Exploring New Zealand’s rivers and other realities
Professor Salmond’s talk, Alternative facts and uncommon truths: Rivers and other realities, will focus on debates about New Zealand’s rivers, whakapapa and the law. She will look at the Te Awa Tupua Act that recognises the Whanganui River as a legal person and will explore the possibility of reconciling guardianship—kai-tiakitanga, public trusteeship and ecological health for other New Zealand waterways through legal and other frameworks.
Professor Salmond says she wants people to come away with a sense of optimism and purpose regarding New Zealand’s rivers.
“Public concern about the state of our rivers is at a crisis point. Too many of New Zealand’s waterways are in deep trouble and it’s becoming urgent that more decisive action is taken. I will be suggesting possible frameworks for future action and safeguarding our rivers into the long-term.”
Professor Salmond DBE is a Distinguished Professor of Māori Studies and Anthropology at the University of Auckland. She was New Zealander of the Year in 2013 and has won the Rutherford Medal from the Royal Society of New Zealand.
This lecture is part of a three day programme of events to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of Victoria's anthropology programme. The programme highlights the history of anthropology at Victoria, explores the changing conditions that shape the discipline and looks to the future of anthropological knowledge.
Distinguished Professor Michael D. Jackson from Harvard University will open the full-day symposium on Anthropology in Aotearoa. Professor Jackson will also be speaking on Existential Scarcity and Ethical Feeling at 9am Thursday 11 May.
What: Alternative facts and uncommon truths: Rivers and other realities
When: 6pm Thursday 11 May followed by a reception at 7pm
Where: Hunter Council Chamber, Level 2 Hunter Building, Gate 2 Kelburn Parade, Kelburn Campus
RSVP: Email Lorena Gibson by 8 May.