Crisis management is in place following flooding in Auckland. More information.

Dr Peter Meihana staff profile picture

Contact details +6469516589

Dr Peter Meihana PhD, MA

Senior Lecturer in Maori History

School of Humanities Media and Creative Comm

Professional

Contact details

  • Ph: 06 6 3504231 ext 81914
    Location: 5.06, Colombo Village
    Campus: Turitea

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy - Massey University (2016)
  • Master of Arts - Massey University (2007)

Prizes and Awards

  • Strategic Investment Fund: 'From the past to the future: finding an Aotearoa history for schools' - Massey University (2020)
  • MURF-Massey University Research Fund - Massey University (2017)

Research Expertise

Research Interests

My research interests include: Maori history; tribal history; and colonisation.

Area of Expertise

Field of research codes
Historical Studies (210300): History And Archaeology (210000): Maori History (210309)

Research Projects

Summary of Research Projects

Position Current Completed
Project Leader 0 2
Team Member 1 0

Current Projects

Project Title: He Tatai Whenua: A Te Ao Maori landscape classification

Our research will synthesize a Te Ao Maori landscape classification that can be directly integrated with existing geographical information systems (GIS). We will produce the first indigenous peoples, or Maori metric based Landscape Classification for New Zealand. Despite Maori expert elicitation, or interpretation, of landscape features being well recognised, coherent representation and display of this knowledge is significantly underdeveloped. Data of this kind is still treated as anecdotal or qualitative and, as a result, lacks impact in environmental management and decision-making. In stark contrast, the underlying descriptors and datasets used to classify NZ's environment for decision-making are all displayed in advanced GIS systems utilising cutting edge technology (e.g. geology (Qmap), soils (SMap), bio-diversity (Landcover Database/LENZ), and land use/capability (NZ Land Resource Inventory)). Many of the fundamental methods used to create these datasets are based on frameworks and criteria created through quasi-quantitative methods with no inclusion or recognition of matauranga Maori. This will be achieved through three components: 1. Development of Maori landscape classification criteria based on matauranga Maori, tikanga, kaitiakitanga and tohu taiao from leading Maori academics and Iwi partners 2. Generation of the first Maori Landscape Classification GIS (MLC-GIS) and database using new IT, GIS, remote sensing techniques and mathematical methods to visualise landscapes based on the developed criteria 3. Application of the MLC-GIS alongside existing environmental databases in new catchment management strategies Our research will use the Manawatu catchment to develop the protocols required to extend the proposed Maori Landscape Classification GIS to the whole of NZ. Globally this will be the first time such a dataset will be created. Additionally, new geospatial visualisation methods will be developed that will have significant impact.
Read Project Description Hide Project Description

Date Range: 2017 - 2022

Funding Body: Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment

Project Team:

Research Outputs

Journal

Meihana, PN., & Bradley, CR. (2018). Repatriation, Reconciliation and the Inversion of Patriarchy. The journal of the Polynesian Society. Polynesian Society (N.Z.). 127(3), 307-324 Retrieved from http://thepolynesiansociety.org/jps/index.php/JPS/article/view/363
[Journal article]Authored by: Meihana, P.
Read Online: DOI icon
Read Abstract: abstract icon
King, DN., Shaw, WS., Goff, JR., & Meihana, PN. (2018). Maori oral histories and the impact of tsunamis in Aotearoa-New Zealand. Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences. 18(3), 907-919 Retrieved from https://nhess.copernicus.org/articles/18/907/2018/
[Journal article]Authored by: Meihana, P.Contributed to by: Meihana, P.
Read Online: DOI icon
Read Abstract: abstract icon
Meihana, PN. (2016). Manifest Destiny. Journal of Urgent Writing. 1, 170-179 Retrieved from http://www.masseypress.ac.nz/books/all/all/the-journal-of-urgent-writing-2016
[Journal article]Authored by: Meihana, P.
Meihana, PN. (2012). Colonising by Privilege, 1840 to 1847. Te Pouhere Korero. 6, 35-53
[Journal article]Authored by: Meihana, P.
Meihana, PN. (2010). The 'idea' of Maori Privilege. Te Pouhere Korero. 4, 41-50
[Journal article]Authored by: Meihana, P.

Book

Meihana, P., & Morris, J. (2020). Tangata Whenua - Mā tātou whakaoti. In M. Tennant, G. Watson, & K. Taylor (Eds.) City at the Centre A History of Palmerston. (pp. 26 - 59). Auckland: Massey University Press
[Chapter]Authored by: Meihana, P., Morris, J.
Read Abstract: abstract icon
Bennett, AL. (2017). Change and inertia: 40 years of Māori struggle to protect the environment. In R. Bell, M. Kawharu, K. Taylor, M. Belgrave, & P. Meihana (Eds.) The Treaty on the ground: Where we are headed and why it matters. (pp. 190 - 207). Palmerston North, New Zealand: Massey University Press
[Chapter]Authored by: Bennett, A.Edited by: Meihana, P.
Meihana, PN. (2017). Once were muttonbirders: Ngati Kuia's fight to retain its Titi Harvesting rights. In R. Bell (Ed.) New Zealand Between the Wars. (pp. 132 - 153). Auckland, New Zealand: Massey University Press
[Chapter]Authored by: Meihana, P.
Read Abstract: abstract icon
Meihana, PN., Bradley, R., Macdonald, J., & Moses, M. (2017). New grounds, old battles: The Kurahaupo settlement. In R. Bell, M. Kawharu, K. Taylor, M. Belgrave, & P. Meihana (Eds.) The Treaty on the Ground-Where we are headed and why it matters. (pp. 151 - 168). Auckland: Massey University Press
[Chapter]Authored by: Meihana, P.Edited by: Belgrave, M., Meihana, P.
Meihana, PN. (2017). Political Utility: ‘Privilege’ Without End. In R. Bell, M. Kawharu, K. Taylor, M. Belgrave, & P. Meihana (Eds.) The Treaty on the Ground-Where we are going and why it matters. (pp. 91 - 108). Auckland: Massey University Press
[Chapter]Authored by: Meihana, P.Edited by: Belgrave, M., Meihana, P.

view more...

Bell, R., Kawharu, M., Taylor, K., Belgrave, M., & Meihana, PN. (Eds.) (2017). The Treaty on the ground - where we are headed and why it matters. Auckland, New Zealand: Massey University Press
[Edited Book]Authored by: Taylor, K.Edited by: Belgrave, M., Bell, R., Meihana, P., Taylor, K.
Read Abstract: abstract icon

view less...

Creative Work

Meihana, P. (2018, August 1). Remembering the Kurahaupo Settlement - Nga Pakiaka Morehu o Te Whenua. [Photographic Images]. Millenium Gallery, Blenheim.
[Exhibition]Authored by: Meihana, P.
Read Abstract: abstract icon

Thesis

Meihana, PN. (2015). The paradox of Maori privilege: Historical constructions of Maori privilege circa 1769 to 1940. (Doctoral Thesis, Massey University, New Zealand)
[Doctoral Thesis]Authored by: Meihana, P.
Read Abstract: abstract icon
Meihana, PN. (2006). The Genesis of the Foreshore and Seabed Claim and the Marginalisation of Ngati Kuia. (Master's Thesis, Massey University)
[Masters Thesis]Authored by: Meihana, P.

Report

Meihana, PN., & Pinker, HJ. (2013). Riding the Wai. Te Runanga o Ngati Kuia.
[Commissioned Report]Authored by: Meihana, P.
Read Abstract: abstract icon

Conference

Meihana, P. (2017, March). Repatriation, Reconcilation, and the Inversion of Patriarchy. Presented at Te Putahitanga o Te Waipounamu. Blenheim.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Meihana, P.
Read Abstract: abstract icon
Meihana, PN.Public history: The Wairau Bar. . Adelaide, Australia
[Conference Paper]Authored by: Meihana, P.
Read Abstract: abstract icon
Meihana, PN.'Oral Tradition and Science: An Unholy Alliance?'. . University of Toronto
[Conference Paper]Authored by: Meihana, P.
Read Abstract: abstract icon
Meihana, PN. (2016, September). From PhD to the Boulder Bank: The post-doctoral life of a Maori academic. Presented at Te Mata o te Tau Doctoral Symposium. Palmerston North, New Zealand.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Meihana, P.
Read Abstract: abstract icon
Hawke, S., & Meihana, PN. (2015, July). Response: Case studies and discussion. Presented at The Treaty on the Ground. Auckland, New Zealand.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Meihana, P.
Read Abstract: abstract icon

view more...

Meihana, PN.Privilege: Native policy and politics in Aotearoa New Zealand. . Massey University
[Conference Paper]Authored by: Meihana, P.
Meihana, PN. (2013, November). Anti-Treatyism, the Truth & Maori Privilege. Presented at New Zealand Historical Association. University of Otago.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Meihana, P.
Meihana, PN. (2012, December). Crown responsibility and the Treaty of Waitangi. Presented at Limits of Responsibility. Massey University Palmerston North.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Meihana, P.
Meihana, PN. (2011, June). Colonising by Privilege: 1840 to 1847. Presented at Locating the Past-Where is Maori History. University of Auckland.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Meihana, P.
Meihana, PN. (2009, June). The 'Privilege Hypothesis': Colonisation and Maori History. Presented at This is Maori History. Victoria University.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Meihana, P.

view less...

Other

Meihana, P. (2020). My Ancestors Met Cook in Aotearoa 250 years. For us it's time to reinterpret a painful history. : The Conversation
[Internet publication]Authored by: Meihana, P.
Read article at Massey Research Online: MRO icon
Read Abstract: abstract icon
Meihana, P., & Moses, M. (2019). It's a Maui's World. : Tuia 2050 ki Totaranui
[Internet publication]Authored by: Meihana, P.
Read Abstract: abstract icon
Meihana, P., & Moses, M. (2019). The Ascendancy of the Kurahaupō. : Tuia 250 ki Totaranui
[Internet publication]Authored by: Meihana, P.
Read Abstract: abstract icon
Meihana, P., & Moses, M. (2019). Before there was Cook there was Kupe. : Tuia 250 ki Totaranui
[Internet publication]Authored by: Meihana, P.
Read Abstract: abstract icon
Meihana, PN. (2013, May). One Hundred Years of Maori Privilege. : School of Health and Social Services.
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Meihana, P.
Read Abstract: abstract icon

Teaching and Supervision

Courses Coordinated

Contact Supervisor

Summary of Doctoral Supervision

Position Current Completed
Co-supervisor 0 3

Completed Doctoral Supervision

Co-supervisor of:

  • 2022 - Hona Black - Doctor of Philosophy
    He kākano nō te taunuke o te hue: he tuhinga roa hai whakatutuki i ngā tikanga o Te Tohu Kairangi
  • 2021 - Samuel Carpenter - Doctor of Philosophy
    The Reshaping of Political Communities in New Zealand: a Study of Intellectual and Imperial Texts in Context, c. 1814-1863.
  • 2020 - Fiona McKergow - Doctor of Philosophy
    Colonial Textile Culture in Mid-Nineteenth Century Aotearoa New Zealand

Media and Links

Media

  • 30 Nov 2016 - Radio
    Brash Attack on Treaty Restitution
    Radio Waatea interview
  • 30 Aug 2019 - Newspaper
    Lagoon Tours showcase region's Maori history and..
    Local trust providing community education for schools
  • 27 Jul 2017 - Newspaper
    Waka Provides a Link to Marlborough's Past
    Co-written newspaper article discussing waka carved by Hemi Whiro.
  • 23 Jun 2017 - Newspaper
    Hobson's Pledge Targets Waikato Voters
    Media comment relating to Hobson's Pledge
  • 20 Jul 2020 - Radio
    Peter Meihana's Mighty Wairau River
    Interview about the establishment of a river in Marlborough
  • view more...
  • 19 Sep 2019 - Newspaper
    Teaching NZ history could be the most important...
    Opinion Piece on the Government's announcement to make New Zealand history compulsory in schools
  • 16 May 2016 - Television
    Thesis finds Maori 'privilege' dates back to 1840s
    Te Karere news item
  • 12 Aug 2012 - Television
    Te Karere
    Television interview
  • 09 Feb 2014 - Newspaper
    Historian: Settlers Showed Little Prejudice
    Interview for Newspaper article
  • 05 Feb 2017 - Newspaper
    New Book 'Treaty of the Ground' released to...
    Interview re Treaty on the Ground
  • 05 Aug 2020 - Online
    Māori and Pākehā: the two worlds of Dr Meihana
    Interview with RNZ re Māori Privilege
  • 04 Jun 2019 - Television
    Te Karere
    Televsion interview about Maori oral tradition.
  • 04 Jun 2017 - Newspaper
    Photography and Protest in New Zealand
    Media comment relating to "Disenchanted Prophets-Matakite Matekiri'
  • 04 Feb 2021 - Newspaper, Online
    Māori Wards back on cards in Marlborough after gov
    Comment on the proposed law change on Māori Wards
  • view less...