Driving out the devil – A history of mākutu in Aotearoa / New Zealand
Date: Monday, 10 February, 2020
Time: 5pm to 7pm. Public talk from 5:30pm to 6:30pm. Refreshments from 6:30pm to 7pm
Cost: Free event.
Location: National Library, corner Molesworth and Aitken Streets, Thorndon
Lecture by Judith Binney Fellow, Dr Nepia Mahuika
A free public lecture by 2019 Judith Binney Fellow, Dr Nepia Mahuika.
A discussion about the Māori practice mākutu
Through a Western lens the Māori practice mākutu has too often been presented as witchcraft, being described by some as the ‘black arts’, ‘black magic, and ‘curses.’
Drawing on work for a forthcoming book on the history of mākutu in Aotearoa New Zealand, Dr Mahuika overturns simplistic perceptions of mākutu as ‘Māori witchcraft’.
Exploring connections that mākutu has to other indigenous peoples in the Pacific and abroad, the lecture challenges all New Zealanders to reimagine the way we see mākutu, bringing a deeper understanding to a topic that has often been misunderstood and sensationalised in novels, films and media reports.
The event will be followed by light refreshments.
About the speaker
Dr Mahuika was the inaugural Judith Binney Fellow in 2019 and is Senior Lecturer in History at the University of Waikato, where he teaches courses in New Zealand History, specialising in Māori and Indigenous History. His Judith Binney Fellowship has supported the completion of a research project on the history of mākutu in Aotearoa / New Zealand.
Dr Mahuika is also president of Te Pouhere Kōrero, a broad collective of Māori colleagues interested in Māori history.
Live Q&A: Garden maintenance with Crewcut
This Wednesday, we are having another Neighbourly Q&A session. This time with John Bracewell from Crewcut.
John Bracewell, former Black Caps coach turned Franchisee Development Manager and currently the face of Crewcut’s #Movember campaign, knows a thing or two about keeping the grass looking sharp—whether it’s on a cricket pitch or in your backyard!
As a seasoned Crewcut franchisee, John is excited to answer your lawn and gardening questions. After years of perfecting the greens on the field, he's ready to share tips on how to knock your garden out of the park. Let's just say he’s as passionate about lush lawns as he is about a good game of cricket!
John is happy to answer questions about lawn mowing, tree/hedge trimming, tidying your garden, ride on mowing, you name it! He'll be online on Wednesday, 27th of November to answer them all.
Share your question below now ⬇️
Calling All Puzzle Masters! Can You Solve This?
When John was six years old he hammered a nail into his favorite tree to mark his height.
Ten years later at age sixteen, John returned to see how much higher the nail was.
If the tree grew by five centimetres each year, how much higher would the nail be?
Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.
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What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.