Organisations

Humanities Society of New Zealand (HUMANZ)

Learned Society

Contact Information	admin@humanz.org.nz

Relevance and Activity:

The Humanities Society of New Zealand aims to promote recognition of the humanities/aronui, the arts, the media, and education as creators, conservers and transmitters of knowledge essential to the well-being and the cultural, social and economic development of Aotearoa/New Zealand.

The humanities/aronui is the accumulated knowledge of the peoples of New Zealand shaped by partnership under the Treaty of Waitangi. It is the body of knowledge distinctive to New Zealand but always interactive with knowledge from elsewhere. It originates in the languages and cultures of the people of Aotearoa New Zealand; it is perpetuated and renewed by the arts and education; it helps us understand and reflect on who we are as individuals, as citizens and as a nation; it is conserved and made available by libraries, galleries, museums, archives, tertiary institutions and the media. It is important in cultural, social and economic development.

Changes in government policies on research funding, education and cultural affairs, have affected the humanities dramatically, especially in terms of resourcing. At the same time, cultural and political changes call for widespread debate on the role of the humanities. New links are needed locally and nationally between individuals and organisations across a broad range of activities in humanities. The humanities must have a strong voice in the formation of public opinion and national policy on issues vital for the humanities.

Publications:

Conference proceedings and papers, policy statements and research documents from the Society's Knowledge Policy Research Group, and official records, are all available on the website.

HUMANZ publishes an irregular Newsletter for members; current and archived issues are also available in full online.