Soons, JM.  Recent Coastal Change in Canterbury - the case of Lake Forsyth/Wairewa. 
Documentary and anecdotal evidence is presented to supplement geomorphological evidence for the conversion of Lake Forsyth (Wairewa) from marine inlet to brackish to freshwater lake within near historic time.  Growth of the barrier across the lake outlet is likely to continue in the future.

Murray, DL & RM Jackson.  The Impact of Vegetation Changes on Evaporation and Runoff. 
Research context and methodology are considered for the determination of the impact of vegetation changes on evaporation and runoff.  The limitations of a purely empirical approach are contrasted with the benefits to be gained from development of theory and model building.  Recent research questions and results are reviewed.  Most of the important advances in understanding of the problem since 1948, have resulted from combining the theoretical and experimental approaches for hypothesis testing and generalisation.

Gillespie, A.  Environmental Politics in New Zealand/Aotearoa: Clashes and Commonality Between Maoridom and Environmentalists. 
It has long been assumed that Maori, like many other indigenous peoples, have utilised ecologically sustainable practices.  However, over recent years a chasm has developed between many conservationists and various Maori groupings as environmental objectives and philosophies have come into conflict.  This article seeks to examine this chasm, and then move towards an understanding about what may really be the basis of the claim for sustainable practices in this area.

Law, R & B Gleeson.  Another Landscape of Despair? Charting the 'Service-Dependent Ghetto' in Dunedin. 
Deinstitutionalisation of psychiatric patients since the 1980s has introduced a new population and a new land use to New Zealand's urban areas.  This paper reviews the geography of deinstitutionalisation, and investigates whether the North American phenomenon of a service-dependent ghetto can be identified in Dunedin.

Espiner, SR & DG Simmons.  A National Park Revisited Assessing Change in Recreational Use of Arthur's Pass National Park. 
At a time of increasing visitation and activity diversification, the relationship between use and conservation of New Zealand's national parks is under scrutiny.  During this period it is especially important that resource use is understood and monitored over time.  Using a replicative format this paper documents the findings of two visitation studies undertaken in Arthur's Pass National Park fifteen years apart.  The findings suggest that, despite some strong elements of stability, there are indications of considerable change in use patterns at this site.  Data presented are acquiescent in supporting the thesis that Arthur's Pass National Park is undergoing a transition initially shaped by wider social and economic pressures and manifest at the Park by increasing use for commercial purposes, an intensification of use, and increasing numbers of visitors from overseas.  While continued research into visitation trends is encouraged, the authors also advise that the challenge of replicative studies in natural resource settings should not be underestimated.