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Undergraduate physics programs are increasingly facing pressure from university and college administration, industry, and funding agencies to improve training of our undergraduates. Increasingly, tertiary institutions have redefined their graduate profiles and mission statements to encompass more than just content knowledge, including skills that will help students succeed in today's fast-paced world. Many physics departments have started to incorporate the results of physics education research and cognitive science, by adopting more active pedagogies. Student Centered Active Learning Environment with Upside-down Pedagogies (SCALE-UP) is one such educational innovation that has spread widely around the United States and abroad. While initially developed for large-enrollment university physics courses, the approach is being used in a variety of disciplines and class sizes so the acronym has evolved to reflect this. SCALE-UP integrates the lab, "lecture," and tutorial sections of the course in a reformed classroom to allow large-enrollment university courses to benefit from interactive instruction. This article explains how the University of Auckland developed more open-ended, resourceful lab activities to be completed by large classes that enhance understanding of physics while developing transferable writing-related and critical thinking skills.

Despite emerging evidence of the contributors to high-quality family day care, a comprehensive comparison of international family day care systems has not been undertaken. The aim of this paper is to compare regulated family day care (FDC) in Australia, Canada, England and Wales, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Norway, New Zealand, Sweden, and the USA, using standard information about FDC usage and each country's structural characteristics, regulatory approach, quality assurance indicators, supervision and support, and sector challenges. A template was developed by representatives of the International Family Day Care Organisation, including academics, FDC providers, and FDC educators and management staff. The paper demonstrates that, although the existing body of published research is sufficient to provide clear guidance for developing and maintaining quality FDC, this knowledge is not always being applied in current practices. Three practices, each pertaining to several countries, are of concern: (a) minimal requirements for being a regulated FDC provider, (b) minimal quality assurance guidelines, and (c) minimal provider supports. There is great potential to learn from countries that have a high level of success in providing high-quality FDC and strong support for providers and families. (Contains 6 tables.)

There has been a growing focus in New Zealand on the early literacy learning of young children. This emphasis has challenged early childhood teachers to ensure there are appropriate literacy events within their programme. The aim of this study was to identify early childhood teachers' knowledge and beliefs about literacy learning and examine how these translated into literacy practices. Four early childhood settings were chosen--two sessional kindergartens and two full-day early learning centres. Eight early childhood teachers from four different centres were interviewed. All teachers held a recognized early childhood qualification and were working within the framework of Te Whaariki, the New Zealand early childhood curriculum. Five children in each setting were observed using narrative observations. All teachers were committed to providing meaningful and purposeful literacy experiences within a play-based programme. However, although teachers had created rich early literacy environments, there was some tendency toward formal skills-based interactions. The children themselves created many opportunities for authentic and rich literacy events.

Genome sequences can reveal the extent of inbreeding in small populations. Here, we present the first genomic characterization of type D killer whales, a distinctive eco/morphotype with a circumpolar, subantarctic distribution. Effective population size is the lowest estimated from any killer whale genome and indicates a severe population bottleneck. Consequently, type D genomes show among the highest level of inbreeding reported for any mammalian species (F ROH ≥ 0.65). Detected recombination cross-over events of different haplotypes are up to an order of magnitude rarer than in other killer whale genomes studied to date. Comparison of genomic data from a museum specimen of a type D killer whale that stranded in New Zealand in 1955, with 3 modern genomes from the Cape Horn area, reveals high covariance and identity-by-state of alleles, suggesting these genomic characteristics and demographic history are shared among geographically dispersed social groups within this morphotype. Limitations to the insights gained in this study stem from the nonindependence of the 3 closely related modern genomes, the recent coalescence time of most variation within the genomes, and the nonequilibrium population history which violates the assumptions of many model-based methods. Long-range linkage disequilibrium and extensive runs of homozygosity found in type D genomes provide the potential basis for both the distinctive morphology, and the coupling of genetic barriers to gene flow with other killer whale populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the past decade, collaboration has been the preferred method of devising land and water policy in Aotearoa New Zealand to achieve agreed outcomes. However, the use of collaboration in policymaking is at a crossroads, as some argue it is unrealistic to expect stakeholders and tangata whenua with competing interests to work in partnership on contentious policy issues. To help clarify the future direction of collaboration, this paper provides authorising agencies (those with responsibility for the policy problems) with prompts to reflect ex ante on the advantages and disadvantages of pursuing collaboration. Based on a retrospective review of collaborations in New Zealand's land and water policymaking, and a two-day symposium with collaboration practitioners, we identify situations that are potentially less suited to collaboration owing to factors that are challenging to overcome through process design. Four issues that affect the success of collaborations are identified: the nature of the policy problem, the personal and collective qualities of those involved, power relationships, and the collaborative process. Finally, we draw together practical lessons from history, the symposium, and the literature to develop a list of questions for authorising agencies to use to reflect on the advantages and disadvantages of pursuing collaboration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Canterbury Region of New Zealand has undergone rapid and significant land use intensification over the last three decades resulting in a substantial increase of nitrate-nitrogen leached to the environment. In this article, we determined the nitrate grey water footprint of milk, which is the amount of water needed to dilute nitrogen leached past the root zone to meet different receiving water nitrate standards per milk production unit. Our analysis revealed the nitrate grey water footprint for Canterbury ranged from 433 to 11,110 litres of water per litre of milk, depending on the water standards applied. This footprint is higher than many estimates for global milk production, and reveals that footprints are very dependent on inputs included in the analyses and on the water quality standards applied to the receiving water. The extensive dairy farming in Canterbury is leading to significant pollution of the region's groundwater, much of which is used for drinking water. Dairy farming at this intensity is unsustainable and if not reduced could pose a significant risk to human health and the market perception of the sustainability of the New Zealand dairy industry and its products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2020, social workers across the world responded to the global COVID-19 pandemic and the consequent strict lockdown procedures over several months. In many countries, including Australia and New Zealand, this virtual shutdown period necessitated a reframing of social work practice to incorporate factors including delivery of services via virtual means and more limited access for vulnerable clients. This article draws on the integration of two methods designed to address the research question: 'How has social work practice in Australia and New Zealand been affected by COVID-19?' These include (i) a narrative review of papers published during 2020 on social work practice and the COVID-19 pandemic and (ii) an online survey, undertaken from October to December 2020, of Australian and New Zealand social workers. The questionnaire data were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and thematic analysis. The findings of this article details include the significant impacts of COVID-19 on practice, the increased needs of clients, including a rise in health issues, violence, homelessness and financial concerns, and the resulting critical changes to social work workloads. Social workers also reported greater use of technologies to deliver services and fears for their families and themselves if exposed to COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While lean thinking has been used in healthcare for almost two decades, its efficacy has been debated extensively by researchers and practitioners alike. This ongoing debate is largely due to the varied results of its implementation; and resistance to change is considered to be the primary reason behind this variation. This study adopts an institutional logics perspective to analyze the nature of this resistance by drawing attention to how clinical staff make judgements about the appropriateness, acceptability and legitimacy of lean thinking. To conceptualize resistance, a systematic literature review based on 33 published studies depicting lean implementations was conducted, which helped to develop a nuanced understanding of resistance and its causes. Subsequently, 47 semi-structured interviews were undertaken with Quality Improvement managers regarding their experience with implementing lean thinking in 15 New Zealand District Health Boards. These interviews were used to identify and evaluate strategies used to minimize resistance within the implementation of lean initiatives in healthcare organizations. The findings of this research suggest that typically there are three strategies adopted by quality improvement managers—(1) communication strategies to create a better narrative for lean implementation; (2) cooperation strategies, which encourage the adherents of lean and medical logics to work together on shared problems, creating opportunities for them to learn about other logics; and (3) performance management strategies with the help of incentives and commitment devices to create a supportive environment for lean implementation. Together, these strategies work to improve the availability, accessibility, and activation of lean thinking logic in healthcare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Health inequities among Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities are well documented and the research literature includes robust discussions about innovative ways to reduce inequities including co-design. Co-designing health promotion interventions with Indigenous communities presents many benefits and challenges for researchers, health professionals and communities involved in the process. The purpose of this study was to identify the facilitators and barriers of co-designing a health promotion intervention with Māori communities. Additionally, this study considers a specific Māori co-design framework, He Pikinga Waiora (HPW). HPW is a participatory approach to creating interventions emphasizing community engagement, systems thinking and centred on Kaupapa Māori (an approach grounded in Māori worldviews). The research design for this study was Kaupapa Māori. Participants (n  = 19) in this study were stakeholders in the New Zealand health sector. Participants were interviewed using an in-depth, semi-structured protocol. Thematic analysis was employed to analyse the data. Facilitators for co-designing health promotion interventions with Māori communities were collaboration and community voice. Barriers identified were mismanaged expectations and research constraints. Finally, facilitators for the HPW framework included providing clear guidelines and being grounded in Māori perspectives, while barriers included limited concrete case studies, jargon and questions about sustainability. Collaboration and inclusion of community voice supports the development of more effective co-design health promotion interventions within Māori communities which may address health inequities. The HPW framework offers clear guidelines and Māori perspectives which may assist in the development of effective co-design health promotion interventions, although areas for improvement were suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public health and social services are often hard to specify, complex to deliver and challenging to measure. This research uses a complexity theory-informed lens to explore the challenges and opportunities of contracting out for public health and social services in Aotearoa New Zealand. This qualitative study considers the implications of complexity concepts with ten public sector managers experienced in contracting out for public health and social services. Our findings show that public sector managers are experimenting with different ways of contracting out, yet the underlying New Public Management ethos, which is being applied in many administrative arms of government, can hamper initiatives. There is a growing impetus to find alternative approaches to contract out more effectively. An alternative, complexity theory-informed, framing highlights where changes to contracting out organisation and practices may support more effective service provision. This research also provides insights into why achieving change is hard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Founder populations are susceptible to reduced genetic diversity, which can hinder successful population establishment. A new genetic lineage of the New Zealand sea lion (Phocarctos hookeri) has recently colonised the historical range of the New Zealand mainland (Otago Peninsula). Despite a small founding population, previous research indicated that nuclear genetic diversity in the Otago Peninsula population is similar to that of the larger source population (Sandy Bay, Auckland Islands). Our research aimed to identify whether mechanisms of female mate choice could help to explain the unexpectedly high level of genetic diversity in the founder population. We used genetic data at 12 microsatellite loci for mother–pup pairs from both populations, and the software COLONY to identify putative paternal genotypes inferred from allele sharing between known mother–pup pairs. We found that mating pairs were, on average, more related at the Otago Peninsula location. However, Sandy Bay females were mating with males more related to themselves than expected by chance, while the Otago Peninsula females were not. These findings suggest that female choice in this otariid species appears important, although may be constrained in some situations. Our findings also help to explain how the recently founded population is able to maintain a viable, growing population. Small founder populations are susceptible to reduced genetic diversity, which can hinder successful population establishment. This study aimed to identify how a small recently founded population of New Zealand sea lions (Phocarctos hookeri) is remaining genetically viable, and revealed mechanisms of female mate choice of unrelated males. We provide important information about how polygynous species are able to minimise loss of genetic variation during founder events, thus allowing successful population establishment. Photo by Bruce C. Robertson. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monogenetic volcanoes are characterised worldwide by a single eruptive phase that is short-lived, with small eruptive volumes that produce a wide range and complexity of landforms. Investigating the evolution in eruptive styles through the active history of a volcano is key to understanding the role of phreatomagmatism in the formation of these complex monogenetic systems. The classification of the complexity of a monogenetic volcanic centre is of great significance to understanding both past volcanoes and the hazards of future volcanoes. Complexity can be defined by the number of volcanic structures created, the presence of multiple types of eruptions, and the number of conduits involved. In this paper we reconstruct the volcanic history of the Waitomokia Volcanic Complex, located in the southern lowlands of the active monogenetic Auckland Volcanic Field (AVF), New Zealand. Activity began with deposition of an initial tuff ring, followed by vent migration and establishment of a maar with a surrounding tuff ring. Four smaller tuff rings developed on the north and northeastern rim of the maar. This was followed by the noteworthy deposition of complex intercalated transitional deposits from at least two tuff rings and magmatic deposits from a scoria cone. Three scoria cones were then built within the maar, followed by minor effusion of short lava flows. Waitomokia highlights the prospect of having a complex system with ten or more landforms being created in different areas active at the same time, with associated eruptive styles and mechanisms. The possibility of a complex eruption, where several styles may occur simultaneously from distinct vents, should be considered in hazard assessment and crisis management plans. • Investigating eruptive evolution is key to understanding complex monogenetic systems. • Waitomokia Volcanic Complex is an end member in its field in terms of complexity. • Multiple tuff rings, maar, scoria cones, lava flow, intercalated deposits. • Reconstructing the volcanic history of an anthropogenically damaged volcanic centre. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: About 40% of all health burden in New Zealand is due to cancer, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes/obesity. Outcomes for Māori (indigenous people) are significantly worse than non-Maori; these inequities mirror those found in indigenous communities elsewhere. Evidence-based interventions with established efficacy may not be effective in indigenous communities without addressing specific implementation challenges. We present an implementation framework for interventions to prevent and treat chronic conditions for Māori and other indigenous communities.Theoretical Framework: The He Pikinga Waiora Implementation Framework has indigenous self-determination at its core and consists of four elements: cultural-centeredness, community engagement, systems thinking, and integrated knowledge translation. All elements have conceptual fit with Kaupapa Māori aspirations (i.e., indigenous knowledge creation, theorizing, and methodology) and all have demonstrated evidence of positive implementation outcomes.Applying the Framework: A coding scheme derived from the Framework was applied to 13 studies of diabetes prevention in indigenous communities in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States from a systematic review. Cross-tabulations demonstrated that culture-centeredness (p = .008) and community engagement (p = .009) explained differences in diabetes outcomes and community engagement (p = .098) explained difference in blood pressure outcomes.Implications and Conclusions: The He Pikinga Waiora Implementation Framework appears to be well suited to advance implementation science for indigenous communities in general and Māori in particular. The framework has promise as a policy and planning tool to evaluate and design effective interventions for chronic disease prevention in indigenous communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes a process for stimulating engagement among change agents to develop a shared understanding of systemic problems in the agricultural innovation system (AIS), challenge prevalent institutional logics and identify actions they might undertake to stimulate system innovation. The process included (i) multiple actors from the AIS, (ii) reflexivity regarding underlying institutional logics, (iii) an iterative process of practical experimentation to challenge current practices and (iv) actions to encourage generative collaboration. Problem structuring supported change agents' development of a shared understanding of systemic problems and the role that interrelationships, perspectives and boundaries play in reinforcing or destabilizing current practices and institutional logics. Involving multiple actors from the AIS in challenging underlying institutional logics and encouraging collaboration appeared to stimulate project-level actions and recognition of wider AIS barriers. Collective system analyses for addressing structural changes, including the potential for system innovation, were beneficial. Simultaneously resolving innovation project actions with AIS actions remains a challenge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The predicted distribution of the Chinese Windmill Palm ( Trachycarpus fortunei ) was modelled using several algorithms with inputs consisting of occurrence information and bioclimatic datasets. A global species distribution model was developed and projected into New Zealand to provide a visualization of suitability for the species in current and future conditions. To ensure model robustness, occurrence data was checked for redundancy, spatial auto-correlation and the environmental variables checked for cross-correlation and collinearity. The final maps predicting suitability resulted from ensembling the predictions of all the algorithms. The resulting ensembled maps were weighted based on the evaluation parameters AUC, Kappa and TSS. When reclassified into low, medium and high suitability categories, results show an expansion of high suitability areas accompanied by a reduction of low suitability areas for the species. The centroids of the high suitability areas also exhibit a general movement towards the Southwest under future climate conditions. The range expansion was proportional with the representative values of emission trajectories RCPs (2.5, 4.5, 6.0 and 8.5) used in projecting into future conditions. The movement magnitude and direction of predicted high suitability area centroids for the palm supports the use of the plant as an indicator of climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper claims that participatory approaches to water resource management in New Zealand are highly influenced by how institutional and community actors understand and practise democracy, including indigenous Māori rights under the Treaty of Waitangi. Drawing on case study analysis from a six-year research programme in which the aim was to evaluate existing and new methods for participatory decision-making, we highlight how different but co-existing democratic beliefs and practices, referred to as democratic logics can shape relationships between governance/decision-making bodies and affected communities. One particular case is examined in detail to illustrate how the various “logics” were strengthened, extended and challenged through participatory research methodologies. Our key message is that revealing and articulating existing democratic logics for participation can help promote and facilitate new participatory approaches, as well as increase robustness and community buy-in to local government decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The uptake of stereotactic ablative body radiation therapy (SABR)/stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) worldwide has been rapid. The Australian and New Zealand Faculty of Radiation Oncology (FRO) assembled an expert panel of radiation oncologists, radiation oncology medical physicists and radiation therapists to establish guidelines for safe practice of SABR. Draft guidelines were reviewed by a number of international experts in the field and then distributed through the membership of the FRO. Members of the Australian Institute of Radiography and the Australasian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers in Medicine were also asked to comment on the draft. Evidence-based recommendations (where applicable) address aspects of departmental staffing, procedures and equipment, quality assurance measures, as well as organisational considerations for delivery of SABR treatments. Central to the guidelines is a set of key recommendations for departments undertaking SABR. These guidelines were developed collaboratively to provide an educational guide and reference for radiation therapy service providers to ensure appropriate care of patients receiving SABR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past two decades there have been major increases in dairy production in New Zealand. This increase in intensity has required increased use of external inputs, in particular fertilizer, feed, and water. Intensified dairy farming thus incurs considerable environmental externalities: impacts that are not paid for directly by the dairy farmer. These externalities are left for the wider New Zealand populace to deal with, both economically and environmentally. This is counter-intuitive given the dairy industry itself relies on a 'clean green' image to maximize returns. This is the first nationwide assessment of some of the environmental costs of the recent increase of dairy intensification in New Zealand. Significant costs arise from nitrate contamination of drinking water, nutrient pollution to lakes, soil compaction, and greenhouse gas emissions. At the higher end, the estimated cost of some environmental externalities surpasses the 2012 dairy export revenue of NZ$11.6 billion and almost reaches the combined export revenue and dairy's contribution to Gross Domestic Product in 2010 of NZ$5 billion. For the dairy industry to accurately report on its profitability and maintain its sustainable marketing label, these external costs should be reported. This assessment is in fact extremely conservative as many impacts have not been valued, thus, the total negative external impact of intensified dairying is probably grossly underestimated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic relationships among doe live weight and herd-test milk traits were investigated in a large herd of Saanen goats, managed with seasonal (spring) kidding and twice-daily milking. There were 34,183 herd-test records of milk solids yield (FPL) for 20 milking seasons to 2010–2011, with individual fat (F), protein (P) and lactose (L) yields in later seasons, somatic cell count (SCC) from 1999–2000 onwards (26,575 records), and weights recorded on four dates between June 2008 and November 2010 (4358 records). FPL, log10SCC and live weight were analysed using restricted maximum likelihood, with a repeated-animal model and full relationship matrix, yielding heritability estimates of 0.35±0.02, 0.20±0.02 and 0.64±0.04 respectively and repeatabilities of 0.48±0.01, 0.37±0.01 and 0.80±0.01 respectively. Genetic correlation estimates were 0.41±0.06 (FPL, live weight), −0.07±0.06 (FPL, log10SCC) and 0.24±0.08 (live weight, log10SCC). Expected correlated changes in doe live weight will depend on the selection index weights applied to doe weights and the other traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spaced poplar ( Populus spp.) trees are used widely in New Zealand for soil conservation on erodible pastoral hill country. Their root distribution in this environment, and factors that affect it, are poorly understood. Robust recommendations on effective tree spacing depend on knowledge of root systems. This study determined the effect of tree density, position between trees, and soil depth (0–90 cm) on root number, root diameter distribution, root area ratio (RAR), and cross sectional area per root for young trees on slopes. Data were collected for lateral roots using trenches. Greater than 80% of roots were < 5 mm diameter and root attributes were highest in shallow soil. Trees at 770 stems per hectare (sph) had 3–12 times more roots and 3–9 times greater RAR than those at densities of ≤ 237 sph, representative of most tree-pasture systems. Mean cross sectional area per root was similar across densities. Positions close to trees had twice as many roots (46 vs. 23/m2) and RAR (109 vs. 52 mm2/m2) as positions midway between trees. The study provided quantitative understanding of variation in root distribution with tree density and information useful for supporting and strengthening recommendations on densities for effective erosion control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In New Zealand poplars are commonly planted on moist, unstable pastoral hill country to prevent or reduce soil erosion, thereby maintaining hillslope integrity and pasture production. Mechanical reinforcement by poplar root systems aids slope stabilisation. Root mass and distribution were determined for three Populus deltoides x nigra 'Veronese' trees aged 5, 7 and 9.5 year planted as 3 m poles at 8 m x 8 m spacing on a hillslope near Palmerston North in the southern North Island. Most of the structural roots (≤2 mm diameter) were distributed in the top 40 cm of soil. Vertical roots penetrated to about 1.0 m, being the depth of the soil above a fragipan. Total structural root dry masses (excluding root crown) were 0.57, 7.8 and 17.90 kg for the trees aged 5, 7 and 9.5 year, respectively. Total structural root length was 79.4 m for the 5 year tree and 663.5 m for the 9.5 year tree. Surrounding trees were estimated to increase root mass density to 3 times and root length density to 4-5 times the contribution of the single tree at 9.5 year. The study indicated that root development of wide-spaced poplar trees on hillslopes was minimal in the first 5 years but then increased rapidly. These results suggest that poplar trees established from poles may take at least 5 years to develop a structural root network that will effectively bind soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the time between speciation and extinction, a species' ecological and biogeographic footprint—its occupancy—will vary in response to macroecological drivers and historical contingencies. Despite their importance for understanding macroecological processes, general patterns of long-term species occupancy remain largely unknown. We documented the occupancy histories of Cenozoic marine mollusks from New Zealand. For both genera and species, these show a distinct pattern of increase to relatively short-lived peak occupancy at mid-duration, followed by a decline toward extinction. Thus, species at greatest risk for extinction are those that have already been in decline for a substantial period of time. This pattern of protracted rise and fall stands in contrast to that of incumbency, insofar as species show no general tendency to stay near maximal occupancy once established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cross-cultural research designs are increasingly employed in the New Zealand context to investigate a range of complex social and environmental issues. However, there is little guidance for researchers who work for mainstream organisations and hapū (subtribe(s)) and iwi (tribe(s)) on how to undertake cross-cultural collaborative research. Trust is a key issue that makes cross-cultural research possible and it is surprising that issues relating to trust have not featured widely in the literature. In this paper, we reflect on our experiences working cross-culturally and collaboratively with a hapū in Northland, New Zealand. We discuss how a mainstream research organisation worked with a community health trust and developed a working relationship with a hapū, forming the basis of a community-driven collaborative evaluation of a central government-funded project. Key findings were the establishment of a tuākana-tēina relationship (where teacher and learner are interchangeable) between the members of the collaborative research team and the employment of appropriate research methods to develop a research agenda that ensured everyone would benefit from the research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The Research Coordinator (RC) role is a relative new addition to staffing profiles in Australasian Intensive Care Units (ICUs). The RC plays a pivotal role in conducting ethically and scientifically sound research. There have been anecdotal reports of the RC role in various speciality areas. However, limited research has been undertaken into the role, and only one study has been published from the intensive care setting. AIM: To evaluate which factors the RC found to be the best and worst attributes of the role. Methods: A cross-sectional web-based cohort study was conducted in 2004 collecting free text information from RCs in ICUs in Australia and New Zealand. Results: Forty-nine participants (71%) completed the study with 273 entries into the two categories of 'best' (60%) and 'worst' (40%) aspects of the role. We identified four thematic clusters in both categories: (1) 'How the job was structured' (2) 'The worth of the job' (3) 'What the work involves' and (4) 'Who I work with'. Both categories received proportionally the same number of responses in each theme with (1) the most frequent and (4) the least number of entries. Conclusion: There is much variation between RCs in almost every descriptor of the role. The Australasian Intensive Care RC values autonomy, respect and intellectual stimulation with the scope for extending the role to suit the individual and finds isolation, under-recognition and workload, often not sufficiently compensated, to be the worst aspects of the position. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silvopastoral systems involving poplars are widespread in rural landscapes in a number of regions of New Zealand. The effect of widely spaced trees of Populus nigra × P. maximowiczii, aged 8–11 years, on the growth and botanical composition of understorey pasture mixes was determined over 3 years at a southern North Island hill country site. Pasture mixes comprised existing pasture, and two introduced test swards comprising new grass (Agrostis capillaris, Dactylis glomerata, Lolium perenne) and legume (Lotus uliginosus, Trifolium repens) cultivars. Pasture accumulation beneath trees (6.6 t DM  ha−1 year−1) was 23% less than open (unshaded, no trees) pasture (8.6 t DM ha−1 year−1) and differences in accumulation occurred between tree aspects (North and South sides of trees) when trees were foliated. In early spring, North plots produced 11–14% more herbage than South plots whereas in late summer, South plots produced up to 44% more herbage than North plots. Yield of both test swards (6.4 and 8.0 t DM ha−1 year−1) was not significantly different from that of the existing sward (7.4 t DM  ha−1 year−1) but productivity varied between swards in spring and summer. One test sward included Lotus uliginosus cv. Grasslands Maku, and the sward produced 30% more DM than the other swards in mid-summer. Dactylis glomerata cv. Grasslands Wana comprised 37% of the DM of swards in which it was sown and was the most successful cultivar, followed by Grasslands Maku. Both cultivars are recommended for silvopastoral systems where pasture is lightly grazed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To assess the efficacy (change in HbA1c) of a patient-held communication, self-empowerment and educational device for people with diabetes (the New Zealand Diabetes Passport) in patients with poor glycaemic control. A 12-month, multicentre, general practice-based randomized controlled trial in urban, provincial and rural New Zealand involving 398 people with poorly controlled Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. The intervention included a specifically designed and piloted New Zealand Diabetes Passport including information relating to diabetes knowledge, self-assessments, and guidance concerning how to engage with diabetes health professionals. The primary end point was change in HbA1c. Assessments were made at 0, 6 and 12 months. Two hundred and twenty-two patients received the Passport, 176 the control booklet, coming from 69 and 66 general practitioners, respectively. Use of the Passport was associated with a relative reduction in HbA1c of 0.4% ( P = 0.017) and a relative increase in weight of 1.0 kg/m2 ( P = 0.028), but no changes in diabetes knowledge, attitudes to diabetes or risk factors for diabetic tissue damage. The dissemination of the New Zealand Diabetes Passport, in isolation, was not associated with improvements in either diabetes knowledge or self-empowerment. While a small improvement in glycaemic control occurred, this was probably due to changes in insulin therapy in the intervention group. It is possible that linking the use of the Passport with other behavioural and educational interventions may make the Passport more useful. Further study is required to confirm the effect of such multifaceted interventions. Diabet. Med. 21, 214–217 (2004) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a breeding project aimed at producing ryegrass cultivars with branched inflorescences in New Zealand. The first cultivar produced was the GA143, which achieved about double the number of florets compared with unbranched cultivars. It is said that the breeding project was continued by transferring the branched character into annual and hybrid ryegrass which resulted to three germplasms including GA189 perennial ryegrass, GN190 hybrid ryegrass and GB191 Italian ryegrass. The characteristics of each germplasm are described.

Introduction: Health outcomes for Māori are significantly worse than non-Maori in New Zealand; these inequities mirror those found in indigenous communities elsewhere. Evidencebased interventions with established efficacy may not be effective in indigenous communities without addressing specific implementation challenges. We present an implementation framework for chronic condition interventions for Māori. Theory/Methods: The He Pikinga Waiora Implementation Framework has indigenous selfdetermination at its core and consists of four elements: cultural-centeredness, community engagement, systems thinking, and integrated knowledge translation. All elements have demonstrated evidence of positive implementation outcomes. A coding scheme derived from the Framework was applied to 13 studies of diabetes prevention in indigenous communities from a systematic review. Results: Cross-tabulations demonstrated that culture-centeredness (p=.008) and community engagement (p=.009) explained differences in diabetes outcomes and community engagement (p=.098) explained difference in blood pressure outcomes. Discussion and Conclusions: The He Pikinga Waiora Implementation Framework is well suited to advance implementation science for Māori and other indigenous communities. The framework has promise as a policy and planning tool to evaluate and design effective interventions for chronic disease prevention. Lessons Learned: We needed to revise the coding framework in order to make the implication framework concrete. Limitations: This study has a limitation in that we coded information about interventions from the published articles and not the interventions themselves. Additionally, the study only included 13 interventions. Suggestions for Future Direction: Further research should provide stronger evidence of the usefulness of the framework particularly with Māori end-users. There will also be a need to understand the differential contribution of each of the four elements to health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) is a common long-term condition affecting the health and wellbeing of New Zealanders; one in every four New Zealanders is pre-diabetic. Māori, the Indigenous people of New Zealand, are at an increased risk of developing pre-diabetes and T2D and there are significant inequities between Māori and non-Māori for T2D complications. The purpose of this study was to explore the questions of how the strengths of Māori heath organisations may be leveraged, and how the barriers and constraints experienced by Māori health organisations may be negotiated, for the benefit of Māori; and from a systems perspective, to identify strategic opportunities that may be considered and applied by Māori health organisations, funders and policy makers to respond more effectively to pre-diabetes and reduce health inequities between Māori and non-Māori. Methods: Utilising case study methodology, a range of data sources were triangulated including nine semi-structured interviews, documents, and a diabetes system map to identify possible strategic opportunities for key stakeholders to respond more effectively to pre-diabetes. Results: Key themes and possible actions to improve health outcomes for Māori with pre-diabetes include: (1) Recognising Māori health organisations as conduits for the community voice and influential partners in the community to effect change; (2) Strengthened partnerships with Māori health organisations for community benefit and to support measurable, evidence-based change and service delivery, particularly when Māori knowledge systems are viewed alongside a Western scientific approach; and (3) Intersectoral integration of health and social services to support provision of whānau-centred care and influence the social determinants of health and local environment. Conclusions: Māori health organisations are important actors in systems seeking to improve outcomes and eliminate health inequities. Support from funders and policy makers will be required to build on the strengths of these organisations and to overcome system challenges. To realise improved health outcomes for Māori, the value placed on whānau and community perspectives not only needs to be acknowledged in the implementation of health interventions, health and social policies and funding arrangements, but performance measures, service design and delivery must evolve to accommodate these perspectives in practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the development of the GO192 purple chicory hybrid or Cichorium intybus L. at AgResearch Grasslands in Palmerston, New Zealand. The GO192 is said to have been bred with the aim of providing genetic material with high levels of the anti-oxidant anthocyanin. The GO192 produces dark purple linear leaves for most months of the year and the leaf color is always most intense on the upper surface. It cites that chicory is a perennial plant but flowering shoots should be eliminated to maintain a steady leaf production.

The article discusses the development of the GFT188 red clover hybrid or Trifolium pratense L. at AgResearch Grassland in Palmerston North, New Zealand. The tetraploid New Zealand pasture cultivar Grasslands Pawera was used for breeding the GFT188. It is said that most GFT188 plants produce three leaflets per leaf when first germinated and continue to produce five leaflets until flowering. It suggests that the GFT188 can be used as a forage, a medicinal plant and a lucky charm.

The phrase 'for Māori, by Māori, with Māori', synonymous with Kaupapa Māori research, reflects the strong community participatory orientation and aims of this paradigm. Its use has evolved from glib reference and catchphrase, to a 'checklist'/gauge of how well a research project has enacted community participatory principles, and to what extent Māori participation in the research process is meaningful and empowered. Description of research according to this 'shorthand' definition, however, can be misleading. This paper will discuss two models of collaborative scientific research, conducted at the Institute of Environmental Health and Research (ESR) in association with Māori communities, 'for, by and with Māori'. However, Te Riu o Hokianga and the Rākaipaaka Health and Ancestry Study occupy opposite ends of the shared partnership -- researcher-led spectrum, and differ quite significantly in their orientation, application of Māori research principles, and approach to achievement of their objectives. If the 'for, by and with' mantra does not in itself sufficiently guarantee alignment with Kaupapa Māori principles, what other mechanisms exist to ensure that this is so? Is articulating the degree of Māori responsiveness for funding and ethics proposals adequate? Where these judgements are largely subjective, who decides when a research project 'measures up': Kaupapa Māori researchers, participating Māori communities, funders, or perhaps ethics committees? The importance of Māori-focused innovation, development and advancement in research has been indicated within Vote RS&T policy and incorporated into funding/investment opportunities within an existing framework that values research excellence and a track record. Ensuring that research excellence as defined and purchased translates into excellence in practice is one issue. A further and equally important issue is whether the measures and means of achieving excellence therein translate into excellence for research practice with Māori communities. In the context of conducting research with Māori within a Crown Research Institute, a third issue emerges: that of the alignment (or not) of science excellence indicators and outcomes with those of Māori research excellence. With reference to two examples of science research collaboration with Māori communities, these three key issues will be considered, with inference for Māori research excellence and future directions in collaborative scientific research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The process of catching and relaying wild seed green-lipped mussels, Perna canaliculus, onto grow-out farms in New Zealand is extremely inefficient with the majority of the seed mussels being lost after transfer, mostly due to secondary settlement behaviour of the seed. In an attempt to identify the causes of this behaviour the retention of seed mussels was experimentally determined after exposure to three sub-lethal stressors, desiccation, starvation, and temperature fluctuation. In addition, two types of mussel seed behaviour were tested for their potential for developing a commercially useful method for identifying seed mussels with high retention properties prior to seeding. The two behaviours were the ability of seed mussels to attach by byssus threads to the substrate in slow flowing water, and the ability of seed mussels to pedal walk vertically up through a substrate filled column. Of the three stressors tested only desiccation and starvation significantly reduced mussel seed retention compared to “unstressed” controls by 38% (P <0.05) and 42% (P <0.05) respectively. Of the two types of mussel seed behaviour used for attempting to sort seed mussels, only the ability of seed mussels to attach by byssus threads to the substrate in slow flowing water showed any sensitivity for identifying individuals with higher retention properties (P <0.05). Seed mussels that failed to byssal attach had a 23% lower mean retention, after 10 d experimental grow-out compared to seed that successfully attached. Although significant, this difference was relatively small and is unlikely to provide the basis for the development of a useful commercial seed mussel sorting method. Desiccation and starvation are both stressors that seed mussels are likely to experience during their commercial harvesting, transportation and seeding process. Consequently, seed mussels need to be relayed quickly and under moist conditions to reduce the potential for starvation and desiccation stress. Identifying seed mussels in poor nutritional condition and feeding them prior to seeding out on farms could also help to prevent the intermittent large scale seed mussel losses currently experienced. The application of these findings will assist in making more efficient use of the wild seed mussel resource and significantly lower financial losses to growers in New Zealand. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Research coordinators in intensive care are a growing specialty about which little is known. This cross-sectional study surveyed the Australia and New Zealand Intensive Care Research Coordinators' Group (n = 49) regarding demographics, education, employment history, job structure, and role content. Most research coordinators were highly qualified and experienced nurses who undertake pharmaceutical trials, multicenter projects, departmental medical and nursing research, audits and data registries, and their own projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Context-specific studies require interpretation to transfer their impact elsewhere. • Context is a unique combination of social and biophysical variables. • Interpretation and application of scientific findings are a matter of shifting between contexts. • Social dynamics models help interpreting of scientific knowledge within and across contexts. Researchers are challenged to design research that can generate credible claims regarding cross-scale impact and adoption. However, the context in which new knowledge or innovation is developed and tested may differ from that for the uptake and use of those findings. This paper reports insight into the problem of designing impactful research and proposes a model to assist bio-physical researchers in accounting for non-biophysical context when moving between scales or settings. We treat the scaling problem as the one shifting contexts. The use of the model is illustrated by application in two New Zealand-based irrigation water use efficiency (WUE) field studies. We hypothesised that to successfully transfer the learnings from these two pilot studies to other scales it would be important to understand the influence of context on WUE practices. To support this process, we developed a social dynamics model (Composite Context Model, CCM) from existing social systems frameworks. The CCM maps influential non-biophysical dynamics to help interpret the WUE field study findings for other scales. The paper represents a contribution to researchers addressing two related challenges: that of making credible claims regarding the possible future impact of their research, and that of translating innovations across scales. By demonstrating the use of our CCM for documenting key non-biophysical variables, we aim to equip researchers with a practical tool to assist in the interpretation of findings across contexts, that include both biophysical and non-biophysical factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]