Flood risk and property value: A case study analysing the effect of disclosed flood risk maps on the housing market in Hamilton, New Zealand

Flooding is among the most financially devastating natural disasters globally and in New Zealand. To manage flood risk, educating the public about its potential dangers is widely recognised as a necessity worldwide. However, in New Zealand, building development and property sales continue to thrive in officially designated flood risk areas, suggesting that published flood risk information may not be achieving its intended impact. This raises alarming concerns about whether the public effectively receives published flood risk information and to what extent it influences their decision making. However, empirical research on this topic is scarce in New Zealand, and the few existing studies only cover small portions of a case study area, lacking broader geographical representation and transferrable insights into long-term behavioural responses to flood risk information. This leaves local governments without reliable evidence to assess the effectiveness of flood risk disclosures and informed land-use decisions. One of the key reasons is the lack of nationally consistent flood risk mapping and the fragmented flood risk management approach across localities and regions, making flood risk information scattered, inconsistent, and difficult to access. This research aims to address this gap by conducting a comprehensive empirical analysis in Hamilton City, New Zealand. Specifically, I focus on the holistic timeline of flood risk information released within the city since the first flood map was officially adopted in 2012. Specifically, Hamilton City Council (HCC) released flood risk maps and adopted them in the 2012 District Plan, followed by the introduction of online Floodviewer maps in 2020. Publishing flood risk information through two different platforms covering various urban spaces makes this a unique case study for examining the effects of flood risk on property prices. This research combines rigorous causal inference methods, including Difference-in-Differences (DID), Repeat-Sales models, and Hedonic modelling, to examine whether the release of flood risk information influences property sales in officially designated flood zones. The Results show that flood risk information has a limited impact on property prices in Hamilton City’s flood risk areas. However, in repeat sales analysis, disclosing flood risk information positively impacts housing value in these areas. These findings align with most historical research in New Zealand, indicating that it is not rare for people to disregard flood risk information in this country. This may be attributed to the absence of a unified national standard for published flood risk information and the lack of effective communication mechanisms

Ki te kapu o taku ringa - In the palm of my hand [Photography exhibition at Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts]

(Exhibition catalogue) The title Ki te kapu o taku ringa is taken from a line of ‘Maioha mō Waikato’ by Kīngi Tāwhiao. Ejected from their homelands he and his Waikato brethren took refuge with their Maniapoto relations in Te Nehenehenui. The maioha was composed expressing Kīngi Tāwhiao’s love for his homelands, and his solastalgic holding fast to those lands ‘... in the palm of his hand.’ The words from the song-poem were used as guide to our research and photography practice

Gut structure and diet adaptability of yellowbelly flounder: A step towards integrating Rhombosolea leporina into New Zealand aquaculture

Aquaculture is a rapidly expanding industry as wild fish stocks decline due to overfishing, climate change, and increased seafood consumption. Flatfish, being highly prized, have faced significant declines in the wild, but several species are now being cultivated in land-based recirculating aquaculture systems to meet market demand. Flatfish are low-trophic feeders and thrive in relatively simple farming setups, making them viable candidates for sustainable aquaculture. In New Zealand, the yellowbelly flounder (Rhombosolea leporina), or pātiki, is a sought-after species in commercial and recreational fisheries. Introducing this species into aquaculture could support the local seafood market and aid in replenishing wild stocks. However, limited research exists on yellowbelly flounder compared to other flatfish, particularly regarding its digestive system and dietary needs. Feed costs are a significant challenge in aquaculture, especially when striving to reduce reliance on unsustainable ingredients like fishmeal and oil while maintaining low feed conversion ratios. Understanding the digestive tract structure and function of the yellowbelly flounder is critical for developing sustainable, species-specific diets. This study examined the gut structure and function of wild-caught adult and juvenile yellowbelly flounder, as well as juveniles fed a mussel-based diet, a fishmeal-based pellet diet, or subjected to starvation. The histological analysis examined the muscularis externa, mucosal folds, and goblet cell distribution throughout the alimentary canal, while qPCR assessed the expression of the cholecystokinin hormone paralogs (ccka and cckb). Unexpectedly, findings suggested that yellowbelly flounder may be agastric, differing from other flatfish. Consistent gut tissue patterns, goblet cell presence, and ccka and cckb expression throughout the canal supported this conclusion. The pellet diet did cause higher ccka expression compared to the mussel diet, but overall, the results suggested the yellowbelly flounder is adaptable to varying feeds. While limited by a small-scale study, these results provided a basis for further exploration of yellowbelly flounder digestive capabilities in hopes of facilitating this species into the New Zealand aquaculture industry

Life beyond the lakes: An analysis and implications of a Pleistocene combustion feature on the Pike River in South Australia

The Pike River is an anabranch and palaeochannel of the Murray River located in South Australia's Riverland region, in the southwestern part of the Murray-Darling Basin. The floodplain contains abundant and varied archaeological evidence of Aboriginal life, including extensive deposits of shell midden exposed along the high cliff-line bounding the southeastern margin of the floodplain. The oldest of these deposits has been securely dated, so far, to ∼29 ka cal BP. This article presents the results of chronological, micromorphological and sedimentary analyses of a combustion feature also located on this cliff-line. Based on our analysis and interpretation of the feature's stratigraphic context, in combination with 14C and OSL dating, we argue that the feature is ∼43 ka old. Whilst the combustion feature contains no associated cultural material (e.g. stone artefacts or faunal remains) we argue that a cultural origin is, nonetheless, supported given the feature's geometry, sedimentary structures, geochemistry and magnetic response. As such, we argue that the feature provides a rare glimpse into the earliest peopling of the Murray River corridor. Further, the feature is amongst some of the earliest pieces of evidence for human pyrotechnology in the Australasian region and only one of a few examples from an open-air site that is microstratigraphically (micromorphologically) contextualised. The preservation of combustion features of this antiquity in open-context sites is extremely rare, both in this region and globally

Thermoplastic composites in sustainable construction: Topology optimisation and additive manufacturing for a recyclable and modular building system

Despite the significant environmental impact of the building sector, sustainable building practices are yet to be widely adopted. This paper describes a practical approach based on computational design and additive manufacturing (AM) to generate modular and structural walls, following design for disassembly and recyclability principles. In this research, the anisotropy of recyclable short-fibre reinforced thermoplastic (SFRTP) composites is utilised. The proposed methodology involves starting from the building’s typology and using topology optimisation (TO) as a form-finding tool in the design of structural wall modules. The finite element analyses (FEA) guiding the TO are based on conventional building-codes used for load calculations. The TO-defined modules are then further optimised in stiffness by matching the principal stress directions with the AM printing path. Two case studies, the ground floor of a 3-storey building and a bus shelter, are used to illustrate the outcome of the approach. This comprehensive workflow generates structural elements with built-in optimised and tailored performance while enabling unique geometries that combine structural efficiency with architectural creativity

Ideological underpinnings of climate change beliefs: A 13-year longitudinal study

Research demonstrates that conservative political beliefs and ideologies underpin lower environmental concern, as well as climate scepticism and inaction. Our preregistered study extends this literature by examining the dynamic interplay between socio-ideological attitudes and climate change beliefs using longitudinal data spanning 13 years (2009-2022; N = 72,910). Specifically, we investigated potential gender differences in the temporal sequencing of Right-Wing Authoritarianism (RWA), Social Dominance Orientation (SDO), and the beliefs that climate change is real and caused by humans. Between-person results from a multi-group random intercepts crosslagged panel model reveal that individuals relatively high on both RWA and SDO across assessments reported lower levels of climate beliefs. Most importantly, withinperson increases in SDO predicted subsequent within-person decreases in climate beliefs for both men and women, while RWA only decreased climate beliefs for men. Moreover, SDO had a stronger influence than RWA on climate beliefs over time but a reciprocal association also emerged whereby within-person increases in climate beliefs preceded decreases in SDO for both men and women. Thus, support for hierarchical social structures fosters climate inaction, providing an important extension to the dual process model of ideology and prejudice

The effects of strength asymmetry on cricket bowlers

This research examined strength asymmetry in cricket bowlers by assessing muscle strength across four key muscle groups: shoulder positions (SHLD-I, SHLD-Y, SHLD-T), gluteals (GLUT), obliques (OBLIQUE), and calves (CALF). Using isometric testing on a sample of bowlers (n = 9), significant strength differences were found in the shoulder muscles SHLD-I and SHLD-T, favoring the dominant limb, while SHLD-Y showed moderate but non-significant asymmetry. In contrast, gluteal and oblique muscles exhibited minimal and statistically insignificant asymmetries, indicating more balanced development. The calves showed a small but notable dominance-related difference. These findings highlight that upper-limb strength asymmetries, particularly in the shoulders, are more pronounced due to the unilateral demands of bowling, whereas lower-limb and core muscles may benefit from more symmetrical loading. The study emphasizes the importance of targeted strength training to correct muscular imbalances, enhance performance, and reduce injury risk, and calls for further research into the long-term impacts of strength asymmetry on athletic performance and durability

Modelling post-earthquake building recovery under human resource constraints

Demand surge phenomenon as a result of shortages of human resources needed for post-disaster recovery and reconstruction can be detrimental to recovery outcomes. To quantify the impact of human resource constraints on the recovery of an urban environment, this research introduces a novel Dynamic Stochastic Queuing (DSQ) model, revealing such dynamic interplays over time. Central to this model is the incorporation of a spectrum of socioeconomic factors to formulate optimal recovery strategies under different dynamic resource mobilisation patterns. A recovery efficiency index is defined and employed as a proxy to facilitate comparisons across diverse recovery strategies. A case study is presented to illustrate the application of the model by simulating the building recovery of a portfolio of residential buildings in New Zealand following the 2010–2011 Canterbury Earthquake Sequence (CES). The findings indicate that proactive resource mobilisation strategies can significantly enhance both recovery efficiency and speed. It becomes possible to shorten the post-disaster recovery time significantly by strategically sequencing repairs of damaged structures while taking into account resource mobilisation strategies

A descriptive study exploring the potential benefits of a model train club community for children with developmental disabilities

Approximately 1 in 100 individuals in New Zealand are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), facing significant challenges in socialisation and communication. Identifying effective methods to enhance these skills is important, as difficulties can lead to adversity in independent living, employment, and relationships. Research indicates that utilising items of interest can boost social interaction motivations in autistic individuals. For example, Le Goff’s study demonstrated how structured, interest-based activities like LEGO can promote social engagement. Building on Le Goff’s (2004) findings, this study examined opportunities for facilitating social interactions and communication among autistic children through a model train club. A mixed-methods approach was applied, gathering data via observations, caregiver interviews, a volunteer focus group, and case studies. Observational data confirmed instances of social interaction and engagement with trains. Caregiver interviews revealed the club’s beneficial impact on their children and their reasons for ongoing involvement. The volunteer focus group expressed dedication to maintaining an inclusive and engaging atmosphere, emphasising the club's social value. Meanwhile, case studies showed that neurodivergent individuals participated in social interactions, joint attention, and engagement with trains within this environment. The findings indicate that the model train club is a valuable space for neurodivergent children, particularly those with milder autism, to practice and improve their social interaction skills in a supportive setting

Talking technology into the future

From its very inception in the 1980s Professor Marc de Vries has been a strong advocate for and supportive of the Technology Education in the New Zealand curriculum, its philosophical underpinning and pedagogical approaches. This support has always been very much appreciated by the technology education community in New Zealand. In addition Marc’s support has given the curriculum ‘mana’ [prestige] both within New Zealand and internationally. Like many countries around the world New Zealand has had its challenges in implementing and maintaining technology as part of the taught curriculum. There has been and is currently a reluctance to see and understand that serious and rigourous curriculum can be both academic and practical in nature. This duality is both a strength and a threat to technology. This chapter presents the authors’s SWOT [Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats] analysis of technology in New Zealand, taking into consideration the past while walking with head held high into the future drawing on her experiences as a teacher, teacher educator, researcher and curriculum developer in technology education from 1996 to the current day