Gerard O'Regan
2025: Dr Gerard O’Regan of Tūhura Otago Museum will combine analysis of archaeological survey data with qualitative interviews to expand our understanding of Māori rock art and it’s artistic, heritage and tourism potential for Aotearoa New Zealand
Although Māori rock art is one of the oldest forms of artistic expression in Aotearoa New Zealand, it still holds many secrets. Dr Gerard O’Regan (Ngāi Tahu) has been awarded a Mana Tūānuku Research Leader Fellowship to characterise Māori rock art in Aotearoa, drawing on new and existing archaeological survey data, as well as interviews with mana whenua (including ringatoi artists and kaitiaki guardians of existing rock art). The aim is to explore how the uses of this art form have changed over time, transcending times, peoples, and places. The project will reflect on commonalities and differences between Māori rock art and that of other Polynesian peoples, with a particular focus on how first contact and colonisation impacted artistic practices. This research will aid preservation of archaeological heritage rock art sites and raise the profile of regions with rock art sites. It also offers opportunities for development of the Māori economy and cultural tourism.
Dr Gerard O’Regan is an archaeologist and specialist in cultural heritage, who was a founding trustee of the Ngāi Tahu Māori Rock Art Trust, was Ngāi Tahu’s first Heritage Manager and is now Curator Māori at Tūhura Otago Museum (where he also serves as Pouhere Kaupapa Māori). After a BA in Anthropology from Otago and a PhD from Waipapa Taumata Rau – the University of Auckland, Gerard became a research fellow at the James Henare Māori Research Centre and is an Honorary Senior Research Fellow at Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka – the University of Otago, earning grants from the Endeavour Smart Idea and Marsden Funds.
Dr Gerard O'Regan discussing sailing ship motifs of first contact with Ngāi Tahu rangatahi at Maerewhenua, Waitaki (photo supplied)