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    Higher socioeconomic deprivation in areas predicts cognitive decline in New Zealanders without cognitive impairment
    (Springer Nature Limited, 2024-11-16) Röhr S; Gibson RH; Alpass FM
    Previous studies identified individual-level socioeconomic factors as key determinants of cognitive health. This study investigated the effect of area-based socioeconomic deprivation on cognitive outcomes in midlife to early late-life New Zealanders without cognitive impairment at baseline. Data stemmed from a subsample of the New Zealand Health, Work and Retirement Study, a cohort study on ageing, who completed face-to-face interviews and were reassessed two years later. Cognitive functioning was measured using Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination-Revised, adapted for culturally acceptable use in Aotearoa New Zealand. Area-based socioeconomic deprivation was assessed using the New Zealand Deprivation Index (NZDep2006). Linear mixed-effects models analysed the association between area-based socioeconomic deprivation and cognitive outcomes. The analysis included 783 participants without cognitive impairment at baseline (54.7% female, mean age 62.7 years, 25.0% Māori, the Indigenous people of Aotearoa New Zealand). There was an association between higher area-based socioeconomic deprivation and lower cognitive functioning (B = -0.08, 95%CI: -0.15;-0.01; p = .050) and cognitive decline (B = -0.12, 95%CI: -0.20;-0.04, p = .013) over two years, while controlling for covariates. The findings emphasise the importance of considering neighbourhood characteristics and broader socioeconomic factors in strategies aimed at mitigating cognitive health disparities and reducing the impact of dementia in disadvantaged communities.
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    A roadmap for the future of crowd safety research and practice: Introducing the Swiss Cheese Model of Crowd Safety and the imperative of a Vision Zero target
    (Elsevier B.V., 2023-08-29) Haghani M; Coughlan M; Crabb B; Dierickx A; Feliciani C; van Gelder R; Geoerg P; Hocaoglu N; Laws S; Lovreglio R; Miles Z; Nicolas A; O'Toole WJ; Schaap S; Semmens T; Shahhoseini Z; Spaaij R; Tatrai A; Webster J; Wilson A
    Crowds can be subject to intrinsic and extrinsic sources of risk, and previous records have shown that, in the absence of adequate safety measures, these sources of risk can jeopardise human lives. To mitigate these risks, we propose that implementation of multiple layers of safety measures for crowds—what we label The Swiss Cheese Model of Crowd Safety—should become the norm for crowd safety practice. Such system incorporates a multitude of safety protection layers including regulations and policymaking, planning and risk assessment, operational control, community preparedness, and incident response. The underlying premise of such model is that when one (or multiple) layer(s) of safety protection fail(s), the other layer(s) can still prevent an accident. In practice, such model requires a more effective implementation of technology, which can enable provision of real-time data, improved communication and coordination, and efficient incident response. Moreover, implementation of this model necessitates more attention to the overlooked role of public education, awareness raising, and promoting crowd safety culture at broad community levels, as one of last lines of defence against catastrophic outcomes for crowds. Widespread safety culture and awareness has the potential to empower individuals with the knowledge and skills that can prevent such outcomes or mitigate their impacts, when all other (exogenous) layers of protection (such as planning and operational control) fail. This requires safety campaigns and development of widespread educational programs. We conclude that, there is no panacea solution to the crowd safety problem, but a holistic multi-layered safety system that utilises active participation of all potential stakeholders can significantly reduce the likelihood of disastrous accidents. At a global level, we need to target a Vision Zero of Crowd Safety, i.e., set a global initiative of bringing deaths and severe injuries in crowded spaces to zero by a set year.
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    Managed retreats by whom and how? Identifying and delineating governance modalities
    (Elsevier B.V, 2021) Hanna C; White I; Glavovic BC
    Managed retreat has become a compelling policy imperative as climate change exacerbates socio-natural hazard risks and imminent harm looms for exposed communities. Retreats may be initiated over different times and scales using various instruments by actors, from the state to the private sector and civil society. However, in the absence of a coherent strategic vision, guiding frameworks, and capacity to manage retreats, at-risk communities, their elected representatives, policy makers, and planners are compelled to embark on retreat governance experiments. Consequently, retreat is perceived as a ‘high regrets’ policy imperative with potentially adverse impacts for community wellbeing, as well as political and professional risks. To help translate managed retreat rhetoric into reality, this paper presents a governance framework that acknowledges the multiplicity of ‘managed retreats.’ Using examples from Aotearoa-New Zealand, we identify and delineate retreat modalities and clarify terminology, converging our framework with the international mobility literature to harness the valuable lessons from decades of human mobility practice.
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    Innovative land-use planning for natural hazard risk reduction in New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Resource and Environmental Planning at Massey University, Manawatu, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2012) Saunders, Wendy Susan Anne
    New Zealand is susceptible to a number of natural hazards, yet some land-use planning decisions can lead to developments being located in at risk locations. This can lead to an increase in risk rather than risk reduction, which does not promote the principles of sustainable development. The aim of this research is to develop a riskbased framework for innovative land-use planning that allows risks from natural hazards in New Zealand to be reduced, and encourages better decision making for natural hazard risk reduction. Research methods employed included Participatory Action Research, a literature review, use of case studies, qualitative content analysis, interviews, and workshops. The conceptual foundation of this research integrates insights from innovation scholarship, natural hazards planning, participatory planning and risk governance. The case studies highlighted that an innovative risk governance approach is required to address the shortfalls of existing risk governance arrangements. The state, market and civil society are key to an integrated risk governance approach; however risk creation, bearing and sharing may not be equal between these players, and economic imperatives often override social and environmental concerns. Barriers to and opportunities for innovation for risk reduction included prevailing governance, leadership, legislation, research, second generation plans, cost, liability, skills/ experience/resources, awareness and understanding. There is a variety of guidance available to local government on various natural hazards. But in order to appropriately manage these hazards the risk must first be quantified and qualified – for which there is limited guidance available. This research bridges this gap by outlining an approach to risk governance that is framed around three key steps: 1) articulating and addressing consequences of events; 2) assessing the likelihood of these consequences; and 3) taking a risk-based approach to planning based on Steps 1 and 2. The result is a planning framework that becomes more restrictive as risk increases. With a focus on risk management principles and processes, the framework assists planners by providing policy and resource consent activity status criteria that enable hazard risks to be categorised via risk-based landuse planning. This provides an alternative to the current planning approach that can be used to assess risk implications within the existing planning system. Planning has a vital role to play in reducing risks from natural hazards, but a new approach is required to ensure that planning decisions do not result in an increase in iv risk to people and property. Legislative changes are needed to ensure consistency, integrate legal provisions and provide effective monitoring of risk reduction policies and outcomes. The risk-based framework presented provides a significantly new approach where consequences are the primary concern, rather than likelihood; and it allows for levels of risk to be defined. The result is a framework that can assist decision makers to reduce risks to people and property from natural hazards, and encourages sustainable development.