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Thalassaemia and haemoglobinopathy in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty: A review of testing and prevalence of haemoglobinopathy at Pathlab Waikato
(The University of Waikato, 2025) Annan, Sally; Peters, Linda M.
Haemoglobinopathies are amongst the most common genetic disorders in the world but remain relatively overlooked. The World Health Organisation estimates around 5.2% of the global population may be carriers of a pathogenic haemoglobinopathy due to a mutation in one of the haemoglobin genes. For the past decade Pathlab Waikato has established a database of all diagnosed haemoglobinopathy and thalassaemia, with the intention that this data may be used to assess and improve the New Zealand national screening service. The purpose of this research was to analyse this database to investigate 1) What is being diagnosed in our region? 2) How common are these haemoglobinopathies? and 3) What is being missed? Answers to this will provide a better understanding of the pathology and prevalence of this disease in our region, and to provide recommendations and strategy for future testing. The haemoglobinopathy database was analysed alongside data from incidental abnormal haemoglobin detection through testing for HbA1c. This information was run through RStudio for statistical analysis of ethnicity data to confirm that ethnicity was a significant predictor of the presence of abnormal haemoglobin (p value <0.001). Prevalence of different haemoglobinopathies was calculated and this was compared to previously reported prevalence both globally and within certain ethnic groups. Using population information from StatsNZ and the past three New Zealand Censuses (2023, 2018, 2013) the ethnic makeup of our testing population was also determined. With all of this information combined, differences and shortfalls in our database can be identified when compared to calculated estimates of prevalence of abnormal haemoglobin. From the database, Pathlab performed 6,589 thalassaemia screens with a positive detection rate average of 53% with a steady increase in haemoglobinopathy testing every year. The most commonly diagnosed haemoglobinopathies (in order) were α thalassaemia, β thalassaemia, heterozygous HbE, and heterozygous HbS. Using known ethnic prevalence from the literature review and the ethnic makeup of our community from the census, it was found we are detecting less than what would be expected for our population. For example, 5.85% of our population has identified themselves as Indian, and based on previous reports at least 3% of them should be carriers for β thalassaemia. This would come to roughly 1,179 people. However, during our screening period, only 621 confirmed diagnoses of β thalassaemia were made. Furthermore, using the Hardy-Weinberg equation, it is estimated there may be over 10,000 and 3,000 carriers of HbE and HbS, respectively. This is compared to only 358 and 171 detected in our database. Even if the actual allele frequency is half of what was calculated, the shortfall is stark. With all this in mind, Pathlab are already introducing an extra step through the screening of abnormalities found incidentally in HbA1c. However, there are further steps we can take to tackle this deficit, including the establishment of a national database and national screening service. The process to allow accurate haemoglobinopathy screening in New Zealand was outlined. If haemoglobinopathy screening was introduced as part of an antenatal screen, it would help to bridge the gap we have uncovered here to prevent negative health outcomes and further strain on our health care system.
The volcanic geology of the Western Tauranga Basin
(The University of Waikato, 1994) Whitbread-Edwards, Annette N.; Briggs, Roger
The western Tauranga basin is bounded to the north by the Tauranga Harbour and to the west by the Kaimai Range. It contains rhyolitic domes, ignimbrites, fluvial deposits and tephras. The oldest units are the Minden Rhyolites which are hypersthene, hornblende and biotite rhyolites. These form the dome complexes Minden Peak, Manawata and Kaikaikaroro. These domes are surrounded by the overlying Waiteariki Ignimbrite which is a dacitic ignimbrite made up of three flow units and contains co-eruptive lithics ,vithin its basal unit. The Te Puna Ignimbrite is a rhyolitic ignimbrite which is found in the coastal cliffs around westerm Tauranga Harbour. Flu vial material which is prodominantly of volcanic origin lies unconformably below and on top of the Te Puna Ignimbrite. A number of tephras overlie the rhyolites and ignimbrites in the area. These are: Pahoia Tephras, Hamilton Ash, Rotoehu Ash, Mangaone, Oruanui, Okareka, Mamaku, Taupo and Kaharoa Tephras. Whole rock geochemistry shows that western Tauranga basin rocks are calcalkaline, and have resulted from arc volcanism. The rocks have formed predominantly from crystal fractionation, with the rhyolites also resulting from crustal melting. The Te Puna Ignimbrite contains pumice that ranges in Si02 content which indicates that the magma chamber was zoned. Upon eruption the magma chamber under went simple inversion which is seen when comparing element composition and stratigraphic height. This eruption may have caused a caldera which is located east of Katikati. The Tauranga basin lies between the Coromandel Volcanic Zone and the Taupo Volcanic Zone, and is a transitional zone in terms of age and geochemistry, shown by transitional incompatible trace element ratios.
The manners of digital distraction: Competing modes of attention and visual citizenship in Bangkok
(Wiley, 2026-05-28) Isaacs, Bronwyn
This paper is a photographic essay focusing on how people navigate the demands of visual citizenship in both virtual and physical spaces. It posits that theories of digital attention often overlook the bodily and specific material worlds where digital attention and distraction occur. Using photos and ethnographic data from public gatherings in Bangkok, Thailand, following the death of King Bhumibol, the paper examines how moral citizenship practices in virtual communities both intersect with and diverge from public manners of the body. The paper argues that while virtual citizenship practices may sometimes take precedence over in-person social practice, enduring manners and modes of attention in public urban spaces nonetheless shape and inform online citizenship behaviors. The paper argues scholars of visual nationalism and digital attention should focus more on physical modes of attention, including rituals and manners expressed through the body.
The crack location index for crack detection of a beam
(The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers (JSME), 2024) Mochida, Yusuke; Sun, Tao
This study introduces a new index to be used for crack detection on a beam like structure. Our recent numerical modelling found sudden shifts in structural natural frequencies as a body with rotary inertia roving on a structure’s surface passes a crack. Theoretically, this phenomenon made it possible to locate the crack by observing the abrupt frequency change from the curve of natural frequency versus mass location. In practice, the mass is located at discrete positions thus the curve of natural frequency is not continuous. This led to the consideration of Δ𝑓 and Δ(Δ𝑓), where Δ𝑓 is the natural frequency change when the mass is located in two adjacent positions and Δ(Δ𝑓) is the change of Δ𝑓. The plots of Δ𝑓 or Δ(Δ𝑓) against mass location show peaks at the crack location and they could be highlighted. However, further study shows that the plots of Δ𝑓 or Δ(Δ𝑓) sometimes give false peaks, which makes it challenging to pinpoint the crack location This study aims to introduce a more robust index than Δ(Δ𝑓) that can suppress some of the false peaks, and hence the resulting curve can be more suitable for crack detection. We name it the crack location index. The crack location index was devised based on the participation of modal data in the expressions of natural frequency of a beam carrying a roving mass with rotary inertia and its derivative. They were demonstrated to be good candidates for locating the crack. The crack location index was applied to a numerical example of beam with a crack, and the crack location was pinpointed. It was shown that there were fewer false peaks in the curve of the crack location index than that of Δ(Δ𝑓).
Transformative leadership, regional solidarity, and the role of universities in a changing world
(University of Canterbury, 2026) Radclyffe, Charles JT; Vakaoti, Patrick; Rakuita, Tui; Levy, Benjamin; Nanau, Gordon Leau; Kalavite, Telesia; Faatoese, Allamanda; Schaaf, Michelle; Cornejo, Moira Fortin
At the University of Otago’s Annual Pacific Lecture for 2025, Solomon Islands National University Vice Chancellor, Professor Transform Aqorau, delivered a bold address about the importance of regional solidarity and cooperation, leadership centred on service and dignity, sustainable development for and by Pacific peoples, and recognising the vital role universities play in shaping these. These themes were then deliberated during a subsequent Public Panel. Here, we collate and present individual responses from the panellists. This is followed by a reflective discussion about the growing number of national universities and the changing socio-economic and political landscape of tertiary education in Oceania. Echoing Aqorau’s message of self-belief and finding strength in regional solidarity, we encourage Pacific university leaders and educators to strive for excellence by benchmarking first from within, and to work together to meet the growing educational and increasingly complex developmental needs of the Blue Pacific Continent.