Parallelisms and Contrasts in the Diverse Ecologies of the Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Borrelia burgdorferi Complexes of Bacteria in the Far Western United States.

Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Borrelia burgdorferi are two tick-borne bacteria that cause disease in people and animals. For each of these bacteria, there is a complex of closely related genospecies and/or strains that are genetically distinct and have been shown through both observational and experimental studies to have different host tropisms. In this review we compare the known ecologies of these two bacterial complexes in the far western USA and find remarkable similarities, which will help us understand evolutionary histories and coadaptation among vertebrate host, tick vector, and bacteria. For both complexes, sensu stricto genospecies (those that infect humans) share a similar geographic range, are vectored mainly by ticks in the Ixodes ricinus-complex, utilize mainly white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) as a reservoir in the eastern USA and tree squirrels in the far west, and tend to be generalists, infecting a wider variety of vertebrate host species. Other sensu lato genospecies within each complex are generally more specialized, occurring often in local enzootic cycles within a narrow range of vertebrate hosts and specialized vector species. We suggest that these similar ecologies may have arisen through utilization of a generalist tick species as a vector, resulting in a potentially more virulent generalist pathogen that spills over into humans, vs. utilization of a specialized tick vector on a particular vertebrate host species, promoting microbe specialization. Such tight host-vector-pathogen coupling could also facilitate high enzootic prevalence and the evolution of host immune-tolerance and bacterial avirulence

Giving voice to the ‘silent majority’

"There appears to be a widespread assumption that there is a ‘silent majority’ of people who support proposals but do not make submissions, and that those who do make submissions tend to be opposed and therefore do not reflect the true state of public opinion. The New Zealand Wind Energy Association (a membership-based wind industry association) suggested that it would be useful to examine whether this was actually the case, in respect to wind farms in particular. As researchers we were also interested in the broader question of why non-submitters might not be participating in formal planning processes, so we developed our research to address two questions: (a) how do non-submitters’ perspectives of proposed wind farms differ from those of submitters; and (b) why do nonsubmitters not make submissions? While these questions are relevant to all development proposals, wind farms are an excellent context for inquiry because they are highly visible, and thus potentially have an impact on a geographically widespread population, and because they are known to create strong feelings of support or opposition." • Janet Stephenson is a social scientist with a particular interest in societal responses to environmental challenges. She is the Director of the Centre for Sustainability at the University of Otago. Rob Lawson is in the marketing department at the University of Otago. His special area of expertise is in the study of consumer behaviour, with strong interests in the development of marketing theory. Policy Quarterly – Volume 9, Issue 1 – February 201

The planning framework for Maori land : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Resource and Environmental Planning at Massey University

The thesis examines the relationship between Maori land and the resource management planning framework within New Zealand, within an analytical framework of the Treaty of Waitangi and contemporary indigenous collaborative management regimes. Maori land is a unique class of land in New Zealand, representing the remains of tribal lands still in Maori ownership. Maori traditional forms of resource management were integrally linked with tenure and the allocation of use-rights, but legislation and practices introduced following the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi transformed the tenure system and gave no recognition to Maori resource management practices. Maori land and Maori needs were virtually ignored by planning legislation while the Maori Land Court carried out a central role in planning decisions relating to Maori land. From 1977, planning law gave some recognition of Maori values, which over time influenced the development of district scheme provisions relating to the use of Maori land. The 1991 Resource Management Act gave Maori issues greater prominence, but when translated into district plan provisions failed to give Maori any significant role in resource management on their own land. Contemporary Maori concerns about the planning framework include its lack of recognition of Maori as a legitimate resource authority, the lack of incorporation of the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi, and the failure to give any real effect to the concept of rangatiratanga. The Waitangi Tribunal has also identified shortcomings of the current planning framework in terms of the principles of the Treaty. These findings, together with current trends such as the development of iwi/hapu management plans; the growth of parallel services for Maori in education and health; and the increasing international recognition of indigenous land and resource management rights, challenge the current planning regime as it relates to Maori land. Contemporary planning needs to recognise its basis in a dual heritage by reshaping its institutions and laws so as to accommodate the co-existence of an indigenous planning system. It is suggested that this be by way of collaborative management agreements whereby resource management planning responsibilities for Maori land are largely devolved to iwi within a framework delineating national requirements for sustainable management

Social Acceptance of Renewable Electricity Developments in New Zealand

A report for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation AuthorityThis report, and the research which informs it, was commissioned by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA). Its purpose is to examine whether societal acceptance issues are significantly limiting the establishment of new REG projects, and to identify the key characteristics of social acceptance/resistance to REG in the New Zealand context. It draws inspiration in part from the Create Acceptance7 project (part of the European Commission’s Sixth Framework Programme) which set out to examine why in practice many renewable energy projects in Europe were facing strong resistance from stakeholders8, often proving to be a far bigger stumbling block than either technology or costs.9 Create Acceptance (Cultural Influences on Renewable Energy Acceptance and Tools for the development of communication strategies to promotE ACCEPTANCE among key actor groups) was particularly focused on the adoption of new energy technologies and practices (including household energy efficiency, biofuels, solar energy, bio-energy and carbon capture and storage) and aimed to help those implementing innovative new energy technologies to deal with societal acceptance issues. Subsequently, a tool (labelled ESTEEM10) was developed to assist in acceptance of new and innovative REG projects by applying a structured process, facilitated by an external consultant, to identify stakeholders and to work with the project manager to resolve potential issues at an early stage in the process. However, conditions in Europe are not the same as in New Zealand, and it is unclear whether such a tool is needed in New Zealand, nor indeed whether a lack of social acceptance is causing problems for achieving targets for the types of REG that are occurring in NZ. This project therefore sets out to examine social acceptance of REG technologies being utilised in the New Zealand situation. It aims to establish some empirical and qualitative evidence of acceptance (and resistance) relating to renewable electricity generation projects (hydro dams, wind farms, geothermal and marine energy) over the past 10 years. The study also seeks to identify what types of socially determined issues pose significant barriers for REG projects, and whether this differs between types of electricity generation

A summary of options for reducing greenhouse gas emissions on New Zealand livestock farms

The purpose of this report is to provide a high-level summary of the current options that are available to New Zealand livestock farmers to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Greenhouse gases include biological emissions (e.g. methane and nitrous oxide) and energy-related emissions (carbon dioxide). The report contains hyperlinks and references which provide more detail on these options. Key findings New Zealand’s agricultural greenhouse gas emissions profile is dominated by biological greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane and nitrous oxide. Approximately 90% of these emissions are attributed to livestock farming, particularly dairy farming and to a lesser extent, sheep and beef farming. Current options for reducing biological emissions centre around farm management changes; toward high efficiency and high value production with lower inputs. Lower stocking rates, improved breeding and animal health, effluent management and low nitrogen inputs are key strategies but must be considered at the whole farm system level and often require increased farmer skill. There is no single ‘best’ reduction method: different farm locations, soils, farmers and farm systems will require different solutions. Modelling of farm systems across New Zealand suggest that widespread adoption of current best practice low-emissions farming could result in absolute reductions in agricultural sector biological emissions of up to10%. Research is active into new options such as methane and nitrification inhibitors, feed and crop systems, soil carbon and methane vaccines. Energy-related emissions are a relatively small contributor to overall emissions but may be “low-hanging fruit”. Electric vehicles are already cost-effective and methods for improving farm energy efficiency have been available for many years. Farmers can also invest in renewable energy generation, such as solar or biogas from effluent (for larger farms)

"Property Purgatory"

Climate change will place increasing numbers of homeowners in ‘property purgatory’, a state of financial insecurity arising from the foreseeability of eventual damage and uncertainty about means to recover their losses. The impacts of climate change-induced sea level rise and storm events are now certain, and exposed properties will likely incur insurance, mortgage and value loss. These effects could occur prior to physical damage, and existing inequities will be magnified. Current legal and institutional arrangements offer no clear pathway for those affected to recover funds in order to relocate themselves. We position property purgatory as an immediate practical challenge for those affected seeking to recover their losses, and as a legal question regarding undefined responsibilities of central and local government

Energy cultures: A framework for understanding energy behaviours

Achieving a ‘step-change’ in energy efficiency behaviours will require enhanced knowledge of behavioural drivers, and translation of this knowledge into successful intervention programmes. The ‘Energy Cultures’ conceptual framework aims to assist in understanding the factors that influence energy consumption behaviour, and to help identify opportunities for behaviour change. Building on a history of attempts to offer multi-disciplinary integrating models of energy behaviour, we take a culture-based approach to behaviour, while drawing also from lifestyles and systems thinking. The framework provides a structure for addressing the problem of multiple interpretations of ‘behaviour’ by suggesting that it is influenced by the interactions between cognitive norms, energy practices and material culture. The Energy Cultures framework is discussed in the context of a New Zealand case study, which demonstrates its development and application. It has already provided a basis for cross-disciplinary collaboration, and for multi-disciplinary research design, and has provided insights into behavioural change in a case study community. As the conceptual basis of a 3-year research project, the framework has further potential to identify clusters of ‘energy cultures’ – similar patterns of norms, practices and/or material culture – to enable the crafting of targeted actions to achieve behaviour change

Blueskin People Power - a toolkit for community engagement.

Report Commissioned by Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authorit

Heterogeneity in household preferences for energy-efficient heating systems

This paper reports analysis of the results of two stated-choice surveys to elicit the preferences of New Zealand homeowners for attributes of improvements in space and water heating systems. We implement the survey using web-based software especially well-suited to exploration of heterogeneity in preferences across participants; independently for each participant it provides estimates of the relative strength of preference for each attribute. Cluster analysis reveals five groups of participants with similar patterns of preferences. Interestingly, the cluster comprising people who prefer to avoid a large upfront expenditure – those targeted by current subsidy policy – is the smallest of the five clusters. The attributes of most concern to each of the other four groups suggest alternative policy interventions

The Dunedin Energy Study 2015-2016

The Dunedin Energy Baseline Study is a joint research project between the Dunedin City Council (DCC) and the Centre for Sustainability at the University of Otago. The study takes stock of and analyses energy inputs to the city of Dunedin for the 2015 calendar year and 2016 financial year. This report builds on the Dunedin Energy Baseline Study which took stock of the year 2014. This study is an action under the DCC’s Energy Plan 1.0, which recognises the need to encourage research that will enable monitoring of Dunedin's energy uses and inputs. This study will also help inform and assist with implementing other Energy Plan 1.0's actions, such as the Night City action (improve lighting efficiency) and Cosy Homes action (improving heating of homes). The study was conducted between December 2016 and February 2017. The data collected was for inputs of consumer energy to Dunedin from 1 January 2015 to 30 June 2016. The findings provide an estimation of the total amount of each fuel type used within the city, with some indication of the main end uses of energy, and energy-related greenhouse gas emissions. Precise data was not available for some fuel types and where this is the case we explain the method of estimation and reason for the uncertainty. The project relied heavily on the willingness of many businesses and organisations to supply data. The project partners are extremely grateful to all participating individuals and organisations who dedicated a considerable amount of time to sourcing, compiling and providing relevant data. Throughout the report, 2015CY refers to calendar year (1 January – 31 December 2015) and 2016FY refers to financial year (1 July 2015 – 30 June 2016)