Dame Judith Binney

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Dame Judith Binney, DNZM FRSNZ

Australian-born, Judith Binney moved to Aotearoa as a young girl. An academic and non-fiction writer Binney focused on New Zealand history, particularly Māori history. Binney altered the way we read history and, in doing so, transformed many New Zealanders’ understanding of our colonial past. 

In her research Binney drew on oral histories, communal memories and photographs. This expanded on and challenged traditional historical research enabling more voices to be heard, particularly those of Māori and women who generally did not feature in colonial histories. 

Binney’s luminous career included her twice winning the Book of the Year Award, the Prime Minister’s Award (2006) and the Elsdon Best Medal (2009).

Watch this farewell to Judith Binney broadcast on Te Karere.

Find out more about Dame Judith Binney:

See Binney's author page Bridget Williams Books.

Read her obituary from the Royal Society.

View Binny's obituary from the New Zealand Review of Books.  

Image: Screengrab from Te Karere.