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Measuring up: New Zealanders and the environment
New Zealand Framework for Cultural Statistics 1995. Wellington: Statistics New Zealand and Ministry of Cultural Affairs, 1995. 115 pages. $29.95. ISBN ~~78~~22~. This unusual document lists New Zealand’s cultural activities and describes the major industrial components of New Zealand’s cultural sector. It also specifies the statistics likely to be required by users of cultural data. The framework will be of interest to anyone needing statistics on cultural activities in New Zealand, including those working in the cultural sector, providing policy advice on cultural matters, implementing cultural policies, undertaking cultural research, seeking funding or sponsorship for cultural events, or developing marketing strategies for a cultural product (p. iii). Part I introduces cultural statistics, the development of the framework, and future developments. Part 2 presents the method of cl~s~f~cation, and part 3 provides activity descriptions and data specifications. There is also a section on definitions and three appendices, “Summary of Cultural Information Collected by Statistics New Zealand,‘” “Statistical Frameworks for Cuhure Developed Overseas,” and “Organisations Which Made Submissions or Otherwise Assisted with Framework Finalisation.” The categories for the classification include: “taonga tuku iho,” “heritage,” “libraries,” literature.” ”performing arts,” “visual arts,” “film and video,” “broadcasting,” ““community and goverument activities, ““sport and recreation,” and “natural environment.” The categories include archives, libraries, and other cultural organizations, and address “creatars,” “organisations,” “products,” and “consumers.” [The focus is:] sofeiy on things which are measurable: how many people undertake a particular cultural activity, how much is created as a result, how muck is the output worth, and hog, marry people choose to purchase what is produced? This focus does have limitations in refation to the unquantifiable nature of much cultural activity (for example, measuring the full range of benefits an audience derives from attending a concert). Nevertheless, improving our understanding of the quantifiable should provide a clearer base for improving our understanding of the unquantifiable. (p. 6) The document identifies points around which output and outcome measures could be developed, some of which might deal with satisfaction but not the larger issue of service quality. Clearly, subsequent editions, and actual use of any measures, merit monitoring and coverage in the evabration and public policy hteratures, especially if goycrnment and other organizations expect the regufar collection of output and outcome measures, and if they act on the findings.
Measuring Up: New ZeaIanders and the Environment. Wellington: Statistics New Zealand, 1993. 166 pages. $39.95. ISBN 0-478-04402-X. Drawing upon information from various sources, Measuring Up discusses: New Zealand’s atmosphere and &mate, energy, fauna, freshwater, human settlement and socio-economic activity, land, and marine environment. A framework attempts to show how social and natural activities affect the environment and how people themselves respond to these impacts. An appendix discusses the framework in more detail. (Preface)
Anyone engaged in env~ro~me~t~ studies and the examination of associated public policy issues will appreciate this compendium of facts and data. There are numerous tables and figures, many of which compare New Zealand to other countries using data supplied by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (GECD). We Bee,for instance, that Austria, Norway, West Germany, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand have set aside, for the protection of endangered species, a larger proportion of land than the United States (p. 64, Figure 3.3). Furthermore, “some degree of air pollution does occur and our proximity to the Antarctic circle, where a growing ozone hole has been recorded over recent years, is a reminder that New Zealand is not immune to the major issues of global atmospheric concern”(p. 30). The work is not valueneutral in its presentation; for instance, there is the statement that “humans are but one of the many species dependent on land for their survival. As the special with the potential for the greatest impact on the land, it is important that we become confslcious of that respons~b~~t~” fp. 136).
Te Kanohi Wow o Aotearoa-Maori. ISBN O-478-04430-5.
Wellington: Statistics New Zealand, 1995. 64 pages. $24.95.
Similar to People and Places, this publication discusses population size and structure for the Maori, using statistics from the 1991 census and earlier callections, but it makes projections into the next century. Written in the Maori language, this paperback serves as a reminder that New Zealand is bicultural, not multicultural. Libraries and departments dealing with the study of indigenous peoples will find this compilation useful.
Supermap 2Tf”3Areas(Users Guide, ~nst~~at~on Disk, and CD-RUM). We~~~n~on: New Zeahmd, 1995. Sl,950.00 (Supermap 2: comprehensive statistical database with mapping software, 1991 census data, $3,500-$6,200; Supermap 3 based on March 1996 census data is due out in May 1997). Supermap Areas, designed to operate on Windows, is a geographic database of tables, maps, and charts. By allowing users to join variables and produce original maps and graphics (i.e., pie charts, histograms, bar charts, scatter charts, and scatter and line charts) displaying the variables selected, Supermap Areas functions as a geographic information system. It is possible to import and export data; however, given the strict and comprehensive Privacy Act 1993, this package does not permit the detailed or micro-level profiling possible with similar packages in the United States. The Supermap Areas examined contained an installation diskette, CD-ROM for the New Zedand Census of Population and Dwelling, and a user’s guide. The guide is excellent and contains a helpful tutorial divided into four sections: . . 9 *
One: windows, creating a table, community profile, editing a table, and printing a table; Two: creating a map, creating a chart, area status, and classification of data; Three: visual selection and defining your own area; and Four: opening and saving files, exporting files, importing files, preferences, and page layout.
Individuals, librarians, and other organizations working with geographic information systems (GISs) and software such as Maplnfo and ArcView, and having an interest in New Zealand, will definitely want this set. Anyone familiar with such software will find Supermap easy to use.
Measuring Up: New ZeaIanders and the Environment. Wellington: Statistics New Zealand, 1993. 166 pages. $39.95. ISBN 0-478-04402-X. Drawing upon information from various sources, Measuring Up discusses: New Zealand’s atmosphere and &mate, energy, fauna, freshwater, human settlement and socio-economic activity, land, and marine environment. A framework attempts to show how social and natural activities affect the environment and how people themselves respond to these impacts. An appendix discusses the framework in more detail. (Preface)
Anyone engaged in env~ro~me~t~ studies and the examination of associated public policy issues will appreciate this compendium of facts and data. There are numerous tables and figures, many of which compare New Zealand to other countries using data supplied by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (GECD). We Bee,for instance, that Austria, Norway, West Germany, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand have set aside, for the protection of endangered species, a larger proportion of land than the United States (p. 64, Figure 3.3). Furthermore, “some degree of air pollution does occur and our proximity to the Antarctic circle, where a growing ozone hole has been recorded over recent years, is a reminder that New Zealand is not immune to the major issues of global atmospheric concern”(p. 30). The work is not valueneutral in its presentation; for instance, there is the statement that “humans are but one of the many species dependent on land for their survival. As the special with the potential for the greatest impact on the land, it is important that we become confslcious of that respons~b~~t~” fp. 136).
Te Kanohi Wow o Aotearoa-Maori. ISBN O-478-04430-5.
Wellington: Statistics New Zealand, 1995. 64 pages. $24.95.
Similar to People and Places, this publication discusses population size and structure for the Maori, using statistics from the 1991 census and earlier callections, but it makes projections into the next century. Written in the Maori language, this paperback serves as a reminder that New Zealand is bicultural, not multicultural. Libraries and departments dealing with the study of indigenous peoples will find this compilation useful.
Supermap 2Tf”3Areas(Users Guide, ~nst~~at~on Disk, and CD-RUM). We~~~n~on: New Zeahmd, 1995. Sl,950.00 (Supermap 2: comprehensive statistical database with mapping software, 1991 census data, $3,500-$6,200; Supermap 3 based on March 1996 census data is due out in May 1997). Supermap Areas, designed to operate on Windows, is a geographic database of tables, maps, and charts. By allowing users to join variables and produce original maps and graphics (i.e., pie charts, histograms, bar charts, scatter charts, and scatter and line charts) displaying the variables selected, Supermap Areas functions as a geographic information system. It is possible to import and export data; however, given the strict and comprehensive Privacy Act 1993, this package does not permit the detailed or micro-level profiling possible with similar packages in the United States. The Supermap Areas examined contained an installation diskette, CD-ROM for the New Zedand Census of Population and Dwelling, and a user’s guide. The guide is excellent and contains a helpful tutorial divided into four sections: . . 9 *
One: windows, creating a table, community profile, editing a table, and printing a table; Two: creating a map, creating a chart, area status, and classification of data; Three: visual selection and defining your own area; and Four: opening and saving files, exporting files, importing files, preferences, and page layout.
Individuals, librarians, and other organizations working with geographic information systems (GISs) and software such as Maplnfo and ArcView, and having an interest in New Zealand, will definitely want this set. Anyone familiar with such software will find Supermap easy to use.