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Hidden in the wetlands : evaluating playback effectiveness and wetland preferences of the Spotless Crake : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Zoology at Massey University, Manawatū, New Zealand
(Massey University, 2026) Andrew, Charlotte Rose
The current knowledge about the cryptic wetland bird Spotless Crake (Zapornia tabuensis) is very limited, particularly in relation to its habitat preferences and optimal survey methods. This study aimed to address these gaps by conducted targeted acoustic surveys alongside detailed vegetation mapping and analysis across a range of wetlands in the Manawatū-Whanganui region, New Zealand. Call playback surveys were conducted to investigate factors influencing detection probability and calling rates using generalised linear mixed models to evaluate the effects of environmental and survey variables. Vegetation composition and structure were analysed to investigate associations between habitat characteristics and crake presence. Findings indicate that spotless crake are more likely to occur in wetlands supporting dense fringing vegetation that is dominated by tall emergent species, and also that some habitat flexibility was observed. Detection probability was influenced by both temporal and environmental factors, which underscores the requirement for standardised survey protocols. This study provided invaluable insight into the ecology and monitoring of Spotless Crake, and broader implications for the conservation of other cryptic, wetland-dependent species.
Mindfulness-based programmes in Aotearoa New Zealand schools : a qualitative meta-synthesis : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University
(Massey University, 2026) Ashby, Yulia
Mindfulness-based programmes (MBPs) have become increasingly visible in schools in Aotearoa New Zealand as part of wider efforts to support student wellbeing and early mental health intervention. Although a growing body of qualitative research has examined mindfulness in New Zealand school settings, this work remains dispersed across different programmes, school contexts, and perspectives. As a result, there is a limited integrated understanding of how mindfulness-based programmes are experienced in practice and how their effects are shaped by contextual conditions. The aim of this study was to synthesise qualitative research on mindfulness-based programmes in Aotearoa New Zealand schools to develop a more coherent and contextually grounded understanding of how these programmes operate. A qualitative meta-synthesis was undertaken using meta-ethnography, informed by a critical realist epistemological stance. Qualitative studies and the qualitative components of mixed-methods studies conducted in primary, intermediate, and secondary schools were systematically identified, appraised, and analysed. Findings suggest that MBPs are associated with perceived psychological benefits for students, including increased emotional awareness and regulation, greater calm and attentional focus, increased awareness of changes in classroom relationships and learning environments. Teachers and counsellors described personal wellbeing benefits and professional shifts, such as decreased stress levels, greater emotional presence and reflective capacity, a stronger sense of collegiality or kotahitanga among staff, and changes in how they responded to student behaviour and emotional needs. These outcomes emerged from interacting psychological, relational, and meaning making mechanisms and were strongly shaped by context, including how programmes were introduced, facilitated, and supported within each school. Within this context, factors such as teacher engagement, leadership support, time constraints, and cultural framing played a key role in how programmes were taken up and sustained, particularly where mindfulness was aligned with Māori models of wellbeing such as Te Whare Tapa Whā. This thesis contributes an integrative qualitative account of MBPs in Aotearoa New Zealand schools and highlights the importance of cultural responsiveness, implementation conditions, and school context in shaping wellbeing initiatives.
Nutrient intake of New Zealand adolescents aged 14-18 years in the Auckland, Bay of Plenty and Waikato regions of New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy, Massey University, Albany, New Zealand
(Massey University, 2025) Barnes, Carenza
Background. Adolescence represents a crucial stage of rapid physical, cognitive, and emotional development, during which nutrient requirements substantially increase to support optimal growth and maturation. Despite this, available data on the dietary patterns and nutritional status of New Zealand (NZ) adolescents are limited and largely outdated, hindering an accurate evaluation of nutrient adequacy and potential deficiencies within this population. Aims and Objectives This research aims to investigate the current nutrient status of NZ adolescents and compare their intake to their nutrient reference values and assess their adherence to dietary recommendations. Methods. Data was obtained from Te Rourou o Ngā Rangatahi: Eating Patterns of Young People in New Zealand, a cross-sectional survey investigating the dietary habits of adolescents. The study included 527 secondary school students aged 14–19 years from the Auckland, Bay of Plenty, and Waikato regions. Dietary intake was collected using Intake24, a web-based multiple-pass 24-hour dietary recall tool, along with an online demographic questionnaire. Nutrient intakes were compared with the Australian and New Zealand Nutrient Reference Values (NRVs) to assess dietary adequacy. Results. Female participants (n=370, 70.2%) demonstrated greater adherence to macronutrient recommendations than males. Mean intakes of protein, carbohydrate, and fat exceeded recommended levels, while fibre intake remained below guidelines. Mean protein intake was 76.8 ± 44.3 g for females and 105.8 ± 61.6 g for males, with 97.8% of females and 98% of males meeting the recommended percentage of energy from protein. Fibre intake averaged 19.2 ± 11.2 g for females and 20.7 ± 12.5 g for males, below the recommended 22 g and 28 g, respectively, indicating low fruit and vegetable consumption. Only 9.7% of females and 7% of males met recommendations for saturated fat intake, with the majority exceeding the upper limit. Male participants demonstrated higher mean intakes across most micronutrients; however, several nutrients were identified as concerns. Mean calcium intake was 721.9 ± 463.6 mg/day for females and 868.3 ± 691.5 mg/day for males, with 20.3% and 31.2% meeting the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR), respectively. Iron intake averaged 9.8 ± 6.1 mg/day in females and 12.3 ± 8.0 mg/day in males, with 53.8% and 66.9% meeting the EAR. Vitamin A and vitamin E intakes were below recommendations for most participants, while magnesium and vitamin C also showed low adherence to the NRVs. Overall, both macronutrient imbalances and micronutrient inadequacies were evident among New Zealand adolescents. Conclusion. Overall, the findings highlight significant nutritional imbalances among New Zealand adolescents, characterised by excessive macronutrient intake and inadequate consumption of key micronutrients such as calcium, iron, vitamins A and E, magnesium, and vitamin C. These results underscore the need for updated national data and targeted public health strategies to improve dietary quality and address nutrient inadequacies within this population, such as education on the importance of adequate nutrition during adolescence and to foods that fuel their bodies.
Measuring and modelling the growth of silver nanorods using time-resolved UV/visible extinction spectroscopy : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Chemistry at Massey University, Manawatū, New Zealand
(Massey University, 2026) McEwen, Robert
Metal nanoparticles are known to have plasmon resonances that are dependent on the size and shape of the particle. As these resonances are easy to observe in situ during the growth of these particles, UV-Visible extinction spectroscopy provides an excellent way to monitor the growth and aid with the understanding of the underlying growth mechanisms. Silver nanorods present an ideal candidate for this, as the longitudinal plasmon peak is known to have a linear relationship with the aspect ratio of the nanorods. This presents an interesting challenge, as any associated growth models would need to explain the growth in term of the aspect ratio rather than an absolute size of the nanorod. The discrete-dipole approximation (DDA) was used to determine the relationship between the plasmon resonance position and the aspect ratio, which was found to be λext = (113 ±10) × A + (277±20). To achieve this, a correction for the error associated the DDA calculations was required to be determined for the capsule geometry that was used for the nanorods. This correction was found to be the same correction the has been reported for spherical particles. A growth model was developed that explains the growth of nanorods in term of the evolution of the aspect ratio. Nanorods were prepared using various reaction condition and the plasmon peaks were observed during the growth. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images however, revealed the presence of trigonal platelets and other geometries in the nanorod preparations. Efforts were made to remove these other geometries from the nanorod solution so that the growth model could be applied to the experimental results.
Preconception dietary patterns and time-to-conception in the high-income multi-country NiPPeR study
(Springer Nature, 2026-01-23) Lai JS; Lim SX; Barton SJ; Tham EH; El-Heis S; Albert BB; Childs CE; Conlon CA; Colega MT; Cox V; Nield H; Loy SL; Cutfield WS; Chong MF-F; Godfrey KM; Chan S-Y
BACKGROUND: Dietary patterns rich in plant-based foods, fish, and healthier fats are reportedly beneficial for fertility, but forming generalizable recommendations has been hindered by the lack of studies examining dietary patterns and time-to-conception (TTC) in cohorts with different ethnicities across geographical regions. To study the association of preconception dietary patterns with TTC in the multi-country NiPPeR trial. METHODS: This study is a secondary analysis of data collected in the NiPPeR randomized controlled trial. Women planning to conceive, without known fertility impairment, were recruited from the community in the UK, Singapore, and New Zealand (NZ). Dietary intake was assessed at preconception prior randomization, and across-site (“pooled”) data-driven dietary patterns were derived (n = 1406). TTC, derived as the number of days between recruitment and the estimated date of achieving a clinical pregnancy, and the chance of achieving a clinical pregnancy within a year, expressed as hazard ratios (HR), were analyzed using Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for preconception body mass index, age and gravidity. RESULTS: Two pooled dietary patterns were identified: “Vegetables, Fruits and Nuts” (VFN), and “Fried potatoes, Processed meat and Sweetened beverages” (FPS). Compared with the lowest quartile of VFN score, those in the highest quartile took a shorter time to conceive [Days till 20% conceived (95% CI): 73.0 (60.6, 91.5) vs 166.5 (120.0, 229.5)], and showed a higher chance of conception within a year [HR (95% CI): 2.15 (1.66, 2.78)]. This difference was most evident in Singapore, where the overall adherence to a VFN diet was substantially lower than in the UK and NZ [median (IQR) VFN score (expressed as standard deviation scores): Singapore -0.88 (-1.11, -0.57), UK 0.45 (0.07, 0.92), NZ 0.47 (-0.02, 0.90)]. There was no association between the FPS diet and TTC in the cohort. CONCLUSION: Consuming a diet rich in vegetables, fruits and nuts may shorten TTC and improve the chances of conception, particularly in populations with low intakes of such foods. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT02509988, Universal Trial Number U1111-1171–8056. Registered on 16 July 2015. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12937-026-01283-0.