Talanoa: Dr. Valance Smith

Our Talanoa series comes out of our Marsden Project (2019-2023), 'Vā Moana: space and relationality in Pacific thought and identity'.

This Talanoa with Dr. Valance Smith (Ngāpuhi, Waikato, Ngāti Haina, Ngāti Pākehā), Assistant Pro-Vice Chancellor (Māori Advancement) at Auckland University of Technology, is about similarities and differences between the connotations of vā (Sāmoan) and wā (Māori). It was recorded on 11 February 2021 in the wharenui Te Pūrengi, Ngā Wai o Horotiu marae, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.

Valance is an affiliate and advisor of the Vā Moana research cluster and has accompanied us, particularly in our explorations of the transition from a vā arising from physical co-presence to different forms of digital vā, from the beginning of the Marsden research project.

Click here to watch the talanoa.

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