@HistoryWorksNZ

Researching, writing and talking New Zealand history (and more). #NZHistory #TiritioWaitangi #TreatyofWaitangi #NZWars #Historians #Twitterstorians

 Wellington, New Zealand
historyworks.co.nz
Joined May 2012
  • Tweets1.5K
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  • Followers1.3K
24Media
'In this mythologised version of the wars, mutual respect forged on the battlefield sowed the seeds for future harmony. New Zealand had the “best race relations in the world” because of these wars, so the story went.' @vomalley on wars and remembrance. theguardian.com/world/2022/a…

Remembering our past, warts and all, is not about making New Zealanders feel guilty

Confronting our history is not about creating discord, but rather about binding us together as a nation

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Vincent O'Malley@vomalleySep 30
An advance copy of this turned up the other day and it looks great. Due to land in bookstores in November.
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Vincent O'Malley@vomalleySep 13
1 News story on the cuts at Archives NZ and the National Library. 1news.co.nz/2026/09/13/histo…

Historian warns proposed job cuts will damage access to NZ's history

Historians and archivists warn the cuts could see backlogs grow and items go neglected, as the Government says restructuring is needed for financial sustainability.

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Vincent O'Malley@vomalleyMay 22
Reflections on the Waitangi Tribunal's role in leading conversations on our history. buttondown.com/unsettling/ar…

The Waitangi Tribunal: Leading Conversations on Te Tiriti o Waitangi

The Waitangi Tribunal turned fifty last October, marking a half century since the passage of the Treaty of Waitangi Act in 1975. I posted about this at the...

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Vincent O'Malley@vomalleyJan 20
I'm giving a free public talk at Devonport Library on 18 February. Full details and a link to book here: events.humanitix.com/dr-vinc…

Dr Vincent O'Malley: Auckland and the Invasion of the Waikato

Dr Vincent O’Malley FRHistS FRSNZ, an eminent historian of New Zealand history, speaking about the Invasion of the Waikato in 1863 and its legacy in Auckland.

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A recap of some of the content from my newsletter launched in March. meetingplace.nz/2025/12/unse…

Unsettling Newsletter

Aotearoa New Zealand history with Dr Vincent O'Malley. The New Zealand Wars, the Treaty of Waitangi/Te Tiriti, Māori and Pākehā relations and more

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It has been fascinating to revisit Robin Hyde's brilliant reporting on government efforts to evict Ngāti Whātua from Ōrākei in the 1930s. These haven't been digitised for Papers Past yet. But I'll post a transcript of this one on my newsletter next week. buttondown.com/unsettling
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"It shouldn’t be underestimated just how significant it was that the leader of a right-wing political party, historically not exactly renowned for its embrace of Māori interests and causes, initiated the modern process of Treaty settlements." buttondown.com/unsettling/ar…

'You cannot know who you are as a society unless you know your history' – Jim Bolger

Former Prime Minister Jim Bolger’s death last week sparked a wave of tributes from across the political spectrum, including warm words of remembrance from...

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I will be down at Marsden Books, Karori, this Saturday 11 October for Bookshop Day to sign books and chat. Come along if you are in the area.
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If you are in Wellington on 14 October, a new edition of my book 'The Meeting Place' is being launched at the Royal Society Te Apārangi, with Hon. Justice Sir Joe Williams speaking. bwb.co.nz/events/bwb-talks-t…
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Here's a little story from VUW on receiving a distinguished alumni award. wgtn.ac.nz/news/2025/08/the-…

The Storyteller—Vincent O’Malley’s mission to illuminate Aotearoa’s past | News | Te Herenga...

2025 Distinguished Alumni Award winner Dr Vincent O’Malley’s passion for history began in an Ōtautahi Christchurch classroom where, ironically, Aotearoa New Zealand was missing from the syllabus.

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NZHA has posted information about significant cuts to historian roles at New Zealand’s Ministry for Culture and Heritage that will potentially have a major impact on widely used websites providing crucial historical content on Aotearoa New Zealand history. networks.h-net.org/group/dis…
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My latest newsletter post delves further into the MCH history cuts. buttondown.com/unsettling/ar…

History Cuts

Following my last post a week ago responding to news that the Ministry for Culture and Heritage had confirmed the axing of most historian roles at the...

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Wrote a little piece on the slashing of historian roles at MCH and the wider war on history. buttondown.com/unsettling/ar…

The War on History

News that the Ministry for Culture and Heritage is to press ahead with sweeping cuts that will abolish the jobs of most of its historians represents yet...

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My latest newsletter looks at the proclamation issued on this date in 1863 that resulted in large numbers of Māori living in South Auckland being driven from their lands at gunpoint, days before the invasion of Waikato. buttondown.com/unsettling/ar…

The Invasion of Waikato and the 9 July 1863 Proclamation

In July 1863 the Crown launched a premeditated war of conquest and invasion directed against Kīngitanga supporters in Waikato and their relatives living...

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Details on how to sign up for a history workshop with me. buttondown.com/unsettling/ar…
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At least two parliamentarians, multiple place names and a lot of capital: my research uncovers significant NZ connections with Caribbean slavery. buttondown.com/unsettling/ar…

New Zealand Connections to Caribbean Slavery

A recent article in the Post by journalist and author Denis Welch caught my interest. In it Welch wrote about discovering that Ellice Street in Mt Victoria,...

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Remembering the battle of Pukehinahina (Gate Pā), 29 April 1864. buttondown.com/unsettling/ar…

Pukehinahina (Gate Pā), 29 April 1864

On the 161st anniversary of the battle of Pukehinahina (Gate Pā), fought at Tauranga on 29 April 1864, I am posting a review which first appeared in the...

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News that tens of thousands of submissions on the Treaty Principles Bill may not enter the public record is deeply concerning and will potentially deny future researchers access to this material. buttondown.com/unsettling/ar…

The Treaty Principles Bill and the Erasure of History

News that potentially tens of thousands of submissions made on the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill may not be processed in time to be considered by...

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The second edition of my new newsletter is out, discussing some interesting historical photos. buttondown.com/unsettling/ar…

Captivating Photos

About a decade ago I first came across a photograph of a group of unidentified Māori musicians in a copy of the Turnbull Library Record. According to the...

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