FASSGRAD 2013: Postgraduate Conference
S BLOCK, S.1.03, S1.05
PROGRAMME
DAY ONE, MONDAY 11th November
8.30–9.00
8.45-9.00
Registration (pick up conference packs)
Whakatau (Welcome) Tiniwai Te Whetu
9.00–10.00
KEYNOTE ADDRESS:
S.1.03
Karen Morrison-Hume, Director, Anglican Action
Becoming fully human – integrating all the parts
Karen Morrison-Hume is the Director of
Anglican Action, and has championed a range
of social justice initiatives, including the creation
of the Te Ara Hou social services village in
Hamilton. Under her leadership, Anglican
Action has expanded its remit and now provides
a range of services, including accommodation
for women and children at the Cross Rose
Residential Centre, residential support for exprisoners in their return to society, affordable
counseling and therapy, a youth mentoring service, whānau and community
services.
“When I left the University of Waikato with my Social Science degree as a
mature student in 1996, I felt passionate and confident about going into the world
as a social change agent (or revolutionary!). My academic programme had
equipped me to think more critically and structurally, to understand the many
complex strands that created and shaped individuals, communities and societies
and to think about the many ways that movements for change could be created.
Over the past 17 years as Missioner and leader at Anglican Action, a social
justice and service mission in the Waikato, I have been given many great
opportunities to be creative, meet incredible people, participate in extraordinary
networks and peer relationships that have taken my academic life to new levels
of praxis and experience. I remain passionate and committed to the pursuit of
“justice through service” and am fortunate to be supported by an amazing family
and collegial whanau and inspired by the many lives that have walked through
our doors in search of liberation and true humanity.”
10.00-10.20
Morning Tea
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10.20-11.20
GENDER
Chair: Cherie Todd
S.1.03
 How do we grieve? Examining how Samoan men and their families deal with
death and bereavement experiences
Byron Seiuli
 Men migration and women left-behind: Changing agency of women
Binod Chapagain
 Policy translation and empowerment: exploring multiple meanings in ‘thick
descriptions’
Gauri Nandedkar
11.20-11.25
Changeover
11.25-12.25
ENVIRONMENT
Chair: Kumudika Boyagoda
S.1.03
 A match made in crisis: a self-organised, youth volunteer response to crisis
events
Sarah Lockwood
 Citizen science: Measuring the success of environmental restoration projects
Monica Peters
 Climate change policy in Maldives: An analysis of the National Adaptation
Programme of Action
Mohammed Zuhair
11.25-12.05
HEALTH
Chair; Chandra Pandey
S.1.05
 Korean migrants' attitudes and experiences of psychological disorder,
mental health and mental health services in New Zealand
Leah Min Kyung Oh
 Intellectual disability, young people and sexuality education
Stephanie George
12.25-1.20
Lunch
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1.20-2.20
EDUCATION AND LANGUAGE
Chair: TBA
S.1.03
 Perspectives on in-class English grammar teaching from Chinese English
teachers and students
Lin He
 Language learner autonomy: Case study research into teachers' practice
and beliefs
Yi Wang
 Capturing teacher educators’ journeys of shaping their pedagogical practice:
A grounded theory analysis using various QDA tools
Aminath Adam
1.20-2.20
KINSHIP AND COMMUNITY
Chair: Gail Adams
S.1.05
 Darwin, kinship, and Wuthering Heights
Emma Nelson
 Tuia te here tangata! Fastening the threads of marae communities
Jade Aikman-Dodd
 Sustainable development discourse (with a focus on community based
ecotourism)
Chaminda Kumara
2.20-2.25
Changeover
2.25-3.25
BEYOND FICTION
Chair: Craig Hight
S.1.03
 Spain's political, economic and social realities through humour
Ellis Schriefer
 The Forever War and the Vietnam War
Blair Nicholson
 By its very nature: Exploring a fantasy
Matt Elder
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3.25-4.00
POSTER SESSION and Afternoon Tea
 Body weight as a motivating operation: the effect of body weight on
demand
Tegan Andrews
 Smoking during pregnancy
Amanda Drewer
 A match made in crisis: a self-organised, youth volunteer response to
crisis events
Sarah Lockwood
4.00-5.00
DISCOURSE I
Chair: Nick Braae
S.1.03
 Why forgive? In search of a pure motive
Cameron Surrey
 Babe(s): An exploration of intersectional discourses of sexism and
speciesism from the positionality of feminist-vegans in Aotearoa, New
Zealand
Courtney White
 The ethics of reading
Melanie Dougan
* * * Day One ends * * *
5.30
Anti-Thesis @ Momento
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DAY TWO, TUESDAY 12th November
8.30-9.50
METHODS
Chair: TBA
S.1.03
 ‘E nā kānaka o ka ‘āina’: People of the Land
Michelle Johansson
 What is wrong with “entertainment” in theatre?
Moira Fortin and Michele Fontana
 Every analysis tells a story: The case of New Zealand popular music
Nick Braae
 Creative sampling practices in the music of Portishead
Jeffrey Wragg
9.50-10.10
Morning Tea
10.10-11.10
COMMUNITIES OF PRACTICE
Chair: Anita Abbott
S.1.03
 Documentary media far and wide: the role of catalyst in the digital
documentary experience
Ben Lenzner
 Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans? Talking and playing
jazz in present-day Wellington, New Zealand
Nick Tipping
 What’s in a name? Cultural and emotional predicament of Asian
immigrants to the western countries as seen in two Pakistani novels in
English
Sabina Rehman
11.10-11.15
Changeover
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11.15-12.15
DISCOURSE II
Chair: Ben Lenzner
S.1.03
 Pains of “recolonization” and “indigenous colonialism’: Shakespeare’s
legacy?
Lekan Balogun
 American firearms policy and politics: a comprehensive literature review
Brendan Madley
 Game Theory in a Napoleonic context
Gareth Ranger
12.15-1.15
Careers Workshop and Lunch
1.15-2.15
TOURISM
Chair: Steve Cantwell
S.1.03
 Cultural heritage tourism: Can sustainable development be implemented?
Ilham Junaid
 Dog sledding in Queenstown: Mushing the dog and human relationships
together
Sandi Ringham
 Ethnic tourism in Northern Thailand
Laura Phillips
2.15-2.20
Changeover
2.20-3.20
WELFARE
Chair: Gemma Piercey
S.1.03
 Welfare reform: its impact on women as mothers and workers
Bronwyn Scott
 Perceptions of men who are perpetrators of domestic violence, on the
effects of violence on children, the mothers of those children, and on their
role as parent
Claire Troon
 Housing in New Zealand: Contemporary problems and future solutions
Liam Thomas
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3.20-3.40
Afternoon tea
3.40-5.00
CONFLICT AND CIVIL SOCIETY
Chair: Simon Gray
S.1.03
 Crude oil on the economy: the case of New Zealand
John Kalu
 Promoting decentralisation and grassroots development in Sri Lanka –
non-state actors and local government
Indi Akurugoda
 Embedded humanitarian action by, and humanitarian engagement with,
non-state armed groups (NSAGs): The case of NSAGs in the borderlands
of Burma/ Myanmar
Stan Jagger
 The role of civil society in resolving insurgency in Southern Thailand
Kayanee Boonpunth
* * * * Conference ends * * * *
6:00
Cocktails @ The Station
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CONFERENCE NOTES
A note to all speakers and members of the audience:
1. Please ensure that you remain for the whole of the session, whether you are
attending as a presenter or member of the audience.
2. Please ensure that your mobile phone is turned off.
AWARDS FOR BEST PRESENTATIONS
A prize of $500 will be awarded for the best presentation given on each
day of the conference.
Ensure your presentation goes without a hitch by making yourself familiar with the
venue before you present. You are welcome to practise your talk in rooms S.1.03
and S.1.05, when they are free:
S.1.03 will be free before the start of sessions each day and during the breaks for
morning and afternoon teas.
S.1.05 will be free for the duration of the conference except between 11.20am and
2pm on Monday 11th November.
You will be assessed on the content of your paper (evidence of research and
uderstanding of the topic), the clarity of your arguments and critical analysis, and
your presentation skills.
Previous Winners of the FASSGRAD Best Paper Awards
FASSGRAD 2012
Emalani Case, PhD candidate, Pasifika/Pacific Studies, Victoria University of
Wellington:
Mai Ka Mole Mai: From the source: Towards an analysis of Hawaiian literature
Gauri Nandedkar, PhD candidate, Political Science and Public Policy,University of
Waikato:
From gender empowerment to inequalities among adolescents: An emerging
strategy for Goal 3 in the post-2015 MDG agenda
FASSGRAD 2011
Nick Braae, BMus, University of Waikato Conservatorium of Music:
New Zealand Music? Place and Identity in Songs by the Herbs and Don McGlashan
Kristie Cameron, PhD candidate, School of Psychology, University of Waikato:
Assessing Possums’ Food Preference and Demand
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FASS POSTGRADUATE EVENTS
During the two day period of FASSGRAD 2013, the Faculty of Arts and
Social Sciences is holding three additional events especially for
graduate and postgraduate students.
We extend a warm welcome to all three events to FASSGRAD 2013
participants, FASS graduate and postgraduate students and staff
CAREERS WORKSHOP TUESDAY 12 NOVEMBER, 12.30pm - 1.15pm, S. 1.03
LUNCHTIME - LUNCH PROVIDED!
Join us for a short careers workshop and Q&A with Careers Office Staff,
University of Waikato. All FASSGRAD 2013 participants and FASS Graduate and
Postgraduate students are welcome to attend. RSVP to Mary Melinn at the
conference or [email protected] if you plan to attend!
PLEASE JOIN US FOR TWO SOCIAL OCCASIONS DURING THE FASSGRAD
CONFERENCE IN 2013
Monday 11 November, 5.30-7.30pm, Momento Lakes Cafe: 'Anti-Thesis' Night
Come along to meet staff, mix and mingle, and (if you like) experiment with an open
mic for a ridiculous '1 minute thesis'. Two drinks are on us, and gorgeous food
platters will be served. A chance to talk with fellow students and staff about
anything other than the thesis!
Tuesday 12 November, 6-8pm, Station Cafe and Bar, Cocktail Party. Relax and
unwind with food and drinks after the conference, now that your presenting duties
are over - all welcome: staff, students, chairs of sessions, and graduate and
postgraduate students in FASS.
Drinks tickets for both nights will be given out to those who RSVP to Mary Melinn,
or at the door:
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ABSTRACTS
Aminath Adam
PhD candidate, Faculty of Education, University of Waikato
Capturing teacher educators’ journeys of shaping their pedagogical
practice: A grounded theory analysis using various QDA tools
Qualitative researchers often raise their concerns regarding the use of
technology and its ability to capture an in-depth story from qualitative data. This
paper describes the analysis process associated with my ethnographic data
which was generated through interviews, observations, focus groups, and the
‘hanging out’ approach. In investigating Maldivian teacher educators' use of
digital technologies in their pedagogical practices, I sought to make sense of
how their specific pedagogical practices were shaped by the Maldivian cultural
context. In order to generate their stories, I employed various qualitative data
analysis (QDA) software such as NVivo, Mindjet map, Inspiration 8 IE,
Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. My analysis process took place within
six steps adhering to grounded theory. These steps are: importing and
transcribing the data, open coding and seeking patterns, checking through
codes, seeking the big picture, seeking the connection between building blocks,
and outlining participants’ journeys. The explanation of the steps and how
various QDA tools were employed in the analysis process may contribute to the
understanding of analysing qualitative data through digital tools.
Jade Aikman-Dodd
Masters candidate, Anthropology and Archaeology Department, University of
Otago
Tuia te here tangata! Fastening the threads of marae communities
Marae, as representations of kin communities, are no exception to the raft of
cultural, economic, political, and social transformations that our community has
and continues to experience. As such, my research has shown a collection of
marae to be experiencing numerous struggles and challenges, but the great
reality is that such kin communities have endured and responded to such
challenges in unique and innovative ways. These innovations force us to
interrogate exactly what we mean when we speak of this thing ‘marae’, leading
to the conclusion that marae, as a concept, is an ever evolving phenomena that
shifts and changes with the influences of the day. Employing Barth’s boundary
metaphor, we are able to see the many boundaries marae communities
negotiate and maintain, leading to a distinct and interesting method of
examining marae. Thus, we are encouraged to reconceptualise marae not only
as physically bound spaces, but also as environment-receptive organisms that
transform alongside the ebb and flow of socio-political and economic
discourses. This thinking is helpful in accommodating the many Māori
descendants that live afar from their ancestral homelands, in rekindling the
essence of what marae really are.
1
Indi Akurugoda
PhD Candidate, Political Science & Public Policy Programme, University of
Waikato
Promoting decentralisation and grassroots development in Sri Lanka –
non-state actors and local government
Colonial governing structures and attitudes continue to influence life in Sri
Lanka. Over many centuries, the ancient monarchical system has been
transformed into a parliamentary system and a highly centralised approach to
government administration. Since independence in 1948, there have been
various proposals to restructure government in a way that decentralises powers
to provincial and local levels. Despite such efforts, powers continue to be
concentrated at the centre. In an important way, the existence of ethnochauvinist groups, which have supported successive governments, have
contributed to the rejection of decentralisation proposals. Local government
and grassroots-led development is undermined in this context, with serious
implications for much of the population. In this environment where the political
elite continue to support a centralised administration, non-state actors have
begun to play an important role in promoting grassroots development. Nonstate actors are at the forefront of endeavours to build communities in a society
which has wrestled with ethnic conflict, youth insurrections, the effects of
tsunami, and depressed socio-economic conditions. This paper, based on
research in the southern and eastern provinces of Sri Lanka, assesses the
significance of support from non-state actors in developing the capacity and
planning of local government, and in promoting grassroots development.
Lekan Balogun
PhD candidate, School of English, Film, Theatre and Media Studies, Victoria
University of Wellington
Pains of “recolonization” and “indigenous colonialism’: Shakespeare’s
legacy?
In Nigeria today, much as in the rest of the African continent, nothing sells more
than the news of ethnic and minority bloody clashes, religious fundamentalist
uprising among other local insurgencies in the guise of kidnapping, ritual
murder etc. The Boko Haram phenomenon, the continuing bloody discontent
and uprising in Egypt, not to talk of Darfur, Libya before and after Gaddafi
among other related brutalities. Nothing shocks more than the insensitivity and
insincerity of successive leadership the nation and continent have been
blessed (?) with. What obtains, are societies fraught with imbalance, the root
cause of which is colonial (mis) arrangement and the eruption of greed from
native political machinery, who find it a sport to plunder at will. The adaptation
of Shakespeare’s texts has afforded Third World writers the opportunity to
engage in a dialogue with their societies against the backdrop of the Bard’s
oeuvre and its global capacity to be utilized to dilate on specific postcolonial
reality. This paper examines the role of the writer as the conscience of the
people in a world taken over by irrationality. It also poses the question of
complicity by the oppressed masses in the continued plunder of their resources
and their own impoverishment.
2
Kayanee Boonpunth
PhD candidate, Political Science and Public Policy Programme, University of
Waikato
The role of civil society in resolving insurgency in Southern Thailand
From 2004, it has been almost 10 years since the upsurge of the insurgency in
the three southernmost provinces of Thailand. More than 5,000 people have
been brutally killed in this ethno-religious conflict. Both state and non-state
actors have played important roles in resolving the conflict. Where states had
failed, civil society actors were seen as a necessary party for conflict resolution.
Over a hundred civil society groups are involved in the attempted resolution of
the southern conflict. Some civil society groups have accumulated their
experiences and played significant roles in reducing the tension in these
provinces. Based on an analysis of a collection of works on civil society’s roles
in peacebuilding, and the researcher’s own experience, eight general roles of
civil society were found: Security Protector, Representative, Bridge-builder,
Relief Worker, Monitoring Observer, Academic, Public Communicator, and
Peace-builder. This paper will discuss the significant roles of civil society sector
involved in creating sustainable peace and how to enhance the effectiveness of
the civil society groups involved in resolving the conflict in the Deep South of
Thailand.
Nick Braae
PhD Candidate, Conservatorium of Music, University of Waikato
Every analysis tells a story: The case of New Zealand popular music
The field of New Zealand popular music studies has expanded in the last
decade, but scholars have rarely considered the music in analytical terms. This
paper begins by examining some of the issues that have hindered the
development of a wide-ranging analytical framework. The primary obstacle is a
cultural nationalist undercurrent; this attitude encourages a skewed vision of
New Zealand popular music by focusing on artists and songwriters whose
music is deemed to be distinct to, or connect with New Zealand (Zuberi 2007).
This paper offers an alternate analytical framework based on Leonard Meyer’s
style theory (Meyer 1989). This approach assumes that New Zealand artists
have derived their sounds and styles from abroad, but asks how, if at all, those
artists have developed or varied such styles. This approach, therefore, still
allows for the possibility off unique local sounds, but does not exclude any
artists from the analysis. The final section of this paper puts into practice this
method with a brief case study of the Herbs’ vocal arrangements. It is
demonstrated that the group adopted the structural components of reggae
vocals (from Bob Marley), but used production techniques influenced by Māori
hymn and choral music.
3
Binod Chapagain
PhD candidate, Development Studies, School of Archaeology and Anthropology,
The Australian National University, Canberra
Men migration and women left-behind: Changing agency of women
Migration of men to foreign employment, leaving their wives and families behind,
is a common trend in contemporary Nepal where nine out of ten emigrants are
men. This paper examines the capability of the women, taking Kabeer's
framework, to bargain and negotiate either individually or collectively in
community spaces after their husbands emigrate and they start performing
additional roles, particularly in the context where gender, caste and religion play
significant roles to determine the status of any individuals. The findings are based
on participant observations and in-depth interviews with the left-behind women
and family members in two geographical locations; a mountain and a plain district.
By assessing the changes of women's membership to community groups and
associations and their participation in collective decision making processes in the
research areas, this paper argues that Janajati (ethnic group) women in both
districts have got increased freedom to participate and bring their voices into
community decision-making processes, although the caste-based structure
favours the higher caste women. Similarly, despite the popular beliefs of
women's increased freedom in the plain region, the research found that women
in the hills have enjoyed more autonomy, which enables them to practise their
agency, going beyond the traditional household chores.
Melanie Dougan
PhD candidate, English Programme, University of Waikato
The ethics of reading
My project asks if we can have an encounter with the Other through the mediation
of literature. To answer this question I need a phenomenological description of
an encounter with the Other and a hermeneutics, which allows such an
encounter to occur. At this stage I am working on the first part of my project, the
encounter with the Other which I base on Emmanuel Levinas’ ethics. This paper
centres around a problem with the utilisation of Levinas’ work for this purpose;
he is, at times quite explicitly, anti-literature and adamant that the encounter with
the Other cannot occur through mediation but rather it is solely in the realm of
the face-to-face. Despite this problem, his work already features in many literary
readings and is gaining more popularity. I will look at Levinas’ arguments for why
literature does not give access to the transcendental and consider the
responsibilities literary readers have to the theorists that inform their readings.
4
Matt Elder
Honours student, English Programme, University of Waikato
By its very nature: Exploring a fantasy
Immersive fantasy is a literary genre that has been steadily increasing in public
awareness with the success of films such as The Lord of the Rings. My research
takes a contemporary example of immersive fantasy – Brandon Sanderson’s
Mistborn – and, through the text, postulates and explores the innate connection
between immersive fantasy and intersectional research. The combination of the
immersive literary structure, and the intersectional methodology, that allows
Mistborn to approach issues of race in unique and effective ways. Sanderson
creates a society of others that is sustained by fear, and a corrupt dictator’s
control of information. The world as we are introduced to it is born out of racism
but progresses to freedom and harmony. My study addresses the ways that
imagined racial boundaries can trap a society, as well as the suggested means
for transcending those boundaries.
Moira Fortin and Michele Fontana
PhD candidates, School of English, Film, Theatre, and Media Studies, Victoria
University of Wellington
What is wrong with “entertainment” in theatre?
In this paper, we want to articulate the concept of entertainment in theatre,
suggesting the idea that it is possible to go beyond the common and stereotypical
notion that what is “entertaining” is just something light, without cultural value,
and adequate only for an uncultivated audience. Entertainment can be defined
through two concepts: engagement and play. Engagement is an ‘emotional
involvement or commitment’. Play is one of the most ancient human activities,
and is ‘a free activity standing quite consciously outside “ordinary” life as being
“not serious”, but at the same time absorbing the player intensely and utterly’.
Thus, from the spectator’s point of view, to be entertained means to be engaged,
and in order to be engaged one has to play along, or in other words, one has to
take an active role in the performative event. The spectator can have an active
role in the play through different actions: from applauding, to laughing, to crying,
etc. Our point is that as long as the spectator has an active role, the play is
entertaining. In conclusion, if we consider entertainment as the emotional and
intense involvement of the spectator, this word can become an important
reference point to define the success of a play in every genre.
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Stephanie George
Honours candidate, Social Policy Programme, University of Waikato
Intellectual disability, young people and sexuality education
This is an exploratory study of the contested and sensitive issue of sexuality
education for young people with intellectual disabilities. The research is informed
by Objectives 9 and 13 of the New Zealand Disability Strategy (2001). Objective
9 states that the government should support lifestyle choices, recreation and
culture for disabled people. This includes supporting disabled people in making
their own choices about their relationships, sexuality and reproductive potential.
Objective 13 is to enable disabled children and youth to lead full and active lives.
This includes the provision and evaluation of educational initiatives about
sexuality, safety and relationships for disabled children and youth. This research
project explores various themes around sexuality education and intellectual
disability expressed in academic research, social policy, health promotion and
educational practice. The methodology includes a literature review of research
that has developed over the past 15 years in disability studies and sexuality
studies regarding issues of sexuality, relationships, reproductive potential and
sexuality education for youth with intellectual disabilities. The literature review
ties together important but disparate research and identifies knowledge gaps.
The second part of the research project adds New Zealand voices to the debate
through a focus group with 3 people who have expertise in sexual health
promotion and special education. Their stories will inform further research and
development in sexuality education for young people with intellectual disabilities.
Lin He
PhD candidate, School of Linguistics and Applied Language Studies,
Victoria University of Wellington
Perspectives on in-class English grammar teaching from Chinese
English teachers and students
In China, English is a compulsory course starting from junior high school and
extending to university level. Every student who registers with the national
teaching institutions needs to take an English course. Under this background,
English grammar teaching has been considered necessary and important for
Chinese English learners. However, the research on English grammar teaching
in China is very limited. More knowledge about the status quo of English
grammar teaching in China is needed. This study collected information about
how Chinese English teachers and students at university level perceive in-class
grammar teaching. How do teachers deliver English grammar knowledge? How
do students evaluate this way of teaching? And how do teachers and students
comment on grammar drills in their textbooks? Seven Chinese English teachers
and 12 students were interviewed. The results showed that teachers hold
different beliefs about in-classroom grammar teaching and tend to use different
ways to deliver English grammar knowledge. Students’ perspectives on grammar
teaching vary depending on their own knowledge of English grammar. Most
students find grammar drills unhelpful for several reasons. Teachers hold
different views on English grammar drills.
6
Stan Jagger
PhD Candidate, Political Science and Public Policy Programme, University of
Waikato
Embedded humanitarian action by, and humanitarian engagement with,
non-state armed groups (NSAGs): The case of NSAGs in the borderlands
of Burma/ Myanmar
Neutrality, impartiality and independence are seen as the cornerstones of major
international humanitarian non-governmental organisations (IHNGOs). However,
IHNGOs and UN agencies operate within the international system of recognised
states and international humanitarian law (IHL). Therefore, they are obliged to
respect state sovereignty. In Burma/ Myanmar, the host state government has,
until recently, denied access for most IHNGOs and UN agencies to ethnic
borderland areas controlled or contested by non-state armed groups (NSAGs).
As a consequence, other local cross-border aid organisations have operated in
coordination with some NSAGs. NSAGs, as parties to the conflict, are clearly
part of the problem since they oppose the central state and have provoked the
state’s counter-insurgency response over decades. However, some have
demonstrated they can also be a part of the solution through facilitating access
and security for local cross-border humanitarian organisations. Embedded
humanitarian action by NSAGs raises questions about the efficacy of
international liberal humanitarianism when host states are unwilling to allow
access to areas of conflict within their territory, and about the NSAG role in
assisting or promoting assistance that falls outside the accepted system of
recognised states. NSAGs from Karen, Mon, and Karenni states provide case
studies for the analysis of this activity.
Michelle Johansson
PhD candidate, Department of English, Drama and Writing Studies, University of
Auckland
‘E nā kānaka o ka ‘āina’: People of the Land
This paper interrogates the themes of afakasi hybridity, cultural authenticity and
cross-cultural meta-theatre in the dramatic works of Samoan playwright John
Kneubuhl as explored through my PhD in Creative Practice. The scope of my
research has included a pan-Pasifika production of Kneubuhl’s Hawaiian play
Mele Kanikau: A Pageant. This meant that part of my study has been staging a
large scale Hawaiian hula pageant which included a diverse cast of actors,
dancers and musicians who identified variously as Fijian, Niuean, Tongan,
Samoan, Rarotongan, Tuvaluan and Māori. The focus of this paper is the
practice-based research methodology utilized in the play’s production which has
been both a critical act and a means of interrogation. As the director and
playwright of a Polynesian theatre company, this presented the ideal opportunity
to fuse academic endeavor with creative passion. In a practical way, it allowed
me to embrace Pasifika ways of learning in the communal kaupapa of theatremaking, but also to critically analyse how Kneubuhl’s theatre blends Modernist
theatrical practices with the performance traditions of the Pacific. This paper
presents eight critical readings of Mele Kanikau through the lens of a single
moment in the playtext.
7
Ilham Junaid
PhD candidate, Geography, Tourism and Environmental Planning Programme,
University of Waikato
Cultural heritage tourism: Can sustainable development be implemented?
The Indonesian constitution has mandated the government to improve the
welfare of communities and to maintain cultural identity. Realizing the importance
of the mandate, different levels of government have adopted sustainability (or
sustainable development) in formulating tourism policies and planning. However,
the reality in the field shows that obstacles and challenges constrain the
implementation of sustainability. In general, the obstacles and challenges are
reflected in socio-economic conditions of the communities as well as political
issues. Furthermore, the gap between poor and the rich is a social reality that
must be resolved. The government could support sustainable cultural heritage
tourism to enable local people to create enterprises, to make and sell artefact
souvenirs or to obtain jobs in hotels, etc. This paper discusses two important
aspects (economic development and preservation of cultural heritage) with major
emphasis on achieving equitable economic benefits of cultural heritage tourism
for local and indigenous people in South Sulawesi province, Indonesia. It offers
an understanding of the importance of cultural heritage as an opportunity and
suggests policies for our country (Indonesia) to maintain its distinctive cultural
identity and for more people to improve their economic well-being.
John Kalu
PhD candidate, Political Science and Public Policy Programme, University of
Waikato
Crude oil on the economy: the case of New Zealand
Crude oil is a natural resource that has remained highly regarded and desired by
people and countries all over the world. It produces the world’s major source of
primary energy and, thus, is very crucial to the global economy. This product is
well priced in the international market, which makes it the catalyst that boosts a
country’s economy. The location of this resource in a country is considered an
advantage and in turn, spurs efforts to explore, produce and refine it.
Consequently, a glaring suspicion arises when a country is heavily endowed by
such a resource as this and yet, could not take advantage. This happens to be
the case of New Zealand, which still depends heavily on dairy, meat and wood
over crude oil. The contradiction gave rise to this research; to investigate the
cause and effect of avoiding the crude oil industry and the challenges facing the
country when developing the sector. The paper will draw from the modernization
theory which posits that “increases in a country’s income per capita would lead
to improvements in virtually every dimension of its wellbeing – political, socio
economic, effectiveness of its governance, more co-operations, accountability to
its people and enfranchisement of the women”.
8
Chaminda Kumara
PhD candidate, Geography, Tourism and Environmental Planning Programme,
University of Waikato
Sustainable development discourse (with a focus on community based
ecotourism)
The 1987 Bruntland report (Our Common Future) initiated widespread
discussion on sustainable development, especially issues associated with
environmental vulnerability and unlimited, uncontrolled economic development.
My research builds on this discourse on sustainable development with a special
focus on community based ecotourism practices in ‘southern peripheral’
countries. It is based on a literature review of six case studies in developing
countries. Two main contentions have been identified from this review. Firstly,
philosophical arguments regarding the needs of future generations are
complicated by not knowing what the needs of future generations will be. Future
needs will not be the same as those of the present generation, because
development needs depend on context, which changes over time and with
different places. The second contentious point is associated with capitalist
development ideologies. Sustainable development discourse has its roots in
capitalist northern hemisphere countries based on large multinational
corporations, while there are strong arguments for grass roots level
developments that are more socially, ecologically, and politically acceptable.
Ben Lenzner
PhD candidate, Screen and Media Studies Programme, University of Waikato
Documentary media far and wide: the role of catalyst in the digital
documentary experience
Gilles Deleuze’s early reflections on assemblage identify the idea of the diagram
as the framework to suggest the ways in which the assembling of technology and
human practices merge to create distinctive and innovative new assemblages.
Yet routinely it is the technological advances of the 21st century that receive the
most revered credit for shifts within online documentary culture. Essential to the
new and often undefined waves of digital documentary birthed in scattered
alcoves of social activism and human rights movements are the relationships
between the components of these assemblages. Particularly influential are the
facilitating agents spearheading the means to digital video literacy that allow
these narratives to be shared. From hackers working with the Syrian Free Army
teaching secure ways to upload video documents online to global non-profit
organizations like WITNESS to localized documentary film organizations offering
digital storytelling education in New Zealand, this paper will examine and critically
analyze the historically significant role of the facilitator within emerging global
documentary media practices.
9
Sarah Lockwood
PhD candidate, Management Communication, Waikato Management School,
University of Waikato
A match made in crisis: a self-organised, youth volunteer response to crisis
events
Due to increased frequencies of both global crises and unique responses to these
events by volunteering youth, there is growing need for research and theory in this
developing area. This paper seeks to build on existing literature and qualitative findings
from global crises to expand and deepen an understanding towards self-organised,
volunteering youth. Based on 55 in-depth interviews with volunteering youth and key
officials involved in the 2011 Rena Oil Spill crises, this paper draws on self-organising
theory to better understand how youth conceptualise crisis volunteering, and how their
generational characteristics affect their organising and communicative responses
during crises. Findings suggest that youth volunteers see crisis volunteering as
distinctly removed from traditional volunteering ideals; that their social connectedness,
use of technology and speed favourably position them during crisis response; and that
their unique self-organising methods are often more socially connected, better
communicated and more efficient than the official crisis response programmes.
However, the unpredictable and often spontaneous nature of volunteering youth can
also present a unique challenge for official response organisations. This paper offers
valuable evidence for both theoretical and institutional stakeholders concerned with
volunteering and crisis management, and calls for a review of current civil defence
policies.
Brendan Madley
Bachelor of Social Sciences, Political Science and Public Policy Programme,
University of Waikato
American firearms policy and politics: a comprehensive literature review
This paper is a comprehensive literature review of the peer-reviewed scholarship and
publications of political actors on the firearms policies and politics in the United States.
It has two main findings. Firstly, it finds that there is an academic consensus that the
implementation of so-called ‘gun control’ policies – namely restricting access of
firearms, licencing, conducting background checks and reducing ownership rates – is
strongly related to a decrease in the number of firearms-related incidents. Handgun
ownership rates, in particular, should be reduced. These measures decrease the social
cost of firearms. Successful policy responses are multi-faceted; for instance they
combine policing strategies with restrictions on guns and background checks. Secondly,
this paper finds that American firearms discourse and politics is polarised along
partisan lines, despite the academic consensus on how to reduce the social cost of
firearms. This is because political actors, such as the Republican Party and National
Rifle Association (NRA), run, for ideological and pragmatic reasons, well-resourced
campaigns to frame the problem strategically and prevent policy reform. These are
often emotive narratives and discourses, using the same statistics and research as
political opponents. This paper emphasises that policy settings are determined by
problem definition, and how problem definition is a strategic, political exercise that uses
narratives, framing and symbolism as tools. This strategic definition by political actors
undermines objective analysis of the problem, frame analysis and the implementation
of evidence-based policy.
10
Gauri Nandedkar
PhD candidate, Political Science and Public Policy Programme, University of
Waikato
Policy translation and empowerment: exploring multiple meanings in ‘thick
descriptions’
The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) represent global objectives decided
by the United Nations to end extreme poverty, improve health indicators, advance
the status of girls and women and reduce environmental degradation. The MDGs
appear to have effected a shift in the development agenda for two reasons: firstly,
they have drawn together global and local actors in support of shared
development goals, and secondly, they have brought diverse policy actors
together in negotiating a tentative agreement as to the root causes of and possible
solutions to alleviating poverty. Much of the policy-oriented literature around the
MDGs has explored their conceptualisation, and the way the MDGs can be
measured through the development of targets for regions or countries. There has,
however, been little scholarly attention given to the way such global policy
initiatives are translated into specific policies and programmes at the local level.
This paper addresses this gap through an exploration of how the term
‘empowerment,’ as articulated in MDG 3 – to promote gender equality and
empower women - has been translated from the global level into a local life-skills
education programme for girls. I use ‘thick descriptions’ from fieldwork notes and
interviews to illustrate how locally-based NGOs articulate their understandings of
empowerment and how their interpretations influence local programme
interventions. I argue that effective interventions need to be grounded in local
contexts by engaging with culturally-influenced meanings of empowerment, and
their importance in policy creation. The paper draws on official UN documents and
primary data from field research interviews in rural Maharashtra, India.
Emma Nelson
Honours candidate, English Programme, University of Waikato
Darwin, kinship, and Wuthering Heights
My paper explores Darwinian ideas in Emily Brontë’s novel Wuthering Heights. To
do so is to employ Literary Darwinism, also known as Darwinian Literary Theory, or
Evocriticism. The theories of human pair bonding, sexual selection, natural selection,
and artificial selection are outlined within the paper. They are explored from a
biographical perspective relating to the author Emily Brontë, and identified within
the text. I shall present on a sub-category of human pair bonding known as kinship,
referring to any pair bonds which are not formed during courtship or mating. This is
a concept which can be seen through either a biological or anthropological lens. A
biological understanding of kinship focuses on physical bonds, promoting the
necessity of consanguinity or blood-ties in kinship manifestation. Anthropologists
argue that familiarity and nurture are sufficient catalysts for kinship. To distinguish
these two ideas we use the term ‘nature kinship’ for physical bonds, and ‘nurture
kinship’ for neurological or emotional bonds. Within the text Edgar and Isabella's
biological relationship supports nature kinship, as does Heathcliff and Linton's
biological relationship. Nelly and Cathy's relationship validates the idea of nurture
kinship. The relationship between Nelly and Hareton also highlights the importance
of familiarity in establishing nurture kinship.
11
Blair Nicholson
PhD candidate, History Programme, University of Waikato
The Forever War and the Vietnam War
As a part of my thesis examining the cultural and literary history of military
science fiction and the United States’ Vietnam War, I use works of military SF as
sources to look at the attitudes and ideas that circulated in the U.S. during the
decades around its intervention in Vietnam. One of the most important such
military SF works is veteran-writer – drafted as a combat engineer in 1967 – Joe
Haldeman’s The Forever War (1974), a science fiction rendition of the Vietnam
War and – with sales of well over a million copies – perhaps the biggest bestseller
of all novels about the Vietnam War. Following soldier-hero William Mandela
during a mistaken war with the alien Taurans which lasts over a millennium, the
novel investigates the alienation suffered by the soldier during and after their
service in the military: alienation felt as invaders of a foreign land, alienation from
the civilian world, from their own government, and from, in some cases, each
other, as well as the alienation felt by sufferers of what is now called
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). These issues are also visible in other
contemporaneous military SF and popular discourse.
Leah Min Kyung Oh
Masters candidate, School of Psychology, University of Waikato
Korean migrants' attitudes and experiences of psychological disorder,
mental health and mental health services in New Zealand
Migration has been known to cause significant psychological distress due to
stressors such as language difficulties and lack of social supports. Koreans are
the third largest Asian population residing in New Zealand and their mental health
experiences are not well understood. Previous research on Korean migrants in
other Western countries shows that they report lowest on mental health service
access yet highest on drop-out rates even amongst Asian groups. In this study,
semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten members from the local
Korean community to identify their experiences and attitudes towards
psychological distress/mental health and mental health services in New Zealand.
In this presentation, I will describe the results of a thematic analysis where it was
found that language and cultural barriers, lack of information on mental health
services and fear of breaches to confidentiality influenced Korean migrants’
health seeking behaviours. The implications of this research will be to address
some of the attitudes and barriers that currently exist to assist Korean migrants
to better access support services.
12
Monica Peters
PhD Candidate, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Waikato
Citizen science: Measuring the success of environmental restoration
projects
A host of international studies show that communities, with the right tools, training
and support can collect quality environmental data. European and American
initiatives show how data generated by community groups or “citizen scientists”
can help build a more complete picture of the state of the environment. In New
Zealand, hundreds of community groups are actively engaged in environmental
restoration projects. Though groups generally have very clear aims and
objectives, few use science-based methods to measure restoration success.
User-friendly monitoring tools have been developed but lack evaluation to
determine how effective these kits are in meeting groups’ and other restoration
stakeholder needs. An online questionnaire emailed to c.480 community groups
in August 2013 collected baseline data on the groups themselves (e.g.
demographics, aims, core activities) as well as how groups use (or don’t use)
science-based methods. How community-generated data are used, or could be
used, for wider environmental reporting is also investigated. Research outcomes
will contribute to improved design of monitoring tools through the development
of a framework to assess tool efficacy. Ultimately, given the value of community
groups’ work, better support may help slow national declines in biodiversity and
environmental health.
Laura Phillips
Honours candidate, Anthropology Programme, University of Waikato
Ethnic tourism in Northern Thailand
Ethnic tourism in Northern Thailand is promoted by the Thailand government as
a more culturally sensitive means of experiencing authentic tourism. Academic
literature has defined the term ethnic tourism as tourism motivated primarily by
the tourist’s search for exotic cultural experiences through interaction with
distinctive ethnic groups, in this case hill tribes. Interactions and experiences
include consumption of cultural performances and products of craft and food
produced from hill tribe groups. Ethnic tourism has essentially opened up
gateways between host hill tribes and domestic or international tourists, who are
in search of authentic isolated minority community experiences. Critical analysis
of relevant resources combined with my personal experiences of being a tourist
participating in hill tribe tourism reveal three main themes. Firstly, I discuss
concepts of authenticity currently promoted by the Thailand government and
tourism agencies. Images of authenticity support appearances of exotic
differences between host communities and tourists. Secondly, I examined the
concept of hill tribes being exploited as ‘human zoos’ for tourism. Here I consider
implications of refugee hill tribe members living within these designated
communities and status of citizenship. Lastly, I share the perspectives of hill tribe
communities themselves and how they respond to changes and challenges of
tourism in their village settings.
13
Gareth Ranger
Masters candidate, History Programme, University of Waikato
Game Theory in a Napoleonic context
Game theory has existed in the field of mathematics and economics for over 60
years. This thesis assesses its viability for use in the field of history, and in
particular, in the Napoleonic era. It does this by analysing the opening phase of
the 1805 War of the Third Coalition, fought between France and the Allies. It
starts by examining the existing literature on game theory in the Napoleonic
era. It then analyses game theory in order to extract concepts from the theory
that have value in a military setting. Third, it makes use of primary and
secondary sources to define Napoleon Bonaparte’s motivational drives. Finally,
it uses these drives and game theory in order to assess whether Napoleon’s
opening strategy in the War of the Third Coalition was the best strategy to
select. The study finds that his utility was influenced by a core drive:
narcissism, and by his primary drives: ‘thirst for power’, ‘elimination of
boredom’, immortality, and glory. It also concludes that ‘opportunism’ affected
his decision making processes. The study found that Napoleon selected his
opening strategy in the War of the Third Coalition with precision, and that game
theory is limited in its current state, but that, despite this, it has value for the
study of history.
Sabina Rehman
PhD candidate, Department of English, University of Auckland
What’s in a name? Cultural and emotional predicament of Asian
immigrants to the western countries as seen in two Pakistani novels in
English
This essay studies the predicament of Asian settlers to the western countries,
especially to America and England. This predicament includes having to cope
with a re-defined identity in one’s new homeland, and grappling with one’s
stereotypical representation while living there. As points of reference I have
taken up two Pakistani novels in English - Maps for Lost Lovers (2004) by
Nadeem Aslam and The Reluctant Fundamentalist (2008) by Mohsin Hamid which deal extensively with the hyphenated identity with which Asian settlers to
the western countries have to deal in their adopted homelands. I examine these
two novels and show how the preconceived notions about Asian settlers have
intensely damaging effects upon the relations between the two communities. I
begin by talking about my own personal experience of coming to a new country
and then move on to an analysis of the two novels mentioned above. In my
study I specifically show how the apparent markers of identity such as names,
faces, clothing, language and other cultural practices go far in concealing the
true identity of individuals and in camouflaging them in a new persona.
14
Sandi Ringham
Honours candidate, Geography, Tourism and Environmental Planning
Programme, University of Waikato
Dog sledding in Queenstown: Mushing the dog and human relationships
together
This article is a critical tourism study of the relationships that form during a dog
sledding tourist experience in Cardrona Valley near Queenstown. It investigates
the performances and practices of human and non-human actors by applying a
phenomenological framework to the holistic experience of the tourist, guide,
racing sled teams: and to consider the agency of dogs. Three methods are used
to collect data: (1) autoenthnography is applied to deconstruct the author's
personal tourist blog; (2) a semi-structured interview with the dog sledding guide;
(3) an overt participant observation. The aim of studying these relationships and
performances enables us to not only critique changing tourist practices and
values in 'nature', but to also give value to animal agency and wellbeing. The
research question asks: how does the behaviour of dogs/guides/tourists
construct relationships of power, (non)agency, resistance and/or collaboration?
I argue that dogs and guides have a level of agency that is often left out of
research and that tourism based on 'passion for' the experience and the animals
is navigated and regulated in an environment that is contingent on 'nature'. Both
in 'nature' and by the 'nature' of others.
Ellis Schriefer
Honours candidate, Department of Languages and Cultures, University of Otago
Spain's political, economic and social realities through humour
My presentation gives a qualitative and comparative analysis of the humour in
two Spanish humour magazines, La Codorniz, a post war journal published
between 1941 and 1978, and El Jueves, published since 1977. Both magazines
expose the social, economic and political realities in difficult historical periods;
however their employment of vivid visual and written humour to reflect these
realities differs. Inspired in part by the humour of the Avant-garde period during
the 1920s, the Codorniz’ central function of humour was to distract the very
widespread readership from the turbulence of the post Spanish Civil War era
while subtly revealing and criticizing the nuances of the social, economic and
political realities of quotidian life in spite of the strict censorship under Francoism.
El Jueves however employs bold, blatant and graphic humour, that aims to grab
the attention of a younger audience through the use of irony and ridicule as well
as a more vulgar register and provocative caricatures, thus reflecting the
difficulties during the Transition to democracy after Franco’s death and more
recently, the economic and social repercussions of the banking crisis since 2008,
such as job cuts, corruption, the misuse of funds and unnecessary spending.
15
Bronwyn Scott
Masters candidate, School of Psychology, University of Waikato
Welfare reform: its impact on women as mothers and workers
Introduced in 1973, the Domestic Purposes Benefit was designed to give single
mothers the opportunity available to partnered mothers, to provide full time care
to their dependent children. Families headed by lone mothers soon became a
major social policy problem, both internationally and in New Zealand. While
scrutiny of the Domestic Purposes Benefit (DPB) continued, it was not until 1991
that the government, moving ever more rapidly towards the neo-liberal policies
seen internationally, made dramatic changes to the DPB. Cuts across all benefits
were targeted at enticing, or arguably forcing, beneficiaries into paid work.
Women with dependent children were not spared hardship, with significant cuts
made to the financial assistance available through the DPB. Welfare reform in
2012 and 2013 has identified single parents as a ‘priority group’, with changes
made to work expectations, so called ‘social obligations’, and punitive policy for
noncompliance. Research both internationally and within New Zealand reveals
the power of discourses regarding motherhood and welfare. This presentation
will present the findings of an investigation into two key gaps in available
literature: firstly research into recent welfare reforms in Aotearoa, and secondly
that involving lone mothers receiving welfare in Aotearoa. Using discourse
analysis of interviews, focus groups, and the policy publications of the Ministry
of Social Development, it investigates how recent welfare reform has affected
the lives of single New Zealand mothers receiving the DPB. In particular, it
explores how welfare reform has altered women’s views of themselves as
mothers and as workers, and resulting conflict between these roles.
Byron Seiuli
PhD candidate, School of Psychology, University of Waikato
How do we grieve? Examining how Samoan men and their families deal
with death and bereavement experiences
Samoan funeral customs play an important role to assist the bereaved towards
healing and restoring relationships ruptured by the death of a loved one; however
it can also be both elaborate and expensive; meaning on-going burdens are
borne by those already feelings its devastating impact. Contemporary Samoan
society is more familiar with expressive mourning patterns displayed by women,
whereas men are more prone to mourn quietly and reverentially. Literature
suggests that this was not always the case in traditional periods. It is important
then to question whether in the face of such loss and resultant trauma, such
rituals and gendered expressions of grief are effective and adequate. This
presentation is drawn from a larger doctoral research study by the author.
16
Cameron Surrey
PhD candidate, Department of Theology & Religious Studies, University of
Otago
Why forgive? In search of a pure motive
The subject of forgiveness has become a rather hot topic in recent times. From
the how-to guides of the self-help industry to the paradoxical musings of
deconstructionism (and a great deal in between), the recent literature on
forgiveness has become too vast to be mastered by a single researcher. In
conversation with some of the prominent voices in recent continental and
analytical philosophy including Jacques Derrida, Vladimir Yankélévitch, and
Charles Griswold, and theologians Nigel Biggar and Charles Williams, this paper
seeks to articulate what a pure motive for forgiveness might look like. What
guarantees the genuineness of forgiveness and how can it be spoiled by false
motives? What are some of the limits of forgiveness and how might the prospect
of full reconciliation be problematic? In addressing these questions I will propose
an alternative to the philosophically deconstructed forgiveness of Derrida and the
therapeutic forgiveness of popular psychology. I will argue that, even if full
reconciliation is not possible or desirable in the foreseeable future, true
forgiveness is ordered to reconciliation with the other. Just as true love says ‘I
love her simply because she is herself’, so, true forgiveness continues to love, or
resurrects love, in the face of hurt and guilt ‘simply because she is herself (her
guilty self)’.
Liam Thomas
Honours candidate, Social Policy Programme, University of Waikato
Housing in New Zealand: Contemporary problems and future solutions
Housing is a fundamental determinant of wellbeing that can dramatically affect
health, education, employment, family stability, and social cohesion. With home
affordability on the decline, contemporary New Zealand faces a deepening
housing crisis which is proving increasingly difficult to address. There is now
widespread concern that housing has become unaffordable not simply for low
income earners, but also for middle income families who struggle to get into their
first home. Home ownership rates continue their decline as real house prices
continue to climb. As a complex and multi-faceted wicked problem, housing
affordability is a contentious issue with no obvious single solution in sight.
Accordingly, the broad objective of my research is to inform and facilitate
constructive debate around factors within the housing sector that contribute to
the current crisis and how they can be addressed to improve affordability. By
analysing housing market trends this research aims to present practical policy
solutions capable of improving housing affordability and accessibility for all New
Zealanders, but especially those in the Auckland region. Through exploring
contemporary factors driving the housing market I hope to highlight the current
housing situation as a manufactured crisis likely to continue unless appropriately
and swiftly addressed through well informed policy.
17
Nick Tipping
PhD candidate, Jazz Studies and Ethnomusicology, New Zealand School of
Music, Wellington
Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans? Talking and playing jazz in
present-day Wellington, New Zealand
What we think of as the “jazz tradition” usually involves people, events and
music dating from the USA, from the 1920s to 1960s. However, the jazz
tradition is a construction in which particular values or elements of practice are
strategically emphasised. Being a jazz musician in present-day Wellington
involves negotiating the complex landscape presented by various
characterisations of the tradition, separation from the time and place in which
the tradition is located, and the dynamics involved in the local scene.
Developing one’s “voice” in a Wellington context involves issues of authenticity
and identity. In investigating this negotiation, musicians’ discourse and
performance must be considered together: the referential communication of
spoken words enhances, and is enhanced by, the gestural aspect of musical
activities. Over the past 8 months, I have interviewed Wellington jazz
musicians, and observed and participated in gigs. By engaging in these
different methods of communication, I examine the discourse and practice of
Wellington jazz musicians (including myself) in relation to various conceptions
of tradition.
Claire Troon
Masters candidate, School of Psychology, University of Waikato
Perceptions of men who are perpetrators of domestic violence, on the
effects of violence on children, the mothers of those children, and on their
role as parent
This research is being conducted through the Hamilton Abuse Intervention
Project (HAIP), a coordinated community intervention project that provides
stopping violence programmes for men who are perpetrators of domestic
violence and support for the victims of that violence. This research reflects the
need for more understanding on parenting within the context of domestic
violence. Participants were recruited through HAIP, with the men being recruited
through the Māori and tauiwi men’s programmes and the women through the
Māori and tauiwi women’s programmes, or through their contact with the women
advocates at HAIP. The research findings include perceptions of the impact of
violence on children, on the mother’s parenting ability and on the father’s
parenting ability. Perceptions of healing processes that occur within the motherchild and father-child relationship are also revealed, including views on access
arrangements with children in the aftermath of violence. There needs to be ongoing reflection on how community organisations, such as HAIP, can have a
positive impact on the safety and wellbeing of victims of domestic violence and
increase offender accountability. Therefore, evaluation of changes in the men’s
behaviour, with regard to parenting specifically, will also be examined.
18
Yi Wang
PhD candidate, General and Applied Linguistics Programme, University of Waikato
Language learner autonomy: Case study research into teachers' practice and
beliefs
While language teachers’ perspectives on learner autonomy has been identified as
an area needing more attention, the few studies conducted so far are mainly based
on survey results, and even fewer in-depth studies have been carried out in Asian
contexts. Following a brief review of autonomy literature from both western and
Chinese sources, this presentation reports a case study of a group of nine Chinese
teachers’ practice and cognition about learner autonomy. It will address two
questions: 1) how do the teachers practise and perceive learner autonomy in the
given setting? 2) to what extent do their perceptions align with what has been written
in the relevant literature? In the study, the teachers’ English language lessons are
observed and these are followed up by post-lesson discussions and interviews, in
which the teachers rationalise their practices in the light of their beliefs about learner
autonomy. The findings and research methodology will be discussed and
implications will be given for further research into this area in relatable contexts.
Courtney White
Honours candidate, Women’s and Gender Studies Programme, University of
Waikato
Babe(s): An exploration of intersectional discourses of sexism and
speciesism from the positionality of feminist-vegans in Aotearoa, New
Zealand
Violent ideologies, many of which are critiqued through feminism, operate through
the dynamics of binary pairs – half of which is dominant, the other subordinate. Such
ideologies are constructed in this manner to create an atmosphere of consent,
relying on human defence mechanisms which work in three distinctive ways; to
block empathy, remove awareness, and blur perceptions. In this way, though the
victims of such ideologies are not homogenous and encounter different
manifestations of oppression, there are consistencies in both the ideologies and the
culture they form. This research is interested in exploring the tensions between
feminisms on the issue of the hierarchical binary of humans and non-human animals.
It reviews the intersections which are apparent in dominantly feminist literature
between the oppressive ideologies of carnism and patriarchy, and the subsequent
'radical' acts of critiquing each through adoption of the subjectivities of veganism
and feminism. Despite the links apparent in the literature, there is little practical
consideration of the connection between feminist and vegan politics. I hope to
provide a new understanding for feminism to engage with vegan praxis in a New
Zealand context. I claim that feminist engagement with non-human animals is
consistent with the interrogation of intersectionality applied within other dualist
ontologies, and for that reason, this research utilises dialogue with feminist-vegan
subjects regarding the inclusion of vegan theory within feminism’s understanding of
politics, ethics and society, with the intention of introducing the findings to a wider
audience.
19
Jeffrey Wragg
PhD Candidate, Conservatorium of Music, University of Waikato
Creative sampling practices in the music of Portishead
Since its inception digital sampling has attracted its fair share of criticism.
“Unoriginal”, “lazy”, and “thievery” are the most common charges directed at the
practice. While there are many examples of sampling that possibly deserve such
vitriol, other artists use it in highly creative ways that make significant
contributions to the evolution of popular music. Using the music of Portishead as
an example I will demonstrate some of the ways in which the practice of sampling
can be a legitimate art form in its own right. Sampling methods of building a
composition from musical snippets result in a new musical language, introducing
new harmonic grammar into the lexicon of popular music. Drawing on a wide
variety of musical sources, Portishead’s use of sampling allows for the
transformation and juxtaposition of genre and culture, resulting in a complex
hybridization of Eastern European spy soundtracks from the 1960s, soul and jazz
from the 1970s, and American urban hip hop of the 1980s. The practice of
sampling also informs and influences certain production methods, such as the
band’s preference for foregrounding recording media and music technology and
exposing the contrast between tradition and innovation.
Mohammed Zuhair
PGDip, Management and Sustainability, Waikato Management School,
University of Waikato
Climate change policy in Maldives: An analysis of the National Adaptation
Programme of Action
Maldives is an island nation comprising 1190 coral islands, with an average
height of these islands only 1.5 metres above mean sea level. This makes
Maldives extremely vulnerable to climate change and sea level rise, and climate
change adaptation is a high priority for the country. In response, the country
implemented the National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) in 2007
under the auspices of the United Nations to address urgent climate change
adaptation needs for the country. It has been five years since the implementation
of NAPA, but no review of the NAPA development process or of the projects
implemented through NAPA has yet been undertaken. This paper addresses this
gap by undertaking a two-staged analysis. First, the NAPA development process
was analyzed, focusing on the level of public participation, integration of science,
establishment of an implementation and review strategy, and attention given to
policy mainstreaming. Second, a desktop analysis was undertaken to identify
and evaluate the effectiveness, efficiency, legitimacy and equity implications of
climate adaptation projects currently underway in Maldives. The analysis reveals
that despite the urgency of the threat of climate change, the NAPA process has
failed to provide practical solutions to climate change adaptation in Maldives.
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POSTERS
Tegan Andrews
Masters candidate, School of Psychology, University of Waikato
Body weight as a motivating operation: the effect of body weight on
demand
Amanda Drewer
Masters candidate, School of Psychology, University of Waikato
Smoking during pregnancy
Women who smoke during pregnancy have been identified by the Ministry of
Health as a priority group for cessation services. The effects of cigarette
exposure in utero are believed to have health implications throughout life. This
study used face-to-face semi-structured interviews to explore the thoughts,
feelings and experiences of pregnant smokers to try to understand what
contributes to smoking or quitting. Fifteen Hamilton women who had quit, tried
to quit or continued to smoke through a recent pregnancy were interviewed.
Interviews have only recently been completed; therefore results are only
tentatively reported. Thematic analysis will be conducted on the transcripts to
identify themes related to the women’s feelings about smoking, reactions from
others including friends, family, the public and health care providers, concerns
about the baby’s health and factors that support and impede quitting.
Understanding these women’s experiences may help cessation services and
maternity care providers to tailor their services to pregnant women’s needs. A
tool that assesses a woman’s knowledge, awareness and readiness to quit is
being developed with the aim of giving midwives and doctors a way to broach
this sensitive subject in a way that is appropriate for their client.
Sarah Lockwood
PhD candidate, Management Communication, Waikato Management School,
University of Waikato
A match made in crisis: a self-organised, youth volunteer response to
crisis events
Abstract on page 10.
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