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Item What goes on TOA : lessons from Tāne Ora o Aotearoa (TOA) in high-performance : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Te Pūtahi-a-Toi, School of Māori Knowledge, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand. EMBARGOED to 2 October 2026.(Massey University, 2023-12-01) Rowe, LukeDisproportionately high burden of disease, social exclusion and deprivation among Māori men are well documented across most health and social indices, and they are reflected within a broad range of policy, strategy, and service delivery initiatives. The reasons underpinning these inequities are certainly complex though clear, as they are connected to a suite of social, cultural, environmental, historical, and structural factors that each coalesce to undermine the overall health status of Māori men. Despite this, there is a growing population of tāne (Māori men) who continue to buck these trends. They are referred to in this thesis as, “tāne ora.” The focus on tāne ora, rather than on Māori men’s health, is deliberate and emphasises the fact that while these two concepts share similar goals and objectives, they are founded on different principles and philosophies. Like the renowned Gould et al (2002) study which interviewed 10 Olympic gold medallists revealing a number of common characteristics between them, this research is about What Drives Tāne Ora focusing on a specific subset of tāne who operate within high-performance environments. Grounded in Kaupapa Māori and Mana Tāne theories, a phenomenological and qualitative research design provided the framework for exploring the journeys of eight tāne within professional rugby aged between 20 and 36 years old. This thesis presents findings of the relationship between high-performance (one phenomena) and tāne ora (another phenomena). By taking this approach, these tāne offer insights into their childhood through to their present-day high-performance endeavours as current All Blacks and/or Māori All Blacks. Three seminal findings were established from this research. Firstly, research into the health and wellbeing of tāne requires broader emphases and attention. Not to simply perpetuate health disparities and deprivation, but to cast a light on where opportunities for gains exist and how more bespoke solutions can be developed. Secondly, health and wellbeing of tāne should be informed by research methodologies which are equally as nuanced and framed. The need for a Mana Tāne Research methodology is overdue if not desirable. Lastly, what drives tāne ora involves a complex interplay of conditions referred to in an acronym format as, MANA TANE. Notably, that any pursuits related to tāne ora needed to be mātauranga-informed, and activated by mana in the first instance. MANA TANE highlights that while all conditions are important, there are some (i.e., MANA) that are essential and others (TANE) that are complimentary. These illustrate the convergence of the conditions as an alternative pathway towards achieving tāne ora. One in which the rules of the sporting and Māori worlds are different with one being more transient and the other, enduring. And that those who are most successful are likely to be those that can have a positive relationship with both modes seamlessly.Item Observed versus expected match-running outputs of international female rugby sevens players : a thesis submitted to Massey University, Albany, New Zealand in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Sport and Exercise(Massey University, 2018) Yallop, KirstyWomen’s rugby sevens is a new and emerging sport with limited knowledge, specifically on international female match-running outputs. It is a rare opportunity to conduct research on elite athletes, and even more so for an emerging women’s sport. The overall aim of this thesis is to establish and compare observed international female rugby sevens players’ match-running outputs versus theoretical expected match-running outputs (elite male players and an established sport, football). Another unknown aspect of the women’s rugby sevens game is how fatigue affects performance. The thesis also determines differences in match-running outputs of international female rugby sevens players from half-to-half, game-to-game and tournament-to-tournament. Global Positioning System (GPS) units worn on the players’ backs were used to collect data from 18 female rugby sevens players across 15 matches and 19 female football players across four matches. Reasons for the gaps found in match-running outputs and aspects that could be improved for optimal elite performance in female rugby sevens were explored. The match-running output measures included low-to-moderate speed running (LMSR <16.5 km), high speed running (HSR >16.6 km), sprints (>21 km) and total distance (TD). These speed thresholds represent previously used zones in rugby sevens match analysis, as well as recommended zones for female sport settings (VX View software). When compared with the expected match-running output measures, male and female rugby sevens players exhibited a large sex performance gap with male players recording more metres across all four measures, LMSR 64.8% (p<0.01), HSR 95.9% (p<0.01), TD 69.3% (p<0.01) and sprints 100% (p<0.01). Female football players and male football players demonstrated an unexpected sex performance gap in HSR of 152.3% (p<0.01), with male players performing more HSR metres. There was a smaller gap in TD 25.3% (p<0.01) and sprints 52.9% (p<0.01) and within the established performance gap for LMSR 2.3% (p = 0.28) between male and female footballers, again with male players recording more metres. There were no significant decreases in match-running outputs for female rugby sevens players from 1st half to 2nd half. However, female football players showed a significant decrease in match-running output in LMSR (p<0.01), TD (p<0.01) and sprints (p<0.01) from 1st half to 2nd half. There were significant differences in match-running output in LMSR (p<0.01) for female rugby sevens players, specifically with an increase between tournaments 2 and 3 (p<0.05) and tournaments 1 and 3 (p<0.05). There were also significant differences in the number of sprints performed (p<0.01), with an increase between tournaments 1 and 2 (p<0.05), and a decrease between tournaments 2 and 3 (p<0.05), and a decrease between games 7 and 11. There were no significant differences in match-running outputs for female football players from game to game. Overall, the findings from this thesis contribute to the limited knowledge on women’s rugby sevens, specifically observing international female match-running outputs. The findings suggest that international female rugby sevens players have significant room to improve overall match-running outputs, aligning more closely with the expected sex performance gap (5-12%) and the established elite sport of football.Item Perceptions and determinants of healthy eating in high performing male adolescent rugby players : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics, Massey University, Albany, New Zealand(Massey University, 2017) Stokes, Emily GraceBackground: Rugby is a competitive sport in New Zealand, with the leading team, the All Blacks, ranked first in the world. Since nutrition plays an important role in sports performance, understanding how to facilitate young high-performing rugby players to eat healthy will help to optimise their performance. Research is lacking regarding perceptions and determinants of healthy eating for young rugby players, both in New Zealand and internationally. This study aimed to explore perceptions and determinants of healthy eating for high performing male adolescent rugby players living in New Zealand. Methods: Perceptions and determinants were explored using semi-structural individual interviews. Participants were 20 male high-performing rugby players aged 16 to 18 years. Interviews were recorded and transcribed for thematic analysis of themes. Results: Perceptions of healthy eating included balance and variety, portions according to energy needs and specific foods. Numerous determinants of healthy eating were described including factors related to the general lifestyle of an adolescent, including peers, family and food availability, cost, convenience and taste of food. Sports-specific determinants relating to participants’ athletic lifestyles were sports performance, motivation to perform, team culture and the timing, amount and types of food on the gastrointestinal tract. Some determinants were both general and sports-specific including the media, physical appearance and feeling good. Conclusion: High-performing male adolescent rugby players living in New Zealand have a good general understanding of the meaning of a healthy diet. A range of determinants influence the diet of these young rugby players, including general and sports-specific determinants from the macro-level, social and physical environment, as well as individual factors. Further research is required to explore the determinants of healthy eating in high-performing male adolescent rugby players both in New Zealand and internationally.Item Dietary practices, attitudes and nutritional knowledge of Auckland club rugby players : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Science in Nutritional Science, Massey University(Massey University, 2004) Buxton, SusanAim: The primary aim of this study was to establish the nutritional knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of Auckland rugby union players. Furthermore, a secondary aim was to investigate the dietary intake of these players and to examine how the knowledge and attitudes might affect nutritional intake. Method: Sixty Auckland premier grade rugby union players, completed two self-administered questionnaires. The first was designed to determine nutritional knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of Auckland rugby union players and the second to investigate the physical activities of the participants. Four-day dietary record was kept for assessment of dietary intake. Finally, body composition of the players was measured using the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry anthropometry method. Results: The rugby players had a mean (±SD) age of 22.8 ±2.5 years, with a mean height and weight of 181±6.5 cm and 98.2 ±14.2 kg. Only nine out of 60 players returned food record diaries. Their mean daily energy intake was 17.3 ±4.3 MJ. The contribution of energy intake was 46% from CHO, 16% from protein, 35% from fat and alcohol supplied 3% of daily energy. The mean score of correct nutrition knowledge questions was 42% ±20. Conclusions: This study has shown that rugby union players have a few misconceptions regarding nutrition and performance. The major misunderstandings are mainly concerning major fuel source to provide energy. The majority of players believed that protein was the predominant source of fuel used by muscles. The data suggests that these athletes may benefit from nutritional support. The players mean daily intake was inadequate for the large amounts of training they were undertaking. However, the contribution of carbohydrate, protein, fat and alcohol to the mean daily energy intake was nearly identical to that of the general New Zealand population. Players need to increase the amount of carbohydrates that they consume as this may help to improve their performance and delay time to fatigue. Key words: Questionnaire, nutritional information, physical characteristics, food diary.Item "Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing", Vince Lombardi (1959) : a case study of the winning ethos and organizational culture of the All Blacks (1950-2010) : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Management at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand(Massey University, 2012) Johnson, Thomas WilliamOrganizational culture has been defined as, “a pattern of shared basic assumptions learned by a group as it solved its problems of external adaptation and internal integration, which has worked well enough to be considered valid, and therefore to be taught to new members as the correct way to perceive, think and feel in relation to those problems” (Schein, 2010, p. 18). The winning record of the All Blacks, a 75% success ratio in test matches, is part of their organizational culture, which has been developed, nurtured and sustained since their inception in 1903. This case study evaluates the All Blacks during three distinct eras between 1950 and 2010. Primary data was obtained through the use of semi-structured, in-depth interviews with past and present All Black captains and coaches. A cross case analysis has been chosen because it is a method used in qualitative research to investigate different phenomena within their real contexts (Yin, 2009). A key finding is the strong senior collective leadership that has been ever present. Originally lead by senior players informally from ‘the back seat of the bus’ this internal leadership has been formalised by the recent coaching team and has proved to be very effective. Pride in the All Blacks legacy, pride in selection and pride in winning are also constant factors in their success. Symbols, such as the jersey with the silver fern are clearly important as well as rituals like the haka, which has become increasingly important. The learning culture within the team has emphasised constant improvement through scientific use of exercise physiology, video analysis, nutrition, and developing effective decision making on and off the field. The importance placed on winning has remained consistent. The learning culture and learning leadership within the All Blacks instils a commitment to total honesty in self and team evaluation and reflection. It is anticipated that these findings will be transferable to other sport team contexts and assist in the organizational development of sport team culture.Item Quantification of individual rugby player performance through multivariate analysis and data mining : a thesis presented for the fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand(Massey University, 2003) Bracewell, Paul JThis doctoral thesis examines the multivariate nature of performance to develop a contextual rating system for individual rugby players on a match-by-match basis. The data, provided by Eagle Sports, is a summary of the physical tasks completed by the individual in a match, such as the number of tackles, metres run and number of kicks made. More than 130 variables were available for analysis. Assuming that the successful completion of observed tasks are an expression of ability enables the extraction of the latent dimensionality of the data, or key performance indicators (KPI), which are the core components of an individual's skill-set. Multivariate techniques (factor analysis) and data mining techniques (self-organising maps and self-supervising feed-forward neural networks) are employed to reduce the dimensionality of match performance data and create KPI's. For this rating system to be meaningful, the underlying model must use suitable data, and the end model itself must be transparent, contextual and robust. The half-moon statistic was developed to promote transparency, understanding and interpretation of dimension reduction neural networks. This novel non-parametric multivariate method is a tool for determining the strength of a relationship between input variables and a single output variable, whilst not requiring prior knowledge of the relationship between the input and output variables. This resolves the issue of transparency, which is necessary to ensure the rating system is contextual. A hybrid methodology is developed to combine the most appropriate KPI's into a contextual, robust and transparent univariate measure for individual performance. The KPI's are collapsed to a single performance measure using an adaptation of quality control ideology where observations are compared with perfection rather than the average to suit the circumstances presented in sport. The use of this performance rating and the underlying key performance indicators is demonstrated in a coaching setting. Individual performance is monitored with the use of control charts enabling changes in form to be identified. This enables the detection of strengths/weakness in the individual's underlying skill-set (KPI's) and skills. This process is not restricted to rugby or sports data and is applicable in any field where a summary of multivariate data is required to understand performance.
