About the book
A century and a half now separate us from the founding of Canterbury College, the institution from which the University of Canterbury | Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha evolved.
In A New History: The University of Canterbury 1873–2023, historian John Wilson offers a fresh interpretation of an institution that has played a central role in shaping the development of research culture and university education in Aotearoa New Zealand and that has been at the forefront of the shift to a postcolonial university world.
In examining the University’s development, Wilson highlights how the institution evolved as part of the community it continues to serve, while offering city, province and Aotearoa as a whole leadership and, on occasion, challenging expectations.
Dr Wilson is joined by the University’s vice-chancellor, Professor Cheryl de la Rey, its pou whakarae, Professor Te Maire Tau, and representatives of the Pacific community led by Distinguished Professor Steven Ratuva, each of whom provides further reflections on topics and issues raised by the book’s themes, exploring the past but also considering what this unique institution may offer the future. A prologue by Dr Chris Jones introduces the project and explores the challenges of writing university histories.
