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Item Attitudes to noise and behaviour towards hearing protection among Pasifika university students in New Zealand(Taylor and Francis Group on behalf of the Royal Society of New Zealand, 2021-01-17) Reddy R; Nosa V; Mafi I; Welch D; Gaffney JSIt is estimated that 1.1 billion young people worldwide are at risk of hearing loss due to high levels of noise exposure. Hearing loss can contribute to low self-esteem, poor employment prospects and social problems. The aim of this research was to explore the attitudes and beliefs towards noise, hearing loss and hearing protection among Pasifika university students in New Zealand. 96 Pasifika students completed the Youth Attitude to Noise Scale (YANS) and Beliefs About Hearing Protection and Hearing Loss (BAHPHL) questionnaire electronically using a Qualtrics survey. The findings show that the study sample had higher mean scores in the BAHPHL scales related to susceptibility to hearing loss, severity of hearing loss, and benefits of preventive action compared to findings of similar international research. This implies that Pasifika participants had more positive beliefs than their international peers on some factors. Despite their greater awareness, the Pasifika sample had similarly poor attitudes related to minimising loud sounds in the daily environment, perceived barriers towards prevention, behavioural intention and social norms towards hearing conservation. This study provides a good foundation to develop a culturally appropriate hearing conservation intervention aimed at improving hearing-health outcomes among young Pasifika people.Item Pasifika practitioners' experiences : working with people engaged in harmful sexual behaviour : a thesis submitted to Massey University in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Science in Psychology at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand(Massey University, 2022) Gojak, NatasjaPacific peoples in Aotearoa continue to be over-represented amongst those who demonstrate harmful sexual behaviour (HSB). Given the stigma that often coincides with this behaviour, there is a paucity in existing literature that considers the experiences of those providing treatment for HSB, particularly among Pasifika communities. This becomes even more of a concern for Pasifika people providing treatment to Pasifika with HSB, given the hierarchies, protocols and boundaries that exist within Pasifika communities. This study posed the question; what is the experience of Pasifika practitioners’ working with Pasifika who have demonstrated HSB? The aim of this research was to provide insight into the experience of Pasifika practitioners in this space in the endeavour to provide an exploratory. The objective was threefold; (i) Establish a basis of knowledge that can be built on through future study to support the professional development of Pasifika and non-Pasifika practitioners working with HSB, (ii) Create greater awareness and support within the community for Pasifika practitioners working within the space of HSB, (iii) Determine recommendations for developing culturally appropriate treatment for working with HSB so practitioners can engage in evidence-based practice that is culturally safe. A Pasifika-appropriate Talanoa methodology was employed to navigate data collection with the participation from five Pasifika practitioners who include social workers and psychologists. Data was analysed using thematic analysis. In response to the research question, four overarching themes were identified to depict the experience of Pasifika practitioners; the centrality of the Vā, integrating culture into practice, service to the community and navigating heterogeneity. This study identified the need for future research to focus on a professional development framework for Pasifika practitioners working with HSB. It also highlights that efforts should be made to improve guidelines and supports for Pasifika practitioners working with HSB. Moreover, in the endeavour to create infrastructure and policy that further perpetuates appropriate methodologies, these goals should sought to be achieved in a way that is Pacific by Pacific for Pacific.Item Navigating the values of Siapo: Through identity, Le Va and textile design: : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of M.Des. at Massey University, New Zealand(Massey University, 2014) Withers, Sonya ElspethIntroduction: Growing up as a child of mixed race, I was never aware of the major influences my ethnic identity would play upon my existence as a designer today Looking back now I have seen how important the teachings of my elders and Samoan relatives have become in providing me with a sense of respect for tradition, Samoan culture and faith. Yet, I am always reminded of my European and Scottish heritage when encountering differences. From the experiences I have attained through my involvement in the Pasifika Arts community, my professional role in high-end menswear, and a daughter to a father of European Scottish heritage, I have begun to question where these values around tradition and culture will lie in the future. The interconnected culture of Siapo has been a prominent medium in navigating this journey. About this Exegesis This exegesis is constructed through five main parts and a progressive conclusion. Each part consists of a short film and supporting text as an attempt to provide a glimpse in to the experiences and context gained throughout the project. It should also be noted that the use of Talanoa has been a prominent research methodology throughout this journey ( 1) ( 1) Talanoa - a tong an term meaning "a personal encounter where people story their issues, their realities and aspirations" (Vaioleti, 1999-2003). Several talanoa with Rev. S.L. Vaioleti, Head of the Church of Tonga, USA, in Palo Alto, Oakland, San Francisco.Item The South Pacific Islands Resist Diabetes With Intense Training (SPIRIT) Study : investigation of obesity markers and morphological, functional and genetic changes in the skeletal muscle : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Human Health, College of Health, Massey University at Wellington, New Zealand(Massey University, 2013) Hayat, IrumThe skeletal muscle (SM), the major tissue for disposal of excess blood glucose, plays a big role in development of insulin resistance leading to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Lipid accumulation and decline in mitochondrial activity in SM has been observed in people with T2DM. Several studies have demonstrated that exercise has the ability to increase SM lipid oxidation and mitochondrial activity and hence is effective as a treatment strategy for people with T2DM for improving blood glucose control and insulin sensitivity. The SPIRIT study was the first clinical randomised exercise trial involving a cohort of Polynesian New Zealanders with T2DM. The uniqueness of this study is that it is the first clinical trial in Polynesian population with grade 3 obesity (n=18; BMI 43.8 ± 9.5 kg/m2) and T2DM. The SPIRIT cohort underwent 16 weeks of progressive resistance training (PRT) or aerobic exercise (AER) training. The cohort showed no changes in HbA1c levels after 16 weeks of exercise and hence no improvement in their blood glucose control. This was an unexpected result and led to the following hypothesis which underlines this PhD study – ?In skeletal muscle of SPIRIT cohort, metabolic adaptation to exercise is delayed due to metabolic inflexibility?. To investigate this hypothesis, mitochondrial function and morphology, lipid droplet content and changes in gene expression pre and post exercise intervention were examined in the SM. Since the SPIRIT cohort showed no changes in weight, waist circumference and BMI, examination of the concentration of specific obesity markers pre and post exercise training also occurred. Mitochondrial function was examined pre and post 16 weeks exercise intervention by measuring the SM activity of three key mitochondrial enzymes; citrate synthase (CS) involved in Krebs cycle, beta-hydrxoyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (BHAD) involved in fat oxidation and cytochrome c oxidase (COX) involved in electron transport chain. The PRT cohort showed statistically significant increases in activity for COX (P=0.005) and CS (P=0.007) with very large effect size (2.3 ± 1.3 and 1.8 ± 1.3 respectively). AER exercise led to significant increases in the activity for all three enzymes COX (P=0.01), CS (P=0.03), BHAD (P=0.03) with moderate effect size for both COX and CS activity but very large effect for BHAD (6.7 ± 1.2). For all three enzymes there were statistically significant differences (P<0.05) between the AER and PRT groups. These results demonstrate increased mitochondrial activity and functioning after 16 weeks of PRT or AER exercise.Item Changing our behaviours as teachers in order to meet the needs of our culturally diverse students : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Education (Teaching and Learning) at Massey University, New Zealand(Massey University, 2013) Theobald, ChristopherThis thesis is a qualitative, interpretative study, which examines the pedagogical processes that were involved in the implementation of the culturally relevant school programme – Ka Pai Kai – in order to derive a framework to guide teacher behaviour regarding future programme" implementation. The ‘oppressive’ dominant culture of New Zealand schools is acknowledged as a limiting factor in regard to success for those students who are from cultural minorities, especially Maori and Pasifika students. In order to combat this oppression, programmes are required to understand, be critically reflective, and act upon the needs of all students and their communities. I believe that the students in our schools in 21st Century Aotearoa deserve educational environments that are free of culturally biased oppression. The research centres around a physical activity and nutrition programme – Ka Pai Kai – that was used in one school to overtly increase both the cultural content and community participation. The experience of this programme was used as a focus for this research. Rich sources of data in the form of key informant interviews, individual and group staff interviews, and document analysis were used to provide a base of information that was worked through an interpretative analysis to identify recurring themes of culturally relevant pedagogy. During this research, respondents found it was useful to separate pedagogy into two clearly defined but related components: ‘Programme’ and ‘Implementation’. Previous evaluation confirmed that Ka Pai Kai was a positive example of a culturally relevant programme, therefore the focus of this research was on the implementation component of [critical] pedagogy. This research had six key findings: 1. When considering a pedagogical approach, teachers found it useful to distinguish between programme content and programme implementation 2. A set of elements was found that teachers believed/confirmed were required for successful implementation"of"culturally responsive programmes; 3. These elements had an ‘order’ in the sense that they did not all operate at the same level and there may have been a temporal sequence; 4. Each element can be explained in detail, yet they were not mutually exclusive; 5. In a small school, and in a pedagogical sense, the distinction between elements which relate to programme content and those that relate to implementation was blurred; and, 6. Teachers believed that these elements are probably transferable to other curriculum areas. The interpretative analysis identified four ‘First Order’ elements that powerfully impacted on the implementation of the programme in a manner that was culturally responsive to the needs of a diverse community. Seven further ‘Second Order’ elements were identified that either enhanced one or all of the first order elements, or stood alone as more minor contributors to successful implementation. The higher level analysis provided an insight into the role of pedagogy in the daily lives of teachers and I present my conclusions based around the need to bridge the gap between pedagogy and practice. One conclusion is the creation of a matrix to be used as a tool to alter teacher behaviour. The matrix can be used in planning (and evaluating the implementation phase of culturally relevant programmes. The matrix combines the First and Second Order elements to suggest transferability of success between the Ka Pai Kai programme and other school programmes that attempt to reach the same diverse audience. This thesis serves as a springboard to focus on ways to bring about the change in teacher behaviour that is required for all students to achieve equitable outcomes. A lingering concern is the gap between knowledge/attitudes that teachers showed and their behaviour/practice. The framework identified is one means of bringing about this change in practice; the shift needs to turn to ensuring that the focus of all schools is soundly placed on addressing the needs of all students they serve.Item A Co-Designed, Culturally-Tailored mHealth Tool to Support Healthy Lifestyles in Māori and Pasifika Communities in New Zealand: Protocol for a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial(JMIR Publications, 22/08/2018) Verbiest M; Borrell S; Dalhousie S; Tupa'i-Firestone R; Funaki T; Goodwin D; Grey J; Henry A; Hughes E; Humphrey G; Jiang Y; Jull A; Pekepo C; Schumacher J; Te Morenga L; Tunks M; Vano M; Whittaker R; Ni Mhurchu CBACKGROUND: New Zealand urgently requires scalable, effective, behavior change programs to support healthy lifestyles that are tailored to the needs and lived contexts of Māori and Pasifika communities. OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this study is to determine the effects of a co-designed, culturally tailored, lifestyle support mHealth tool (the OL@-OR@ mobile phone app and website) on key risk factors and behaviors associated with an increased risk of noncommunicable disease (diet, physical activity, smoking, and alcohol consumption) compared with a control condition. METHODS: A 12-week, community-based, two-arm, cluster-randomized controlled trial will be conducted across New Zealand from January to December 2018. Participants (target N=1280; 64 clusters: 32 Māori, 32 Pasifika; 32 clusters per arm; 20 participants per cluster) will be individuals aged ≥18 years who identify with either Māori or Pasifika ethnicity, live in New Zealand, are interested in improving their health and wellbeing or making lifestyle changes, and have regular access to a mobile phone, tablet, laptop, or computer and to the internet. Clusters will be identified by community coordinators and randomly assigned (1:1 ratio) to either the full OL@-OR@ tool or a control version of the app (data collection only plus a weekly notification), stratified by geographic location (Auckland or Waikato) for Pasifika clusters and by region (rural, urban, or provincial) for Māori clusters. All participants will provide self-reported data at baseline and at 4- and 12-weeks postrandomization. The primary outcome is adherence to healthy lifestyle behaviors measured using a self-reported composite health behavior score at 12 weeks that assesses smoking behavior, fruit and vegetable intake, alcohol intake, and physical activity. Secondary outcomes include self-reported body weight, holistic health and wellbeing status, medication use, and recorded engagement with the OL@-OR@ tool. RESULTS: Trial recruitment opened in January 2018 and will close in July 2018. Trial findings are expected to be available early in 2019. CONCLUSIONS: Currently, there are no scalable, evidence-based tools to support Māori or Pasifika individuals who want to improve their eating habits, lose weight, or be more active. This wait-list controlled, cluster-randomized trial will assess the effectiveness of a co-designed, culturally tailored mHealth tool in supporting healthy lifestyles. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australia New Zealand Clinical Trials Register ACTRN12617001484336; http://www.ANZCTR.org.au/ACTRN12617001484336.aspx (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/71DX9BsJb). REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER: RR1-10.2196/10789.