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Tephra deposits in Aotearoa New Zealand (ANZ) have been studied for >180 years. The now-global discipline of tephrochronology, which has some developmental roots in ANZ, forms the basis of a powerful chronostratigraphic correlational tool and age-equivalent dating method for geological, volcanological, palaeoenvironmental, and archaeological research in ANZ. Its utility is founded on the key principle that tephras or cryptotephras provide widespread isochrons in many different environments. In the first part of this article, we summarise the history of tephra studies in ANZ and then describe how tephras have been mapped, characterised, and correlated using field and laboratory-based methods. We document advances in geochemical fingerprinting of glass; tephra/cryptotephra detection and correlation by sediment-core scanning methods (e.g. X-radiography, CT imaging, XRF elemental analysis, magnetic susceptibility); statistical correlation methods; and dating of tephras/cryptotephras. We discuss the advent of ANZ cryptotephra studies (from mid-1970s) and their more-recent growth. The second part comprises examples of applications of tephrochronology in ANZ: climate-event stratigraphy (NZ-INTIMATE project); eruptive-event stratigraphy in the Auckland Volcanic Field; developments in the marine tephra record; advances in identifying, correlating, and dating old (pre-50 ka) tephras and weathered-tephra deposits; forming soils/paleosols on tephras; tephras and archaeology; Kopouatai bog tephrostratigraphy and palaeoenvironments; and volcanic-hazard assessments.

Taramea is the prized resinous exudate obtained from native Aciphylla plants (speargrass) identified as a taonga by Ng��i Tahu M��ori in their Treaty of Waitangi tribunal claim Settlement. Ng��i Tahu recognised two types of Aciphylla, the larger was known as taramea and used as a fragrance, while the tap root of the smaller type, called papa��, was eaten but not used as kakara (fragrance). The gum of the taramea is called ���ware��� or ���wai-whenua���, and was often spoken as ���ware-o-te-taramea���. Plants were traditionally tapped in the evening by cutting or using fire. In the morning the exuded resin was gathered and processed. To preserve the aroma it was saturated in hinu-weka (woodhen fat) or the fat of other native bird or animal species (tui, kiore) and worn in a pouch (hei-taramea) close to the body. Taramea was used to dress the hair and rub on the body and became a sought after trade item with northern tribes. Scientific studies on taramea plants include those relating to plant morphology, taxonomy, genetics, ecology and phytochemistry. A resurgence of interest in taramea is supporting further scientific studies to define the chemical composition of this taonga plant.

Moves towards a post-custodial, participatory paradigm have been well-documented in the cultural heritage sector. The capacity for individuals to contribute to community archives is significant, given their emphasis on representing the experiences of those hidden, ignored, underrepresented or misrepresented by mainstream cultural heritage institutions. Digital platforms offer affordances that can be utilised to encourage the collecting, curating and sharing of collective memories. While there are analyses of individual projects in using technologies for these aims, collective analyses of such practices remain scant in the scholarly literature. This research examines a purposefully selected sample of projects that feature participatory cultural heritage practices and offers a collective analysis of their objectives and motivations, the varying levels of engagement, the technology-mediated participatory activities supported, and how the projects are resourced and sustained. The findings indicate that the enabling of participation through digital platforms vary in nature, depth and extent, and a spectrum approach can be a useful way of conceptualising and envisaging the various levels of engagement in participatory cultural heritage. The collective analysis shows that when projects are designed with a human-centred computing focus and a community-oriented foundation, there is evidence of deeper engagement and sustained participation.

Govindjee, Professor Emeritus of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Plant Biology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign since 1999, is renowned for his pioneering work in the light reactions of photosynthesis and important accomplishments as educator, editor, historian and advocate of photosynthesis. In his honour, we review his contributions over the last twenty years, which were often achieved in collaboration with scientists working in laboratories around the world. We start with a short presentation about Govindjee’s career and continue with a section highlighting his passion and dedication to teach the younger generations of students and researchers about photosynthesis. His research work is grouped under different areas, including primary photochemistry; the relationship of chlorophyll a fluorescence to photosynthesis; short time-scale regulation processes of photosynthesis; studies toward improving photosynthesis and biomass yields; and, mathematical modelling of photosynthesis and artificial photosynthesis. He is best known for the discovery of the key role of bicarbonate on the electron acceptor side of Photosystem II. We also present his active involvement in the recognition of scientists at conferences and beyond, as well as of those who are no longer with us. He is committed to keeping alive the pioneers and discoverers in the field of photosynthesis in the collective memory of those in the field.

Rowan Mark Emberson, B.For.Sc [Hons] (Edinburgh), PhD (McGill), 21July 1941–7 October 2018

The locations of the lost Pink and White Terraces of Lake Rotomahana, New Zealand are plotted on today’s map by using sightlines in photographs of the terraces before they vanished in the volcanic eruption of 10 June 1886. Evidence is presented that the terraces could not have survived the eruption unmodified, in their original positions, at these locations. These photo sightlines and map plots add valid independent evidence to the debate about the fate of the terraces, and corroborate the finding of the 2011–2014 survey of Lake Rotomahana by GNS Science New Zealand scientists and their collaborators from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, USA, that the terraces did not survive the eruption intact. Evidence is presented that Dr Ferdinand von Hochstetter’s 1860s’ maps of Lake Rotomahana cannot be relied upon for accurate bearings and distances between ground features around the lake and terraces, and that, consequently, A. R. Bunn’s locations of the terraces derived from the maps are not reliable enough to support his conclusion that at least some of the terraces survived unmodified in their original position, and may be uncovered by excavation.

Three weeks after celebrating his 99th birthday in the company of family and friends, Guillermo (Willy) Kuschel completed a manuscript, had a beer and died peacefully in his sleep on the afternoon ...

ABSTRACTLarge numbers of domestic stock have been reported among the faunal remains recovered from archaeological sites with predominantly forager-associated material culture in the highlands of Lesotho. These remains, in conjunction with the presence of artefacts of apparent agropastoralist origin, have led to the suggestion that either a process of neolithisation saw the adoption of livestock-keeping by traditionally foraging peoples, or that extensive contact and trade occurred between foraging groups in the mountains and distant agropastoralist communities. We present here ancient DNA evidence that the frequency of domestic stock in the faunal assemblages has been significantly overestimated and that, as a consequence, the nature of the relationships between highland foragers and agropastoralists has been misconstrued.