McKenzie Award – for education research: awarded by the New Zealand Association for Research in Education to Professor John Barrington
Citation: John Barrington, an Associate Professor at Victoria University until 1999, has been a leading educational researcher for 40 years. His research has consistently produced ground-breaking insights in several educational fields. His latest book, Separate but Equal? Māori Schools and the Crown 1867-1969, published by Victoria University Press in 2008, was described in the Journal of Pacific History as a ‘landmark study’, and further cements his reputation as the foremost historian of Māori education. This reputation recognises his many comparative ethnic studies, which include numerous international and national publications in edited international and leading journals. John has also produced several major research reports for Treaty of Waitangi Tribunal inquiries.
John’s ability to undertake original research has also been demonstrated in other fields, including educational administration. His extensive analysis of the Tomorrow’s Schools reforms demonstrated that several underlying explanations for these had indigenous origins, rather than just being attributable to overseas influences. He has held several senior positions in education, particularly in the area of governance, and was a founding member and second President of the New Zealand Association for Research in Education.
