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Purpose: In this paper, we concentrate on the use of research assessment (RA) systems in universities in New Zealand (NZ) and the United Kingdom (UK). Primarily we focus on PBRF and REF, and explore differences between these systems on individual and systemic levels. We ask, these days, in what way(s) the systemic differences between PBRF and REF actually make a difference on how the two RA systems are experienced by academic staff. Design/methodology/approach: This research is exploratory and draws on 19 interviews in which accounting researchers from both countries offer reflections on their careers and how RA (systems) have influenced these careers. The stories they tell are classified by regarding RA in universities as a manifestation of the spectacle society, following Debord (1992) and Flyverbom and Reinecke (2017). Findings: Both UK and New Zealand academics concur that their research activities and views on research are very much shaped by journal rankings and citations. Among UK academics, there seems to be a greater critical attitude towards the benefits and drawbacks of REF, which may be related to the history of REF in their country. Relatively speaking, in New Zealand, individualism seems to have grown after the introduction of the PBRF, with little active pushback against the system. Cultural aspects may partially explain this outcome. Academics in both countries lament the lack of focus on practitioner issues that the increased significance of RA seems to have evoked. Research limitations/implications: This research is context-specific and may have limited applicability to other situations, academics or countries. Practical implications: RA and RA systems seem to be here to stay. However, as academics we can, and ought to, take responsibility to try to ensure that these systems reflect the future of accounting (research) we wish to create. It is certainly not mainly or solely up to upper management officials to set this in motion, as has occasionally been claimed in previous literature. Some of the academics who participated in this research actively sought to bring about a different future. Originality/value: This research provides a unique contextual analysis of accounting academics' perspectives and reactions to RA and RA systems and the impact these have had on their careers across two countries. In addition, the paper offers valuable critical reflections on the application of Debord's (1992) notion of the spectacle society in future accounting studies. We find more mixed and nuanced views on RA in academia than many previous studies have shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses topics within the issue including aspects of sexual and reproductive health, young people's sexual health and influence of political and social power on control over sexual and reproductive choices.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to understand the connection among trust’s antecedents, dimensions and consequences in the context of e-banking. Design/methodology/approach – A survey of 510 and 122 respondents in Taiwan and New Zealand (NZ), respectively, was conducted. Findings – The empirical results indicate that, first, not all trusts’ precursors the authors considered have significant influence on generating consumers’ trust and, second, that influential weights of these precursors on building consumer trust vary across consumers and cultures. Meanwhile, all factors on the e-banking side hold greatly significant influence on consumers’ trust in both NZ and Taiwan cases. Research limitations/implications – Practical and academic implications culled from the empirical results are discussed, and these implications may also be applicable to other information and communication technology (ICT) solutions and innovation banking services. Practical implications – Before banks shift their focus on to trust resources of consumer side, banks are advised to create clients’ trust from e-banking side, such as situational normality and structural assurance. Originality/value – This paper takes a holistic view to investigate the links between trust’s dimensions, antecedents and consequences in a single research structure, and the implications may also be applicable to other ICT solutions and innovative banking services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses spatial dependence and determinants of the New Zealand dairy farmers' adoption of best management practices to protect water quality. A Bayesian spatial durbin probit model is used to survey data collected from farmers in the Waikato region of New Zealand. The results show that farmers located near each other exhibit similar choice behaviour, indicating the importance of farmer interactions in adoption decisions. The results also address that information acquisition is the most important determinant of farmers' adoption of best management practices. Financial problems are considered a significant barrier to adopting best management practices. Overall, the existence of distance decay effect and spatial dependence in farmers' adoption decisions highlights the importance of accounting for spatial effects in farmers' decision-making, which emerges as crucial to the formulation of sustainable agriculture policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The release of the 2014 REF results in the UK is a timely reminder that many national governments have aimed to increase the research productivity of universities, by introducing performance-based research systems. This paper examines whether there is a relationship between attitudes to these research systems and research productivity, using interview data from three universities in Australia, New Zealand and the UK. It concludes that attitudes are not strongly related to productivity, and that only a better understanding of system limitations will help to improve them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to understand the attitudes of young Pacific Island adults towards financial products such as debt and money and explore the cultural elements influencing the financial consumption amongst Pacific Island adults. Design/methodology/approach: Hermeneutic phenomenology has been used to explore and gain insights into the experiences, thought processes, values and aspirations of young Pacific Island adults with regard to their consumption of financial products. Findings: The findings identify culture as an influential factor in shaping the participants' attitudes and financial consumption behaviour. Culture not only enabled the individuals to internalize their values, norms and beliefs but also shaped their way of thinking through the effect of communications. Originality/value: Communication element within culture is identified as an influential factor in shaping the participants' attitudes and financial consumption behaviour offering an important insight that social marketers should be aware of and be prepared to address when developing their financial educational programs or any other behavioural change interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accessible summary: What is known on the subject?: Medication does not always resolve a serious mood episode, and there is evidence that it needs to be combined with an evidence‐based psychotherapy to promote symptomatic and functional recovery.There is little known about what people with serious mood disorders want from mental health services to manage their mood. What the paper adds to existing knowledge?: Participants in this study wanted a framework other than the medical model for understanding and managing their mood.Their motivation to commence psychotherapy was based on a sense of having hit rock bottom and a need for understanding what was happening in order to better manage their mood. Introduction: There is little known about the motivations for people to participate in psychotherapy for depression. Aim: To explore why people, with a diagnosis of major depressive episode, chose to take part in a psychotherapy study and what they expected it to involve. Method: This was a qualitative study of participants' motivations and understandings of psychotherapy for depression. Data were collected using semi‐structured interviews and analysed using thematic analysis. Findings: Eight females and eight males with an age range from 21 years to 55 years were recruited. Three themes were identified that described why participants chose to participate in psychotherapy: medication was not enough, a turning point and making sense of experience. The participants chose to participate in psychotherapy after finding that medication was insufficient and this combined with a sense of crisis motivated them to engage in psychotherapy in order to learn to manage their mood differently. Discussion: The participants recognized that they wanted a framework other than a medical model with its reliance on medication, in order to make sense of their experiences and develop new self‐management strategies. Implications for Practice: Our study suggests that some people experiencing a serious mood disorder access psychotherapy after "hitting rock bottom" and finding insufficient help from medications. Mental health nurses need to be aware people do not always want a medical model approach to treatment of serious mood disorders and they need to provide the opportunity of engaging in a psychotherapeutic framework in order to better understand and manage their mood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: HealthPathways, pioneered in Canterbury, New Zealand, in 2008, is a web-based tool designed to promote health care integration and patient management in primary care and to reduce fragmentation in the delivery of health services. This cross-sectional study evaluated the utilisation and perceptions of this tool among health professionals in Australia and New Zealand. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was administered online through Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) to general practitioners (GPs), practice nurses and managers, nurse practitioners, specialist and community nurses, hospital clinicians, nurses, managers, and allied health professionals between April and September 2018. The frequency of HealthPathways use in the previous month was modelled as an ordered response using an ordered logistic regression model after adjusting for the possible effects of sex, age, years in clinical practice, location and time spent in practice. Results: Health professionals perceived HealthPathways to be useful in primary care management and referral, as well as in the prereferral treatment of patients. GPs in New Zealand, New South Wales and Victoria were 73%, 47% and 27% more likely to have used HealthPathways ≥10 times in the previous month respectively. Conclusion: The results suggest that HealthPathways is having a positive effect on healthcare systems in New Zealand and Australia. However, differences in uptake suggests the need for focused implementation, integration into eReferral software and expanding the tool to medical students, registrars, allied health professionals and potentially patients to encourage behavioural change. What is known about the topic?: Early evaluations suggest that HealthPathways is a useful tool for health professionals, although uptake and utilisation may be limited. However, there is no comparative evidence regarding uptake and implementation of the tool. What does the paper add?: This study is among the first to provide a comparative narrative of the literature assessing the implementation and uptake of HealthPathways across Australia and New Zealand. It is also among the first to compare the perceptions of allied health professionals in the use of HealthPathways across Australia and New Zealand. What are the implications for practitioners?: The results of this study suggest the need for focused implementation, integration into eReferral software and expanding the tool to medical students, registrars, allied health professionals and potentially patients to encourage behavioural change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on an action research study to explore the underpinnings of outwardly unsupportive behaviour among health professionals in New Zealand after a critical event and to develop and evaluate a resource to help them recover through mutual care and support. It explores the dynamic nature of the support system, the feedback loops, nonlinearity, underpinning "rules," and associated behaviour. The tenets of complexity theory are applied to identify characteristics of the system, which, in turn, provide insight into ways of achieving change. The study demonstrates that these health professionals were behaving in ways which they thought were expected, rather than being "nice" to each other: behaviour that was driven by the inherent interrelatedness within an organization or system. This finding not only has significant outcomes for practice but also contributes to a deeper understanding of the emergent nature of complexity theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Development and maintenance of professional competencies are essential for practitioners across all disciplines within the helping professions to ensure safe, accountable and ethical practice. This includes the practice of supervision which is considered as a set of competencies in its own right. For many supervisors, however, there is a struggle to find the opportunity for in-depth critical reflection and review of their supervision for the purpose of continuous professional development. This paper describes a learning community for supervision where, through a process of collaborative enquiry, four experienced supervisors, in Aotearoa New Zealand, from diverse professional and practice backgrounds critically reflected on audio-recordings of their supervision of practitioners. From this focus on direct practice, the group members created a model for critique and feedback which is centred on a 'thinking aloud' process. Key themes, which included supervisor authenticity and presence, encouraging reflection, participation and uncovering assumptions and the benefits of the thinking aloud process were identified and explored. Rarely is the practice of supervision scrutinised in a group setting for the purpose of learning and development. Placing supervision practice 'under the microscope' allows for creative opportunities and the promotion of different models of supervision development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to highlight, challenge and explain the inequitable treatment of tax and welfare fraudsters in the criminal justice systems of Australia and New Zealand. The authors offer prejudice by way of explanation and suggest that it is also prejudice that restricts the implementation of more equitable processes. A second objective of the study is to highlight the importance of critical tax research as an instrument to agitate for social change. Design/methodology/approach: A survey captures 3,000 respondents' perceptions of the likelihood that different "types" of people will commit welfare or tax fraud. Using social dominance theory, the authors investigate the extent to which prejudice impacts on attitudes towards those engaged in these fraudulent activities. Findings: The authors find the presence of traditional stereotypes, such as the perception that businessmen are more likely to commit tax fraud and people receiving welfare assistance are more likely to commit fraud. The authors also find strong preferences towards respondents' own in-group, whereby businessmen, Maori and people receiving welfare assistance believed that their own group was less likely to commit either crime. Social implications: Where in-group preference exists among those who construct and enforce the rules relating to investigations, prosecutions and sentencing of tax and welfare fraud, it is perhaps unsurprising that welfare recipients attract less societal support than other groups who have support from their own in-groups that have greater power, resources and influence. Originality/value: The study highlights the difficulty of social change in the presence of strong in-group preference and prejudice. Cognisance of in-group preference is relevant to the accounting profession where elements of self-regulation remain. In-group preferences may impact on services provided, as well as professional development and education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Worldwide, a growing burden of health and social issues now affect young people. Interagency collaboration and the "integration" of health and social care services are advocated to address the increasingly complex needs of at‐risk youth and to reduce barriers to accessing care. In New Zealand, Youth‐One‐Stop‐Shops (YOSSs) provide integrated health and social care to young people with complex needs. Little is known about how YOSSs facilitate collaborative care. This study explored the collaboration between YOSSs and external agencies between 2015 and 2017 using a multiple case study method. This paper reports qualitative focus group and individual interview data from two of four case sites including six YOSS staff and 14 external agency staff. Results showed participants regarded collaboration as critical to the successful care of high needs young people and were positive about working together. They believed YOSSs provided effective wraparound collaborative care and actively facilitated communication between diverse agencies on behalf of young people. The main challenges participants faced when working together related to the different "world views" and cultures of agencies which can run contrary to collaborative practice. Despite this, some highly collaborative relationships were apparent and staff in the different agencies perceived YOSSs had a lead role in co‐ordinating collaborative care and were genuinely valued and trusted. However without the YOSS involvement, collaboration between agencies in relation to young people was less frequent and rarely went beyond limited information exchange. Establishing and maintaining trusting interpersonal relationships with individual staff was key to successfully negotiating agency differences. The study confirms that collaboration when caring for young people with high needs is complex and challenging, yet agencies from diverse sectors value collaboration and see the YOSS integrated wraparound approach as an important model of care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite the popularity of naturopathic and herbal medicine in New Zealand there remains limited data on New Zealand-based naturopathic and herbal medicine practice. In response, this paper reports findings from the first national survey examining the characteristics, perceptions and experiences of New Zealand-based naturopaths and herbal medicine practitioners across multiple domains relating to their role and practice. Methods: An online survey (covering 6 domains: demographics; practice characteristics; research; integrative practice; regulation and funding; contribution to national health objectives) was administered to naturopaths and herbal medicine practitioners. From a total of 338 naturopaths and herbal medicine practitioners, 107 responded providing a response rate of 32%. Data were statistically analysed using STATA. Results: A majority of the naturopaths and herbal medicine practitioners surveyed were female (91%), and aged between 45 and 54 years. Most practiced part-time (64%), with practitioner caseloads averaging 8 new clients and over 20 follow-up clients per month. Our analysis shows that researched information impacts upon and is useful for naturopaths and herbal medicine practitioners to validate their practices. However, the sources of researched information utilised by New Zealand naturopaths and herbal medicine practitioners remain variable, with many sources beyond publications in peer-reviewed journals being utilised. Most naturopathic and herbal medicine practitioners (82%) supported registration, with statutory registration being favoured (75%). Integration with conventional care was considered desirable by the majority of naturopaths and herbal medicine practitioners surveyed (83%). Naturopaths and herbal medicine practitioners feel that they contribute to several key national health objectives, including: improved nutrition (93%); increased physical activity (85%); reducing incidence and impact of CVD (79%); reducing incidence and impact of cancer (68%). Conclusions: There is a need for greater understanding and communication between practitioners of conventional care and naturopathic and herbal medicine which could support informed, coordinated and effective health provision within the New Zealand health care system. There is a need for further in-depth research examining naturopaths and herbal medicine practitioners' perceptions and practices, to provide insights of benefit to all those practising and managing health services as well as those directing health policy in New Zealand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: The short‐lived regulated legal market for new psychoactive substances (NPS) in New Zealand marked a radical departure from the traditional prohibition‐based approach to drugs. This paper aimed to enhance understanding of this policy change using Punctuated Equilibrium Theory (PET). Methods: The analysis draws on 3 years of evaluative research, including interviews with key stakeholders, analysis of legislation and policy documents and academic and grey literature. Results: The reframing of the NPS issue from one of drug control to the need for stricter market regulation was achieved by the efforts of strategic policy entrepreneurs, including the legal high industry, drug law reform advocates, influential politicians and an independent legal advisory institution. This reframing was aided by the perceived saliency of the NPS problem and ineffectiveness of previous prohibition‐based responses. In the absence of any political opposition to the regulatory approach, the Psychoactive Substances Act rapidly progressed through the Parliament. However, once the interim legal market was established, portrayal of the issues shifted away from experts and lobbyists to critique from local communities, local government, animal rights activists and the media, who viewed the new regime as a source of social and health problems. The mobilization of criticism ('Schattschneider mobilization') drew on ideas of animal welfare and community safety. With a looming national election, the government responded by ending the interim market with the urgent passage of amendment legislation. Conclusions: Punctuated Equilibrium Theory (PET) helps explain how New Zealand's Psychoactive Substances Act (PSA) policy first emerged on the political agenda and how the initial positive tone of expert support for reform shifted to a tide of popular criticism during the interim regime. However, with its emphasis on explaining agenda‐setting, PET does not account for the legislative design shortcomings of the PSA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an era of unprecedented student mobility, increasingly diverse student populations in many national contexts, and globally interconnected environmental and social concerns, there is an urgent need to find new ways of thinking about teaching and learning. Static assumptions about so-called 'Western' versus 'non-Western' teaching and learning approaches or 'local' versus 'international' students are inadequate for responding to the complex histories, geographies and identities that meet and mingle in our higher education (HE) institutions. In this paper, I use María Lugones' 'world-travelling' as a framework for discussing international and New Zealand women students' reflections on teaching, learning and transition in New Zealand HE. I conclude with some suggestions as to what effective pedagogy might look like in internationalised HE if we think beyond culturalist them-and-us assumptions and recognise students' complexity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose -- The purpose of this paper is to discuss the engagement of Pacific peoples in mental health services in Aotearoa New Zealand and Pacific strategies for suicide prevention. Design/methodology/approach -- This qualitative study involved 22 interviews with Samoans who had made a suicide attempt and/or had suicide ideation, were engaged in a mental health service. Findings -- Narratives of mental health services and suicide prevention focused on issues of cultural competency, the importance of family involvement, dichotomous views of western and traditional beliefs around mental illness and the unsuccessful engagement of Pacific youth. Originality/value -- This research argues that cultural considerations for Pacific communities are of paramount importance if mental health service engagement and developments towards Pacific suicide prevention strategies are to be effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the 10 years between 2006 and 2015, seven percent of all drowning fatalities in New Zealand were the consequence of land-based fishing activity (Water Safety New Zealand, 2015). In 2006, a collaborative campaign was launched in the Auckland, New Zealand entitled the West Coast Fisher Safety Project. This paper reports on the findings of annual surveys from 2006-2015 to determine what impact, if any, the safety promotion project has had. The most emphatic change in fisher behavior in the intervening decade has been the more frequent self-reported use of lifejackets (2006: 4%; 2015: 40%) and a gradual shift in fisher awareness of the risks associated with rock-based fishing and their vulnerability to that risk. Some risky behaviors (e.g., retrieving snagged lines, wearing gumboots/waders) persisted and required further attention. We discuss implications of having 10 years of data to underpin our understanding of fisher safety and help shape its future direction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The New Zealand early childhood Te Whāriki Curriculum’s vision statement draws attention to the responsibility teachers have to create environments in which children can develop holistically; including spiritually. This paper outlines the findings from a small qualitative research project that explored teachers’ perspectives on their understanding of spirituality and ‘wairua’ and the role they have in fostering these aspects in children’s development. Participants were in agreement that the concept of wairua and spiritualty are interwoven with both being about the spirit, soul, inner being, heart, the sum of who you are. Participants were in agreement that fostering this aspect of a child’s development was  part of a teacher’s responsibility. All respondents identified implications for their practice which included having environments that were inviting, stress free, engaging and filled with natural resources. The study highlighted that their initial teacher education programmes failed to cover these aspects in spirituality in any depth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: New Zealand has implemented a series of seven annual increases in tobacco tax since 2010. All tax increases, except for the first in the series, were preannounced. It is unusual for governments to introduce small, persistent, and predictable increases in tobacco tax, and little is known about the impact of such a strategy. This paper evaluates the impact of the fifth and sixth annual increases.Methods: Smokers' behaviors were self-reported during the 3-month period before, and the 3-month period after, the two annual increases. Responses to the two increases were analyzed separately, and generalized estimating equations models were used to control for sociodemographic variables, recent quit attempts, and the research design.Results: Findings were consistent across years. The proportion of participants who made a smoking-related (54%-56% before and after each tax increase) or product-related change (fifth tax increase: 17%-19%; sixth tax increase: 21%-22%) did not significantly alter from before to after each tax increase. However, it should be noted that the proportion of participants making smoking-related changes was generally high, even prior to each increase. For example, before the 2015 tax increase, 1% reported quitting completely, 21% trying to quit, and 53% cutting down.Conclusions: In New Zealand, with its series of annual tobacco tax increases since 2010, there were no significant changes in smoking- or product-related behavior associated with the fifth and sixth increases. Nevertheless, overall cessation-related activity was high, with a majority of participants reporting either quitting and/or cutting down recently.Implications: Little is known about the impact of small, persistent, predictable tobacco tax increases on smoking behavior. This study evaluated the impact of the fifth (in 2014) and sixth (2015) tax increases in an annual series implemented in New Zealand. Although there were no detectable changes in smoking behaviors from before to after each tax increase, self-reported cessation-related activity was high overall (i.e., even prior to each increase). Given that there are multiple possible interpretations for these findings, more in-depth time-series analyses are needed to understand how such a tax strategy influences smoking behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Young people in statutory care and protection interact with social workers, who hold potential to provide a supportive adult role in their lives. Many however, run away at an early age and end up on the street trading sex for money or other favours. There is potential to improve outcomes for young people in care if the relationship between young people and their social workers is better addressed. This paper uses data from a qualitative study of 14 young people who traded sex and who had experienced interactions with social workers. A thematic analysis identified three themes: the rigidity of social work practice; contesting the family situation; and resisting the at-risk label. We argue that to have any impact on outcomes for young people in care, social workers need to prioritise relationship-building above the need to conform to organizational protocols and guidelines. Such guidelines assist the social worker in assessing whether family situations pose high risk for a young person, but the 'at-risk' label is contested by young people, which results in a lack of trust and a barrier to relationship building. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cognitive enhancement is the use of prescription stimulant medicines by healthy individuals for nonmedical use in academic settings. Commonly used cognitive enhancers (CEs) include methylphenidate, amphetamines, and modafinil. To understand the motivation to use CEs, it is important to look beyond prevalence and explore the extent to which attitudes, beliefs, and intentions predict the decision to use CEs. Objective: The study aimed to investigate what factors explain the decision to use CEs among tertiary students in New Zealand, using the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). Methods: Students from the Schools of Pharmacy, Nursing, Medicine, Law, and Accounting at a university in New Zealand were invited to complete a paper-based questionnaire. The questionnaire elicited students' attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived control toward illicit use of CEs using TPB. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted. Results: Response rate was 88.6% (442/499). Students who perceived CE use to be socially and ethically acceptable were more likely to use CEs (odds ratio, OR: 1.56, 95% confidence interval, 95% CI: 1.153–2.105, p = 0.004). Students who were concerned about the health impact of CE use were less likely to use CEs (OR: 0.54, 95% CI: 0.492–0.826, p = 0.001). Students who believed that CE use was approved were more likely to use them (OR: 1.648, CI: 1.193–2.278, p = 0.002). Conclusion: This research supports the notion that the decision to use CEs is not just an autonomous choice that occurs in isolation. Attitudes on the ethical and social acceptability of CE use were more likely to drive the decision to use CEs. The study provides the impetus for an integrative discussion by health care professionals and academics on the impact of attitudes, social norms, and advocates on the decision to use CEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. From a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic perspective, Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ) rural residents formed an at-risk population, and disparities between rural and urban COVID-19 vaccination coverage have been found. Aim. To gain insight into factors contributing to the urban-rural COVID-19 vaccination disparity by exploring NZ rural health providers' experiences of the vaccine rollout and pandemic response in rural Māori and Pasifika communities. Methods. Rural health providers at four sites participated in individual or focus group semi-structured interviews exploring their views of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. Thematic analysis was undertaken using a framework-guided rapid analysis method. Results. Twenty interviews with 42 participants were conducted. Five themes were identified: Pre COVID-19 rural situation, fragile yet resilient; Centrally imposed structures, policies and solutions - urban-centric and Pakehā focused; Multiple logistical challenges - poor/no consideration of rural context in planning stages resulting in wasted resource and time; Taking ownership - rural providers found geographically tailored, culturally anchored and locally driven solutions; Future directions - sustained investment in rural health services, including funding long-term integrated (rather than 'by activity') health services, would ensure success in future vaccine rollouts and other health initiatives for rural communities. Discussion. In providing rural health provider perspectives from rural areas serving Māori and Pasifika communities during the NZ COVID-19 vaccine rollout, the importance of the rural context is highlighted. Findings provide a platform on which to build further research regarding models of rural health care to ensure services are designed for rural NZ contexts and capable of meeting the needs of diverse rural communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The practice of grouping mathematics students by perceived levels of attainment, commonly referred to by teachers as ability grouping, is a contentious and long-standing topic of debate in education. Responses from a survey of 102 mathematics support teachers affirm the widespread use of ability grouping within New Zealand primary school mathematics classroom. This contrasts recent literature that suggest changes towards more flexible heterogeneous grouping practices aligned with collaborative problem-solving learning environments will better support equitable and productive learning opportunities. In this paper, we explore teachers' levels of satisfaction with current grouping practices, with a view to understanding the potential for changes. The mathematics support teachers indicate that postgraduate study, experimentation within their own classrooms, and success working with problem-solving group tasks with struggling students have all served to prompt their rethinking of grouping practices. However, responses also point to teachers' uncertainty around change, the desire for extended professional learning support and exemplars of alternative practices, and the importance of whole-school leadership within a change process. It is clear that multi-levels of influence will be needed to disrupt embedded practices of ability grouping that currently serve to exclude and marginalise groups of disadvantage groups of students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the indicators of quality in care for people working and living in aged residential care (ARC) settings.Design/methodology/approach This research was conducted using an ethnographic design in two distinct ARC facilities in a New Zealand city, a large facility with residential, dementia and hospital level care, and a small family owned facility providing residential care only. In total, 50 hours of observational data were collected, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 people, including managers, careworkers, nurses, family members and residents. These data were thematically analysed using the constant comparative method.Findings The main indicators of quality for staff, family and residents included: a home-like, friendly and safe environment; good medical and personal care; respect for the residents; and good staff. Participants also acknowledged the need for adjustments by residents to living in aged care; and the challenges of caring for increasingly frail residents.Originality/value Findings support the growing recognition of a need for resident-centred approaches to ARC that are reflected in government policy and regulatory apparatus. Managers in ARC facilities must balance adherence with health and safety standards, and providing an environment where their residents can enjoy a meaningful life that has purpose and value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New Zealand is a peaceful nation, but ongoing political tensions and inequities between Māori (the indigenous peoples of New Zealand) and Pākehā (the majority group of Europeans) persist as a result of its colonial history. Identifying ways to redress the enduring legacy of colonialism are therefore of critical importance. Accordingly, this paper examines data from 7017 Māori, as well as 37,233 Pākehā, to examine the impact of regional-level Pākehā warmth towards Māori on Māori support for progressive collective action. Results reveal that Pākehā warmth towards Māori varies markedly across 257 regional wards (regional units created for New Zealand electoral purposes). Moreover, multilevel modelling demonstrates that Pākehā warmth towards Māori at the region-level correlates positively with Māori identity and political efficacy at the individual level which, in turn, both correlate positively with collective action support. Collectively, these results demonstrate the impact of the broader social climate on social change, while identifying a previously-unknown facilitator of collective action support (namely, a broader context of warmth towards structurally disadvantaged groups). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the key learning objectives in any health professional course is to develop ethical and judicious practice. Therefore, it is important to address how medical and pharmacy students respond to, and deal with, ethical dilemmas in their clinical environments. In this paper, we examined how students communicated their resolution of ethical dilemmas and the alignment between these communications and the four principles developed by Beauchamp and Childress. Three hundred and fifty-seven pharmacy and medical students (overall response rate=63%) completed a questionnaire containing four clinical case scenarios with an ethical dilemma. Data were analysed using multiple methods. The findings revealed that 73% of the qualitative responses could be exclusively coded to one of the 'four principles' determined by the Beauchamp and Childress' framework. Additionally, 14% of responses overlapped between the four principles (multiple codes) and 13% of responses could not be coded using the framework. The subsequent subgroup analysis revealed different response patterns depending on the case being reviewed. The findings showed that when students are faced with challenging ethical dilemmas their responses can be aligned with the Beauchamp and Childress framework, although more contentious dilemmas involving issues of law are less easily categorised. The differences between year and discipline groups show students are developing ethical frames of reference that may be linked with their teaching environments and their levels of understanding. Analysis of these response patterns provides insight into the way students will likely respond in 'real' settings and this information may help educators prepare students for these clinical ethical dilemmas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care at the University of Auckland is considering developing a Master of Primary Health Care (MPHC) programme. Masters level study entails considerable investment of both university and student time and money. Aim: To explore the views of potential students and possible employers of future graduates to discover whether there is a market for such a programme and to inform the development of the programme. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 primary health care stakeholders. Interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed and analysed using a general inductive approach to identify themes. Findings: Primary care practitioners might embark on MPHC studies to develop health management and leadership skills, to develop and/or enhance clinical skills, to enhance teaching and research skills, or for reasons of personal interest. Barriers to MPHC study were identified as cost and a lack of funding, time constraints and clinical workload. Study participants favoured inter-professional learning and a flexible delivery format. Pre-existing courses may already satisfy the post-graduate educational needs of primary care practitioners. Masters level study may be superfluous to the needs of the primary care workforce. Conclusions: Any successful MPHC programme would need to provide value for PHC practitioner students and be unique. The postgraduate educational needs of New Zealand primary care practitioners may be already catered for. The international market for a MPHC programme is yet to be explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accessible summary What is known about the subject? Citizenship is an important yet largely overlooked concept within psychiatric and mental health nursing practice, Many service users are subject to legally mandated restrictions that place conditions on their rights and responsibilities as citizens., What this paper adds to existing knowledge? Even though service users have legal status as citizens, they continue to experience many conditions on their rights and responsibilities., Concerns about services users' trustworthiness and doubts about their levels of insight impact on their status as full citizens., What are the implications for practice? Nurses' understandings of the conditions placed on the citizenship rights and responsibilities of service users will ensure inclusive and less restrictive care and treatment, Integration of the principles of therapeutic reciprocity and procedural justice within practice will help nurses balance both the rights of services users and legal restrictions on their liberty and autonomy, Abstract Introduction Service users have long been lobbying for equal participation as citizens, yet citizenship is an important and largely overlooked concept within nursing education and practice. Aims The study explored service users' understandings of their rights and responsibilities of citizenship and the conditions placed on these. Methods A total of 17 service users participated in semi-structured interviews. Isin's theory of the content of citizenship was used to analyze the data using a framework approach. Results Service users experience conditional citizenship that includes barriers to their participation and their rights and responsibilities that others in society enjoy. Discussion When the world of the service user is constructed through the language of the biomedical model, nurses may unwittingly reinforce psychiatric labels and thus perpetuate the stereotype that service users lack the competence to fully enact their rights and responsibilities. Implications for practice When providing care, nurses should incorporate the notion of therapeutic jurisprudence and the principles of reciprocity, procedural justice and the implementation of advanced directives to reduce conditions on service users' status as citizens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: Gout remains a health equity issue; Māori and Pacific peoples are disproportionately afflicted, with increased burden and loss of quality of life, yet are less likely to receive appropriate management, which mainly occurs in primary care. AIM: This study aims to understand the perspectives of the mainly Māori and Pacific clinicians and staff at an urban marae practice about barriers and challenges to delivering effective care to a Māori and Pacific community with high burden of gout. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 staff members delivering health care to a mostly Indigenous community. Interviews sought to ascertain staff views of enablers and barriers to optimal gout management and analyse them thematically. RESULTS: Three themes were identified: community disadvantage; demands unique to Indigenous providers; and challenges and opportunities for optimising gout management. High prevalence and heavy impact of gout on wellbeing in the community was intertwined with socioeconomic disadvantage, precariousness of employment and entrenched inaccurate (yet pliable) patient views on gout, to the detriment of focused, effective care. Structural and funding demands on providers inhibited staff focus on the clear community need. Providers saw the culturally safe and competent approach necessary for improvement as requiring community empowerment with appropriate clinical tools and adequate resourcing. DISCUSSION: Despite provider intent to deliver culturally appropriate and safe care and equitable health outcomes for patients suffering from gout, general practice initiatives without aligned resourcing or incentives are inhibited when inequity is pervasive. Simply asking Māori providers to do more for the same amount of resource may not be effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article draws on the findings of the qualitative phase of a New Zealand longitudinal study on vulnerable young people’s transitions to adulthood. The young people were aged between 12 and 17 years at the time of the first interview. The paper focuses on one key finding, how youth enact agency through their relationships with significant others: families, social workers, teachers and care workers. These youth had experienced sustained exposure to harm including abuse, violence, addictions, disengagement from school and mental health issues. The qualitative interviews focused on young people’s experiences with services (child welfare, juvenile justice, mental health and education support services) their key transitions, and the strategies they used to locate support and resources. The thematic analysis of the interviews indicated that a search for agency was a central motif in young people’s experiences. This was reflected in three thematic clusters: making sense of the world, having a voice and acting on the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In this paper we reflect on discussions with people of advanced age in Āotearoa New Zealand, and draw on theoretical frameworks of resilience and place in old age, to explore insights about the ways older people maintain quality of life and health. Twenty community-dwelling people of advanced age (85+) were recruited in 2015–16 from a large multidisciplinary longitudinal study of advanced age. These twenty participated in interviews about health in advanced age, impact of illnesses, interactions with clinicians, access to information, support for managing health, and perceptions of primary care, medications, and other forms of assistance. We use a positioning theory framework drawing on thematic and narrative analysis to understand the dynamic ways people in advanced age position themselves and the ways they age well through speech acts and storylines. People in advanced age saw themselves as challenged, rather than threatened, by adversities, and positioned themselves as able to draw on a lifetime of experience and resourcefulness and collaborations with supporters to deal with challenges. Key strategies include downplaying illness and resisting biomedical discourses of complexity, positioning embodied selves as having agency, and creative adaptation in the face of loss. People in advanced age exhibit resilience, maintaining wellbeing, autonomy and good physical and mental quality of life even while living with challenges such as functional decline and multi-morbidities. These findings have significance for supporters of older people, emphasising the need to move away from a narrow focus on problems to working together WITH people in advanced age to offer a more holistic approach that encourages and enhances adaptation and flexibility, rather than rigid and counterproductive coping patterns. Highlights • Older people position themselves as active co-managers in their support arrangements. • Framing problems as challenges not threats facilitates older people's resourcefulness. • People in old age adapt resiliently to health conditions as part of living and ageing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: In New Zealand, extended medicines management roles proposed for pharmacists include the optimisation and monitoring of medicines in patients with long-term conditions through greater collaboration with general practitioners (GPs). Although some collaborative roles have been successfully implemented in hospitals, barriers for both pharmacists and GPs hinder interprofessional working relationships in the community. AIM: To compare data from a 2012 study with two previous studies (1998, 2002) examining perceptions of community pharmacists and GPs of the expanding medicines management roles of community pharmacists. METHODS: In 2012, a survey, modelled on the 1998 and 2002 studies, was sent to 600 community pharmacists and 600 GPs. Analyses considered the five-point Likert scale to be a continuous variable. A change of > 10% between any two surveys indicated a relevant change for comparison. RESULTS: Increasing agreement, which differed considerably between professions, was apparent for most expanding medicine management roles over the 14 study years. In all three studies, pharmacists were open to expanding their roles to include monitoring, screening, advisory and prescribing roles. GPs were most accepting of the traditional dispensing role with a positive shift towards pharmacists' involvement in medicines management over time. DISCUSSION: Over 14 years, GPs became more accepting of community pharmacists' involvement in extended medicines management roles, although still had low acceptance of the more clinical roles. Pharmacists considered increased involvement in medicines management as their role, but appeared to lack confidence in their ability to do this role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: Obesity is now widely regarded as the main contributor to poor health globally, overtaking tobacco as the leading potentially modifiable risk to health. Community pharmacists are delivering an increasing number of extended services and are potentially well placed to contribute to obesity management strategies. No studies to date have investigated the views of community pharmacists in New Zealand about their role in weight management. AIM: To explore the views of community pharmacists in one region of New Zealand about their role in weight management, including the perceived barriers and facilitators to their involvement. METHODS: Qualitative, face-to-face, semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 11 community pharmacists from the Greater Wellington region. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically using an inductive approach. RESULTS: Four key themes were identified from data analysis. These were: (i) perceptions of obesity; (ii) perceptions of weight management treatment options; (iii) the unique position of the community pharmacist; and (iv) barriers to involvement. The main barriers described included: (i) a lack of time and remuneration; (ii) the absence of an appropriate space within the pharmacy to discuss weight-related matters; (iii) and a lack of awareness of who to contact for specialist support. DISCUSSION: Community pharmacists in Greater Wellington believe that they have a distinct role in their local community and can contribute to a multidisciplinary approach to reduce levels of obesity. Further work is required to determine the most appropriate role for community pharmacy in weight management and the training needs for pharmacy staff to optimally fulfil this role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: Patients are interested in receiving text messages (texts) related to their health care. However, anecdotes are emerging of associated problems and it is possible that many of the potential pitfalls are not recognised. AIM: To assess clinicians' attitudes and behaviours towards text messaging (texting) with patients. METHODS: A voluntary, anonymous, online survey was created and distributed to general practitioners and physiotherapists in New Zealand and to Sports Medicine Fellows and Sports Medicine Registrars in New Zealand and Australia. RESULTS: In total, 322 clinicians completed the survey. Texting behaviours relating to accuracy, privacy and security were identified. A range of sensitive and important medical information was frequently conveyed and at times forwarded to third parties. The clinicians generally felt uneasy communicating this way and some felt pressured into it. Most thought that guidelines are insufficient and that they had not received sufficient education on the issues. Most were interested in further education. CONCLUSION: This study has demonstrated frequent texting between clinicians and patients. It has highlighted potential risks to the privacy, accuracy and security of medical information. Current guidelines and education may be insufficient. Clinicians were interested in receiving readily available best practice guidelines and education regarding texting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: Research supports talking about death outside the end-of-life context. Benefits include allaying death anxiety to increased engagement in health promotion interventions. Nonetheless, the focus on death conversations remains centred on the imminently dying. This qualitative study investigated New Zealanders' perspectives on the value of, opportunities for, and barriers to death conversations in primary healthcare. METHODS: Twenty-one participants were interviewed. Participants were young older adults (54-65 years) not receiving palliative care or diagnosed with a terminal illness. Most were women who identified ethnically as New Zealand European. An immersion-crystallisation approach to thematic development was used to accommodate the multidisciplinary research framework. RESULTS: Four core themes were identified: 'a need to talk about death'; 'the role of the GP'; 'broaching the topic'; and 'media'. CONCLUSION: A cultural silence on death has rendered both the medical and lay community insufficiently prepared for frank and meaningful engagement with the topic, exacerbated by restricted consultation timeframes. The ease of death conversations may be facilitated by taking a family-centred approach, using community organisations and settings, and harnessing conversation entry points provided by the media. Future research should aim to develop tailored resources and frameworks to support general practitioners' meaningful engagement with the topic of death both within and outside of the end-of-life context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: In New Zealand, pertussis vaccination is recommended and governmentfunded during every pregnancy to protect the infant after birth. However, uptake is low and needs to be increased. AIM: To investigate enablers and barriers for uptake of the pertussis vaccination by pregnant women in New Zealand, and explore the acceptability of provision in pharmacies. METHODS: Women with infants were recruited in selected pharmacies and interviewed using a brief structured interview. Transcripts were analysed using a framework approach. RESULTS: Thirty-seven women aged 18-43 years provided data for analysis. Seventeen women reported receiving a pertussis vaccination during their pregnancy. Information from health professionals appeared important to encourage vaccination, but other sources of information (eg antenatal groups and media) were also cited. Non-vaccination arose from being unaware of the need for pertussis vaccination during pregnancy, concerns about safety, and misinformation. Participants supported pertussis vaccination in pharmacies to help access or increase the opportunity for health professionals to inform women. DISCUSSION: The information received by participants affected their uptake of the pertussis vaccine during pregnancy. Education of the public and health professionals about the pertussis vaccine during pregnancy is necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Uptake of maternal vaccinations (MVs) is suboptimal in Aotearoa New Zealand, particularly for Māori. Aim. To describe Māori women’s journeys regarding maternal pertussis and influenza vaccinations and explore influences on uptake. Methods. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in Waikato, Aotearoa New Zealand, with pregnant or recently pregnant Māori women, and separately with Māori healthcare professionals (HCPs) to understand women’s decisions regarding MVs and enablers and barriers to uptake. Results. Nine women and nine HCPs were interviewed. Verbal communications from midwives, general practice and pharmacy strongly influenced women’s journeys. Women’s decisions appeared largely straight-forward, with influences including awareness, knowledge, underlying beliefs and previous MVs. Enablers for MV uptake included HCPs’ discussions, pro-vaccination beliefs, and accessibility. Barriers for MV uptake included poverty (and transport), lack of awareness, insufficient knowledge of benefits, late presentation to the midwife and other commitments or challenges in the women’s lives affecting prioritisation of the vaccine. Misconceptions, seasonality, and lower HCP emphasis impaired influenza vaccination uptake. Discussion. With multiple barriers to accessing MVs, HCPs who see pregnant women are the primary resource to improve awareness, knowledge, and access through kōrero (discussions) with the woman and, where possible, being able to administer the vaccinations. These HCPs need to be well-informed, aware of likely concerns women may have and how to address them, encourage these discussions and preferably be trusted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Many public health experts have claimed that elimination strategies of pandemic response allow 'normal social life' to resume. Recognizing that social connections and feelings of normality are important for public health, this study examines whether, and for whom, that goal is realized, and identifies obstacles that may inhibit its achievement. Methods Thematic analysis of narratives obtained via a qualitative cross-sectional survey of a community cohort in Aotearoa | New Zealand. Results A majority of participants reported that life after elimination was 'more or less the same' as before the pandemic. Some became more social. Nevertheless, a sizeable minority reported being less social, even many months after elimination. Key obstacles to social recovery included fears that the virus was circulating undetected and the enduring impact of lockdowns upon social relationships, personal habits and mental health. Within our sample, old age and underlying health conditions were both associated with a propensity to become less social. Conclusions Elimination strategies can successfully allow 'normal social life' to resume. However, this outcome is not guaranteed. People may encounter difficulties with re-establishing social connections in Zero-COVID settings. Measures designed to overcome such obstacles should be an integral part of elimination strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our study with 71 children aged 6-14 living in New Zealand and Samoa, provides a new child-centred perspective on transnational diasporic families. We use the Pacific concept vā to frame the study, in which children's transnational-kinship connections reflect relational rather than physical approaches to space. Familial habitus surpasses spatial habitus as children's primary reference point. For diasporic children, family keeps alive their sense of Pacific Island belonging. Transnational kinship ties give Pacific children additional resilience in adapting to unknown futures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Gay and bisexual men (GBM) are deferred from donating blood in many countries. Perceptions by GBM that blood donor deferral policies are unjustifiably discriminatory, especially due to advances in HIV prevention, could contribute to non‐compliance and need to be understood. We explore blood donation interest and history among GBM and attitudes towards donor deferral policies for the first time in New Zealand (NZ). Materials and Methods: Data from a cross‐sectional online survey of GBM in NZ were examined. We constructed three groups: (1) never donated blood and not interested; (2) never donated but expressed interest; and (3) previously donated blood. We tested these for association with demographic and behavioural variables, as well as attitudes towards blood donation policy. Results: A total of 607 GBM were eligible for the study, of whom 32.9% reported having donated blood previously, 44.3% had never donated blood but expressed interest and 22.7% expressed no interest in donating. Among previous donors, a third (8.6% of the total sample) reported non‐compliance with the deferral policy. Most participants found the 12‐month deferral policy to be too strict (81.8%), unfair (75.4%) and homophobic (68.8%). Conclusion: We estimate that, for the first time in NZ, almost 10% of the sample did not report compliance with the 12‐month deferral policy for men who have sex with men (MSM). Negative attitudes towards the deferral policy were common and could potentially increase the risk to the blood supply if compliance reduces. Further work is needed to inform a deferral policy that is accepted by GBM while maintaining the safety of NZ's blood supply. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to share findings from an evaluation of a community- based, nurse-run intravenous (IV) therapy clinic, established in Christchurch, New Zealand, with a focus on feedback from consumers, referrers and nurses. Nurse Maude's district nursing services have provided IV therapy in the home for many years. Following the 2011 Canterbury earthquakes, when many homes were in a poor or unsanitary condition, an IV therapy centre was established in the Nurse Maude community specialty nursing clinic, as an alternative venue. In 2014, the New Zealand Institute of Community Health Care was asked to evaluate the service, to inform decision-making on its future. A mixed-methods approach was used for the evaluation, including analysis of financial and service activity data; qualitative feedback was sought from consumers, referrers and staff, to gauge the impact of the services from their perspective. The evaluation was also to provide recommendations about continuation of the service. Findings from the evaluation of this seven-day-a-week service indicated it was a safe and popular choice for clients, as well as an efficient and cost-effective way of delivering the service for both consumers and staff. The overall 20 percent increase in referrals to the service over the first 18 months was seen as showing that referrers and consumers had confidence in the service. This service broadened the IV therapy options available in the community, enabling consumers to avoid the need to visit the hospital for more complex IV therapies. With a trend towards community-based health care provision for those with complex treatment needs, alternative ways of providing traditional services in these settings need to be explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim We recently reported that a companion robot reduced residents' loneliness in a randomised controlled trial at an aged-care facility. This report aims to provide additional, previously unpublished data about how the sessions were run, residents' interactions with the robot and staff perspectives. Methods Observations were conducted focusing on engagement, how residents treated the robot and if the robot acted as a social catalyst. In addition, 16 residents and 21 staff were asked open-ended questions at the end of the study about the sessions and the robot. Results Observations indicated that some residents engaged on an emotional level with Paro, and Paro was treated as both an agent and an artificial object. Interviews revealed that residents enjoyed sharing, interacting with and talking about Paro. Conclusion This study supports other research showing Paro has psychosocial benefits and provides a guide for those wishing to use Paro in a group setting in aged care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The management of gout is challenging and mainly occurs in primary care. This study aims to explore the experience of treating gout among primary care clinicians and understand the perceived barriers to effective therapy. Methods: Fourteen health professionals from primary care practices in South Auckland were recruited. Each participated in a semi-structured interview exploring their experience of treating and managing gout patients were analysed thematically. Findings: Participants described the large burden of gout in their communities and the importance of the clinician-patient relationship in gout management. Four themes summarise the perceived barriers to effective urate lowering therapy (ULT); unique gout factors, eg its intermittent nature and potential for stigmatisation; systemic barriers to optimal treatment, or barriers that emerge from working within a certain organisation; uncertainty about ownership, or who should carry responsibility for overcoming barriers to optimal treatment; and cultural barriers to optimal treatment. Conclusion: Clinicians in primary practice perceive gout management to be mainly acute rather than preventive care. Patients may be stigmatised and management difficult particularly when diet is emphasised over ULT. Practice nurses are a group potentially available and willing to assist in educating patients. These findings may be helpful in planning for and improving healthcare in gout. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: In New Zealand, while the term 'Asians' in popular discourse means East and South-east Asian peoples, Statistics New Zealand's definition includes people of many nationalities from East, South and South-east Asia, all with quite different cultural norms, taboos and degrees of conservatism. In a context where 'Asian' youth data are typically presented in aggregate form, there are notable gaps in knowledge regarding the contextual determinants of health in this highly heterogeneous group. This qualitative study explored key stakeholder views on issues that would be most useful to explore on the health and wellbeing of Asian youth and processes that would foster engagement of Asian youth in health research. METHODS: Interviews were conducted with six key stakeholders whose professional activities were largely focused on the wellbeing of Asian people. The general inductive approach was used to identify and analyse themes in the qualitative text data. FINDINGS: Six broad themes were identified from the key stakeholder interviews framed as priority areas that need further exploration: cultural identity, integration and acculturation; barriers to help-seeking; aspects to consider when engaging Asian youth in research (youth voice, empowerment and participatory approach to research); parental influence and involvement in health research; confidentiality and anonymity; and capacity building and informing policy. CONCLUSION: With stakeholders strongly advocating the engagement of Asian youth in the health research agenda this study highlights the importance of engaging youth alongside service providers to collaborate on research and co-design responsive primary health care services in a multicultural setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discrepancies between hospice service usage and cancer rates in Māori, the indigenous peoples of Aotearoa New Zealand, raise several questions. There have been numerous studies into these discrepancies highlighting issues regarding the appropriateness of care in hospice services in Aotearoa for Māori. This paper explores these issues, accentuating some gaps in the literature—such as intergenerational trauma—as well as ways that Pākehā psychotherapists (New Zealander psychotherapists of European descent) can biculturally engage with Māori. The author encourages psychotherapists to become allies by embracing a Māori‐centred approach to psychotherapy that brings both groups together as partners, while working through numerous post‐colonial issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims Adolescents represent the next generation and have the greatest amount to gain from the tobacco endgame. They will provide the future momentum to achieve the tobacco endgame, thus it is important that their views on interventions are monitored. We examined support among 14-15-year-old New Zealanders for tobacco endgame goals and measures, and trends in this support from 2009 to 2012. Methods This study used data from an annual survey of over 25 000 Year 10 students (14-15 year olds) undertaken by Action on Smoking and Health New Zealand. We assessed support for five tobacco control goals and measures: living in a smoke-free country; having fewer tobacco retail outlets; not selling tobacco in 10 years' time; implementing outdoor smoking bans; and raising the price of tobacco. Results Support for living in a smoke-free country was 59%, while support for a ban on all tobacco sales in 10 years' time was 57% in the most recent survey year. Most respondents supported each of the tobacco control measures and gave strongest support to having fewer places where tobacco could be sold (71% in 2012). Support for the other two tobacco control measures in the most recent year ranged from 59% to 64% and had increased over time, in most cases significantly. Support was strongest among non-smokers and declined as participants' smoking frequency increased. Conclusions Young people support New Zealand's smoke-free goal and interventions that could help achieve it; this evidence should galvanise policy action, which remains out of step with public opinion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As psychosocial factors have been recognised as significant predictors of the recovery trajectory from chronic back pain, the 34-item Back Pain Attitudes Questionnaire (Back-PAQ) was developed based on themes obtained from patient interviews, but previous psychometric analyses with a general population sample revealed uncertainty around the factor structure of the instrument. To provide more detailed information about the psychometric properties of the Back-PAQ when used with participants from the general population and also to test the internal validity of the tool for use with General Practitioners (GPs). After applying partial-credit Rasch analysis with a sample of participants from the general population (n = 600), a replication analysis was conducted with a sample of GPs (n = 184). This approach permitted examination of sample-specific personal factors for differential item functioning. Subtests were used to differentiate between local dependency due to underlying dimensionality from local dependency due to method effects. A unidimensional fit to the Rasch model was achieved after 14 misfitting items had been deleted. The final 20-item solution also fit with a sample of 184 GPs. In both cases, the Back-PAQ-20 demonstrated good reliability (PSI ≥ 0.80), with no evidence of differential item functioning by personal factors. The ordinal-to-interval conversion algorithms presented here further enhance the precision of the scale and permit analysis of Back-PAQ-20 scores using parametric statistics. The present study provided evidence for valid and reliable assessment of the back pain recovery beliefs of both users as well as providers of health services. Psychosocial factors have been recognised as significant predictors of the recovery trajectory from chronic back pain. The 34-item Back Pain Attitudes Questionnaire (Back-PAQ) was developed based on themes obtained from patient interviews, but previous psychometric analyses with a general population sample revealed uncertainty around the factor structure of the instrument. The 20-item version of the Back Pain Attitudes Questionnaire (Back-PAQ) is shown here to have strong psychometric properties for administration with users and providers of health services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The COVID‐19 pandemic has disrupted all aspects of life and may raise particular fears for people with rheumatic disease. There is a need for research on fears and perceived risk of SARS‐CoV‐2 so as to understand the impact on wellbeing and inform service provision. Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the correlates of COVID‐19 fears and perceived risk of SARS‐CoV‐2 among people with rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis. Design: A cross‐sectional survey design was applied in Aotearoa New Zealand in the period after initial nationwide lockdowns. Method: An online survey was completed from July to September 2020 by 126 individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (n = 96) or ankylosing spondylitis (n = 30) who had previously been recruited to the Patient Opinion Real‐Time Anonymous Liaison (PORTAL) study in 2015 or 2018. The survey included demographics and health information as well as measures of COVID‐19 fears and experiences, functional disability and fatigue‐related disability. Results: Fears about COVID‐19 were higher among younger participants, those who had been tested for SARS‐CoV‐2, and those who experienced more flares over the initial lockdown. Perceived risk of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection was also higher among individual who had been tested for SARS‐CoV‐2 and those taking biologic medications. Conclusion: Fears about COVID‐19 and perceived risk of infection are related to age, health and medications among individuals with rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis. These findings inform how health professionals can help address the concerns of particular groups of people with rheumatic disease by providing relevant information about the ongoing effects of the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent pre-pandemic research suggests that living wages can be pivotal for enhancing employee attitudes and subjective wellbeing. This article explores whether or not the present COVID-19 pandemic is impacting pivotal links between living wages and employee attitudes and subjective wellbeing, with replication indicating robustness. Twin cohorts each of 1,000 low-waged workers across New Zealand (NZ), one pre- (2018), and one present-pandemic (2020) were sample surveyed on hourly wage, job attitudes, and subjective wellbeing as linked to changes in the world of work associated with the pandemic (e.g., job security, stress, anxiety, depression, and holistic wellbeing). Using locally estimated scatter-point smoothing, job attitudes and subjective wellbeing scores tended to pivot upward at the living wage level in NZ. These findings replicate earlier findings and extend these into considering subjective wellbeing in the context of a crisis for employee livelihoods and lives more generally. Convergence across multiple measures, constructs, and contexts, suggests the positive impacts of living wages are durable. We draw inspiration from systems dynamics to argue that the present government policy of raising legal minimum wages (as NZ has done) may not protect subjective wellbeing until wages cross the living wage Rubicon. Future research should address this challenge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]