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Mātauranga informed enhancement of natural reef recovery and resilience for mahinga kai restoration: Replenishment of mana and mauri
(The University of Waikato, 2026) Taufa, Natalie; Battershill, Christopher
Coastal environments in Aotearoa/New Zealand are highly dynamic and diverse ecosystems that hold great cultural, social, economic and spiritual significance to Māori communities (the indigenous people of Aotearoa), yet face major threats from climate change, alongside other anthropogenically induced pressures. New Zealand's temperate reefs are experiencing increasing habitat degradation, biodiversity loss, and altered ecosystem functioning, which is evident in the depletion of culturally significant species and the declining state of health and mauri. The continual degradation of natural resources has had significant cultural impacts, compromising traditional customs such as mahinga kai (food gathering), kaitiakitanga (stewardship) and manaakitanga (hospitality), which is of great concern to mana whenua in Whangaruru, Northland. This thesis set out to address mana whenua concerns regarding the ongoing degradation of their moana rohe (ocean tribal area) by co-developing a monitoring framework for indigenous marine management, with a particular focus on rāhui as a traditional restriction on natural resources. Semi-structured interviews with kaumātua and kuia of Whangaruru were conducted, utilising a culturally responsive approach to collect oral histories and capture their perspectives on spatial and temporal environmental changes. The results revealed their key objectives for managing a rāhui within their moana rohe. Additionally, this study reviewed existing techniques of traditional and contemporary monitoring approaches used in comparable reef restoration contexts. Methods that aligned with the objectives identified through the interviews were incorporated into the framework. The outcome of this research was a monitoring framework that addresses the concerns of mana whenua (local indigenous people) by being responsive to their needs, filling a significant gap in existing marine management approaches. It also advocates for a decolonised research methodology that prioritises co-design, co-development, and collaboration with mana whenua, as a collective approach benefits the environment (te taiao), local communities, and researchers. The research draws on participants' intimate connection to their environment, leading to an innovative framework to revive guardianship (kaitiakitanga), provide hospitality (manaakitanga), and safeguard treasured species (taonga) and people, thereby maintaining cultural and ecological integrity. It stresses the importance of observing and listening to the environment, drawing from mātauranga and acting according to tikanga (customs). Ultimately, this study proposes a culturally grounded framework that promotes indigenous autonomy, protects food sovereignty, and reinforces the connection between people and te taiao for future generations.
Psychological distress in Aotearoa New Zealand adults with type 1 diabetes
(Sage, 2025) McClintock, Joanna Marie; Chepulis, Lynne Merran; Blackmore, Tania Louise; Fraser, Sonya; Paul, Ryan G.
The psychological burden of type 1 diabetes (T1D) can negatively impact health outcomes. This study evaluates the prevalence of low mood (WHO-5), disordered eating (DEPS-R), diabetes distress (PAID) and fear of hypoglycaemia (HFS-II), in a sample of 250 New Zealand adults (8.4% Māori/91.6% non-Māori; 43.6% female/56.4% male) with T1D using validated tools. Māori and female patients indicated low mood, with lower median WHO-5 scores than non-Māori (p = 0.027) and males (p = 0.002). Māori were more likely to score in the clinical range on the WHO-5, DEPS-R, PAID and HFS-II (all p < 0.05). HbA1c was correlated with emotional well-being (rs = −0.189), diabetes distress (rs = 0.223) and disordered eating (rs = 0.389; all p < 0.001) whilst DEPS-R correlated with age (rs = −0.232) and BMI (rs = 0.343; both p ≤ 0.001). Thus, diabetes-related psychological distress is common in New Zealand adults with T1D, particularly for Māori, females and those with elevated HbA1c levels.
Captive friends: What kind of autonomy is required for friendship?
(2025-12-02) Weijers, Dan M.
Review of Matthew Lindauer, The Fruitfulness of Normative Concepts (Oxford UP, 2025)
(Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews, 2026) Ulatowski, Joseph W.
Critical balance and the physics of magnetohydrodynamic turbulence
(American Astronomical Society, 2020) Oughton, Sean; Matthaeus, William H.
A discussion of the advantages and limitations of the concept of critical balance (CB), as employed in turbulence phenomenologies, is presented. The incompressible magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) case is a particular focus. The discussion emphasizes the status of the original Goldreich & Sridhar CB conjecture relative to related theoretical issues and models in an MHD description of plasma turbulence. Issues examined include variance and spectral anisotropy, influence of a mean magnetic field, local and nonlocal effects, and the potential for effects of external driving. Related models such as Reduced MHD provide a valuable context in the considerations. Some new results concerning spectral features and timescales are presented in the course of the discussion. Also mentioned briefly are some adaptations and variations of CB.