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The disciplinary backgrounds and fields of study within the Department of Tourism, Sport and Society range from national parks management and outdoor recreation to history, sociology, and geography, to urban recreation, sport management, and tourism in all its forms.
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Publication Embargo Understanding the uptake of climate change adaptation research for policy making in Aotearoa, New Zealand : A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Applied Science at Lincoln University(Lincoln University, 2024) Halliday, AngelaThe interplay between science, policy and decision making has long been an area of interest to researchers, however, there is limited exploration of this dynamic in the context of climate change adaptation research uptake in Aotearoa, New Zealand (NZ). This study aims to advance climate change adaptation efforts by investigating this crucial intersection of research and policy, offering insights into the factors that influence the uptake of climate change adaptation research into policy making. In-depth, semi-structured interviews (n=23) with policy practitioners and individuals in related roles and organisations, were used to elicit information about the barriers and enablers of research uptake. Results of the interviews were coded thematically and analysed using a general inductive approach to find emerging themes. The findings led to the formation of four key propositions: 1) Relationships are instrumental for research to influence policy making. 2) Climate change adaptation policy is hampered by interpretations of uncertainty. 3) Election and policy cycles, competing timeframes and priorities impact research uptake. 4) Research prioritisation and funding influences its impact on policy. Recommendations from this research emphasise the importance of strengthening collaboration between researchers and policymakers by building trust and fostering mutual understanding as well as establishing feedback loops between individuals in the two fields. Additionally, there is a need to support knowledge translators to ensure that research addresses critical issues while remaining independent of political influences. Ultimately this research supports the promotion of mission-driven research that tackles the complex challenge of adapting to a changing climate with a focus on transparency and trust between policymakers and researchers.Item Open Access Tissue oxygenation in response to low-load and high-load back squats with continuous blood flow restriction in athletes(Taylor & Francis, 2025-01-30) Simpson, Charles WC; Moore, Katelyn S; Smith, Hoani; Coskun, Betul; Hamlin, MichaelTo determine muscle oxygenation with continuous blood flow restriction (BFR) training in high load (HL), 80% one-repetition maximum (1RM) and low load (LL), 30% 1RM squat exercises. In week-2 of a 4-week resistance training programme as part of their 3-set training routine, two groups of athletes (n = 4 each), one performing HL training with low cuff pressure (20% arterial occlusion pressure (AOP)), the other LL training with high cuff pressure (60% AOP) had muscle oxygenation assessed with near-infrared spectrophotometry (NIRS), arterial oxygen saturation (SPO₂), heart rate (HR), barbell velocity and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) during barbell back squats (BBS). Changes in the vastus lateralis oximetry were compared to pre- and post-training squat (1RM). Across athletes, there were significant associations between two pre-set-3 exercise variables and post-training 1RM, Tissue Saturation Index (TSI) (R² = 0.92, p < 0.0002) and HHb concentration (R² = 0.79, p < 0.003). Generalised regression models indicated that TSI % and HHb concentrations before and after set 3 timepoints were significant predictors of post-training 1RM in the LL group (R² = 0.99, BIC = −24.9). Well-tolerated continuous LL-BFR training provided greater increases in strength than HL-BFR in athletes.Item Open Access Effectiveness of blood flow restriction training during a taper phase in basketball players(Taylor & Francis Group, 2025) Smith, Hoani; Bird, Stephen P; Coskun, Betul; Olsen, Peter D; Kavanagh, Thomas; Hamlin, MichaelThis study investigates the effectiveness of blood flow restriction (BFR) training in maintaining athletic performance during a taper phase in basketball players. The taper phase aims to reduce external load while maintaining training intensity. Seventeen experienced basketball players were randomised into two groups: a placebo group (n = 8, 22.0 ± 2.1 years, mean ± SD) and BFR group (n = 9, 21.1 ± 1.5 years). The training schedule included strength trainings, team trainings, individual skill sessions and competitive games. During the 4-week taper period, lifting volume was reduced while either maintaining (placebo) or reducing (BFR) lifting load. The BFR group lifted with 60% arterial occlusion pressure at 25–30% of their 1RM, whereas the placebo group trained at 80% of their 1RM with BFR cuffs inflated to only 20%. Compared to the placebo group, BFR participants improved 5 m (−1.4 ± 1.5% mean ± 95% CI p = 0.03) and 10 m (−1.1 ± 0.5%, p = <0.01) sprint performance along with barbell back squat (9.6 ± 8.0%, p = 0.013) and counter-movement jump (1.1 ± 0.8%, p = 0.0035). BFR during the taper phase enabled a reduction in lifting load with no reduction in subsequent performance measures.Item Open Access Exercise with weight vest plus chicken protein supplementation delayed muscle and bone loss in older female adults(The Korean Society for Exercise Nutrition, 2024-12-31) Nithisup, Peeraporn; Manimmanakorn, Apiwan; Hamlin, Michael; Maneesai, Putcharawipa; Manimmanakorn, Nuttaset; Khaengkhan, Chiraphorn; La-bantao, Kittamook; Tantanasest, Jidapa[Purpose] This study examined the effects of moderate-to-heavy exercise training combined with weighted vest and chicken protein supplementation in older adult females. [Methods] Fifty-two female participants, 60–79 years old, were randomly divided into three groups: control (non-exercise) (CON), exercise with weighted vest (WV), and exercise with weighted vest and protein supplementation (3 g of protein daily; WVP).All participants performed brisk walking and strengthening exercises for 50 min/day, three times/week, for 8 weeks. Muscle mass, bone mineral content, T-score, and physical performance were measured. [Results}The WVP group demonstrated a substantial increase in thoracic spine bone mineral content (8.4 ± 7.7 g, p = 0.001), and total body lean mass (0.2 ± 1.0 kg) compared with that in the other two groups. The CON and WV groups showed a decrease in thoracic spine bone mineral content (CON= -1.8 ± 1.8, WV= -3.9 ± 0.1 g) and total body lean mass (CON= -0.7 ± 0.9, WV= -0.8 ± 0.9 kg) compared with those in the WVP group. The WVP and WV groups had increased T-score (WVP= 0.01 ± 0.16, WV= 0.02 ± 0.18) when compared with that of the CON group (-0.19 ± 0.12). Both the WV and WVP groups displayed improved physical performance compared with that of the CON group. [Conclusion] Combined exercise with either a weighted vest or protein supplementation proved to be effective in protecting against trunk bone and muscle mass loss, and improving physical fitness in older female adults.Item Open Access Bridging the researcher-stakeholder gap in leisure and tourism: A framework for enhancing the impact of scoping reviews(Taylor & Francis Group, 2025) Hassanli, Najmeh; Walters, Trudie; Williamson, JanineScoping reviews are instrumental for synthesizing evidence and mapping research landscapes, but effective stakeholder engagement is also essential to ensure their relevance to both practice and policy. Despite its importance, stakeholder engagement in leisure and tourism scoping reviews has been limited. This methodological paper presents the Co-Creation Scoping Review Framework (CSRF) to enhance collaborative knowledge creation. By expanding the traditional five-stage scoping review process to seven stages, the CSRF places a strong emphasis on stakeholder engagement, effectively bridging the divide between researchers and stakeholders. This framework enhances the relevance of scoping reviews for both academic and practical applications, promoting more inclusive research methods, improving knowledge mobilization, and guiding future practice and research. The paper provides detailed guidance on implementing the CSRF, including a step-by-step approach and examples from recent leisure and tourism scoping reviews, demonstrating how the CSRF could have been applied to engage stakeholders and increase the relevance of findings.Item Open Access Disabled people, arts festivals and emotional timescapes: An exploratory case study(Taylor & Francis, 2025-01-21) Walters, Trudie; Wills, RodThis exploratory study contributes to the leisure studies literature in three main ways: through foregrounding the emotionality of intellectually disabled people, an under-represented group within the context of events; through focusing on an arts festival, a form of event overlooked in comparison to other commonly studied types of events; and finally, through the testing of a new methodological framework – Brown’s emotional timescapes for events, itself adapted from Maguire and Geiger’s work on servicescapes. In this New Zealand-based study, we explore the emotions experienced by attendees, performers, volunteers, support workers and event organisers. Data from 20 interviews, participant observation and autoethnography was deductively analysed with a focus on expressions of emotion. We crafted a narrative for each individual, allowing us to identify the influence of the eventscape and map temporal patterns of emotional responses across the festival timescape. Findings show that participants experienced strong positive emotions. This was influenced by elements of the eventscape. In particular, interaction with others (including audience reaction) played a significant role in emotional timescapes. While the emotional timescape model was useful for broadly representing intensity of emotion over the duration of an event, we also identified limitations and propose a way to expand Brown’s theory.Item Open Access Enhancing resilience for New Zealand red meat producers by understanding the options, barriers and enablers to selling direct to the consumer(2024) Matheson Sullivan, Angela; Fountain, Joanna; Stewart, Emma; Cradock-Henry, NicholasNatural hazard events have significant impacts on rural communities through disruption to infrastructure and lifelines, production systems, and disruption to fast-moving agri-food chains. Selling direct-to-consumer (D2C), or farm to fork, is one way to help mitigate some of the risks arising from natural hazards, and maintain and potentially enhance, social, environmental and economic resilience. D2C sales may also add value, shorten the supply chain and increase the sustainability of the food system (Çakmakçı et al., 2023, FAO, 2022; Floriš et al., 2022). This project explores farmers’ perspectives on the barriers and enablers to selling red meat products D2C. The aim of the study, using a series of semi-structured interviews (N=14) with livestock farmers, is to understand how the interaction of farmers’ values and knowledge, and the NZ rules relating to food production, distribution and sales, shape outcomes for producers and strengthen rural resilience.Item Open Access Doing conferences differently: Decentralising for ecological and social sustainability(California Digital Library (CDL), 2024-12-11) Corneyllie, Alexandra; Walters, Trudie; Dubarry, Anne Sophie; He, Xun; Hinault, Thomas; Ković, Vanja; Medani, Takfarinas; Pascarella, Annalisa; Pinet, Svetlana; Ruzzoli, Manuela; Schaworonkow, Natalie; Šoškić, Anđela; Stekić, Katarina; Tsilimparis, Konstantinos; Ulloa, José Luis; Wang, Ruijie; Chaumon, MaximilienConferences are invaluable for career progression, offering unique opportunities for networking, collaboration, and learning. However, there are challenges associated with the traditional in-person conference format. For example, there is a significant ecological impact from attendees’ travel behaviour, and there are social inequities in conference attendance, with historically marginalised groups commonly facing barriers to participation. Innovative event design practices that enable academic conferences to be ‘done differently’ are crucial for addressing these ecological and social sustainability challenges. However, while some innovative conference practices have emerged in recent years, largely as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been little research carried out on the effectiveness of such practices. Our study addresses this gap using a mixed methods approach to analyse a real-world decentralised conference held in 2023, comparing it to traditional in-person conference and fully online conference scenarios. The decentralised format consists of local in-person hubs in different locations around the world, each with a bespoke local programme developed around a shared core global programme. We calculated the CO₂ emissions from transport for each scenario and found the decentralised conference had significantly lower emissions than a traditional in-person conference, but higher emissions than a fully online conference. We also interviewed 14 local hub organisers and attendees to gain their perspectives about the ecological and social sustainability benefits of the decentralised conference format. We found that the more accessible and inclusive format attracted a more diverse range of attendees, meaning that the benefits attributed to conference attendance were able to be shared more equitably. This study is the first to provide evidence of the ecological and social sustainability benefits of doing conferences differently; by doing so it can be used in the argument to help transition conferences to a more desirable state in terms of ecological and social sustainability.Item Open Access Adaptation to climate change among Māori-Led tourism businesses in Aotearoa New Zealand: A case study of Westland/Tai Poutini National Park, and proximate destination townships(2024) Hamilton, Abby; Fountain, Joanna; Stewart, Emma; Espiner, StephenUsing qualitative semi-structured interviews, this study set out to explore how selected Māori-led tourism businesses are experiencing and adapting to the effects of climate change in Westland Tai Poutini National Park and proximate destination townships. The research sought to understand how Māori-led tourism businesses are preparing for anticipated changes in climate and how their business adaptation planning aligns with Māori values. Also explored, in the context of climate change adaption, were the risks and opportunities for Māori-led tourism businesses in Te Tai Poutini. The results of this research offer a a cultural lens on climate change adaptation, which has rarely been considered in tourism. The findings will inform strategy discussions among tourism operators, managers and the wider tourism sector in relation to climate change adaptation planning.Item Open Access Where’s the community in community resilience? A post-earthquake study in Kaikōura, Aotearoa New Zealand(Massey University, 2024-12) Rudkevitch, Ashley; Vallance, Suzanne; Stewart, EmmaTheories about what communities are have been constantly evolving in response to considerations about the complex and multi-faceted processes that shape them. While this has led to conceptual refinement in some areas of research, debates about the nature of community are often overlooked when the term is paired with other concepts such as resilience. In such pairings, more discussion is evident over the meaning of resilience than the nature of community. Studies that focus on the resilience of a community risk neglecting the complex dynamics that shape them and, as a consequence, tend to underestimate how these processes influence resilience. Framed by Paton’s (2006) model of adaptive capacity, in this paper we argue that a more nuanced understanding of community which acknowledges the web of formal and informal relationships is required. These relationships give rise to “collectives” which, in turn, are integral to a community’s resilience because they bridge the gap between the individual and “the” community. This paper uses qualitative methods to examine collectives in Kaikōura, Aotearoa New Zealand following a Mw7. 8 earthquake to further our understanding of what is meant by community in community resilience. By examining the meso/collective level, rather than the micro/individual or macro/community level of community, a more nuanced understanding of community resilience emerges.Publication Open Access The implications of climate change for Māori-led tourism businesses in New Zealand/Aotearoa: A case study of Westland Tai Poutini National Park and its proximate destination townships : A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Applied Science at Lincoln University(Lincoln University, 2024) Hamilton, AbbyThis study set out to explore through qualitative semi-structured interviews (n= 13) how selected Māori-led tourism businesses are experiencing and adapting to the effects of climate change in Westland Tai Poutini National Park and proximate destination townships. The research sought to explore how Māori-led tourism businesses are preparing for the predicted climate change impacts and how their businesses’ adaptation planning aligns with Māori values. Also explored, in the context of climate change adaptation, were the risks and opportunities for Māori-led tourism businesses in Te Tai Poutini. The results of this research provide a cultural lens, which is rarely considered for climate change adaptation. The findings will inform strategy discussions among tourism operators, managers and the wider tourism sector in relation to climate change adaptation planning.Publication Open Access The lived experience of adults with Dyspraxia/DCD : A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of Doctor of Philosophy at Lincoln University(Lincoln University, 2024) McAllum, Leanne MariaDyspraxia is an emergent social phenomenon that has generally been associated with childhood and motor coordination difficulties. The experience of Dyspraxia in adulthood is, conversely, not well understood with only a small number of studies examining Dyspraxia across the life course. Dyspraxia is predominantly conceptualised in both the research literature and practice using the biomedical model. Dyspraxia is one of several neurodivergent experiences and possibly the least well known, having only been recognised in the past two decades, in comparison to a longer social awareness of experiences such as Dyslexia and Autism. Known as Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) in the medical literature, the phenomenon has been etiologically defined as a physical functional deficit. By contrast, Dyspraxia can also be understood as having cognitive functional aspects, such as in the Aotearoa New Zealand context. The objectives of this research were firstly to examine the lived experiences of participants with Dyspraxia/ DCD in relation to predominant social biomedical conceptualisations. A second objective was to identify the repercussions of contemporary social framings of Dyspraxia/ DCD in Aotearoa New Zealand and how Dyspraxia is understood and addressed, particularly in adulthood. The approach taken to answer the research objectives was that of the thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews undertaken with both people with Dyspraxia and professional participants. In this work, a qualitative approach was employed in the form of semi-structured interviews with twenty-three people with Dyspraxia to better understand the lived experience. Further, twenty-six professionals in medical and education fields were also interviewed to investigate the role of institutions on the Dyspraxia lived experience. Participants were located through two gatekeeper organisations, cold-calling and snowball sampling techniques. This research, undertaken by an insider researcher with Dyspraxia, highlighted that an examination of Dyspraxia is unable to be considered independently of social contexts. Further, it was found that biomedical framings affected the lived experience of participants with Dyspraxia/DCD in Aotearoa New Zealand and the subsequent social response to the phenomenon. The lived experience of Dyspraxia in adulthood was found to have implications for how people with Dyspraxia construct their identity with Dyspraxic participants describing the need to adapt in normative social settings to achieve inclusion. This thesis adds to current conceptualisations by utilising the capabilities approach (CA) to examine the lived experience of Dyspraxia in relation to the medical and social models. Throughout are a range of accounts from Dyspraxic participants, describing their attempts to access the capabilities necessary to ensure the life outcomes they value. The CA can account for the significant changes between childhood and adulthood described by study participants within their social worlds. In contrast to the biomedical perception that DCD is a physical deficit, this thesis shows that the attainment of capabilities is complex and evolves across the lifespan in response to personal heterogeneities but also the social environments that Dyspraxic participants inhabit. The CA was found in the discussion to improve upon, and complement, current conceptualisations of Dyspraxia. Conceptualising Dyspraxia in alternate ways to better explain study findings, such as using the CA, suggests a range of areas for future research and practice.Item Open Access Social media, mental health and equestrian events(Cognizant Communication Corporation, 2024-10-29) Snell, Sarah; Jepson, Allan; Stadler, Raphaela; Walters, Trudie; Dashper, Kate; Spencer, Neil; Bhatia, PersiaMany studies have investigated the benefits and drawbacks of social media, but the impact it has on amateur sports participants who use it as part of their practice has been largely overlooked. This study addresses this gap, investigating the impacts of social media on the mental health of women participating in amateur sport activities – specifically, equestrian events through a mixed methods survey of 221 female amateur equestrians in the UK. Themes included the pressure to present a ‘perfect’ image to an external audience, the stress of comparison to others, and constant judgement around the performance of a participant. We also found issues of distorted reality and false representation. We conclude by highlighting a need for better assistance for athletes both while they are competing at events and at other times, particularly pre/post event.Item Open Access Implementation of gender quota requirements by local associations in New Zealand cricket(Taylor & Francis Grouo, 2024) Hill, S; Kerr, Roslyn; Ryan, Greg; Kavanagh, ThomasPurpose/rationale: To examine the implementation of a gender quota requirement for boards, introduced by Sport NZ in 2018, on local cricket governance in New Zealand. Design/methodology/approach: An open-ended qualitative survey to local board members, face-to-face interviews with management and key stakeholders, and examination of organisational documentation. Findings: The study confirmed that the male-dominated boards did not know how to source female members but showed that the gender quota requirement was effective since boards all described making changes to reach the quota requirement. Professionalisation of the boards was also improved. Practical implications: Quotas do work in creating change but ideally should also be implemented with more assistance about how to make change and provide platforms for associations to share knowledge about their processes. Research contribution: Strongly entrenched male sports cultures can be disrupted and improved through top-down externally driven policies. Originality/value: The implementation of gender quota requirements results in increased professionalisation of boards.Item Open Access Agritourism in New Zealand: A guide to successful operation(Post Quake Farming, 2021) Fountain, Joanna; Wilson, CraigThis guide and set of accompanying templates was created for a wide range of people with a common interest in the intersection between agriculture, and other forms of primary production, and tourism. So whether you’re a farmer, food or wine producer, have a tourism business that works with farmers or primary producers, or are a budding entrepreneur with an agritourism idea, this document is for you. If you’re just starting out, you may want to work through the information in the order of the Table of Contents shown on the next page. If you have an existing operation, just focus on the sections that seem most relevant to you. This document will be regularly updated and enhanced. If you’d like to see or contribute additional information, please contact joanna.fountain@lincoln.ac.nz or craig@qualitytourism.co.nz. This resource guide has been produced with the support of Beef + Lamb New Zealand, the Ministry for Primary Industries, and Environment Canterbury, through the Post Quake Farming Project.Item Open Access Tourism: Prospects and challenges for local government(Lincoln College. Rural Development & Extension Centre., 1986) Taylor, J. O.Course Objectives To define the scope of tourism and review its effects on Local Authorities. To investigate the potential for and responsibilities of Local Government toward tourism growth. Course Outline * The scope of tourism and its relationship with local government. * The structure of the New Zealand tourism industry: recent trends in New Zealand tourism. * Tourist attractions: planning and management. * The travel component: prospects and challenges. * The accommodation component: prospects and challenges - what do tourists require? * Marketing our area: nationally and regionally. Information bases and current research.Item Open Access Bruised and confused: An autoethnography of concussion in rugby union(Sage, 2024-01-01) Kavanagh, ThomasIn this autoethnography, I explore my experiences with sport-related concussion. I portray the challenges that the symptoms presented, but I also provide a wider social, cultural and political context that includes the normalisation of pain and injury in collision sports and the discourses that contribute to a culture where players minimise the severity of, and play through, concussion. Following my career, this article showcases a ‘culture of knocks’, highlighting how these discourses are learned and reproduced, the complex relationship between teams and medical staff, and anxiety over long-term consequences.Item Open Access Understanding the tourism host-guest encounter in New Zealand: Foundations for adaptive planning and management(EOS Ecology, 2005) Simmons, David; Fairweather, JThis book provides a unique perspective on tourism planning and management. It makes its case by building a comprehensive picture of tourism development based on an examination of four key tourist destinations in New contemporary national and global tourism planning contexts. Our focus on local destination area evolution shows our commitment to examining tourism where it is most palpable: at the level of encounter between hosts and guests. To frame our research we have built a new model to take account of visitor flow dynamics; and the economic, environmental and social interactions that significantly shape both ‘hosts’ and ‘guests’ experiences of tourism. In turn, destination area evolution, while grounded in local histories, geographies and politics, is also influenced by broader national goals and legislative tools. The pathway to sustainable tourism recognises the necessity for participation processes to ensure locally-responsive, adaptive tourism management that local aspirations with national development objectives.Item Open Access “It has fundamentally changed how I look at the world”: Exploring the outcomes of polar youth expeditions through self determination theory(2024) Hehir, C; Stewart, Emma; Maher, PFramed by ‘Self-Determination Theory’, this presentation explores the qualitative results of a project that examined the impact of youth polar travel by assessing participants’ pro-environmental behaviour, career choices and ambassadorial activities, up to 18 years after their polar voyage. Self-Determination Theory (SDT) is a theory of motivation which highlights how purposive activity may fulfil basic psychological needs, triggering intrinsic motivation. The theory is based on the notion that humans choose to participate in activities which contribute to self-growth. Such intrinsic motivation is believed to lead to a deeper understanding of the need for behaviour change from within, supposedly triggering long-term differences within the individual, an outcome which lies at the core of many polar youth expeditions. In this study, research participants were recruited from the 2,500+ alumni of Students on Ice (SOI), a Canadian-based charitable organisation that leads educational expeditions to the Polar Regions for international high school and university students. Established in 1999, SOI offers bespoke educational expeditions to the Antarctic and the Arctic, with a mandate to provide students, educators, and scientists with inspiring educational opportunities at the Poles and, in doing so, to help participants foster a new understanding of and respect for the environment. The study adopted a mixed-methods approach and was co-designed with SOI with data collected via an online survey (n=217). The key components of self-determination theory (including autonomy, competence and relatedness) are used to present the qualitative data and frame how meaningful experiences and post-travel outcomes were created by the expedition. Initial analysis indicates that immersion in the polar environment creates a lasting impact on participants’ self-determination to make positive change in their own lives and in their wider communities.Publication Open Access The wellbeing experience within a New Zealand township. New Zealand Treasury’s Living Standards Framework in a hyper-local context : A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Applied Science at Lincoln University(Lincoln University, 2023) Troy, HelenThe New Zealand Treasury published ‘Te Tai Waiora’, its first wellbeing report in November 2022. The report presents data on how wellbeing has changed, how wellbeing is distributed and the sustainability of wellbeing in Aotearoa New Zealand. The data collected are analysed using the Living Standards Framework, which provides New Zealand Treasury with a systematic approach to offer policy advice and identify the implications of policy, based on a range of evidence gathered over time. This research tests the Treasury’s Living Standards Framework at a hyper-local scale (focusing on matters within a small community or specific geographic location), to understand the extent to which a central government approach to measuring wellbeing is appropriate at a local scale. This study found that indicators that provide data for analysis require context and are most relevant when applied ‘at scale’ to identify the wellbeing experience of individuals and communities. Using a mixed methods approach, the data from the quantitative research showed individuals are significantly more satisfied with various aspects of wellbeing at a local scale than at a national scale. These aspects include the natural environment, safety, housing affordability and political voice. In the qualitative data, it was found that, through a series of processes an individual generates their own wellbeing depending upon capabilities, financial security, locality and employment mobility opportunities. Individuals improved their wellbeing by making deliberate choices within the context of those capabilities. Home ownership was associated with employment mobility and individuals made trade-offs between dimensions of wellbeing as a function of personal value. Both research methods revealed that ‘local matters.’ The findings from this study will contribute to the growing literature on wellbeing. This thesis demonstrates that measuring the wellbeing experience of a small community in a specific geographic location can result in significant differences in wellbeing experiences between the national and local scale. Therefore, adopting an ‘at scale’ approach is more appropriate for policy development if central government is concerned with the wellbeing of all New Zealanders, irrespective of their locality.