Members of the university community on the re-emergence of white supremacist posters and stickers on campus, and the response from the vice-chancellor.
A university is a shared idea. We are not simply an institution with policies and processes, or an employer with employees. We are a community dedicated to the creation, preservation and sharing of knowledge. We build our collective understanding of the world and ourselves, while nurturing innovation and maintaining what is best in our society.
Given the nature of this place – and any university worthy of the name – no one person can truly speak on behalf of us all. However, the signatories of this letter declare that racism and white supremacy have no place at the University of Auckland.
Unfortunately, as has been covered in Craccum, The Spinoff and elsewhere, posters and stickers have recently appeared on campus drawing attention to the webpage of a group that aims to recruit “young white men” who will “re-tak[e] control of [their] own country”.
We have no difficulty in identifying this group and such displays as white supremacist in nature. Likewise, it is easy to state that the sentiments and ambitions it expresses are at odds with our nation’s foundation via Te Tiriti o Waitangi, however imperfectly observed: we never were a country for white men. Making this identification – along with an understanding of where such sentiments can lead – is part of the professional expertise of many scholars and students here at the University of Auckland. Finally, as human beings we clearly see that these sentiments are at odds with the norms of decent behaviour.
We understand the “absolutist” position that some take that freedom of speech extends to the right to speak in ways that are hateful. We also understand that the language of rights is complex and nuanced, recognising that such displays create an environment that brings harm to segments of our community, fraying the cultural tapestry that provides our diverse campus community with vitality and energy. We also note that by virtue of their race, gender, class, country of origin, religious affiliation, sexual or gender identity, many people empowered to judge conduct on university campuses are less likely to be the focus of hate speech, and may be slower to recognise its impact on its intended targets. However, “speech” has many forms, including gesture and nonviolent protest. If these posters constitute “free speech”, the same can be said of the actions of individuals who remove those that they encounter.
Finally, let us make this clear: these posters and the people who created them do not represent this university. As staff, students and alumni of the University of Auckland, we work to ensure that such sentiments do not take hold on campus. Our goal is to ensure that everyone who comes here flourishes within an environment that celebrates free and open enquiry, teaches the lessons of the past, and builds a better future for all.
Richard Easther, Professor of Physics
Shaun Hendy, Professor of Physics
Peter Hunter, Distinguished Professor of Bioengineering
Brian Boyd, Distinguished Professor of English
Marston Conder, Distinguished Professor of Mathematics
Cather Simpson, Professor of Physics & Chemical Sciences
Jane Kelsey, Professor, Faculty of Law
Tom Bishop, Professor of English
Rosalind Archer, Professor of Engineering Science
Merryn Gott, Professor of Health Sciences, School of Nursing
Anthony Masamu Poole, Professor of Biological Science
James Sneyd, Professor of Mathematics
Juliet Gerrard, Professor of Biochemistry
Neil Broderick, Professor of Physics
Dr Tara McAllister, Te Pūnaha Matatini
Greg Anson, Associate Professor, Exercise Sciences
Dame Anne Salmond, Distinguished Professor of Māori Studies and Anthropology
Rhys Jones, Senior Lecturer, Te Kupenga Hauora Māori
Julie (JR) Rowland, Associate Professor, School of Environment
Tracey McIntosh, Professor in Indigenous Studies
Sir Peter Gluckman, Distinguished University Professor, Liggins Institute
Kate Hannah, Te Pūnaha Matatini
Siouxsie Wiles, Associate Professor, Molecular Medicine and Pathology
James Curran, Professor of Statistics
DrHeloise Stevance, Research Fellow in Physics
Frederique Vanholsbeeck, Associate Professor, Physics
Anoma Ratnayake, Faculty of Sciecne
JJ Eldridge, Senior Lecturer in Physics
Cate Macinnis-Ng, Associate Professor in Ecology
Suzanne Purdy, Professor of Psychology
Cushla McGoverin, Senior Research Fellow in Physics
Reza Amani, Research Fellow, Physics
Craig Stevens, Assoc ProfPhysics
Van Wijk, Kasper, Physics
Elizabeth Peterson, School of Psychology
Sarah Cowie, Senior Lecturer Psychology
Mark Harvey Senior Lecturer, Creative Arts and Industries
Elizabeth Peterson, Senior Lecturer School of Psychology
Duncan McGillivray Associate Professor of Chemistry
Giovanni Russello, Professor, School of Computer Science
Ian Lambie, Associate Professor of Psychology
David Krofcheck, Senior Lecturer in Physics Physics
Michael Davison, School of Psychology
Vivien Kirk Associate Professor of Mathematics
Liana Ball, School of Computer Science
Debbie Haefele, School of Computer Science
Chun Yan Lo, PhD student in Computer Science
Vivian Nayon, Accountant, Faculty of Science
Ankita Gangotra, PhD Student Physics
David Tse Jung Huang, Computer Science
Ulrich Speidel, Senior Lecturer in Computer Science
Gerald Weber, Senior Lecturer, Computer Science
Virginia Braun, Professor of Psychology
Tristan O’Hanlon, Professional Teaching Fellow, Physics
Mariam Almasri, Professional Staff
Kerry Gibson, Associate Professor in Psychology
Tanya Evans, Lecturer, Department of Mathematics
Thomas Lumley, Professor of Biostatistics
Kirsten Locke, Critical Studies in Education
Trudie McNaughton, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Equity
Clark Thomborson, Professor, School of Computer Science
Patricia Riddle, Senior Lecturer in Computer Science
Anthony Lambert, Professor of Psychology School of Psychology
Negar Zoka, Technical Staff, Physics
Fiona Jack, Senior Lecturer, Elam School of Fine Arts
Claire Postlethwaite, Associate Professor in Mathematics
Tanya Carter, Faculty of Science
Melinda Webber, Associate Professor, Te Puna Wānanga
Emma Willis, Senior Lecturer in Drama
Sibley Chris, Professor of Psychology
David Coppin, Research Fellow in Physics
Barry Hughes, Psychology
Nicolette Rattenbury, Professional Teaching Fellow, Mathematics
Nigel George, Director Psychology Clinic Science
Ben Mallett, Research Fellow Photon Factory
Reece Roberts, Research Fellow, School of Psychology
Sam Manuela, , Lecturer in Psychology Psychology
Douglas Elliffe, Professor of Psychology
Dr Steve Wells, Department of Physics
Tom Hinton, Research Fellow in Computer Science
Tia Reihana-Morunga, Dance Studies
Thegn Ladefoged, Professor of Archaeology Anthropology
Tariq Khan, Research Programmer
Jason Tutara, Kaiārahi, Te whare Putāio
Matheson Russell, Senior Lecturer in Philosophy
Stuart McNaughton, Professor of Education and Social Work
Steven Dakin, Professor of Optometry & Vision Science
Katie Fitzpatrick, Associate Professor of Health & Physical Education, Curriculum and Pedagogy, Faculty of Education and Social Work
Claude Aguergaray, Senior Research Fellow, Physics
Thomas Lacombe, Research Fellow in Computer Science
Michelle Burstall, Senior Tutor, School of Psychology
Bryony James, Professor, Faculty of Engineering
Vanya Kovach, Philiosophy
Karen Fisher, Senior Lecturer, School of Environment
Chris Martin, A/P Philosophy
Paul Heyward, PTF, Learning, Development and Professional Practice
David Welch, Senior Lecturer in Computer Science
Stephen Davies, Distinguished Professor of Philosophy
Catherine Qualtrough, Te Pūnaha Ātea
Jonathan Kim, Computer Science
Mateja Gosenca, Research Fellow in Physics
Shahna Haneef, Research Fellow in Physics
Quentin Atkinson, Professor of Psychology
Suzanne Woodward, Professional Teaching Fellow, School of Social Sciences
Nikki Moreland, Senior Lecturer in Immunology
Martin Urschler, Computer Science
John Harvey, Professor of Physics
Alex Shaw, Lecturer, Computer Science
Peter Wills, Theoretical Biologist
Marco Bonesi, Senior Researcher in Physics
Jess Aitken, Research Fellow, Psychology
Ewan Tempero, Associate Professor, Computer Science
Meg Parsons, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Management, School of Environment
Campbell Jones, Associate Professor, Sociology
Anahera Morehu, Faculty of Business and Economics
Jason Tam, Honorary Academic in Department of Computer Science
Steffen Lippert, Department of Economics
Brian Carpenter, Professor of Computer Science (Retired)
Avril Bell, Associate Professor of Sociology
Andrew Jull, Professor, School of Nursing
Lara Greaves, Lecturer, Politics and International Relations
Esther Fitzpatrick, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Education and Social Work
Raamy Majeed, Lecturer in Philosophy
Luke Goode, Associate Professor, Media and Communication
Joerg Wicker, Lecturer in Computer Science
Nicola Gavey, Professor of Psychology
Alice Mills, Senior Lecturer, Criminology
Yezhou Liu, Computer Science
Tamasailau Suaalii-Sauni, Associate Professor in Sociology/Criminology
Alan France, Professor of Sociology, School of Social Sciences
James Cooper, School of Computer Science
Simon Barber, Te Tomokanga Fellow, Sociology
Janet S Gaffney, Professor, Educational Psychology-Literacy
Victoria Smith, Professional Staff
Liz Beddoe, Professor in Social Work
Arie Rosen, Law
Sean Sturm, Lecturer in Higher EducationFaculty of Education and Social Work
Jesse Hession Grayman, Senior Lecturer in Development Studies
Samantha Stronge, Research Fellow in Psychology
Thomas Gregory, Politics and International Relations
Constanza Tolosa, Senior Lecturer in Languages Education
Cathy Gunn, Associate Professor at CLeaR, FESW
Daniel Heke, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences
Te Amorangi, Kaimanaaki, Office of the Pro-Vice Chancellor Māori
Yvonne Underhill-Sem, Associate Professor Development Studies
Caroline Blyth, Senior Lecturer in Theological and Religious Studies
Patrick Girard, Philosophy
Padraic Bartlett, Mathematics
Sione Ma’u, Lecturer in Mathematics
Grace Gordon, Professional Teaching Fellow, Criminology
Ciara Cremin, Sociology
Anastasia Ejova, Psychology
Klaus Bosselmann, Professor of Law, Faculty of Law
Vincent Ng, Research Fellow, Physics
Shannon Walsh, Doctoral Candidate in Sociology
Littlewood, Michael, Law
Tracey Whare, Lecturer in Law
Julia Tolmie, Law
Kylie Chye, Faculty of Science
Octavia Calder-Dawe, School of Psychology
Eve de Castro-Robinson, Associate Professor in Composition, Creative Arts and Industries
Jane Norton, Law
Neal Curtis, AssocProfessor in Media and Communication
Nickola Overall, Professor of Psychology
Terence O’Neill, Director Student Equity
Jay Marlowe, Associate Professor of Social Work
Vivienne Elizabeth, Sociology & Gender Studies
Penelope Mathew (Law)
Jerry Lo, Professional teaching fellow in Social Work
Elle Musoke, Doctoral Candidate in Mathematics
Kim Locke, Mathematics
Chip Matthews, Professional Staff
Barry Milne, Director, Centre of Methods and Policy Application in the Social Sciences
Fabio Morreale, Lecturer in Music
Craig Radford, Assoc Prof Institute of Marine Science
Aaron Wilson, Faculty of Education and Social Work
Prue Taylor, School of Architecture and Planning
Claire Donald, Senior Lecturer, CLeaR, Faculty of Education and Social Work
Boyd Taylor, Professional Staff, Institute of Marine Science
Jonny Stephenson, Professional Teaching Fellow in Mathematics
Ian Hyslop , CHHSWK / Faculty of Education & Social Work
Georgina Liversidge
Brendon Dunphy, School of Biological Sciences
Emily Kendall,, Doctoral Candidate in Physics
Stephen De Pledge, Senior Lecturer, School of Music
Nicola Paton, Social and Community Health
Liza Bolton, PhD student in Statistics
Andreas Neef, Professor in Development Studies, School of Social Sciences
Jenny Hare, CHSSWK
Riki Taylor, School of Environment
Deana Lado, Mathematics Professional Staff
Annie Bartos, School of Environment
Ward Friesen, Associate Professor of Geography
Alessandro Premier, Architecture and Planning
Phil Kane, TFC
Yichen Qian
Allen Bartley, Head of School – School of Counselling, Human Services & Social Work
Monique Jonas, School of Population Health
Morgan-Jean Butler, Faculty of Medical and Health Science
Linda Tyler, Associate Professor, Convenor of Museums and Cultural Heritage
Steve Matthewman, Sociology
Jaime Rowntree, GSC Institute of Marine Science
Allyson Davys, Senior Lecturer Social work, Faculty of Education and Social Work
Yanshu Huang, Faculty of Arts
Joanna Manning, Law
Sina Greenwood, Mathematics
Bill McKay, Senior Lecturer, Architecture and Planning
Toni Bruce, Professor in Education and Social Work
Richey Wyver, Sociology department
Alexis McCullough, Libraries and Learning Services
Stephen McTaggart, COMPASS Research
Meg Jacobs, Research Fellow, Faculty of Education and Social Work
Jeremy Armstrong, Senior Lecturer in Classics and Ancient History
Danny Osborne, School of Psychology
Leonie Holmes, Senior Lecturer in Music
Libby Passau, International Office
Aaron Paterson, Lecture in Architecture , Architecture & Planning
Julia Gatley, Associate Professor of Architecture
Nicoletta Rata
Elizabeth Aitken Rose, School of Architecture and Planning
Tim Baice, Academic Staff, Education and Social Work
John Fenaughty, Counselling, Human Services and Social Work
Damon Ellis, Digital Learning Team, Faculty of Education and Social Work
Lyndsay Blue, Senior Tutor Geography
Nicholas Rattenbury, Physics
Andrea Mead, Professional Teaching Fellow in Psychology
Rachel Simon-Kumar, School of Population Health
Anna Hood, Faculty of Law
Mark Wilson, Senior Lecturer, School of Computer Science
Josh Tupene, Accommodation
Jennifer Frost, Associate Professor of History
Debbie Hager, Lecturer, Social and Community Health
Ursula McIntyre, Education and Social Work
Mary Moeono-Kolio, Criminology
Hanna Wilberg, Associate Professor in Law
Treasa Dunworth, Law
Nalei Taufa, School of Psychology
Mark Barrow, Dean, Education and Social Work
Margaret Tibbles, Libraries and Learning Services
Cronje Paea, Tuākana Biology Coordinator, School of Biological Sciences
The above is a snapshot of signatories as of noon, October – for the full list see the original letter here