Zealand Perspective Research Articles

Exploring an innovative approach to teaching mathematics through the use of challenging tasks: a New Zealand perspective

This paper reports on a New Zealand iteration of the Encouraging Persistence, Maintaining Challenge (EPMC) project, which proposes that students learn mathematics best when they build connections between mathematical ideas for themselves. This iteration explores the actions, perceptions and learning of 12 primary teachers and their 281 students during the implementation of a set of challenging tasks related to geometric reasoning. The teachers launched the suggested tasks, ensuring that the challenge was maintained. The students explored these tasks with minimal input from the teacher, and learning was summarised and extended. The teachers were positive about the intervention. The challenging task approach enabled students’ thinking became visible and, at times, the teachers’ prior perceptions of their students’ ability were challenged. A highly significant difference between the students’ pre- and post-assessment scores was found. The students were supported to have autonomy in their learning and make mathematical connections themselves. The students became less reliant on their teachers’ help and were positive about their involvement in the project.

Greenhouse gases from pastoral farming - a New Zealand perspective

Greenhouse gases from pastoral farming - a New Zealand perspective

Geological mapping of volcanic terrains: Discussion on concepts, facies models, scales, and resolutions from New Zealand perspective

Geological mapping in volcanic terrains is a challenging task as there needs to be input from various geologists' groups and only limited, often ambiguous guidelines exist. Volcanoes and volcanic successions are in many ways viewed and treated differently than normal sedimentary successions. Volcanic systems are very much a part of the normal sedimentary environment and as such need to integrated into the stratigraphic framework of the enclosing deposits. Most volcanoes supply large volumes of material (pyroclasts) into the sedimentary system. The type and style of eruption determines the time frame of the process, while the type of volcano defines the interaction between volcano and background sedimentation (e.g. monogenetic versus polygenetic volcanic systems). A sound lithostratigraphic framework for mapping geological units in volcanic terrains should also adopt the latest developments in volcanology and understanding of volcanic systems. The lithostratigraphic classification needs to define the mapping unit and apply it to the 1) proximal to distal volcanic facies, 2) eruption styles and their temporal changes, and 3) mode of pyroclast transportation (i.e. fallout versus pyroclastic density current). Differentiation of syn- and post-eruption re-sedimentation, during either within- or between eruptive phases, will determine the most useful stratigraphic nomenclature system to apply to the volcanic units. The approach to geological mapping in ancient and modern volcanic terrains can be different but the same basic stratigraphic principles and classification apply. The purpose of the geological mapping project, whether it be in ancient or modern volcanic systems, will define the style and scale of mapping. The type of output depends upon the objectives and available resources, including the volcanological experience of the mapping team. Here we provide some insight from a New Zealand perspective to geological mapping on active volcanic terrains in a convergent plate margin.

Radial-probe endobronchial ultrasound outcomes in the investigation of peripheral pulmonary lesions: a New Zealand perspective.

Radial-probe endobronchial ultrasound (radial-EBUS) is becoming an important investigation for peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPL). A key advantage of radial-EBUS is the favourable risk profile compared with current gold-standard computerised tomography-guided biopsy. To investigate the diagnostic yield, predictors of positive yield and radial-EBUS safety in a New Zealand institution. We also determined whether molecular analysis was possible on the same tissue samples. We performed a retrospective analysis of all patients (n = 68) from Middlemore Hospital, Auckland, undergoing radial-EBUS with guide-sheath for PPL from March 2015 to August 2016. Clinical, radiological and procedural data were collected. Radial-EBUS diagnostic yield was determined for malignant and benign diagnoses, and molecular analysis yield was determined on appropriate malignant samples. Logistic regression was used to determine factors predicting successful radial-EBUS. Overall diagnostic yield of radial-EBUS was 55.9% (95% confidence interval (CI): 44.3-67.9). Malignant diagnostic sensitivity was 60.8% (95% CI: 46.1-74.2) and benign diagnostic sensitivity was 50% (95% CI: 23-77). Lesions close to the hilum (P = 0.039), concentric radial-probe positioning (P = 0.008) and the use of forceps as first instrument (P = 0.0049) significantly predicted successful diagnostic yield. Of the malignant cases 81.0% (95% CI: 58.1-94.6) were sufficient for molecular analysis. Pneumothorax occurred in 4.4% (95% CI: 0.9-12.4), none required chest drain intervention. There were no cases of significant pulmonary haemorrhage. Radial-EBUS was shown to be safe with diagnostic yield similar to international reports. Important predictors of success include distance from hilum, probe position and forceps as first instrument. We also demonstrated that molecular analysis is possible in radial-EBUS obtained samples.

Student engagement in a Human Anatomy and Physiology course: a New Zealand perspective.

The population diversity of New Zealand is due to the unique fusion of indigenous peoples of Polynesian origin (Māori), western European colonization (Pākehā), and more recent (20th century) immigration from the Pacific region (Pasifika). However, disparities in tertiary education indicate that Māori and Pasifika students are more likely to drop out during their first year of study and are less likely to complete their qualification than their Pākehā peers. Higher levels of course engagement may increase first-year grades, elevate academic performance, and encourage persistence between the first and second years of study. Therefore, a Student Course Engagement Questionnaire was used to quantify engagement in a compulsory first-year undergraduate Human Anatomy and Physiology course in a New Zealand university. A data mining technique was used to assign students into a low-engagement/low-achievement cluster, and a high-engagement/high-achievement cluster. The skills, emotional, and participation-interaction components of engagement were lower in Pasifika students: these students' academic grade was lower than those of both Māori and Pākehā students. The strongest predictors of cluster membership were skills engagement and emotional engagement, suggesting that these components outweighed other aspects of course engagement. Māori and Pasifika students were overrepresented in the low-engagement/low-achievement cluster, and underrepresented in the high-engagement/high-achievement cluster. We suggest that embedding study skills within course delivery, and constantly emphasizing their importance, would likely increase student course engagement. Also, we report that both Māori and Pasifika students remain more disengaged than their Pākehā peers.

Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae in Dairy Farm Environments: A New Zealand Perspective.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global issue for both human and animal health. Infections caused by antimicrobial-resistant bacteria present treatment option challenges and are often associated with heightened severity of infection. Antimicrobial use (AMU) in human and animal health is a main driver for the development of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. Increasing levels of AMU and the development and spread of AMR in food-producing animals, especially in poultry and swine production, has been identified as a food safety risk, but dairy production systems have been less studied. A number of farm management practices may impact on animal disease and as a result can influence the use of antimicrobials and subsequently AMR prevalence. However, this relationship is multifactorial and complex. Several AMR transmission pathways between dairy cattle, the environment, and humans have been proposed, including contact with manure-contaminated pastures, direct contact, or through the food chain from contaminated animal-derived products. The World Health Organization has defined a priority list for selected bacterial pathogens of concern to human health according to 10 criteria relating to health and AMR. This list includes human pathogens such as the extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E), which can be associated with dairy cattle, their environment, as well as animal-derived food products. ESBL-E represent a potential risk to human and animal health and an emerging food safety concern. This review addresses two areas; first, the current understanding of the role of dairy farming in the prevalence and spread of AMR is considered, highlighting research gaps using ESBL-E as an exemplar; and second, a New Zealand perspective is taken to examine how farm management practices may contribute to on-farm AMU and AMR in dairy cattle.

Trainee welfare: a New Zealand perspective.

To explore key sources of stress experienced during training by psychiatry registrars and identify which coping strategies they found helpful or unhelpful. We used three data sources: a) 'stress' vignettes written by Stage 3 trainees; b) minutes of regular registrar meetings; c) focus groups. We analysed these using abbreviated grounded theory, generating themes. The main sources of stress during training were disempowerment, adverse events, difficult supervision and cultural perspectives. Other themes included difficulties in after-hours work, and organisational issues. Stressors may differ in impact according to training stage. Peer support and a good supervisory relationship reduced stress. Conversely, a poor supervisory relationship compounded stress. Trainees were motivated to address modifiable problems. A variety of stressors influence training at all stages. Trainees, the College and employers each have a role in promoting trainee welfare. Interlinking cultural dimensions are not currently addressed in the training curriculum and require attention. A good supervisory relationship can buffer many stressors for trainees.

From protectionism to inclusion: A New Zealand perspective on health-related research involving adults incapable of giving informed consent.

The revision of the Council of International Organizations of Medical Sciences (CIOMS) International ethical guidelines for health-related research (2016) heralds a paradigm shift from the 'protectionist' policies that emerged following historical research atrocities of the 20th century, towards a more nuanced and inclusive approach to research participation. Adopting this modified approach will enable countries to secure the benefits of research for individuals and for society as a whole, while at the same time minimizing the potential for exploitation and research-related harms. This article considers the potential impact of Guideline 16 of the CIOMS 2016 from a New Zealand perspective, with respect to research involving adults with impaired capacity and who are incapable of giving informed consent. While the CIOMS 2016 apply a 'minimal risk' threshold to guide research involving adults who lack capacity to consent, New Zealand law currently adopts a 'best interests' standard which significantly restricts the scope of permissible research that may be performed in this context. This article argues that the CIOMS 2016 should influence change to New Zealand's legal framework for ethical review of research. CIOMS 2016 provides useful guidance for the necessary standards and processes to enable the responsible and ethical inclusion of adults with impaired capacity in research.

A New Zealand Perspective on the Application and Regulation of Gene Editing.

New Zealand (NZ) is a small country with an export-led economy with above 90% of primary production exported. Plant-based primary commodities derived from the pastoral, horticultural and forestry sectors account for around half of the export earnings. Productivity is characterized by a history of innovation and the early adoption of advanced technologies. Gene editing has the potential to revolutionize breeding programmes, particularly in NZ. Here, perennials such as tree crops and forestry species are key components of the primary production value chain but are challenging for conventional breeding and only recently domesticated. Uncertainty over the global regulatory status of gene editing products is a barrier to invest in and apply editing techniques in plant breeding. NZs major trading partners including Europe, Asia and Australia are currently evaluating the regulatory status of these technologies and have not made definitive decisions. NZ is one of the few countries where the regulatory status of gene editing has been clarified. In 2014, the NZ Environmental Protection Authority ruled that plants produced via gene editing methods, where no foreign DNA remained in the edited plant, would not be regulated as GMOs. However, following a challenge in the High Court, this decision was overturned such that NZ currently controls all products of gene editing as GMOs. Here, we illustrate the potential benefits of integrating gene editing into plant breeding programmes using targets and traits with application in NZ. The regulatory process which led to gene editing's current GMO classification in NZ is described and the importance of globally harmonized regulations, particularly to small export-driven nations is discussed.

Educator understanding of childhood traumatic brain injury: a New Zealand perspective

ABSTRACTApproximately 15% of New Zealand children will experience a traumatic brain injury during their school years. Given that educators play an important role in facilitating the successful school re-entry and recovery of these students, it is paramount that educators have adequate knowledge of childhood traumatic brain injury. This study used an online questionnaire to assess knowledge traumatic brain injury among 20 New Zealand educators. It also identified what services educators were aware of within their schools and communities that could assist with the management of students with brain injury, and what further training or information educators required to feel confident in supporting these students in the school environment. Results indicated that although educators possessed sound general understanding of traumatic brain injury, they had some misconceptions regarding the implications and recovery trajectories of these injuries during childhood. Educators reported the need for training relating to diagnostic criteria and strategies for supporting students with traumatic brain injury in the classroom. Providing educators with information and training on how to identify traumatic brain injury and manage the needs of students with traumatic brain injury will allow them to facilitate inclusive and supportive educational opportunities, leading to improved outcomes for these students.

Determinants of employee trust during organisational change in higher institutions

PurposeThe researchers in this study aim to understand the impact of a recent merger between two high performing institutions, on employee trust and well-being. The purpose of this paper is to quantitatively test the relationships between communication initiatives, human resource management initiatives, and cultural congruence and their impact on employee trust during organisational change.Design/methodology/approachTo empirically validate these hypothesised relationships, 139 employees of the organisation were surveyed; the data were analysed using structural equation modelling.FindingsThe results indicate that HR planning and successful communication by the organisation are vital if a merger is to achieve the gains envisioned at its inception.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research may explore longitudinal study to establish time of how employee trust are affected from the early merger announcement stage, during the merger-related activities and most importantly the post-merger period. The researchers are of the opinion, that understanding the impacts of change and how employee trust is affected during change is vital. The scope of this study permitted only three independent variables, consideration should be given for further research to explore the influence other activities may have on trust such as policy, government restraint, governance and internationalisation.Practical implicationsThese results further establish the need for educational and commercial organisations to focus on internal and external relationship management and on communication strategies that can affect employees before, during and after a merger.Social implicationsUnderstanding factors that will influence employee vulnerability is important for any organisation as it is possibly the first step to understanding what planning needs to take place to foster change and consider contingencies pre, during and post-merger related change. Considerable thought and planning should be given to the re building of culture and regaining of lost trust post-merger.Originality/valueThis is the first empirical research that quantitatively test the relationships between communication initiatives, human resource initiatives, cultural congruence and their impact on employee trust during organisational change in higher academic institution. This particular study has further add value to change management research, particularly from New Zealand perspective where there is little literature on the current Institute of Technology and Polytechnic sector merger.

Upscaling restoration of native biodiversity: A New Zealand perspective

Efforts are being made to upscale restoration of New Zealand's native ecosystems. Success depends, however, on consideration of several key issues that need to be built into restoration planning, implementation and monitoring. This study makes eight recommendations to improve the prospect of obtaining the hoped‐for biodiversity conservation outcomes.

Exploring the factors of achieving supply chain excellence: a New Zealand perspective

The objective of the paper is to analyse supply chain (SC) excellence from the practitioners’ perspective in the New Zealand (NZ) context. The extant literature does not focus on achieving this excellence with the contemporary factors of this dynamic field. The study is an exploratory one using the structured Delphi technique to understand the ground level experience of the practitioners on the constructs of supply chain excellence. In this paper, we have administered three poll rounds to gather insights from the SC practitioners on the various enablers and barriers that impact supply chain excellence in the NZ environment. Seven supply chain management constructs are explored for their relationships with barriers and enablers in achieving the excellence in supply chains. The outcomes reveal that the people relevant issues (i.e. SCM knowledge education and supply chain culture) are more significant than other technical and operational factors. However, the influences from specific NZ business environment issues become far less important than a few years ago. This paper seeks the integration of practice-based views with the academic supply chain literature and original contributions from the NZ context.

Rambling with(in) the Wairarapa: Revisioning arcadia through affective creativity

Rambling with human and non‐human beings with(in) the Wairarapa for my doctoral fieldwork was both affecting and creative. This paper recounts that period and contends that, on reflection, an affective creativity helped me to address my central thesis argument, which is broadly about revisioning arcadia. From a New Zealand perspective, arcadia is usually framed as a picturesque rural paradise, often illustrated with peaceful grazing stock, lush green grass and snow‐tipped mountains. However, even though this view of arcadia appears simple, the visions and ideologies of New Zealand arcadianism are actually complicated narratives that are underpinned by hyper‐masculinity and white human‐centrism. Thus, my fieldwork intended to interrogate these ideas by carrying out research alongside ten Pākehā women who lived on the land in the Wairarapa. Theoretically infused with the more‐than‐human feminism of Val Plumwood, the notions of affect and the reflections of Donna Haraway, I designed an interview process that emphasised embodiment, sensuality and meaning by using a blend of sit‐down interviewing, ethnographic ventures, and photography. Driven by the philosophical tenets of feminism and more‐than‐human perspectives, I found that producing the idea of affective creativity intersected these theoretical strands rather fruitfully. This journey has not been without its problems though and I have needed to draw on multiple creative avenues outside of Geography so as to respect the more‐than‐human presences and participants’ voices within this project. Thus, this paper contributes to the field of Geography by contending that the use of affective creativity is an interesting way of expressing and intersecting more‐than‐human and feminist geographies.

Incidence and outcomes of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: A New Zealand perspective.

To describe the incidence and outcomes from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in the New Zealand population served by the St John Ambulance Service. A retrospective observational study was conducted using data from the St John New Zealand OHCA registry, which serves a population of around 4 million. The incidence and outcomes of adult patients who were treated for an OHCA between 1 October 2013 and 30 September 2015 are reported. A total of 7996 adult OHCA cases were attended, resuscitation was attempted in 3862 cases (60 per 100 000 person-years). The median response time was 9 min (interquartile range 7-12), the median age was 66 (interquartile range 53-77) and 69% were men. Most events occurred in the home (67%), bystanders witnessed 53%, EMS witnessed 16% and 31% were unwitnessed. Bystander CPR was administered in 62% of cases and 8% were defibrillated prior to EMS arrival. Most events had a presumed cardiac aetiology (77%) and 38% presented in a shockable rhythm. Of those who had attempted resuscitation, a return of spontaneous circulation sustained to hospital handover occurred in 30% of events and 15% survived to 30 days. Adjusted survival outcomes demonstrated differences according to ethnicity. This is the first study to describe the epidemiology and outcomes of OHCA in New Zealand. Our findings provide important baseline data to monitor temporal trends, investigate the impact of changes in the management of OHCA and demonstrate that there are opportunities for improvement across the system of care.

The State of the Art of Planning and Planning Education in Australia and New Zealand

Future needs and challenges, the respective contributions of practice and research, and the state of education are constant preoccupations of the planning profession. These issues are regularly canvassed in academic and professional forums. This paper provides an Australasian (Australia and New Zealand) perspective in reporting the findings from an online survey of over 250 planners and planning academics from our part of the world. The survey was inspired by the work of Klaus Kunzmann and Martina Koll-Schretzenmayr who have conducted two major “state of the art” surveys in Europe and Asia since 2014. There are three main foci. The first is how academic and professional planners define the major challenges for the planning profession and the productiveness of their engagement. The second is knowledge exchange across the academic research/practitioner divide in enhancing the profile and contributions of the profession generally through constructive dialogue. The third is an assessment of the present state of and future needs for planning education. This professional self-assessment yields overall positive results amid guardedness and caution. There is common ground with the European and Asian surveys albeit falling short of the same sense of grimness and crisis moving forward.

A New Zealand perspective on centennial-scale Southern Hemisphere westerly wind shifts during the last two millennia

The strength and latitudinal position of the Southern Hemisphere westerly winds control regional climate and influence the global carbon cycle by physically regulating Southern Ocean CO2 exchange with the atmosphere. However, the mechanisms driving interannual to millennial variability of the westerlies remain poorly understood. Here, we present an 1800-yr record of westerly wind variability recorded in New Zealand fjord sediments. Located west of the Southern Alps, fjord basins receive large amounts of westerly-driven orographic precipitation (>6 m yr−1) and strong winds lead to vigorous fjord mixing. Because of these links, reconstructing precipitation and fjord circulation provides information on westerly wind behavior over southwest New Zealand. Applying a multiproxy approach, we find several intervals of inferred regional wind variability. The intervals of 1450-1400, 825-775, 575-550, and 50-0 cal yr BP were anomalously wet, while 325-300 and 250-225 cal yr BP were anomalously dry. These interpreted intervals appear to be in phase with regional paleoclimate records. Two centennial-scale wet intervals align with a multi-centennial warm interval identified in the Pages2k Australasian temperature reconstruction, while the drier intervals generally occur during cooler times. The wet/dry intervals presented here are matched by opposite wind and/or precipitation trends reconstructed from the windfield core in Chile and the southern windfield margin in Antarctica. Such spatial patterns support the notion of centennial-scale latitudinal wind shifts or contraction/expansion of the core. Consistent with observations, all sites show wind strengthening from ∼50 cal yr BP to present, indicating an overall intensification of winds that is observed in modern instrumental and reanalysis data sets.

Indigenous Entrepreneurial Ecosystems: A New Zealand perspective

This conceptual paper examines entrepreneurial ecosystems in relation to indigenous entrepreneurship, with a focus on Māori entrepreneurs within Aotearoa New Zealand. Aotearoa New Zealand is eminen...

Issues and opportunities to capitalize on increased litter size in hill country sheep farming systems—a New Zealand perspective

Issues and opportunities to capitalize on increased litter size in hill country sheep farming systems—a New Zealand perspective

ASD and offending: reflections of practice in from a New Zealand perspective

PurposeThere is growing awareness in New Zealand (NZ) of the impact that Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has on individuals and their families and the ability to engage in health services. Although it is a relatively rare condition, approximately 1 per cent of the population will have ASD, directly affecting approximately 40,000 individuals in NZ. The purpose of this paper is to provide some reflections and questions on what we can learn from a NZ perspective. This is based on an overview of the limited literature around ASD and offending and the author’s experience in the UK working in a medium secure unit.Design/methodology/approachThrough a past site visit as part of the annual international conference on the Care and Treatment of Offenders with an Intellectual and/or Developmental Disability in the United Kingdom (UK), the author became aware of the medium secure forensic unit for male patients with ASD at the Roseberry Park Hospital (UK’s Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust). During the author’s advanced training in forensic psychiatry with the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists the author was privileged to be able to apply and be accepted for a four-month sabbatical training position at this hospital.FindingsOutlined is background information about ASD and review findings from the limited literature on ASD and offending. Also outlined is the author’s learning as a trainee working in medium secure unit for people with ASD who have offended, and finally how this experience may help in the development of services in NZ, given that at this stage such services are under-developed.Originality/valueTo be able to share the valuable experience and learning opportunity the author was able to have, as well as raise the awareness of ASD generally, and specifically the need for specialist services for the small number of people with ASD who come into contact with Justice Services.