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CHRISTEL YARDLEY / Things
The outrage that the high-profile Maori faculty contract will not be renewed at the University of Waikato was misdirected
One of the six Maori academics who wrote a letter alleging racism at the University of Waikato has told his supporters not to include “malicious intent” in his contract that will not be renewed as the covid crisis had led to staff cuts. .
Indigenous education professor Linda Tuhiwai Smith has told her supporters to “tone down” on Twitter after personal information about the University of Waikato was leaked online that did not renew its contract in the short term.
Smith, known in academic circles as the Mother of Indigenous Studies, was among the scholars who wrote a letter to the Ministry of Education with concerns about informal and structural racism at the university.
Smith’s supporters took to social media with a letter of support for her and the other scholars, which had attracted more than 1,000 signatures, with many saying that she had been kicked out of her job for being outspoken.
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Indigenous Education Professor Linda Tuhiwai Smith said that in this case, the fact that the University of Waikato let her go was not a racial issue or because of her bluntness.
However, Smith said the public was reading more about something that is “normal college procedure.”
“To be clear, I did not release that information about my contract,” Smith said. Stuff.
Smith, who has been at the university for more than 10 years, said he did not know who leaked the information, but was not impressed that his “private affairs” were made public.
In 2016, Smith voluntarily retired from her previous position as Pro Vice Chancellor Māori and was offered a position as a professor of Maori and Indigenous Studies at the newly formed College of Maori and Indigenous Studies on a short-term contract.
Since then, the contract had been renewed annually, but this week he was told that his contract would end this year.
“This is the time when the University of Waikato facility is normally looking for staff for the upcoming year.
“All I have been told is that my contact will not be renewed. They haven’t given me a reason, but my line managers have told me. “
During the Covid-19 shutdown, Vice Chancellor Professor Neil Quigley said in a statement to University of Waikato staff and students that the university would be going through a period of financial hardship, creating strain on all budgets.
CHRISTEL YARDLEY / Things
The University of Waikato has appointed two commissioners to conduct an independent review.
Smith said it was mentioned that hired staff might not renew their contracts and that full-time staff would be required to carry the additional workload.
“What’s happening to me is what could happen to a lot of hiring staff.”
“Personally, I am not reading malicious intent in this.
“I am willing to think that this is all subject to the normal business of the university to prepare for the future.”
Smith said his supporters had been wrong.
“They are reading that this is a sign of what is happening and that they are attacking me.”
“But my message to them is that we have to focus on the problems of systemic racism. I’m not the story, and they need to tone it down on Twitter. “
He said he intended to leave the university ten times better than when he arrived.
“Being brave and addressing systemic racism, incorporating Mātauranga Māori, and fully supporting Maori excellence in learning, teaching and research would help to achieve this in the future.”
Dominico Zapata / Things
The Rector of the University of Waikato, Sir Anand Satyan, and with the Rector Neil Quigley.
In a statement to Stuff The University of Waikato said the institute had not made any specific determination regarding Professor Linda Tuhiwai Smith, however the University could not comment further as it was an individual employment issue.
“In July we notified staff that due to the substantial financial impact of Covid-19 on the number of international students, the University would not renew or create any new fixed-term teaching or research positions unless fully funded by external research contracts. “, the statement said.
“There has been no leak of Professor Tuhiwai Smith’s personal information from any official University source.”
The University of Waikato has commissioned an independent review of recent public assertions about racism.
Commissioners Sir Harawira Gardiner and Hekia Parata were appointed to conduct the review on Friday.
Once the review is complete, the findings will be made public.
The University will not provide further comment while the review is ongoing, according to the statement.
