Massey Documents by Type
Permanent URI for this communityhttps://mro.massey.ac.nz/handle/10179/294
Browse
3340 results
Search Results
Item Survey reveals two-thirds of NZ employees want more work-life flexibility – How should employers respond?(The Conversation Media Group Ltd, 2022-09-16) Macpherson W; Tootell B; Scott J; Kobayashi KItem The Perception of COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown: An Exploratory Study of New Zealand Home Occupants(MDPI (Basel, Switzerland), 2025-10-23) Rasheed EO; Tamang I; Onyeizu-Rasheed E; Vishnu P; Mohsin Shahzad WThe COVID-19 pandemic imposed unprecedented restrictions on movement and daily life, testing the resilience and adaptability of existing housing stock, as families worldwide were forced to adapt their homes into multifunctional environments. In New Zealand, where lockdowns were among the most stringent globally, homes rapidly transformed into workplaces, schools, gyms, and places of refuge. Little is known about how these adaptations affected the sustainability of homes and occupants’ well-being, particularly in the context of future crises. This study examined the economic, environmental, and psychosocial impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on New Zealand households. A questionnaire survey was conducted, and a quantitative analysis method was employed using survey data from 92 valid responses from New Zealand respondents who experienced lockdowns in various types of housing. To find important patterns and connections, descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were conducted. Findings revealed that economic factors had the strongest influence on respondents’ perceived experience during the COVID-19 lockdown, with households reporting increased electricity and water use but reduced fuel costs. Environmental factors were also significant, with respondents noting the importance of fresh air, sunlight, acoustic privacy, and more spacious rooms, alongside the critical need for a dedicated workspace. Psychosocial effects included higher distraction levels, monotony, and heightened concern for health. Group differences highlighted the influence of age and the number of bedrooms on the perceived experience of lockdown. This pilot work offers a New Zealand perspective on the intersection of the pandemic with the sustainability of homes. The practical implications of this study highlight the need for sustainable housing retrofits, hybrid work policies that support ergonomic and acoustically adequate home offices, and demographic-sensitive interventions to enhance resilience and occupant well-being in future crises.Item COVID-19 Lockdown in New Zealand: Perceived Stress and Wellbeing among International Health Students Who Were Essential Frontline Workers(MDPI (Basel, Switzerland), 2022-08-06) Jagroop-Dearing A; Leonard G; Shahid SM; van Dulm O; Dong Z; Gorriz JM; Zhang YThis study examined the stresses and wellbeing of international postgraduate health and nursing students at a tertiary education institute in New Zealand who were mainly essential frontline healthcare workers during the COVID-19 lockdown. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected by purposeful sampling (n = 43). The study utilised a cross-sectional survey, along with the Short Form of Cohen’s Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), adapted for the COVID-19 lockdown, and followed by semi-structured individual interviews. This study is the first in New Zealand to demonstrate that, with a mean PSS-10 score of 21.7 (±7.1), international health students experienced higher than optimal levels of stress, with supporting qualitative data identifying four themes for the sources of stress: (1) familial relationships, (2) essential work, (3) finances, and (4) study. However, these students coped because of the extensive support provided by their education institute and employers. These students played a critical role in the pandemic’s response and made a significant public health contribution by working in the frontline of the COVID-19 outbreak. Considering the global shortage of healthcare workers and understanding the key challenges, means of coping and support provisions, as we have here, offer insights for building and maintaining a resilient and resourceful health workforce through international health and nursing students in New Zealand and elsewhere.Item Bowel screening in New Zealand: are men and Pacific peoples being left behind?(Taylor & Francis Group, 2022) O’Connor L; Braithwaite-Flores A; Jagroop-Dearing A; Dearing CGColorectal cancer screening participation is influenced by several factors including ethnicity and gender. Results from the first 6 months of a new screening scheme were examined in the Hawke’s Bay region of New Zealand. All residents aged between 60 and 74 years of age who participated in the scheme by returning a faecal immunochemical test kit were included. Participant ethnicity was compared with 2018 Hawke’s Bay Census data. Participants who returned a normal (negative), abnormal (positive) and a spoilt kit (defined as being unable to be processed for testing), were collated and compared for gender and ethnicity. A total of 3444 residents participated in the scheme. Overall, participant ethnicity proportions did not represent the Census population for Hawke’s Bay District Health Board residents. The proportions of Māori and Pacific peoples participating were lower than expected. The odds of returning a spoilt kit were six times higher (p = 0.013) for Pacific peoples and four times higher for men (p = 0.040). This short communication suggests that bowel screening programmes in New Zealand need to collate kit return rates and spoilt kits with the numbers of kits that are actually sent out to ensure equity for bowel screening in New Zealand.Item Exploring youth vaping in New Zealand intermediate and high schools: a mixed-methods study protocol(BioMed Central Limited, part of Springer Nature, London, 2025-12) Jagroop-Dearing A; Lañas–Pangan J; Khan MH; Dearing CG; Forrest RHBackground: Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) represent a global growing public-health concern among adolescents. In Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ), daily vaping rates have risen sharply (10.5%) among 15–17-year-olds in 2023/24. This is alarming due to nicotine’s addictive nature and its impact on adolescent brain development, mental health, and academic performance. Māori youth and those in socio-economically deprived areas are disproportionately affected, exacerbating existing health-inequities. Legislative frameworks prohibit vaping on school premises, yet ease of access remains a concern. Punitive school responses are increasingly viewed as harmful and ineffective, highlighting an urgent need for evidence-based, health-centred interventions. Methods: This multiphase, mixed-methods study explores vaping within secondary schools on the East Coast, NZ. Phase 1 involves online surveys to collect quantitative data on vaping behaviours, targeting 1375 students to ensure sufficient statistical power. Initial qualitative data will be gathered alongside. Phase 2 employs in-depth interviews and focus groups with students (vapers/non-vapers) and staff to explore perceptions of health risks, access, and effectiveness of school responses. A rapid scoping review (RSR) will synthesise existing research on adolescent vaping in Oceanic countries, identifying behavioural patterns, legislative impacts, and gaps in the evidence base. Discussion: This protocol addresses critical knowledge gaps by integrating quantitative and qualitative findings with a RSR. This study aims to inform the development of culturally appropriate, health-based, vape prevention and cessation strategies. Ultimately, findings may support a paradigm shift away from punitive disciplinary measures towards supportive school-based interventions, that improve public-health outcomes and reduce health inequities.Item Indigenous Perspectives and Gene Editing in Aotearoa New Zealand(Frontiers Media SA, 2019-04-11) Hudson M; Mead ATP; Chagné D; Roskruge N; Morrison S; Wilcox PL; Allan AC; Robienski JGene editing is arguably the most significant recent addition to the modern biotechnology toolbox, bringing both profoundly challenging and enabling opportunities. From a technical point of view the specificity and relative simplicity of these new tools has broadened the potential applications. However, from an ethical point of view it has re-ignited the debates generated by earlier forms of genetic modification. In New Zealand gene editing is currently considered genetic modification and is subject to approval processes under the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA). This process requires decision makers to take into account Māori perspectives. This article outlines previously articulated Māori perspectives on genetic modification and considers the continuing influence of those cultural and ethical arguments within the new context of gene editing. It also explores the range of ways cultural values might be used to analyse the risks and benefits of gene editing in the Aotearoa New Zealand context. Methods used to obtain these perspectives consisted of (a) review of relevant literature regarding lessons learned from the responses of Maori to genetic modification, (b) interviews of selected 'key Maori informants' and (c) surveys of self-selected individuals from groups with interests in either genetics or environmental management. The outcomes of this pilot study identified that while Māori informants were not categorically opposed to new and emerging gene editing technologies a priori, they suggest a dynamic approach to regulation is required where specific uses or types of uses are approved on a case by case basis. This study demonstrates how the cultural cues that Māori referenced in the genetic modification debate continue to be relevant in the context of gene editing but that further work is required to characterize the strength of various positions across the broader community.Item 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, CaioManaging 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.Item No place to hide: Marine habitat does not determine per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in odontocetes(Elsevier B.V., 2025-12-10) Stockin KA; Peters KJ; Saltré F; Machovsky-Capuska GE; Betty EL; Tremblay LA; Yi SAs meso- and apex predators in food webs, marine mammals can bioconcentrate persistent environmental contaminants like per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Although the presence of PFAS is widely reported in the marine environment, there is a lack of data for cetaceans in Oceania. We investigated whether ecological habitat influences bioconcentration patterns across a range of odontocete (toothed whale, dolphin and porpoise) species. We measured PFAS in liver samples (n = 127) from 16 cetacean species representing four families inhabiting four marine habitats along the Aotearoa New Zealand coastline. We analysed six perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids, ten perfluoroalkyl sulphonic acids and four precursor compounds in the context of sex, body index, habitat and species/family using generalized linear mixed models. Results showed that marine habitat remained a weak predictor of PFAS burden. Instead, biological factors including sex and age class best explained the levels of PFAS detected across all species and habitats. We offer first important insights on PFAS levels across several new taxa globally, including endemic endangered species and poorly described polar vagrants. Our findings further highlight how the ubiquitous nature of PFAS pose a higher risk to odontocetes across different seascapes than previously anticipated.Item The experiences of becoming and being a nurse leader in Aotearoa New Zealand in the 21st century : a thesis presented in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing, at Massey University, Manawatū, Aotearoa New Zealand(Massey University, 2025-11-27) Kerr, DianneThe Experiences of Becoming and Being a Nurse Leader in Aotearoa New Zealand in the 21st century This thesis explores the experiences of current registered nurses who have attained leadership positions in Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ). A feminist deconstruction of gender framework serves as a lens to examine how masculine and feminine binaries affect the experiences of nurse leaders in a neoliberal environment that has commodified and devalued the act of caring. Particular attention was paid to the different challenges experienced by Māori nurses as the indigenous people of a post-colonialist Aotearoa. The research employed a qualitative design using an exploratory, descriptive survey, grounded in a pragmatic philosophical approach. It was conducted in two phases: an online questionnaire followed by two rounds of interviews. In total 49 participants completed the questionnaire and 13 participants were interviewed. All participants held NZ nurse registration and had been in leadership roles in healthcare for at least three years, during which time they were responsible for overseeing staff. Respondents represented diverse practice backgrounds and localities. The findings indicate that most participants achieved leadership roles primarily through chance and personal determination. In many cases, pursuing post-graduate education or serendipitous opportunities broadened their perspectives on nursing. The nurse leaders in this study realised they could have a significantly greater impact on the quality of care they wished to provide by stepping into leadership positions. However, they faced challenges related to nursing's strong association with femininity and often experienced subordination to the male-dominated fields of medicine and management. There is ample evidence linking empowered nurse leadership to effective care; however, nursing input in healthcare decisions is often overlooked due to the prevailing assumption that traditionally feminine traits do not significantly contribute to patient outcomes. Despite the proven value and significance of nurse leadership, this research indicates that leadership is not adequately planned for or supported in a way that reflects the size of the nursing workforce. Post-graduate education has been shown to raise nurse consciousness, yet NZ healthcare systems and academic institutions fail to invest in or value the critical thinking and awareness needed for nurse leaders to function and contribute effectively in the current neoliberalist environment. This research suggests that preparation for leadership in nursing should focus on helping nurses gain an awareness of their identity within a gendered profession before developing their leadership skills. Highlighting nurses who have succeeded in roles beyond bedside care and providing mentorship and networking opportunities for emerging leaders will cultivate future nurse leaders who can advance the profession. Key findings: • gendered socialisation continues to impact the career trajectories of nurse leaders, • neoliberalist environments create challenges for nursing autonomous practice • ongoing issues of colonialism, racism and sexism influence the career pathways of nurses in AotearoaItem Traumatic brain injury and substance use disorder in Aotearoa New Zealand : characteristics, correlates, and the role of social cognition in an inpatient addictions treatment sample : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the qualification of Doctor of Clinical Psychology at Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand(Massey University, 2025-11-25) Marshall, Hannah L. M.Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) and Substance Use Disorder (SUD) often cooccur, yet the underlying mechanisms linking these conditions remain unclear. One potential explanation is that TBI disrupts neuropsychological functioning, particularly Social Cognition, thereby increasing the risk of SUD. The overall objective of this thesis is to explore these relationships in depth. To achieve this, the first study aimed to gather a detailed history of head-injury characteristics among individuals with SUD in Aotearoa, including TBI with loss of consciousness (LOC). By ascertaining these characteristics, the second study aimed to examine their association with neuropsychological outcomes. Third, our final study aimed to explore the potential role of Social Cognition in explaining the relationship between TBI and SUD. A total of 77 adults (aged 18-64) engaged in residential treatment for SUD, participated in the current research. During their residential treatment program, participants completed self-report questionnaires to ascertain head-injury, TBI and SUD history, mental health, and TBI-related symptom severity. Of this sample, 70 went on to complete neuropsychological tasks. Study 1 revealed that one hundred percent of the sample endorsed one or more lifetime head-injury events. 81.8% of the sample had experienced a self-reported TBI featuring LOC, with the remaining 18.2% having a history of a ‘possible TBI’ where they sustained a head-injury event without LOC. Overall, 91% sustained multiple lifetime head-injuries (either with or without LOC). Compared to the general New Zealand population, this sample featured a higher rate of TBIs of moderate severity, and most events were untreated. Many individuals sustained head-injuries at a young age and sustained repeated injuries into adulthood. Study 2 found that individuals who had a high number of lifetime head-injuries showed significantly lower scores on executive functioning and self-reported experiencing more cognitive difficulties. Study 3 found that within Social Cognition, the interpretation of complex social cues, particularly those involving deception and subtle social intentions, may mediate the relationship between TBI and SUD. This research contributes to identifying unique rates, patterns, and outcomes of head-injury including TBI among treatment-seeking substance users and highlights factors which may increase individuals’ vulnerability. Social Cognition appears to be a mechanism worthy of future exploration as it may explain the relationship between TBI and SUD. Implications of these results for treatment and rehabilitation and directions for future research are discussed.