Founder Lecture 2022 – The Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro: Kia Whakatōmuri te haere whakamua: Approaching our past with curiosity and courage

The Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro, GNZM, QSO, Governor-General of New Zealand

Kia Whakatōmuri te haere whakamua:
Approaching our past with curiosity and courage

Dame Cindy Kiro spoke about the importance of research and her confidence in the Alexander Turnbull Library, not just as a secure repository, but a place where researchers can rely on the knowledge and support of professional staff. She discussed the role of memory, saying that it involves “how the past makes us feel”, and that “memories are the stories we tell ourselves about our past”. She also spoke with enthusiasm about the new directions in history being taught in schools, seeing it as a powerful tool in applying wisdom to our past. “Life can only be understood backwards”, and the pursuit of knowledge must also involve applying this knowledge in a way that does the greatest good. She herself felt immense optimism about the future of research, pointing out that approaching our past with curiosity, courage and passion will ensure that we are better equipped on our journey.

Dame Cindy Kiro is the 22nd Governor-General of New Zealand, and the first Māori woman to be appointed to this role. She is of Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Kahu and British descent. Much of Dame Cindy’s career has been in the tertiary education sector, where she became a distinguished researcher and held leadership roles at Massey University, Victoria University Wellington/Te Herenga Waka and the University of Auckland. While at the University of Auckland she was Director of the Starpath Project, which investigated the impacts of socio-economic status on educational achievement in New Zealand. Prior to taking up her current role, Dame Cindy was Chief Executive of the Royal Society Te Apārangi. She was appointed as a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (DNZM) for services to child wellbeing and education on the New Year 2021 Honours List.