Theses and Dissertations

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    Economic viability of yield monitoring systems in potato farming : a comparative study between New Zealand and India : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agribusiness at Massey University, School of Agriculture and Environment, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2025) Kodali, Praneeth Rayudu
    India is one of the largest global producers of potatoes by volume. At the same time, New Zealand, with its significantly smaller land area and farming population, consistently achieves higher yields, better produce quality, and greater per-hectare productivity. This study investigates the economic viability of adopting Yield Monitoring Systems (YMS) in potato farming across both countries to determine whether such precision agriculture technologies can enhance profitability and efficiency in India. The research draws on secondary data from official sources, including Potato New Zealand and the Government of India, covering regional potato yields in Canterbury, Pukekohe, and Manawatu (NZ), and six Indian states. Using economic evaluation metrics—Return on Investment (ROI), Payback Period (PP), and Cost-Benefit Ratio (CBR)—the study compares outcomes across two adoption models: individual farmer-based adoption and service-based adoption via contractors or Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs). Findings reveal that while YMS significantly improves farm-level profitability and efficiency in New Zealand due to larger landholdings and advanced mechanisation, direct replication of this model in India is economically unfeasible for smallholder farmers. The high initial investment, lack of economies of scale, post-harvest losses, and limited access to institutional credit act as significant barriers. The study concludes that for YMS to be viable in India, adaptation is essential—either through modular integration of YMS into existing machinery or via collective access through FPOs and Custom Hiring Centres. This comparative analysis offers a pathway for scalable YMS adoption in India, promoting precision agriculture not by direct transfer but through context-specific adaptation, institutional support, and strategic policy reallocation.
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    Identifying owner management decisions surrounding end-of-life care and euthanasia of geriatric horses in New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Agricultural Science, School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Manawatu, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2025) Anderson, Lily
    A geriatric horse is defined by its chronological, functional, or demographic age. Despite advancement on veterinary care and improved husbandry practice, death is inevitable, and geriatric horses will progressively have a decreased quality of life as they age. Regardless of a horses functional or productive benefit to humans, moral and legal responsibilities are placed on the owner to make management and end-of-life decisions in the best interest of the horse’s welfare. Few studies have explored characteristics of New Zealand horse owners, identification of the national geriatric horse population, or factors which influence owner decision making. There is also greater attention needed on the common practice of euthanasia and disposal methods in New Zealand with increasing international legislation and regional restraints. Therefore, this study aimed to describe owner management decisions surrounding end-of-life care and euthanasia of geriatric horses in New Zealand. An online survey collected data from 1,207 respondents. Over half (53%) of owners were based in Auckland, Waikato, and Manawatu-Wanganui. Most respondents identified as female (n=1,178, 98%), and nearly two thirds owned a geriatric horse (60%). Geriatric horses (>15 years) were a median of 17 years old (IQR 16-22) and were visited by their owner twice a day (n=454, 70%). Most respondents had thought about a euthanasia plan for their horse (n=821, 77%), with veterinary administered overdose of barbiturates (n=886, 83%), and burial (n=774, 72%) preferred methods for euthanasia and disposal. On a scale from 0–5 (with 5 most influential) pain and poor prognosis were rated by owners as most influential when making end-of-life decisions for their horse (median score = 5/5, IQR 5–5). This study highlighted that owners are driven by their emotional bond with their horse and are largely dependent on veterinarian support when making end-of-life, euthanasia, and disposal decisions.
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    Health management and pruritic behaviour in New Zealand working dogs : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Veterinary Studies without specialisation at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2025) Chonglomkrod, Bongkoch
    Pruritus is the most common sign of skin diseases, which is a common problem in working dogs. This sign can be observed by the handler, but it is often not reported to veterinarians. As a result, the skin problem progresses to a severe condition and requires high-cost care. This makes it difficult to find a new owner after the retirement of working dogs. This thesis aims to provide information on health management and pruritic behaviour in New Zealand working dogs. The data used in this thesis was derived from a cross-sectional survey conducted between October 2018 and June 2021. The data was collected from the handler-reported questionnaire and the physical examination by two veterinarians. The questionnaire asked about the health management and the pruritic behaviour in working dogs. The severity of pruritus and the skin lesions were recorded during physical examination. The survey data included 340 responses from 252 working dogs’ handlers. The first research chapter described the population features, health management and frequency of pruritic behaviour of 252 working dogs. Police dogs were the major population of working dogs (83%), and German Shepherd were the most common breed of working dogs (80.2%). The median age and body weight were 2.9 years and 32 kg, respectively. Most working dogs spent most of time outdoors (66%). Seventy-two percent of working dogs received flea and worm prevention, but only 26% received vaccination in the last six months. Most of the working dogs were fed with dry food (84%) and received treats at least a few times a year (73%). Ninety-five percent and sixty-nine percent of working dogs were bathed and received ear cleaning at least a few times a year, respectively. The most common pruritic behaviour was head shaking (72.2%), followed by facial rubbing (62.3%), paw licking (46.4%), eye rubbing (39.5%), and leg licking behaviour (39.3%), which working dogs exhibited at least a few times a year. Seventy-five percent of working dogs exhibited sneezing, and 45% showed signs of conjunctivitis at least a few times a year. The second research chapter assessed the level of pruritus using the PVAS and evaluated the skin lesions using CADESI-04 in working dogs. Moreover, this chapter investigated the association of each pruritic behaviour, the level of pruritus, and the presence of skin lesions. Twenty-seven dogs whose handlers completed the questionnaire on the same day as the physical examination were included in this chapter. Seven dogs exhibited an abnormal level of pruritus, and six dogs presented with skin lesions. Dogs older than four years were 7.9 times more likely to exhibit an abnormal level of pruritus compared to younger dogs (p = 0.0297). The level of pruritus was not associated with the presence of skin lesions. In addition, there was no significant association between pruritic behaviour and the level of pruritus or the presence of skin lesions. This thesis provides baseline information on health management, pruritic behaviour, intensity of pruritus, and the prevalence of skin lesions in working dogs. Further research should investigate the underlying skin problems and the risk factors of pruritic behaviour in working dogs.
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    Exploring mothers’ experiences of perinatal mental distress in rural Aotearoa New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University, Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Aotearoa
    (Massey University, 2025) Thiele, Natalie
    The World Health Organisation (WHO) has identified perinatal mental distress as a global health priority, estimating that one in five mothers experiences some form of mental health difficulty during this period (World Health Organisation, 2022). In Aotearoa New Zealand, this concern is particularly acute, with suicide now recognised as the leading cause of maternal death. Perinatal mental distress, spanning conception through the first 12 months postpartum, affects mood and daily functioning, with consequences that can perpetuate cycles of distress across generations. Despite the seriousness of this issue, there remains a lack of qualitative research in Aotearoa New Zealand that includes the voices of mothers and situates their experiences within the country’s unique sociocultural context. This study employed an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) approach, drawing on semi-structured interviews with five mothers in Central Otago who had experienced perinatal mental distress. Findings and analysis revealed three superordinate themes: Identity: The Fragmented and Reformed Self, Psychological: The Storm and Calm Inside, and Sociocultural: The Weight of Expectation and Strength in Numbers. Each theme comprised several subordinate themes, which together traced a journey from hardship to healing. The findings highlight the need for a more inclusive understanding of perinatal mental distress, one that acknowledges the full emotional spectrum of mothers’ experiences and situates them within both individual and sociocultural contexts.
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    Essays on corporate social responsibility : a thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Finance, School of Accountancy, Economics and Finance, Massey University
    (Massey University, 2025-09-18) Zhang, Xiaochi
    This thesis comprises three essays advancing the literature on workplace safety, an important component of corporate social responsibility. The first essay examines how generalist CEOs with transferable managerial skills enhance workplace safety. These executives improve safety by optimizing labor investments, reducing employee workloads, and ensuring higher information quality. The relation is more pronounced among firms facing financing constraints or intense market competition. The study also shows that workplace injuries and illnesses reduce innovation, productivity, and firm value. The second essay explores the impact of shareholder distraction on workplace safety. Distracted shareholders are linked to higher rates of work-related injuries, especially in firms with weak governance and high competition risks. Our findings suggest that reduced monitoring by distracted shareholders leads to lower safety investments, increased workloads, and greater earnings management, resulting in a poorer safety environment. The third essay investigates how the inclusion of general counsel in top management improves employee safety. Firms with general counsel in senior leadership are associated with lower injury and illness rates. The relation is more pronounced for firms with better information quality, more efficient labor investment, leadership by lawyer CEOs, weaker governance structures, and heightened agency problems. Overall, these essays provide new insights into how corporate leadership and governance influence workplace safety. The thesis offers contributions to the literature on workplace safety by addressing critical gaps in existing research. This work extends theoretical frameworks such as upper echelon theory by applying it to the domain of workplace safety. It also underscores the practical implications of aligning leadership capabilities and governance mechanisms to safeguard human capital, ultimately driving sustainable firm performance.
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    Applying structured decision making for large-scale wildlife management programmes : Project Janszoon as a case study : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Conservation Biology at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2024-11-30) Kenup, Caio
    Managing threatened populations is challenging due to the delicate balance between urgency and uncertainty. While swift action is often needed to prevent further decline or extinction, significant uncertainty frequently surrounds the effectiveness of various management strategies and the future trajectory of populations. This uncertainty complicates the identification of the most effective course of action, especially when resources are limited. Structured decision making (SDM) is an approach that supports informed decision making in the face of uncertainty in conservation projects. The primary aim of this thesis is to develop a decision making framework for Project Janszoon’s bird translocations, guiding management and monitoring decisions to maximise establishment and persistence probabilities for the kākā (Nestor meridionalis) and pāteke (Anas chlorotis). This framework can serve as a blueprint for implementing SDM and adaptive management (AM), promoting their broader use in conservation initiatives within New Zealand and beyond. In Chapter 2, I discuss expert elicitation techniques for generating predictions from expert knowledge while accounting for epistemic uncertainty. Numerical improvements in handling elicited data are proposed, focusing on aggregating and transforming expert-provided values while maintaining their associated uncertainty. Preserving this uncertainty is critical to avoid generating overconfident predictions from expert judgment. In Chapter 3, I explore which uncertainties are worth reducing and to what degree. Value of information (VOI) analysis offers a way to understand how reducing uncertainty affects decision making and conservation outcomes. A key insight from this chapter is that while monitoring is valuable for reducing uncertainty, such reductions do not always improve conservation outcomes. Beyond a certain point, further reductions in uncertainty do not alter decision making. Practitioners must estimate the optimal level of monitoring for each conservation challenge. In Chapter 4, I outline a passive adaptive management framework to reduce uncertainty as management actions are implemented and monitored. The framework’s extendable nature makes it adaptable to other management problems. The tools and concepts presented here are valuable assets for effective decision making for managed populations under uncertainty.
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    ‘Through hybrid eyes : empathetic entanglement as a lens for human to animal metamorphosis in Jeff VanderMeer’s Annihilation’ and ‘Becoming Amphibian’ : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters in Creative Writing at Massey University, Manawatū, New Zealand. EMBARGOED until 10th November 2027
    (Massey University, 2025) Smith, Ryan
    This thesis comprises two sections: a 13,000-word critical exegesis of Annihilation (2014), a novel by Jeff VanderMeer, and a 27,000-word creative excerpt from an original speculative horror novella, Becoming Amphibian. In the critical portion of this thesis, I conduct a close reading of Jeff VanderMeer’s Annihilation in which I ask, how does empathetic entanglement provide a lens through which to look at human to animal metamorphosis in fiction? I investigate the human-animal metamorphosis of the unnamed biologist protagonist in Annihilation, particularly considering how her metamorphosis transforms the biologist’s perception of the nonhuman world, her relationships with nonhuman animals, and the benefits and challenges of expressing her new nonhuman abilities and agency. I argue that the biologist’s metamorphosis is an embodiment of philosopher Lori Gruen’s concept of ‘empathetic entanglement’ – a form of human-nonhuman cohabitation where human and nonhuman agency are valued more equally. I assert that the biologist’s unique Nagelian hybrid view of the world can be used as a lens to envision this empathetic entanglement. I also draw on ecocritical researcher Jack Dudley’s idea that actively embracing the trauma of transformation towards ecocentric relationships with animals is ultimately beneficial, and preferable to passively enduring Earth’s slow apocalypse. I further argue that VanderMeer’s fictional pristine ecosystem Area X – in which the bulk of Annihilation is set – could be read as a representation of ecofeminist theorist Donna Haraway’s Chthulucene, her suggested alternative to the current human-centred Anthropocene era. The creative portion of my thesis is an excerpt of an original speculative horror fiction novella called Becoming Amphibian. The narrative is centred around a human protagonist’s metamorphosis into an amphibian, and the metamorphosis of a mid-range clothes shop in the Wellington central business district into a swampland. My story picks up on similar contemporary animal studies research that is present in Jeff VanderMeer’s Annihilation – in particular, a push back against the human gaze; the value of nonhuman animal agency and behaviours in fictional depictions; and human-nonhuman entanglement. Becoming Amphibian also explores interspecies cooperation, as outlined in research by Donna Haraway, and Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari.
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    Investigating canine colour preference through a free choice preference test : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Animal Science at Massey University, Manawatu, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2025) Soanes, Jody
    Dogs are one of the most common pets worldwide, and promoting their welfare is a key concern for many owners. Numerous studies have been performed investigating dogs’ cognitive and sensory capabilities, from which we know that they have poorer vision than humans, including dichromatic vision and red–green colour blindness. Instead, they rely heavily on their other sensory modalities, such as olfaction and low-light detection. Little research has investigated whether dogs show preferences for less dominant sensory cues, such as colour vision, and how this may be integrated into their environment to enhance welfare. This study aimed to investigate whether dogs display a colour preference when presented with three different coloured stimuli in a free-choice preference test based on their visual spectrum. Sixteen domestic dogs were included in this study. Of these, two were used in the pilot study, one was excluded due to a lack of habituation prior to testing, and thirteen were included in the main study. Three coloured bowls containing food (red, blue, and yellow) were presented simultaneously in fixed locations (left, middle, right) over three testing days and a total of 18 trials. Behaviours measured included first bowl visited, number of visits, duration of visits, percentage of time spent interacting with each bowl, latency to approach each bowl, and the first bowl visited in each trial. Data were analysed using either chi-square tests, Fisher’s exact tests, ANOVA, or Poisson regression, with dogs as either a repeated measure or fixed effect, to assess both individual and population preferences. No significant effect of colour was observed at either the population or individual level. Some individuals showed a tendency to prefer red, and overall, dogs approached the red bowl faster than others. However, there was a strong preference for the right-sided location at both the individual and population levels. This location preference became more prominent over repeated trials, possibly overriding any potential colour preferences. The presence of some weak individual colour preferences indicates that colour may play a role in decision-making for some dogs, warranting further research, including more trials and a larger sample size. These findings highlight that while dogs are capable of discriminating colours, it may not be a primary driver of canine choice behaviour. Understanding these patterns has practical implications for promoting canine welfare. Colour alone may not be useful to enhance welfare, but it may still be incorporated alongside other sensory features to support positive experiences.
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    Patterns of nest attendance during the breeding season of the Little Penguin (Eudyptula minor) : 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, 2025) Yap, Emily Juet Yen
    Understanding the breeding behaviour of Little Penguins is essential to gauge reproductive success. This study is the first to examine Little Penguins from Port Tarakohe in the Tasman District of New Zealand, focusing on colony attendance during the 2022 breeding season. Daily nestbox monitoring was utilised for the first time in New Zealand to investigate nest attendance and breeding stages of the Little Penguin. The first analytical chapter is a colony-level investigation, identifying patterns and cycles of nestbox attendance in various categories, including males and females, breeding pairs, and breeding and non-breeding birds. The lunar cycle is also examined as a potential influence on attendance behaviour. The second analytical chapter assesses the nestbox attendance of individual breeding pairs within the Port Tarakohe colony, as the breeding season progresses through its stages. Observations from the first chapter include that pairs of Little Penguins synchronised their colony attendance over multiple months of the breeding season, corresponding to the stages of courtship, incubation and guard. Courtship and egg-laying were found to occur approximately four weeks apart, in multiple distinct waves. Male and female members of separate breeding pairs were found to synchronise their nestbox attendance during the incubation and guard phases. The nestbox attendance of non-breeding birds was found to vary cyclically over a four-week period and appeared to increase close to the time of the full moon although this was not significant. The second chapter reveals that average incubation period and guard period lengths are consistent with those reported from other colonies. Mean nestbox attendance during the incubation periods of breeding pairs was observed to be equal between different sexes. Incubation spell length was observed to rise and fall predictably over the incubation periods of different breeding pairs. One-chick clutches were observed to be guarded for longer than two-chick clutches. These findings complement, contrast with, and extend previous observations on colony attendance made at other Little Penguin colonies, and serve as a base for future research on the Port Tarakohe colony.
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    Impacts of pregnancy shearing ewes on lamb performance : a systematic review, meta-analysis and narrative synthesis of birth-, weaning- and survival-related outcomes : submitted in partial fulfilment of a Master of Science in Animal Science, Massey University, Manawatu, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2025) Zhang, Kailun
    The sale of lamb is now the largest income driver for New Zealand sheep farmers. Therefore, improving lamb pre-weaning survival and weaning weight are important for driving profitability. A management option that has been shown in many studies to result in increased lamb birth weights is shearing ewes during pregnancy. Many studies have also investigated the effects of mid-pregnancy shearing on lamb performance to weaning. This wealth of data can, therefore, provide data to conduct a meta-analysis to quantitatively summarize the effects of pregnancy shearing on both lamb birth and weaning weight. A meta-analysis is a systematic and quantitative literature review method that uses statistical methods to bring together data from existing research to provide a more objective overall conclusion than a purely narrative review. The meta-analysis showed that overall, pregnancy shearing significantly (p < 0.05) increased lamb birth weight by an average of 0.50 standard deviations (Hedge’s d = 0.52), with greater increases observed when shearing occurred between days 42 and 100 of gestation (β = 0.63–0.70). The positive effect of shearing was not present when shearing was conducted after 100 days of pregnancy. The single predictor of “timing of shearing” explained 65% of the variation across trials (I²total = 77.5%). In contrast, the pregnancy shearing effect on weaning weight was non-significant (d = 0.09, p >0.05). A qualitative review of the literature indicated that in addition to the timing of shearing, parameters potentially related to the lamb birthweight response included: the type of comb used increased gestation length, level of ewe nutrition offered in pregnancy, increased ewe intake, increased maternal glucose and elevated thyroid hormones (T3 and T4), enhanced placental development and whether the dam had the potential to deliver otherwise lightweight lambs (i.e. giving birth to multiples) and had the capacity and/or adequate body reserves at time of shearing. Pregnancy shearing under either housed or pasture grazing conditions has on some occasions resulted in higher perinatal lamb survival rates. In addition, some reports on lamb behaviour have shown that pregnancy shearing can improve behaviours relating to survival and the establish lamb-ewe relationships. Pregnancy shearing, however, had little to no effect on lamb wool characteristics. Pregnancy shearing has an effect on ewe behaviour, increasing their comfort behaviour and maternal behaviour, and resulted in increased ewe milk yield, higher milk protein and fat percentages, but had little or no effect on ewe wool traits. In summary for farmers to get a consistent birth weight response to pregnancy shearing there are clear management plans they should follow. Ewes should be shorn between 42 and 100 days of gestation, have a minimum BCS of 2.5, be shorn with cover/winter comb, be offered pasture covers of a minimum of 1300 kg DM/ha and be provided with shelter post shearing.