Paul Moon
Encyclopedia
Paul Moon is a New Zealand
historian
and a professor at the Auckland University of Technology
. He is a prolific writer of New Zealand history and biography, specialising in Māori history, the Treaty of Waitangi
and the early period of Crown rule.
in History and Political Studies, a Master of Philosophy degree
with distinction, a Master of Arts degree
with honours, and a Doctor of Philosophy, and in 2003, was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society at University College London
.
Moon is recognized for his study of the Treaty of Waitangi, and has published two books on the topic. He has also produced the biographies of Governors William Hobson
and Robert FitzRoy
, and the Ngā Puhi chief Hone Heke
. In 2003, he published the book Tohunga: Hohepa Kereopa, an explication regarding tohunga
of the Ngāi Tūhoe. He has also written a major biography of the Ngā Puhi politician and Kotahitanga leader Hone Heke Ngapua
(1869–1909), and wrote the best-selling Fatal Frontiers – a history of New Zealand in the 1830s.
In addition to writing books, Moon is a frequent contributor to national and international academic journals on a variety of history-related topics.
Currently, Moon is Professor of History at the Auckland University of Technology
's Te Ara Poutama, the Faculty of Māori Development, where he has taught since 1993.
Moon is no stranger to controversy. His 2002 book Te Ara Ki Te Tiriti, which represented a watermark in Treaty scholarship, became a favourite of Maori activist groups, and copies of it were seen circulating in the Foreshore and Seabed Hikoi in 2004. On the other hand, in early 2007, he was described by one reviewer as New Zealand’s most right-historian following the release of his history of New Zealand in the 1830s, Fatal Frontiers.
Such labels have not concerned Moon, as he explained in 2007: ‘As an historian, you have to expect some knocks. I generally pay very little attention to what people say about my books – both criticism and praise. I am a great believer in Cromwell’s adage that the people who applaud you on your rise will be the same ones cheering at your execution’.
Paul Moon is estimated to be one of New Zealand's most financially successful authors, based on a combination of his prolific output and estimated sales of each of his books.
’s Frontier of Dreams
programme explaining the history of the Waitangi Treaty, on Prime TV
’s New Zealand's Top 100 History Makers
programme, on TVNZ’s Close-Up, Marae, Te Karere, and Waka Huia programmes, on TV3 News
, on SKY News Australia, and on Maori Television as an election night analyst. He is a frequent commentator on Treaty-related issues on Radio New Zealand
’s Morning Report programme, on NewsTalk ZB, Radio Pacific
, and Radio Live.
caused a major controversy because of its treatment of Bishop Jean Baptiste Pompallier
, whom Moon described as ‘seditious’ and ‘treasonous’. When interviewed by the New Zealand Herald on the strong reaction to his criticism of Pompallier, Moon pointed out that his comments in the book amounted to just a few sentences, and that his descriptions of Pompallier were entirely accurate based on the sources, including the oral histories of Heke's whanau
.
What followed, however, was a prolonged effort to undermine both the book and Moon. This was led by a Catholic priest and a Catholic academic, and continued for the next five years in a form that Moon noted included ‘a malicious whispering campaign as well as attempts to prevent me from publishing further research’.
In 2007, Moon discussed the matter with Father David Tonks – the Pastoral Assistant to the Bishop of Auckland. Tonks conceded that the actions of just a handful of individuals associated with the Church – including one priest – were ‘problematic’, and ‘uncharitable’, and that there had been a definite intent to undermine Moon’s integrity through a ‘character attack’.
A commitment was given by the Catholic Church to bring an end to the invective against Moon from the relevant individuals, and Moon responded by saying ‘I fully trust Father Tonks’ sincerity, and as far as I am concerned, the matter has been laid to rest’.
magazine published a feature-length article on the so-called "Littlewood Treaty". Members of the One New Zealand Foundation claimed to have unearthed the ‘original’ English text of the Treaty of Waitangi, and alleged a conspiracy by the country’s historians to silence any discussion on it. Moon wrote a lengthy response to the article, published in the magazine’s next edition, which dismantled this conspiracy theory point by point. What followed was an internet campaign against Moon by supporters of the conspiracy, and the publication online of correspondence between Moon and Ross Baker of the One New Zealand Foundation over the Littlewood document.
In 2006, one proponent of the ‘Littlewood Treaty’ falsely implied that Moon had begun to support their cause, but was forced to retract this statement when Moon's solicitor threatened legal action.
Claudia Orange
, herself a Treaty expert and manager of the ‘Roadshow’, stated that Moon was “out of his mind” for reaching such conclusions. In April that year, Moon presented figures and analysis to support his original claim, to which Orange responded by labelling him as “irresponsible”.
When asked for a reaction to Orange’s outbursts, Moon was quoted as saying: “Claudia's comments reflect poorly only on herself. I start each day with a clean slate. I don’t carry over any animosity from the previous day, and I certainly don’t nurse any grudge towards her”.
, in which he discusses cannibalism
amongst historical Māori, has also drawn substantial criticism. It sparked accusations that Moon was demonising Maori, and some argued the book was "a return to Victorian values". Moon hit back in a newspaper article in which he accused the critics of the book of attempting to censor him. He also was critical of some of the superficial commentaries made by particular academics, and noted that many people had criticised the book before it had even been released.
newspaper.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
historian
Historian
A historian is a person who studies and writes about the past and is regarded as an authority on it. Historians are concerned with the continuous, methodical narrative and research of past events as relating to the human race; as well as the study of all history in time. If the individual is...
and a professor at the Auckland University of Technology
Auckland University of Technology
The Auckland University of Technology is a university in New Zealand. It was formed on 1 January 2000 when the Auckland Institute of Technology was granted university status. Its primary campus is on Wellesley Street in Auckland's Central business district...
. He is a prolific writer of New Zealand history and biography, specialising in Māori history, the Treaty of Waitangi
Treaty of Waitangi
The Treaty of Waitangi is a treaty first signed on 6 February 1840 by representatives of the British Crown and various Māori chiefs from the North Island of New Zealand....
and the early period of Crown rule.
Career
He holds a Bachelor of Arts degreeBachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in History and Political Studies, a Master of Philosophy degree
Master of Philosophy
The Master of Philosophy is a postgraduate research degree.An M.Phil. is a lesser degree than a Doctor of Philosophy , but in many cases it is considered to be a more senior degree than a taught Master's degree, as it is often a thesis-only degree. In some instances, an M.Phil...
with distinction, a Master of Arts degree
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
with honours, and a Doctor of Philosophy, and in 2003, was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society at University College London
University College London
University College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and the oldest and largest constituent college of the federal University of London...
.
Moon is recognized for his study of the Treaty of Waitangi, and has published two books on the topic. He has also produced the biographies of Governors William Hobson
William Hobson
Captain William Hobson RN was the first Governor of New Zealand and co-author of the Treaty of Waitangi.-Early life:...
and Robert FitzRoy
Robert FitzRoy
Vice-Admiral Robert FitzRoy RN achieved lasting fame as the captain of HMS Beagle during Charles Darwin's famous voyage, and as a pioneering meteorologist who made accurate weather forecasting a reality...
, and the Ngā Puhi chief Hone Heke
Hone Heke
Hone Wiremu Heke Pokai was a Māori rangatira and war leader in Northern New Zealand and a nephew of Hongi Hika, an earlier war leader of the Ngāpuhi iwi. Hone Heke is considered the principal instigator of the Flagstaff War....
. In 2003, he published the book Tohunga: Hohepa Kereopa, an explication regarding tohunga
Tohunga
In the culture of the Māori of New Zealand, a tohunga is an expert practitioner of any skill or art, religious or otherwise. Tohunga may include expert priests, healers, navigators, carvers, builders, teachers and advisors. The equivalent term in Hawaiian culture is kahuna...
of the Ngāi Tūhoe. He has also written a major biography of the Ngā Puhi politician and Kotahitanga leader Hone Heke Ngapua
Hone Heke Ngapua
Hone Heke Ngapuha was a Māori and Liberal Party Member of Parliament in New Zealand. He was born in Kaikohe, and was named after his great-uncle Hone Heke....
(1869–1909), and wrote the best-selling Fatal Frontiers – a history of New Zealand in the 1830s.
In addition to writing books, Moon is a frequent contributor to national and international academic journals on a variety of history-related topics.
Currently, Moon is Professor of History at the Auckland University of Technology
Auckland University of Technology
The Auckland University of Technology is a university in New Zealand. It was formed on 1 January 2000 when the Auckland Institute of Technology was granted university status. Its primary campus is on Wellesley Street in Auckland's Central business district...
's Te Ara Poutama, the Faculty of Māori Development, where he has taught since 1993.
Moon is no stranger to controversy. His 2002 book Te Ara Ki Te Tiriti, which represented a watermark in Treaty scholarship, became a favourite of Maori activist groups, and copies of it were seen circulating in the Foreshore and Seabed Hikoi in 2004. On the other hand, in early 2007, he was described by one reviewer as New Zealand’s most right-historian following the release of his history of New Zealand in the 1830s, Fatal Frontiers.
Such labels have not concerned Moon, as he explained in 2007: ‘As an historian, you have to expect some knocks. I generally pay very little attention to what people say about my books – both criticism and praise. I am a great believer in Cromwell’s adage that the people who applaud you on your rise will be the same ones cheering at your execution’.
Paul Moon is estimated to be one of New Zealand's most financially successful authors, based on a combination of his prolific output and estimated sales of each of his books.
Criticism
Moon's works have come in for criticism from some reviewers. Their criticisms fall into two categories. The first relates to his historical approach. In many of his books, he has stated that he writes history from the perspective of those involved at the time, and not with the historian's benefit of hindsight. The result is that some of his conclusions differ from what later analyses of events reveal. The second criticism is of his writing style – something that has polarised reviewers. Some describe it as engaging, while others denounce it as not conforming to the typical style used in many New Zealand histories.Media appearances
In the past few years, Moon has appeared on TVNZTelevision New Zealand
Television New Zealand, more commonly referred to, and stylized as TVNZ, is a government-owned corporation television network broadcasting in New Zealand and parts of the Pacific. It operates TV1, TV2, TVNZ7, TVNZ Heartland, TVNZ U and new media services....
’s Frontier of Dreams
Frontier Of Dreams
Frontier of Dreams was a major New Zealand documentary television series. It covered the history of New Zealand from its geological past through to the present day in 13 one-hour episodes, and was broadcast by Television New Zealand from 24 September 2005 weekly until December...
programme explaining the history of the Waitangi Treaty, on Prime TV
Prime Television
PRIME7 is an Australian television network owned by Prime Media Group Limited. Prime Television launched on 17 March 1962 as CBN/CWN in Orange and Dubbo, New South Wales, and has since expanded to cover regional New South Wales, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory as a Seven Network...
’s New Zealand's Top 100 History Makers
New Zealand's Top 100 History Makers
New Zealand's Top 100 History Makers was a weekly television programme first shown on Prime Television New Zealand on 6 October 2005. 430 notable New Zealanders were ranked by a panel to determine the 100 most influential in New Zealand history...
programme, on TVNZ’s Close-Up, Marae, Te Karere, and Waka Huia programmes, on TV3 News
TV3 (New Zealand)
TV3 is a New Zealand commercial television network, owned by MediaWorks New Zealand. Launched on 26 November 1989, the first private television network in New Zealand...
, on SKY News Australia, and on Maori Television as an election night analyst. He is a frequent commentator on Treaty-related issues on Radio New Zealand
Radio New Zealand
Radio New Zealand is a New Zealand public service radio broadcaster and Crown entity formed by the Radio New Zealand Act 1995. It operates news, current affairs and arts network Radio New Zealand National and classical music and jazz network Radio New Zealand Concert with full government funding...
’s Morning Report programme, on NewsTalk ZB, Radio Pacific
Radio Pacific
Radio Pacific was a New Zealand talkback radio station. The station also broadcast an extensive selection of horse racing commentary.-History:The station was originally started in Auckland in 1978 on 1593am...
, and Radio Live.
Attacks over Pompallier
Moon’s 2001 biography of Hone HekeHone Heke
Hone Wiremu Heke Pokai was a Māori rangatira and war leader in Northern New Zealand and a nephew of Hongi Hika, an earlier war leader of the Ngāpuhi iwi. Hone Heke is considered the principal instigator of the Flagstaff War....
caused a major controversy because of its treatment of Bishop Jean Baptiste Pompallier
Jean Baptiste Pompallier
Jean Baptiste François Pompallier was the first vicar apostolic to visit New Zealand. He was born in Lyon, France. He became the first Roman Catholic Bishop of Auckland.-Appointment and voyage:...
, whom Moon described as ‘seditious’ and ‘treasonous’. When interviewed by the New Zealand Herald on the strong reaction to his criticism of Pompallier, Moon pointed out that his comments in the book amounted to just a few sentences, and that his descriptions of Pompallier were entirely accurate based on the sources, including the oral histories of Heke's whanau
Whanau
Whānau , is a Māori-language word for extended family, now increasingly entering New Zealand English, particularly in official publications.In Māori society, the whānau is also a political unit, below the level of hapū and iwi, and the word itself also has other meanings: as a verb meaning to give...
.
What followed, however, was a prolonged effort to undermine both the book and Moon. This was led by a Catholic priest and a Catholic academic, and continued for the next five years in a form that Moon noted included ‘a malicious whispering campaign as well as attempts to prevent me from publishing further research’.
In 2007, Moon discussed the matter with Father David Tonks – the Pastoral Assistant to the Bishop of Auckland. Tonks conceded that the actions of just a handful of individuals associated with the Church – including one priest – were ‘problematic’, and ‘uncharitable’, and that there had been a definite intent to undermine Moon’s integrity through a ‘character attack’.
A commitment was given by the Catholic Church to bring an end to the invective against Moon from the relevant individuals, and Moon responded by saying ‘I fully trust Father Tonks’ sincerity, and as far as I am concerned, the matter has been laid to rest’.
Littlewood document
In 2004 InvestigateInvestigate (New Zealand)
Investigate is a current affairs magazine published in New Zealand. It has a conservative Christian editorial standpoint and has published a number of controversial articles. Many of the more notable articles have been critical of policies and members of the centre-left Fifth Labour Government of...
magazine published a feature-length article on the so-called "Littlewood Treaty". Members of the One New Zealand Foundation claimed to have unearthed the ‘original’ English text of the Treaty of Waitangi, and alleged a conspiracy by the country’s historians to silence any discussion on it. Moon wrote a lengthy response to the article, published in the magazine’s next edition, which dismantled this conspiracy theory point by point. What followed was an internet campaign against Moon by supporters of the conspiracy, and the publication online of correspondence between Moon and Ross Baker of the One New Zealand Foundation over the Littlewood document.
In 2006, one proponent of the ‘Littlewood Treaty’ falsely implied that Moon had begun to support their cause, but was forced to retract this statement when Moon's solicitor threatened legal action.
Dispute with Claudia Orange
In January 2007, Paul Moon commented in a newspaper interview that the Government’s ‘Treaty Roadshow’ Treaty 2U – a truck-and-trailer tour around the country of information about the Treaty of Waitangi – had been a poor use of money and was largely ineffectual, especially in the major centres where public interest in it was almost non-existent.Claudia Orange
Claudia Orange
Dame Claudia Joseph Orange, DNZM, OBE is a New Zealand historian. She is best known for her book The Treaty of Waitangi, which was derived from her PhD thesis and published in 1987. It was highly successful by the standards of non-rugby related New Zealand history...
, herself a Treaty expert and manager of the ‘Roadshow’, stated that Moon was “out of his mind” for reaching such conclusions. In April that year, Moon presented figures and analysis to support his original claim, to which Orange responded by labelling him as “irresponsible”.
When asked for a reaction to Orange’s outbursts, Moon was quoted as saying: “Claudia's comments reflect poorly only on herself. I start each day with a clean slate. I don’t carry over any animosity from the previous day, and I certainly don’t nurse any grudge towards her”.
Māori cannibalism
Moon's 2008 book This Horrid PracticeThis Horrid Practice
This Horrid Practice: The Myth and Reality of Traditional Maori Cannibalism is a 2008 non-fiction book by New Zealand historian Paul Moon. The book is a comprehensive survey of the history of cannibalism among the Māori of New Zealand...
, in which he discusses cannibalism
Cannibalism
Cannibalism is the act or practice of humans eating the flesh of other human beings. It is also called anthropophagy...
amongst historical Māori, has also drawn substantial criticism. It sparked accusations that Moon was demonising Maori, and some argued the book was "a return to Victorian values". Moon hit back in a newspaper article in which he accused the critics of the book of attempting to censor him. He also was critical of some of the superficial commentaries made by particular academics, and noted that many people had criticised the book before it had even been released.
Heke's flagpole
In 2009 the auction firm Dunbar Sloane announced its intention to sell a piece of wood allegedly taken from the flagpole Hone Heke chopped down at Russell in the mid-1840s. Moon was asked for a professional opinion and stated that the piece of wood was almost certainly a late nineteenth century fake. The item was withdrawn from auction, but sold privately to the Russell Museum later in the year for an undisclosed sum.http://www.northernadvocate.co.nz/local/news/museum-flagpole-a-fake-historian/3907518/Broadcasting Standards Association complaint
In July 2009, Paul Moon was interviewed by Paul Henry on TVNZ's "Breakfast" programme about a Maori flag. The interview was the subject of complaints made by Boyd Broughton and Pita Rickys. Both complaints were rejected by TVNZ, and when the complainants went to the BSA, the Authority also rejected them on every count.http://www.nzherald.co.nz/broadcasting-standards-authority/news/article.cfm?o_id=28&objectid=10617495Family
Paul Moon was born in Auckland, the son of Evan Moon, a solicitor, and Dragica Moon (née Pavličević) who emigrated to New Zealand from Montenegro in 1966. His father's family came to New Zealand from Sussex, in the mid-1880s, and was involved in the establishment of the Auckland StarAuckland Star
The Auckland Star was an evening daily newspaper published in Auckland, New Zealand, from 24 March 1870 to 20 August 1991. Survived by its Sunday edition, the Sunday Star, part of its name endures in The Sunday Star-Times, created in the 1994 merger of the Dominion Sunday Times and the Sunday...
newspaper.