Past Phd students

Emmanuelle Martinez 

I undertook my PhD at Coastal-Marine Research Group, Massey University. My main research interest is marine ecology and the behaviour of dolphins and whales, specifically the effects of tourism and the conservation of cetacean populations. 

My thesis' title is Responses of South Island Hector’s dolphins (Cephalorhynchus hectori hectori) to vessel activity in Akaroa Harbour, Banks Peninsula.

My primary supervisor was Dr Karen Stockin, Massey University, Albany, and my secondary supervisor is Professor Mark Orams, from the New Zealand Tourism Research Institute. Other supervisors are  Dr Deanna Clement (Cawthron Institute, Nelson), Assoc. Prof. Liz Slooten (Otago University, and Assoc. Prof. Dianne H. Brunton (Massey University, Albany). This study aimed to determine and quantify: What effect the current level of vessel activity, especially tourism operators is having on Hector’s dolphins; Whether such effects are significant for the local Hector dolphin population; and Whether potential impacts can be mitigated by appropriate changes to the dolphin watching permit conditions.

 Vladimir Garkavenko received his Ph.D. from the Auckland University of Technology / NZTRI and is now teaching at KIMEP in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Originally from the Ukraine, he joined KIMEP from the Waiariki Institute of Technology in Rotorua, New Zealand. His research activity focuses on the analysis of the impact of information technology on the travel business. Vladimir is currently developing close links between NZTRI and KIMEP.

Tim West-Newman -  PhD topic: Imaginative Travel: experiential aspects of user interactions with destination marketing websites. Tim now works within Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga as a systems development manager to develop more advanced technical business solutions, with an emphasis on web applications.Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga is one of eight Centres of Research Excellence (CORE) funded by the New Zealand Government. This Māori CoRE seeks to conduct excellent research which addresses needs and seizes upon opportunities arising in Māori communities. Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga’s vision is that the potential of Māori communities to contribute to New Zealand and the world is achieved. Tim now applies the experience he gained working and studying at NZTRI to provide information technology systems and solutions to help multi-disciplinary research teams collaborate and disseminate their research.

Hamish Bremner - PhD topic: Constructing, contesting, and consuming New Zealand's tourism landscape: A history of Te Wairoa.