Analysis of Anthropogenic and Natural Noise from Multilevel Borehole Seismometers in an Urban Environment, Auckland, New Zealand

2015 ◽  
Vol 105 (1) ◽  
pp. 285-299 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. M. Boese ◽  
L. Wotherspoon ◽  
M. Alvarez ◽  
P. Malin
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Urban Environment ◽  
Natural Noise

scholarly journals Understanding the distribution of introduced mammalian predators in an urban environment using monitoring tools and community trapping

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Cherie Balls
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Urban Environment ◽  
Ecological Restoration ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Trap Density ◽  
Predator Control ◽  
Mammalian Predators ◽  
Monitoring Devices ◽  
Tracking Tunnels ◽  
Broad Scale

<p>Introduced mammalian predators are one of the largest conservation threats to New Zealand native flora and fauna, and there is an increasing concern about their presence in urban environments, coupled with a recognition that cities present a unique opportunity for ecological restoration, due to the availability of a large number of volunteers and options for intensive management of green spaces and gardens. Predator control is an essential step towards the ecological restoration of urban environments, however, it requires an understanding of the factors influencing the distribution of these mammalian predators before successful control operations can be implemented. Few studies have investigated mammalian predators in urban environments, and there is little certainty about what drives their distribution in these environments. This thesis used simple mammal monitoring techniques and trapping data to investigate the distribution of mammalian predators within broad scale urban environments, with the aim of identifying drivers of their distribution.  Chew cards and tracking tunnels collected across three New Zealand cities were assessed for their efficacy as accurate monitoring devices in urban environments. In Chapter 2, monitoring devices were cross-checked between observers to assess the level of consistency in interpretation of chew and tracking marks. The consistency of chew card and tracking tunnel identifications was relatively high overall and were not substantially influenced by the city of identification, or the duration of card exposures. Monitoring devices were also assessed for their change in sensitivity between one and six-night exposures. Both devices were effective at detecting rats, however, tracking tunnels showed greater sensitivity and consistency in detecting mice and hedgehogs, whereas chew cards were better suited to the monitoring of possums. Neither device was particularly effective at detecting mustelids or cats.  In Chapter 3, mammalian predators were monitored across 24 monitoring lines in autumn, 2018, and results were compiled with spring 2017 and autumn 2018 data, pre-collected in two other cities, following the same procedures. There were distinct differences in the broad-scale habitat utilisation of rats, mice, hedgehogs, with possums being the only species to show a strong preference for urban forests. Only two of the tested microhabitat variables had an influence on species distributions. Detection of rats declined with increasing distance to the coast, and the increase in human population size was related to a significant increase in hedgehogs. There was a strong seasonal difference on the influence of local trap density and the detection of mammals. The increase in trap density within 25-50m radii was significantly related to a decrease in rat and hedgehog detections. Overall, there are substantial differences between the distributions of species in an urban environment.  Trapping is one of the main methods of predator control in New Zealand, and is already widespread within urban and suburban Wellington. In Chapter 4, I compiled trap data from 22 community trapping groups operating in residential and reserve areas in Wellington City. Residential groups (“backyard trappers”) used a high proportion of Victor and various rat and mouse traps, which was strongly linked to their high number of rat and mouse catches. Groups trapping in reserves used a high proportion of DOC 200, Victor and A24 traps, however, fewer hedgehogs were caught compared to residential areas. Catches were significantly influenced by various landscape variables. An increased distance of traps to streams led to significantly higher catches of rats, conversely, proximity to streams resulted in significantly higher catches of mice and hedgehogs. Although few catches of weasels were reported, traps closer to the coast and to forest fragments caught significantly more individuals.  The research in this thesis contributes to the small body of research conducted on mammalian predators within urban environments. The findings in this thesis can assist with the current and future predator management programmes, by highlighting areas of potential significance, particularly in Wellington.</p>

scholarly journals Room to Breathe: Designing a framework for medium density housing in Ōtautahi-Christchurch

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Joshua Campbell-Tie
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Full Advantage ◽  
Urban Environment ◽  
Central City ◽  
Mass Transit ◽  
Design Framework ◽  
Medium Density ◽  
Housing Costs ◽  
The Future ◽  
The City

<p><b>Ōtautahi-Christchurch faces the future in an enviable position. Compared to other New Zealand cities Christchurch has lower housing costs, less congestion, and a brand-new central city emerging from the rubble of the 2011 earthquakes. ‘Room to Breathe: designing a framework for medium density housing (MDH) in Ōtautahi-Christchurch’ seeks to answer the timely question how can medium density housing assist Ōtautahi-Christchurch to respond to growth in a way that supports a well-functioning urban environment? Using research by design, the argument is made that MDH can be used to support a safe, accessible, and connected urban environment that fosters community, while retaining a level of privacy. This is achieved through designing a neighbourhood concept addressing 3 morphological scales- macro- the city; meso- the neighbourhood; and micro- the home and street. The scales are used to inform a design framework for MDH specific to Ōtautahi-Christchurch, presenting a typological concept that takes full advantage of the benefits higher density living has to offer.</b></p> <p>Room to Breathe proposes repurposing underutilised areas surrounding existing mass transit infrastructure to provide a concentrated populous who do not solely rely on private vehicles for transport. By considering all morphological scales Room to Breathe provides one suggestion on how MDH could become accepted as part of a well-functioning urban environment.</p>

scholarly journals Haumanu Ipukarea reviving tūrangawaewae, identity and place

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
William Hatton
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Urban Environment ◽  
Cultural Values ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Natural Landscape ◽  
Cultural Expression ◽  
Aotearoa New Zealand ◽  
Beliefs And Values ◽  
Values And Beliefs ◽  
Sense Of Identity

<p>Landscapes are a fundamental component for the identity of people. This is evident through the eyes of the indigenous Māori people who express, like many indigenous cultures, that identity is formed from ones interconnected relationship to the land. For Māori, land is embodied as a part of their identity formed by the principle of whakapapa and importantly mātauranga. Mātauranga Māori is the comprehensive body of traditional indigenous knowledge built over centuries of both physical and metaphysical paradigms. Much of the knowledge obtained, originated from te taiao, where the importance of mountains, rivers, lakes, forests and place, established one’s sense of tūrangawaewae.  Since the first colonial migrations to Aotearoa/New Zealand, much of the traditional knowledge acquired and developed over generation’s are at great risk of western dominance. Western science and knowledge has altered the endemic Aotearoa/New Zealand landscape dramatically depleting many natural ecologies. Forests and waterways continue to be in jeopardy from commercialisation and urbanisation, where the current urban environment questions the way we appreciate and make sense of our endemic natural landscape. Alterations to the land has prompted changes in people’s beliefs and values, and sense of identity.  Mātauranga has slowly begun to be reintroduced into the urban environment as a progressive way forward. This research builds upon the concept to promote mātauranga, reconnecting people and place, and improving one’s sense of identity. With more than 88% of Māori now residing in urban areas, and many non-Māori unaware of indigenous cultural values and beliefs, the focus looks to provide a place of gathering, learning, engaging, reflecting, healing and belonging, preserving and appreciating Aotearoa/New Zealand’s cultural expression of the landscape. The research looks upon a regenerating valley system near the heart of Wellington City, reviving the Māori beliefsof ki uta ki tai and that of hīkoi. The research looks at opportunities to better express and understand bi-culturalism</p>

Knitting Patterns

2021 ◽  
pp. 2055-2069
Author(s):  
Dermott John James McMeel ◽  
Robert Amor
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Urban Environment ◽  
Dynamic Simulation ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Test Case ◽  
Agent Based ◽  
Emerging Trends ◽  
Open Standards ◽  
The City ◽  
Design And Construction

Large software conglomerates like Trimble and Autodesk provide consumers with suites of software that perform many functions within the design and construction process. Communicating with software outside of the suite can be highly problematic as file types and communication protocols are proprietary and closed within that software family - the antithesis of interoperability). This is in stark contrast with emerging trends in consumer computing, where we find a rich ecosystem of devices and services facilitating a period of intense innovation. This paper documents original research that aims to implement communication beyond specific software suites and test, to what extent, wider software ecosystems revolving around open standards might be implemented within the design and construction domain. Our first test case—an agent-based dynamic simulation combining natural and built environmental components—is deployed to explore the city as a multitude of interrelated natural and built patterns. We analyze the role this simulation might play in managing the complexities of rebuilding a sustainable urban environment after the devastating earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand. The second test case deploys an iPad application to communicate with a BIM model - exploring the development of a mobile application and methodology for openly communicating outside of the intended software family. Through these case studies we begin to identify ways to leverage emergent device and data ecosystems and representations for ‘knitting' devices and services together in innovative ways to advance design and construction processes.

scholarly journals Understanding the distribution of introduced mammalian predators in an urban environment using monitoring tools and community trapping

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Cherie Balls
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Urban Environment ◽  
Ecological Restoration ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Trap Density ◽  
Predator Control ◽  
Mammalian Predators ◽  
Monitoring Devices ◽  
Tracking Tunnels ◽  
Broad Scale

<p>Introduced mammalian predators are one of the largest conservation threats to New Zealand native flora and fauna, and there is an increasing concern about their presence in urban environments, coupled with a recognition that cities present a unique opportunity for ecological restoration, due to the availability of a large number of volunteers and options for intensive management of green spaces and gardens. Predator control is an essential step towards the ecological restoration of urban environments, however, it requires an understanding of the factors influencing the distribution of these mammalian predators before successful control operations can be implemented. Few studies have investigated mammalian predators in urban environments, and there is little certainty about what drives their distribution in these environments. This thesis used simple mammal monitoring techniques and trapping data to investigate the distribution of mammalian predators within broad scale urban environments, with the aim of identifying drivers of their distribution.  Chew cards and tracking tunnels collected across three New Zealand cities were assessed for their efficacy as accurate monitoring devices in urban environments. In Chapter 2, monitoring devices were cross-checked between observers to assess the level of consistency in interpretation of chew and tracking marks. The consistency of chew card and tracking tunnel identifications was relatively high overall and were not substantially influenced by the city of identification, or the duration of card exposures. Monitoring devices were also assessed for their change in sensitivity between one and six-night exposures. Both devices were effective at detecting rats, however, tracking tunnels showed greater sensitivity and consistency in detecting mice and hedgehogs, whereas chew cards were better suited to the monitoring of possums. Neither device was particularly effective at detecting mustelids or cats.  In Chapter 3, mammalian predators were monitored across 24 monitoring lines in autumn, 2018, and results were compiled with spring 2017 and autumn 2018 data, pre-collected in two other cities, following the same procedures. There were distinct differences in the broad-scale habitat utilisation of rats, mice, hedgehogs, with possums being the only species to show a strong preference for urban forests. Only two of the tested microhabitat variables had an influence on species distributions. Detection of rats declined with increasing distance to the coast, and the increase in human population size was related to a significant increase in hedgehogs. There was a strong seasonal difference on the influence of local trap density and the detection of mammals. The increase in trap density within 25-50m radii was significantly related to a decrease in rat and hedgehog detections. Overall, there are substantial differences between the distributions of species in an urban environment.  Trapping is one of the main methods of predator control in New Zealand, and is already widespread within urban and suburban Wellington. In Chapter 4, I compiled trap data from 22 community trapping groups operating in residential and reserve areas in Wellington City. Residential groups (“backyard trappers”) used a high proportion of Victor and various rat and mouse traps, which was strongly linked to their high number of rat and mouse catches. Groups trapping in reserves used a high proportion of DOC 200, Victor and A24 traps, however, fewer hedgehogs were caught compared to residential areas. Catches were significantly influenced by various landscape variables. An increased distance of traps to streams led to significantly higher catches of rats, conversely, proximity to streams resulted in significantly higher catches of mice and hedgehogs. Although few catches of weasels were reported, traps closer to the coast and to forest fragments caught significantly more individuals.  The research in this thesis contributes to the small body of research conducted on mammalian predators within urban environments. The findings in this thesis can assist with the current and future predator management programmes, by highlighting areas of potential significance, particularly in Wellington.</p>

scholarly journals Haumanu Ipukarea reviving tūrangawaewae, identity and place

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
William Hatton
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Urban Environment ◽  
Cultural Values ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Natural Landscape ◽  
Cultural Expression ◽  
Aotearoa New Zealand ◽  
Beliefs And Values ◽  
Values And Beliefs ◽  
Sense Of Identity

<p>Landscapes are a fundamental component for the identity of people. This is evident through the eyes of the indigenous Māori people who express, like many indigenous cultures, that identity is formed from ones interconnected relationship to the land. For Māori, land is embodied as a part of their identity formed by the principle of whakapapa and importantly mātauranga. Mātauranga Māori is the comprehensive body of traditional indigenous knowledge built over centuries of both physical and metaphysical paradigms. Much of the knowledge obtained, originated from te taiao, where the importance of mountains, rivers, lakes, forests and place, established one’s sense of tūrangawaewae.  Since the first colonial migrations to Aotearoa/New Zealand, much of the traditional knowledge acquired and developed over generation’s are at great risk of western dominance. Western science and knowledge has altered the endemic Aotearoa/New Zealand landscape dramatically depleting many natural ecologies. Forests and waterways continue to be in jeopardy from commercialisation and urbanisation, where the current urban environment questions the way we appreciate and make sense of our endemic natural landscape. Alterations to the land has prompted changes in people’s beliefs and values, and sense of identity.  Mātauranga has slowly begun to be reintroduced into the urban environment as a progressive way forward. This research builds upon the concept to promote mātauranga, reconnecting people and place, and improving one’s sense of identity. With more than 88% of Māori now residing in urban areas, and many non-Māori unaware of indigenous cultural values and beliefs, the focus looks to provide a place of gathering, learning, engaging, reflecting, healing and belonging, preserving and appreciating Aotearoa/New Zealand’s cultural expression of the landscape. The research looks upon a regenerating valley system near the heart of Wellington City, reviving the Māori beliefsof ki uta ki tai and that of hīkoi. The research looks at opportunities to better express and understand bi-culturalism</p>

The re-emergence of indigenous forest in an urban environment, Christchurch, New Zealand

2004 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 149-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Glenn H. Stewart ◽  
Maria E. Ignatieva ◽  
Colin D. Meurk ◽  
Richard D. Earl
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Urban Environment ◽  
Indigenous Forest

scholarly journals Urban Riverscapes: Reconnecting Urban Environments With the River Landscape

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Elle Fairgray
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Urban Environment ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Flood Protection ◽  
Protection Measures ◽  
Rainfall Events ◽  
Culture History ◽  
River Flood ◽  
Pass Through

<p>Water is a fundamental component of New Zealand’s landscape, culture, history and identity. It is moving, changing form, accumulating and dispersing, it is ever changing never in the same context twice. Rivers are a single representation of this process in which we experience water in the landscape.  New Zealand has beautiful and intense water ways that pass through urban environments, yet due to the flood protection measures in place, they are disconnected from the urban environment. They are difficult to access and do not hold a presence in our growing urban environment which they once had significance in.  Stopbanks are the most common form of river flood protection infrastructure in New Zealand. They treat the river as a static element without giving them the space to move, flood and meander. They create a physical barrier between the urban environment and river space and do not respond to the differences of rivers and urban environments.  Growing urbanisation is increasing the pressure on stormwater infrastructure and growing the risk and effects of flooding. Increasing magnitude and frequency of rainfall events is only putting more pressure on flood protection infrastructure and stopbank infrastructure is crumbling under the pressure. Urban environments are requiring a larger level of flood protection that the traditional stopbank can provide.  This thesis is an investigation into the role of stopbanks for flood protection in urban river spaces and their effect of the experiential and ecological experience of the river. This investigation, developed through an analysis of the Waiwhakaiho River in New Plymouth, the Waikanae River in Kapiti and the Waipoua River in the Waiarapa informs a redesign of flood protection measures in New Zealand medium sized towns to repair the disconnection of the urban environment to the river.</p>

scholarly journals Marking Space and Making Place: Geographies of Graffiti in Wellington, New Zealand

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Michaela Des Forges
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Urban Environment ◽  
International Research ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Social Dynamics ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Place And Space ◽  
Visual Spatial ◽  
Production And Distribution

<p>Contemporary graffiti dates from the 1960s when hip-hop style graffiti grew in popularity amongst youth in Philadelphia and New York. It has since spread throughout the world and its various forms and styles are considered both art and vandalism. In Aotearoa New Zealand, graffiti is seen in most urban areas and is regarded as a major problem for local authorities. Despite this, research concerning graffiti in New Zealand is sparse. This research contributes to emerging work on graffiti in Wellington and New Zealand. It aims to provide an insight into the geographies of graffiti in Wellington by exploring the visual, spatial, and temporal aspects of graffiti, as well as the social dynamics informing its production and distribution. Using this information I investigate parallels between what is happening locally and what has been documented in international research. To carry out the research aims, I employed qualitative observations of selected sites around the city over time and used photographs to interpret and document graffiti. I also carried out semi-structured interviews with some graffitists, in addition to people involved in city safety and efforts to stop graffiti. In framing the research I specifically draw from critical geography writing on discourse, power, resistance, place, and space which are particularly salient in regards to graffiti. The research documents similarities with international research in regards to the motivations, rules, and visual, temporal, and spatial aspects. However, Wellington graffitists interact with, and utilise, the city’s space in unique and multifaceted ways which reflect and exhibit localised differences worthy of consideration internationally. For instance, graffitists use, view, and read the urban environment in ways that result in them having an intimacy with the urban environment. Additionally, graffitists think about where they place their graffiti with regards to property, location, intended audiences, and observance to subculture rules.</p>

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