Disrupting Dominant Identities network: The Period Before the Treaty
Channel: e socsci
Date: 2017-10-31

The period before the Treaty: Why we need to know about it

Professor Alison Jones
Te Puna Wananga, University of Auckland

Abstract: Professor Alison Jones from the University of Auckland will talk about her latest book with Kuni Kaa Jenkins titled Tuai: A Traveller in Two Worlds. The book follows their previous volume He Kōrero: Words Between Us – First Māori-Pākehā Conversations on Paper. It is not only an interesting historical account of Maori explorations of Europe in 1813-1819 and an early Maori adventure story, though it is both. It reminds us that for 50 years before the Treaty of Waitangi, northern Maori were intensively engaging with the western world and exploring the possibilities of modernity. Alison will consider the significance for today’s scholars and students of knowing about this past.

Bio: Alison Jones is a Professor in Te Puna Wananga, School of Maori and Indigenous Education, at the University of Auckland. Her research and teaching is in the field of Maori-Pakeha educational relationships – both before the Treaty, and today. Her latest book entitled Tuai: A Traveller in Two Worlds (with Kuni Kaa Jenkins) follows their previous award-winning He Korero: Words Between Us – First Maori-Pakeha Conversations on Paper. These books focused on the years of engagement to 1825.