Whakanuia Celebrate 125—Heritage Open Day involved talks and tours about our University’s history, architecture, and culture. It included musical performances, an introduction to the University’s art collection, a walking tour of the buildings of Kelburn, and a celebration of 60 years of Wai-te-ata Press.

Watch a highlights video of the day’s activities above, and take a more in-depth look at some of the talks and tours below.

He Pā Mataora: Past and future of our marae

Have you wondered about the history and significance of the beautiful carved house, Te Tumu Herenga Waka, that stands proudly on Kelburn Parade? Are you curious about the development work currently going on around it?

Join Professor Peter Adds, Te Kawa a Māui—the School of Māori Studies and Professor Rawinia Higgins, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Māori) as they take you on a journey from the first carved wharenui in any university in Aotearoa New Zealand to the ambitious Living Pā project, connecting to the past to inform our future. Watch the video here.

The Waiteata Estate: The University’s eastern fringe

Have you ever wondered about the history of the houses along Waiteata Road? Or the stream that runs underneath the University? Or the street elevator that never saw the light of day? Dr Peter Hodder, a visiting academic in the School of Government at the Wellington School of Business and Government, was joined by his wife, Catherine, as they shared stories from their recent book, Enclaves above the City. Watch the video here.

Suffrage, war, and science: Three sets of stouts through a generational lens

The Stout Research Centre was funded by a bequest from John David Stout, an academic scientist. His sister Vida Stout was also an academic scientist, and their parents, Dr Duncan Stout and Agnes Pearce, were a military doctor and the head of women ambulance drivers at a New Zealand hospital in England during World War I. Their grandparents, Premier Sir Robert Stout, after whom the Centre was named, and Anna, Lady Stout, were prime movers in the suffrage movement.

In this talk, Steven Loveridge introduces the Centre and Jane Tolerton looks at the Stout family members as participants in their own generation’s issues. Watch the video here.