Masters Degree Theses

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“They just don’t know”: Ideology and budget advisors’ work with precarious clients
(The University of Waikato, 2026) Hall, Ben; Jackson, Kimberly M.
Every day in Aotearoa, as in many parts of the world, budget advisors engage in one-on-one mentoring with individuals experiencing financial instability with the purpose of upskilling clients to help alleviate their precarious financial circumstances. Existing research on budget advisory practice largely focuses on measuring client outcomes and explaining variance between groups accessing budget advisory services. These services are shown to be largely ineffective in alleviating the financial instability characteristic of those experiencing precarity (ongoing economic insecurity) compared to other populations. The purpose of this thesis is to expand on previous findings by investigating how budget advisors themselves construct an understanding of their clients’ precarity, as well as how they understand their ameliorative role. This thesis contextualises budget advisors’ conceptualisations of their work and clients within broader political, economic, and ideological constructions of precarity, recognising how low and insecure incomes are structurally determined through capitalism and neoliberalism. This thesis deploys the concept of bricolage, flexibly drawing on scholarship from across the social sciences, notably including insights from community and societal psychology. Qualitative data was gathered through two semi-structured interviews conducted with each of six budget advisors, in which we discussed their work with low-income clients alongside vignettes that were presented to them for discussion. Analysis of the resulting interview transcripts drew on critical discourse analysis and Lacanian psychoanalytic theory to examine how the participants constructed their role and drew on ideological assumptions within their interviews. This thesis finds that participants draw on a number of ideological constructions and assumptions to make sense of their work with precarious clients. Firstly, they present their role as that of working on correcting clients’ counterproductive mindsets, or sets of internal beliefs, that impede clients’ abilities to meet their responsibilities. Secondly, participants present their clients’ families as playing a significant role in their work, with the term ‘family’ holding a contradictory position as both an ideal for budget advisors to work towards and a reason for the breakdown of this ideal when families undermine clients’ financial goals. Thirdly, participants characterise themselves as providers of important knowledge, consequently constructing precarity as an issue that emerges from a lack of knowledge on the side of the client. These three ideas demonstrate how participants navigate their role as shaped by structural forces that maintain their clients’ financial instability and sit in an antagonistic relation to the aims of the budget advisory role. Budget advisors are shown in this thesis to displace their tacitly acknowledged inability to address the structural determinants of precarity, and instead focus on clients’ individual deficiencies, maintaining a role for themselves and their expertise. This thesis highlights some of the limitations of the participants’ budget advisory role within the current political, economic and ideological context, concluding that more emancipatory possibilities would require an incorporation of precarity’s structural determinants.
Most versus least: A meta-analysis of stimulus overselectivity
(The University of Waikato, 2026) Simoné; Edwards, Timothy L.
Stimulus overselectivity (OS) occurs when a person's behaviour is controlled by only a limited subset of available cues. This phenomenon is thought to contribute to learning and social challenges in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This thesis presents a multilevel meta-analysis quantifying the magnitude of OS in individuals with ASD compared to typically developing (TD) peers. Analyses of 15 studies, producing 41 unique effects, showed a statistically significant population gap (p = .036). The average level of OS was 35.16% for ASD groups and 20.96% for TD groups. Both groups exhibited a general tendency for OS, but the effect was more pronounced in ASD. Notably, this difference was fragile: when the oldest study (Gersten, 1983) was excluded, the gap was no longer statistically significant (p = .129). A major limitation was that only 15 out of 158 relevant studies provided enough data for quantitative analysis, highlighting a widespread reporting gap. These findings were consistent with stimulus control hierarchies, suggesting that the systematic narrowing of control observed in individuals with ASD may be sensitive to non-linear diagnostic shifts within the evolving diagnostic landscape. For practitioners, the findings emphasise the importance of assessing which cues guide a learner’s responses and using targeted strategies to broaden cue control in educational settings. For researchers, these results highlight the need for consistent, standardised reporting of element-level data and variability to advance theoretical understanding of overselectivity across populations.
Indicators of fetal engagement with the environment
(The University of Waikato, 2026) Sheik-Ebrahim, Kousar; Reid, Vincent
Fetal behaviour provides a non-invasive window into early fetal development, reflecting the maturation of sensory and motor systems. This thesis investigates the developmental trajectory of spontaneous and stimulus-evoked behaviours across late gestation (33–37 weeks) to identify behavioural indicators of selective sensory engagement. Secondary analyses were conducted on high-resolution ultrasound recordings using a systematic behavioural measurement framework, incorporating standardised coding of fetal behavioural states (FBS), fetal body movements (FBM), and fetal eye movements (FEM) to enhance observational reliability and analytical rigor. Quantitative analysis, including Dynamic Time Warping (DTW), was employed to distinguish baseline behavioural activity from responses elicited by controlled auditory and visual stimuli. Study 1 (N = 57) investigated patterns of FBM and FEM to determine whether observed behaviours reflected spontaneous activity or environmentally driven engagement. Results indicated that from approximately 33 weeks’ gestation onward, FEM classifications increasingly aligned with behavioural markers of environmental engagement, suggesting progressive maturation of sensory–behavioural integration. Study 2 (N = 24) examined fetal behavioural responses to musical stimuli varying in timbre (string versus piano) and harmonic modality (major versus minor chords). We observed distinct patterns of structured FEM and FBM across auditory conditions, indicating selective behavioural modulation in response to specific acoustic properties. The findings from this cross-sectional study suggest that late-gestation fetuses demonstrate emerging capacities for selective engagement with environmental stimuli before birth. This research advances understanding of prenatal sensory and perceptual processing and supports refinement of fetal behavioural frameworks, with implications for clinical monitoring and foundational research into early perceptual learning.
The effects of passive and active warm-ups on vertical jump, stretch-shortening cycle and reactive strength index performance
(The University of Waikato, 2026-08-23) Li, Conglin; Rodrigues, Patrick
Passive warm-up, via hot-water immersion (HWI) for instance, may enhance explosive performance by increasing lower-limb temperature without imposing the metabolic demands associated with exercise. However, it remains unclear whether passive heating influences jump tasks with different concentric and stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) demands and whether its effects are comparable to those achieved following active warm-up (AWU). Hence, this thesis aimed to compare the acute effects of passive warm-up via HWI and AWU, on three different vertical jump performance tasks in physically active adults, including squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), and drop jump (DJ). Twenty participants (15 males and 5 females; age: 25.9 ± 4.5 years) completed the two warm-up conditions and a control condition (CON) via thermoneutral water immersion in a randomised crossover design. Passive warm-up involved 60 min of waist-level HWI at 42°C, whereas CON involved 60 min of immersion at 34°C. AWU comprised 15 min of cycling at a rating of perceived exertion of 14 (6-20 Borg scale), followed by dynamic lower-limb movements, 10 bodyweight squats, and 10 submaximal CMJs. The three vertical jump tests, SJ, CMJ, and DJ were assessed before and immediately after each condition on a force platform. The analysed outcomes were SJ and CMJ height and peak propulsive force (PPF), along with DJ height and reactive strength index (RSI). Change scores (post minus pre) were compared between conditions using analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Bonferroni-adjusted post hoc comparisons. Significant condition effects were observed for SJ height (p < .001), SJ PPF (p = .002), CMJ height (p < .001), DJ height (p = .006), and DJ RSI (p < .001). Bonferroni-adjusted comparisons showed that the positive changes observed following HWI differed significantly from the corresponding changes following AWU (SJ height, p < .001; SJ PPF, p = .020; CMJ height, p < .001; DJ height, p = .017; DJ RSI, p = .011) and CON (SJ height, p < .001; SJ PPF, p = .002; CMJ height, p < .001; DJ height, p = .015; DJ RSI, p < .001). CMJ PPF did not differ significantly among conditions (p = .108). These findings demonstrate that 60 min of waist-level HWI at 42°C can acutely improve concentric-dominant jump performance via SJ test and performance in jumps involving slow- and fast-SSC demands via CMJ and DJ, respectively. In addition, the passive warm-up via HWI enhanced RSI during DJ while AWU showed no difference to the CON condition. In conclusion, passive warm-up via 60 min of HWI at 42°C appears to be an effective strategy for acutely enhancing vertical jump performance across tasks characterised by concentric-dominant, slow-SSC, and fast-SSC demands.
Simulating the future, remembering the past: Effects of sensory and emotional focus on vividness and memory across the lifespan
(The University of Waikato, 2026) Kim, Joy; Devitt, Aleea
Remembering the past and simulating the future rely on overlapping constructive processes. Moreover, simulating a future event can influence what is later remembered. However, there are key gaps in our knowledge of this process when it comes to healthy ageing: older adults often report simulations as being more vivid than younger adults despite producing fewer episodic details, and they are less susceptible to simulation-induced memory biases. The present study aimed to address these gaps by manipulating the type of information prioritised during future simulation and examining influences on subjective vividness and subsequent memory across younger and older adults. Younger and older adults simulated future events while focusing on either sensory or emotional information, then read narratives describing the hypothetical outcomes of those events, before finally completing a recognition test for narrative details. Subjective vividness ratings were collected during simulation, and memory performance was assessed using discriminability (d′) and response bias (C). Despite clear differences in the type of details generated across sensory and emotion-focused conditions, neither vividness ratings nor memory accuracy (d′) varied as a function of focus condition. However, older adults demonstrated a more liberal response bias overall, and both age groups showed a more liberal bias following emotion-focused simulation. These findings suggest that the subjective experience of vividness is relatively independent of the specific type of information emphasised during simulation, indicating that vividness may reflect broader evaluative judgements about the simulation rather than the amount or type of episodic details the simulation contained. The absence of focus effects on memory accuracy further indicates that altering simulation content alone may be insufficient to bias later remembering. Instead, the influence of future simulation on memory may depend on whether the simulation meaningfully changes higher-level subjective states that persist into later encoding and retrieval.
Machine learning for nociception assessment from single-channel electroencephalography during general anaesthesia
(The University of Waikato, 2026) Mayo, Christopher; Kurz, Jason A.; Sleigh, James W.
Nociception is defined as the neural encodings of noxious stimuli, and is a key dimension of general anaesthesia that clinicians seek to control. The use of machine learning (ML) to predict intraoperative nociception from single-channel electroencephalography (EEG) data is poorly established, with existing indices relying on opaque proprietary algorithms or limited validation. A key challenge is the lack of reliable ground truth: many prior studies evaluate models solely on their ability to predict postoperative pain scores, which may not accurately reflect intraoperative nociceptive processes. This thesis addresses this problem through two complementary contributions. Firstly, a hypothesis-driven unified validation framework was created to evaluate nociception indices against multiple physiologically motivated criteria, including responsiveness to surgical incision and analgesic administration, rather than relying solely on postoperative pain scores. Secondly, a range of ML approaches were developed to predict nociception from EEG. A dataset comprising 1,541 total hours of intraoperative EEG across 567 patients from three previous studies was collated, preprocessed, and aligned with drug dosage and surgical event data. This was used to develop and evaluate putative nociception indices using a range of ML approaches, including unsupervised approaches, representation learning methods to reduce confounding, and a novel EEG-informed pharmacodynamic non-linear mixed effects model (EEG-PD-NLME) that exploits fentanyl pharmacology to provide a supervisory signal. The best-performing candidate indices were a principal component-based index (PCA-6) and an EEG-PD-NLME model with additional adversarial training (NLME+adv.), satisfying most of the criteria in the proposed framework. However, despite this, both models performed poorly when predicting postoperative pain (AUROC 0.511 and 0.388, respectively). This discrepancy suggests a mismatch between intraoperative nociception and postoperative pain, challenging the use of postoperative pain scores as a validation endpoint. A well-validated and well-described index of nociception could be utilised clinically, allowing for improved titration of analgesic medications during surgery. This may lead to improved postoperative outcomes such as reduced postoperative pain. More broadly, this thesis demonstrates the importance of comprehensive evaluation when learning latent physiological variables in the absence of ground truth data.
Palaeoenvironment and volcanic processes of the Wairēinga Falls lava, Te Mata Quarry
(The University of Waikato, 2026) Wilde, Sarah; Pittari, Adrian
This study characterises the Wairēinga (Bridal Veil) Falls lava flow and reconstructs the palaeoenvironmental and volcanic history associated with this lava flow at Te Mata Quarry through integrated field observations and laboratory analyses. Stratigraphic logging, petrographic analysis, grain-size analysis, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), and portable XRF (pXRF) were used to investigate volcanic and sedimentary units exposed throughout the quarry. The sedimentary sequence beneath the lava flow contains glauconite and abundant bioclastic material, indicating deposition in a shallow marine environment associated with the Oligocene Te Kuiti Group. In contrast, buried wood and coal horizons, and hyaloclastite beneath the basalt, which unconformably cross-cuts the Te Kuiti Group, demonstrate that a wet terrestrial valley had developed prior to lava emplacement in the late Pliocene/early Pleistocene. The Wairēinga Falls lava flow was emplaced at approximately 2.57 Ma into this water-influenced palaeovalley. Hyaloclastite preserved along flow margins provides evidence of lava–water interaction, indicating that surface or near-surface water strongly influenced cooling and fragmentation during emplacement. Petrographic and geochemical analyses reveal a compositionally homogeneous basalt consistent with previous studies of the region. However, structural features including variable columnar joint spacing, multidirectional joint orientations, and rosette jointing suggest a complex emplacement history involving multiple flow units and the development of lava tubes, indicating spatial variability in emplacement processes despite a uniform magma composition. The overlying Kauroa Ash sequence, particularly the T5 tephra, provides regional context and supports correlations with volcanic activity in the central North Island, including the Ongatiti Ignimbrite. Together, these findings place the lava flow and its emplacement environment in the Te Mata Quarry within the broader volcanic evolution of the Alexandra Volcanic Group, and improve understanding of lava emplacement processes, in a wet palaeoenvironment.
Relational engagement in engineering: Developing an indigenous engagement framework for practice with Mana Whenua in Aotearoa New Zealand
(The University of Waikato, 2026) Poulsen, Benjamin; Bertram, Danielle; Owen, Mahonri
Engagement with mana whenua (territorial rights holders) is a vital part of competent engineering practice across Aotearoa New Zealand. Despite the existence of a large number of Indigenous Engagement Frameworks (IEFs), engineers seeking to engage face challenges in accessing, interpreting, and applying the available guidance in ways that respect Māori (Indigenous New Zealander) authority. Therefore, the research conducted here aims to the development of a practical IEF and accompanying spatial map to support early and culturally appropriate engagement with Māori. Through a literature review and interviews with iwi (nation) representatives and museum curators, the study identified key gaps in accessibility and usability of existing frameworks. Many of the IEFs reviewed assumed a certain level of prior knowledge and experience from the user, which limited their effectiveness for engineers unfamiliar with engagement processes. Interviewees further emphasised the importance of relational engagement in achieving culturally appropriate and effective outcomes. While engineers often rely on structured processes, the interviews found that effective engagement with mana whenua requires flexibility, time, and relationship-building. Rather than prioritising one approach over the other, the most effective result will come from finding a balance between structured processes and relational practice. The research highlights the need for practical guidance that supports engineers in navigating relational and culturally grounded engagement practices. An iterative design process was used for the development of the IEF and accompanying spatial mapping tool, which were presented in the form of a practical booklet and interactive map that balances the desire for procedural guidance with prompts that encourage relationship-building. The study also demonstrates the practical and theoretical value of using site-specific taiao (environment) knowledge within engineering contexts, while emphasising the relational and reciprocal nature of engagement. Limitations of the study and opportunities for future research, such as including iwi-led spatial mapping and the potential for a reciprocal engagement framework, are also discussed. This thesis contributes to a culturally grounded IEF designed to support engineers in conducting respectful and effective engagement with mana whenua.
Evaluation of DNA damage and endoplasmic reticulum stress in cancer patients in a Phase 1b dose-escalation trial of selenium compounds
(The University of Waikato, 2025) Burns, Craig; Peters, Linda M.
Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element needed in a healthy human diet. Past clinical trials have shown Se to be a promising co-drug for cancer patients undergoing treatment to minimise the effect of the cancer treatment on non-malignant cells. This project is a continuation of a 2019 Phase 1 clinical study “Comparative Safety, Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Evaluation of Three Oral Selenium Compounds in Cancer Patients”, that set out to analyse which Se compound and what dosage point is recommended for use in a Phase 2 clinical trial at the Waikato Hospital, New Zealand. Nine cancer patients were recruited into the trial from Waikato Hospital with informed consent. They were randomised to take one of three Se compounds, the organic compounds Seleno-L-methionine (SLM) or Se-methyl-selenocysteine (MSC), or the inorganic compound sodium selenite (SS), at a starting dose of 1600 mcg/day for 28 days and then a higher dosage of 6400 mcg/day for another 28 days. Patients were then taken off the compounds and watched for the last 28 days of the trial. Patients were asked to keep a diary and record any adverse events (AEs) that they experienced while on the trial. Western blot methods were used to investigate ER stress, and the LORD-Q assay was used to investigate the genotoxicity of the three compounds. Samples were also sent away for Se speciation studies. Out of the three compounds, patients on MSC experienced the fewest AEs, with five Grade 1 and two Grade 2 events. SS patients experienced seven Grade 1 and two Grade 2 events. Patients on SLM reported the highest number of AEs, with six Grade 1 and five Grade 2 events. Notably, one case of encephalopathy was observed in the SLM cohort. In the LORD-Q assay the three Se compounds exhibited sustained mtDNA protection throughout the trial. SLM exhibited fluctuating nDNA lesions at the lower dose. As the concentration increased, no measurable nDNA damage was detected. However, a transient spike in nDNA damage was later observed, followed by a decrease towards the end of the trial. Both SS and MSC exhibited an increase in nDNA relative to the baseline which was sustained throughout the trial. Western blot analysis was performed in two out of the nine patients to provide a preliminary point of evaluation of ER stress. The western blot data showed a sustained decrease in protein expression of eIF2a and sXBP1 throughout the trial. In contrast, GRP78 decreased throughout the lower dosage phase and then increases in expression at the higher dose point. The preliminary findings of this thesis suggest that MSC should be the compound recommended to be used in the Phase 2 trial. This is based on findings on adverse events, genotoxicity, and total Se plasma levels. It is important to note that further results are required to elucidate this recommendation.
Pharmacodynamics of therapeutic dose selenium compounds: A determination study for dose/compound efficacy potential
(The University of Waikato, 2026) Goodall, Renëe Jo-Leigh; Peters, Linda M.
This research is a key part of a Phase 1(b) clinical trial that was designed to investigate a potential therapeutic dose of selenium (Se) in an oncology setting to aid in protection against toxicities caused by cancer therapies. The trial's primary objectives were to identify the most effective combination of Se dosage (1600 or 6400 μg/day) and compound using three forms of Se (Selenomethionine (SLM), methyl-selenocysteine (MSC), and Sodium selenite (SS). To achieve this, western blot methodologies were used to investigate the effect of the Se compounds on the protein expression. Three antibodies, HIF-1α, EGLN1 and EGLN3 were used to identify changes in the hypoxic pathway, CASPASE-8 was used for the apoptosis pathway and a singular GAPDH loading control was used to estimate regulation change. In addition, LORD-Q PCR was implemented to evaluate both the mitochondrial and nuclear DNA damage. Nine patients who provided informed consent were recruited for the trial. The trial protocol involved seven visits in which blood and plasma samples, adverse events (AE) reporting, and other safety procedures were collected. Two baseline (at the pre-check visit and on day 1) samples were taken one to two weeks apart before dosing to assess intrapatient variability. Two samples for 1600 μg and 6400 μg and a singular post-trial sample over the course of the 12 week trial. Patients kept a diary to self-record any AEs experienced over the trial period. No AEs higher than grade 2 were reported during the trial, with the most common AE being gastrointestinal-related. Western blot analysis showed minimal increase in expression for HIF-1α for four out of five patients with data, when compared to the baseline samples and showed an overall decreased protein expression when normalised against GAPDH. Except patient 29 who showed a distinct increase during the trial, peaking at 25 times the level of GAPDH. Themeasurement of the apoptotic pathway using CASPASE-8 was used however, insufficient data was gained. LORD-Q PCR data showed that damage sustained to mtDNA and ntDNA was not consistent between patients of a singular compound. Data from this trial demonstrate a potential protective effect on DNA damage at the nuclear and mitochondrial level at both 1600 μg/day and 6400 μg/day in all Se compounds. MSC and SS showed to be the least volatile compounds, indicating increased protective effects against DNA damage, which is supported by the western blots for hypoxia. SLM was volatile, showing higher mitochondrial damage and a slight upregulation in the minimal apoptosis data obtained. The difference in in protective effects and pathway regulation was minimal; further investigation into the hypothesis that they are at the same level in the U-shaped tolerance that Se has in humans is advised. Future studies should further investigate the clinical significance and potential of Se as an adjuvant therapy alongside chemotherapy and radiotherapy in cancer patients.
Shaping tomorrow: How collective future scenarios influence perceptions and behaviour toward AMR
(The University of Waikato, 2026) Barkle, Kirsty; Milfont, Taciano L.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) makes infections harder to treat due to developing resistance to the antibiotics, and it is a growing global threat in modern society. What once would have been easily managed and treatable illnesses, are now becoming increasing difficult to manage via antibiotics and having prolonged and more complicated illnesses. Emerging research suggests challenges in addressing AMR extend beyond scientific and medical factors, but also how the issue is framed and communicated to the public. Therefore, this thesis aims to investigate and understand how AMR has been portrayed and communicated in the media to the public of Aotearoa New Zealand and examine how different future-oriented narratives influence public attitudes and affect behavioural intentions towards addressing the AMR issue. Study 1 employed a quantitative thematic media analysis grounded in agenda-setting theory to examine how AMR was portrayed in New Zealand media over a 15-year period (2010–2024). An analysis of 226 media summary articles was conducted to reveal that coverage was largely reactive and episodic, with fluctuating salience over time. While crisis framing was prominent, particularly during periods of heightened coverage, the media narratives often lacked sustained local accountability and clear calls to action, potentially hindering for long-term public engagement with AMR in New Zealand. Building on from these findings, Study 2 was pre-registered using an in between subjects experimental survey design to assess how different future framings of AMR (crisis, hopeful, and neutral) influenced public attitude and engagement. A nationally representative sample of New Zealand adults (N = 1,648) was randomly assigned to one of three future scenario conditions set in New Zealand 2060. Results indicated that the crisis framed condition reported significantly stronger collective action intentions and more supportive attitudes toward addressing AMR than hopeful framings, while private-sphere behavioural intentions did not differ across conditions. Together, these findings demonstrate that future-oriented and credible communication plays a critical role in shaping sustained public engagement with AMR as a long-term societal health challenge in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Bridging worlds: Integrating Māori health models into psychological practice
(The University of Waikato, 2026) Duggal, Priyanka; Mohi, Simone R.
The clinical literature highlights the importance of incorporating Māori worldviews and Māori-based mental health models into psychological practice to enhance cultural responsiveness. However, empirical research on this topic remains scarce. This qualitative study explored how Māori health models are integrated into psychological practice in Aotearoa New Zealand. Twenty-four practising psychologists participated in semi-structured interviews, and thematic analysis identified seven key themes: (1) Te Whare Tapa Whā: Still a Foundational Model of Practice, (2) Creative Translation of Theory into Clinical Practice, (3) Culturally Responsive Application & Client-Led Practice, (4) Navigating the Meihana Model: Balancing Utility and Complexity, (5) Impacts of Using Māori Health Models in Practice, (6) Blending Māori and Western Therapeutic Approaches, and (7) Reported Challenges Applying Models. Together, these findings provide insights into the ways psychologists are currently engaging with Māori health models in their everyday psychological therapeutic practice, the opportunities and challenges this presents, and the implications for advancing bicultural psychological practice in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Development of a novel Fibre-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) wall panel system for thermally efficient residential construction in New Zealand
(The University of Waikato, 2025) Feng, Chong; Fang, Zhiyuan (Arthur); Lim, James Boon Piang; Duke, Mike
This thesis investigates the viability of a novel Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP) wall panel system as an alternative to conventional lightweight timber-framed construction for residential buildings in New Zealand. This study is motivated by the widening gap between the thermal performance assumed at the building consent stage and the significantly lower as-built performance delivered by traditional timber-framed envelopes. Despite the existing insulation requirements under the New Zealand Building Code, timber-framed walls routinely fail to meet the minimum thermal thresholds because of systemic thermal bridging, discontinuous insulation, and high framing percentages arising from structural, weathertightness, and regulatory constraints. These factors collectively undermine compliance with Clauses H1 (Energy Efficiency) and E3 (Internal Moisture), indicating the need for alternative construction systems capable of delivering verifiable thermal performance. The FRP wall panel system evaluated in this study was first implemented in two full-scale duplex dwellings (the case-study building) completed in Hamilton in 2024, providing an opportunity for a comprehensive structural and thermal assessment. The system comprises factory-produced FRP composite panels with integrated phenolic foam insulation, tongue-and-groove joints, and a cavity air layer, yielding an inherently continuous thermal envelope. A multi-method research framework was employed, integrating (1) a comparative literature review, (2) NZS 4214 isothermal-planes thermal-bridging analysis, (3) laboratory thermal conductivity testing, (4) BRANZ P21 structural verification of wall and lintel specimens, and (5) in-field heat-flux and U-value monitoring undertaken in both summer and spring across two units of the case-study building. The experimental results confirmed that the FRP wall panel system exhibited markedly reduced thermal bridging compared to timber framing. Laboratory characterisation established an FRP skin thermal conductivity of 0.248 W/m·K, enabling accurate construction-level thermal resistance (R-value) calculation. When applying NZS 4214 isothermal planes method, the FRP wall panel system achieved a conservative construction R-value of R2.84 m²·K/W representing a 70.1% improvement over a typical timber-framed wall with a 30.95% framing fraction (R1.67), and a 77.5% improvement over a 34.12% framing fraction scenario (R1.60). These findings demonstrate that the FRP wall panel system comfortably exceeds the current H1/AS1 requirement of R2.0 for external walls without relying on the thermal-mitigation strategies required in timber framing. Structural testing further confirmed that the FRP walls and lintel configurations met or exceeded the NZBC Clause B1 performance when assessed against the AS/NZS 1170 load combinations and BRANZ P21 cyclic racking criteria. In-field monitoring corroborated the analytical results. Continuous heat flux measurements recorded stable in-situ U-values consistent with theoretical modelling, while cavity and indoor temperatures remained resilient to outdoor fluctuations. The system effectively mitigates localised thermal bridging at corners, junctions, and lintels, where timber-framed envelopes typically experience significant insulation discontinuities. The analysis produced 12 representative U-value measurements over different diurnal periods. The individual values ranged from 0.060 to 0.387 W/m²K, while the average U-value across the study period was 0.206 W/m²K with typical indoor and outdoor temperatures of 22 °C and 17 °C, respectively. When compared with the theoretically derived U-value of 0.352 W/m²K (equivalent to R2.84 m²·K/W), the in-field results show that, on average, the measured U-value was 41% lower than the theoretical value, corresponding to an in-situ R-value of approximately R4.85 m²·K/W, which is approximately 70.8% higher than the analytical R2.84 value. Collectively, these findings provide strong and defensible evidence that the FRP wall panel system offers a credible, high-performance alternative to conventional timber-framed construction. Through integrated structural and thermal functionality, the system addresses longstanding deficiencies associated with timber-framed envelopes, simplifies compliance pathways across Clauses H1, E2, and B1, and delivers a more thermally reliable building envelope under real New Zealand Zone 2 climatic conditions. Therefore, this study establishes the FRP wall panel system as a technically robust and practically viable construction methodology capable of supporting the delivery of warmer, drier, healthier, and more energy- efficient housing in New Zealand.
"On the journey with us” – Caregivers’ experiences of intervention following early screening for adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes: A narrative inquiry
(The University of Waikato, 2026) Bright-Johnstone, Tania; Heath, Samantha
Background Babies born prematurely, at low birth weight and those requiring neonatal support are more likely to develop a childhood-onset disability. These babies require developmental screening to identify those at higher risk of adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes, such as Cerebral Palsy (CP). Screening ensures these infants receive early, targeted interventions from a range of therapy professionals during the critical window of the first 2 years, when the brain is rapidly developing, mitigating the functional impacts of early brain injury. Waikato Hospital implemented an early detection programme in 2017, aligning with international best practice guidelines. Caregivers’ experiences of this service and engagement in early intervention (EI) had not been evaluated prior to this study. Objective This study explored the experiences of parents, caregivers and whānau of EI services following positive screening for adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in infants born preterm or with health complications during the first 2 years of life in the Waikato region, Aotearoa New Zealand. Participants The 13 participants were parents, caregivers and whānau of infants who had received early screening and were identified as having a higher likelihood of adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes; therefore, they received EI within the Waikato. These whānau represented 9 children with developmental outcomes that were both CP and non-CP, ambulatory and non-ambulatory. Methods This qualitative study used a narrative inquiry methodology, informed by Dewey’s (1938/1997) theory of experience. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with individuals, parent dyads and whānau groups, using the strengths-based model, Te Whare Tapa Whā. The researcher restoryed the interviews as narrative summaries, which were member-checked by the participants as a co- constructing process. Analysis examined the narratives individually to identify initial threads, followed by Braun and Clarke’s reflexive thematic analysis to identify threads across all participants, attending to temporality, sociality and place. The overarching thread was “On the journey with us”, along with three minor threads: uncertain beginnings, “we lacked nothing” and it takes time, with these being supported by eight sub-threads. Conclusion Common to all parents and caregivers was the importance of the nuanced, evolving relational needs required to holistically support them through the first 2 years. Parents experienced deficit-based discourses while being provided prognostic information in the NICU, which had long-lasting consequences. The lack of neonatal therapy services and inconsistencies in service delivery during the early discharge period likely contributed to the uncertainty experienced. Parents and caregivers valued the collaborative, non-judgmental therapeutic relationships they formed with the therapy team, in which therapists served as key workers. Coaching therapy practices, provided by skillful and knowledgeable therapists, built participants’ autonomy and capacity, but only when they understood what therapy was for. Participants explored the ‘spaces’ where therapy took place, including clinics, homes, virtual settings and early childhood centres. Home-based therapy offered many benefits and provided equitable services to rural and Māori families. However, participants also experienced vulnerability during home visits, particularly in the early days. This constitutes an important new finding that ‘spaces’ where therapy takes place require careful consideration by service providers, highlighting the need for an individualised, flexible and nuanced approach to EI services. This emergent finding offers insight into why families may decline services, highlighting a knowledge gap that warrants further research.
A preliminary study: Do the topography and frequency of stereotypy predict parent play bid engagement in children at high risk of autism
(The University of Waikato, 2026) Lin, Hung-Chun (Michael); Carnett, Amarie
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition characterised by two core features: communication deficits & social interaction difficulties and restricted and repetitive behaviours, interests, or activities (RRBIs). Although numerous studies have been conducted in the social engagement and communication domain, research on RRBIs and remains relatively limited. This thesis aims to conduct a systematic review on stereotypy, a lower-order RRBI, to evaluate the current state of knowledge in this domain with a focus on assessment and measurement. Following this review, a pilot study using a novel coding system examines stereotypy and response to parent play bids among children at high risk of ASD, using video samples from a larger grant-funded project. Results of our pilot study suggest this assessment tool may be useful for evaluating learning impacts and to help determine if specialised intervention is needed for lower-order RRBIs. Additionally, the limited findings from our sample participants who were assessed with our tool suggest that stereotypy did not hinder children’s responses to parent play bids, thus not needing specialised interventions. Given the limited sample size, findings should be interpreted cautiously. Implications and future research directions are discussed.
Development and validation trace geosmin and 2-MIB detection in seawater: Application to zeolite and photocatalytic treatment in marine RAS water
(The University of Waikato, 2026) Kasseneva, Gulmira; Lay, Mark; Gavin, Chanelle
Taste and odour compounds such as geosmin (GSM) and 2-methylisoborneol (2-MIB) are a major challenge in marine recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) because they are occur at trace ng/L levels in the water, accumulate in fish flesh and cause strong earthy off-flavours that reduce customer satisfaction and perceived product quality, while remaining difficult to remove and to measure reliably. This thesis addresses a combined analytical and treatment gap by developing and validating a GC-MS method for trace-level GSM and 2-MIB detection in seawater and applying it to evaluate zeolite-based adsorption and photocatalytic treatment options in marine RAS water. A headspace solid-phase microextraction GC-MS (HS-SPME-GC-MS) method was developed, optimized and validated for artificial and real seawater matrices with a target detection limit below 10 ng/L. The final conditions used SIM mode, an internal standard, 3 g NaCl in 10 mL samples, 60°C and 30 min incubation, and 15 min extraction, achieving linear calibration with R² > 0.99 and limits of detection below 10 ng/L for both compounds. Systematic experiments revealed that matrix composition, organic content, competitive sorption on the fibre, incomplete SPME enrichment and analyte instability all significantly affected performance. Using the validated method, batch experiments in artificial seawater at 1000 ng/L compared powder zeolite-Y, an immobilized TiO₂-zeolite coating with and without UV, and UV alone. Powder zeolite-Y achieved rapid and near-complete removal (about 95% for 2-MIB and 99% for GSM, with capacities ~ 7.5 ng/mg), while the TiO₂-zeolite coating with UV initially gave ~97-98% removal but declined on reuse. Overall, the work shows that trace-level GSM and 2-MIB in seawater are challenging to manage because of low concentrations, volatility and SPME limitations, but that a carefully controlled HS-SPME-GC-MS method combined with zeolite-based adsorption provides a practical basis for monitoring and reducing these off-flavour compounds in marine RAS water.
Building conceptual understanding: Exploring teachers’ use of virtual manipulatives in primary mathematics education
(The University of Waikato, 2026) Goatley, James; Taylor, Simon
Despite the emphasis on representations and conceptual understanding in the 2024 refresh of the New Zealand Mathematics Curriculum, the integration of virtual manipulatives (VMs) remains limited in classroom practice. Using a mixed-methods action research (MMAR) design, this research investigated how a professional development intervention can shape teachers’ perceptions and integration of VMs into mathematical instruction, following evidence of limited uptake in an initial survey. Quantitative data were collected from 36 New Zealand intermediate school teachers using a modified Constructivist Learning Environment Survey (CLES -VM) to examine teachers’ perceptions and reported use of VMs. This informed a subsequent action research phase with seven participants, incorporating pre- and post- focus groups and a series of professional development sessions following a design-based structure. Qualitative data were analysed using reflective thematic analysis, while survey data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Findings indicated that while teachers initially faced challenges such as the pragmatic constraints of using VMs and the tension between constructivist ideals and classroom management, the professional development intervention helped to mitigate these barriers. The professional development intervention supported teachers to adopt more intentional and flexible approaches to VM use, deepening their understanding of VMs as tools for conceptual development rather than representational extras. An unanticipated finding was the participant-initiated use of generative AI to design custom-built VMs, which contributed to a perceived shift in teacher autonomy. By transitioning from consumers of generic digital tools to creators of tailored resources, teachers were able to address the specific needs of students more effectively. Additionally, participants identified the role of VMs in reducing cognitive load and supporting instructional equity and accessibility. The research suggests that sustainable digital integration requires a hybrid professional development model that balances the immediate need for ready to use resources with the long-term, design-based development of teachers TPACK (Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge).
The pocket, the portable archive: Exploring methods and creating garment biographies with what we wear and carry
(The University of Waikato, 2026) Davidson, Cerys ; Stevens, Kate
This thesis proposes and tests the concept of the ‘pocket archive’ as a site to encounter both garment and wearer biographies, through both object-centred and creative research methodologies. The pocket archive is the site of pocketed or attached material culture in garments and accessories, which is examined as a portable and embodied archive of both the garment and the wearer. Pocket archives move with the wearer, and hold intimate, private, often ephemeral items, whilst also sharing connection to wearers’ communities and their wider historical context. In this manner I argue that the pocket archive reveals insightful histories about the wearer and garment. This research draws upon and contributes to dress history and material culture studies. Both are established fields, though the site of the pocket is less explored in the historiography to date. Within these fields this thesis takes a methodological approach grounded in material culture and object-based analysis. I utilise established frameworks from Prown, Mida & Kim, Kopytoff’s object biography approach, and oral history research, alongside creative non-fiction and creative practice, to further the insight we may gain of garment, object, and wearer. The combination of research approaches establishes a framework, specific to the study of pocket archives, which enables novel, tacit, sensory and emotive insight on multiple levels of garments and wearers. The thesis is centred on examples from Aotearoa New Zealand over the last 200 years, with a focus on the 20th century. The research is conducted with both museum-held and second-hand sourced garments, ranging from former Prime Ministers’ clothing to wedding wear to everyday jeans and blazers. Its methodological focus, however, is broader. The diverse sources and creative research tested the boundaries of the pocket archive concept through garment deconstruction and creative non-fiction. Pocket archives capture histories which are less likely to be found in formal records: often ephemeral, with items worn and used by all of us every day. Likewise, they capture unique narratives of care, privacy, health and gender inequalities. The site also holds memory and is used to keep memory by wearers, creating a duality to the pocket archive concept. I demonstrate that pocket archives are liminal spaces connecting both to wearers and bodies within clothing, alongside sharing insight into the public sphere these bodies’ function in. The cloth of garments is distinct in its ability to hold biography through wear, repair and material traces, highlighting the value of pocket archives in garments specifically. Overall, the thesis argues for both the value of pocket archives as sites for social and cultural history and for combining object-based and creative research methods to most fully understand the stories encoded in our pockets.
A thematic analysis of Māori mana wāhine knowledges in academic articles: A Pākehā researcher’s journey between worlds
(The University of Waikato, 2025) Wolfe, Victoria; Campbell, Donna
This literature review presents a thematic analysis of mana wāhine knowledges drawn from 93 peer-reviewed articles authored by Māori scholars, explored through the lens of a Pākehā researcher committed to respectful, critically reflective allyship. Prompted by the 2024 NCEA English refresh and its principle of Mana Ōrite mō te Mātauranga Māori (equal status for Māori knowledges), this study asks: How are mana wāhine knowledges represented in academic literature, and what insights does this offer English literature teachers seeking to authentically engage with wāhine Māori perspectives in their teaching practice? Employing a qualitative, systematic review grounded in Kaupapa Māori, Mana Wāhine, and decolonising frameworks, the research compiles a vibrant body of knowledges, organising key quotations into 14 themes and accompanying subthemes that reflect the complex and nuanced realities of wāhine Māori experiences. Alongside producing practical resources, including appendices with article summaries and thematic quotations, this review reflects on the researcher’s reflexive journey and invites Pākehā to transform their perception of themselves and their worldview. The findings highlight mana wāhine scholarship as a rich resource for deepening understanding, supporting Mana Ōrite in English classrooms, and guiding educators in creating respectful, culturally sustaining programmes that honour Māori women’s wisdom and promote equity in Aotearoa New Zealand education.
Identifying strategies that trans and non-binary people use in response to the barriers of mental health care in Aotearoa/ New Zealand
(The University of Waikato, 2026) McKay, Georgia; Veale, Jaimie
Trans and non-binary (TNB) people have significant mental health disparities in comparison to their cisgender peers. These disparities highlight an important need for research in Aotearoa in order to understand them and work towards their mitigation. General healthcare has received some attention within research, as has gender affirming mental health care, with a gap being identified in research on TNB people’s access to general mental health care. The Counting Ourselves Aotearoa New Zealand Trans and Non-binary Health Survey is the only of its kind and the first survey in Aotearoa to have collated data on TNB health and wellbeing. This thesis questioned the strategies TNB people use to navigate the well- documented barriers to mental healthcare (MHC) in Aotearoa. To do so, data were sampled from the Counting Ourselves 2022 dataset, focusing on open-text box responses in relation to sections of the survey that asked about access to MHC services and providers. A qualitative, thematic analysis was completed, chosen due to its positioning of the researcher as a “subjective storyteller” sharing the rich meaning amongst the perspectives and experiences of participants. Guided also by the transformative framework chosen because of its focus on creating equitable outcomes for marginalised communities, transforming oppressive systems and recognising the resilience of the research participants. Control of Disclosure, Provider Selectivity, and For the Future were identified as themes of this study, explaining the overarching patterns of meaning found in the shared experiences of the survey’s participants. In response to barriers, to the lack of competent providers, the long waitlists with the public health systems and the worries of gatekeeping or of being discriminated against, TNB people are creating pockets of reactive self-determination, autonomy and resilience for themselves. This involves TNB people; controlling disclosure and choosing not to tell MHC providers (MHCPs) everything about their gender unless they are confident that the provider is competent and safe, being selective with providers and choosing to only access providers who are trans friendly, affirming, and knowledgeable, and in some situations, choosing to put up with the negative interaction, and challenge them ‘for the future’ aiming to leave the space better for the next TNB person to come. The identified strategies enable further understanding of what aspects of MHC access and MHCP interactions are creating negative experiences for TNB people. Control of disclosure identifies that the worry of, and actual experiences of uncomfortable, unknowledgeable or discriminatory provider reactions to the disclosure of gender identity is a negative experience leading to the development of strategically not disclosing gender to prevent and/or control the exposure to these negative experiences. Provider selectivity shows that experiencing long waitlists to MHC, as well as providers who are not competent in the provision of MHC for TNB people, is a negative experience and has created the need for strategic selectivity with provider access. By conceptualising negative experiences, we can then formulate that a positive experience would be a safe, appropriate, knowledgeable facilitation of and response to the disclosure of gender and increased provider accessibility and competency. This research builds on current understandings of MHC whilst offering a new angle of inquiry, focusing on the voices of TNB people and their shared experiences, and straying from the often-found discourse positioning providers as the experts on all topics. By doing so, it offers a tool for students and MHCPs to use to direct efforts when working towards equitable MHC access and provision for TNB individuals and the community.

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