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Item Open Access Land use change in Otago’s hill and high country, and implications for indigenous biodiversity: a report to Otago Regional Council, 20 December 2024. EnviroLink Medium Advice Grant 2024.(2025) Brower, Ann; Rose JThe biodiversity landscape we now inhabit is one in which there is very little indigenous habitat left. Abundance of biodiversity is a key predictor of its vulnerability or resilience to environmental effects from land development or climate change. The more of something there is, the less vulnerable it is as a whole. A plain-English description of ecological vulnerability says a species, community, or ecosystem is vulnerable if some aspect of its situation or biology renders it susceptible to disturbance. Much has been written about aspects of Aotearoa - New Zealand’s (Aotearoa NZ’s) biology that makes our biodiversity vulnerable to invasive species amongst other threats. This report is not about the biology of Otago’s biodiversity. Rather, this report is about the situation of Otago’s biodiversity. At each of the 4 major inflection points in the past 35 years – tenure review, Nature Heritage Fund purchases, Queen Elizabeth II National Trust (QEII) covenants, and Recommended Areas for Protection – the least threatened environments were protected and the most threatened environments were freeholded. This pattern of land ownership change and its resulting land use change will make Otago’s biodiversity more vulnerable, not less. This vulnerability means protecting what is left of Otago’s biodiversity has never been more important. All of this puts Otago’s biodiversity in a situation of vulnerability. This reports leverages knowledge about recent historical decisions and the resulting current biodiversity situation to strategise maintenance of biodiversity on a regional scale to achieve the objective of Resource Management Act (RMA) and the National Policy Statement on Indigenous Biodiversity (NPSIB).Item Open Access Tau ki Ākau Ridge2Reef newsletter Issue 1(University of Canterbury, 2024) Orchard, Shane; Schiel , D. R.Tau ki Ākau | Ridge to Reef, is a 5 year MBIE funded research project assessing ways to enhance the long term viability of coastal reef systems. It has a Mātauranga Māori-led, science-informed kaupapa that explores how mātauranga and science can come together to create the strongest possible evidence base and approach for achieving coastal reef ecosystems that are sustainably managed and resilient to future environment change. This ambition seeks to embrace and unite all of the threads of knowledge we have at our disposal, weaving them together to create an enduring safety net for coastal reefs and the benefits they provide.Item Open Access INBI second supplementary submission to health select committee gene tech bill 2024(2025) Heinemann, Jack; Kurenbach , Brigitta; Hiscox , Tessa C.; McCabe , Andrew W.; Walker , SophieItem Open Access INBI Supplementary Submission to the Health Select Committee Gene Technology Bill 2024(2025) Heinemann, JackItem Open Access Benefits of community stream care: Insights from a case study of the Cashmere Stream Care Group in Ōtautahi Christchurch(Waterways Centre for Freshwater Management, 2025) Challies , Ed; Orchard, ShaneCommunity-based restoration efforts are often initiated to address localised issues that are identified as community priorities. There is also increasing interest on the part of government – especially local councils – and NGOs, in how local community-based restoration efforts can be supported. This partly relates to recognition that community buy-in is essential to environmental restoration and protection policies but also (and perhaps even more importantly) because in many places community-based initiatives have been leading the way in realising outcomes. There is considerable scope to learn from the experiences of existing groups and projects, particularly those that have endured over time and developed strong connections within their catchments. Understanding how these groups have evolved and adapted, confronted challenges and leveraged successes, can be particularly informative for new or aspiring groups, and for those organisations looking to enable and support such groups. This report presents a case study of the Cashmere Stream Care Group (CSCG) as an example of a relatively long-standing and widely recognised community-based restoration group in Ōtautahi Christchurch. The group has partnered with councils and the community to realise a range of benefits for the Cashmere Stream and its catchment, as well as the group’s members and the local community. This case study used a semi-structured interview and workshop process with CSCG members past and present, and others from city and regional councils and the private sector who have worked closely with the group in its projects. The key research themes and interview questions were designed in the initial phases of the project and explore factors important to participation in the group, benefits of the group’s work for its members and the wider community, key factors in those successes, and potential learnings for other community stream care groups in Aotearoa. After forming in 2006, the CSCG had an initial focus on collecting water clarity data to evidence the issue of fine suspended sediment, which was identified as the key pressure in the catchment. Over several years the group collected a nearly continuous daily dataset of water clarity measurements, which it has used to draw attention to the erosion and sedimentation issues in the catchment, and to advocate for action to restore and enhance the stream environment. The group has also been instrumental in practical restoration work in the catchment, partnering with private landowners to enable substantial riparian fencing and planting in the stream’s upper reaches. This includes working closely with Christchurch City Council (CCC) and contractors to support a major stream re-alignment and staged riparian planting and in-stream habitat enhancement project funded by CCC and central government (Cashmere Stream Enhancement Project) over the period 2022-2024. In addition to working relationships with CCC and the regional council (Environment Canterbury), CSCG has placed great importance on building strong relationships with the community. The group has a close partnership with local environmental consultancy EOS Ecology who support its monitoring activities and the communication of its work to the public. This has been a powerful means to engage with the wider community within the catchment and beyond. The insights gathered through this research suggest that a combination of factors have underpinned the successes of the group, but it is perhaps the way that these factors have complemented each other that is most notable. Some of the key contributions have included a commitment to understanding aquatic science and collecting and using scientific data – especially the water clarity data that the group’s members have dutifully collected; forming and nurturing constructive relationships with key partners; developing collaborative action plans (with those partners) to define the group’s purpose and guide its activities; creating and maintaining a positive group culture so that members enjoy being involved and working together; having a competent, charismatic, respected and enabling leader who helps the group to maintain focus; extensive engagement with the community through practical community restoration (such as planting days) and outwards communications (newsletters, flyers and social media); and perseverance in the face of complex and seemingly intractable catchment-scale issues like erosion and sedimentation. The study identifies and traces these various factors and highlights insights that may be valuable to other community stream care groups, and also the organisations who could support such groups through collaborations, partnerships or funding.Item Open Access INBI Submission to Health Select Committee Gene Tech Bill 2024(2025) Heinemann, JackItem Open Access Submission on the Ministry for the Environment’s consultation document: Improving our GMO regulations for laboratory and biomedical research: Consultation document(2023) Heinemann, J; Kurenbach, Brigitta; Hiscox, Tessa C.; McCabe, Andrew W.Item Open Access Clean Sky 2 - Nacelle cowl NExt generation Opening System (NNEOS) - Final Public Report(European Commision, 2022) Novillo EExecutive summary: NNEOS project aims to develop an innovative nacelle cowl opening system based on electromechanical actuation compatible with the high temperature environment of the new Ultra High Bypass Ratio (UHBR) engines. This deliverable main purpose is to disseminate the results of the tests and the final conclusions of the project.Item Open Access South Island Fernbird (Bowdleria punctata) Reintroduction Plan(School of Forestry, University of Canterbury, 2005) Shadbolt, Antony B.South Island fernbirds (Bowdleria punctata) (Figure 1) have been locally extinct in the Christchurch area since about 1898, however the Christchurch City Council (CCC) is currently exploring the possibility of reintroducing them to a number of sites around the city where habitat restoration and predator control measures are in place. Sites under consideration include the Bexley Wetlands, Travis Wetland, Styx Mill Conservation Reserve, Nga Puna Wai Reserve, Riccarton Bush, Brooklands Lagoon and the 80+ hectare area of saltmarsh at the mouth of the Styx/Puharakekenui River (Crossland pers comm. 2005), herein referred to as the Puharakekenui Wetlands. This reintroduction plan focuses on the establishment of a viable fernbird population at the Puharakekenui Wetlands. However this reintroduction event is set in the context of a city/region wide meta-population establishment program that may include some or all of the sites listed above, and also sites outside the CCC area such as, Quail Island (Norton et al. 2001) and Kaitorete Spit (Crossland pers comm 2005). Although the problems associated with restoration of native bird communities are daunting, and especially so in mainland situations, it is exciting that such proposals are even being considered (Saunders 1995). Returning animals to the wild evokes an extremely positive response from almost all sectors of the community (Serena and Williams 1995), and therefore the reintroduction of fernbird back into the Christchurch area not only has conservation value for the species itself, but also heightens awareness of conservation values in general.Item Open Access The thalamic reuniens is associated with consolidation of non-spatial memory too(2023) Hamilton JJ; Dalrymple-Alford, JohnThe nucleus reuniens (RE) is situated in the midline thalamus and provides a key link between hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. This anatomical relationship positions the Re as an ideal candidate to facilitate memory consolidation. Evidence is, however, lacking whether this role extends beyond spatial memory and contextual fear memory, both of which are strongly associated with hippocampal function. We therefore trained intact male Long-Evans rats on an odour-trace-object paired-association task in which the explicit 10-second delay between paired items renders the task sensitive to hippocampal function. Neurons in the RE showed markedly increased immediate early gene (Zif268) activation when rats were re-tested for the previous non-spatial memory 25 days after acquisition training, relative to a group tested at 5-days post-acquisition, as well as a control group tested 25 days after acquisition but with a new pair of non-spatial stimuli, and home cage controls. The remote recall group also showed relatively augmented IEG expression in the superficial layers of the medial PFC (anterior cingulate cortex and prelimbic cortex). These findings support the conclusion that the RE is preferentially engaged during remote recall in this non-spatial task and thus has a role beyond spatial memory and contextual fear memory.Item Open Access Virtual field trips in tertiary science(Ako Aotearoa, 2018) Jolley A; Sommerville P; Reyna N; Hampton S; Dawood M; Ashwell P; Hersey S; Davies A; Kennedy, Ben; Stahl, Timothy; Wilson, Thomas; Brogt, Erik; Pedley, Katherine; Davidson, JonathanField trips are one of the most critical pieces of learning for students in sciences like geology, biology, and geography. Virtual field trips (VFT) are being increasingly considered as sophisticated and effective forms of teaching, especially with the rise of new technologies and the growing demand for more inclusive classroom environments. This research developed a virtual field trip for Tertiary students in an introductory-level geology course (GEOL 113: Environmental Geohazards) at the University of Canterbury. This initiative was in partnership with LEARNZ – a highly esteemed virtual fieldtrip team run by CORE Education that creates successful VFTs for Primary and Secondary students in New Zealand. Key components of the Tertiary VFT include a student acting as the virtual field trip teacher interviewing experts and leading the field trip, web-based background material, online assessment, and photos. In two successive academic years, students participated in the VFT during lectures and as pre class assignments prior to a one-day earthquake hazards workshop. In 2016, the virtual field trip used the LEARNZ web platform and occurred synchronously with the class; in 2017 the virtual fieldtrip reused the video, images and word documents from the previous year with the addition of a Google Earth component and with no reliance on the LEARNZ web platform. The goals of the trip were designed to prepare students for the earthquake hazards workshop, in which students analysed earthquake impacts over varying timescales and then applied that knowledge to develop strategies for the recovery of three crucial industries (dairy, mining, or tourism) on the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island. In both years, number of clicks data showed that students interacted with online material far more during this week of the course than any other. Following the synchronous version in 2016, the students who were surveyed reported (1) they enjoyed the trip, (2) they found background material useful for preparation for the trip and the workshop, and (3) the additional work was at the appropriate level. Despite predominantly positive responses from the students, we experienced some negative feedback from participating staff mainly associated with stress and technical difficulties in running the synchronous VFT. With the asynchronous trip in 2017, staff reported a highly positive overall experience, with a perceived enhanced interaction with class during lecture time, and an increased and enhanced engagement with course material outside of class. The student survey again showed that the majority of students surveyed enjoyed the virtual fieldtrip, and that it was useful preparation for the workshop. Additionally, they reported an improved link between earth processes and society, which was a key overarching aim for the course. We propose that the synchronous version poses more excitement and immersion in the field environment, whereas the reuse of the asynchronous version increases the utility (and hence value for money) of the trip, and minimises technical difficulties and lecturer stress. Additionally, re-using the material in the asynchronous version offered opportunities to improve and supplement the past content, such as the incorporation of following an annotated trip path in Google Earth. As recommendations for others interested in developing virtual fieldtrips, we report that the design of a virtual fieldtrip should include (1) Goal-aligned content and assessment for both practice and marks, (2) a student and instructor experience that is authentic and flexible to both the people and the place. We suggest that these aims can be achieved whatever the budget or timeframe and make our material freely available at https://serc.carleton.edu/index.html.Item Open Access Te Nohonga Kaitiaki Guidelines for Genomic Research on Taonga Species(Te Kotahi Research Institute, 2021) Hudson M; Thompson A; Wilcox P; Mika J; Battershill C; Stott M; Brooks RT; Warbrick LThe Te Nohonga Kaitiaki guidelines apply to genomic research involving taonga species. Despite Te Tiriti o Waitangi affirming Māori rights over taonga, the application of these rights to biological samples and data has generally been overlooked within the sciences. The ease of access to genomic technologies has resulted in widespread proliferation of research, and increasing access for the scientific community as well as tertiary and secondary educational institutions. To date there has been little guidance in place to ensure that taonga species are being approached in a manner that upholds Treaty principles, or specific guidance on how this can be done effectively.Item Open Access Autistic co-led autism research priorities for Aotearoa New Zealand(2022) Emerson, Lisa Marie; Monk, Ruth; van der Meer, Larah; McLay, LaurieParticipatory research seeks to meaningfully include the viewpoints of the community that the research seeks to serve. In the UK and Australia, consortiums have utilised a participatory research framework to integrate the views of Autistic people, their families, researchers and clinicians, in the co-production of autism research prioritieItem Open Access Reference levels for short duration signals used in Auditory Brainstem Response testing: An overview in the New Zealand context.(2022) Maslin, Michael; O'Beirne, GregThe Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) is an electrophysiological response used for objective hearing testing. A sound is played in the ear to stimulate nerves in the brain, and the nerve activity is then measured. The technique is particularly important for testing the hearing of infants and children as the process is relatively automatic. In New Zealand, the sounds delivered by ABR devices are calibrated to different levels than devices used in most places around the world. This is because New Zealand uses a non-standard calibration reference while other regions around the world are increasingly using a standardised calibration reference, published in ISO 389. The different references mean that hearing test results and their interpretation will also differ from those performed overseas, and are not able to be easily compared to published data. No set of reference levels are objectively right or wrong. The purpose of standardisation is to offer a common approach in order to avoid differences in sound levels across regions and across transducers like insert earphones and bone conductors in widespread use. Only with standardisation can valid comparisons be made in routine clinical as well as research activities. However, it is worth adding that in addition to reference levels being non-standard in New Zealand, the research from which they were derived has not been fully published and we believe the values contain an unexplained anomaly. Further compounding this issue, the techniques used to calibrate ABR devices are also non-standard, which has resulted in hitherto unrecognised errors. The New Zealand reference levels are sufficiently different from the standardised reference levels to cause real-world human and financial implications. For example, the higher levels used with insert earphones can cause an apparent reduction in the severity of a hearing loss, and thus differences in the way a hearing aid might be set up for anyone diagnosed with a hearing loss. Given that standardised reference levels are available via ISO 389, and given that following this standard would enable alignment of clinical and research activities in New Zealand and internationally (and alignment within New Zealand across transducers and stimuli), the rationale for continuing with non-standard calibration referencesis unclear. To resolve these problems, we recommend that New Zealand adopts the standardised reference levels in ISO 389, and the associated techniques for calibration of ABR devices.Item Open Access The Getting Around Survey 2021: OCHT Brougham St.(2022) Fitt H; Curl A; el Orfi Y; Dares C; Russel E; Kingham, SimonTransport and housing are very closely linked. Where you live influences the things you can do and where you can go. This can affect your health and wellbeing. ŌCHT has put shared cars and e-bikes in your community. We’ll repeat our survey next year to see whether using the cars and bikes has led to any changes in your life. This year’s results are about how things were before most people had used the shared cars and bikes.Item Open Access Aotearoa New Zealand climate change projections guidance: Interpreting the latest IPCC WG1 report findings(2022) Bodeker G; Tait A; Morgenstern O; Noone D; Revell L; McDonald A; Cullen N; Renwick J; Katurji, MarwanItem Open Access Submission on Proposal P1055 Definitions of Gene Technology(2021) Heinemann, JItem Open Access Understanding the motivations of fleeing drivers: Media influences(NZ Police, 2021) Westerman A; Gore A; Kaiwai H; Cording, JacintaThe New Zealand Police (‘NZ Police’) contracted the research team to deliver two pieces of research on fleeing driver events. The focus of this report is on the first piece of research, which aimed to identify and outline the motivations, circumstances and decision-making processes that are reported by individuals who have fled from Police, and their passengers. These pieces of research fit within a broader programme of research being undertaken by NZ Police on fleeing driver events. The purpose of this programme of research is to better understand the facilitators and factors involved in fleeing driver events, with the view to ensuring that Police chase policy fits with the empirical evidence for how Police chases are best conducted to keep drivers, Police, and the wider community safe.Item Open Access Understanding the motivations of fleeing drivers: Individual factors(NZ Police, 2021) Gore A; Westerman A; Kaiwai H; Cording, JacintaThe New Zealand Police (‘NZ Police’) contracted the research team to deliver two pieces of research on fleeing driver events. The focus of this report is on the first piece of research, which aimed to identify and outline the motivations, circumstances and decision-making processes that are reported by individuals who have fled from Police, and their passengers. These pieces of research fit within a broader programme of research being undertaken by NZ Police on fleeing driver events. The purpose of this programme of research is to better understand the facilitators and factors involved in fleeing driver events, with the view to ensuring that Police chase policy fits with the empirical evidence for how Police chases are best conducted to keep drivers, Police, and the wider community safe.Item Open Access Evaluation of the Family Violence Courts(Ministry of Justice, 2021) Wheatley P; Kaiwai H; Cording, Jacinta