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    Kūkū : a re-imagined fangufangu developed through a Kakala Design Framework : a thesis is presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of : Doctor of Philosophy in Design, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa, Ngā Pae Mahutonga, Pōneke, Aotearoa | Massey University, School of Design, Wellington, New Zealand. EMBARGOED until 19 December 2025.
    (Massey University, 2024-09-23) Kaulamatoa, Rachael
    The fangufangu (nose flute) is a Tongan musical instrument that traces back hundreds of years. Each fangufangu possesses unique physical characteristics, contributing to its distinct sound. Highlighting its historical and cultural significance, one customary use was awakening nobility from slumber. Although rare today, practices of making and performing the fangufangu have been revitalized by Tongan communities in recent years. However, there is limited research on the fangufangu, particularly from a Tongan perspective. This practice-led creative research develops and applies a Kakala Design Framework to holistically and collaboratively explore possibilities of the fangufangu for modern musicians of the Tongan diaspora. The culmination of this research is embodied in Kūkū, a re-imagined fangufangu that enhances specific musical, tangible and visual aesthetics by harmoniously weaving notions of past, present and future. Through an analogue design approach, primary elements of form and material contribute towards enhancing instrument playability and sonic versatility to accommodate use across diverse musical environments and playing styles. Guided by an Indigenised industrial design process predicated on Tongan world-views and values, this exegesis reflects on the collaborative development of Kūkū with Tongan fangufangu practitioners.
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    Real-time measurement of fill volume in a vessel using optical and acoustical means : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering at Massey University, Manawatū, New Zealand. EMBARGOED until further notice.
    (Massey University, 2024) Barzegar, Mohammad Amin
    This thesis investigates optical and acoustical methods for quickly determining the fill volume in cavities, vessels, or hoppers. The motivation for this study was the demand in the New Zealand aerial topdressing industry for a system that can accurately track the fill volume of vessels containing powders. A notable challenge in this industry is that topdressing aircraft lack systems for measuring the volume of discharge vessels during flight, leading to issues with flight safety and operational efficiency. This thesis specifically addresses the challenge of real-time fill volume determination in hoppers within New Zealand's aerial topdressing industry. Additionally, the outcomes of this thesis may offer insights and applicable methods for other industrial and scientific sectors that require real-time, contactless volume determination techniques. Three contactless volume measurement approaches were investigated: ultrasonic range-finding, 3D scanning, and acoustical resonance. The first approach used an array of ultrasonic rangefinders installed in a 200-litre powder-containing vessel, resulting in material level readings from multiple points. This technique was tested under discharge and no-flow conditions. According to the results, this method provided readings of the vessel fill volume with a measurement rate of ~1 Hz and an uncertainty of ~3% of the vessel capacity. The second approach used stereoscopic technique to provide real-time scans of the material surface in the vessel. A model was developed for calculating the volume of material in the vessel using the vessel internal scans. According to the test results on different bulk materials under discharge and no flow conditions for two vessels of sizes 50 and 200 litres, the real-time fill volume of the vessel was obtained with uncertainties less than 1% of the vessel’s volume. The third approach explored Helmholtz Resonance for determining the volume of powders and solids. This involved studying the impact of inserting a sample into Helmholtz Resonators on resonance parameters. Three models were developed for volume estimation: an extended Helmholtz Resonance model modifying the classical equation for resonators with long ports, a model for estimating solid volume in powders based on resonance frequency and quality factor, and a model for instantaneous volume measurement of a vessel's empty cavity using Helmholtz Resonance. The latter correlated the change in cavity sound pressure to its volume, showing it could accurately determine volume in real-time with less than 0.1% error relative to the vessel capacity.
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    The multimodality of creaminess perception : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Food Technology at Massey University, Manawatū Campus, Palmerston North, New Zealand. EMBARGOED until 21 August 2026.
    (Massey University, 2024-02-28) Fisher, Emily Claire
    Creaminess is a complex sensory sensation that drives consumer acceptability of milk. To date, creaminess research has focused on instrumental and compositional measures overlooking the critical consumer perspective. This research took a consumer-led approach to unlock new insights into the underlying sensory attributes driving consumer creaminess perception using perceptual modelling. Robust sensory data, from a trained panel, was combined with consumer approaches for accurate modelling. Initially, attributes and modalities perceived to drive milk creaminess were identified through discussion with consumers representative of two key dairy markets, China and New Zealand (NZ). Subsequently, a milk sample set (n=32) was developed, and an expert panel trained to profile the samples based on attributes identified by consumers. A novel methodological investigation, on the impact of panel training with Polarised Sensory Positioning (PSP) of the sample set, was also explored. Focusing on NZ consumers, participants (n=117) evaluated creaminess and liking perception of the milk samples. Critically, regression modelling was employed to identify key attributes driving creaminess perception based on expert panel data. Several novel findings were discovered. Drivers of creaminess differed to some degree between NZ and Chinese consumers indicating cultural differences across markets. Trained panel sensory data revealed multicollinearity between attributes measured to describe the sample set. Modelling approaches were able to identify key attributes required to predict creaminess. New findings that training has little impact on PSP outcomes was also ascertained. Pertinently combining four attributes, across different modalities, in an Elastic net regression model (‘yellow’, ‘watery’ flavour, ‘in-mouth thickness’ and ‘astringency’) successfully predicted creaminess (R2=0.9514), however these attributes were highly correlated with others retained in a PLS model. Each model had its relative merits. Of further note, consumer creaminess response was highly variable and cluster analysis revealed two different consumer segments with perception impacted by sensitivity to certain attributes: ‘green tinge’, ‘cardboard’, ‘salty’, ‘cooked’, ‘fat separation’, ‘grassy’, ‘buttery’, ‘melting’, ‘cream’ aroma, ‘smoothness’, and ‘astringent’. This research revealed new understanding concerning perceptual attributes contributing to consumer creaminess perception and provided clearer targets for the dairy industry to ensure milk creaminess levels align to consumer expectations and related commercial gain.
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    The tale of the shear-thickening mamaku polysaccharide, from forest to gut : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Food Technology), Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand. EMBARGOED until further notice.
    (Massey University, 2023) Bisht, Akshay
    The New Zealand black tree fern (Cyathea medullaris, ‘mamaku’ in the Māori language) is grown across the Pacific Islands and has a long history of use for therapeutic benefits or as food by Māori people. The water-soluble gum extract from mamaku fern contains a novel glucuronomannan biomacromolecule, called mamaku polysaccharide (MP), which has been shown to exhibit a unique shear-thickening (i.e., increase in viscosity on shearing) behaviour at a similar shear rate as that found in the human stomach. Herein, the objective was to gain a better technical and physiological understanding of MP for designing a novel shear-thickening ingredient for the industry with proven effects in humans. The shear-thickening behaviour of MP was sensitive to the harvesting age of mamaku fronds and industrial operations such as high temperature and shear. With the increase in harvesting age, the molecular weight of MP reduced, which consequently reduced the shear viscosity. The shear-thickening behaviour was lost in MP from old fronds. Furthermore, the temperature treatment disintegrated the backbone of MP into smaller fragments which caused a reduction in viscosity and extent of shear-thickening. Similar rheological trends were observed post-shear treatment, however, there was no evidence of depolymerisation. A combination of in vitro models revealed that mamaku gum extract could improve host gut functioning by reducing the activity of digestive enzymes (α-amylase, pepsin and lipase) and binding bile acids. Mamaku gum can act as a substrate for colonic fermentation, promote the production of short-chain fatty acids and alter the colonic microbial composition. Upon ingesting mamaku gum, the shear-thickening behaviour may develop in the oesophagus causing a possible choking hazard. Therefore, the potential of using the whole pith—natural entrapment of MP in the tissue of pith—as an alternative to gum extract was studied. Freeze-dried pith was ground to powder. The powder particles swelled upon rehydration with water and released the water-soluble MP into the continuous phase in a time-dependent manner. The presence of enough MP in the continuous phase to form polymer-polymer interactions resulted in a shear-thickening behaviour of the pith powder suspension similar to the MP extract solution. Moreover, the co-consumption of 1 h pre-hydrated mamaku pith powder with a carbohydrate-rich meal significantly reduced the postprandial glycaemic response (blood glucose peak height) in human participants. Additionally, the consumption of mamaku pith powder in rats could alter colonic microbiota. Interestingly, more than half of the MP (uronic acid) consumed by rats survived the gut transition and was obtained in faeces, suggesting that MP could potentially be used as a laxative. Thus, mamaku pith could be used as an alternative to gum extract to develop a natural shear-thickening ingredient which may potentially help to manage diabetes and improve colon health.
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    Antigender fashion : the boundless possibilities of gender-fluid fashion design : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, School of Design, Toi Rauwharangi College of Creative Arts, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University, New Zealand. EMBARGOED until 11 May 2026.
    (Massey University, 2023) Beyer, Judith
    Gender fluidity plays an increasingly important role in today’s fashion industry and Western culture, calling into question the very boundaries of gendered fashion. This doctoral project focuses on the incorporation of non-binary fashion in contemporary fashion design. Expanding on what Vicki Karaminas and Justine Taylor termed antigender fashion, this study investigates how contemporary fashion design can challenge and critique norms of gender identities and their representation. Like anti-fashion, which opposes and challenges fashion, antigender fashion seeks to dismantle and confront binary gender signifiers. Fashion is then understood as more than a mirror of society; rather, it is a phenomenon that reflects, absorbs, and visualises broader social and cultural shifts. The focus is therefore on fashion as a system of signification, analysing contemporary fashion imagery and design via a critical visual and textual analysis. To illustrate the various ways in which antigender fashion can expand the gender binary, the thesis takes a multiple case-study approach, discussing the contemporary designers JW Anderson, Gucci under the direction of Alessandro Michele, Art School, and No Sesso, investigating the ways in which they challenge, blur, and critique traditional gender boundaries in the context of fashion and culture. This study seeks to highlight the relevance of fashion in constituting and renegotiating contemporary forms of masculinities and femininities.