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Simple Summary: The Asian paper wasp Polistes chinensis is an invasive species in New Zealand and South-East Australia. This species threatens native invertebrate communities through predation and potentially competition for resources. During an ecological field study of P. chinensis in New Zealand, we discovered wasps that were infected with and were being killed by two species of pathogenic fungi. In the interest of investigating these fungi as potential biological control agents, our aim in this study was to identify the two fungal species using morphological and molecular methods, determine their natural prevalence in the studied paper wasp population, and test their infective potential to hosts in a controlled environment. We successfully identified the fungi species as Beauveria malawiensis, a generalist insect pathogen, and Ophiocordyceps humbertii, a specialist of social wasps. These are the first records of these species infecting paper wasps in New Zealand. We estimate that they produce infections in approximately 3.3% of wild P. chinensis colonies in our study site. In our infection assays, we passively exposed healthy wasp colonies to asexual fungal spores, which resulted in successful infections of B. malawiensis, and significantly increased wasp mortality rates. Two species of entomogenous fungi were discovered infecting the invasive paper wasp Polistes chinensis during an ecological study on Farewell Spit, New Zealand. We sequenced two nuclear ribosomal RDNA genes, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and the small ribosomal subunit 18S, and one protein-coding gene, the translation elongation factor 1-alpha (ef1 α). Combining sequence information with morphological examination, we identified these species as Beauveria malawiensis and Ophiocordyceps humbertii. We estimated that these fungi produce infection in approximately 3.3% of colonies in our study population. In bioassays, we successfully infected P. chinensis individuals from healthy colonies with B. malawiensis, with significant effects on adult mortality. This is the first record of both B. malawiensis and O. humbertii from Polistine hosts in New Zealand, and the first investigation into disease causality by these pathogens in P. chinensis. Our findings may contribute to the future development of biological control agents for paper wasps in New Zealand and elsewhere around the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

To investigate if a written guide or augmented reality (AR) guide improves free recall of diversified chiropractic adjusting technique and to capture participants' impressions of the study in a poststudy questionnaire. Thirty-eight chiropractic students were evaluated for diversified listing (a nomenclature denoting vertebral malposition and correction) recall, pre-AR and post-AR, or written guide review. The vertebral segments used were C7 and T6. Two randomized groups reviewed an original course written guide (n = 18) or a new AR guide (n = 20). A Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney (C7) and t test (T6) compared group differences in reevaluation scores. A poststudy questionnaire was given to capture participants' impressions of the study. Both groups showed no significant differences in free recall scores after reviewing the guides for C7 or T6. The poststudy questionnaire suggested a number of strategies could be used to improve current teaching material such as more detail in the written guides and organizing content into smaller blocks. Use of an AR or written guide does not seem to change participants' free recall ability when used to review diversified technique listings. The poststudy questionnaire was useful to identify strategies to improve currently used teaching material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Private renters in New Zealand during the 1970s paid high rents relative to their incomes and endured poor quality and insecure housing. Protest groups formed across the country in order to protect and promote tenant interests; a rare occurrence in New Zealand's history. The groups supported tenants through direct action and legal advice and lobbied for policy change. This paper draws on the archives of tenant groups to investigate why these groups arose at this time, what they achieved, and what challenges they experienced. The groups assisted many tenants, contributed to clarifying tenancy law, and, in some cases, evolved into service providers. However, they were challenged by the systemic policy bias toward homeownership and ultimately failed to create a more equitable housing system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Chemical eye injury is an acute emergency that can result in vision loss. Neurotrophic keratitis (NK) is the most common long-term manifestation of chemical injury. NK due to alkali burn affects ocular surface health and is one of its most common causes. Here, we established a rabbit model of corneal alkali burns to evaluate the severity of NK-associated changes. Material methods: Alkali burns were induced in NZ rabbits by treating the cornea with (i) a 5 mm circular filter paper soaked in 0.75 N NaOH for 10 s (Mild NK) and (ii) trephination using a guarded trephine (5 mm diameter and 150-micron depth), followed by alkali burn, with a 5 mm circular filter paper soaked in 0.75 N NaOH for 10 s (a severe form of NK). Immediately after, the cornea was rinsed with 10 mL of normal saline to remove traces of NaOH. Clinical features were evaluated on Day 0, Day 1, Day 7, Day 15, and Day 21 post-alkali burn using a slit lamp, Pentacam, and anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT). NK-like changes in epithelium, sub-basal nerve plexus, and stroma were observed using in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM), and corneal sensation were measured using an aesthesiometer post alkali injury. After 21 days, pro-inflammatory cytokines were evaluated for inflammation through ELISA. Results: Trephination followed by alkali burn resulted in the loss of epithelial layers (manifested using fluorescein stain), extensive edema, and increased corneal thickness (550 µm compared to 380 µm thickness of control) evaluated through AS-OCT and increased opacity score in alkali-treated rabbit (80 compared to 16 controls). IVCM images showed complete loss of nerve fibers, which failed to regenerate over 30 days, and loss of corneal sensation—conditions associated with NK. Cytokines evaluation of IL6, VEGF, and MMP9 indicated an increased angiogenic and pro-inflammatory milieu compared to the milder form of NK and the control. Discussion: Using clinical parameters, we demonstrated that the alkali-treated rabbit model depicts features of NK. Using IVCM in the NaOH burn animal model, we demonstrated a complete loss of nerve fibers with poor self-healing capability associated with sub-basal nerve degeneration and compromised corneal sensation. This pre-clinical rabbit model has implications for future pre-clinical research in neurotrophic keratitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: There are important changes in the health care needs of women presenting to general practice in New Zealand, which prompted an evaluation of postgraduate training needs of general practitioners (GPs) who care for women in the community. AIM: To evaluate the perceived relevance of the curriculum of Otago University postgraduate programmes in women's health to GPs' work profile to identify any need for curricular change. This study was also performed to investigate the need for refresher courses or a Master's degree in obstetrics, gynaecology and women's health. METHODS: In total, 426 GPs and GP trainees who had completed the postgraduate Certificate and Diploma programmes in women's health were invited to complete an online survey. The survey consisted of multiple-choice questions with five-point Likert scale ratings to rate the relevance of papers to general practice, and options for free-text comments. RESULTS: There were 86 responses (20.2% response rate) and we analysed 73 (17.1%). Curriculum modules related to gynaecological care were rated as more relevant than obstetric and newborn care. GPs suggested more training in contraception and management of infertility, abnormal uterine bleeding and pelvic pain including procedural skills such as insertion of long-acting reversible contraceptives, implants and intrauterine devices. An interest in a refresher course was indicated by 76.6% of GPs. DISCUSSION: GPs recognised the need for enhanced training in women's gynaecological care. Revision of the postgraduate women's health curriculum and development of new refresher courses will enable GPs, trainees and prospective GPs to improve their care for women in the community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Numerous fractures are observed in fractured geothermal reservoirs on borehole images in the Taupō Volcanic Zone (TVZ), Aotearoa New Zealand. These fractures are necessary to explain the sustained reservoir permeabilities despite the low matrix porosity. However, conventional continuum models do not adequately represent fluid flow through these fractured rocks. Methods: We present new Discrete Fracture Network (DFN) codes that model fractures and associated fluid flow in 2-D at reservoir scales to represent typical rock types found in TVZ reservoirs. Input parameters are derived from interpretations of borehole images at the Rotokawa and Wairakei geothermal fields where fractures have high dip magnitudes (> 60–70°). This paper focuses on the effect of fracture density along virtual boreholes (P10), that is in average 0.6 m−1 in sheet-like andesites; 0.8 m−1 in ignimbrites and 1.7 m−1 in rhyolite lavas. Results: The number of fractures in the models scale linearly with the input P10 in virtual boreholes. The percolation threshold, where the backbone of fractures is connected across the entire model domain, is reached for P10 > 0.24 m−1. Above this threshold, mean flow measured along the mean fracture direction scales linearly with P10. For P10 > 0.4 m−1 the permeability anisotropy lies in the interval 13 ± 3, with the scatter decreasing as P10 increases. The pressure distributions in individual DFN realisations are highly variable, but averages of 50 realisations converge towards those given by equivalent continuum models. Probability density functions resulting from DFN realisations can therefore be used to constrain continuum models. Tracing of fluid particles through the DFN shows that particles can take numerous pathways to define a swath of paths. The travel time of particles over 1 km follows a distribution similar to real tracer tests, with arrivals peaking at 1–2 days and a long tail stretching to over 200 days. Conclusions: The new codes, calibrated to real measurements of fracture geometries in borehole images of the TVZ, reproduce patterns of flows in fractured geothermal systems. Mean flows and permeability anisotropies derived from the DFNs can be used to improve modelling of flows through fractured geothermal reservoirs using continuum models at a limited computational cost. Rocks in New Zealand geothermal systems are highly fractured. Hot water flows through networks of these fractures and is collected in boreholes to generate electricity. It is important for the geothermal industry to understand how hot water flows through fractured rock so that expensive boreholes can be optimally located and energy generation maximized. Rocks in New Zealand geothermal systems are highly fractured. Hot water flows through networks of these fractures and is collected in boreholes to generate electricity. In this paper we use data collected from boreholes in two New Zealand geothermal fields to study how easily hot water flows through the main types of volcanic rocks commonly found in these fields. The observations made in boreholes tell us how many fractures cross the borehole, how big they are, and in what direction they lie. We have developed computer programs that extrapolate these measurements in a realistic way from close to the borehole to the whole geothermal reservoir, and then to calculate the flows through the resulting fracture networks. Because these networks can be so irregular, we calculate thousands of different examples to understand the likely variability of the flows through them. Averages of many fracture models, at least 50, give similar results to traditional models used by the geothermal industry, which don't consider fractures. This tells us that the traditional models are missing a lot of important details. Results from our fracture models can therefore be used in traditional models to improve the way they consider flows in fractured geothermal reservoir. Keypoints: New fracture modeling codes and with input from fracture measurements in geothermal boreholes. Probability density functions of mean flows and flow anisotropy through fractured networks at reservoir scale for rock types found in TVZ geothermal reservoirs. Calibration for continuum models. Quantification of fluid dispersion: implications for tracer test interpretation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Economists view land taxes as having beneficial efficiency properties relative to other forms of taxation. Furthermore, land taxes in New Zealand are administratively easy to implement since all properties are already valued on a regular basis. However, questions remain about the distributional properties of a land tax. Five questions are addressed in this paper: First, what are its vertical equity properties (in relation to household income/wealth)? Second, what are its horizontal equity properties (for people with similar incomes/wealth but with different landholdings)? Third, what are the impacts of the tax on landowners involved in land-extensive primary industries? Fourth, what are the impacts on owners of Māori land? Fifth, what inter-generational equity distributional considerations arise? After addressing these questions, the paper considers broader changes to the tax system accompanied by a central government land tax that incorporates the following features: (1) Māori freehold land that is currently non-rateable under the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002 is exempt from the tax; (2) a tax-free threshold is set based on the per hectare value of the land parcel; (3) a proportionate tax is levied on all land value above the threshold; and (4) an option is provided to accrue the tax liability (with interest) until property sale to alleviate cashflow constraints. The paper concludes that the strong efficiency and administrative properties of a land tax, structured as above to alleviate certain distributional concerns, make land tax a valid option for central and local governments to consider. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores how Korean migrant churches in Aotearoa New Zealand can find a balance between missions (understood as extending the Church) and Mission1 (construed as participation in the missio Dei), in relation to their sense of belonging. For this purpose, the research uses a qualitative methodology interview method guided by interpretivism. The paper begins by identifying key contextual factors related to Koreans in New Zealand as migrants, Christians and missional beings. The responses of 31 research participants regarding what constitutes a “sense of belonging” are analysed in terms of visible and invisible belonging. Visible belonging is associated with churches that have strong boundaries, and invisible belonging is found in one’s relationship with God; the two can be correlated with missions and Mission, respectively. The analysis suggests that a missional understanding can be a trigger for enabling interaction between visible belonging as missions and invisible belonging as Mission, through three missional concepts: purpose, progress and experience. Finally, the paper suggests practical ways that Korean churches in New Zealand can balance missions and Mission by following three missional guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Community-based primary care, such as general practice (GP) or urgent care, serves as the primary point of access to healthcare for most Australians and New Zealanders. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has created significant and ongoing disruptions to primary care. Traditional research methods have contributed to gaps in understanding the experiences of primary care workers during the pandemic. This paper describes a novel research design and method that intended to capture the evolving impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on primary care workers in Australia and New Zealand. Recurrent, rapid cycle surveys were fielded from May 2020 through December 2021 in Australia, and May 2020 through February 2021 in New Zealand. Rapid survey development, fielding, triangulated analysis and dissemination of results allowed close to real-time communication of relevant issues among general practice workers, researchers and policy-makers. A conceptual model is presented to support longitudinal analysis of primary care worker experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia and New Zealand, and key learnings from applying this novel method are discussed. This paper will assist future research teams in development and execution of policy-relevant research in times of change and may inform further areas of interest for COVID-19 research in primary care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Commercial greyhound racing in New Zealand has been under scrutiny for its animal welfare practices for over a decade. In 2021, the greyhound racing industry was placed 'on-notice' by the New Zealand Racing Minister and Associate Minister of Agriculture (Animal Welfare) due to ongoing issues with data recording, transparency, and animal welfare generally. Social license was identified as a key factor in deciding the future of commercial greyhound racing in New Zealand. This paper describes the findings of a robust survey of the New Zealand public's opinion towards commercial greyhound racing. The majority of survey respondents reported a negative view of the greyhound racing industry and indicated that, given the chance, they would vote in support of a ban on greyhound racing. The respondents reported a lack of involvement and knowledge of industry practices. These results confirm that the majority of the New Zealand public do not currently support the continuation of commercial greyhound racing in New Zealand. The commercial greyhound racing industry in New Zealand is struggling with an eroding social license and 'on-notice' status. Multiple independent reviews of the industry have identified ongoing issues of animal welfare during and between races, euthanasia decisions, poor data tracking, a lack of transparency and problems with rehoming dogs, resulting in New Zealand animal advocacy agencies and the general public questioning the continuation of greyhound racing. The current paper assessed the New Zealand public's awareness and familiarity with commercial greyhound racing, identified current levels of public support or opposition for racing, and provided context in terms of engagement with greyhound racing using a comprehensive survey of a robust sample of New Zealanders. The results confirm that the social license of the greyhound industry is under challenge with most respondents expressing disagreement with or lack of knowledge of current industry practices and indicating they would vote in support of a ban. There is scope for increasing public acceptability by addressing welfare issues, increasing awareness of positive industry practices, and encouraging transparency of the greyhound racing agency. However, as greyhound racing is on the decline worldwide, calls are likely to continue for a phase-out of commercial greyhound racing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lateral roots, including adventitious roots, are the main component of rapeseed roots with support, absorb, and synthesis functions and their morphological parameters directly affecting the plant's aboveground growth and yield. Root biomass, as a material base for lateral root growth, can be used as a link between plant phenotypes and their physiological processes, as well as to enhance root 3D growth model mechanisms and accuracy. To quantify the relationships between lateral root morphological indices and the corresponding organ biomass for rapeseed, we used two cultivars, NY 22 (conventional) and NZ 1818 (hybrid), and conducted cultivar and fertilizing cylindrical tube experiments during the 2016–2019, with two fertilizer levels, no fertilizer, and 180 kg N ha−1 fertilizer. The lateral root biomass and morphological parameters were determined during the whole growth period. The biomass‐based lateral root morphological parameter models were developed by analyzing the quantitative relationship between the lateral root morphological indices and their corresponding biomass, and the descriptive models were verified with independent experimental data. The results showed that the correlation (r) of simulated and observed values for the lateral root morphological parameters are all greater than 0.9 with significant levels at p < 0.001. The absolute values of the average absolute difference (da) of simulated and observed values for the lateral root length (LLR), lateral root average diameter (ADLR), lateral root surface area (SALR), and lateral root volume (VLR) are −30.408 cm, −0.003 mm, 12.902 cm2, and 0.039 cm3, respectively. The RMSE values are 175.183 cm, 0.010 mm, 59.710 cm2, and 1.513 cm3, respectively. The ratio of da to the average observed values (dap) for the LLR and VLR are all less than 5%, and the ADLR and SALR are all <6%. The models developed in this paper have good performance and reliability for predicting lateral root morphological parameters of rapeseed. The study provides a mechanistic method for linking the rapeseed growth model with the morphological model using corresponding organic biomass and laying a good foundation for establishing a 3D morphological model for rapeseed root system based on biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While much existing research investigates embodiment and body image in individualised terms, new research in youth studies takes a wider view. How are young people's experiences of embodiment entangled with sociocultural and structural influences? How do young people come to develop a sense of embodied identity in contexts that teem with hostile and unattainable body ideals? How are possibilities for affirming and affirmative embodiment navigated by young people—especially those living outside prevailing appearance norms? In this paper, we engage with these questions, drawing insights from an in-depth, collaborative research project designed to understand what supports and constrains hauora and wellbeing for young people in Aotearoa (New Zealand). First, we analyse young people's accounts thematically, identifying three prevailing systems of cultural privilege that regulate embodiment. These include processes of racialisation and gendering, as well as cisnormative, heteronormative, ableist and healthist logics. Second, we work closely with one young person's interview, exploring how her narrative unsettles prevailing norms of appearance and embodiment. By spotlighting what young people themselves tell us about their bodies and embodied experiences, this paper demonstrates the value of an embodiment lens for youth and wellbeing studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Key New Zealand ethical documents that describe appropriate ethical behaviour for doctors do not consider rurality and how this might impact on the practice of medicine. Aim. The aim of this study was to understand the literature on key ethical issues experienced by general practitioners in a rural context that might inform the development of a New Zealand agenda of rural medical ethics Methods. A rapid review was undertaken of three databases using a variety of key words relating to rurality, ethics, professionalism and medicine. Inclusion criteria were research articles focussing on the experience of doctors working in a rural healthcare setting, commentaries and narratives. The findings from the paper were synthesised and broad ethical categories created. Results. Twelve studies were identified that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Synthesis of the data revealed five ethical issues that predominately arose from living and working within communities. These ethical issues related to juggling personal and professional lives, managing friendships with patients, managing loss of privacy and anonymity, assuring confidentiality and practicing outside of comfort zones. Discussion. The majority of ethical issues arose from managing overlapping relationships. However, these overlapping relationships and roles are considered normal in rural settings. A tension is created between adhering to urban normative ethical guidelines and the reality of living in a rural environment. Professional ethical guidelines, such as those developed by the New Zealand Medical Council, do not account for this rural lived reality. Rural practitioners in New Zealand should be engaged with to progress a specific rural ethics agenda. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2010–2011 Canterbury earthquake sequence highlighted the vulnerability of New Zealand light-frame wood buildings that are the predominant typology in residential construction. While life-safety performance was excellent, many buildings experienced widespread cracking of internal wall linings that resulted in costly repairs and disruption. Despite the widespread use of light-frame wood construction in New Zealand, no known shake table tests have been documented for this construction typology. Additionally, New Zealand light-frame wood building performance cannot simply be inferred from international testing because New Zealand adopts a different design philosophy from those of the US and Canada by relying on gypsum sheathing as the primary lateral resisting element. To further investigate New Zealand light-frame wood building performance, this paper discusses shake table testing of a light-frame wood building specimen, constructed on the University of Canterbury unidirectional shake table using modern New Zealand design and construction approaches. The observed damages during the tests were consistent with those observed in similarly built structures that were investigated after the 2010–2011 Canterbury earthquake sequence. This paper also presents a modeling approach using the state-of-the-art software Timber3D, which was verified by simulating the shake table specimen and comparing the observed and predicted dynamic response from the test specimen and model, respectively. The Timber3D modeling approach included analysis and parameterization of screw-slip data using the Evolutionary Parameter Hysteretic Model, formulation of two-dimensional wall component models, and nonlinear time history analysis of a three-dimensional model of the shake table specimen. The model was shown to reasonably predict the displacement response of the shake table specimen and the strength degradation from cracking damage through repeated earthquakes. The modeling approach described is intended to further the development of residential building models toward the performance-based seismic design of light-frame wood buildings in New Zealand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: International and migrant students face specific challenges which may impact their mental health, well-being and academic outcomes, and these may be gendered experiences. The purpose of this scoping review was to map the literature on the challenges, coping responses and supportive interventions for international and migrant students in academic nursing programs in major host countries, with a gender lens. Methods: We searched 10 databases to identify literature reporting on the challenges, coping responses and/or supportive interventions for international and migrant nursing students in college or university programs in Canada, the United-States, Australia, New Zealand or a European country. We included peer-reviewed research (any design), discussion papers and literature reviews. English, French and Spanish publications were considered and no time restrictions were applied. Drawing from existing frameworks, we critically assessed each paper and extracted information with a gender lens. Results: One hundred fourteen publications were included. Overall the literature mostly focused on international students, and among migrants, migration history/status and length of time in country were not considered with regards to challenges, coping or interventions. Females and males, respectively, were included in 69 and 59% of studies with student participants, while those students who identify as other genders/sexual orientations were not named or identified in any of the research. Several papers suggest that foreign-born nursing students face challenges associated with different cultural roles, norms and expectations for men and women. Other challenges included perceived discrimination due to wearing a hijab and being a 'foreign-born male nurse', and in general nursing being viewed as a feminine, low-status profession. Only two strategies, accessing support from family and other student mothers, used by women to cope with challenges, were identified. Supportive interventions considering gender were limited; these included matching students with support services' personnel by sex, involving male family members in admission and orientation processes, and using patient simulation as a method to prepare students for care-provision of patients of the opposite-sex. Conclusion: Future work in nursing higher education, especially regarding supportive interventions, needs to address the intersections of gender, gender identity/sexual orientation and foreign-born status, and also consider the complexity of migrant students' contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Management of domestic and wild animals is an integral part of conservation and is often based on how an animal is categorised. For example, feral cats are often killed, while valued companion cats and native wildcats are protected.Drawing on qualitative research and using the concept of boundary‐work, this paper examines the complex categorisation and management of cats within conservation in Britain and Aotearoa, New Zealand (NZ). We examine how, both in theory and in practice, valued companion and wildcats are distinguished from unprotected feral cats, and in‐between categories of stray and hybrid cats.We demonstrate that stakeholders draw boundaries between cat categories differently. These differences in boundary‐drawing reflect the inherent blurriness of category boundaries, practical challenges and, importantly, differences in values, in particular whether priority is placed on the life of the cat or the cat's potential victim, particularly native or game birds. This can mean that laws outlining protections for specific categories of animals have limited effect if, in practice, those encountering cats draw boundaries differently.This paper also reports on important differences between the two case studies. In NZ, even cat advocates support the humane killing of unambiguously feral cats while this is less true in Britain. Furthermore, due to the nature of the contexts, conservationists in NZ are more inclined to assume that ambiguous cats are feral whereas conservationists in Britain are more inclined to assume that they are wildcats.This paper demonstrates that values not only shape people's perceptions and treatment of animals but also how they draw boundaries between them. This finding may have important implications for understanding other controversies in conservation and animal management. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Education and literacy have long been associated with a range of economic and social outcomes in industrialized societies. Recent research based on large-scale national and international surveys has examined effects of education and literacy on individuals' social and economic outcomes. This paper takes a further step in understanding the importance of literacy for individuals' economic and social outcomes by disentangling the effects of two different aspects of literacy, literacy proficiency as measured by standardized tests and reading engagement as measured by self-reports of everyday reading activities. Using recent nationally representative survey data from New Zealand, multivariate regression models estimate the effects of reading engagement on earnings, health, social trust, political efficacy and civic engagement. Reading engagement has statistical and substantial positive effects on each of these outcomes with the effects of literacy proficiency, education and other important variables held constant. Although these results do not imply a causal relationship between reading engagement and the outcomes, they have important implications for policy and practice in adult education as well as for future research about the role of reading engagement in wellbeing more generally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A large body of academic research documents harmful media coverage of indigenous populations across the globe. New Zealand is no exception. Aotearoa's indigenous people, Māori, share similar damaging experiences, leading one major NZ media company to publish an apology for their historically poor depiction of tangata whenua. This paper adds to that wealth of evidence using the automated methods of machine learning to examine coverage of Māori in NZ print media. Across roughly 800,000 sentences – spanning over two decades of coverage – this research investigates print media discourses involving Māori at a mass scale while demonstrating the applicability of such tools for further research. The results replicate a collection of existing findings at large-N scale, further documenting problematic discussions of violence, political representation, and culture, among several other concerns. The novel approach also hints at complex, obscure relationships embedded within problematic language in Aotearoa's print media, identifying notions of division - both implied and otherwise - along with notable instances of resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to encourage discussion among sport and recreation leaders in New Zealand about the need to engage futures thinking to adapt to a rapidly changing environment. The paper recognizes the generally risk adverse and conservative nature of the sport and recreation sector in New Zealand, the issue of 'presentism' and the paucity of international examples of futures thinking in sport and recreation, even though the landscape from within which it operates is rapidly evolving. Recognising the sport and recreation sector may not be fit for the future, the Government agency for Sport and Recreation commissioned a futures process, hosting workshops involving a diverse representation of the sport and recreation sector. The workshops explored drivers of change, assumptions, and alternative futures, including a preferred future and the actions needed to move toward it. Discussions reflected a desire to change, but a difficulty with knowing how to. Identification of alternative futures, assumption challenge and examining worldviews assisted with broadening thinking. Five characteristics of a preferred future emerged from discussions, representing choices and decisions about who New Zealanders are and want to be as a society. Working in partnership with Māori, empowering local decision-making, having a stronger relationship with the environment, building broader relationships, connections and networks, and building alignment around the preferred future were among the immediate actions the sport and recreation sector can take. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. New Zealand health training institutions have an important role in supporting health workforce training programmes in the Pacific Region. Aim. To explore the experience of Pacific Island country-based doctors from the Cook Islands, Niue, and Samoa, studying in New Zealand’s University of Otago distance-taught Rural Postgraduate programme. Methods. Document analysis (16 documents) was undertaken. Eight semi-structured interviews were conducted with Pacific Island country-based students. Thematic analysis of the interviews was undertaken using the framework method. The two data sources were analysed separately, followed by a process to converge and corroborate findings. Results. For Pacific Island countries with no previous option for formal general practice training, access to a recognised academic programme represented a milestone. Immediate clinical relevance and applicability of a generalist medical curriculum with rural remote emphasis, delivered mainly at a distance, was identified as a major strength. Although technologies posed some issues, these were generally easily solved. The main challenges identified related to the provision of academic and other support. Traditional university support services and resources were campus focused and not always easily accessed by this group of students who cross educational pedagogies, health systems and national borders to study in a New Zealand programme. Study for individuals worked best when it was part of a recognised and supported Pacific in-country training pathway. Discussion. The University of Otago’s Rural Postgraduate programme is accessible, relevant and achievable for Pacific Island country-based doctors. The programme offers a partial solution for training in general practice for the Pacific region. Student experience could be improved by tailoring and strengthening support services and ensuring their effective delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the instrumentation and the first results of an upper atmospheric observing project conducted in New Zealand. We operate an all-sky aurora camera and a 64-Hz sampling induction magnetometer at Middlemarch, as well as 1-Hz sampling fluxgate magnetometers which have been operative at three stations in New Zealand, Middlemarch, Eyrewell and Te Wharau. Green and red auroras corresponding to the 557.7 nm and 630.0 nm emissions, respectively, were observed on the night of 5 August 2019. Pc1 pulsations were observed in the frequency range of ~ 0.2–1 Hz before and after a small (minimum Dst = − 40 nT) geomagnetic storm during 4–6 October 2020. Before the geomagnetic storm, Pc1 pulsations with several center frequencies were observed regardless of local time. During the recovery phase, an IPDP (interval of pulsations of diminishing period) type of Pc1 and four subsequent intervals of Pc1s were detected. The Ionospheric Alfvén Resonator (IAR) was also identified with spectral resonance structures during this magnetic storm. Lower harmonic modes of the IAR were present throughout the local nighttime, but higher harmonic modes with frequency of 5–15 Hz seemed to disappear at the onset time of substorms. This is the first report of the IAR at such a high frequency range and this is the first IAR observation in the southern hemisphere. Examples of applying cross-phase analysis to observation data of fluxgate magnetometers are also given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Middle leaders are important conduits for school policy and are often required to lead, champion and monitor change initiatives in their departments. This paper examines secondary school middle leaders' self-reported theories, promotion and leadership of culturally responsive teaching approaches for student equity. The study participants (n = 170) are curriculum leaders in state secondary schools throughout New Zealand, serving a range of diverse populations, including Indigenous Māori students. The quantitative and qualitative data for this project were thematically analysed to inquire into middle leaders' articulation of their culturally responsive theories, practices, and pedagogical and curriculum leadership to assist members of their departments in supporting Māori student educational success. The study found that although middle leaders could clearly articulate culturally responsive, sustaining and revitalising pedagogies and leadership in alignment with government policies and expectations, they were less clear about the measures they used to evidence these practices. In addition, less than 30% of the middle leader participants mentioned academic achievement as an element of Māori student success, and few mentioned the importance of systematic monitoring of achievement data, or using them to support better learning outcomes for Māori students (184). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Purpose: This study offers a Bourdieu-oriented analysis of the tax compliance practice for indigenous entrepreneurs in New Zealand. It examines the intersection of accounting and tax for Māori entrepreneurs and their relational interactions with the Inland Revenue Department (IRD)/state/Crown and accountants by considering the contextual factors of history, culture and society of Māori. Design/methodology/approach: Qualitative research was adopted using face-to-face in-depth interviews with 34 participants and reviewing government documents. The authors analyse the tax compliance practice by drawing on Bourdieu's concepts of field, capital and habitus to conceptualise the tax field as a site of struggle for power and control by the IRD, accountants and indigenous entrepreneurs. Findings: This study demonstrates how the tax field is structured as a game between tax reporting, taxpaying and monitoring functions. The position within the field is determined by the actor's access to the relevant capitals and habitus. It identifies how accounting, given its centrality to tax compliance, facilitates the power relations between the IRD, accountants and Māori entrepreneurs. The Eurocentric accounting-based tax reporting and the contextual factors illuminate how indigenous entrepreneurs are being dominated in the tax field. They experienced cultural dissonance with conflicting responsibilities when traversing the collectivistic indigenous and tax fields. Their collectivism involves sharing resources as they cherish whanaungatanga (relationship, kinship) and manaakitanga (kindness, generosity), which are at odds and are not valued in the tax field. Practical implications: It is an empirical illustration of the connection between accounting, tax and power for indigenous taxpayers and their relationship with the IRD/Crown and accountants. It has practical implications for developing and enhancing tax compliance in jurisdictions with indigenous taxpayers. Such an understanding is helpful for policymakers, government, business agencies and the accounting professions when assisting, empowering and educating indigenous groups regarding tax compliance. Originality/value: This paper responds to the call for accounting research with modern-day indigenous peoples rather than historical ones. The paper fills a gap in the accounting and tax literature by examining the tax compliance practice of indigenous small and medium enterprise (SME) entrepreneurs using Bourdieu's framework. It identifies how the role of accounting creates, maintains and reinforces power structures in the tax field. Tax/accounting reporting based on Eurocentric rules disempowers and alienates indigenous entrepreneurs. They misrecognise their actions in reproducing the existing power structures in the tax field due to deeply held historical and cultural factors about the fear of the Crown/state and their practice of rangitaratanga (esteeming authorities). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this new era of energy transition, access to reliable and correctly functioning electricity markets is a huge concern for all economies. The restructuring path taken by most electricity markets involves the movement towards green generation structures and the increasing integration of wind and solar photovoltaic energy sources. Furthermore, it involves the electrification of energy systems, which implies a substantial increase in electricity demand levels. It is also important to add that electricity use has been pivotal in achieving efficient productivity levels in many sectors and is thus crucial to boosting economic activity. Nevertheless, this shift in generation structures has raised several challenges in electricity markets, mainly because the electricity produced from wind and solar photovoltaics is intermittent. In turn, adopting green power sources has been claimed to increase electricity price volatility and thus increase pricing risks. Therefore, to ensure that the right market signals are being sent to investors, the behaviour of electricity prices should be carefully assessed. There are three main types of pricing mechanisms commonly used in electricity markets: zonal, uniform and nodal. This study provides a short literature survey on these three pricing mechanisms. Our analysis has revealed that the assessment of the behaviour of nodal electricity price volatility is rarely studied in the literature. This fact has motivated the exploration of this topic and the consideration of the New Zealand electricity market case. The New Zealand electricity market is an energy-only system with no interconnections with other electricity markets. Furthermore, it has plenty of electricity produced from hydropower, which has a high potential to reduce price volatility through its backup role. The nodal pricing mechanism is complex, and data on it are hard to process. This paper elucidates the main challenges in processing electricity big data. Three different procedures to make this data more useable are described in detail. The main conclusions of this paper highlight the need to access easy-to-manage data and identify certain variables that significantly affect nodal prices for data which are unavailable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The dairy industry in Australia and New Zealand is pasture-based, therefore, monitoring failed transfer of passive immunity (FTPI) is challenging. This study involved a systematic literature search and meta-analysis of papers reporting FTPI data from dairy calves within eight days of birth in Australia and New Zealand, until the end of 2022. An overall prevalence of 33% of FTPI in dairy calves in Australasia and a prevalence of 38% at the farm level were calculated from the meta-analysis, comparable to rates observed elsewhere. Factors, such as the frequency of calf removal from the calving area, time of the first colostrum feed after birth, colostrum volume and quality, and other management practices, were found to play a significant role in FTPI in Australasia. Monitoring and minimizing the prevalence of failed transfer of passive immunity (FTPI) in dairy replacement calves within the first week of life is crucial for calf health and farm profitability. In this study, a systematic literature search and meta-analysis were conducted on papers reporting the prevalence of FTPI in calves from pasture-based dairy farms in Australia and New Zealand. Two search methods, a "traditional method" and a "search engine method", were conducted to identify published studies on FTPI in Australia and New Zealand. Data from a total of 13,430 calves from eight studies in Australasia were included in the analysis for FTPI within 8 days of birth. The meta-analysis revealed that the average prevalence of FTPI was 33% across the two countries, with the lowest FTPI (9%) in Western Australia and the highest FTPI (59%) in New Zealand. Using farm data from three studies, the average prevalence of FTPI at the farm level in Australasia was 38%, with the lowest prevalence found in a farm in South Australia (6%). In conclusion, the meta-analysis confirmed the need for good management of cows and newborn calves after birth in pasture-based systems to reduce FTPI in calves. Collecting newborn calves from pasture at least twice per day after birth and providing colostrum of sufficient quantity and quality as soon as possible were the best practices for preventing FTPI in Australasian dairy systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In the 2019/20 Thoroughbred racing season, the system for reporting the reasons for, and the clinical outcomes of, veterinary examinations changed from a paper-based reporting process to an online system ('Infohorse database'). The impact of this change in reporting process was examined using the official reports from three racing seasons (2019/20 to 2021/22). The introduction of the online system did not alter the incidence of reporting events or veterinary examinations. The online system did reduce the errors in reporting events (such as misspelt horse names). The online system also improved the description of the veterinary events and the reasons for the requested veterinary examination due to consistency in the descriptors used. The structured data entry framework of the online system permitted greater ability to identify or differentiate the primary clinical presentation and the incidental or associated findings. The online system provided a more structured dataset compared to the paper-based system, making it a useful tool for the monitoring of injuries and potential risk factors within Thoroughbred racing in New Zealand. Therefore, the racing industry can meet its duty of care for racehorse and jockey welfare by making evidence-based changes to the management and structure of racing. In the 2019/20 Thoroughbred racing season, the paper-based reporting process of stipendiary steward reports was upgraded to an online system ('Infohorse database') to allow for the rapid entry of precise event and injury data. The objectives of this study were to describe the incident and non-incident examinations during the 2019/20, 2020/21, and 2021/22 Thoroughbred flat racing seasons in New Zealand and describe the primary injury and reporting outcomes. The introduction of the online system was associated with fewer miscoding events with horse identification (0.1%). An improvement in the definition and prompts in reporting within the online system compared with the previous paper-based system resulted in a greater frequency of non-incident examinations being undertaken. The increased frequency of reporting the clinical outcome, 'no observable abnormalities detected' (NOAD), demonstrates the role of stipendiary stewards to carry out routine screening. The frequency of most clinical findings, such as musculoskeletal fractures (0.5 per 1000 starts, 95% CI = 0.3–0.6), remained similar compared to previously reported data using the paper-based system. The online system provided a more structured dataset compared with the paper-based system, making it a useful tool for the monitoring of incidents, injuries, and potential risk factors within Thoroughbred racing in New Zealand. Therefore, evidence-based changes to the management and structure of racing can be undertaken to ensure the industry meets its duty of care for racehorse and jockey welfare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A rapid procedure for the targeted isolation of antibacterial compounds from Manuka (Leptospermum scoparium) leaf and branch extracts was described in this paper. Antibacterial compounds from three different Manuka samples collected from New Zealand and China were compared. The active compounds were targeted by TLC-bioautography against S. aureus and were identified by HR-ESI-MS, and -MS/MS analysis in conjunction with Compound Discoverer 3.3. The major antibacterial component, grandiflorone, was identified, along with 20 β-triketones, flavonoids, and phloroglucinol derivatives. To verify the software identification, grandiflorone underwent purification via column chromatography, and its structure was elucidated through NMR analysis, ultimately confirming its identity as grandiflorone. This study successfully demonstrated that the leaves and branches remaining after Manuka essential oil distillation serve as excellent source for extracting grandiflorone. Additionally, we proposed an improved TLC-bioautography protocol for evaluating the antibacterial efficacy on solid surfaces, which is suitable for both S. aureus and E. coli. The minimum effective dose (MED) of grandiflorone was observed to be 0.29–0.59 μg/cm2 against S. aureus and 2.34–4.68 μg/cm2 against E. coli, respectively. Furthermore, the synthetic plant growth retardant, paclobutrazol, was isolated from the samples obtained in China. It is hypothesized that this compound may disrupt the synthesis pathway of triketones, consequently diminishing the antibacterial efficacy of Chinese Manuka extract in comparison to that of New Zealand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Spontaneous humeral fractures in first- and second-lactation dairy cows are recognized as a serious welfare problem in New Zealand. However, the condition is sporadic, which means that simple epidemiological descriptions and estimates of the extent of the problem are lacking. By combining the data from four independent studies using a multi-method approach, we found that their occurrence is more common than previously thought, with potentially up to 12% of farms and 4,620 dairy cattle affected in the 2013/2014 lactation season. Furthermore, the condition exclusively affects first- and second-lactation spring calving dairy cows, up to 4 months post-partum, and may affect multiple animals on the same farm, in the same season, and over multiple seasons, which are not always consecutive. We suggest that the evidence presented in this paper places an urgent requirement on the New Zealand dairy industry to undertake prompt action to understand the determinants of this epidemic. A multi-method approach integrating data from four independent sources was used to describe some key features of the epidemiology and estimate the herd and within-herd incidence of fractured humeri in New Zealand dairy cattle for the period 2007–2015. The first dataset was from a national case series where cases of humeral fractures in dairy cattle were identified by veterinarians across New Zealand between the 2007/2008 and 2011/2012 lactation seasons. The second dataset was from a pet food company based in the Waikato region, which collated the number of casualty first- and second-lactation cows found to have a fractured humerus post-slaughter in the 2014/2015 lactation season, and the third dataset was a case series conducted by veterinarians employed in a Waikato veterinary business, also from the 2014/2015 lactation season. For the final dataset, 505 randomly selected New Zealand dairy farmers completed a phone survey on the incidence of non-responsive, non-weight-bearing forelimb lameness in first- and second-lactation cows in the 2014/2015 lactation season. Using the telephone survey results, the within-herd and herd-level incidence of cases for first- and second-lactation dairy animals was calculated. The national case series reported 149 cases of humeral fractures in 22 dairy herds; the pet food case series identified 61 cases from 41 farms; and the practice-based case series found 14 cases from 10 farms. Humeral fractures exclusively affected first- and second-lactation dairy cows and had a peak incidence between calving and early mating. The national telephone survey found that non-weight-bearing forelimb lameness requiring euthanasia of first- or second-lactation cows occurred in 11.7% of herds, with a mean within-herd incidence of 2.6% for first lactation cows and 2.8% for second-lactation cows for affected herds. These combined datasets demonstrate that humeral fractures in young, lactating dairy cattle are more common than previously suspected and that they occur nationally and over multiple years on some farms. Further work on this condition is urgently required in New Zealand to establish cost-effective management practices that will reduce unnecessary animal suffering and waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The widespread perception of New Zealand is of a group of remote islands dominated by reptiles and birds, with no native mammals except a few bats. In fact, the islands themselves are only part of a wider New Zealand Region which includes a large section of Antarctica. In total, the New Zealand Region has at least 63 recognised taxa (species, subspecies and distinguishable clades) of living native mammals, only six of which are bats. The rest comprise a large and vigorous assemblage of 57 native marine mammals (9 pinnipeds and 48 cetaceans), protected from human knowledge until only a few centuries ago by their extreme isolation in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. Even after humans first began to colonise the New Zealand archipelago in about 1280 AD, most of the native marine mammals remained unfamiliar because they are seldom seen from the shore. This paper describes the huge contrast between the history and biogeography of the tiny fauna of New Zealand's native land mammals versus the richly diverse and little-known assemblage of marine mammals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Groundwater age or residence time is important for identifying flow and contaminant pathways through groundwater systems. Typically, groundwater age and age distributions are inferred via lumped parameter models based on measured age tracer concentrations. However, due to cost and time constraints, age tracers are usually only sampled at a small percentage of the wells in a catchment. This paper describes and compares two methods to increase the number of groundwater age data points and assist with validating age distributions inferred from lumped parameter models. Two machine learning techniques with different strengths were applied to develop two independent metamodels that each aim to establish relationships between the hydrochemical parameters and the modelled groundwater age distributions in one test catchment. Ensemble medians from the best model realisations per age distribution percentile were used for comparison with the results from traditional lumped parameter models based on age tracers. Results show that both metamodelling techniques predict age distributions from hydrochemistry with good correspondence to traditional lumped parameter model (LPM)-derived age distributions. Therefore, these techniques can be used to assist with the interpretation of lumped parameter models where age tracers have been sampled, and they can also be applied to predict groundwater age distributions for wells in a similar hydrogeological regime that have hydrochemistry data available but no age tracer data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial intelligence systems require large amounts of data to allow them to learn and achieve high performance. That data is increasingly collected in extractive and exploitative ways, which transfer value and power from individuals to AI system owners. Our research focuses on data that is collected from users of digital platforms, through direct and indirect interaction with those platforms, in ways that are not communicated to users, without consent or compensation. This paper presents our findings from a series of interviews and workshops in the Aotearoa New Zealand context to identify common themes and concerns from a variety of perspectives. Reframing this type of interaction as work or labour brings into view an otherwise unrecognised harm of using this data for training AI systems, and illustrates a new class of exploitative data practices that have become normalised in the digital age. We found that participants particularly emphasised moral or ethical justifications for intervention over financial or economic reasons to act. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In higher education (HE), collaborative activities that revolve around a core idea, practice, or knowledge base, such as learning circles, communities of practice or inquiry, peer observation, and peer-assisted teaching, are known to support professional learning. This paper explores the experiences of eight HE scholars from Australia and New Zealand, across four years, as they recognized a new means of collaborative professional development that transcends known approaches and extends beyond an immediate focal point. The group originally formed to support the development of HE fellowship applications, but evolved to what they now consider a community for practice (CfP), where the purpose of collaboration has changed to meet the unique learning needs of each member. During their four years of collaboration, meeting discussions were recorded, and individual and community narrative reflections about participation in the group were created. A thematic analysis of these collective data sources revealed the group's evolution, and the authors draw on their experiences to tell their story with an aim to enhance professional learning in HE. The study highlights that individuals' distinct and varied needs can be developed and supported through scholarly, collegial engagements such as a CfP, which does not necessarily require an immediate point of practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Body image dissatisfaction and its associated challenges have been related to poorer health outcomes among adolescents worldwide, including disordered eating behaviour, depression, and anxiety. However, current prevalence estimates of these issues in Aotearoa New Zealand or, relatedly, the estimates of positive attitudes and behaviours, such as intuitive eating and body appreciation are dated. Aim. The primary aim of this paper was to provide updated estimates for a variety of constructs related to eating behaviours and body image, sourced from a diverse range of early adolescent participants. Methods. For this report, a brief online survey was advertised to adolescents throughout Aotearoa New Zealand (n = 893) via school and community noticeboards. Results. Approximately one-in-three male participants and one-intwo female participants reported body image dissatisfaction. One in four participants reported clinically significant symptoms of depression and anxiety. Discussion. Given such issues, there is clearly still much progress to be made in advancing positive health among early adolescents. Identifying potentially protective constructs such as intuitive eating and body appreciation may offer guidance into the best targets for prevention and early intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The loss of productive soils and food-producing landscapes on the edges of cities is an increasing issue facing Aotearoa New Zealand. Like many countries globally, New Zealand's largest cities are facing rapid expansion because of increasing urbanisation, with high levels of low-density residential sprawl into the productive peri-urban hinterlands and increasing rates of 'reverse sensitivity'. Food production, as a result, is being pushed further away, disconnected from the communities it serves, and often onto less productive soil. This paper explores the perceptions and attitudes of both peri-urban residents and food producers living and working within the peri-urban zone of Ōtautahi Christchurch. Conducting two surveys, one with residents and another with producers, respondents' perceptions of food growing within this peri-urban landscape are explored to better understand the enablers and barriers of growing food close to cities. Overall, the results indicated that peri-urban residents appreciate food being produced close to where they live, with over 90% of residential respondents feeling either 'mostly positive' or 'extremely positive' towards food being grown close to their homes. Of greatest concern for peri-urban residents were issues relating to negative impacts on the environment and human health, with particular concern for water quality. The lack of accessibility to locally produced food was also identified as an area of concern to residents. Food producers felt less positive towards operating their food-production enterprises within the peri-urban zone, identifying a range of issues impacting their experience. The information rendered from these surveys provides a base for future land-use planning consideration within the peri-urban zone, where both food production and housing can co-exist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates 7 MHz ionospheric radio wave propagation between pairs of distant countries that simultaneously lie on the terminator. This is known as greyline propagation. Observations of amateur radio beacon transmitters recorded in the Weak Signal Propagation Reporter (WSPR) database are used to investigate the times of day that beacon signals were observed during the year 2017. The WSPR beacon network consists of thousands of automated beacon transmitters and observers distributed over the globe. The WSPR database is a very useful resource for radio science as it offers the date and time at which a propagation path was available between two radio stations, as well as their precise locations. This paper provides the first systematic study of grey-line propagation between New Zealand/Eastern Australia and UK/Europe. The study shows that communications were predominantly made from the United Kingdom (UK) to New Zealand at around both sunset and sunrise times, whereas from New Zealand to the UK, communication links occurred mainly during UK sunrise hours. The lack of observations at the UK sunset time was particularly evident during the UK summer. The same pattern was found in the observations of propagation from Eastern Australia to UK, and from New Zealand and Eastern Australia to Italy and the surrounding regions in Europe. The observed asymmetry in reception pattern could possibly be due to the increase in electromagnetic noise across Europe in the summer afternoon/evening from thunderstorms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Civil Engineering is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose: Temporary labour mobility programmes (TLMPs) are initiated by high-income nations to fill their labour demands by offering temporary work opportunities to migrants from low-income nations. TLMPs also seek to contribute to economic development in workers' home countries. This paper aims to assess the accountability of New Zealand's Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) Scheme and Australia's Seasonal Worker Programme (SWP) in reaching their economic development objectives in one sending nation, Samoa. Design/methodology/approach: A qualitative study with RSE and SWP workers and key informants (collectively stakeholders) in Samoa was undertaken to assess the contributions of these schemes to economic development. An interdisciplinary research approach was taken using the Pacific methodology of talanoa. Talanoa was used to "operationalise engagement" and empower local stakeholder accounts. Findings: Talanoa supported the elicitation of accounts that contributed nuanced insights into the accountability of TLMPs. Specifically, stakeholder accounts revealed limitations in the ability of the RSE Scheme and SWP to meet their economic development objectives for Samoan communities and workers. Adjustments are necessary to meet Pacific nations' economic development objectives. Practical implications: This study responds to calls for on-the-ground accounts of stakeholders involved in TLMPs. It provides insights that may contribute to the development of more effective TLMPs, particularly regarding economic development in workers' home countries. Originality/value: Drawing on dialogic accounting literature, which calls for engagement with the marginalised, a talanoa approach has been engaged to assess TLMPs via on-the-ground participant accounts in a specific context. This paper introduces talanoa to the critical and social accounting literature, to move beyond a typical accounting qualitative interview process and encourage greater engagement and collaboration with Pacific scholars and partners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES Private Equity (PE) involvement in healthcare has been evident in the United States (US) for some time, with questionable benefits reported. There are significant differences in funding, health insurance and regulation in the US, when compared to Australia and New Zealand (NZ), so it is not clear whether existing US research can be generalised to these settings. This study aims to examine published information regarding PE involvement in the private-for-profit (PFP) healthcare sector in Australia and NZ, including evidence of PE shareholdings and its impacts. DESIGN This scoping review considers academic and grey literature, including academic research and commentary papers, media reports, corporate reports, PFP healthcare websites and government submissions. MAIN OUTCOME & RESULTS Thirty-three relevant sources were identified, but no specific information on the impacts of PE investment were discovered. The academic papers highlight an ongoing debate (but limited research evidence) about PFP healthcare, including the quality of clinical care, practice consolidation and a downward trend on clinician ownership. The grey literature offered more information on PE investment and growth of the PFP sector, but limited detail about shareholdings. CONCLUSION With little research on PE investment in Australia and NZ, it is difficult to know if continued PE growth will have a positive or negative affect on operational performance and outcomes, such as clinician engagement and clinical care. The authors conclude that there is a shifting landscape of PFP healthcare in Australia and NZ, to less clinician and greater PE ownership. Given the reports of negative impacts of PE involvement in the US, these trends pose significant immediate and long-term implications. This paper sets the agenda for further research to explore the organisational and system-level impacts of PE growth in Australia and NZ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]