Help Me To Share Knowledge

Project 2012-09-03 10:04:04 +1200

I love to take people on a journey to our past, to understand our present and to shape the future. 

This was the reason why I decided to do a PhD. Knowledge is about sharing and now I need some help to be able to do so.
I'm in the last push to finish my PhD in Maori studies/NZ History. I'm looking at the early settlers of Wellington, Nelson and New Plymouth from 1840-1860 to see how they encountered Māori on a personal level of experience. I'm using settler’s diaries and letters, so only the private record, to establish how they arranged their living with Maori. I have spent countless hours in archives all around the country to gather material like this.

This is a photo of the diary of Henry Weeks. Seeing this i hope you can imagine how difficult this research his. I had more than 100 sources like this.

This project is significant in the context of the Treaty of Waitangi and race relations because it shines new light on the period of first interactions in New Zealand. This research will show that there was a significant space of positive interaction which became destroyed with the emerging land question and the expansion of the settlements. This project seeks to give Māori agency by presenting Māori settler relations as something far more positive than generally remember and represented in the Scholarship. This Research has been presented on several nation and International conferences and has always received positive and engaging feedback.

Engaging at the bridges of Māori and Pākehā world I have shared this research with the communities on several occasions. The aim of the project is to keep it accessible for everyone by keeping it readable and giving points for connection with our ancestry.
Arriving from Germany in 2008 I have made New Zealand my home. This is my ‘stomping ground' now! Being not Māori is a challenge when based in Māori studies, however I have learned much and I still do! This PhD is not just a PhD it is the journey of a significant part of my life. My life has changed, as my view on the world around me has. I hope that this project will help to make a better understanding of our past, to shape a better future for all of us.

Why do I need money? This PhD Journey was rough. First I lost my Supervisor which had as a result that I did not have a scholarship. Once I had new supervision I nearly lost my eye sight due to a severe case of retinal detachment. I'm still battling this every day. Then, 2 years into my project I was diagnosed with Dyslexia, a condition that makes this enterprise even more amazing. Maybe there are other people like me out there and think that with Dyslexia you can’t go to Uni. YES YOU CAN!!
The obstacles for me were drivers. With no funding whatsoever I was forced to work and study at the same time. Juggling 5 Jobs and writing a PhD was not easy but I have managed. But now, in the last push, I can’t work that much. I will need money for final editing, binding, and living cost for some weeks to get this finished.
I have given heaps to the community, especial here at University but now I need a little something back. Please see my Vic Plus profile here.

So if you want me to become the only German in the world with a PhD in Māori studies please support this project!!!! If you want to support an emerging Researcher and you believe in equality of people and that everything is possible in life please support this project.

This is the coast of New Plymouth with the ' Sugar Loaf Islands' in the back. I made this photo on windy day during my Research at Puke Ariki Museum. When i look at this photo it inspires me to think how early settlers landed and how they have met Maori.

What will you get? If you are supporting me you will

• be mentioned in the Acknowledgement of the PhD Thesis
• receive a personal letter of thanks if i have been provided with  contact details
  
• have the opportunity to celebrate my success at the May 2013 Graduation Parade in Wellington and get a photo with me

Comments