Masters Degree Theses

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://researchcommons.waikato.ac.nz/handle/10289/2224

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Optimising nutrient and light regimes for hatchery cultivation of the kelp Ecklonia radiata
(The University of Waikato, 2025) Linzmeier, Juliet; Lawton, Rebecca; Magnusson, Marie
Seaweed is a versatile and renewable resource with applications ranging from food and medicine to biodegradable materials and beyond. While land crops have long been domesticated, ocean farming of macroalgae like Ecklonia radiata has only recently developed. This common New Zealand brown seaweed holds commercial promise, but localised species-specific cultivation methods are essential for success. This study aimed to optimise hatchery conditions for Ecklonia radiata by testing nutrient and light regimes. Two laboratory experiments assessed full-strength (20 mL PES L⁻¹) and double-strength treatments showed no significant differences, while the quarter-strength nutrients resulted in poor growth. High-intensity hatchery lighting (exceeding 100 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹ for extended periods) reduced sporophyte length and density, whereas 70% outplanting shade level yielded the best early growth. Based on these findings, it is recommended to use full-strength nutrient dosing (20 mL PES L⁻¹; 18.85 mg N L⁻¹, 0.81 mg P L⁻¹) once weekly, combined with gradually increasing light from 30 to 100 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹. During outplanting, light stress should be minimised, with deployment at 2-3 m depth during autumn months to promote establishment. These findings reinforce current hatchery protocols and support the scalable integration of Ecklonia radiata into New Zealand’s emerging seaweed industry.
Bioactive properties of proline-rich peptides derived from dairy milk and colostrum
(The University of Waikato, 2025) Tock, Adriënne; Smolenski, Grant A.; Kelton, William
Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) is a serine exopeptidase that cleaves dipeptides from the N-terminus, preferably when proline occupies the penultimate position. This enzyme plays a key role in maintaining glucose homeostasis by degrading insulin secreting incretins, such as gastric inhibitory peptide and glucagon-like peptide 1, thereby reducing insulin secretion. Consequently, inhibiting DPP4 activity has become a major strategy for mitigating the effects of Type 2 diabetes mellitus. A functional food approach involves inhibiting this enzyme with DPP4-inhibiting peptides that are generated from dairy products. Milk and colostrum are associated with various health benefits, largely due to the presence of many bioactive peptides. A significant portion of these are proline-rich peptides (PRPs), some of which exhibit DPP4 inhibitory properties. While many DPP4-inhibitory dairy peptides have been identified or predicted through ‘in silico’ analysis, the variations across different species and between milk and colostrum have yet to be explored. This research identified new PRPs in cow, goat, sheep, and deer milk and colostrum and demonstrated that some of these peptides have DPP4-inhibitory activity. Peptide identification and characterisation were performed using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, a new resin-based DPP4-binding procedure, and in vitro DPP4 inhibition assays. PRPs represented 20-30% of the identified peptides within each sample, with sheep colostrum reaching 35%. Peptides from deer had the lowest alignment with the Cervidae proteome, likely due to database incompleteness. Exact peptide sequence overlap among all samples was minimal. Peptides were chosen for DPP4 inhibition assays based on the resin pull-down assay results, presence of proline in the penultimate position, abundance, length, and origin. Out of the 21 selected peptides, 14 showed over 50% inhibition at 250 µM. Interestingly, these peptides revealed that greater proline content did not reliably predict DPP4 inhibition, which is contradictory to reports in the literature. The top six DPP4-inhibiting peptides were selected for IC50 determination, with values ranging from 46.7 to 103.2 µM. Even though these peptides were all less potent than the reference peptide inhibitor Diprotin A (IC50 of 2.69 ± 1.09 µM, n = 6), they all showed high abundance of at least 105. Additionally, most peptides represented novel sequences that were not previously reported in the literature as DPP4-inhibiting peptides. Pooled peptide fractions from each sample did not show inhibition at the tested concentration, although permeate from a dairy plant showed 34.41% ± 8.27 (n = 3) DPP4 inhibition at only 1.5% w/w of the permeate concentration. AlphaFold 3 predictions revealed that these peptides and Diprotin A docked at similar positions within the DPP4 active site. These findings provide the basis for future studies on interspecies differences, application of novel binding assays to find DPP4 inhibitors, and further exploration of dairy peptides as potential DPP4 inhibitors.
The structural and mechanistic characterisation of Thermophilic RNA Ligases
(The University of Waikato, 2025-09-14) Kamal, Aliyah; Hicks, Joanna
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short regulatory RNAs that play critical roles in post-transcriptional gene regulation. Dysregulation of miRNA expression can be implicated in numerous diseases, including cancer, making miRNAs valuable diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) enables quantitative profiling of miRNA populations, but a key limitation lies in the adapter ligation step required for library preparation. Current commercial RNA ligases, typically active between 14-37 ℃, display strong biases based on RNA sequence and secondary structure resulting in a skewed representation of miRNA populations. At low temperatures, miRNA secondary structures can obscure 5’-phosphate, and 3’-hydroxyl ends, preventing efficient ligation. Thermophilic RNA ligases with high thermostability and distinct substrate preferences may therefore reduce ligation bias and improve NGS accuracy. The archaeal Paleococcus pacificus RNA ligase (PpaRnl) represents a valuable model for exploring the structural and mechanistic features of thermophilic RNA ligases. This study aimed to further investigate the substrate preference of a PpaRnl mutant; K238G, a point mutation of lysine at position 238, a key residue in the coordination of the AMP and in turn the binding of the Mg2+ ions in PpaRnl. Alongside the structural and mechanistic characterisation of several PpaRnl mutants to explore the role of a newly identified Mg2+ binding site (Mg2+ B) close to the active site. Key residues for coordinating the Mg2+B ion were mutated in the PpaRnl enzyme (D94A, D248A, E155A, and the double mutant D94A-D248A) as characterisation of these mutants would allow for a deeper understanding of this mechanism. Mutants were expressed in Escherichia coli and purified using a combination of immobilised metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) and gel-filtration chromatography. Expression and purification outcomes varied significantly between constructs, while some mutants were successfully obtained in sufficient yields, others demonstrated poor or inconsistent expression, often not even seeing improvement after optimisation of growth conditions and large-scale culture volumes. In particular, the E155A mutant displayed extremely slow growth, while the D94A-D248A double mutant produced negligible results across expression trials. Further characterisation of the mutants, K238G, D94A, and D248A, had shown that these enzymes retain robust activity between 60-65 ℃, with measurable activity extending up to 80 ℃. Distinct sequence and cofactor preferences were observed. When combined with adapters, these mutants efficiently produced RNA ligation products with minimal side reactions and, in several cases, displayed improved activity compared to the wild-type enzyme. The structures of PpaRnl D94A and D248A were solved via X-ray crystallography and although there was similarity in the structures compared to that of the wild-type enzyme and K238G, it was found that a number of the residues coordinating the ligands present within the active-site had changed their orientation. This resulted in the Mg2+B ion not being present in D94A, and no AMP cofactor, Mg2+A or Mg2+B present within the D248A mutant. Overall, this work highlighted the variability in expression and crystallisation outcomes among the second Mg2+ binding site mutants of PpaRnl with notable differences observed in expression, activity, and structure, highlighting that the Mg2+B ion and its coordination have an impact of the efficiency of the enzyme. This unique mechanism is still not fully understood but its importance and impact has been highlighted within this research, reiterating the importance of construct specific optimisation in structural studies and the potential utility of engineered thermophilic RNA ligases, as tools to reduce ligation bias in NGS based miRNA sequencing. Allowing for the possible discovery of biomarkers within viral diseases, and cancer.
A sustainable solution for nitrate pollution in New Zealand's drinking water capacitive deionization (CDI)
(The University of Waikato, 2026-01-27) Sharma , Anisha; Mark, Lay
Abstract This study investigates the performance, feasibility, and practical implications of a small-scale Capacitive Deionization (CDI) system for simultaneous NaCl and Na₂NO₃ removal from water, focusing on rural and agricultural applications in New Zealand. Seven trials were conducted under varying ionic loads, flow rates, and voltages, with operational parameters and removal efficiencies recorded. Conductivity and nitrate concentration trends were closely monitored, revealing high nitrate removal rates (up to 79.8%) and significant conductivity reduction across multiple cycles. The system demonstrated stable adsorption–desorption patterns, with minimal fouling and rapid regeneration. Comparative cost analysis with Reverse Osmosis (RO) and Ion Exchange indicated CDI’s substantial economic advantage, with a cost per litre of 0.61 cents, over five times lower than RO, combined with reduced energy consumption (1.97 NZD/year). Beyond water treatment, the recovered nitrate stream presents an opportunity for agricultural reuse, reducing nitrogen fertilizer costs and contributing to nutrient recycling. The results confirm CDI’s adaptability for low-resource settings, offering a low-maintenance, scalable, and environmentally sustainable alternative for decentralized water treatment. Furthermore, derived performance metrics highlighted consistent removal efficiency even under varying salinity conditions, supporting its resilience for fluctuating feedwater qualities common in rural supplies. Integrating CDI into farm-level water management could enhance water quality and soil nutrient availability, supporting sustainable farming practices. Future research should focus on long-term field trials, optimization of electrode materials for mixed-ion selectivity, and system integration with renewable energy sources to further reduce operating costs and environmental impact.
Subcanopy responses to human-induced disturbances: Astrolabe/Otāiti and Motiti Reefs under the MV Rena and climate change stressors
(The University of Waikato, 2026-01-27) Elizabeth , Thompson; Battershill, Chris
Disturbances are recognised as key drivers of ecosystem change, yet there remains limited consensus on how different disturbance types interact, particularly across trophic levels and within subcanopy communities. Existing theories often overlook the nonlinear relationships between climate-driven stressors and species interactions, underscoring the need for system-specific studies to clarify recovery mechanisms. The grounding of the MV Rena on Astrolabe Reef/Otāiti in 2011 resulted in New Zealand’s worst maritime environmental disaster. Fourteen years later, this provides a rare opportunity to assess how legacy disturbance interacts with natural variability to influence subcanopy assemblages. This thesis investigated subcanopy dynamics at two Bay of Plenty locations: Astrolabe Reef, directly impacted by the MV Rena wreck, and Motiti Island, a nearby reef indirectly affected by the wreck, but directly affected by Cyclone Gabrielle, and both systems subject to fishing pressure, sedimentation, and other stressors. Biodiversity surveys, species inventories and Baited Remote Underwater Videos, were combined with manipulative clearance experiments to test environmental responses. At Astrolabe Reef, small-scale clearances were established in high and low impact zones, while at Motiti Island, large canopy removals in Carpophyllum spp and Ecklonia radiata transition zones simulated storm-driven disturbance. Quantitative assessments after eleven weeks of the clearances revealed rapid recolonisation but divergent trajectories. At Astrolabe Reef, sites nearer the wreck were dominated by turfing algae and urchins (Centrostephanus rodgersii), while more distant sites supported greater sponge richness and habitat heterogeneity. At Motiti Island, opportunists such as kina (Evechinus chloroticus) and turfing algae shifted into available space. Carpophyllum spp. recovered strongly and expanded downslope, contrasting with the weak recovery of Ecklonia radiata. These findings demonstrate that outward canopy recovery can mask deeper structural shifts in subcanopy communities. More broadly, they highlight how legacy disturbance, grazer dynamics, and climate-driven pressures interact to shape resilience pathways in temperate reefs.
Taonga maioha: (Born this way) The in-depth stories of three Māori, Pasifika, and Indigenous Queens
(The University of Waikato, 2024) Tamuera Ariki, Paikea
Who else has the right to define these, Queens? This thesis provides a vital platform for the voices of three Māori, Pasifika, and Indigenous Queens, allowing them to share their transformation stories in their own words. Their experiences and feelings about in their words “being born into the wrong bodies” highlight the complex realities of identity and the struggle for acceptance by others. These Queens are unified in their desire for dignity and respect. Dignity and respect underscore a fundamental human right. They seek recognition in all areas of their lives, from healthcare to education, housing, employment, and beyond. By articulating their needs, they advocate for themselves and all marginalized individuals, seeking fairness and understanding within systems that often overlook them. Focusing on their lived experiences is crucial for fostering empathy and promoting systemic change, as it brings attention to the disparities they face and the importance of inclusivity in society. By sharing their truths, these Queens contribute to a broader dialogue about identity, respect, and the pursuit of equality for all. This thesis aims to illuminate the transformation stories or pūrākau of ten Māori and Pasifika Queens, to foster understanding of their unique experiences. The focus on those who identify as wahine despite being born biologically male allows the reader to highlight the rich diversity of gender identity within these cultures and groups. The Māori Ethics Committee granted ethics approval for the study, thereby paving the way for the Queens to tell their stories or pūrākau from their truths and perspectives. Taonga Maioha details the in-depth transformation stories of three Māori-Pasifika Queens aged 60 plus, supported by a contextual and cultural analysis of their generation. The voices and stories of the Queens are central to this thesis. These stories are thematically analyzed to unpack the cultural and generational influences impacting their identities. The core identity constructs of whakapapa, tinana, hinengaro, and wairua are used to frame and organize their transformation stories according to their instructions. Above all, this thesis is anchored in their rights to define themselves on the premise that they have the mana to define themselves irrespective of others who define them from the sidelines of their lives. Their definitions are theirs alone. The storytellers call themselves Queen, Wahine, or women. This is based on the assertion that it is their right to be called a Queen. In certain contexts, they may refer to themselves as takatāpui and transgender for the sake of acceptance by others. This thesis is written to enhance the mana of the storytellers. These are their stories and their truths. The late Dame Georgina Beyer, was one of the original participants in this thesis. Many interviews were conducted with her. Instructed by Georgina before her passing to publish elements of her story as part of this thesis. Unfortunately, the Ethics Committee at Waikato University did not accept this due to her passing. Hence, the reason ‘First Lady’ was introduced, where Liz Roberts gives exclusive details of her change, both legally and physically.
Characterizing heart rate differences across rugby union competition levels
(The University of Waikato, 2025) Koumandarakis, Nikolas; Gill, Nicholas D.
Heart rate (HR) monitoring provides insight into the demands of rugby union and may be able to help discriminate between different levels of competition. There is limited data examining the differences in physiological responses among different levels of rugby union. Rugby union athletes from different levels of competition (n=15 School, n=15 Club, n=15 Professional, and n=15 International) were included in the study. HR was measured via chest straps worn during the game with specific variables compared between levels of competition (e.g. Average (Avg) HR (bpm), and HR during worst-case scenario (WCS) periods of play (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 minutes). Data was collected from eight matches for International, six matches for Professional and Club, and with School only able to play four due to season constraints. A one-way ANOVA revealed statistically significant differences in Avg HR across the four competition levels (p < 0.05). School players recorded the highest Avg HR (175 ± 10 bpm), while International players had the lowest (159 ± 9 bpm). Club and Professional teams had similar values, with no significant difference between them (p = 0.72). This trend was consistent across both forwards and backs. WCS HRs over rolling 1–5-minute intervals followed the same pattern, with School players consistently recording the highest values and International players the lowest. The largest WCS difference was observed at the 2-minute interval between School (191 ± 9 bpm) and International (179 ± 6 bpm) teams. Tukey post-hoc tests confirmed that School and International were significantly different from all other groups, while Club and Professional teams did not differ significantly. To the authors knowledge, this study is the first to compare heart rate metrics through different levels of competition in rugby union and is timely as the age of professional players is getting lower. Coaches should consider accurately tailor training to prepare athletes for optimal performance across different levels of competition as HR provides an accurate measure of internal load and could be more effective than the commonly used measures of external load e.g. GPS.
Weaving Mātauranga Māori into climate change education with primary school students in New Zealand
(The University of Waikato, 2025) Jackson, Ryan; Eames, Chris W.; Virtue, Katie
This thesis explores the integration of Indigenous knowledge, specifically mātauranga Māori, into climate change education for primary school children in Aotearoa (New Zealand). It engages with pūrākau (verbal narratives that encode knowledge) gifted by the local hapū (Rangitāne sub-tribe) to a kura (school). The study contributes to the growing body of research that addresses a gap in research and teaching practice, which, despite global calls for action, remains inconsistent in teaching at this age level or lacks direct curriculum guidance in Aotearoa. The main question for this study was: In what ways can Rangitāne pūrākau engage and further the understanding of Year five and six ākonga (learners) in learning about climate change within a kura in the lower North Island of Aotearoa? This research used a mix of different research methods to explore this question. A learning intervention wove a pūrākau, climate change concepts and kai (food) together to create a ten-week learning programme. This learning intervention was then implemented by a kaiako (teacher) with a group of 21 Year five and six ākonga. Data were collected using pre- and post-tests to assess what students learned during the learning intervention, a group interview with the ākonga to hear their voices in the study, and an interview with their kaiako to gain insights into how engaged the ākonga were, their opinion on their understandings, and how aspects of the intervention went. Analysis of the findings shows that the use of pūrākau and other forms of mātauranga Māori helped ākonga connect deeply with the material, which contributed positively to their engagement and to them gaining a sound understanding of complex climate change concepts. The research suggests that presenting scientific information through a familiar cultural lens contributed to making the topic less confusing and easier for the ākonga to grasp. This approach not only helped to improve their understanding but also enhanced the mana of ākonga Māori and their connection to the whenua (the land). This research has several main implications. The findings provide evidence that incorporating Indigenous knowledge has wider educational benefits in climate change education, supporting the body of research that states what works well for ākonga Māori works well for all learners. The research also highlighted the importance of the concept of ako, literally meaning ‘to teach and learn,’ as the kaiako showed strength in being able to learn alongside ākonga. The thesis supports the use of Indigenous knowledge systems such as pūrākau alongside Western knowledge systems to develop holistic learning experiences. A recommendation from this thesis is to further explore the development of a climate change education model, relevant to the context of Aotearoa, which would centralise Indigenous knowledge. This could be modelled in the form of a waka hourua (double hulled ocean voyaging canoe) with the tohunga (knowledge holder and expert) on board signifying the use of Indigenous knowledge systems, with narratives such as pūrākau, playing a part in climate change education.
Exhibiting care in captivity: Charisma, design and animal welfare in visitor experience and education at Hamilton Zoo
(The University of Waikato, 2025) Clements, Aidan; Isaacs, Bronwyn; Stevens, Kate
As urban spaces grow, New Zealanders have become increasingly separated from nature. Zoos are locations where the public can interact with exotic animals, sometimes for the first time. Employing ethnographic research methods, this study investigates how conservation education opportunities are created by the Hamilton Zoo staff, and how the visitors to Hamilton Zoo engage with this education and messaging during their visits. This research found that the charisma of animals in zoos is one mediating factor in how visitors may become invested in conservation education. This research also found that the design of the enclosure, and other zoo spaces may also limit or enhance a visitor's educational experience in the zoo. This is both in terms of how accessible the animal is for viewing, and how visitors may understand welfare conditions at a zoo, potentially impacting their support for zoos and their conservation goals. These factors drive how zoo visitors perceive the zookeepers, and Hamilton Zoo more generally, in their position as experts. The education of visitors to Hamilton Zoo on local and global conservation issues is most effective in circumstances when these visitors are able to connect with the animals. This might be through behind-the-scenes encounters, conversations with keepers or when the animals in the enclosures are easily visible and active.
Optimising reproductive induction in yellowbelly flounder (Rhombosolea leporina): Evaluating GnRHa dosage and non-invasive gonadal assessment
(The University of Waikato, 2025) Colthorpe, Adam; Muncaster, Simon
This study investigates two complementary tools to address reproductive dysfunction in wild-caught yellowbelly flounder (Rhombosolea leporina), a key bottleneck in the species’ aquaculture development. First, the effects of varying doses of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue (GnRHa) on ovarian development and expression of gonadal cyp19a1a, a gene encoding aromatase, critical for 17β-estradiol synthesis were quantified at short-term timepoints. A single injection of 50 or 100 µg/kg induced transient upregulation of cyp19a1a by Day 1 post-treatment (log₂ fold-changes of +2.38 and +2.65, respectively), while the 25 µg/kg and control groups showed downregulation (−0.53 and −0.07) relative to Day 0 baselines. However, expression declined significantly in all groups by Day 5, including a drop in the 100 µg/kg group to −0.68 (p = 0.03), indicating a brief stimulatory window likely insufficient to sustain steroidogenic activity or promote meaningful oocyte development. These findings support the need for sustained-release hormone systems or improved broodstock staging to enhance treatment efficacy. Second, a novel, non-invasive Visual Gonadosomatic Index (VGSI) was evaluated to minimise handling stress while classifying reproductive condition and suitability for hormone treatment. Two metrics were developed using backlit imaging of the ventral gonads: gonad area relative to body area (Size GSI) and gonad length relative to body length (Length GSI). While neither metric correlated strongly with oocyte diameter or histological stage, Length GSI showed a modest but significant association with oocyte development (R² = 0.1937, p = 0.009), and both indices were positively associated with cyp19a1a expression (Size GSI: R² = 0.5045, p = 0.021; Length GSI: R² = 0.3408, p = 0.076). These results suggest VGSI may provide a coarse proxy for reproductive development, though further refinement and validation are required. Together, these findings represent the first report of ovarian cyp19a1a expression in R. leporina and lay the groundwork for integrated hormonal and imaging-based strategies to improve reproductive control in this culturally and economically significant flatfish.
Indigenising science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM): Integrating Pacific knowledge within a high school STEM study program
(The University of Waikato, 2024) Kauaula, Zyshana; Hemi, Keakaokawai Varner
Pacific students have low course completion rates within universities in Aotearoa, New Zealand (ANZ), resulting in poor educational outcomes in STEM-related fields. Additionally, Pacific students are underrepresented in university departments, including those in STEM fields. This research explores the reasons behind Pacific students’ low representation and course completion rates in STEM, aiming to create a more supportive and conducive environment within ANZ universities. Integrating culturally relevant educational content has been shown to improve the success rates of Pacific students. This thesis investigates the benefits of incorporating Indigenous Pacific knowledge into STEM curricula to enhance student engagement and academic performance. The research is based at the University of Waikato, aligning with the university's Pacific theme, Imua, meaning to go forward, to help Pacific students progress and thrive. Despite the growing interest in integrating traditional Indigenous knowledge into education, most research in this area has been limited to small projects and case studies. This thesis provides an in-depth examination of an Indigenous methodology that acknowledges culture, identity, and worldview, aiming to offer a deeper understanding of the factors affecting Pacific students' development in STEM fields. Ultimately, this research aims to contribute to the development of a new STEM learning model that better supports Pacific students by addressing their cultural needs and backgrounds.
Does odour complexity alter the influence of intermittent reinforcement on dogs' scent detection performance?
(The University of Waikato, 2025) Parker , Chloë; Edwards, Timothy L.
Scent detection work exists in many fields such as medical research/diagnostics and law enforcement, in which canines have proven success in detecting biological and non-biological scents. Their olfactory capabilities allow them to detect trained odours while ignoring nontrained odours existing in the environment. This study aimed to determine if odour complexity altered the influence of intermittent reinforcement on dogs' scent detection performance. Using an Applied Behaviour Analysis framework, dogs were trained to use a carousel and be exposed to odours varying in complexity. This study used a within-subject, cross-over design where dogs completed one condition before switching to the other condition. The Complex Condition consisted of one target odour comprised of three chemicals and deionised water and nine non-target odours with overlapping target components and deionised water. The Simple Condition consisted of one target odour comprised of one chemical and deionised water and a blank segment that served as the nontarget. Data was collected using custom-designed software for every session. Potential sequence effects were observed which might have impacted the overall results however, this cannot be confirmed. Longer session times were also observed for the Complex Condition compared to the Simple Condition. This indicates that although a sequence effect may be responsible for some of the results, the increased complexity of odours in the Complex Condition likely impacted dogs’ scent detection performance. It may be helpful for future research ideas to replicate the study with applied targets and try to recruit more dogs.
The educational philosophy of Sosaku Kobayashi
(The University of Waikato, 2025) Edwards, Alexander; Weijers, Dan M.
This thesis discusses the educational philosophy of Sosaku Kobayashi, the principal and founder of Tomoe Gakuen, the innovative school featured in the novel Totto-chan: The Little Girl at the Window. It begins with an introduction to the novel and its author, situating Tomoe Gakuen within the broader context of early-20th-century Japanese education. After discussing the features of the progressive education movement, I then explore the key principles, values, and teaching style that Sosaku Kobayashi employs, as illustrated through the anecdotes in the novel, and the goals they are intended to achieve. Following this, I discuss how learner-centered education has influenced modern curricula worldwide since the Second World War and examine the ongoing dialogue between its detractors and advocates. This segues into a comparison between the learning philosophy of Sosaku Kobayashi and other prominent styles of progressive education, namely Montessori, Steiner, and outdoor-focused education. Finally, I explore what Kobayashi’s philosophy might have looked like had it developed into a broader educational movement and continued to flourish into the 21st century beyond Tomoe Gakuen.
Angitūtanga o ngā tauira Māori: Supporting Māori students to succeed in psychology
(The University of Waikato, 2025) Martin, Dionne; Hamley, Logan
Many Māori seek out university degrees to make a meaningful impact on the health of their community. Psychology, is one avenue that attracts Māori to do so. Psychology training has often failed to meet the needs of Māori students, often creating barriers to Māori student success. This thesis will explore barriers and support mechanisms that Māori students experience while attending university in pursuit of psychology degrees. This study will focus on experiences had by those enrolled in The School of Psychology at The Univeristy of Waikato, on the Hamilton campus. Informed by kaupapa Māori guidelines and analysed though the use of pūrākau this thesis highlights some key experiences shared by Māori psychology students. Three key experiences were identified. First, the prominence of Western culture in The School of psychology and the impact that has on Māori sense of belonging and whanaungatanga. Second, support system realities for Māori, identifying key university supports systems and realities associated with ones home environment. Third, the transitional journey to becoming a psychologist and what impact that has on the university journey. With this in mind, some recommendations are made to support Māori student success in psychology. These recommendations advocate for the provision of a more bicultural learning experience, creation of a culturally affirming environment, recruitment and retention of culturally capable staff, appropriate resourcing, funding and training for support services, better support for Māori realities and pathway navigation support.
Integrating education for sustainability into secondary science classes: Practices and perceptions of New Zealand teachers
(The University of Waikato, 2025) Gundersen, Mandy; Cheng, Maurice M. W.
Global challenges like climate change and biodiversity loss necessitate a collective shift towards sustainable living. Education for Sustainability aims to equip students with the essential knowledge, skills, attitudes and agency to meet sustainability goals and forge a better future. It is a holistic approach, yet single-subject school structures at the secondary level mean it must be integrated into subjects such as science. However, there is limited research, particularly in New Zealand, on how this integration is practiced in secondary science classes. Grounded in an interpretivist paradigm, this study interviewed five New Zealand secondary science teachers to understand their conceptualisations of sustainability and sustainability education. It explored how their understanding was translated into practice through detailed descriptions of lessons and units. The study provides insights into how these teachers integrate sustainability across junior science, the new National Certificate of Educational Achievement Level One science standards, and senior science subjects, while also elaborating on the benefits they believed students received and the challenges they faced in this integration. This research found that these New Zealand teachers had a broad understanding of sustainability and recognised key components of sustainability education. They saw sustainability as a way to make science engaging and to develop scientific literacy among their students. To incorporate sustainability into science, they had all designed units which included place-based approaches, integrated topics, considered multiple perspectives, and interwove mātauranga Māori, or New Zealand indigenous knowledge. The boundaries of science as a subject, senior-level assessment requirements, and the time needed for some sustainability-focused activities were noted as challenges to sustainability’s integration. The research recommends that for the effective integration of sustainability, support is required, particularly regarding teacher education and the provision of resources that exemplify sustainability in science. Furthermore, curriculum and assessment changes designed to incorporate sustainability must remain clear about the required science content to ensure students are robustly prepared for senior science studies.
Coastal evolution of the Rangitāiki Plains, Bay of Plenty, Aotearoa-New Zealand
(The University of Waikato, 2025) Rackham, Bailey; La Croix, Andrew D.; Carvalho, Rafael
The Rangitāiki Plains is a tectonically active alluvial plain in the Eastern Bay of Plenty, New Zealand. Throughout the mid-late Holocene (8 ka to present), the Rangitāiki Plains have undergone substantial geomorphological change, with the coastline prograding approximately 10 km over the past 6.5 ka, leaving relic shoreline features known as beach ridges. Previous studies of the Rangitāiki Plains have utilised tephrochronology and radiocarbon dating to determine the ages of several palaeoshorelines. These dates provided minimum ages for beach ridges and resulted in aging constraints; furthermore, limited textural and geochemical characterisation of beach ridges has hampered understanding of sediment provenance and reworking changes. Addressing these research gaps is important as this knowledge is especially relevant in coastal management, modern climate change, and increasing anthropogenic impacts on the coastline. Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) dating on the Rangitāiki Plains produced older beach ridge ages than those derived via tephrochronology. OSL dating also showed that beach ridge ages coincided with volcanic eruption events. The OSL progradation rates extend to much older time frames than those based on tephrochronology, starting at 7.6 ka rather than 5.5 ka. New data concludes a prominent progradation peak up to 43.03 m yr⁻¹ between 5.202±0.368 ka and 5.187±0.447 ka, around the time of the Whakatāne eruption. By 4 ka, progradation had slowed to only 1.14 m yr⁻¹, suggesting that longshore drift occurred earlier than previously calculated (2 ka), or that progradation slowed before longshore drift commenced. XRF and XRD analysis of sediments from Rangitāiki Plains confirms that beach ridge sediments comprise of intermediate igneous sediments that have been tephra fingerprinted to the Taupō Volcanic Zone.
Tootling for supporting the inclusion of students with special needs in general education classrooms: A systematic literature review
(The University of Waikato, 2025) Kabalinskaya, Alevtina; Anderson, Angelika
Disruptive behaviours negatively impact students’ academic and social progress, leading to poor outcomes later in life. The effects can be especially detrimental for students with additional needs. After decades of reliance on a punitive approach to behaviour management in schools, positive behaviour interventions are gaining recognition for their ability to manage problematic behaviours by teaching students the appropriate ways to interact and creating positive and supportive environments. The Schoolwide Positive Behaviour Interventions and Support (SWPBIS) framework provides a proactive, flexible approach to behaviour management through a tiered system of supports. Supports are provided in accordance with the needs of a student, with the strategies of Tier 1 designed to support the needs of the majority of students. Considering that physical placement of special needs students in general education classrooms does not always mean meaningful inclusion of those students on academic and social processes of the classrooms, strategies for inclusion are needed. As inclusion strategies should target both typical and special needs students, they should be implemented schoolwide, as Tier 1 strategies. In this systematic literature review a positive behaviour intervention called Tootling is evaluated as a potential strategy for enhancing inclusion of students with special needs in general education classrooms. Being implemented classwide Tootling has a potential improving behaviour of special needs students without separating or singling them out in any other way. The review examined sixteen studies that assessed the effects of Tootling at the classwide level in inclusive classrooms, alongside three studies that focused on individual students with special needs. Studies were evaluated using the What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) standards for research design quality (Institute of Education Studies, 2017). Data were systematically aggregated to provide an overview of participants, methodologies, and findings. Additionally, the outcome data was subjected to systematic visual analysis for additional validation. Findings indicate that Tootling is an effective, evidence-based intervention for reducing disruptive behaviour and increasing appropriate behaviour in inclusive classrooms, meeting the WWC “5-3-20” threshold (Institute of Education Studies, 2017). The evidence for the effect of Tootling on passive off-task behaviour was insufficient with a small number of studies that evaluated passive off-task and inconclusive results of those studies. The results regarding the effect of Tootling on disruptive and appropriate behaviour in individual students with special needs were promising. Further research from various research teams covering larger numbers of diverse participants is needed to strengthen the evidence base and explore long-term impacts.
Interrogating the intersection of participation and performance outcomes in school sport: A case study of sport in educational settings
(The University of Waikato, 2025) Sherlock Ludlow, Finlay; Roberts, William M.; Townsend, Robert C.
The aim of this research was to explore the challenges faced by educators when attempting to offer both participation and performance pathways for pupils in a school setting. Education is often overlooked when performance sport is integrated into community, youth, and school settings. This research sought to explore the nuances of school sport delivery within New Zealand. Amidst falling participation rates of youth in sport, it is evident that schools play a critical role in offering quality sporting experiences to young people. One of the driving factors of the falling rates of participation is the professionalisation (including specialisation) of youth sport. To counter this, initiatives such as 'Balance is Better' and GoodSports have been developed to prioritise youth development in sport. Yet schools and sporting academies can deliver sport how they see fit, and as such, do not need to align to these initiatives. It is therefore important to understand what the day-to-day delivery of youth sport looks like within schools. Specifically, this research considers the tensions that school sport staff face in delivering sport programmes within a complicated youth sport landscape. This thesis adopts a pragmatic paradigm, informing a qualitative case study. The primary tools for data collection were observations and interviews with nine staff across a range of roles within an independent school in New Zealand. Using Practice Architectures as a theoretical lens through which to analyse data, interactions within the school were grouped into social-political; cultural-discursive; and material-economic arrangements. Through the bundles of these arrangements, three key tensions emerge when considering some of the challenges faced by sport staff in education settings: 1) inconsistent and ineffective leadership to determine the direction of sport; 2) a disconnect in values between practitioners; 3) a need for processes to socialise the staff to the school values. The findings and implications of this study highlight the importance of schools offering opportunities for staff to align themselves with the values of the school, and the importance of the school having a sense of what day-to-day sporting delivery looks like to its students. Beyond this, it is argued that further research and sport governance platforms (such as that of Sport New Zealand) should work to support schools to ensure that sport is delivered in accordance with school values and youth development initiatives.
An investigation of the accelerated loss of diastase (α-amylase) activity in mānuka honey
(The University of Waikato, 2025) Kaur, Harmanpreet; Grainger, Megan N.C.; Prentice, Erica J.
New Zealand’s multi-million dollar apiculture industry exports over 10,000 tonnes of honey annually. Each country has import guidelines to ensure honey quality. The diastase activity assay is used to determine whether honey has been exposed to harsh conditions (excess storage time or high temperatures will denature diastase) and reports the activity as diastase number (DN), where DN must be >8 for exports. Unfortunately, mānuka honey (NZ’s high value honey with unique properties) fails the diastase assay more often than other NZ floral honeys. Bioactive compounds [methylglyoxal (MGO), dihydroxyacetone (DHA) and 3-phenyllactic acid (3PLA)] in mānuka honey were predicted to decrease diastase activity by forming modifications on diastase. Hence, the extent, diversity, location and functional impacts of these modifications on diastase were investigated. Two fresh mānuka honeys, a clover control and clover spiked (MGO, DHA, 3PLA, 3PLA+MGO and 3PLA+DHA) honey samples were stored at 27 °C for ~200 days and periodically tested to observe chemical compositional changes in relation to the loss of diastase activity. The results corroborated previous data; DN decreased in honey over time with increased loss rates observed in mānuka. In the spiked clover samples both DHA and MGO increased rates of diastase activity loss and these rates were enhanced by 3PLA (a proton donor). Enzyme kinetics (enzyme-substrate binding and enzyme rate constants) suggest that denaturation is not the sole mechanism for reduced DN values in honey over time, rather, surface level modifications from bioactive compounds are affecting the affinity of diastase for the substrate. Diastase was isolated from the honeys (days 0 and ~200) using SDS-PAGE gels and analysed with LC-MS/MS to identify surface modifications on diastase. Results showed evidence of diastase modification over the time trial for all honeys. This occurred in unique locations for both mānuka honeys and MGO and 3PLA+DHA spiked clover honeys. Some of these locations were in proximity to the active site of diastase. The most abundant honey protein, MRJP1, was used to accurately identify trends in modification changes on proteins over time as a model for the effect occurring on diastase (since similar reactive amino acids are present on both MRJP1 and diastase). All honeys (except the clover control) had an increased number of modifications. The largest increases were observed for the MGO, DHA and 3PLA+MGO spiked honeys. Fewer modifications were detected for the 3PLA+DHA spiked honey despite this having the most pronounced changes in the enzyme kinetic parameters. This is likely because the modification library focused on MGO-induced modifications and did not account for DHA modifications. In summary, MGO modifications on proteins in honey were observed. DHA modifications and the role of 3PLA as a proton donor were deduced from the enzyme kinetic parameters. While time and temperature denature diastase, surface modifications on diastase may be contributing to the accelerated loss of diastase activity observed for mānuka honey. This necessitates the reassessment of diastase activity as a test for honey quality, especially in the context of complex honey matrices (such as mānuka honey).
Healing in community: Exploring experiences of support groups for survivors of sexual violence
(The University of Waikato, 2025) Burton, Margot; Hamley, Logan
This thesis examines the role of community-based support groups in fostering healing among survivors of sexual violence, with a particular focus on understanding the benefits and challenges of participation in such groups. Sexual violence is a pervasive social issue with long-lasting impacts on survivors. While individual therapeutic interventions are often prioritised, community-based support groups offer a unique pathway for healing through shared experiences, validation, and social support. The importance of support groups is highlighted in the literature on support services in Aotearoa New Zealand and globally, however survivors often face significant barriers in accessing support due to stigma and other systemic factors. This study seeks to address these gaps by exploring how support groups contribute to healing in the context of Aotearoa New Zealand. Using a qualitative research design, individual interviews and online qualitative questionnaires were conducted with survivors who had attended support groups. Reflexive thematic analysis revealed three overarching themes: Safety, Healing, and Navigating Systems. Safety emerged as a critical factor, encompassing the role of facilitators, group guidelines, and the overall group culture. Healing was facilitated through validation, connection, trust, and empowerment within the group setting. The theme of Navigating Systems highlighted the complexities of accessing services, engaging with support systems, and recognising healing as a continuous lifelong journey. The findings emphasise the need for trauma-informed, community-based interventions and advocate for policy and practices that enhance the accessibility and effectiveness of support groups. The findings of this study underscore the importance of safe, well-facilitated support group spaces and the need for greater accessibility to support groups for survivors of sexual violence. It also emphasises the role of policy in sustaining survivor-centred services that can foster healing and resilience tailored to meet the needs of different communities and cultures.

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