Stout Research Centre for New Zealand Studies
Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington
J.D. Stout Annual Lecture 2026
BECOMING WHĀNAU: JOINING FOR JUSTICE AT IHUMĀTAO
Dr Frances Hancock
With a response from Dr Carwyn Jones
In 2015, six cousins co-founded the Indigenous-led, community-supported Save Our Unique Landscape (SOUL) campaign, now known as #ProtectIhumātao. This six-year campaign stoppeda commercial housing development on confiscated whenua at Ihumātao, near Auckland International Airport. Called to action, a group of community supporters joined the campaign when it began and became known as SOUL whānau – a kaupapa-based whānau, people mobilised by a common purpose. The lecture will explore the ethical-political dimensions of their campaign experiences, weaving ideas from 19 SOUL whānau interviews with perspectives of campaign cofounder and spokesperson Pania Newton. Tiriti scholar Carwyn Jones will offer a response. SOUL whānau stories, insights and lessons, in conversation with Indigenous perspectives, help to build critical understandings of productive allyship in Indigenous-led, political movements.
Frances Hancock (Irish-Pākehā, dual citizen) is the 2026 J.D. Stout Fellow and a SOUL whānau member. Carwyn Jones FRSNZ (Ngāti Kahungunu) is Kaihautū of Te Whare Whakatupu Mātauranga and teaches in the Ahunga Tikanga (Māori Laws and Philosophy) programme at Te Wānanga o Raukawa. He is an honorary adjunct professor in Te Kawa a Māui (the School of Māori Studies) at Te Herenga Waka.
Seminar: Wednesday 11 November 2026 at 4.30pm
Venue: Hunter Council Chamber, Level 2, Hunter Building, Kelburn Parade, Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington
Webinar: https://vuw.zoom.us/j/