The Polynesian Society | News and Announcements

June 2012 issue out next week

Special issue: Colonial Grievances, Justice and Reconciliation

The articles collected in this issue were first presented at an international workshop about colonial grievances, justice and reconciliation held in 2005 at the 6th Conference of the European Society for Oceanists in Marseille, France. Contributors are Michael Goldsmith, Daniele Moretti and Toon van Meijl.

JPS susbscriptions fully online and e-version downloadable for 2013

Announcement and details to be revealed soon.

New Frontiers of Pacific Research - Inaugural presentations at Te Papa - Thursday 8 September 2011

The Friends of Te Papa in association with the Journal of the Polynesian Society and Va'aomanū Pasifika, Programmes in Pacific Studies and Samoan Studies, Victoria University of Wellington hosted New Frontiers Of Pacific Research at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa in Wellingtion. This event presented the work of three researchers on topics related to Pacific archaeology, art history and Māori cultural history.

Art in Oceania: a history. An outline of a Marsden funded research and book project presented by Dr Peter Brunt, Art History, Victoria University of Wellington.

Redrawing the Polynesian Triangle: genetic evidence of Polynesian contact with South America presented by Professor Lisa Matisoo-Smith, Department of Anatomy and Structural Biology, University of Otago. She discussed how the study of genetics in the Pacific was providing researchers with new insights into the settlement of the Pacific Islands.

Reconnecting Maori with Taonga in overseas museums presented by Arapata Hakiwai, Scholar Matauranga Maori, Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.

As well as highlighting current research and scholarship, the evening promoted the journal and the Polynesian Society and brought them back (briefly) to the institution where the Society began over 100 years ago. According to Elizabeth Ridder of the Te Papa Friends, over 200 people attended this event. One interesting feature of the three presenters talks was how the Journal of the Polynesian Society had played a role in their development as scholars. Many thanks to the members of the council for their support and especially to Richard Benton who graciously agreed to MC at the last minute.

Many thanks to Sean Mallon (The Polynesian Society and Te Papa Tongrewa) for the work put into conceptualising/organising the event.