Stout Research Centre 40th anniversary

The Stout Research Centre celebrated 40 years with talks on New Zealand studies and Sir Robert and Lady Anna Stout.

Date: Friday 15 August 2025
Venue: Council Chamber, Hunter Building

Welcome

Professor Sarah Ross, School of Arts and Media, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington

Introduction

Celebrating 40 years of Scholarship and Outreach—Professor Brigitte Bӧnisch-Brednich, Director, Stout Research Centre for New Zealand Studies

Keynote conversation

Dr Jock Phillips
Looking back to look forward—New Zealand studies in the spotlight

Presentations

Prof Geoff McLay—The many lives (and opinions) of Sir Robert Stout.

Sir Robert Stout (1844–1930) lived many lives in New Zealand:

immigrant
teacher
lawyer
investor
liberal (and not-so-liberal)
Premier
imperialist
founder of our University
Leader of the Opposition
Chief Justice
Māori land reformer
prohibitionist
penal reformer
controversial and opinionated public combatant.

The talk looked at some of these lives as windows into a particular kind of our history, good and bad, in which ideas were always important, if sometimes flawed.

Monica Webb—A born crusader—the political life of Lady Anna Stout (1858–1931).

Lady Anna Stout was a leading figure in the early women’s movement in New Zealand and widely known throughout New Zealand in her lifetime. She was an energetic, outspoken and often controversial proponent of women’s political, economic and educational development as well as a staunch promoter of New Zealand’s image within the British family of nations. Anna Stout was unique among New Zealand women for the breadth and scope of her profile and reputation locally and internationally. This presentation will consider the radical nature of this complex and controversial New Zealander, her 50-year partnership with her husband Robert and the public role she willingly chose to play for over 30 years to help redefine the political and social norms for women in New Zealand and beyond.

Video appreciation

Dr Awhina Tamarapa, Nick Bollinger, Dr Sandra Thomas, and Dr Mikko Myllyntausta

Concluding remarks

Professor Brigitte Bӧnisch-Brednich, Director, Stout Research Centre for New Zealand Studies

Reception/drinks function

Hunter Common Room