History Programme, University of Otago

31/08/2026

Nau mai, haere mai! We warmly invite you to join us for our Michael King Memorial Lecture presented by Dr Monty Soutar.
'Save the date'
Further details to follow.

12/08/2026

If you're interested in listening to Tony Ballantyne's interview on RNZ Saturday morning, please find the link below:

Even 250 years on from the sea voyages that made his name and set our colonial history in motion, Captain Cook remains a much-discussed figure here in Aotearoa. He's one of the most controversial figures in our country's history, conscripted into the 'culture wars' - a symbol of colonial sins to som...

11/08/2026

The programme was very happy to mark the launch of Tony Ballantyne’s new book from Bridget Williams Books, Captain Cook and the Unsettled Afterlives of Empire, here in Ōtepoti last Wednesday evening. BWB put together a great occasion, with Matiu Workman steering proceedings, and speeches from Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka's VC Grant Robertson, Nick Tūpara of Ngāti Oneone, and Professor Janine Hayward. The speeches stressed the importance of History, the value of archives and the significance of work that considers the legacy of colonialism. The Hutton theatre was packed and the evening was a celebration of historical scholarship. (Thanks to Lee Slater for the photos!)

04/08/2026

We are deeply saddened by the loss of our dear colleague and friend Professor Emeritus Erik Olssen.

Among his many notable contributions, Erik played a pivotal role in shaping what was then the Department of History during his two terms as Head through the late 1980s and 1990s. Under his leadership the department grew in size, broadening its curriculum to include vital fields of Māori history, women’s history and world history. Through his teaching, supervision and mentorship he inspired and supported generations of students. His voluminous scholarship in New Zealand labour, political, social and intellectual history leaves a profound legacy.

Every one of us valued our conversations with Erik, and we will remember him for his wit, warmth, generosity and friendship. His interest in the Programme never ceased, and true scholar that he was he could often be spotted consulting postgraduate theses and checking out stacks of books. We look back with particular fondness on the launch of ‘The Origins of an Experimental Society’ just over a year ago.

We join Erik’s family, the many students he taught and supervised, colleagues across the university and the wider historical community in mourning his passing. He will be greatly missed.

Pre-eminent historian of New Zealand Professor Emeritus Erik Olssen passed away on 29 July. Erik was an inspiring teacher, generous mentor and esteemed colleague and friend.

Educated at King’s High School, Erik graduated with a BA and MA in history and political science from Otago and a PhD from Duke University, USA. He began his career at Otago as a lecturer in 1969, and was promoted to a personal chair in 1984. He was Head of Department from 1988-1992 and again from 1998-2001. He retired in 2001.

Known for his innovative research in social history, he led the Caversham Project, a major interdisciplinary study of working-class life and social mobility in Dunedin’s southern suburbs. His many publications include A History of Otago (1984), Building the New World (1995) and most recently, The Origins of an Experimental Society: New Zealand, 1769-1860 (this photograph is from the book’s launch in May 2025 at the Otago Staff Club).

Erik’s influence in the field of New Zealand history was immense. Among many distinctions, he was awarded the Te Rangi Hiroa Medal in 2001 and was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2002. The Erik Olssen Prize, named in 2019, is awarded biennially by the New Zealand Historical Association to acknowledge early career historians who have published their first book. His lifetime contributions to New Zealand history were honoured by the NZHA in 2025.

He is deeply mourned within Otago’s History Programme, by the many he taught. We send our deepest condolences to Erik’s family and friends.

Moe mai rā e te Rangatira.

29/07/2026

22/07/2026

We're looking forward to the launch of Tony's new book!

After nine years in the making, Professor Tony Ballantyne is looking forward to finally sharing his book on controversial figure Captain James Cook.

12/07/2026

Whether you're majoring in History, taking a History paper, or simply curious about the past, we'd love you to join us! All current students welcome!

02/07/2026

Nau mai, haere mai! Our first presenter in semester two as part of the History Research Seminar Series is Professor Kristín Loftsdóttir from the University of Iceland.

Please join us for this event this Wednesday, 15 July at 3:30pm in Burns 5. All welcome!

26/06/2026

We celebrate the recognition of research excellence in the Programme, with the recent award of the Ian Langham Memorial Prize to Associate Professor Miranda Johnson.

An Otago academic has received an award which recognises outstanding research that resonates with the interests and concerns of undergraduate students.

15/05/2026

The History Programme was very saddened by the recent passing of our alumna, colleague and friend Dr Jane McCabe.

Jane finished a BA in History in 1997, and after completing a degree in Clothing and Textile Sciences, she returned to undertake a PGDip in History in 2010. She then enrolled for a PhD, completing an outstanding thesis in 2014. That work explored the history of the ‘Kalimpong Kids’, mixed-race children of British tea planters who were educated in Kalimpong, in northeast India, and then were subsequently resettled in New Zealand. Jane developed that thesis into two fantastic prize-winning books, but her research also helped many New Zealand descendants of those resettled to better understand their family histories and ties to India.

Between 2014 and 2020, Jane was a popular teacher in the Programme, serving as a Teaching Fellow and Lecturer, and she also held a prestigious Marsden Fast-Start award. During this period, she collaborated with several Otago staff members on other projects, workshops, and conferences. One of these was a volume she co-edited with Barbara Brookes and Angela Wanhalla, 'Past Caring? Women, Work and Emotion'. Jane’s important role in that project was in keeping with her historical interests in gender, families and emotion, and the stories we tell about the past. But Jane herself was also a caring person; a great friend who was wise, thoughtful, and deeply interested in the world.

A number of current and former staff, as well as former students, attended Jane’s funeral, and Tony Ballantyne spoke on behalf of the Programme and the historical community. The Programme’s deepest sympathy goes to Jane’s parents, Don and Barbara, her family, and her partner, Luke Smythe, who is also a colleague, having formerly taught Art History for us. We feel Jane’s loss keenly.