Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori 2017, Hocken Collections, University of Otago Library

Māori research was the focus in talks and displays across the Libraries for Te Wiki 2017.

University of Otago celebrations began with an event at the Hocken opened by Kaiwhakahaere Rakahau Māori, Mark Brunton and Kaitohutohu Māori, Hata Temo from the Office of Māori Development. Guest speaker Te Koronga Indigenous Science Researcher, Ngahuia Mita spoke on her recent voyage to Antarctica with Professor Christina Hulbe, Kelly Gragg and Michelle Ryan under the Ross Ice Shelf Programme. Ngahuia's talk was complemented by the launch of an exhibit in the Hocken Foyer celebrating Māori and Polynesian voyagers to Antarctica. The display also highlighted Dr Louis Potaka, the fifth Māori medical graduate in New Zealand who studied at Otago and then served as doctor for Rear-Admiral Richard Byrd's second Antarctic expedition in 1934.

Further displays across the libraries highlighted Postgraduate Māori research including Wayne Te Kaawa's PhD research on Christology through a Māori lens in the Central Library, Lou Kewene's PhD research Nau Mai, Haere Mai, Joe Brown presents… in the Robertson Library, and research posters by students of Te Koronga, the Māori research excellence programme led by Drs Anne-Marie Jackson and Hauiti Hakopa (School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Sciences) in the Science Library. The Health Sciences Library showcased recently completed student research and the Law Library display celebrated the relationship between Sir Apirana Ngata and Sir Robert Stout.

Postgraduate Māori Research Talks were hosted at the Hocken during the week and were wonderfully presented and attended.

Ngā mihi nunui to everyone who took part in celebrating Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori with us. Ka mau te wehi!

More details on events and displays can be read in the article in the Otago Bulletin and the Hocken blog post.