Multi-decadal coastal change in New Zealand: Evidence, mechanisms and implications

Abstract:   Coastal research and monitoring on New Zealand beaches have typically examined seasonal and event-driven (storms) changes in the coast. However, historical records are now of sufficient length to indicate that change occurs at longer timescales. This paper presents examples of multi-decadal change at three case-study locations around New Zealand. Results show that morphological adjustment of the coast occurs at multi-decadal scales and is much larger than short-term dynamics. Physical mechanisms driving changes are ill defined but may be associated with El Niños and La Niña episodes which modulate waves and sea level, as well as changes in sediment supply.     

Wages,gender and industrial structure in New Zealand

A variant of shift‐share analysis is applied to manufacturing wages data for 22 districts in New Zealand for 1980 and 1984, to test, via three models, the explanatory power of components representing the gender split and industrial structure of the workforce separately and in combination. These first three components provide a surprisingly low level of explanation in many districts, and, overall, their national performance has declined over time. The consequent rise of a fourth, ‘residual’ element is examined in more detail, and suggestions offered for its observed geography.     

Towards inclusion: Local government, public space and homelessness in New Zealand

Abstract:  This paper considers the political and normative dimensions of local government responses to homelessness in New Zealand. It outlines the context for local government action, the approaches adopted by three case study cities, and arguments for rejecting anti-homeless regulations in favour of supportive policies conducive to forging inclusive public space. It contributes to debates over homelessness policy by articulating an approach that integrates regulatory, funding and leadership roles. It argues that in addressing antisocial behaviour in public spaces, policy-makers must eschew approaches which effectively criminalize the sight, and status, of poverty.     

'What a dolt one is': language learning and fieldwork in geography

This paper discusses aspects of the theory and practice of foreign language learning for fieldwork in geography, a rarely discussed set of issues despite the personal investment that language learning requires from the researcher. In some cases of cross-cultural research, it may be particularly desirable to learn a vernacular language for which there are few (or no) study aids. However, there is little guidance about how learning such a language should be approached, or discussion of its significance for the subsequent research. Through a discussion of personal experience in Ethiopia, the paper describes one way of learning a vernacular language, and explores the advantages that this brought to the fieldwork and to the resulting research understandings.     

Masculinity, Place, and Beer Advertising in New Zealand: The Southern Man Campaign

The ‘Southern Man’ advertising campaign for Speight's beer mobilizes imagery of the South Island High Country to present a particular construction of masculine identity. The paper examines the background to the campaign and explores the meaning and impact of the advertisements.     

Globalising New Zealand : Fonterra Co-operative Group, and shaping the future

New Zealanders have little collective vision of their position and future in a globalising world. Recent developments in New Zealand's primary sector show potential pathways to the future. We explore two claims: thinking about New Zealand is to think about the emergence of Fonterra Co-operative Group in New Zealand's globalising economy. Thinking about Fonterra is to think about New Zealand and the implications that spring from globalising activities. Fonterra is a lens to understand better the possibilities and development options and the challenges that are arising as New Zealand forges its place in a globalising world.     

New Zealand and Environmentalism: An Outsider's View

Abstract. This paper is a personal perspective on how New Zealand appears to have changed in its approach to environmental management in the twenty years since 1 first came to know and love the country.     

New Zealand coastal system boundaries, connections and management

Abstract:    Understanding coastal boundaries, connections and drivers of landscape change is integral to effective coastal planning and management. This concept is explored here through case studies representing two very different New Zealand systems: embayed sand beaches in eastern and western open-coast settings; and mixed sand and gravel coast river-mouth lagoons. When framed within a resource and environmental management context these studies indicate that national recognition of the dynamic and interactive nature of coastal environments is a relatively new and amorphous phenomenon in New Zealand and, as such, has been ineffective in driving integrated regional management practices and sustainable coastal outcomes.