Media release 24 August 2011
Māori creative potential explored in forthcoming Inaugural Professorial Lecture
A critical challenge facing Māori development is the challenge and opportunity of distinctiveness. What in particular
can the Māori world bring to enhance New Zealand generally?
This question will underpin the forthcoming Inaugural Professorial Lecture of Te Ahukaramū Charles Royal, Professor of
Indigenous Development (Faculty of Arts) and Director of Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga, a Centre of Research Excellence
hosted by The University of Auckland.
Professor Royal’s lecture, “The Creative Potential of Māori Communities”, is based on his own indigenous research and
his creative practice as a composer. He will discuss the transition from a preoccupation with social justice and
cultural revitalisation through to the engagement by Māori communities with creativity and innovation. He will also
discuss his research concerning the whare tapere – traditional houses of performance and entertainment – showing how the
whare tapere started life as a creative project delving into traditional Māori knowledge and moved to become a process
yielding the creative potential of a Māori community.
Professor Royal contends that the Māori renaissance of the last 40 years is an extraordinary New Zealand cultural
phenomenon. Much change has taken place in Māori communities and in New Zealand generally, driven largely by quests for
social justice and cultural revitalisation. Professor Royal says these changes have brought about positive
transformation for Māori in New Zealand.
“So much change has taken place that it is now possible to say that the Māori dimension of New Zealand society
represents a net national opportunity. Whilst problems do remain, overall, Māori communities are making the transition
into creative space where they are able to plan new futures and bring forth distinctive contributions to our national
life,” says Professor Royal, who argues further that Māori development smoothly transitions to become indigenous
development, thereby becoming relevant to all peoples.
“Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga is a respected centre of research excellence with strong links throughout New Zealand and
abroad. Professor Royal’s lecture will not only introduce his own research, but explore the opportunities of cultural
and intellectual enrichment from Māori and indigenous research and development as a whole. We are delighted to host such
important work at The University of Auckland,” says Associate Professor Jan Crosthwaite, Dean of the Faculty of Arts.
In addition to presenting this lecture, Professor Royal will also perform a number of his new music compositions. For
more information visit www.charles-royal.com
Professor Charles Royal will deliver “The Creative Potential of Māori Communities” at 6.30pm on Wednesday 7 September at
the Kenneth Myers Centre (72 Shortland Street). Admission is free; please arrive early to ensure seating is available.
Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga is a world-class Centre of Research Excellence consisting of 16 partner research entities and
hosted by The University of Auckland. Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga conducts research of relevance to Māori communities and
is an important vehicle by which New Zealand continues to be a key player in global indigenous research and affairs. Its
research is underpinned by the vision to realise the creative potential of Māori communities and to bring about positive
change and transformation in the nation and wider world.
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