Masters Degree Theses

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Restrictive practices in Aotearoa New Zealand: Current prevalence and barriers to least restrictive practice
(The University of Waikato, 2026) Cairns, Mitchell; Carnett, Amarie
Restrictive practices refer to a group of practices whereby an individual's freedom of movement is prevented or partially restricted. This could be done by the use of physical force, harness or straps, or with medications and sedatives. There are several risks associated with the use of restrictive practices, such as physical injury, trauma, post-traumatic stress, and even death for both those subjected to and those implementing restraints. This study aims to determine the frequency and type of restrictive practices used in New Zealand, views of behaviour of concern, and the barriers and enablers to the reduction of restrictive practices, and examine differing views in the population using mixed-method analysis. Survey data was collected and followed up with a focus group to provide additional qualitative data. Data analysis indicated that the use of restrictive practice in New Zealand disability care was high, with 48.61%-77.0% of clients with intellectual or developmental disabilities being subjected to at least one form of restrictive practice. A high level of consensus on the definition of behaviours of concern and their most effective interventions being proactive and function-based was also reflected in the data. Identified barriers to restraint reduction were similar to existing research and included attitudes toward restraint, organisational constraints, caregiver capacity, resource limitations, and limitations in support planning. Identified enablers to restraint reduction included ongoing training and development, behaviour support plans, interdisciplinary reviews, organisational leadership, and caregiver/whānau involvement. Recommendations for future research to examine specific factors resulting in the high use of restrictive practices in New Zealand are provided.
Young women in the youth justice system: Insights into the inner workings of New Zealand’s approach
(The University of Waikato, 2026) Main, Jade; Tamatea, Armon
Young women who engage in offending behaviour are often forgotten within the youth justice system despite identification that their pathways to offending are unique and characterised by significant challenges and trauma (Smith et al., 2020). Research and interventions often focus on the needs of young men due to their majority status among youth offenders (Braithwaite, 2023), leaving young women fighting in a system that was not designed for them. This research seeks to explore inside perspectives to examine how young women experience and interact with the youth justice system in New Zealand. Recent research has identified that young women who are offending in New Zealand have backgrounds characterised by abuse, neglect and mental health difficulties, outlining a need for further research and support to be targeted towards this group (Best et al., 2021). The aim of this study is to identify and explore the barriers and facilitators that young women face within the system, guided by Erikson’s (1950) psychosocial theory of development to determine if the current system is developmentally informed. Semi-structured interviews of 12 professionals and one young woman with lived experience of the Youth Court were conducted to explore the barriers and facilitators that young women face. The data was analysed using a reflective thematic analysis approach that identified a number of barriers, facilitators and precipitating factors for young women. The results showed that systemic factors along with significant complexities and trauma serve as barriers for young women in the system. Healthy developmental trajectories and responsive, integrated support systems were identified as facilitators for positive change in young women Additionally, precipitating factors were identified to impact young women's pathways to offending including offending as a means for survival and disruption in identity development. This research identifies and draws attention to the gender-specific needs of young women and demonstrates that adequate care is not being provided within the current youth justice system. The findings also provide a developmental framework to understand the challenges young women face in adolescence that coincide with their offending and youth justice involvement.
Evidence-based interventions for primary-aged children exhibiting externalising behaviours: A systematic literature review
(The University of Waikato, 2025) Powell, Gina; Sargisson, Rebecca J.
Background: Externalising disorders (EDs) are among the most common behavioural problems in childhood, with disruptive behaviours in Aotearoa New Zealand schools recently identified as a major concern. Despite widespread implementation of interventions, uncertainty remains about their effectiveness and alignment with developmental theory. Objectives: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions for primary-aged children (5–14 years) exhibiting EDs, assess the certainty of evidence, examine moderating factors of intervention outcomes, and consider implications for practice in the Aotearoa context. Methods: Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, eight databases and trial registries were searched. Eligible studies were randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of interventions targeting EDs in primary-aged children. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane RoB 2.0 tool, and findings were synthesised narratively given heterogeneity across interventions and outcomes. Results: Twenty-three RCTs met inclusion criteria, yielding 148 outcome measures. The majority (77.7%) were at high risk of bias, largely due to reliance on unblinded raters, insufficient reporting, and baseline imbalances. Sensitivity analyses excluding very low-certainty studies left only 17 outcomes, of which eight were rated as high certainty. Behavioural outcomes were heavily over-represented (67.5%), with relational and environmental outcomes underexplored. Moderator analyses indicated that interventions targeting single subgroups produced more favourable outcomes than multisystem approaches, though overall evidence quality limited confidence in these findings. Conclusions: Current RCT evidence for ED interventions in primary-aged children is of low quality, restricting firm conclusions about effectiveness. The imbalance in outcome domains and mechanisms suggests an overemphasis on behaviourist approaches at the expense of relational and ecological factors. High-quality, large-scale RCTs are urgently needed, particularly those addressing classroom environments, relational mechanisms, and culturally grounded approaches relevant to Aotearoa. Registration: The protocol for this review was registered with the Open Science Framework (OSF). https://osf.io/9afzx/
Investigation of how body image focused social media posts and comments affect viewers’ thoughts, feelings and responses - A behavioural perspective: A qualitative study
(The University of Waikato, 2025) Chandrasekara Mudiyanselage , Ayodhya Udeshini Chandrasekara Panadare; Roen, Katrina
Previous research has focused on body image as an important research topic. This could be due to the fact that body image is linked with psychological outcomes such as body satisfaction that could affect one's emotions and quality of life, as well as acting as a protective factor by improving self-esteem, maintaining social connections and affecting lifestyle choices. (Merino et al., 2024). On the other hand, a negative body image can also affect physical well-being through practising unhealthy dietary habits and reduced physical activity (Jiménez-Morcillo et al., 2024). Due to these factors, researchers have utilised both qualitative and quantitative research methods to study the impact of body image on an individual’s wellbeing. However, qualitative research employing visual stimuli to explore the effect on individual body image remains limited, particularly within the context of Aotearoa. To address this research gap, I conducted a study utilising a simulated Instagram frame featuring an artificially generated image accompanied by comments as the stimulus material, presented to young women aged 18 to 28 years at the University of Waikato. A semi-structured interview was conducted with each participant to get an understanding of their perspective on social media and body image. The findings indicated that participants' thoughts, feelings and actions related to their body image were affected more positively by viewing the body post and comments. This study also aims to frame the research outcomes in a behaviour analytic perspective, to provide implications for future body image research in Aotearoa.
Mai uta ki tai: Cyclone-driven suspended sediment effects on early benthic juvenile kōura (Jasus edwardsii), Te Ākau o Tokomaru, Aotearoa
(The University of Waikato, 2025) Karaha-Paki, Vijuan; Duggan, Ian C.; MacDiarmid, Alison
Kōura (Jasus edwardsii) are ecologically, culturally, and economically significant taonga species central to mahinga kai systems throughout Aotearoa New Zealand. In Te Tairāwhiti, particularly Te Ākau o Tokomaru, Cyclone Gabrielle (February 2023) resulted in unprecedented sediment loads being delivered to coastal waters, smothering inshore rocky reefs that serve as critical nursery habitats for settling puerulus and juvenile kōura. This research investigated how repeated suspended sediment exposure affects the body condition, survival, and physiological condition of early benthic juvenile kōura, integrating Western scientific methods with mātauranga Māori perspectives to support kaitiakitanga and ecosystem recovery. A 52-day pulse-based laboratory experiment exposed 81 early benthic juvenile kōura to three treatment levels: Control (0 mg/L), Tobserved (1,000 mg/L), and Tmaximised (5,000 mg/L) suspended sediment concentrations, alternating between exposure phases and recovery periods to simulate natural post-storm sedimentation dynamics. Sediment was sourced from the Mangahauini River mouth to reflect local conditions. Kōura were initially housed communally (Days 1-19), and then separated into individual tāruke following observed cannibalism. Across the experiment, body weight to carapace length (BW:CL) ratios, survival, blood refractive index, gill condition, and moult stage were assessed. All treatment groups began with statistically equivalent body condition (p = 0.135), but cumulative effects emerged over time. During communal housing, mortality was highest in the Tobserved treatment (51.9%) compared with Control and Tmaximised treatments (both 18.5%). After separation, Tmaximised individuals showed the greatest losses (45.5%), mostly during the recovery rather than exposure phases. Overall mortality reached 45.7%, with sediment-exposed treatments experiencing 55% (Tmaximised) to 59% (Tobserved) losses compared with 22.2% in the Controls (p = 0.001). By Day 52, sediment exposure significantly reduced body condition (p = 0.016), with the Controls maintaining higher BW:CL ratios than Tmaximised (p = 0.013). Gill assessments indicated universal and severe damage in sediment-exposed kōura (100%) but none in the Controls (0%). Quantitative image analysis confirmed strong sediment concentration- dependent effects across all damage metrics – particle lodgement, filament integrity, surface discolouration, and composite scores (all p < 0.001) – with structural deformities in 66.7% of Tobserved and 100% of Tmaximised individuals. Blood refractive index showed no treatment differences, and 84.1% of kōura remained in intermoult stage at Day 52, with no significant difference in moult stage distribution between treatments (p = 0.328). However, moult frequency during the individual phase was lower in sediment-exposed groups compared to the Controls (Control: n = 11, Tobserved: n = 4, Tmaximised: n = 5). These findings show that suspended sediment exposure poses population-level threats to kōura recruitment through irreversible gill damage and delayed mortality. Elevated cannibalism during communal holding, particularly observed in the Tobserved treatment, likely resulted from temporal clustering of moult events rather than sediment-induced behaviour. For Te Ākau o Tokomaru and the wider CRA 3 fishery, this highlights the need for integrated catchment-to- coast management addressing land-derived sediment inputs and protecting coastal nursery habitats. From a Te Ao Māori perspective, sedimentation represents a disruption to whakapapa relationships with Tangaroa and a weakening of mauri in coastal ecosystems. Restoring these connections requires co-governance frameworks that embed mātauranga Māori, empower kaitiaki-led monitoring and rāhui, and address the cumulative impacts of land-use intensification and repeated cyclone events on ecosystem resilience in Te Tairāwhiti.
A retrospective case study of Kiribati identity through language camp participation
(The University of Waikato, 2025) Packham, Emma; Daly, Nicola; McMillan, Hoana
This retrospective study examined the Ueen Kiribati Language Camps, which was funded by the Ministry for Pacific Peoples in 2022 and 2023, as part of a broader context of Pacific language and cultural revitalisation in Aotearoa, New Zealand. I-Kiribati methodology and thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews, combined with Maroro (dialogue, reminiscing, or storytelling), were used to examine the experiences and perspectives of five participants from various age groups. This study examined how I-Kiribati participants in two Ueen Kiribati Language Camps describe their cultural identity and the effects they reported from participation in the language camps that reinforce their sense of cultural identity and contribute to their cultural confidence. The immersive experience included both theoretical and practical workshops, facilitated by elders and older members. The findings challenged the assumptions that a sense of belonging depends on speaking the language fluently, having a single I-Kiribati identity, and living in Kiribati. The camps offered a supportive environment where dual, multiple, and diasporic I-Kiribati could gather and share experiences, and reconnect with each other, their language and culture. This research contributes to the ongoing discussions around language and cultural revitalisation, emphasising the need for community-led initiatives to sustain Pacific languages. The findings also have the potential to inform educational strategies and funding policy decision making and support other Pacific communities delivering similar programmes.
A cardano blockchain prototype for migrant data security and cultural heritage preservation
(The University of Waikato, 2026-01-13) Rengasamy Rajamanikkam, Vikneswaran; Reeves, Steve
This thesis investigates the challenges faced by migrants in managing and sharing personal data during migration processes, as well as the potential privacy, security, and data sovereignty risks that may arise from poor data management practices or malicious actors. It further examines the difficulties migrants face in preserving their cultural heritage within their host countries. Migrants are often required to disclose extensive personal and sensitive information to immigration authorities and associated organisations, which raises significant concerns regarding data privacy, data security, and data sovereignty. These issues may result in adverse outcomes, including misuse of data, loss of control over personal information, and the loss of cultural identity. To better understand these challenges, a study was conducted with twenty migrants to explore their experiences with documentation procedures, their awareness of potential privacy risks, and their perspectives on safeguarding cultural heritage information. Based on insights from existing literature and the findings of the study, this thesis proposes a Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) and Verifiable Credentials (VC) based system that enables paperless and secure data sharing and management in a decentralised manner among stakeholders involved in the migration process. The proposed solution also includes a mechanism that allows migrants to securely store information related to their cultural heritage using a decentralised approach and independently issue Verifiable Credentials. The system utilises the Cardano blockchain, Hyperledger Identus, and the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) to ensure decentralisation, privacy protection, data security, data sovereignty, and data integrity. A prototype was developed to demonstrate the feasibility of the approach and was informally evaluated by a small group of migrant users to assess the usability and acceptance of the proposed system.
From concussion to classroom: Predicting post-concussion pediatric school functioning
(The University of Waikato, 2025) Kennedy, Kristen; Starkey, Nicola J.
Pediatric concussion is a common injury that can impact many children annually, and while most children return to school within 2 weeks post-concussion, many experience ongoing symptoms that can significantly impair school functioning. Moreover, children with preexisting learning conditions may be at even greater risk for delayed return-to-learn. However, there is limited research examining what factors predict school functioning 1 month post-concussion. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate whether initial post-concussion symptom severity predicted school functioning outcomes at 1 month post-concussion, while accounting for pre-existing learning conditions and demographics. This research involved 275 children and adolescents aged 5-17 years old who had sustained a concussion. Parent reports were analysed which included the Post-Concussion Symptom Inventory and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory, as well as study specific demographic questions. We used a hierarchical multiple linear regression to examine whether initial PCSI symptom severity predicted PedsQL school functioning outcomes at 1 month post-concussion, while accounting for pre-existing learning conditions and demographics. The results showed that more severe initial PCSI symptoms significantly predicted worse school functioning outcomes at 1 month post-concussion (R2 = .12, F(6, 158) = 3.53, p = .003), supporting our main hypothesis. However, pre-existing learning conditions did not significantly predict school functioning outcomes, which failed to support our second hypothesis. The final model accounted for 11.8 percent of the variance in school functioning outcomes. In conclusion, this research demonstrates that initial post-concussion symptom severity predicts school functioning outcomes at 1 month post-concussion, while pre-existing learning conditions did not. These findings highlight the importance of comprehensive symptom assessment and individualised support plans for children returning to school.
“We thought we had more time”: An examination of climate and extreme weather framing in regional online newspapers in Aotearoa
(The University of Waikato, 2025) Morgan, Lauren; Masters-Awatere, Bridgette
Climate change poses growing risks to health and wellbeing, yet public engagement with these challenges depends heavily on how they are communicated. News publications play a key role in shaping public understanding of climate-related risks and responses, with regional news outlets especially well placed to inform their audiences with locally relevant and contextualised coverage. While national-level media studies in Aotearoa have examined climate and health coverage, little is known about how regional newspapers frame these issues, especially before and after locally experienced extreme weather events. The underrepresentation of Indigenous perspectives and limited coverage of health-related impacts further highlights the need for research into whose voices are prioritised in regional reporting. This thesis examines how three regional online newspapers in Aotearoa New Zealand frame climate change, extreme weather, their relationship to health. The Waikato, Bay of Plenty, and Te Tairāwhiti/Gisborne regions were selected for their exposure to Cyclone Gabrielle, their diverse population compositions including significant Māori communities, and the presence of active regional online news publications. Drawing on a constructivist epistemology and community psychology principles of social justice, collective resilience, and ecological systems thinking, this research employs reflexive thematic analysis to inductively code and analyse media coverage spanning one year before and one year after Cyclone Gabrielle. The analysis identified narrative framing and underlying themes in how climate and health risks were communicated to local audiences by the selected regional online newspapers. Findings reveal patterns in media framing that shaped whether climate change was portrayed as an immediate, localised concern or a distant, abstract issue, as well as disparities in whose voices, experiences, and knowledge systems were included. Themes emerged around political accountability, community resilience, and structural vulnerability, though coverage varied in depth and equity. Indigenous perspectives remained underrepresented, and economic and infrastructure concerns overshadowed impacts on health and wellbeing. However, examples of inclusive and locally grounded reporting demonstrated the potential for regional media to support more equitable climate communication and adaptation. Findings were interpreted using a holistic analytical lens informed by Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory and the Social Determinants of Health framework. This approach illustrated significant implications for community engagement in climate discourse. The dominance of elite and institutional perspectives over grassroots experiences limits the visibility of community-driven adaptation efforts and obscures structural drivers of vulnerability, such as housing insecurity, economic inequality, and historical injustices rooted in colonialism. By excluding structural and health-related dimensions in climate discourse, regional newspapers risk unintentionally reinforcing inequities and limiting opportunities for collective action by marginalising those most affected. To support collective resilience regional media must move towards more consistent, health-focused, and community-led coverage, amplifying underrepresented voices and addressing the broader structural determinants of vulnerability to climate impacts. This study contributes to climate communication research by centring regional media and offers practical insights for journalists, policymakers, and community advocates seeking to foster more just, inclusive, and community-responsive climate discourse in Aotearoa.
Beyond teacher praise: Evaluating tootling as an inclusive intervention for academically engaged behaviour in Aotearoa New Zealand primary classrooms
(The University of Waikato, 2025) Symes, Jessica; Anderson, Angelika
This thesis reports on two single case experimental studies investigating the effects of a peer-mediated behaviour intervention, known as “Tootling ”, on student behaviour in Aotearoa New Zealand primary schools. Tootling involves students recognising prosocial behaviours performed by their peers and reporting these events as “tootles” which are then read aloud to the class by the teacher. The studies aimed to evaluate whether Tootling increased academically engaged behaviour (AEB) at both, class-wide level, and for individual target students who have shown high rates of disruptive behaviours. Secondary questions examined whether Tootling influenced teacher-delivered praise and reprimands, teacher indices of happiness (IoH), and patterns in tootle submissions, including the focus of tootles on prosocial behaviours and school values. The intervention was implemented within the Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L) framework, supporting alignment with the school’s values-based systems. This research sought to address several gaps in the literature by examining the effects of Tootling across two culturally inclusive classroom settings in Aotearoa New Zealand. Study 1, conducted in a Year 0–1 classroom, with four target students, employed an A-B research design due to contextual factors. Study 2, conducted in a Year 5–6 classroom with three target students, used a multiple treatment single-case design to examine Tootling alone and in combination with a values-specific focus (respect, responsibility, resilience). Data on AEB, teacher praise and reprimands, IoH, and student tootle submissions were collected using direct observation and integrity measures. Results demonstrated consistent increases in class-wide AEB across both classrooms, with the largest gains observed for target students identified as having low initial rates of academic engagement. Teacher praise and IoH showed variable but generally positive effects. Patterns of tootling submissions highlighted that students engaged actively in recording and acknowledging prosocial behaviours, linked to school values. The values-specific conditions in Study 2 also produced increases in tootles on the targeted value (respect, responsibility and resilience). Overall, findings suggest that Tootling is a practical, effective, and socially valid whole-class intervention, with strong potential for integration within PB4L frameworks in Aotearoa New Zealand schools.
Investigation on shear behaviour and design for aluminium alloy with circular edge stiffened holes with shear span ratio 1
(The University of Waikato, 2025) Manoj, Esther Mariya; Fang, Zhiyuan (Arthur)
Cold-formed aluminium (CFA) structural members are increasingly being adopted in engineering applications due to their favourable strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance, recyclability, and long-term durability in harsh environments. A promising application lies in lightweight framing systems, where circular service holes in the web accommodate mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) installations. However, such openings significantly reduce shear capacity, leading to premature buckling and distortion. This study investigates the shear behaviour of CFA channel sections with unstiffened and edge-stiffened circular web holes through nonlinear finite element (FE) analysis, validated against experimental results from the literature. The FE models demonstrated strong predictive capability, with mean FEA-to-test ratios of 1.02 for aluminium and 1.07 for cold-formed steel, and low coefficients of variation (<0.06). A comprehensive parametric study is done by simulations evaluated the effects of hole size, stiffener length, section depth, thickness (2.0- 3.5 mm), and alloy grade (H36 and H38). The results showed that unstiffened holes reduced shear capacity by up to 60% (at dw/d1-0.6), while edge stiffeners effectively regained 15-40% of the lost strength. Increasing thickness from 2.0 to 3.5 mm more than doubled shear capacity,and the H38 alloy consistently outperformed H36 due to its higher yield strength. Comparisons with international design standards ([AISI 2016], [AS/NZS 2018], and [ADM 2015]) revealed that current provisions are conservative for plain webs but underestimate the strengthening contribution of edge stiffeners. To address these shortcomings, new design equations based on a modified Direct Strength Method (DSM) were proposed, incorporating shear reduction factors and elastic buckling coefficients tailored for aluminium members with web perforations. The findings contribute to safer and more efficient design of cold-formed aluminium systems, supporting the integration of perforated channels in modern construction practice.
Just breathe: Dynamic breathwork as interoceptive exposure for veterans and police
(The University of Waikato, 2025) Pointer, Ben; Sargisson, Rebecca J.
Military veterans and police officers experience high rates of trauma-related symptoms alongside autonomic dysregulation, yet many do not engage with or complete conventional therapies. Breathing-based interventions may provide a low-cost, acceptable alternative. I used a single-subject, multiple-baseline-across-participants design with eight veterans and police officers to evaluate a 10-session online dynamic breathwork protocol. I hypothesised that this intervention would (H1) increase resting heart rate variability (HRV) and reduce resting heart rate, (H2) improve self-reported psychological symptoms commonly associated with PTSD, and (H3) be rated as acceptable and feasible for home-based use. Participants practised cyclic hyperventilation, extended breath-holds, and a Valsalva-type manoeuvre in 10 sessions across a 20-day period. Resting heart rate variability (RMSSD) and heart rate were recorded daily with Polar® H10 sensors. Self-reported psychological measures of depression, anxiety, affect, mindfulness, and psychological flexibility were completed at baseline, post-intervention, and follow-up. Physiological outcomes did not show meaningful change. However, large effect sizes were observed across all psychological measures, with reductions in self-reported scores of depression, anxiety, and negative affect, and increases in mindful awareness and psychological flexibility. Social validity ratings indicated that the protocol was highly acceptable and feasible for home use. In contrast to traditional exposure therapies that target external trauma cues, this intervention employed breath-based interoceptive exposure to engage conditioned internal responses, offering a novel pathway for inhibitory learning. My results suggest that while short-term autonomic adaptation was not evident, structured online breathwork may offer a promising and scalable means of reducing psychological distress for trauma-exposed operational personnel.
Software frameworks for rural AI robotics
(The University of Waikato, 2026) Bashir, Faizan; Bowen, Judy
Robotic Autonomous robotic systems intended for agricultural environments must operate under conditions of unreliable connectivity, limited infrastructure, and high environmental variability. These constraints present significant challenges for system architecture, communication design, and human– robot interaction. This thesis investigates these challenges through the design, analysis, and evaluation of Nicobot, a mobile agricultural research platform developed to explore software frameworks for rural AI robotics. The research focuses on how system architecture, user interface design, and communication mechanisms influence the feasibility of autonomous operation in rural and low-connectivity settings. Architectural analysis reveals that, despite the presence of edge computing components and multiple communication technologies, decision-making and fault recovery remain heavily dependent on human operators. The system therefore operates under a supervisory autonomy model, where the robot supports controlled behaviour but does not independently interpret sensor data or adapt to connectivity degradation. Evaluation of the user interface shows that technical data exposure, limited feedback, and reliance on user interpretation reduce usability for non-technical agricultural users. Communication analysis further demonstrates that multiple channels alone do not guarantee robustness unless they are integrated with adaptive system behaviour. The findings highlight that autonomy in rural agricultural robotics cannot be achieved through the addition of technological components alone. Instead, autonomy emerges from deliberate architectural allocation of responsibility, clear separation of control roles, and interface designs that support transparency and reduced cognitive load. This thesis contributes design-oriented insights for future rural robotic systems, emphasising contextual independence, supervisory interaction, architectural coherence, and simplicity as guiding principles for practical agricultural autonomy.
Pratchett and patriarchy: A ‘masculinity studies’ reading of Terry Pratchett’s City Watch series
(The University of Waikato, 2025) Morgan, Kahi; Moffat, Kirstine
Despite gender being a key focus of academic discussion on Discworld, there is minimal scholarly engagement with Pratchett’s masculine spheres. The aim of this thesis is to address the gap in scholarship that discusses Terry Pratchett’s Discworld and apply a ‘masculinity studies’ lens to Discworld. However, this is not an aim easily accomplished. Masculinity presents a theoretical space that is complicated and difficult to navigate. Although ‘masculinity studies’ is no longer a new theoretical lens (having been established for more than 30 years at the time of writing), scholarship that seeks to engage with the complexities of masculinity is frequently ineffective. ‘Masculinity studies’ thrives on decrying patriarchy and critiquing toxic masculinity, but the discipline still struggles to explore more positive readings of masculinity without slipping into conservative rhetoric that calls for a return to more ‘traditional’ modes of masculinity. I embrace the problems of masculinity in all their complexity. This thesis does not shy away from applying the harshest critiques of men in its analysis of the men of Discworld. It takes on the nigh impossible task and attempts to move towards a rhetoric that enables a greater understanding of the tools of transgression available to men that are firmly embedded within the dominant positions of patriarchy. The first half of the thesis will establish the foundational theories of masculinity and gender. It will then draw these frameworks into conversation with the theoretical composition of genre. This marriage between theoretical frames will reveal that Discworld is perfectly situated to identify subversive masculinities, creating a strong foundation for the close readings of Pratchett’s work that follow. Despite Discworld’s relationship to genre, making it the ideal space for subversive masculinities to thrive, previous scholarship has been unable to effectively apply a ‘masculinity studies’ perspective to the series. Before I attempt my own reading of subversive masculinities within Discworld it is necessary to unpack why previous Discworld scholarship has been so ineffective at engaging with masculinity. The second half of this thesis will explore how Samuel Vimes of the City Watch sub-series is able to operate as a subversive masculinity. This will be done in two steps. The first will explore how he is able to deliver a subversive performance of masculinity within his personal life, operating within the genres of fantasy and romance. I will demonstrate that these subversions within his personal life are largely enabled by his cynicism. The second step will be testing the limits and sustainability of his subversions. This investigation will find that Vimes’ role as a policeman comes with a set of obligations to patriarchal systems that inhibit his ability to be subversive. However, he is still able to deliver a subversive performance of gender in marginal situations where the law is in flux.
Understanding the extent in which NSSI and ODI-type behaviour are ways of dealing with the same issues for young people in New Zealand
(The University of Waikato, 2025) Aykroyd, Summer; Curtis, Cate
NSSI and some forms of aggression are behaviours that appear to have similar functions and risk factors. There is a gap in the research in understanding the extent of how these behaviours crossover and are ways of dealing with the same issues. 10 semi-structure in-depth interviews were conducted to understand ways of dealing with negative emotions and if this differed with engagement in NSSI or ODI-type behaviours. Overall this research found that while they were ways of dealing with the same issues, the individuals experience of emotion, interpersonal relationships and situational factors determined the extent of what behaviour they engaged in.
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.

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