A Different Kind of Vā: Spiraling through Time and Space

This dialogue is a structured account of an experiment that we, as researchers in the Vā Moana–Pacific Spaces cluster at Auckland University of Technology, carried out during and between lockdowns in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020–2021. The previous year, Vā Moana had begun to investigate how—without shared physical presence—virtual participation in events can uphold central Māori and Moana (Pacific) traditional values of tikanga (te reo Māori: correct procedure, custom) and teu le vā (gagana Sāmoa: nurturing relational space). Aspects of our research concern practices that continue to emphasize vā—as the attachment and feeling for place and relatedness—outside the Pacific homelands. These nascent practices contribute to an emerging understanding of place as an imaginary space of belonging, in which online environments (the digital vā) play a role. The outbreak of COVID-19 gave this general interest unexpected but sharp focus. In this essay, we present, contextualize, and analyze excerpts from three conversations between Vā Moana team members in Aotearoa. Held during, between, and after lockdown periods between March and November 2020, these conversations were conducted either fully online or in a blended format. In the latter case, some members met face-to-face in a "hub,” and others used online platforms to participate in reviewing and reorganizing our research relationships under the new conditions, using the challenge thrown before us as an opportunity for experimentation and change. © 2022, University of Hawaii Press. All rights reserved.

Absence of visitors during lockdown reveals natural variation in carbon dioxide level in the Glowworm Cave, Waitomo, New Zealand

Waitomo Glowworm Cave is a highly visited cave where the highlight is viewing the bioluminescence display of a large colony of glowworms. Anthropogenic carbon dioxide build-up in the cave is prevented by management of chimney-effect ventilation aided by a network of microclimate sensors. A cave door prevents ventilation under drying conditions and promotes it when necessary to clear CO2 and when inflowing air has high relative humidity. A COVID-19-related nationwide “lockdown” in New Zealand from March 2020 resulted in neither staff nor visitors being present in the cave for 60 days, and provided an opportunity to assess the natural microclimate of the cave, especially the natural variation in partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2). In addition, comparison to the previous year showed that the presence of people in the cave increased the cave temperatures but the effect was short-lived due to cave ventilation. During the period of lockdown, the daily increase of carbon dioxide partial pressure (pCO2) due to visitors was absent. When the cave door remained sealed, pCO2 varied and tended to lie at levels above that of the external atmosphere (410 ppm). Notably, rain events raised pCO2 by up to 200 ppm (v/v), which appeared to be sourced from both stream water and drip water. These natural CO2 sources rarely reached the levels associated with cave visitation. The results support current management practices that use door control to enhance cave ventilation when people are in the cave or when natural conditions (high stream levels and high drip-water levels) promote CO2 outgassing into the cave. Suppressing ventilation outside of those times reduces the risk of introducing dry air that could desiccate the glowworms. © 2022, Societa Speleologica Italiana. All rights reserved.

History: Twenty years of CENNZ journals

NZNO Colleges aim to enhance professional specialty activities that include providing expert knowledge and advice to the health sector, the Government and other organisations, development of knowledge and skills frameworks and standards of practice, and providing professional development opportunities. [...]the move from cheque books and petty cash to online banking and centralised accounts as part of NZNO has changed the treasurer processes. The CENNZ submission to DHB NZ on the urgent care interface was published in 2007 promoting equitable access to emergency care and opposing any potential denial of care or triaging away. The Summer 2009 journal contains two meeting reports both highlighting the new ED length of stay model - a meeting with Mark Jones, the Chief Nurse, to discuss clinical safety, access block and staff stress;the report of Working Group for Achieving Quality in Emergency Departments.