Masters Degree Theses

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University of Waikato digital theses deposited since 2006. Prior to 2006, digitisation for open access was not mandatory. To identify older hard-copy theses please check Library Search.

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Now showing 1 - 5 of 2551
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    Variability of blue carbon stocks in restored saltmarsh wetlands: Bay of Plenty, Aotearoa New Zealand
    (Thesis, The University of Waikato, 2023-12-24) Visser, Jade Skye
    As anthropogenic pressures including urbanisation and climate change continue to pressure the natural environment, there is a great need to focus on solutions that both increase ecosystem resilience and mitigate climate change. Coastal wetlands are a “powerhouse” environment that have the potential to achieve this and much more. Among the variety of coastal wetlands, saltmarsh habitats are one of the most degraded environments globally, with a mere <10% estimated to remain in Aotearoa New Zealand. Many saltmarshes have been lost due to factors such as, conversion to pasture, and/or environmental degradation. As part of the conversation around saltmarsh restoration, nature-based solutions are a tool that is being increasingly considered when it comes to climate change mitigation and adaptation, due to the large potential saltmarshes possess to sequester CO2 alongside adapting to sea level rise such as by providing a space for flood water and for vegetation to slow down storm surges, alongside other environmental and societal benefits. This study investigates the blue carbon dynamics in restored and control saltmarsh habitats in the Bay of Plenty Aotearoa New Zealand, focusing on bulk density, concentration of carbon (%), Total Organic Carbon (TOC), Sediment Accumulation Rates (SAR), and Carbon Accumulation Rates (CAR). We focus on changes in blue carbon with time since saltmarsh restoration. Bulk density analysis revealed minimal variability among sites, with Matua Saltmarsh exhibiting the largest standard error (0.765 ± 0.057g cm3) and Wainui River Saltmarsh the lowest mean bulk density (0.633 ± 0.032g cm3). Carbon concentration was generally highly variable across sites, with Matua Saltmarsh exhibiting the highest mean concentration (5.83 ± 1.151%) and Wainui Repo Whenua the lowest (2.91 ± 0.26%). Total organic carbon stock decreased with depth across sites, with Matua Saltmarsh having the highest total organic carbon stock (1.21 ± 0.005g cm3 or 121.42 ± 0.534t ha-1) and Te Awa o Ngātoroirangi the lowest (0.69 ± 0.004g cm3 or 68.66 ± 0.401t ha-1). Carbon accumulation rates generally increased with restoration age, with Wainui River Saltmarsh exhibiting the highest sediment accumulation rate (11.57mm yr-1) and Matua Saltmarsh the highest carbon accumulation rate (161.87g m-2 yr-1 over the last 20 years). While no distinct trends in blue carbon stocks and concentration emerged between the restored and control environments, it is notable that restored saltmarshes consistently exhibited substantial carbon stocks compared to controls and global standards. Moreover, there were higher mean TOC figures within the first ~30 years post-restoration. These results align with expectations from previous studies, emphasizing the efficacy of saltmarsh restoration efforts in enhancing future carbon storage potential in Aotearoa. These findings underscore the need for comprehensive investigations into the roles of vegetation, sedimentation rates, microbial processes, alongside catchment hydrological conditions history. This thesis also highlights that long-term monitoring beyond the initial 20- 30 years post-restoration is crucial to comprehensively understand the trajectory of blue carbon dynamics. In addition, comparative studies accounting for diverse restoration techniques and assessments of broader ecosystem services delivered by saltmarsh restoration are essential. Addressing these factors will deepen our understanding of the specific mechanisms influencing blue carbon dynamics in Aotearoa's restored saltmarshes.
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    Dual language books in a secondary classroom: Raising awareness of culture and language
    (Thesis, The University of Waikato, 2024) Barrett, Sharon
    Dual language picturebooks refer to picturebooks which contain two or more languages. These books are most readily recognised as bilingual, where the story is told in two languages in the same book, but they may also appear as the same story told in different languages in separate books, or have two or more languages woven together throughout the text. The illustrations in dual language picturebooks can be drawn from the appropriate cultures, further enriching the story. Research into picturebooks has been conducted internationally with early childhood and primary aged children, but none has been conducted with secondary (13-18 years old) school students. This thesis paper describes the first research into how dual language picturebooks are perceived by secondary students and their teacher in a single sex school in Aotearoa New Zealand. The ways that the students engaged with the text are also examined. The research found that both students and teachers showed a growing appreciation for dual language picturebooks over the research sessions. Students demonstrated theory of mind and critical language awareness through engagement with the stories, and showed a preference for translingual picturebooks. Implications for teachers are also discussed.
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    Using convolutional neural networks to value game positions in professional basketball
    (Thesis, The University of Waikato, 2024) Gibb, Jacob
    Many professional sports are currently midway through their own “Data Revolutions”, with advances in analytics being driven by the intense competition for even the most minor advantages, although typically being focused on offensive actions within a game, rather than statistics or metrics pertaining to a player’s defensive abilities. A significant portion of defensive duties is positioning one’s self to prevent opponent actions from occurring at all, and often defensive actions such as tackles or steals are indicative of defensive mistakes rather than an example of good defending. In other areas, Deep Learning models have shown an uncanny ability to identify trends and perform tasks typically considered too complex for software, and better left to humans. Various Deep Learning models have been designed and developed to estimate the value of positions in multiple sports, and shown to be very promising. This thesis attempts to contribute to this by investigating the use of Convolutional Neural Networks to estimate the value of basketball possessions. The model predicts both the terminal actions and the expected value of a possession, and achieves good results relative to the closest published literature in similar tests. Finally, we show how such a model may be utilised to produce metrics describing a player’s positioning ability as a potential tool for player scouting or coaching.
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    Decolonising Midwifery Education in Aotearoa: A Case Study Approach
    (Thesis, The University of Waikato, 2023) Cleaver, Deanne Lesley
    The bicultural nature of Aotearoa (New Zealand) creates a strong foundation for the unique environment that supports the weaving of indigenous knowledge throughout midwifery education, and in turn creating a platform for decolonisation. Te Tiriti o Waitangi/ The Treaty of Waitangi serves to inform the direction that midwifery education and midwifery practice must take by underpinning these frameworks. The revised midwifery curriculum and reaccreditation that supported the immersion of Indigenous knowledge throughout the midwifery degree at Wintec is currently in its fifth year. It was identified that there needed to be a more explicit focus of cultural safety and responsiveness, therefore in support of this Mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge) was carefully embedded and linked to learning outcomes. This is in direct support of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and a move towards a Te Tiriti honouring programme. Topics that relate to tikanga Māori (customs), Te Ao Māori (Māori worldview) and Te Reo Māori (language) are respectfully taught, providing opportunities for understanding and growing competencies for midwifery tauira. Understanding colonisation in its global context alongside its role in the history of Aotearoa supported by Te Tiriti o Waitangi knowledge, is vital in the process of decolonisation. Tauira are encouraged to explore and reflect on these factors throughout their degree, supporting their growing cultural safety and awareness of relationships. An anti-racism workshop in the final year of the degree adds another layer to the work of decolonisation and equips tauira with tools to be active in their allyship. This personal and curricula journey empowers tauira to become culturally safe and responsive midwives, positively impacting the health of whānau Māori. Through a case study approach the effectiveness of the interweaving of indigenous knowledge, Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Anti-Racism praxis will be explored, with the purpose of unpacking the learnings as a tool for social transformation within the process of decolonisation. These changes promote the professional development of educators and the empowerment of tauira to uphold Indigenous rights, while providing care in partnership that is respectful. Decolonising Midwifery Education in Aotearoa: A Case Study approach’ will be explored and unpacked.
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    Emotional labour and well-being for early childhood teachers: The role of psychological capital and perceived organisational support
    (Thesis, The University of Waikato, 2023) Carey, Samantha
    Early childhood teachers play an integral role in the development of children enrolled in early childhood services, yet teachers often face stressful and challenging conditions that impact their well-being and consequently the quality of care and education they provide. Emotional labour, the requirement to suppress and express emotions as determined by the organisation, is considered a prominent component of early childhood teachers’ roles. Emotional labour is comprised of two display-rule strategies: Surface Acting where employees suppress their feelings and feign their emotions, and Deep Acting where feelings are modified to create a genuine performance of emotion. Both negatively relate to employee well-being, but we don’t know what personal or organisational resources might help protect early childhood teachers’ well-being. The present study sought to explore this, examining if Psychological Capital (PsyCap: hope, optimism, efficacy, resilience) and perceived organisational support could mitigate any negative consequences of emotional labour. The cross-sectional, non-experimental design surveyed 320 early childhood teachers currently working in New Zealand who completed measures assessing emotional labour, well-being, PsyCap, and perceived organisational support. Structural Equation Modeling examined the relationships between the constructs under investigation. The findings indicated that early childhood teachers who engaged in surface acting, but not deep acting, were likely to experience a decrease in well-being. The PsyCap resources of hope and optimism, but not efficacy and resilience, were found to be viable avenues to increase or protect early childhood teachers’ well-being, as was perceived organisational support. These results present a valuable contribution to our understanding of early childhood teachers’ well-being and highlight the importance of personal and organisational resources in supporting teachers.

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