title: Hegemonic Whiteness: An Autoethnographic Examination

authors: Chulainn Mabbett-Sowerby, Mabbett-Sowerby

abstract: Whiteness is a hegemonic force in New Zealand society. It is responsible for perpetuating racial discrimination against Māori and other ethnic minority groups. The core argument of this thesis, is that discussions concerning racial equity need to focus on hegemonic whiteness, as opposed to racial discrimination in order to make more visible where the responsibility for social change to achieve racial equality lies. In order to demonstrate the need for this specific emphasis this thesis highlights nuanced experiences of hegemonic whiteness through the use of autoethnography as a research methodology. An autoethnographic approach was used as a means of grounding the literature in lived experiences, and resisting the dominance of empirical research methodologies in educational settings. The literature reviewed was an in-depth investigation of texts concerning hegemony and  whiteness. Taking a story-telling approach, the literature concerning hegemony was examined so as to show some of Gramsci’s life and thought, before detailing the notion of hegemony itself. The literature on whiteness was drawn from critical and tribal race theory. Literature was also reviewed that demonstrated how the concept of whiteness exists embedded within New Zealand’s context as a result of colonisation. Whiteness as hegemony, was made clear through a discussion highlighting the way in which white norms and values are dominant within New Zealand society, and are thus hegemonic. In order to challenge the normalising influence of whiteness within power structures links to policy were made, to highlight the influence of hegemonic whiteness, within political institutions. Overall this thesis argues that it is imperative to foster a more equitable and inclusive society, which can only occur if hegemonic whiteness is acknowledged and addressed by the dominant group in society.

text: Hegemonic Whiteness: An Autoethnographic Examination Whiteness is a hegemonic force in New Zealand society. It is responsible for perpetuating racial discrimination against Māori and other ethnic minority groups. The core argument of this thesis, is that discussions concerning racial equity need to focus on hegemonic whiteness, as opposed to racial discrimination in order to make more visible where the responsibility for social change to achieve racial equality lies. In order to demonstrate the need for this specific emphasis this thesis highlights nuanced experiences of hegemonic whiteness through the use of autoethnography as a research methodology. An autoethnographic approach was used as a means of grounding the literature in lived experiences, and resisting the dominance of empirical research methodologies in educational settings. The literature reviewed was an in-depth investigation of texts concerning hegemony and  whiteness. Taking a story-telling approach, the literature concerning hegemony was examined so as to show some of Gramsci’s life and thought, before detailing the notion of hegemony itself. The literature on whiteness was drawn from critical and tribal race theory. Literature was also reviewed that demonstrated how the concept of whiteness exists embedded within New Zealand’s context as a result of colonisation. Whiteness as hegemony, was made clear through a discussion highlighting the way in which white norms and values are dominant within New Zealand society, and are thus hegemonic. In order to challenge the normalising influence of whiteness within power structures links to policy were made, to highlight the influence of hegemonic whiteness, within political institutions. Overall this thesis argues that it is imperative to foster a more equitable and inclusive society, which can only occur if hegemonic whiteness is acknowledged and addressed by the dominant group in society.

year: 2023

title: A retrospective look at Greenstone: Lessons from the first decade

authors: Witten, Ian H.

subjects: computer science

abstract: The Greenstone Digital Library Software has helped spread the practical impact of digital library technology throughout the world, with particular emphasis on developing countries. As Greenstone enters its second decade, this article takes a retrospective look at its development, the challenges that have been faced, and the lessons that have been learned in developing and deploying a comprehensive open-source system for the construction of digital libraries internationally. Not surprisingly, the most difficult challenges have been political, educational, and sociological, echoing that old programmers' blessing "may all your problems be technical ones."

text: A retrospective look at Greenstone: Lessons from the first decade The Greenstone Digital Library Software has helped spread the practical impact of digital library technology throughout the world, with particular emphasis on developing countries. As Greenstone enters its second decade, this article takes a retrospective look at its development, the challenges that have been faced, and the lessons that have been learned in developing and deploying a comprehensive open-source system for the construction of digital libraries internationally. Not surprisingly, the most difficult challenges have been political, educational, and sociological, echoing that old programmers' blessing "may all your problems be technical ones."

year: 2007

title: He whare mātātuhi Tūhoe:  A Tūhoe re-visioning of English language literary texts

authors: Salsano, Marama

subjects: Māori writers

abstract: This thesis urges more Māori to undertake iwi-based readings of English language literary texts. I have chosen to privilege my father’s iwi, Ngāi Tūhoe, and to examine what Tūhoetana means to me and how it might thus enrich my reading of texts. In our ancestral tongue, Ngāi Tūhoe have a rich and pronounced history of storytelling, literary composition, analysis and critique. Unfortunately, this richness is woefully underappreciated within the English language literary landscape. Yet, as the ranks of Māori writers swell, along with the diversity of literary forms that Māori create, so too must Māori – and more specifically iwi – literary scholarship flourish, for if we do not critique the texts that are written about, of, and on behalf of us, who will? Throughout this thesis, I use the terms ‘iwi literary scholars’ and ‘iwi literary scholarship’ to consciously and repeatedly remind the reader of the rich, literary legacies residing within iwi archives; I also hope to highlight the exciting and endless possiblitites for the English language literary landscape to be enriched by readings that are founded within these archives – including the histories, everyday experiences and understandings from our tīpuna. 

Structurally, this thesis is divided into three broad strands. Chapters 1-3 focus on whakawhanaunatana and background information to my research. Because this thesis also represents the singular piece of writing that I wish I had read prior to enrolling in the thesis paper for this Master’s degree, my academic hīkoi – frustrations and all – is a necessary component and is covered in chapter 2. Chapters 4-6 then examine three different types of literary texts created by wāhine. These texts include the short story “Birth Rights” by Ngāi Tahu science fiction and fantasy writer, J.C. Hart (2010), the Instagram post Te Kuharere tapes by Ngāti Kahungungu and Ngāti Tuwharetoa songwriter and storyteller @tekahureremoa (2019) – also known as the performer Ladyfruit – and the young adult novel Dark Souls by Ngāti Wai, Ngāti Manuhiri, and Ngāti Whatua writer, Paula Morris (2011). While 21st century texts published on platforms such as Instagram may not sit easily within a traditional English literary curriculum, and indeed the novelty of these specific forms may well prove fleeting, the ‘everydayness’ of online texts yields rewarding analysis opportunities and is currently amiss within mainstream English literary studies. Each of these analysis chapters contains a focused introduction and conclusion, since chapter 7, the concluding chapter of this thesis, is a letter to future iwi literary scholars. 

Woven throughout this rangahau is a call for iwi scholars to consciously: engage with the literary traditions of their own iwi; identify the colonial thoughts and motives that they bring to the reading of literary texts; bring their tīpuna to the reading, but let the text itself breathe life into the critique and; consider the genres and types of texts that they critique. Ultimately, this thesis considers how engaging with the literary legacies of our tīpuna might broaden the English language literary landscape and thus enhance the body of iwi literary scholarship in Oceania and beyond.

text: He whare mātātuhi Tūhoe:  A Tūhoe re-visioning of English language literary texts This thesis urges more Māori to undertake iwi-based readings of English language literary texts. I have chosen to privilege my father’s iwi, Ngāi Tūhoe, and to examine what Tūhoetana means to me and how it might thus enrich my reading of texts. In our ancestral tongue, Ngāi Tūhoe have a rich and pronounced history of storytelling, literary composition, analysis and critique. Unfortunately, this richness is woefully underappreciated within the English language literary landscape. Yet, as the ranks of Māori writers swell, along with the diversity of literary forms that Māori create, so too must Māori – and more specifically iwi – literary scholarship flourish, for if we do not critique the texts that are written about, of, and on behalf of us, who will? Throughout this thesis, I use the terms ‘iwi literary scholars’ and ‘iwi literary scholarship’ to consciously and repeatedly remind the reader of the rich, literary legacies residing within iwi archives; I also hope to highlight the exciting and endless possiblitites for the English language literary landscape to be enriched by readings that are founded within these archives – including the histories, everyday experiences and understandings from our tīpuna. 

Structurally, this thesis is divided into three broad strands. Chapters 1-3 focus on whakawhanaunatana and background information to my research. Because this thesis also represents the singular piece of writing that I wish I had read prior to enrolling in the thesis paper for this Master’s degree, my academic hīkoi – frustrations and all – is a necessary component and is covered in chapter 2. Chapters 4-6 then examine three different types of literary texts created by wāhine. These texts include the short story “Birth Rights” by Ngāi Tahu science fiction and fantasy writer, J.C. Hart (2010), the Instagram post Te Kuharere tapes by Ngāti Kahungungu and Ngāti Tuwharetoa songwriter and storyteller @tekahureremoa (2019) – also known as the performer Ladyfruit – and the young adult novel Dark Souls by Ngāti Wai, Ngāti Manuhiri, and Ngāti Whatua writer, Paula Morris (2011). While 21st century texts published on platforms such as Instagram may not sit easily within a traditional English literary curriculum, and indeed the novelty of these specific forms may well prove fleeting, the ‘everydayness’ of online texts yields rewarding analysis opportunities and is currently amiss within mainstream English literary studies. Each of these analysis chapters contains a focused introduction and conclusion, since chapter 7, the concluding chapter of this thesis, is a letter to future iwi literary scholars. 

Woven throughout this rangahau is a call for iwi scholars to consciously: engage with the literary traditions of their own iwi; identify the colonial thoughts and motives that they bring to the reading of literary texts; bring their tīpuna to the reading, but let the text itself breathe life into the critique and; consider the genres and types of texts that they critique. Ultimately, this thesis considers how engaging with the literary legacies of our tīpuna might broaden the English language literary landscape and thus enhance the body of iwi literary scholarship in Oceania and beyond.

year: 2021