Professional Historians Australia is proud to present the third annual Wilson History Oration

Out of the Straight-jacket: The art of anti-colonial history

From swamp to chateau to the House of Lords, as Dr Rachel Buchanan researched the wild, globetrotting journey of five magnificent 17th century carvings made by ancestors in Taranaki, she also received an education in the art of anti-colonial history. Through wānanga and discussions with the Hon. Mahara Okeroa and other mentors, Rachel learned how to escape the straight-jacket of historical facts and write a story that is closer to the truth of ongoing tino rangatiratanga - or sovereignty - for Taranaki.

Photo credit: Miriama Niwa

About Rachel:
Dr Rachel Buchanan (Taranaki, Te Ātiawa) is a Māori historian who is a manuhiri (guest) on Bunurong land in Naarm-Melbourne. Rachel’s most recent book, Te Motunui Epa, was a co-winner of the 2023 Ernest Scott Prize for History for distinguished historical writing that contributes to the history of Australia or New Zealand, and the 2023 W H Oliver Prize for the best book on any aspect of New Zealand history.