Masters Dissertations

Permanent link for this collection

https://hdl.handle.net/10292/476
The Masters Dissertations collection contains digital copies of AUT University masters dissertations deposited with the Library since 2007 and made available open access. From 2007 onwards, all dissertations for masters degrees awarded are required to be deposited in Tuwhera Open Theses & Dissertations unless subject to an embargo.

Dissertations submitted prior to 2007 are usually recorded in the AUT Library catalogue where the full text, if available, may be accessed with an AUT password. Other people should request an Interlibrary Loan through their library.

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Now showing 1 - 5 of 1121
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    [TEST] Exploring the Luxury Train Experience: A Case Study of the TranzAlpine Train
    (Auckland University of Technology, 2024) Patel, Khushbu Satish; Harkison, Tracy
    This dissertation aims to explore the key aspects that define a luxury train experience and assess the opportunities and risks of enhancing its appeal to luxury tourists. The research described here was rooted in a qualitative methodology, within an interpretive paradigm to analyse traveller reviews of 10 luxury trains worldwide from TripAdvisor, along with data from the TranzAlpine’s website. Through thematic analysis, the research identified eight main themes that define the luxury train experience: Memories, Service, Food and beverages, Cabin, Excursions, Booking, Onboard amenities, and Travel assurance. The study conducts an opportunity and risk analysis for incorporating these aspects into the TranzAlpine train service, aiming to transform it into a luxury tourism product. The findings suggest significant opportunities for the TranzAlpine to differentiate itself and attract luxury tourists by enhancing service quality, offering exclusive experiences, ensuring passenger comfort and satisfaction. However, risks such as the need for substantial investment, maintaining high service standards, and managing operational complexities must be carefully navigated. This dissertation contributes to the literature on luxury train tourism and offers theoretical and practical insights for industry practitioners. In providing a detailed analysis of luxury train travel and its application to the TranzAlpine, the study proposes eight recommendations that could redefine the service, turning it from a scenic journey into a luxurious and memorable travel experience.
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    [Scenario deposit] Illustrating Pain: Communicating the Chronic Pain Experience
    (Auckland University of Technology, 2024) Seck, Jannisa; Picard, Jean-Luc
    The Enterprise enters the Epsilon Mynos system, searching for the legendary world of Aldea. The planet de-cloaks, and reveals itself to the ship. The Aldeans beam down Commander William Riker (Jonathan Frakes), Counselor Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis), and Chief Medical Officer Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden) to the planet. The Aldeans explain that they have been unable to bear children for many years and revealed themselves to the Enterprise in hopes they could trade their advanced technology for some of the Enterprise's children so that they can re-populate their world. Riker refuses and the crew is returned to the Enterprise. Simultaneously, seven children, including Wesley Crusher (Wil Wheaton), are taken down to the planet protected by a planetary energy shield that the crew of the Enterprise are unable to penetrate. While the Aldean elders attempt to integrate the children into their society, Wesley is shown the "Custodian", an ancient computer system that the Aldeans rely on but do not understand.
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    Sustianable Practices in Luxury Hotels: Case Study of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
    (Auckland University of Technology, 2024) Min, Yi; Harkison, Tracy
    This research explores what sustainable practices are adopted and how they can be implemented within the luxury hotels to align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts as a case study. With increasing global awareness of environmental issues and the hospitality sector’s significant ecological footprint, luxury hotels are uniquely positioned to lead the charge in adopting sustainable practices. This research utilised a qualitative case study approach to investigate the sustainable practices employed in the selected case study, and their implementation. Secondary data was obtained through: the official websites of the hotel group; associated websites, for example, the Global Sustainable Tourism Council and the United Nations World Tourism Organization; and available documents, news articles, and annual reports. The content analysis method was used to explore and analyse information. This study delved into the sustainability practices in terms of environmental, economic, and social dimensions. It examined environmental sustainability through the lenses of resource conservation, waste management, ecosystem preservation, and the reduction of carbon emissions. Additionally, the research investigated social sustainability in terms of community involvement, employee wellbeing, and local purchase practices with suppliers. Economic sustainability was explored through strategies aimed at waste reduction, energy savings, and water conservation. By reviewing sustainable practices in the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, it was found that an ESG programme has been used as a framework to guide and manage its sustainable practices. Additional to a wide range of basic environmental practices, the Four Seasons has also implemented advanced environmental practices and comprehensive social sustainability practices. This study provides guidelines for luxury hoteliers by showing how sustainability practices can be implemented into their hotels. It also demonstrates that, despite adopting these practices, the Four Season’s image is positively maintained, and client satisfaction remains high.
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    How Do Housing Characteristics Affect Residential Properties Prices In Auckland, New Zealand Before and After COVID-19?
    (Auckland University of Technology, 2024) Siu, Rosalina; Pik Yi Cheung, Lydia
    My study investigates how housing characteristics affect housing prices on residential properties in Auckland, New Zealand. It also examines the effect of these characteristics on property prices before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. For this purpose, I use a random sample of residential property transactions in Auckland, New Zealand for the years 2016 and 2021. Using hedonic regression models, the results show that each housing characteristic has a unique contribution to a property’s price. They show that every housing characteristic is statistically significant, except for the number of bedrooms in 2016. For 2021, only floor area and land area are statistically significant. The coefficient signs are as expected for almost every housing characteristic. In particular, a 10-meter squared increase in floor area is correlated with around 2.8% increase in the sale price, ceteris paribus. Consumers' willingness to pay has also shifted from 2016, as they are more willing to pay per unit of land area in 2016 than in 2021.
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    Experiences of Pacific Students in Health Science Academy (HSA)
    (Auckland University of Technology, 2024) Sharma, Swastika; Swanson, Carolyn; Stewart, Georgina
    This research study aims to bring light to the experiences of Pacific students in the Health Science Academy (HSA). The HSA programme was established to support academic achievement of Pacific students in secondary science and encourage them to join a healthcare career (Middleton et al., 2019). More Pacific people are needed in the healthcare workforce as this may help make the healthcare sector more culturally responsive, leading to a more comfortable environment for Pacific peoples to seek medical advice (Brown, 2018). In return, this may improve the health of Pacific people and the general population of New Zealand. The research was conducted at two Auckland secondary schools. Each school had a focus group session where participants spoke about their experiences of the HSA. This included the aspects they found helpful and the aspects they thought could be improved. The findings were later analysed using thematic processes. Through this research, it was found that the participating students were all intending to join the healthcare sector. The trips that students went on were informative and allowed the students to make career choices that suited them. Career advice was appreciated by all students as it brought clarity and gave students a goal to work towards. As the students knew what they were aiming for, it gave them the motivation to do well academically. It was noted that tutorials must be regular. The tutorials supported the students’ academic achievement as it prepared them for assessments. Mentoring sessions also supported learning as students were able to build positive relationships with their mentor teachers and peers. The students supported each other’s learning. This led to a comfortable and safe environment for students to learn as they were able to seek help without having the fear of being judged. This research has its limitations as only two of the thirteen schools within the HSA participated. Both focus groups had five participants. The participant size was too small to represent the voice of all Pacific students of New Zealand. All the participants at both schools were females, hence the responses were mainly from a female perspective. Since, the male voice in this research was practically silent, the findings cannot be homogenized to be the voice of all Pacific students in New Zealand. Hence, no major changes to the HSA programmer are suggested, however, some recommendations for schools who are part of the HSA and those who are not are provided.
Dissertations are protected by the Copyright Act 1994 (New Zealand). The dissertation may be consulted by you, provided you comply with the provisions of the Act and the following conditions of use:
  • Any use you make of these documents or images must be for research or private study purposes only, and you may not make them available to any other person.
  • Authors control the copyright of their dissertation. You will recognise the author’s right to be identified as the author of the dissertation, and due acknowledgement will be made to the author where appropriate.
  • You will obtain the author’s permission before publishing any material from the dissertation.