Understanding values associated with stormwater remediation options in marine coastal ecosystems: A case study from Auckland, New Zealand

This paper describes the design and implementation of a choice experiment to understand Aucklanders’ preferences for environmental qualities associated with the effects of urban run-off on marine coastal environments. Auckland’s coastal environments are affected by a range of ecological and human factors. While much research has been undertaken in the area of ecology, little is understood of human preferences for coastal environments and their management. An unlabelled choice experiment was developed with three environmental quality attributes specified at three broad coastal categories. The environmental qualities are ecological health, water clarity, and underfoot conditions. Willingness to pay estimates for these attributes indicates that respondents show a strong preference for improved environmental quality at outer coastal beach locations over middle and upper harbour locations. Water quality leads ecological health, then underfoot conditions in importance at beach locations. An application is discussed in which a hypothetical project consisting of policy and engineering components delivers changes in water quality and underfoot conditions in the Auckland upper harbour areas. A 95% confidence estimate of the money value of that change ranges from $783 m. to$ 1,122 b. The key outcome is demonstration of the choice experiment as a statistically robust and flexible approach to making sense of Aucklanders’ complex preferences for coastal ecosystem management.Environmental Economics and Policy, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods,

The ecology and early life history of Notolabrus celidotus (Pisces: Labridae) around mussel farms in the Marlborough Sounds

The early life history of the labrid fish Noto!abrus celidotus (spotties) was studied around mussel farms in the Marlbrough Sounds. In both Kenepuru and Pelorus Sounds, juvenile fish (<120 mm SL) were most abundant among the shallow macro-algae of natural inshore areas. Relatively few small juveniles (<80 mm SL) were observed within mussel farms, while large juvenile and adult spotties were abundant near mooring blocks. The effect of temporal variation was only to enhance these spatial patterns. A manipulative experiment showed that some newly recruited juveniles were also closely associated with encrusting algae and sessile invertebrates on mooring ropes. However, since more than 85% of new recruits were observed in the macro-algae of natural inshore areas it appears that most spotties observed on mussel farms migrated there from inshore. Spotties were twice as abundant in Pelorus Sound as compared to Kenepuru, possibly due to greater macro-algal habitat for juvenile development. However, the density of new recruits was inversely related to the densities of juvenile and adult fish. A plankton survey during a period of peak spawning showed that, like newly recruited spotties, egg numbers were higher in Kenepuru Sound and inversely related to the densities of juvenile and adult fish. The importan·ce of locai hydrology is discussed with regard to the abundance patterns of these early life history stages. From histological examinations of mature spotties in both Kenepuru and Pelorus Sounds, periods of peak spawning were identified. Using age classes, growth rates of these fish were also determined. These were significantly greater in Kenepuru Sound, where densities were significantly lower. The paucity of shallow macro-algal habitat may act as a bottleneck in Kenepuru Sound, affecting juvenile densities. After this early period of dependence on macro-algae, spotties in Kenepuru Sound appear to grow very quickly compared to those in Pelorus Sound and other areas of New Zealand

Age, growth, movement and reproductive biology of blue cod (Parapercis colias - Pinguipedidae) : implications for fisheries management in the South Island of New Zealand

This thesis addresses several issues that need resolving before population age/length structure, growth rates, movement and reproductive biology of blue cod (Parapercis colias) can be properly understood. It provides validations of stock assessment methodologies that are perquisites to the analysis of population data to assist in the sustainable management of South Island blue cod. Chapters two and three deal with age and growth, initially by validating otoliths and comparing other aging methods. Length at age models were then compared among regions of the Marlborough Sounds. Female blue cod showed no detectable differences in growth, but males differed among areas within the extreme and outer Pelorus Sound strata, and between strata in both Pelorus and Queen Charlotte Sounds. Growth was fastest in the extreme outer strata of both Sounds. Results were then considered in terms of fishing pressure, catch-per unit- effort, sex ratios, female fecundity, and sex inversion to conclude that stock assessment of this species should be done at a smaller spatial scale than is currently used. Chapters four and five described the movement patterns of blue cod in terms of current stock boundaries in Southland. From both laboratory and field trials, tagging methods were optimised to retention of 88% over two years and a 5.9% return rate. A total of 9368 blue cod were then tagged within Foveaux Strait (fishing statistical area 025) using a balanced stratified series of replicated sites (n=9) within three latitudinal and three longitudinal strata. Three different bottom habitat types were also identified and included opportunistically into the model. After 20 months, 743 blue cod had been returned (7.9%). The largest distance moved was 156 km, however the median was only 800 meters, 60% moving less than 1 km. The habitats that blue cod were released into had no effect on distance moved. However, spatial location was an important but complex determinant of distance travelled. A strong trend toward countercurrent, north-west movements was evident and mixing rate calculations showed higher levels of emigration to the west and immigration from the east of area 025. A significant increase in the proportion of blue cod moving in the spring of both 1998 and 1999 further implied some seasonal migration associated with spawning. Mixing rate calculations showed moderate mixing with neighbouring areas (up to 14.7%). However, mixing was considerably higher between sub-areas within area 025 (up to 44.1 % ) suggesting that blue cod stocks are relatively stable at the fishing statistical return area scale. Chapter six provided compelling evidence that blue cod are diandric protogynous hermaphrodites. Although males may be predominantly harvested, this is unlikely to cause fecundity problems, as sexual succession is relatively flexible. Observations of gonad developmental showed that Southland blue cod spawn from October through to January. Southland blue cod are not sexually dichromatic, however, macroscopic gonad observations are an acceptable sexing technique. The final Chapter of this thesis discusses these findings and their implications for future blue cod fisheries management

Cultural value and cultural policy:Some evidence from the world of live music

This article considers live music policy in relation to wider debates on the cultural (as opposed to instrumental) value of the arts. The findings are based on research into amateur/enthusiast, state-funded and commercial concerts across a range of genres – classical, traditional folk, jazz, singer–songwriter and indie – using the Edinburgh Queen’s Hall venue as a case study. We argue that (1) articulations of the cultural or intrinsic value of live music across genres tend to lapse back into descriptions of instrumental value; (2) although explanations vary from audiences, artists and promoters as to why they participate in live music, they also share certain characteristics across genres and sometimes challenge stereotypes about genre-specific behaviours; and (3) there are lessons to be learned for live music policy from examining a venue that plays host to a range of genres and promotional practices

Being together and separate: a grounded theory study of the experience of first-time fathers during childbirth

This grounded theory study explored the experience of first-time fathers during the time of birth with the aim of developing a conceptual framework to explain how they managed the process. In sharp contrast to the recognised maternity care practices of a generation ago, most fathers in New Zealand are currently expected to be present when their babies are born. There has been little New Zealand-based research to determine what the birth experience is like for fathers. Because contemporary fathers are expected to fulfil a major role in the care and support of mother and baby from pregnancy through to new parenthood and beyond, exploring the experience of fathers during birth is a way to understand part of the childbirth process from the perspective of husbands or partners in the developing new family. Eleven first-time fathers from the North Island of New Zealand participated in antenatal and postnatal interviews that were conducted over a 20-month period. Transcripts were analysed using grounded theory processes of coding, constant comparative analysis and theoretical sampling, and a conceptual diagram was developed to explain the core process which was discovered, namely, 'being together and separate'. It emerged that fathers could feel separate from the birth process, together with the birth process and at times they could experience both positions concurrently. Influences on participants' experience of 'being together and separate' included social expectations, the level of control that participants wished to have during the birth and the ways in which fathers were drawn in or excluded by wives/partners and maternity caregivers. The ways in which maternity caregivers responded to the involvement of fathers in the birth process was found to have a significant impact on the participants' experience of the process. Implications for the practice of maternity caregivers and childbirth educators are the importance of assessing each father's needs antenatally and of assisting them to develop strategies for participating comfortably in the birth experience. The relevance of supporting fathers to participate in the childbirth process at a level that promotes positive birth outcomes for the entire expectant family is demonstrated, and some practical strategies are provided that can assist health professionals and others to support fathers

Age, growth, movement and reproductive biology of blue cod (Parapercis colias - Pinguipedidae) : implications for fisheries management in the South Island of New Zealand

This thesis addresses several issues that need resolving before population age/length structure, growth rates, movement and reproductive biology of blue cod (Parapercis colias) can be properly understood. It provides validations of stock assessment methodologies that are perquisites to the analysis of population data to assist in the sustainable management of South Island blue cod. Chapters two and three deal with age and growth, initially by validating otoliths and comparing other aging methods. Length at age models were then compared among regions of the Marlborough Sounds. Female blue cod showed no detectable differences in growth, but males differed among areas within the extreme and outer Pelorus Sound strata, and between strata in both Pelorus and Queen Charlotte Sounds. Growth was fastest in the extreme outer strata of both Sounds. Results were then considered in terms of fishing pressure, catch-per unit- effort, sex ratios, female fecundity, and sex inversion to conclude that stock assessment of this species should be done at a smaller spatial scale than is currently used. Chapters four and five described the movement patterns of blue cod in terms of current stock boundaries in Southland. From both laboratory and field trials, tagging methods were optimised to retention of 88% over two years and a 5.9% return rate. A total of 9368 blue cod were then tagged within Foveaux Strait (fishing statistical area 025) using a balanced stratified series of replicated sites (n=9) within three latitudinal and three longitudinal strata. Three different bottom habitat types were also identified and included opportunistically into the model. After 20 months, 743 blue cod had been returned (7.9%). The largest distance moved was 156 km, however the median was only 800 meters, 60% moving less than 1 km. The habitats that blue cod were released into had no effect on distance moved. However, spatial location was an important but complex determinant of distance travelled. A strong trend toward countercurrent, north-west movements was evident and mixing rate calculations showed higher levels of emigration to the west and immigration from the east of area 025. A significant increase in the proportion of blue cod moving in the spring of both 1998 and 1999 further implied some seasonal migration associated with spawning. Mixing rate calculations showed moderate mixing with neighbouring areas (up to 14.7%). However, mixing was considerably higher between sub-areas within area 025 (up to 44.1 % ) suggesting that blue cod stocks are relatively stable at the fishing statistical return area scale. Chapter six provided compelling evidence that blue cod are diandric protogynous hermaphrodites. Although males may be predominantly harvested, this is unlikely to cause fecundity problems, as sexual succession is relatively flexible. Observations of gonad developmental showed that Southland blue cod spawn from October through to January. Southland blue cod are not sexually dichromatic, however, macroscopic gonad observations are an acceptable sexing technique. The final Chapter of this thesis discusses these findings and their implications for future blue cod fisheries management

Going with it to get it done : student nurse perceptions of the influences of preceptors on their learning in clinical practice

Aim To explore the perceptions of BN student nurses regarding the influence of preceptors on their clinical learning Research question What helps or hinders BN students’ learning from preceptors during clinical placements? The Nursing Council of New Zealand education standards stipulate that students completing a programme of study leading to registration as registered nurses (RNs) must complete between 1100-1500 clinical hours. This occurs in healthcare settings where students work alongside RNs. Known as preceptors, these RNs supervise, teach and sometjmes assess students. Within these preceptor-student interactions, the future of nursing is co-created as students begin to develop their own professional identities. Previous research has determined that the student-preceptor relationship is complex and challeng­ing on many levels for both parties. In New Zealand in particular, little is known about how students manage to successfully achieve their clinical competencies in environments that are not always conducive to their learning. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore student nurse perceptions of the influences of pre­ceptors during clinical placements. Twenty-three third year students from a New Zealand nursing school participated during their transition semesters prior to the Nursing Council State Final Ex­amination. Data gathered from focus groups and individual interviews were analysed using a general inductive approach (Thomas, 2006). The themes identified were 'the Learning Environment; 'The Student-Preceptor Relationship' and 'Managing the Challenges'. Knowledge generated by this study adds breadth and depth to what is already known about the student-preceptor relationship and has potential benefits for students, nursing schools and health­care facilities which provide clinical experience for students. It implies that knowing informs what may be done in order to nurture the very foundation of nursing's future - today's student nurses