From the President
Kia ora tātou katoa – Hello everyone
April for me is a month of reflection. It marks the middle of autumn in New Zealand, with the heat of summer fading and cooler temperatures taking its place. The leaves change colour, and the end of daylight-saving time signals short days and long nights. Those infrequent warm days provide a tease of the warm summer past, and the south-westerly winds a warning of the impending cold and darkness of winter.
April also prompts reflection on traditions and personal values. For those who follow the Christian faith, Easter is a pivotal time in the church calendar. For many of us, it brings spicy Easter buns, chocolate eggs, and bunnies, alongside the erratic opening hours of shops and the annoying public holiday surcharge at cafes and restaurants. The pre-Good Friday supermarket rush, when people scramble as if the shops were closing for more than a day, is a spectacle of modern life.
In Aotearoa | New Zealand, Easter is a bustling period with numerous events nationwide. Inland from me, in the stunning wine-growing region of Central Otago, annual food and wine festivals draw large crowds, and the magnificent Warbirds over the Wanaka airshow attracted up to 70,000 people to a town of just 11,000. I took a break from my studies to attend a much smaller event, the Strath Taieri A & P (agricultural and pastoral) show, the last of the season in Middlemarch, an hour inland from Dunedin. On a sunny day, families enjoyed the community hall exhibits of baking and vegetable displays, preserves and jams, and merino fleeces, then they watched show jumping, horse and pony displays, sheep races, and the pet parade outside. The Mr Whippy van, sausage sizzle, and beer tent as usual kept visitors satisfied, while children were entertained by bouncy castles. A & P shows continue to be a vital part of the rural community calendar, fostering a sense of community and facilitating interaction and learning between town and country folk.
The A & P show, with its blend of tradition does serve as a microcosm of the broader societal interactions that shape our understanding and perspectives. This reflection on community and shared experiences leads me back to the concept of reflexivity, a critical element in both personal growth and professional practice.
As I have mentioned before, being reflexive is about understanding and considering different perspectives. It involves listening and reflecting on others’ viewpoints, enriching our understanding through diverse perspectives and thoughtful exploration. As institutional researchers, we have a crucial role in collecting and interpreting data to craft meaningful narratives for our institutions. When people share information through surveys, interviews, or other means, they are entrusting us with a taonga (treasure) that deserves the utmost respect. Faced with the challenge of reporting in a way that supports a particular narrative, we must think reflexively about how to maintain our personal integrity, while crafting a narrative that aligns with our values and responsibilities but also remains true to the knowledge and thoughts given to us.
The act of reflection, whether prompted by the changing seasons, cultural traditions, or community events, is a powerful tool in our journey of self-discovery and professional development. By embracing reflexivity, we not only enrich our own lives, but also contribute to the collective narrative, fostering a deeper understanding and respect for the diverse tapestry of human experience. As we continue to navigate the complexities of our roles and the world around us, let us remain committed to the principles of integrity and thoughtful reflection, ensuring that our work and interactions are meaningful and impactful.
Hei konā mai – Goodbye for now
Stuart Terry
President, AAIR
