Centre for Australian Aotearoa New Zealand Studies

Convenor: Paul Sharrad
Staff »

An emerging research concentration focusing on New Zealand studies in the context of various academic disciplines. 

New Zealand studies in Australia

This year around 25 people at the University of Wollongong with links to and projects on New Zealand convened to establish a New Zealand Studies research group. Interests cross a wide disciplinary range from Law to Health to Sociology to Literature. It is headed by a steering committee of A/Prof Paul Sharrad, Prof Shirley Leitch and A/Prof Anne Collett.

This is the first formal structure in Australia for New Zealand studies, and represents major potential for connections to similar centres in NZ, the US and the UK. The group hopes to develop community links, research collaborations with New Zealand, is considering an on-line journal of Trans-Tasman studies, and planning regular seminars and an international conference.

The group is called CAANZS (Centre for Australian Aotearoa New Zealand Studies) and is housed under the umbrella of CAPSTRANS (Centre for Asia Pacific Social Transformation Studies) to provide a further extension to its Pacific focus and complement Australian Studies work with comparative research. It looks to create opportunities for further internationalization of the university through undergraduate postgraduate and staff exchanges with NZ.

The inaugural gathering of CAANZS took place on September 25th. Dr Lydia Wevers, Director of the Stout Research Centre, Victoria University, Wellington delivered a plenary address followed by papers from local researchers.

The Centre plans to run regular research seminars, develop research collaborations with NZ universities and other researchers on NZ topics in Australia, build an on-line journal/bulletin board, and host an international conference.

Workshop - Friday 25 September 2009.