We will be meeting again at the Association’s conference in less than a month. The programme has been finalised, if subject to the inevitable tweaking as we get closer to the day. We are delighted with the range and depth of submissions and look forward to an extremely worthwhile conference that will recognise the wealth of historical research and thinking taking place in Aotearoa New Zealand at this critical time for Aotearoa New Zealand history.
Unfortunately, the path of the pandemic has vindicated our decision to go online. Uncertainty remains the flavour of the times and being forced to provide an online conference is the price of safety. Now that we can see the papers to be presented, we are more than pleased that we did not take the other alternative, which was to postpone the conference for another twelve months. The value of this conference lies in capturing new research in the two years since we met in Wellington is easily demonstrated by the papers themselves.
While an online conference is certainly not our preference, it does provide some opportunities. With registrations set at just $30, and $15 for students, the conference is more accessible than it has ever been. We are now beginning a campaign to let others with an interest in history know that they can take part, attending as many papers as they wish. We are also going to record all the presentations, and these will be available for all attendees for some time after the conference ends.
Please let anyone, or any organisation that you belong to, know of the conference, and encourage them to take part in the sure knowledge that we will be welcoming anyone who has a love of history.
We will be doing our best to ensure that those who are coming to present or just to hear what the presenters have to say are made welcome.
Finally, the conference marks a staging point in our review of the Association’s purpose and values, as represented in its constitution. At the Annual General Meeting, to be held on 26 November 2021, we will be including a discussion of these values and objectives. At the same time, the Council and the Executive will be seeking several amendments to the Constitution to allow it to operate more effectively with the challenges we face in the present. Notice of these amendments is given in full below:
We look forward to seeing you all on screen from 23 November.
Michael Belgrave
NZHA President
The New Zealand Historical Association 