Wellington—a living city

Some of the city’s most passionate supporters will share their thoughts on why Wellington is a living city in a new lecture series at Victoria University’s Stout Research Centre.

The Wellington Seminar Series 2014 takes place between March and May, featuring presentations from local and central government representatives, as well as anthropology, psychology, film, theatre and management researchers from Victoria University.

Kevin Lavery, the Chief Executive of Wellington City Council, opened the series last week with a talk about delivering a vision for the city, and his perspective after a year in the role. He explained why Wellington is much more than a political centre, and discussed some of the Council’s ambitions and challenges.

New Zealand Studies expert Professor Richard Hill from the Stout Research Centre, says the idea for the series came about as a way of countering perceptions that Wellington is a dying city.

“We have decided to contribute to the debate by bringing perspectives from a range of people passionate about Wellington, who will present their own analyses and perspectives.

“Audiences can expect a series that showcases the potential and energy within our city,” says Professor Hill.

The next talk, on Wednesday 2 April, will feature Associate Professor Marc Wilson from Victoria’s School of Psychology on what it means to be a Wellingtonian and the stereotypes associated with living in the capital city.

Wellington Seminar Series 2014:

Wednesday 2 April
Associate Professor Marc Wilson, School of Psychology
“City of flower-pots, canyon streets and trams, O sterile whore of a thousand bureaucrats!” (James K. Baxter, Wellington, 1953, p.77)

Wednesday 9 April
Associate Professor David O’Donnell, School of English, Film, Theatre and Media Studies
End of the golden weather? A short performance from a dramatic city

Wednesday 16 April
Professor Brigitte Bonisch-Brednich, Tayla Hancock and Cameron Poole-Smith, School of Social and Cultural Studies
Cycling, feeding people and cooking up a storm: doing ethnographic research with and on Wellingtonians

Wednesday 7 May
Dr Russel Norman MP, Co-leader, Green Party
Economic opportunities for Wellington

Wednesday 14 May
Morrie Love, Chairman, Wellington Tenths Trust
Treaty settlements—are they worth it? A case study of the Taranaki Whanui settlement in Wellington

Wednesday 21 May
Associate Professor Deborah Jones, School of Management
Unmanageable Inequalities: Sexism in the New Zealand Film Industry

Wednesday 28 May
Dr Miriam Ross and Dr Paul Wolffram, School of English, Film, Theatre and Media Studies
Capturing culture in three dimensions: the 3D production initiatives’ partnership with Te Papa Tongarewa

Time: 4.10pm–5.30pm (tea/coffee at 3.45pm)

Venue: Stout Research Centre, 12 Waiteata Road, Kelburn Campus

No RSVP required.

For more information visit www.victoria.ac.nz/stout-centre

The Stout Research Centre for New Zealand Studies was established in 1984. It is the only university research centre dedicated to the study of New Zealand society, history and culture.