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Abel Tasman, a Dutchman, was the first person to put New Zealand on European maps over three hundred years ago (in 1642) and today there are over twenty-eight thousand people living in New Zealand who identify themselves as Dutch and twenty-seven thousand people speaking the Dutch language. Previous research has explored various aspects of Dutch migration, including migrant experiences, culture and language yet only de Bres (2004) compares the experiences of Dutch immigrants across time periods of their arrival. Cultural retention and maintenance has mainly been assessed via the use of the Dutch language rather than through other methods, such as Dutch customs and social networks. The main reason for this research is to compare the experiences and cultural identity of the three 'waves' of Dutch migrants, which has not been undertaken before. This study interviewed six Dutch settler families living in the Bay of Plenty, from three time-periods (1950s; 1960s to 1980s; and 1990s to today) and across generations in order to compare their experiences and assess if and how they maintain their Dutch identity through their use of customs and social networks. Open-ended questionnaires and interview schedules were used to interview the sixteen participants. Content analysis was undertaken for the majority of the questionnaire and interview schedules. For the remaining questions that focused on social networks, the structural aspects of the social support for participants were measured in terms of the social network characteristics, size, density and multiplexity. The study found an overall retention of Dutch identity across all time-periods for generation one (generation one refers to the migrating parents) with all families using the Dutch language within their own homes, yet only one family maintaining their Dutch identity through social networks and only one family maintaining their Dutch identity through the use of customs. The second and third generation participants have little to no interest or involvement in the Dutch culture or community. One second generation participant considered herself Dutch-Kiwi, with the remaining second generation participants considering themselves New Zealanders. Only one person from the third generation participated and she identified herself as a Dutch-Kiwi. Overall, this study supports the perception of the 'invisible Dutch' however due to the small sample size it is impossible to make conclusive statements concerning the Bay of Plenty Dutch community. There is a limited amount of research comparing the experiences of Dutch migrants and how their cultural identity is maintained through their social networks; therefore further research is required to fill this gap.

This thesis argues that both the epistle of James and the Didache reflect tensions among the early Christian communities. The community concerns reflected in the texts of each book are investigated. Then their group maintenance strategies are analyzed. It will be shown that both writings have a similar concern on the harmony and cohesiveness of the Christian communities. On the other hand, there are differences as well as similarities in their strategies for reducing conflict. An analysis of the community tensions reflected in James is given. This shows that James is not merely a random collection of traditional teachings beyond critical studies. Interpretative issues, including grammatical and rhetorical questions surrounding passages in James are considered carefully in order to explore the epistle’s rhetorical situation. It will be argued that reflected in the text are real concerns for tensions among the audience, not merely general ethical instructions. Then results from social-scientific studies on social identity and conflict phenomena are bring in to further explore the possible group dynamics for communities in conflict. This enhances one’s understanding of the meaning and purpose of the teaching in James. Theses group dynamics also fill in some gaps between passages in James. Hence, the coherence of the book is highlighted in the study. Lastly, these social-scientific theories also provide a framework for analyzing the strategies of maintaining group cohesiveness in James. Next, a parallel study is given for the Didache. This study shows that besides chapters 11-15, which clearly reflect dangers of dispute among the early believers, other sections of the document also reflect the Didachist’s concern for tensions among the early Christians. Then the group maintenance strategy of the Didache is analyzed using a similar framework as that used for James. Finally, a comparison between the two writings is given from the perspective of group maintenance. Similarities and differences in the books’ community concerns as well as their means for maintaining harmony in the community are highlighted to indicate the significance of these documents for the early Christian communities.

The study aimed to develop an in-depth understanding of the challenges faced by social workers rendering Occupational Social Work (OSW) services, particularly in establishing and maintaining workplace support groups for employees living with HIV and AIDS. The study used a qualitative research approach, aided by exploratory, descriptive and contextual research design. Data was collected from eight participants with semi-structured interviews and was analyzed by applying eight steps for data analysis as proposed by Tesch, cited in Creswell (2003:191). Data verification was done by applying Guba’s model (in Krefting, 1991). The themes, which emerged from the interviews, were: the recruitment of members in workplace support groups and the challenges faced by social workers rendering OSW services. The findings indicate that, critical as their roles may be, social workers experience numerous challenges when providing workplace HIV and AIDS support groups. These include HIV and AIDS disclosure, management, organisational and logistical challenges / Social Work

The study aimed to develop an in-depth understanding of the challenges faced by social workers rendering Occupational Social Work (OSW) services, particularly in establishing and maintaining workplace support groups for employees living with HIV and AIDS. The study used a qualitative research approach, aided by exploratory, descriptive and contextual research design. Data was collected from eight participants with semi-structured interviews and was analyzed by applying eight steps for data analysis as proposed by Tesch, cited in Creswell (2003:191). Data verification was done by applying Guba’s model (in Krefting, 1991). The themes, which emerged from the interviews, were: the recruitment of members in workplace support groups and the challenges faced by social workers rendering OSW services. The findings indicate that, critical as their roles may be, social workers experience numerous challenges when providing workplace HIV and AIDS support groups. These include HIV and AIDS disclosure, management, organisational and logistical challenges / Social Work / M.A. (Social Science)