Keynote Speakers

Opening Keynote

Dr Stanley Griffin

Stanley H. Griffin is Deputy Dean, Undergraduate Matters and Senior Lecturer, in Archival and Information Studies in the Faculty of Humanities and Education, Department of Library and Information Studies (DLIS) respectively at The University of the West Indies, Mona Jamaica Campus. He holds a BA (Hons.) in History, a PhD in Cultural Studies (with High Commendation), from the Cave Hill Barbados Campus of The University of the West Indies, and an MSc in Archives and Records Management (Int’l), University of Dundee, Scotland.

His research interests include Multiculturalism in Antigua and the Eastern Caribbean; the Cultural Dynamics of intra-Caribbean migrations; Archives in the constructs of Caribbean culture; and Community Archives in the Caribbean. His most recent publications include Decolonizing the Caribbean Record: An Archives Reader (Litwin 2018), and Archiving Caribbean Identity: Records, Community, and Memory (Routledge, 2022) co-edited works with Jeannette Bastian and John Aarons, several book chapters and journal articles on Caribbean archival, cultural, historical, and memory issues.

Stanley is active on the executive of several academic, heritage, and archival professional societies, including the Caribbean’s archival association, CARBICA, and is a member of the Editorial Board of The International Journal of Information, Diversity, & Inclusion.

Loris Williams Memorial Lecture

Hinerangi Himiona (Ngāpuhi nui tonu)

Hinerangi is a descendant from ancestors who came to Aotearoa from Te Moana nui a Kiwa many generations ago. Her ancestors settled on the lands she was born and still lives on today, a beautiful fertile land called Taiāmai in Te Tai Tokerau (Northland), Aotearoa (New Zealand).

Hinerangi trained as a archivist with a small cohort in the early 1990’s when for a short time, an archives qualification was offered in New Zealand. She has worked in the archives and broader cultural heritage sector for the past thirty years over the past decade has been an independent contractor enabling her to work on projects of her choosing with groups, organisations and institutions whose values, needs and purpose align with hers.

In recent years she has been at the forefront of some local, national and internationally significant projects as a member of the International Council on Archives inaugural Expert Group on Indigenous Matters that drafted the 2019, Tandanya Adelaide Declaration calling on the jurisdictional archives of the world to acknowledge and adopt the themes and commitments of the Declaration for immediate action. From 2015-2017 she was the Principal Advisor for the He Tohu project and exhibition containing He Whakaputanga, Te Tiriti and the Women’s Suffrage Petition. She was the Principal Advisor Māori for engagement with Māori and the design of the new national archives building in Wellington. Most recently she has been a special advisor working with and between iwi and government authorities on the possible return of He Whakaputanga and Te Tiriti o Waitangi to the care of iwi.

Day 2 Keynote

Michele Leggott

Michele Leggott is a poet and editor with a consuming interest in archives and the poetics of memory. She has published eleven collections of poetry and was the New Zealand Poet Laureate 2007-09. Her archival work includes a monograph on the late poetry of American Modernist Louis Zukofsky and editions of the poetry of New Zealander Robin Hyde, as well as a foray into 1960s New Zealand poetry and a selected edition, with Martin Edmond, of the poems of Alan Brunton. She received the Prime Minister’s Award for Literary Achievement in Poetry in 2013. In 2017 she was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand. Michele lives in Tamaki Makaurau Auckland.

Catherine Field-Dodgson (Rongowhakaata, Ngāi Tāmanuhiri, Te Aitanga a Mahaki)

Catherine Field-Dodgson is the author of ‘In Full Bloom: Botanical Art and Flower Painting by Women in 1880s New Zealand,’ a 2003 Masters thesis that includes the first detailed study of Emily Harris’s exhibiting practices. She is active in community and environmental organisations and a beginner learner of Te Reo Māori. She is currently researching her 2x great-grandmother Keita Halbert/Wyllie/Gannon and her connections to Tūranganui-a-Kiwa. Catherine lives in Te Awa Kairangi Lower Hutt, Wellington.

In 2025 Te Papa Press will publish Michele and Catherine’s book, Groundwork: The Art and Writing of Emily Cumming Harris.

Closing Keynote - Panel

Anahera Morehu (Ngāti Whātua, Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa, Te Aupōuri, Ngāti Kahu)

Anahera Morehu was the Tumuaki of Te Rōpū and President of Library and Information Association NZ Association (LIANZA). In the beginning of 2022, she was appointed Kaihautū (Director Rātonga Māori) at Archives New Zealand before being appointed as Chief Archivist. She is an established leader across the information management sector and across iwi Māori and is a member of the trust board of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua. She’s the country’s first Māori and wāhine to hold this important statutory role in a permanent capacity.

Timoci Balenaivalu

Timoci is the Principal Archivist - National Archives of Fiji.

An archivist by profession for the last 29 years and a graduate of Edith Cowan University in Information Services - Timoci has been involved in the last 10 years promoting good governance through proper records management within the Civil service in Fiji. He has also been engaged with the promotion of archives and archival records to the nation of Fiji with the objective of ensuring that the culture and traditions of all Fijians is safeguarded. Tim’s mission is to continue to advocate for improvements to records management in the pacific as well as engage in the development of application and system that will preserve and allows easy access.

Mamao Tafao

Mamao Tafao is the Archivist at the National Archives of Tuvalu and is currently Acting as the Chief Librarian and Archivist. With eight years of dedicated service at the National Archives, Mamao plays a crucial role in preserving and conserving Tuvalu's public records.

In her role, she manages a wide array of responsibilities, including overseeing archival outreach, ensuring the preservation and conservation of Tuvalu records, maintaining good recordkeeping practices, and coordinating the efforts of volunteers and interns. Her work is vital in safeguarding Tuvalu's cultural heritage for future generations.

One of Mamao's significant accomplishments as the Acting Chief Archivist includes her collaboration with the Chairman of the Tuvalu UNESCO Memory of the World Committee. Together, they worked on the Tuvalu MOW nomination joint effort with Australia, which successfully led to Tuvalu's inscription on the MOWCAP National Register in May this year. This achievement highlights her commitment to promoting Tuvalu's historical records on an international stage.

Mamao holds a Diploma in Library and Information Services Level V from the University of the South Pacific and is currently pursuing a degree majoring in History and Politics/International Relations at the same university. In addition to her professional skills, Mamao is known for her compassion, patience, and understanding, traits that greatly enhance her effectiveness in her role. Mamao Tafao's dedication and expertise make her a pivotal figure in the preservation of Tuvalu's cultural heritage, ensuring that the nation's history is well-preserved and accessible

Facilitator: Simon Froude

Simon Froude is Director-General of National Archives of Australia. Prior to joining National Archives, Simon was Director and State Archivist at State Records of South Australia, where he was responsible for the preservation and accessibility of some of the state’s most important historical records, as well as records and information management, freedom of information and privacy, for the South Australian Government.

As Director-General, Simon is leading National Archives through the next phase of its transformation to ensure it continues as a beacon for best practice management of the official records of the Commonwealth of Australia, and that Australian Government information of enduring significance is secured, preserved and available to government agencies, researchers and the community.

Simon’s driving passion is to improve the accessibility of government records, with a particular focus on improving access to individuals and groups impacted by past government policy. He has extensive experience in archival and records management within the public sector, including at State Records of South Australia and South Australia’s Department of Education and Department of Treasury and Finance.