child(ren) who are not fully vaccinated would be beneficial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate, high‐resolution and sector‐specific greenhouse gas emissions information is increasingly needed for the development of local, targeted mitigation policies. We describe a detailed, spatially and temporally resolved CO2 emissions data product, Mahuika‐Auckland, for Auckland, New Zealand, based on Auckland's regional greenhouse gas and air emissions inventories. Emissions are provided at 500 m spatial resolution and at a 1‐hr time step, a level of detail not previously available for any New Zealand city. We divide fossil fuel emissions into six sectors that comprise the majority of Auckland Region's CO2 emissions profile: on‐road transport, industrial non‐point buildings and point sources, commercial non‐point buildings, residential non‐point buildings, air transport and sea transport. We also include separate layers representing biogenic CO2 emissions (primarily waste and wood burning), as these are significant sources in Auckland. We distribute emissions spatially and temporally based on activity data, energy and fuel consumption patterns, and population statistics. The code to generate Mahuika‐Auckland has been designed to be flexible so that updated information and/or data from more recent years can easily be incorporated. This data product improves upon New Zealand's current inventories that are only resolved at the regional and annual scale, providing a new level of detail that can be used as a prior estimate for atmospheric inversions, to inform emissions reduction policies and to guide the development of zero carbon pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On 16 March 2020 the District Court in Auckland, New Zealand, had its first sitting as a court dedicated exclusively to cases where issues of fitness to stand trial or insanity had been raised. The impetus for these court sittings, called 'the CPMIP Court' [after the Criminal Procedure (Mentally Impaired Persons) Act 2003], was to reduce delays for mentally impaired defendants, and improve the coverage and efficiency of mental health advice to the Court from both Court Liaison Nurses and Health Assessors (Psychiatrists and Psychologists). This article looks at the model in operation and reflects on some early outcome data, as the possibility of further expansion of this model is contemplated in other regions. We also consider broader challenges currently facing mentally impaired defendants in New Zealand's criminal justice system, and argue that other innovative judicial approaches such as the establishment of problem-solving mental health courts should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Prevalence of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is high among Māori and other Pacific Island peoples in New Zealand. Current health services to address T2DM largely take place in primary healthcare settings and have, overall, failed to address the significant health inequities among Māori and Pacific people with T2DM. Culturally comprehensive T2DM management programmes, aimed at addressing inequities in Māori or Pacific diabetes management and workforce development, are not extensively available in New Zealand. Deliberate strategies to improve cultural safety, such as educating health professionals and fostering culturally safe practices must be priority when funding health services that deliver T2DM prevention programmes. There is a significant workforce of community-based, non-clinical workers in South Auckland delivering diabetes self-management education to Māori and Pacific peoples. There is little information on the perspectives, challenges, effectiveness, and success of dietitians, community health workers and kai manaaki (KM) in delivering these services. This study aimed to understand perspectives and characteristics of KM and other community-based, non-clinical health workers, with a focus on how they supported Māori and Pacific Peoples living with T2DM to achieve better outcomes.Methods: This qualitative study undertaken was underpinned by the Tangata Hourua research framework. Focus groups with dietitians, community health workers (CHWs) and KM took place in South Auckland, New Zealand. Thematic analysis of the transcripts was used to identify important key themes.Results: Analysis of focus group meetings identified three main themes common across the groups: whakawhanaungatanga (actively building relationships), cultural safety (mana enhancing) and cultural alignment to role, with a further two themes identified only by the KM and CHWs, who both strongly associated a multidisciplinary approach to experiences of feeling un/valued in their roles, when compared with dietitians. Generally, all three groups agreed that their roles required good relationships with the people they were working with and an understanding of the contexts in which Māori and Pacific Peoples with T2DM lived.Conclusions: Supporting community based, non-clinical workers to build meaningful and culturally safe relationships with Māori and Pacific people has potential to improve diabetes outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a prevalent chronic health disease in New Zealand (NZ), which disproportionately affects Pacific populations. Furthermore, Pacific patients have the lowest rates of anti-diabetic medication adherence in NZ. We have investigated the adherence to oral metformin at a South Auckland based Pacific-focused general practice (PFGP) with numerous interventions targeted towards the Pacific population. We then compared our results with regional and national NZ-based studies on metformin adherence, to see if there is increased metformin adherence at PFGP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]