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Formal narratives of New Zealand science have largely focused on the development of science infrastructure in New Zealand since the appointment of James Hector to head the New Zealand Geological Survey in 1865. This short communication uses the discourses of the 2015 conference,Finding New Zealand’s Scientific Heritageto explore the impact of institutional history, and the high number of participants (for example, retired scientists), on New Zealand historiography of science. I suggest this approach has resulted in the absenting or camouflaging of the contribution of women. The short communication then explores approaches that might mitigate against these effects, suggesting ‘starting thought from women's lives’ (Harding S. 1991. Whose science? Whose knowledge? Thinking from women’s lives. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, p. 150) as a primary mode for novel revisions of history of science in New Zealand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of information technology during the COVID-19 pandemic raises significant questions around the protection of personal data in a disaster. This paper considers how the clear benefits of using and sharing such data in disaster scenarios can be achieved while recognising an individual's right to privacy through examining the experiences of Taiwan and New Zealand. These states represent two successful COVID-19 response strategies which utilised different approaches to the use of technology. In Taiwan, the response made significant use of personal data and information technology. New Zealand, by contrast, has relied upon stringent lockdowns and extreme limits upon personal freedoms. The paper considers the different approaches to data and privacy that underpinned these responses and considers whether New Zealand can learn from the Taiwanese experience in future disaster planning. In doing so, the paper concludes by examining the wider question of when and if the community's expectation of a safe environment should trump the rights of individuals to retain personal data both in the context of pandemics and in other emergency or disaster scenarios. It also raises deeper questions, exposed by the COVID-19 response, about whether our current approach to privacy is sustainable in the digital age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 has forced us to think critically about alternative global and local response strategies to the unprecedented devastation. Some of the most infected groups are Pacific communities and this has raised concern about the need to seriously address the issue of health and socio-economic inequality. One way of doing this is through social protection. The paper critically examines some of the conventional notions of social protection, especially those predicated on market-imperatives and assumptions and argues for new and community-relevant innovative social protection strategies to effectively mitigate the effects of COVID-19. It then discusses the integrated social protection approach (ISPA). The paper argues that while ISPA is an attempt to create an alternative, inclusive and participatory social protection strategy, the issues of equity in terms of distribution of resources and power still need to be fully addressed because of their potential to cause tension within the community. The meaningful participation and empowerment of the Pacific communities and the strategic use of their cultural norms in social protection framing and implementation are important in building up resilience and sustainability to mitigate effectively against the sudden onset of pandemics such as COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The unpublishedGlossarium Botanicum: Novae Zelandiae, begun in 1838 by William Colenso, is the oldest extant manuscript by a resident New Zealand botanist. It was begun at a time when theFlorae Insularum Novae Zelandiae Precursorof Allan Cunningham was in the process of being published, and when Cunningham and Colenso were botanising together in Northland. This article discusses the relationships between Colenso’s and Cunningham’s works. It is argued that Colenso modelled the manuscript on a notebook which Cunningham had with him in 1838, adding more information in 1841 when he obtained a copy of Cunningham’s paper. Material from Colenso’s East Coast journey was added either in 1842 or possibly later. An appendix identifies previously unrecorded Colenso localities from theGlossarium. A second appendix identifies approximate dates for the various published papers resulting from his East Coast journey. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The last 25 years have seen considerable strides made in the development, validation and field use of self-report oral health scales. New Zealand researchers have played important roles in that work, particularly in respect of child-focused measures. This paper provides an overview of that contribution by describing first the work on child informant scales, followed by an overview of New Zealand researchers' contribution to the proxy informant scales. The paper concludes by considering the way forward for such work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

John Buchanan was New Zealand's first locally-based official scientific illustrator, preparing illustrations for a wide range of scientific publications. He was also an experienced botanist, publishing papers on the local flora. From 1862 until his retirement in 1885 Buchanan worked as an assistant to James Hector, undertaking fieldwork and a variety of technical projects. From 1868 onwards he undertook the time-consuming task of preparing illustrations for the first eighteen volumes of the Transactions of the New Zealand Institute. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial intelligence (AI) emphasises the creation of intelligent machines/systems that function like humans. AI has been applied to many real-world applications. Machine learning is a branch of AI based on the idea that systems can learn from data, identify hidden patterns, and make decisions with little/minimal human intervention. Evolutionary computation is an umbrella of population-based intelligent/learning algorithms inspired by nature, where New Zealand has a good international reputation. This paper provides a review on evolutionary machine learning, i.e. evolutionary computation techniques for major machine learning tasks such as classification, regression and clustering, and emerging topics including combinatorial optimisation, computer vision, deep learning, transfer learning, and ensemble learning. The paper also provides a brief review of evolutionary learning applications, such as supply chain and manufacturing for milk/dairy, wine and seafood industries, which are important to New Zealand. Finally, the paper presents current issues with future perspectives in evolutionary machine learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global pandemic needs to mark a turning point for the peoples of Aotearoa New Zealand. How can we make sure that our culturally diverse nation charts an equitable and sustainable path through and beyond this new world? In a less affluent future, how can we ensure that all New Zealanders have fair access to opportunities? One challenge is to preserve the sense of common purpose so critical to protecting each other in the face of Covid-19. How can we centre what we have learnt about resilience within Māori and wider Pacific communities in our reforms? How can public understanding of Covid-19 science create a platform for the future social valuing of expertise? How can we ensure that the impact of Covid-19 in New Zealand results in a more sustainable, and inclusive workforce – for instance by expanding our perceptions of the value of our workers through promoting digital inclusion? To meet these challenges, we must reimagine our existing traditions of thought, breathing new life into perennial concepts and debates. Our paper indicates some of the ways that Philosophy is central to this collective reimagining, highlighting solutions to be found across our rich philosophical traditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

International epidemiological data have emphasised that COVID-19 poses a particular threat to older adults. As media coverage plays an important, direct role in shaping official responses to unfolding crisis situations, the aim of this paper was to analyse the portrayal of older people and COVID-19 by mainstream New Zealand news media. We undertook a qualitative document analysis (QDA) of New Zealand coverage during March 2020. From a total sample pool of 482 articles obtained from the database Knowledgebasket, 91 articles met our inclusion criteria. Our analysis of this coverage found that older people were most often referred to as an nameless, homogeneous 'other' group who were overwhelmingly framed as being at risk and passive. Only a third of articles framed older people as active. Older people's agency and ability to navigate threats to their health and wellbeing were under-represented in news coverage. Coverage stigmatised older people as passive and inherently, rather than situationally, vulnerable and neglected the diversity of their social circumstances and intersecting identities, including ethnicity. We conclude this article with suggestions informed by our findings for promoting equitable media coverage of older New Zealanders' in the context of pandemics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Between February and May 2020, New Zealand recorded 1504 cases of COVID-19 before eliminating community transmission of the virus in June 2020. During this period, a series of control measures were used including population-wide interventions implemented via a four-level alert system, border restrictions, and a test, trace, and isolate system. Mathematical modelling played a key role in informing the government response and guiding policy development. In this paper, we describe the development of a stochastic mathematical model for the transmission and control of COVID-19 in New Zealand. This includes features such as superspreading, case under-ascertainment, testing and reporting delays, and population-wide and case-targeted control measures. We show how the model was calibrated to New Zealand and international data. We describe how the model was used to compare the effects of various interventions in reducing spread of the virus and to estimate the probability of elimination. We conclude with a discussion of the policy-modelling interface and preparedness for future epidemic outbreaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to outline the impact Coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 has had on health research in New Zealand. We used data from the University of Otago, Christchurch, a research intensive satellite campus of the University of Otago with a large number of research only grant funded staff to highlight challenges and opportunities. All non-COVID-19 related laboratory and clinical research was suspended under New Zealand COVID-19 alert level 4 and the majority under level 3. To date, researchers predict that 95% of research projects have been affected. During the periods of lockdown research salaries continued to be paid from grants resulting in a 'salary gap' to support research staff (both academic and technical). Most funders have indicated there will be no additional funding to support researchers affected by the delays. Early and mid-career researchers have been particularly affected and are currently unable to travel for post-doctoral training and networking. A more robust career structure with adequate funding, particularly for early and mid-career researchers is required to ensure that New Zealand has a stable research work force to address the next health crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TheTransactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute(TPNZI) present two contrasting images of scientific activity in nineteenth century New Zealand. TheTransactionsis a scientific periodical publishing research articles conveying new knowledge; theProceedingsprovides a wider view of the activities, participants and subject matters at meetings of local institutes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Longitudinal research is needed to better understand the natural history of oral conditions and long-term health and social outcomes. Oral health data has been collected periodically in the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study for over 40 years. To date, 70+ peer-review articles on the Study's oral health-related findings have been published, providing insight into the natural history of oral conditions, risk factors, impacts on quality of life, and disparities in oral health. Some of these report new findings, while others build upon the existing body of evidence. This paper provides an overview of these findings and reflects on their public health implications and policy utility in New Zealand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calls for the peoples of Aotearoa New Zealand to come together in unity -- tuī,tuī, tuituia -- have featured frequently in oratory and writings over the 250 years since the bark HMS Endeavour reached these shores in October 1769. The Ministry of Culture and Heritage has included as a theme for Tuia -- Encounters 250 events in 2019 'Dual Heritage, Shared Future -- presenting a balanced and honest history to better understand each other, and build a strong foundation for a shared future.' This paper focuses on the very high rate of prison incarceration in this country and the large number of Māori who are incarcerated. Current criminal justice policies undermine hopes for a positive dual heritage in a shared future. The significance of integration policies fostered by the Hunn Report 1960 is a particular focus. The article draws on an historical report of mine published in 2001 by the Waitangi Tribunal during the Wai 262 inquiry that led to the report Ko Aotearoa Tēnei [Waitangi Tribunal. 2011. Ko Aotearoa Tēnei: A report into claims concerning New Zealand law and policy affecting Māori culture and identity. Te Taumata Tuarua, Wellington: Legislation Direct] and then comments on recent criminal justice data and governmental policies. It is concluded that whole-of-government policies to address underlying issues of inequality, scarcity and deprivation existing in our midst are more important than tinkering with prison policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores what it takes to develop a common language and shared sense of purpose between Māori and the high-tech science sector. Robotics and automation, 3-D printing, sensors, and digital technologies are shaping New Zealand's economy in fundamental ways. If, as envisioned under New Zealand's Vision Mātauranga policy, Māori contribution to economic growth through distinctive Indigenous innovation is to be recognised and valued, then how this happens in these frontier science domains requires investigation. Findings are presented from the first phase of a longitudinal study of one National Science Challenge: Science for Technological Innovation (SfTI) -- Kia Kotahi Mai, Te Ao Pūtaiao me te Ao Hangarau. Collecting a variety of data from science, business and Māori participants, the findings suggest that while there is enabling macro policy, organisational and science team human and relational capacities require recalibrating. The authors outline a model of how this can be done through a focus on mātauranga (knowledge), tikanga (practice) and kaupapa (focus areas) and how SfTI is reshaping its organisational practice to align to this model. The research also identifies the important role of the science intermediary as crucial to this alignment within teams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colonisation has deeply harmed Maori communities, seriously and consistently undermining their vitality, aspirations and potentials, particularly since the 1860s, at inestimable cost to the entire nation. The British arrival in Aotearoa commenced a relationship between two very different peoples that has profoundly influenced their distinct and collective fortunes ever since. Despite manifest breaches of te Tiriti o Waitangi, this relationship has centred settler interests ensuring that Maori sovereignty has been displaced in favour of colonial hegemony, entrenching longstanding, preventable inequities in health and other important domains of social life. In this paper we trace some broad indicators of relational health and wellbeing in Aotearoa and consider how Maori thinking about whenua, health and wellbeing might lead healing opportunities for people and whenua. We outline ways in which a unified, dynamic, relational Maori concept based on whenua as the determinant of health could contribute. We believe this could expand, strengthen and revitalise prevention, protection and promotion approaches, to counter the injustices of colonisation, contribute toward health equity and move toward just, sustainable shared futures for the benefit of all New Zealanders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This special issue reviews the state of biodiversity conservation in New Zealand, following the establishment of the Department of Conservation (DOC) in 1987. Here we summarise events that led to the formation of DOC, and the unprecedented series of changes in how biodiversity conservation has been viewed and conducted. Subsequent papers in this issue outline the successes, failures and key technological shifts in biodiversity conservation in New Zealand in the past 30 years; how visionary people and institutions have instigated conservation at landscape scales and in urban areas; the growing roles of Māori and non-Māori communities; and audacious new goals that reflect continuing attitudinal changes to the conservation of native biodiversity alongside the global and local implications of climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All peoples develop their own academic traditions: philosophies grounded in their experiences over successive generations, and theories for growing knowledge and wisdom. Mātauranga Māori (mātauranga) is the Indigenous knowledge system of these lands. It is dynamic, innovative and generative. The mātauranga continuum is the knowledge accumulated through this system. Government policies and systems have marginalised mātauranga and prioritised Western science, and the past 100 years have seen a slowing in the expansion of the mātauranga continuum. Unless the survival of mātauranga is prioritised, it will cease to flourish. Māori have discussed and written extensively about the ongoing impact of colonisation on mātauranga and tikanga Māori. This paper builds on those discussions, arguing for tino rangatiratanga, including Māori ownership of mātauranga, fulfilment of the government's obligations to Māori, and the reinstitution of mātauranga as a primary knowledge system in Aotearoa. It explains why mātauranga revitalisation is important and outlines some of the steps towards this goal. We are calling for Western academics to support mātauranga revitalisation, with the vision of two functional knowledge systems operating that are unique to New Zealand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colonisation has deeply harmed Maori communities, seriously and consistently undermining their vitality, aspirations and potentials, particularly since the 1860s, at inestimable cost to the entire nation. The British arrival in Aotearoa commenced a relationship between two very different peoples that has profoundly influenced their distinct and collective fortunes ever since. Despite manifest breaches of te Tiriti o Waitangi, this relationship has centred settler interests ensuring that Maori sovereignty has been displaced in favour of colonial hegemony, entrenching longstanding, preventable inequities in health and other important domains of social life. In this paper we trace some broad indicators of relational health and wellbeing in Aotearoa and consider how Maori thinking about whenua, health and wellbeing might lead healing opportunities for people and whenua. We outline ways in which a unified, dynamic, relational Maori concept based on whenua as the determinant of health could contribute. We believe this could expand, strengthen and revitalise prevention, protection and promotion approaches, to counter the injustices of colonisation, contribute toward health equity and move toward just, sustainable shared futures for the benefit of all New Zealanders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2018, Bunn and Nolden published a paper purporting to have established the true position of the Pink and White Terraces of Lake Rotomahana using forensic cartography, 'reverse engineering' an 1859 compass survey of Ferdinand von Hochstetter. Their results suggest that the terraces are buried partly on land, near the present-day lake shore. Sightlines constructed using an 1881 Charles Spencer photograph overlooking the White Terraces towards distant Maungaongaonga and Maungakakaramea, and replicated by us, show the location of the White Terraces by Bunn and Nolden to be untenable. Fitting the pre-1886 eruption outline map of Lake Rotomahana of Keam (2016. The Tarawera eruption, Lake Rotomahana, and the origin of the Pink and White Terraces. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 314:10-38.) to our high-resolution bathymetry shows a remarkable fit of the shoreline around the Pink Terraces area to distinct bathymetric features. Side-scan sonar images of inferred tiers of Pink Terraces (de Ronde CEJ, Scott BJ, Leonard GS, Calvert AT. 2016a. Evolution of the sublacustrine geothermal system of Lake Rotomahana, New Zealand: effects of the 1886 Mt. Tarawera eruption—an introduction. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 314:1-9.) show they sit where the map of Keam would have them lie. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper will consider the work of Jeremiah Horrocks, the first astronomer to observe the transit of Venus, with reference to his book on the subject (Venus in sole visa). It also explores a New Zealand connection. The paper focuses on Horrocks's interest in writing poetry, the relationship between his poetry and his astronomical work, and what this can tell us about the development of scientific writing in the seventeenth century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

About one-quarter of New Zealand's shoreline is composed of cliffs. In some areas erosion rates are sufficiently rapid to be of concern to planners, whereas other cliffs have eroded imperceptibly slowly over human timescales. This paper reviews work conducted on New Zealand's cliffed coasts, from the pioneering studies of Sir Charles Cotton, who used Davisian theoretical methods to elucidate the evolution of hard-rock coasts, to Jeremy Gibb's nationwide benchmark measurements of historical erosion rates. This review is augmented with a description of state-of-the art methods in use globally for investigating processes of cliff evolution. Key methods identified include detailed measurements using the micro-erosion meter as well as novel geophysical methods of studying cliff movement under wave loading. Such process-based studies build on previous research that has been largely confined to explanatory description and observation. It is recognised that the combined impact of such studies has been relatively muted, owing particularly to the difficulty of unravelling ambiguous process-form interactions. However, the increasingly widespread availability of terrestrial and aerial remote laser scanning systems now provides an opportunity to re-invigorate such studies by extending the scale from local to regional. The paper concludes by outlining prospects within New Zealand for further research. In particular, the development and use of numerical models is seen as an important avenue both for clarifying some basic behaviours observed on cliffed coasts, and for studying the likely response of eroding cliffs to future climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reviews and evaluates a number of claims recently made in the New Zealand scientific medical literature by opponents of community water fluoridation (CWF) about fluoride and fluoridation chemistry, as well as the dental and health effects of CWF. It is of concern that if these claims were considered appropriate evidence by health authorities or legislators, this may have a considerable negative impact upon the public's oral health. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Did the first East Polynesian settlers of New Zealand, as opposed to discoverers, maintain even a short period of contact with their tropical homeland after arrival? While there is currently no evidence to suggest that contact was maintained the possibility has remained open. Recent revivals of Polynesian ocean voyaging and waka ama paddling in New Zealand have given rise to a general belief that that Māori, like their kin in tropical Polynesia, never lost the arts of long-distance ocean voyaging. This paper, however, argues a contrary position and suggests that our isolation, size, abundance of resources, along with recent revisions to the date of initial settlement in New Zealand, further diminishes the possibility of contact with the tropical Polynesian homelands in the prehistoric past. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When Captain James Cook's bark the Endeavour arrived in Tūranga-nui in October 1769, the local people were mystified. Many thought that this spectre had appeared from te pō, the dark realm of ancestors. Cook's scientific expedition, sponsored by the Royal Society, was accompanied by Tupaia, a high priest from Ra'iatea. Tupaia joined the ship in Tahiti, where Cook and his companions had observed the transit of Venus. At Tūranga, misunderstandings led to shootings, but when they arrived at Uawa (now Tolaga Bay), the expedition was welcomed ashore. Tupaia and his companions had many friendly exchanges with the priests from Te Rāwheoro, the local whare wānanga or school of learning, which specialised in carving and tattoo. This paper examines differences and resonances between Enlightenment science and philosophy and wānanga (Māori ancestral knowledge), and how exchanges between these knowledge traditions might open up possibilities for new kinds of futures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modern human origins have been securely located in Africa. Human migrations out of Africa began approximately 65,000 years ago and ended with the settlement of Aotearoa/New Zealand only about 750 years ago. Researchers have used mitochondrial DNA and other molecular markers to track these migration pathways. This paper describes the archaeological, historic and mitochondrial DNA evidence tracking the history of the longest human migration, that from Africa to Aotearoa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The last phase of human colonisation of the south-west Pacific occurred around the 12th Century AD amongst the islands of the subtropical and temperate zones of the Southern Ocean (i.e., Norfolk Island, the Kermadec Islands, New Zealand and the Chatham Islands) (Fig. 1). Archaeological evidence indicates that initial colonisation of the region was rapid, possibly taking less than 100 years. Unfortunately, the chronology of these events has been largely reliant on charcoal radiocarbon determinations that have not been successful in delineating these changes. This paper investigates the use of marine shell for radiocarbon dating as an alternative to charcoal, with specific focus on variation in the marine 14C reservoir (specifically the ΔR) of Raoul Island (Kermadec Islands), Norfolk Island and Chatham Island (Fig. 2). Results from known-age, pre-AD 1950 shellfish indicate that ΔR values south of the South Pacific Convergence Zone are low compared to those recorded for islands within the South Pacific generally (Fig. 1) (see Petchey et al. in press). An average .R value of -19 ± 13 14C yr is recorded for Raoul Island and -49 ± 10 14C yr for Norfolk Island. These values are attributed to heightened absorption of atmospheric CO2 in this region. Extant published ΔR information from New Zealand (Fig. 2A) also suggests a low average ΔR value for these southern waters, but the range of values indicates that considerable variability is possible because of the complex interplay of currents around the New Zealand coastline. In contrast, results from Chatham Island are more variable and much higher (average ΔR = 134 ± 83 14C yr). Stable oxygen and carbon isotope data support the hypothesis that these ΔR values are caused by upwelling and mixing of 14C-depleted water along the Chatham Rise. Comparison of marine and charcoal 14C determinations from archaeological sites on Raoul Island support, within the limits of the available data, the ΔR values obtained, but further analysis is required to establish the stability of this value over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to describe the distribution and abundance of animals living in the subtidal soft-sediments of Omaha Bay in northeastern New Zealand. Animals >4 mm were sampled from 138 subtidal stations, using suction sampler, grab, and dredge. Stations ranged in depth from 1 to 41 m, with sediments comprised mostly of sand and gravelly sand. Two-hundred-and-thirty-six taxa representing 13 phyla were recorded, with molluscs, arthropods and annelids being the most speciose. Animals sampled by grab and suction sampler formed seven main clusters in multivariate space. These clusters were relatively discrete in terms of the defining variables used to label them and the taxonomic composition of the animals they contained, although depth ranges of most common taxa in the four sand habitats did not correspond particularly well to breaks identified by the cluster analysis. The overall correspondence between the macrofaunal assemblages and the physical variables of depth and sediment type suggests the potential for remote mapping of these broad assemblages over large scales using existing acoustic survey methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Nanjing Declaration on Nitrogen Management calls for national governments to optimise N management by several strategies including assessment of N cycles. In New Zealand, reactive N continues to be added to the environment mainly by biological N fixation, and increasingly from N fertiliser additions. Here, we extend our work on N budgets in 2001/02 for New Zealand (267 000 km²), at both national and regional scales, to 1861, 2020 and 2050. We first attempt to estimate the N cycle for 1861, the year of the first census and when European settlers were beginning to clear large areas of forest for agriculture in some regions. For the future, we adopt two scenarios: agricultural production increasing at 3% p.a., and a "cap and trade" scheme for N. These scenarios provide instructive results by projecting two very different potential policy directions into the future; they do not represent predictions. The 3% growth scenario warns of ever-increasing N loads on the environment. The cap and trade scenario (such as may be introduced by regional councils) supports the development of a mechanism by which farmers might constrain N losses without regulations being introduced. These scenarios seek to provide farmers, industry and regulators with an understanding of the large range of future possibilities. This paper highlights the urgency with which primary industry must move away from increased production per se to systems where value is added to products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports two fossil fishes, most probably of the genus Prototroctes, from a mid-Pleistocene lake deposit in north-eastern New Zealand. These are the first known fossils of this genus, which is found only in south-eastern Australia and New Zealand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thomas Cheeseman (1845–1923) was one of New Zealand’s most important botanists and museum administrators in the country’s late colonial period (c. 1875–1914). He had a lengthier career as a working scientist than almost all his peers; served longer than any other of the great New Zealand museum directors of this era; and also built up extensive lines of communication with colleagues both locally and overseas. In contrast, however, to New Zealand’s other great scientific leaders of the day, Cheeseman has not enjoyed the same level of posthumous attention and is yet to be the subject of an extended critical study. This short communication takes a step towards remedying this deficiency by reviewing Cheeseman’s more notable achievements and offering explanations for his remarkable professional longevity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hans Heinrich Suter-Naef (1841–1918) arrived in New Zealand from Switzerland with his wife Ida and seven children on New Year’s Eve 1887. He saw New Zealand as a place of scientific opportunity and planned to make a life and a living from his knowledge and expertise in malacology. He made connections with Hutton, Hector, Cheeseman, Colenso and others in an attempt to gain a foothold in the scientific community and find employment to support his family. Suter spent his life in New Zealand balancing the competing demands of warding off poverty and indulging his passion for science. His eventual success was as a result of his many personal attributes, the support of other science workers, and his wife Ida. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nineteenth century transits of Venus provided astronomers with the opportunity to use these rare events to calculate the solar parallax, and New Zealand played a vital role. Apart from activities by local astronomers, international expeditions from England, France, Germany and the USA were based in New Zealand for the 1874 transit. Although many observing sites were clouded out on the vital day, New Zealand-based observations contributed to the determination of the solar parallax and led to further local observations during the 1882 transit of Venus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

About 350 species of New Zealand vascular plants were collected by Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander during Cook's Endeavour voyage in 1769. Although the botanical results of the expedition were never published, the collections provide a vital benchmark for understanding the New Zealand flora. European colonisation resulted in massive changes, with plant introductions from all over the world. Just 240 years after the voyage, the number of naturalised plants exceeds that of natives. The Endeavour collections provide a verifiable record of plants growing in New Zealand before European settlement. These are assumed to be indigenous, except for a few species brought by Polynesian migration. Today the specimens continue to influence taxonomic research, and are admired by herbarium visitors as a tangible connection with Cook's visit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the performance based research funding (PBRF) model in New Zealand that is intended to increase the quality of research by means of peer assessment and performance indicators. It cites the effects due to the changes on the PBRF model in terms of knowledge production and research assessment exercises that could be detrimental to the Mãori research. It also explores the problems emanating from the PBRF process, including the discouragement of long-term research.

COVID-19 can affect the entire population, but it poses an increased risk for particular population groups. Socioeconomic and demographic factors, as well as long-term health conditions, can make populations vulnerable to adverse health outcomes and mortality related to COVID-19. This study uses geospatial methods to visualise metrics of vulnerability to COVID-19 in New Zealand. Based on Ministry of Health guidelines, nationwide data on risk factors included age, ethnicity, population density, socioeconomic deprivation, smoking, long-term health conditions (cancer, cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, renal conditions, and respiratory illnesses), and health service awareness. Data were sourced from the Census (2018), the New Zealand Deprivation Index (NZDep2018), and the National Minimum Dataset (2011–2016). Factor analysis and bivariate mapping were used to identify areas of high vulnerability. Results demonstrate the unequal social and spatial vulnerabilities to COVID-19 across New Zealand. While some major cities were highlighted many areas also occurred outside of the major cities in smaller communities, which also typically have less access to healthcare and fewer resources. This study has generated data that may help mitigate potential inequality in our response to the COVID-19 pandemic, or indeed for future pandemics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical distancing (also commonly known as social distancing) is an important non-pharmaceutical strategy to minimise the risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 virus. A range of restrictions to promote physical distancing form a key part of the Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ) all-of-government response to the global COVID-19 pandemic. The effectiveness of physical distancing strategies is highly dependent on buy-in and the actions of individuals, households and communities. This NZ population survey was conducted to identify people's views on the effectiveness of various strategies, and factors impacting on their capacity to follow physical distancing requirements during Alert Levels 4, 3, and 2 (April 24th–June 8th 2020). The majority of the 2407 participants were supportive of the public health measures implemented to promote physical distancing across Alert Levels. Few substantial differences were observed in relation to demographic characteristics, suggesting high overall levels of understanding and willingness to adhere to distancing requirements. Around half of the participants reported difficulties practicing physical distancing when in public. Reasons included being an essential worker and challenges related to the behaviour of others. These survey findings highlight the willingness of NZ's population to play their part in eliminating COVID-19 transmission, and the way in which behavioural change was rapidly adopted in line with government requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over forty-nine days of Level 4 and Level 3 lockdown, residents of Aotearoa New Zealand were subject to 'stay home' regulations that restricted physical contact to members of the same social 'bubble'. This article examines their moral decision-making and affective experiences of lockdown, especially when faced with competing responsibilities to adhere to public health regulations, but also to care for themselves or provide support to people outside their bubbles. Our respondents engaged in independent risk assessment, weighing up how best to uphold the 'spirit' of the lockdown even when contravening lockdown regulations; their decisions could, however, lead to acute social rifts. Some respondents – such as those in flatshares and shared childcare arrangements – recounted feeling disempowered from participating in the collective management of risk and responsibility within their bubbles, while essential workers found that anxieties about their workplace exposure to the coronavirus could prevent them from expanding their bubbles in ways they might have liked. The inability to adequately care for oneself or for others thus emerges as a crucial axis of disadvantage, specific to times of lockdown. Policy recommendations regarding lockdown regulations are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in Aotearoa New Zealand resulted in disruptions to everyday life, including changes in grocery shopping, cooking and eating. This study aimed to capture changes in behaviours and perceptions of grocery shopping and food preparation during the lockdown, and the extent to which dietary patterns changed during this period. Data were collected in an online survey of 3028 adults (89% women, mean age = 44 years, range 18–87 years, the median time in lockdown = 40 days), during Aotearoa New Zealand's lockdown Alert levels 4 (33.4%) and Level 3 (66.6%). Respondents had decreased enjoyment of grocery shopping and increased home cooking and baking from scratch. There was an overall shift toward an unhealthy dietary pattern, with some respondents reporting increased consumption of sweet snacks (41%), salty snacks (33%), alcohol (33%), and sugary drinks (20%) during the lockdown. Age moderated the effect of lockdown for nearly every measure, with adults aged under 50 years the most likely to report adverse changes to their eating behaviours and diet. Future pandemic responses by government and employers should include public health nutrition policies and mitigate the stress for younger adults and those caring for children at home. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilisation of solar resources has become of utmost importance for the transition of the global, carbon intensive economy. In New Zealand the uptake of solar energy has increased substantially, but the relative contribution to the overall energy mix is still small. Previous research efforts on the solar resource across the country are revisited with improved satellite-modelled data from Solargis to derive a solar atlas for the country. A comparison is made with NIWA data, which shows that the modelled data are at an adequate level of accuracy and improves our understanding of the solar resource at an appropriate spatial and temporal resolution. The solar atlas makes available a commercial satellite data source and informs further investigations into how solar can, and will, play a more meaningful role in our transition to a low carbon future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New Zealand English is well-known for its heavy borrowing of words from Māori. This lexical component, unique to New Zealand English alone has been studied intensely over the last 50 years, particularly in newspaper media. Current research suggests the use is still increasing today, primarily in Māori-related contexts. Here, we analyse a surprising and unexpected use of Māori loanwords in science digital discourse (neither genre being previously investigated), where we discover a strong presence of Māori borrowings in National Science Challenge website and Twitter content. Using corpus linguistics methods, we argue that the use of Māori loanwords in this genre functions as a national identity building tool, used by various authors to signal that the 'challenges' the country faces are uniquely New Zealand's 'challenges'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Probiotics for preventing illness or improving health have become increasingly popular with consumers, researchers, and producers, both dairy companies and alternative medicine providers. They are widely available in foods such as yoghurt and as freeze dried capsules. They are used both for their general health effects on the gut including reducing travellers and antibiotic related diarrhoea. Their most important and best researched use is in the treatment of necrotising enterocolitis in premature babies where they reduce incidence, severity and mortality. The ultimate 'probiotic' mixture might be healthy human faeces which have been used for transplantation in patients with antibiotic resistant Clostridioides difficile infections with some success. Studies of allergy prevention using probiotics have shown mixed results. In New Zealand however, a specific strain of Lactobacillus rhamnosus (HN001) given from birth for two years has been shown to reduce the prevalence of allergic disease in infants throughout childhood. Further studies have shown a reduction in gestational diabetes amongst mothers who consume the probiotic during pregnancy. An important feature of the clinical use of probiotics is that different strains within the same species may have very different effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The majority of New Zealanders (approximately 80%) born in the 1970s report using cannabis at least once, despite its illegal status. Four-10% of past-year users were at risk of developing a cannabis dependence syndrome that impaired psychological, social and/or occupational functioning. There were negative psychiatric consequences for a subset of the population who began using cannabis in early/mid-adolescence, particularly in terms of developing psychosis (the risk appeared to be highest for those with a genetic predisposition), and to a lesser degree for depression. There was a consistent dose–response relation between increasing levels of, and/or persistence of cannabis use and a range of deleterious health outcomes including loss of cognitive capacity, increased respiratory symptoms and impaired lung function, periodontal disease, compromised educational achievement and employment history, as well as a host of negative social outcomes (e.g. criminal convictions, relationship difficulties, driving impairment). No discernable impacts upon cardiovascular function were observed. The majority of cannabis users did so with little or no harm. In contrast, a non-trivial minority of the population (approximately 5%–10%) were at heightened risk because they: (i) used cannabis on more days than not; (ii) had become cannabis dependent; or (iii) began using cannabis during mid-adolescence and persisted well into adulthood. Implications are discussed with respect to the 2020 referendum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epichloë fungal endophytes that systemically colonise cool-season grasses have become an internationally well-researched symbiosis. While sexual species of Epichloë can cause choke disease of grass seed heads, asexual forms are symptomless endophytes that colonise embryos to become seed transmitted. In mutualistic associations, the grass benefits through greater tolerance of abiotic and biotic stresses. In New Zealand, at least 12 species of naturalised and native grasses have been documented as infected with a range of asexual or sexual Epichloë. The impact of endophyte-infected ryegrass and tall fescue has been significant for pastoral farmers, with Epichloë enhancing pasture performance. Production of bioactive secondary metabolites reduces herbivory by invertebrate pests but some are also toxic to grazing animals. Selected strains of Epichloë have been utilised to reduce livestock problems while retaining improved pasture performance. Documented Epichloë-infected native grasses are rare, justifying greater efforts of discovery, description and conservation as taonga (a treasure) for Māori and all New Zealanders. Given their ecological success in New Zealand ecosystems, along with economic and environmental benefits, there are good prospects to further develop both endemic and naturalised Epichloë-grass associations that may benefit other cool-season grasses and potentially deliver new beneficial properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Allopolyploids arise when two or more species hybridise to form an entirely new species with a duplicated genome. Although initially met with an array of potentially catastrophic challenges triggered by the combination of two diverged parental subgenomes within a single cell, countless allopolyploids worldwide demonstrate exceptional biological resilience by not only living under these unique circumstances, but thriving. The archipelago of Aotearoa New Zealand is home to an unexpectedly large number of allopolyploid species, both indigenous and introduced. Here, we review the prevalence and importance of these species from a local perspective. The benefits of allopolyploid species permeate multiple facets of life in New Zealand, from pastoral health and arable crop yield, to long-established viticulture and brewery practices, to the intrinsic nature of the land through the presence of diverse native allopolyploid flora. Consequently, the motivation behind the pursuit of New Zealand's allopolyploid research extends beyond improvement of the global knowledgebase and also aims to drive tangible economic and cultural impacts on the country and the lives of its people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Aotearoa/New Zealand, tāngata whaiora (Māori mental health patients) have substantial unmet dental treatment needs. The study aim was to investigate the impact of a restored dentition on the oral health-related quality of life of a sample of tāngata whaiora. The participants who were recruited in a stable community setting in Tauranga. The Northern Y Ethics Committee gave ethical approval. The Oral Health Impact Profile (OHP-14) short-form survey was undertaken before and after a complete oral rehabilitation. There were 32 participants who undertook the first OHIP-14 interview prior to their dental treatment: 72% of the sample had one or more impacts in any of the 7 OHIP-14 domains. Thereafter, 17 participants (53%) completed the second OHIP-14 interview. The mean OHIP-14 score fell from 22.6 (sd, 15.6) to 9.5 (sd, 11.0), with a large effect size of 0.8. A restored dentition has a marked impact on the quality of life and symptom reduction or improvement of psychiatric symptoms of the participating tāngata whaiora as indicated by the pre- and post-intervention Oral Health Impact Profile data. The study data suggest that providing comprehensive dental care to tāngata whaiora improves their oral health-related quality of life considerably. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]