Driving out the devil – A history of mākutu in Aotearoa / New Zealand
Date: Monday, 10 February, 2020
Time: 5pm to 7pm. Public talk from 5:30pm to 6:30pm. Refreshments from 6:30pm to 7pm
Cost: Free event.
Location: National Library, corner Molesworth and Aitken Streets, Thorndon
Lecture by Judith Binney Fellow, Dr Nepia Mahuika
A free public lecture by 2019 Judith Binney Fellow, Dr Nepia Mahuika.
A discussion about the Māori practice mākutu
Through a Western lens the Māori practice mākutu has too often been presented as witchcraft, being described by some as the ‘black arts’, ‘black magic, and ‘curses.’
Drawing on work for a forthcoming book on the history of mākutu in Aotearoa New Zealand, Dr Mahuika overturns simplistic perceptions of mākutu as ‘Māori witchcraft’.
Exploring connections that mākutu has to other indigenous peoples in the Pacific and abroad, the lecture challenges all New Zealanders to reimagine the way we see mākutu, bringing a deeper understanding to a topic that has often been misunderstood and sensationalised in novels, films and media reports.
The event will be followed by light refreshments.
About the speaker
Dr Mahuika was the inaugural Judith Binney Fellow in 2019 and is Senior Lecturer in History at the University of Waikato, where he teaches courses in New Zealand History, specialising in Māori and Indigenous History. His Judith Binney Fellowship has supported the completion of a research project on the history of mākutu in Aotearoa / New Zealand.
Dr Mahuika is also president of Te Pouhere Kōrero, a broad collective of Māori colleagues interested in Māori history.
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Poll: Are you still heading to your local for your caffeine fix, or has the $$ changed your habits? ☕
Wellington’s identity is built on its cafe culture, but with costs climbing, that culture is under pressure. We’ve seen the headlines about recent closures, and it’s a tough pill to swallow along with a $6+ coffee.
We all want our favourite spots to stay open, but we also have to balance our own budgets ⚖️
We want to know: How are you handling the "coffee math" in 2026? Are you still heading to your local for a chat and a caffeine fix, or has the cost of living changed your habits?
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43.6% I avoid spending money on coffee
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46.4% I still indulge at my local cafe
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10.1% Irrelevant - coffee is not for me
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