Dr Jack Ross Lecturing the New Zealand History and Culture Course

28/11/2018 – The New Zealand Centre was delighted to receive Dr Jack Ross, a senior lecturer in creative writing at Massey University’s Auckland Campus, who contributed two lectures to the NZ History and Culture Course on New Zealand Literature on Nov 21st and 28th

His first lecture was an overview of New Zealand literature in the 20th Century, including writings by European settlers in NZ, and the beginnings of Maori writing in English. Authors discussed were Frank Sargeson, Janet Frame, Ruth Dallas and Hone Tuwhare. Through the themes of sympathy and empathy, the literature was used as a window to understand people’s living realities during this period. 
In his second lecture, Dr Ross discussed literature written in the late 20th  Century to the early 2000s. Major topics in the literature included the regrowth of Maori culture, the contribution by writers from immigrant groups, as well as the Women’s Movement.

Dr Jack Ross facilitates group discussion following his lecture

Witi Ihimaera’s ‘Big Brother Little Sister’ was discussed in regard to the regrowth of Maori culture and associated societal issues. Against the back drop of UK joining the European Union in the 1970s, this work also represents a recognition by New Zealand of its own culture and needs. Alison Wong’s poem ‘One Hundred Pounds’ discusses the poll tax paid by Chinese settlers in the 1900s, and is an important representation of the growing population of Chinese-New Zealanders. Such works raise questions of the place of new immigrant populations in contemporary New Zealand society. Further, Cilla McQueen’s poem ‘Time Piece’ reflects on the Women’s Movement, by addressing the challenges involved for women in reconceptualising their daily routines.
Using literature as a lens to explore important events in NZ history and effects on society, students were encouraged to consider the future of New Zealand’s societal issues based on the themes discussed.
Dr Jack Ross was also generous enough to donate some of his wonderful books to the New Zealand Centre library. The donated books include Golden Weather: North Shore Writers Past and Present, edited by Graeme Lay and Jack Ross, Classic New Zealand Poets in Performance, Contemporary New Zealand Poets in Performance and New Zealand Poets in Performance, all three edited by Jack Ross and Jan Kemp.

The Donated Books by Dr Jack Ross

Each collection of poems came with an audio CD each with over 2 hours of the poets reading their own work. As a fantastic addition to the Centre library, these books  provide students with a unique and special resource for their studies - especially students in the New Zealand History and Culture Undergraduate Course. Thank you Dr Jack Ross, these books are greatly appreciated.

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