A free public panel discussion at the University of Waikato Tauranga campus this month will see geographers from Aotearoa and abroad explore the impact place naming has on a community’s sense of identity.
Attendees can expect to hear the perspectives of geographers hailing from Aotearoa, Ireland and Australia on the international, historical, cultural and political impacts of place naming and its critical role in shaping the identity of towns, cities, regions and nations.
Professor of Geography Lynda Johnston says the University is pleased to invite the community to learn more about the many facets of geography as a subject, as well as bring special attention to the power and process of place naming.
“We are excited to be hosting a national conference at our Tauranga campus and to be able to offer an opportunity for the community to come and learn more about the diverse matters that geographers explore. Geography is one of humanity’s big projects, and the conference reflects our need for knowledge of people and places both near and far,” says Professor Johnston.
The public lecture is being hosted in celebration of 100 years of Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa, the New Zealand Geographic Board, and is part of the New Zealand Geographical Society Conference being held at the University’s Tauranga campus. The conference will attract more than 200 geography researchers, lecturers, teachers, students and practitioners from around the world to the Bay of Plenty, where they will discuss matters including environmental crises, global change, alternative economies, Indigenous geographies, health and social justice.
The conference site of Tauranga Moana has prompted the conference theme ‘Fluid Geographies’ and Professor Johnston hopes conference attendees will enjoy its beautiful coastal location. Conference attendees will have the opportunity to learn about the Port of Tauranga as ports play important roles in the socio-economic development of cities, regions and countries. The Port of Tauranga is Aotearoa’s largest and has a significant impact on both land and sea geographies.
“We want to really highlight to our international guests the geography of Tauranga Moana and the Bay of Plenty. It’s a real privilege to be hosting talented people in our city and we look forward to showing them the best it has to offer.”
The free public panel discussion is taking place at 9am, Friday 22 November, at the University’s Durham Street campus and interested attendees can register via Eventbrite.
