Tuwhera Research Repository

The Tuwhera Research Repository provides sustainable open access and archiving to a broad range of AUT produced research - theses, research outputs and datasets.

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Access status: Acceso Abierto ,
Acceptability and Perceived Usefulness of a Digital Gambling Harm Minimisation Tool: A Cross-Sectional Study
(JMIR Publications, 2026-08-07) Chandrakumar, Dilushi; Rodda, Simone N; Thornton, Louise; Gainsbury, Sally M
BACKGROUND: Gambling consumers show low uptake and engagement with tools designed to support safer gambling practices and reduce the risk of experiencing gambling-related harms. We used co-design principles to design and develop a digital tool for safer gambling ('BetWell') to overcome known barriers to tool uptake, including a focus on gambling problems. BetWell aims to increase awareness of personal gambling expenditure and knowledge of how gambling products function to support informed decision-making about gambling. It was designed based on behavioural change theories and presents a personalised amalgamation of gambling expenditure relative to alternative spend options, and psychoeducational information via a quiz. OBJECTIVE: This exploratory study assessed the perceived acceptability and usefulness of the newly designed digital tool and gathered end-user feedback to improve future prototypes. The study explored whether usability, gambling severity, financial wellbeing, gambling frequency, spend tracking, activity statement use, and the number of accounts held impacted acceptability and perceived usefulness, and the extent to which these factors independently predicted acceptability and perceived usefulness when controlling for life satisfaction, gambling satisfaction, and demographic variables. METHODS: This cross-sectional study recruited 140 gambling consumers (M=41.3, SD=10.9 years) via the market research panel CRNRSTONE. Participants accessed and engaged with BetWell and completed an online survey to share their perceptions towards the tool. RESULTS: The overall acceptability (M=32/40, SD=5.2) and perceived usefulness (M=20/25, SD=3.9) of the tool were considered 'good' and 'useful', respectively by participants. Individuals with higher gambling severity scores were more likely to perceive the tool as useful than those of the lower risk categories. Individuals with higher financial wellbeing were more likely to perceive the tool as useful and acceptable compared to those in lower financial wellbeing categories. Higher usability scores corresponded with higher tool acceptability. Previous efforts to monitor and track gambling spend was associated with acceptability and perceived usefulness. Gambling frequency and the number of gambling accounts held were not related to acceptability and perceived usefulness. Qualitative feedback included participant identified suggestions for improvements such as a need for interactive elements, a more detailed view of gambling expenditure, automation of activity statement upload functionality, more challenging and positively framed quiz content, and an emphasis on data security. CONCLUSIONS: The study provides preliminary support for the acceptability and perceived usefulness of a newly developed tool to increase awareness of gambling expenditure and knowledge on how gambling products function, providing directions for future improvements to the tool.
Access status: Acceso Abierto ,
A Rose by Any Other Name: The Impact of Consumer Perceptions of Buy Now Pay Later on BNPL Use by Young Adults
(Academy of Financial Services, 2026-08-09) Wang, Qian; Gilbert, Aaron; Kapitan, Sommer; Scott, Ayesha
This paper examines the relationship between consumers' perceptions of Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) products and their subsequent usage patterns. Based on the literature on consumer perceptions, marketing strategies and financial product promotions, this study employs dual information processing theory as a lens for understanding how perceptions drive adoption and use of BNPL products. We employ ordered logistic regressions to analyze responses from a survey of young consumers aged 18-34 in New Zealand conducted via Qualtrics to assess the impact of consumer perceptions of BNPL, consumers’ use of BNPL, whether consumers borrow to repay BNPL debt, and their frequency of incurring late fees. The main findings suggest that consumer acceptance of the attractive features of BNPL appears to mask the financial risks involved, resulting in greater use and use consistent with impulse purchasing and possible subsequent debt accumulation.
Access status: Acceso Abierto ,
Comparative Analysis and Selection of Maximum Power Point Tracking Techniques With Predictive Power Flow Control for Harmonic Mitigation in Renewable-Integrated Smart Grids
(MDPI AG, 2026-08-03) Vaidya, Shanikumar; Prasad, Krishnamachar; Kilby, Jeff
The integration of renewable energy into smart grids is beneficial for a sustainable future and the environment. Still, it has challenges such as energy optimisation, environmental conditions and power quality degradation. Existing Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) techniques often focus on tracking efficiency under steady-state conditions, ignoring the impact of real-time variation in environmental conditions and load. The predictive power flow control (PPFC) algorithm is available with one or more fixed MPPT algorithms. No studies have reported on how the choice of MPPT affects PPFC harmonic mitigation. This paper addresses both concerns through a systematic comparative analysis of MPPT techniques integrated with a PPFC method to mitigate harmonics in renewable-integrated smart grid systems. To address this research gap, a comprehensive comparative analysis of various MPPT techniques, such as Perturb and Observe (P&O), Incremental Conductance (INC), Fuzzy Logic Control (FLC), and hybrid Machine Learning (ML) techniques, integrated with PPFC to achieve effective harmonic mitigation in a smart grid environment is conducted. A 3 MW solar farm integrated with a battery storage system is modelled in MTALB/Simulink 2025b under real-time varying conditions, such as environmental and load variations over time in Auckland, New Zealand. The study focuses on key performance parameters such as total harmonic distortion (THD), power loss, stability and efficiency. The Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS)-based MPPT controller, integrated with forecast-based power flow control, achieved overall performance by providing higher efficiency (97.5%), effective harmonic mitigation, and enhanced system stability under the nonlinear behaviour of the photovoltaic system. The proposed ANFIS-based system ensured a stable and smooth power output under varying environmental conditions, outperforming conventional and other intelligent MPPT techniques.
Access status: Acceso Abierto ,
Built Environment Associates of Active School Travel in New Zealand Children and Youth: A Systematic Meta-Analysis Using Individual Participant Data
(Elsevier, 2018-05-01) Ikeda, Erika; Stewart, Tom; Garrett, Nicholas; Egli, Victoria; Mandic, Sandra; Hosking, Jamie; Witten, Karen; Hawley, Greer; Tautolo, El-Shadan; Rodda, Judy; Moore, Antoni; Smith, Melody
This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the associations between active travel to school and the neighbourhood built environment in children and youth by systematically identifying and collating data from New Zealand studies. Data from five studies involving 2844 children and youth aged 6–19 years were included in the meta-analysis. Data on participant demographics and school characteristics were obtained from each study, and built environment features within 400 m and 1 km buffers around home were calculated in a consistent manner using geographic information systems. A one-step individual participant data meta-analysis was performed in SAS. Using stepwise logistic regression, age, school socioeconomic status, distance to school, dwelling density and intersection density (400 m and 1 km buffers) were taken forward from bivariate analyses into a multiple variable model. Active travel to school was positively associated with intersection density (p < 0.001) (1 km buffer) and negatively associated with school socioeconomic status (p = 0.001), dwelling density (p = 0.004) (1 km buffer), and distance to school (p < 0.001), including age, sex, ethnicity and number of siblings as fixed effects in the final model. The findings of this meta-analysis can be used to guide and support the development of policies on school location and catchment, and pedestrian and cycling infrastructure for children and youth to actively and safely travel to school.
Access status: Acceso Abierto ,
Building Urban Resilience for Coastal Urban Communities: The Surprise of Tsunamis With Consideration of Human Factors
(Routledge, 2024-05-31) Fathianpour, Azin; Babaeian Jelodar, Mostafa; Evans, Barry; Wilkinson, Suzanne
Frequent and intense multi-hazard events are occurring more frequently, making it crucial to prepare in advance and build resilience. Tsunamis, which are massive waves triggered by earthquakes or volcanic eruptions, are particularly devastating and pose significant risks to coastal areas and human life. Therefore, it is essential to be well-prepared for such events. Once the appropriate response to tsunamis is determined, it becomes important to anticipate different scenarios and take proactive measures. The study of evacuation process resilience is considered vital for effective disaster management, with current research and practice placing significant emphasis on the use of simulation models to evaluate tsunami responses. This chapter focuses on the development of an evacuation simulation tool known as MSEM (Micro-Simulation Evacuation Model), which aims to assess the resilience of the evacuation process by considering different evacuation scenarios in the case of tsunami risk. The tool provides insights into long-term planning and suggests improvements for infrastructure and land use. By analysing the simulation outputs, such as survival rates, indicating the number of people who would be safe when the tsunami reaches the shore, the tool helps identify the resiliency level of a city in the face of tsunamis. Napier City, New Zealand, which is vulnerable to various natural hazards, including liquefaction, earthquakes, flooding, volcanoes, and tsunamis, has been chosen as the case study. Based on the city's spatial characteristics and built environment, recommendations are made regarding land use planning and infrastructure upgrades to boost the resiliency level. MSEM can assist decision-makers underscore the need to enhance the transportation system to accommodate mass evacuations effectively. Additionally, it emphasises the importance of educating individuals on the optimal course of action to take during such situations.