| Communications and Development |  |
Published by Communications and Development
The Director of Art and Collection Services at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Jonathan Mane-Wheoki, is to be awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Canterbury this year.
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| Jonathan Mane-Wheoki |
Of Ngäpuhi and English descent, Mr Mane-Wheoki was educated in Auckland and at the University of Canterbury, and the Courtauld Institute of Art, London. He is a graduate in fine arts (with honours in painting), English language and literature, and art history. He is also an Associate of Trinity College of Music, London.
Mr Mane-Wheoki taught art history at UC from 1976 to 2003 and served four terms as a member of the Board of the Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies. He also served as Dean of Music and Fine Arts and on various senior management committees at the University.
As an academic art historian, he specialised in 19th and early 20th century European art and architecture; British colonial and imperial architecture; modern and contemporary New Zealand painting; and the contemporary Mäori art movement.
As Kaitiaki Mäori (Honorary Curator of Mäori Art) at the Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu from 1992 to 2004, he was active in developing and curating exhibitions and presenting lectures and conference papers on art, museums, heritage, and cultural topics.
Mr Mane-Wheoki has served on numerous national and international bodies including Te Waka Toi (the Mäori Arts Board) and the Arts Council of Creative New Zealand; the International Council of the Centre Culturel Jean-Marie Tjibaou in Nouméa; and the Marsden Fund Council.
In February 2004, he took up the position of Director Art and Collection Services at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. He is responsible for leading research, curatorial, collection management, loans, collection development, conservation and object support functions, and collections information systems at the museum.
He is currently a governor of the Arts Foundation of New Zealand, Deputy Chair of the Council for the Humanities, and a member of the Council of the Royal Society.
In 2006 he presented the annual Macmillan Brown lectures.
Mr Mane-Wheoki said he was honoured to be recognised by the University.
“When the letter came from Dr Robin Mann I was shocked and astonished. My first instinct was to decline the invitation with thanks. What was this honour for? What had I done to deserve such recognition?
“However, I decided this was not about me but about all the people who had believed in me and supported me from the very beginning to embark on university studies and throughout my long career in academe.”
Vice-Chancellor Professor Roy Sharp said Mr Mane-Wheoki was extremely well regarded by the University, which was delighted to be honouring him.
“Jonathan’s extensive knowledge and understanding of contemporary Mäori art, in particular, is highly regarded around the world.
“As well as his excellent work for Te Papa, Jonathan is involved in a range of research, publication and exhibition projects.”
Mr Mane-Wheoki will receive his honorary Doctor of Letters at the University graduation ceremony on 18 April.
For further information please contact:
John MacDonald
Corporate Affairs Manager
University of Canterbury
Ph: (03) 364 2910
Mobile: 021 417 289
john.macdonald@canterbury.ac.nz