BRCSS seminar

Coordinated by Institute of Public Policy Auckland University of Technology (AUT), Auckland NZ

This USP presentation is organised by Oceania Centre of Arts and Culture and Pacific Studies (OCACPS), FALE and School of Government, Development and International Affairs (SGDIA), FBE with assistance of Information Technology Service (ITS), USP

Following televised seminars will be shown at the Video Conference Room of the Japan-Pacific ICT Centre. All USP staff and students are invited.

Time: 2-4 pm, Monday, 21 October, 2013

Presentation 1: "The Political Engagement of Pacific Peoples in New Zealand" by Leon Iusitini, Master of Arts (Social Sciences), School of Social Sciences and Public Policy, Faculty of Culture and Society, AUT University. Political participation and civic engagement (including turnout at general elections) has been declining in New Zealand for many decades and there is little existing research into the political participation of Pacific peoples. To address this deficit, data from six waves of a survey conducted after each election were merged and analysed.

Presentation 2: "A Samoan Perspective on the Current Literacy Assessment Practices in New Zealand Primary Schools" Akata Galuvao, PhD Candidate, School of Education, Faculty of Culture and Society, AUT University. The study was aimed to examine the unacknowledged issues in the design of the literacy assessments by which students are assessed in multicultural contexts. The study utilised the Tofa‘a‘anolasi methodology which involved the deconstructive reading of tests from a perspective that is both Samoan and critical. The findings highlighted major issues within assessment practices hence suggesting urgent changes in the design and management of assessment procedures to be fair for all.
Presentation 3: "Investigating the Attitudes of an Auckland Samoan Population Toward the New Zealand Criminal Justice System" Laumua Tumua, PhD Candidate, School of Social Sciences and Public Policy, Faculty of Culture and Society, AUT University. This presentation shares two findings from my study. The first finding answers the question of whether stricter punitive measures, specifically incarceration, work in terms of rehabilitating offenders. The second relates to the tenure of crime and criminal activities in New Zealand and answers the question of whether crime is temporary or permanent.

Host: AUT University
Chair: Fa’asaulala Tagoilelagi-Leota

The Video Conference Room is located on the 2nd level of the Japan-Pacific ICT Centre (the 2nd building up the hill and besides the multi-purpose lecture theatre).

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