Launch – Judith Binney Trust

The Judith Binney Trust was launched at the National Library / Te Puna Mātauranga O Aotearoa in Wellington on Tuesday 14 August 2018.

Many gathered to celebrate – family and friends, former colleagues and students of Dame Judith Binney / Te Tōmairangi o Te Aroha, historians, archivists, fellow researchers and members of the public.

The speakers – Professor Rawinia Higgins (Tūhoe), Dr Cybèle Locke, Professor Damon Salesa (Samoa) and Dr Melissa Matutina Williams (Te Rarawa) – spoke eloquently of their association with Judith Binney. They acknowledged the exceptional contribution that she made to our understanding of New Zealand’s shared past.

A photo of the four speakers at the Trust launch. — Speakers at the Trust launch (left to right) Dr Cybèle Locke, Professor Damon Salesa, Dr Melissa Matutina Williams and Professor Rawinia Higgins.

Chairing the event, Emeritus Professor Atholl Anderson (Ngāi Tahu) spoke of the enduring legacy that is established through the Judith Binney Trust.

The family and friends of Judith Binney and Sebastian Black were warmly acknowledged by the speakers. This close whānau group was represented in the audience, including Michael Neill and Kubé Jones-Neill (front row, below), and Gillian Chaplin (back row below, at right), co-author of Mihaia and Ngā Mōrehu. These were the first two books in what became known as the Urewera quartet, including Redemption Songs and Encircled Lands.

Photo of friends of Judith Binney — Friends and family of Judith Binney were in the audience for the launch of the Trust, including Michael Neill and Kubé Jones-Neill (front row) and Gillian Chaplin (second row, right).