Bibliography of Writing by Maori in English
An introduction to this major ongoing project for Maori writing.
Dr. Hirini Moko Mead, Waana Davis, Mihipeka Edwards, Patricia Grace (standing), Crenold Collins, Bridget Underhill, and Clemency Wright
From 1991-1998, Bridget Underhill was engaged in compiling a bibliography of writing by Maori in English towards a PhD at the University of Canterbury. From the outset Bridget worked alongside Te Ha, the national collective of Maori Writers, in constructing the kaupapa and parameters of this project. In 2001 Bridget was awarded a PhD, and in September 2001 she presented a copy of the completed Bibliography to Te Ha, representing Maori writers, at a Toi Maori ceremony at Hongoeka Marae in Plimmerton.
Over the last two years there have been ongoing discussions between Te Ha, Toi Maori Aotearoa, the University of Canterbury's English Department and Bridget as to the future of the Bibliography. All have agreed that it needs to be more accessible, and it has been decided that the most effective way to guarantee this, and to ensure that it can be continually updated with the addition of new works and new writers, is to convert it to an on-line, digital format.
This decision follows a growing trend in recent years to make Maori resources more accessible through the internet. Major examples include the comprehensive site of historical Maori newspapers from 1842-1932 at: http://www.nzdl.org/niupepa. Through this site, newspapers can be searched (full text), browsed (by series) or accessed by date.
Another significant website is the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, http://www.dnzb.govt.nz, which provides access to biographies of over 3,000 New Zealanders. The Ngata Dictionary is also currently on-line at http://www.learningmedia.co.nz/ngata/indexnn4.html.
The University of Canterbury's English Department has sourced funding to convert the bibliography into an on-line database, and Bridget has been employed to update the bibliography. It is hoped to be able to be launched in mid-2005.
The Bibliography will be accessible via the Toi Maori website and the University of Canterbury Website in the first instance. Other paths of access may be added as deemed appropriate by the project's advisory board.
This project, in partnership between Te Ha, Toi Maori Aotearoa, the University of Canterbury and Bridget Underhill has an advisory board composed of the following people:
Te Ha Chair: Powhiri Rika-Heke
Departmental Supervisors: Assoc. Prof Patrick Evans, English Department, University of Canterbury; and Dr John Newton, English Department, University of Canterbury
Head of Programme: Dr Erin Mackie, English Department, University of Canterbury
On campus Advisers: Lindsey Te Ata o Tu MacDonald - Maori Department, University of Canterbury; Nelson Tainui - Ngai Tahu Researcher, MacMillan Brown Centre, University of Canterbury.
Off campus Advisers: Patricia Grace - Te Ha; Garry Nicholas - General Manager, Toi Maori Aotearoa; Jonathan Mané-Wheoki - Director Art and Visual Culture, Te Papa Museum of New Zealand; Professor Terry Sturm - English Department, University of Auckland; and Adrienne Paranihi , Flexible Learning, University of Auckland
Chief Researcher/Author: Dr Bridget Underhill - Te Ha committee member